Here's another chapter for you - things will be starting to pick up from here! Enjoy :)
"Wow – you uh, look tired Josie posey." Emma gazed down at Josie who was slumped down in her chair, looking a little green and drinking a massive coffee. On the other hand, Emma looked as though she'd just woken up from an 18 hour sleep in a bath of milk and honey, blonde hair brushed straight to perfection and her blue eyes shining brightly.
"That's just a euphemism for 'you look like shit.' So thanks for that." Glaring back at Emma she took a sip of her coffee and cringed as her head pounded with the slight movement. Clinging onto the desk Josie was beginning to regret her Monday night, late-night with the boys. She knew she looked the part too: her hair was pulled back in a messy sort of bun, huge bags hung under her brown eyes and she glanced down at her white shirt only to see she'd dribbled coffee down the front of it.
"Bit of a late night with your hooligan?" Emma's blue eyes sparkled knowingly at Josie as the other girl chose to reply by sticking her tongue out at her which garnered a loud laugh that again caused Josie's head to ache. Fighting down a rush of nausea she started back at Emma.
"He's not a hooligan. He's a sweet guy - just a little rough around the edges."
"Hmph, famous last words love. Just be careful, babe…" Emma stared sternly at Josie while she simply rolled her eyes, "I'm serious. You've been smitten since he knocked you on your arse and I just have a weird feeling about the two of you. No good can come of this."
"Smitten? What are you, my 85 year-old Nana? He's just a guy that I've met a couple times. Besides, what's it to you?" Biting down on her lip, Josie immediately realized her mistake when Emma narrowed her eyes at her.
"What's it to me? Oh I don't know Joze," giving a vicious laugh she continued, "how about I've been your only friend since you came to England? How about I think you're making a really stupid fuckin' decision by pursuing something with him? You're too trusting; you have no idea what kind of person he could be."
"Its fine. Let it go Em." Glaring back at her, Josie crossed her arms stubbornly across her chest, "I'm not a little kid; I can make my own decisions plus you don't even know him." Looking up at her, Emma simply stared thoughtfully back at her for a few moments, her face losing all edge to it.
"Neither do you pet, neither do you." Emma turned on her heel to walk away while Josie simply dropped her head to her desk with a thud. She'd never done anything in her life that she wasn't sure of but truth be told, the argument with her friend rattled her and she was starting to question whether or not this thing with Pete was such a good idea.
"That was bang outta order mate. There was no need to pull that shit with Josie – you didn't even give 'er a chance, bruv." Pete, Bovver and the rest of the boys were seated on Dave's couch in a competitive game of FIFA and Bovver chose to respond to Pete's comment by throwing the controller at him and walked into the kitchen to grab another beer.
"Yeah mate, what the fuck? We get that she's a Yank but she's a female Yank and they don't count. Plus, she's fit as fuck, let it go and stop actin' like a twat." Pete looked up at Swill and glared a little, already feeling a little too overprotective of Josie; it was hard for him to not think of her as his.
"Female Yank or not, she's still a Yank." Pointing an accusing finger in Pete's direction, Bovver continued, "Jesus Pete, word gets out our 'fearless leader' has been taken in by a Yank and we're all fucked. You better get your priorities straight before you decide to get your balls removed and start playin' house with your Josie."
Her name came out of his mouth as though it was filth and Pete felt his fists clench at his side. Looking up at Bovver he saw the smug, slightly cruel grin he was wearing and bit back a bitter reply, instead opting to try to appease him and just end the conversation before it got out of hand.
"Oi mate, what are you on about? Who said anything about playin' house with her? It aint nothing – just a bit of a bubble is all. And Swills right, she's fit as fuck, that's all I'm after." Feeling his heart clench Pete looked away from the rest of the boys. Pete tried to shake off the whole conversation and the feeling it'd left him with, What'd they know anyways? It was none of their damn business what his intentions with Josie were – leader of the GSE or not.
The week passed by in a haze, Josie spent her days at the museum where Emma was currently giving her the cold shoulder and her nights at the Abbey, always finding herself glancing around the room for Pete, who also seemed to be MIA. Feeling weighed down and lonely, Josie glanced over to one of the tables to see it had recently been vacated and she went over to clear off the dishes. Friday night and she was working, sweet - so much for any type of social life. She must have been deluding herself when she'd thought she fit in with Pete and the boys.
