A/N: Had a bit of a hard time writing this chapter (thus the delay), but I think I like how it turned out.
I don't own these characters, and have no affiliation with Guinness (lol).
Friday, 8:00pm
"Well, I'm at Union Square. Where should I meet you?"
Beck spots Jade from afar and hangs up.
"Beck? Hello?" She takes the phone away from her ear when she hears the dial tone. "What the heck?"
Suddenly tan arms wrap around her waist from behind, causing her to jump.
"It's just me, please don't elbow me in the stomach," Beck says quickly, remembering almost too late that surprising Jade could be a dangerous game. He kisses her cheek before letting go.
"You know I would have stomped on your foot and then elbowed you in the gut, right?" She states, turning around to face him with her arms crossed.
"Nope, but duly noted," he replies with an exaggerated nod. Jade takes a step towards him to close the distance.
Beck's mouth turns up into a happy, crooked smile as he bends down to kiss her. But his lips never meet hers as she ducks away. With his face so close Jade suddenly gets a whiff of him and the potent smell of rubbing alcohol fills her nose.
"Are you drunk?" She asks accusingly, taking another sniff.
"Not really, I just took a quick shot...or two." With a giggle he grabs her hand and begins leading them in the direction of a nearby bar.
The pair arrive at a small Irish pub with neon beer signs and leftover holiday decorations lining the walls. Two TVs hang high up on the wall behind the bar. Jade's eyes take in the short shelf just beneath them where about five bottles of liquor are stacked in a row. An array of draft beers stretch along the counter in front of the bartender. Saving the pub from being a total dive bar, bright twinkly lights frame the front window and draw attention to the musician standing beneath them, set up with a guitar and mini amp playing Irish folk songs.
The acoustic live music and soft lighting emanating from the fairy lights creates a surprisingly cozy atmosphere.
A few older men and women are dotted around the space, all facing towards the musician.
Beck and Jade find two open stools at the bar and take a seat. As Beck clumsily scooches his stool closer to Jade, the bartender saunters over to take their order.
"I'll have a Guinness." Beck says, adjusting himself to sit upright, a smile still plastered to his face.
Spotting a bottle of vodka earlier Jade decides to go for a martini.
"And two olives," Beck chimes in quickly. She offers him a nod of approval and lets a grin slip out. She ignores the snickers coming from the guy a few stools down. The bartender opens the completely full bottle of alcohol- clearly people didn't order cocktails very often.
Beck scooches his stool towards her, making their knees knock together.
"So, why'd you bring me here and why do you look so happy?" Jade asks, getting right to the point. She clasps her hands and bravely places them onto the thankfully not-sticky counter.
Beck waits for the bartender to set the drinks down. He opens his mouth to begin, but suddenly questions whether or not it's a good idea to tell her. His smile falters. He was supposed to plan out what he was going to say on his way to meet her. Unfortunately he's now realizing that never happened and now she's waiting for a response.
Well, here goes...time to put those improv sessions to work.
"I just found out Andre is sleeping with Tori." He starts, saying the words slowly and with a hint of uncertainty. Jade's mouth straightens into a line. She looks at him skeptically, unsure where this is going.
"And?"
Taking a moment to study her face and keeping his eyes locked with hers, he decides this is something she'll want to hear.
With a confident smile, he declares, "I don't care!" Jade doesn't move when he happily taps his glass against hers.
"Care to give me some details here?" She asks, growing annoyed at his antics.
He takes a big gulp from his glass then sets it back on the bar. The music pauses for a moment, and briefly distracts his train of thought. Jade clears her throat to get his attention.
"Well?" Geez, how much did he drink before leaving his apartment? She thinks.
He feels himself loosening up and entering a state teetering between tipsy and drunk, something he didn't expect to happen so quickly.
"Well, the news didn't phase me as much as I thought it would. In fact, it didn't even hurt. But that's not the only reason I invited you her-
"Did Andre tell you he slept with her?" Jade interrupts.
"Hmm, not really…" Beck bites his lip to stop from smiling, "A text from Tori might have come up on his phone while he was in the shower...and I may have seen it," he answers.
Jade takes a slow sip of her drink to let the words sink in before replying, "Snooping? That's pretty dirty of you, Oliver."
Her lips curve into a sly smile.
"No, no, dear Jade. It's only snooping if you're searching for information. This was just an accidental glance at his phone." He pauses to give her a coy smile, then continues, "But I know you like dirty, West. So we can always pretend..."
Jade narrows her eyes as he takes another long swig. While he's preoccupied, she tries to process everything he's said.
"Hold on. Let me get this straight, you're telling me we're here to celebrate that you're officially over your ex-girlfriend, even though we've been dating this whole time?" She asks in an accusing, verging-on-angry tone. She hides her frown behind her martini glass.
Beck leans in closer, knocking their knees together again.
"Not exactly…" He knows he has to choose his next words with care. A task made difficult due to his brain becoming fuzzy, and Jade slightly intimidating him.