Unbeknownst to her, Pete was currently pacing back and forth outside of the Abbey, glancing in at her through the window and fingering his phone, her number highlighted. She had given it to him before she'd left to go home on Monday night and Pete had been fighting with himself as to whether or not to call her ever since the argument with Bovver. Did he dare bring her into his world? He knew it could potentially destroy the GSE, but he also knew, with absolute certainty, that it would kill him if he didn't give himself a fair shot at something with Josie.
Feeling a slight vibration in her back pocket she pulled out her cell phone, forgetting she'd shoved it in there at the start of her shift. Glancing down at the unknown number she momentarily debated ignoring it before deciding against that, thinking it could be her dad or one of her brothers.
"Hello?" Pinning the phone between her ear and shoulder, Josie continued to clean up the table as she waited for an answer, grimacing slightly at the old ketchup she'd just stuck her finger in.
"Miss me, gorgeous?" Feeling a stupid grin break on her face and her heart flutter, she paused for a moment.
"Swill? That you? Of course I missed you! I haven't been able to get you outta my head since Monday, I can't believe you made me wait so long before calling, you bad boy."
Hearing a low growl come through the phone she laughed loudly, drawing some looks from the few men that were currently in the pub, "I'm kidding, Pete, I've missed you terribly. Ya know having just met you and all and barely knowing you but I've been an emotional wreck without you by my side."
"Sarcasm? How cute. Any chance you can sneak outta there without Terry noticing? That table looks pretty clean already." With a start, Josie began glancing around the room until she caught Pete's gaze through the window of the Abbey, seeing him standing just outside the door she grinned back at him.
"Well, well, well aren't you just full of creepy surprises." Smirking back at him, she switched off her phone waiting for him the come through the door. Turning back to finish up the table she felt him appear at her side before actually seeing him.
"Very funny, now since I've been less than gentlemanly by not calling you sooner, I'm going to charm Terry in to let you out of work early, take you home so you can change then I'm going to take you out to dinner for a proper date." Smiling down at her, he saw her brown eyes widen in surprise at him and he felt a tug at his heart. Fuck me, no turning back now.
"I'll believe it when I see it; I'm the only one on with Terry tonight, I doubt he'll be letting me out." Pete gave a smug smile as he glanced around the nearly empty bar and turned over his shoulder to see Terry watching the two of them questioningly.
"Oi Terry! How's about letting Ms. Josie off early so I can take this pretty little thing out on a date?" Terry laughed back at the pleading look on Pete's face and threw a huge grin at him, giving a quick nod. Josie's mouth dropped open slightly and she felt her heart swell, a date with Pete Dunham? Why not?
"Oi, what're you doin' in there, miss? You're gorgeous enough as it is, you don't need all this primping." Pete was seated in Josie's small living room; waiting for her while she showered and changed for their date. Feeling thrilled just at the thought of a real date with her, Pete laughed to see Josie stick her middle finger up at him around the corner.
Taking the time to look around her small apartment he began to examine the dozens of photos that were scattered around the room. Most had Josie in them in one form or another, one with a group of men who all shared similar features his eyes drank in the sight of her sandwiched between the four men, all of them at least a foot taller than her. He smiled to himself at a picture of Josie on skates in an oversize hockey jersey and he examined the way her eyes seemed to sparkle and the huge grin she wore on her face.
"I'm quite the hockey player, ya know? So don't mess about or I'll have to kick the shit outta you, kay?"
Turning at the sound of her voice, he noticed she'd managed to sneak up on him while he was engrossed in looking around the room. Taking her in completely he felt his heart thud, she was unbelievable. A simple purple top coupled with a black skirt that reached to just above her knee, hair curled perfectly down her back and her brown eyes seemed to sparkle even brighter than usual. Realizing he'd been quiet long enough for an awkward silence to fill the room he broke it with a quick laugh at her.
"Is that right then? Rambo and a scary hockey player, who knew?" Smirking back at her she took the photo of her and the four men into her hands, pointing to each one as she spoke.
"Verrrry funny. This is my family: that's my dad there, and my three brothers: Eamon, Ronan and Colin. And that's our bar in the background there." Peering closer at the photo he saw a slightly run-down looking pub in the background "Murphy's" emblazoned over the top of it. "It's not much to look at but it's ours. A little rundown on the outside but inside its top notch and with the best staff you could find." Smiling at the sound of pride in her voice, he looked back down at the photo.
"Grew up in a bar? I shoulda known. And Jesus, and will you look at that. They're all giants 'cept you, the wee little midget between them. You must get it from your mum, any pictures of her around?" Craning his head to look around for a picture of Josie and an older woman he realized his mistake when her face turned sheet white and she bit down on her lip slightly.
"Oh, uh well, I don't really have one, a mum that is. Well I suppose I have one but in my book I don't. She left us when I was three; still out there somewhere, hell if I know where, Timbuktu for all I give a shit. Just me and my boys, we're well short of her though. The four of them always say I'm the only woman they need in their lives." Feeling her eyes begin to water a bit, Josie glanced away from Pete's intense stare. Without thinking he reached out and pulled her to him, squeezing her tight and feeling like a royal idiot for even asking.
Rubbing her back softly and taking in her sweet smell that reminded him of apples, he pulled away slightly to look at her, "I'm sorry Joze, I feel like an absolute wanker."
"Oh stop, how were you supposed to know? Besides, it's out first date: if we aren't both chewing on the foot in our mouths by the end of the night, it won't have been a success. Live and learn, yeah?" Grinning up at him she reluctantly left his arms to grab her shoes and bag, happy it was warm enough to be out without a coat. Pulling on a pair of black, pointed heels she walked back over to Pete watching his blue eyes take her in and she felt her heart pound at the way he was looking at her.
"Ready?" Taking his outstretched hand, she allowed Pete to lead her out of her apartment, both of them feeling the anticipation of the night running through their veins.
"You must think I am one cheap bloke." Josie looked up across the table, pausing from the piece of pizza she was currently eating.
"Why?" Tilting her head to the side quizzically Pete gazed back at her, feeling a smile pull at his lips.
"We're at a Pizza Hut for our first date! You look absolutely brilliant and I take you to Pizza Hut. Bet you go into work and tell that poncey lookin' bird about the 'orrible date you had with a hooligan on Friday night."
Josie returned his smile softly, "Pete, its perfect. I may try to look the part but I'm not exactly one of those high-class type girls. I was born in South Boston, grew up in a bar and have three hockey playin' hooligans for brothers. This is perfect, I promise. Besides it's not exactly your fault, you just didn't plan on everywhere in London being packed tonight and I was too hungry to wait for any extended period of time, being the impatient brat that I am. So like I said, Pizza Hut is perfection."
"Perfect huh? Well I'm glad your standards are so low, less of a chance I'll disappoint you." Pete smiled back at her slightly, "Now tell me more about this South Boston place you grew up in, I've never 'eard of it." Josie took a minute to finish her slice of pizza, took a sip of her beer before leaning back in her chair thoughtfully.
"Well, there's not much to tell. It's a neighborhood of Boston, lots of Irish-Americans, including my family; lots of pubs, including ours. We live in the apartment above the bar but my brothers are all moved out now and I'm here, so it's just my dad there now. All four of us went to Boston University, the boys played hockey there, Ronan just made the big show and me coming to London was the first time I ever left the States. So that's pretty much it. Now what about you, my little hoodlum? Come on, life story – spill it."
Raising an eyebrow, Pete looked back at her, "'That's pretty much it?' I don't think so love, you're just trying to change the subject."
"Huh, am I that transparent?" staring back at him, she sighed, "Fineee, what else do you want to know?"
"Let's start with war studies? How'd that happen – sweet girl like you, I don't really picture you as a warmonger." Josie bit down on her lip again; Pete noticed how she seemed to do that every time she was thinking deeply about something and he felt his stomach do another flip.