He's really regretting not planning this out beforehand.
With a breath he begins, "I haven't thought about high school since the break up with Tori."
Jade purses her lips, still confused, but making note that he never actually answered her question.
Beck presses on.
"I was too nervous to think about, or even talk to anyone from my past- like Cat. Everything reminded me of Tori and it was much easier bottling up that...pain with a drink and a party."
He pauses to take another sip of beer as Jade sips her martini.
"After seeing those texts tonight, I actually allowed myself to reminisce about those days. And you know what?" Jade's stomach tightens. Sensing distress, Beck places his drink down to reach for her hand.
"I didn't feel anything. Instead, I just remembered my life as it is right now...and how excited I am for the future." He gives her hand a light squeeze before continuing. "I never noticed I was kind of numb, or that I had to work to make myself truly happy- the pleasure from a few drinks is fleeting after all," he throws her a teasing grin. Her expression is unreadable but he notices her eyes soften.
"Anyway, my point is that when the numbness passed, my thoughts went to you and I felt at ease. Just thinking about how much fun and thrilling it is to be with you. I just- you make me feel happy. You make being in the present effortless."
He gradually became more and more enthusiastic and louder as his speech went on, so Jade gives him a moment to calm down and take a breath before she responds.
Her lips turn up into a full smile as she replies sarcastically, "Wow. I had no idea a guy could be both pretty and introspective. Who knew!"
He offers her a glowering expression that ultimately fades into fondness and a drunken smile.
"You're right, you know," Jade continues, "I am a good time...and you're not too bad yourself."
She slowly puts her drink down as Beck leans over to catch her lips in a kiss.
Upon pulling apart he notices their glasses have about the same amount left.
"Hmm, want to see who can finish their drink first?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Oliver, you do not chug a martini," Jade answers, sitting up straighter.
"In that case, let's get you half a pint," he laughs and calls the bartender over, not giving her a chance to say no.
"This is ridiculous," she sighs and takes the last gulp of her drink before exchanging her empty glass for the half pint.
"Want me to drink it down so we have the same amount?" Jade's eyes light up in amusement at the sincerity in his voice.
"It's only fair," she passes him the mug and watches him with a wide grin as he takes a sip, place it next to his cup to measure, shake his head, then keeps going.
"We should have just gotten you half a pint…" Jade mumbles under her breath. To her dismay, Beck hears her.
"Of course!" He shouts. She looks away, pretending not to know the loud, enthusiastic boy.
Within a minute both Beck and Jade hold cups filled to the brim.
"You ready?"
"Alright, on three." The two grab their drinks and lean in, getting set to go.
Beck counts it off. Jade takes a deep breath, then flings her head back. She had only chugged a beer one time and it was in high school. It was absolutely awful (she lost). But now she can avenge her defeat.
When she's determined, she can do anything.
As predicted, Jade slowly places her empty cup on the counter seconds before Beck slams his down.
"I told you. I always win," she scoffs and pokes him in the chest with her index finger.
Beck catches her finger and opens his mouth to spout out a witty comeback. But the line gets caught in his throat when she looks at him with a smile. Still holding her finger, Jade uses her other hand to touch his cheek before moving in for a kiss. It's a soft kiss, at first, but begins to build as their lips move faster and in sync with each other. Beck's mouth opens slightly and Jade's bottom lip immediately fills the space, letting his teeth first nibble on it, then bite. Her hand drew from his cheek to the back of his head, bringing him in closer. His hand drops her finger and moves to grip her waist, purposely grazing one breast in the process.
Jade's eyes blink open when she notices the bartender staring at them. An unblinking, creepy stare. She kisses her way up Beck's cheek to his ear to quietly mumble, "Looks like we're putting on a show…"
Beck looks up and makes eye contact with the bartender. The bartender's face reddens and his eyes widen as Beck and Jade both glare at him. Finally he turns around to speak to another patron.
Jade huffs and places her hands on the top of Beck's thighs.
"Time for dessert," she gives his thighs a gentle slap before sliding off the seat.
"I think so," Beck bobs his head in agreement, the movement making him stumble as he steps down.
"It wasn't a question-"
Jade starts to say, but stops when her heel gets caught on the thin metal ring around the legs of the stool.
"Woah," she gasps, gripping the counter and planting one foot on the ground. As she successfully, albeit gracelessly, untangles her heeled shoe from the metal trap, Beck wraps his arm around her for extra support.
With both feet free, she looks up at him. His arm is warm around her body, and she thinks about his words from before. Her mouth turns up into her second full smile of the evening.
Yes! Two for two. Beck thinks to himself.
He kisses her lips one more time. Putting their jackets on, they begin the trek for dessert.
Saturday, 12:00am
By the time they reach her apartment they are on the verge of sobering up.
"Will you stay over tonight?" Jade turns around before unlocking her door.
"Of course, my dear." Beck says with a smile.
Jade's cheeks flush as they stumble through the door.