"There's an odd time period every spring where there are no sports on TV: hockey and basketball are finished, baseball hasn't started – it's the reason Sports Illustrated started doing the swimsuit issue, which I'm sure you're familiar with." Giving him a smirk she continued, "So my dad used to show old military movies in the pub: The Longest Day, Patton, the Dirty Dozen, etc. I got hooked, I loved the grainy quality, the battle scenes, everything. When I got to university I decided to study Political Science, I found out about the War Studies department at King's College when I was a sophomore and decided to work my ass off so that I could get a scholarship and complete my dream. So here I am – 15 years after I first watched those old movies and fell in love with war, living in London, sitting across from you at a Pizza Hut on a Friday night."
Josie leaned back in her chair once again and began to drum her fingers on the table, "Your turn, I'd like your life story now please." Laughing at the way she requested his story as though it was for another piece of pizza he leaned towards her when the waitress interrupted.
"You need anything else? Another drink, more pizza, maybe another phone number?" Josie's mouth dropped at the nerve of the girl in front of her as she watched her twirl a piece of her platinum blonde-dyed hair around her finger while looking at Pete as though he was her next meal. Taking in her snaggletooth and the forward way she was shoving her breasts in his face Josie glared up at her.
Pete stared at the girl as though he couldn't quite believe the question she'd just asked and was about to reply when Josie answered icily, "He's all set actually: he already has my number and I'd appreciate you not hitting on my date or shoving your lopsided tits in his face. We'll take the check now, please and thank you." Pete bit back a laugh at Josie as he watched her eyes narrow and her face turn beet-red, seeing her get so riled up turned him on more than any other girl he'd ever met.
"Just thought I'd offer, doubt he'd be satisfied with an uptight twat like you." The waitress slammed their check down on the table and turned to storm off while Josie leapt to her feet to follow but was stopped by Pete blocking her. Josie felt her blood pounding in her ears and tried to shove Pete out of her way to get at the snaggletooth, she'd never felt so angry or so jealous in her life.
"Hey, hey – relax!" Pete clamped her arms to her sides and lifted her off her feet, depositing her back into her seat and kneeled down in front of her. "Believe me – I'm certainly not trading down for that rude bird over there." Josie finally stopped struggling against his strong form and dropped her head, a blush replacing the heat from her anger.
"I'm so sorry, that was wicked embarrassing. I just can't believe the fuckin' gall of that girl. I mean, it'd have been one thing if I was in the bathroom and you were alone but I was sitting right there. Whatta whore." Smirking down at her, he glanced at the check before throwing done a few bank notes then took her hand, pulling her into his arms.
"Come on you, let's get the hell out of here before that bird comes back and tries to steal me away from you." Pulling her gently out of the restaurant he held onto her tight as they passed their waitress and Pete laughed as Josie gave the girl a satisfied smirk and stuck her tongue out her.
"What are you, five?" Pete asked, "Honestly, who sticks their tongue out at people now-a-days?"
"Who hits on people's dates now-a-days?" Josie shot back at him, "It was fully warranted. Though, I should have hit her.", tapping her lip deep in thought, Josie momentarily contemplated going back in and dragging that blonde bimbo out into the street by the tips of her fried hair.
"Have you ever hit anyone before?" Looking down at her, she gave him a thoughtful look.
"Does it count that I once punched my brother in the face when I was seven because he beat me in Super Mario Brothers III and then proceeded to do a jig around the room so I tripped him mid step and broke his nose? Come to think of it, that one punch caused me to lose my Nintendo privileges for life." Bursting out laughing he pulled her toward him then turned her to face him.
"I stand by my initial diagnosis – you are bloody insane but I'm gonna go out on a limb and tell you I like it." Pete gazed down at her and touched her face lightly; she stared at him with wide eyes and he leaned towards her slowly, giving her time to pull away before capturing her lips with his. Josie leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling him pull her flush against his body. Pete deepened the kiss, running his hands down her sides until she broke away from him after what seemed like an hour long sunlit moment.
"Jesus." Still locked in his arms, Josie stared up at him with a blank face and Pete's heart momentarily stopped, shit – too soon. "Let's try that once more just to make sure." Standing on tip-toes, Josie gave Pete a soft, sweet lingering kiss before pulling away and smiling up at him, still silent and biting her lip in thought.
Pete felt his heart pounding in his chest, the air surrounding them thick with tension, "You make up your mind yet Yank? I'd like to know so I can do one of two things: a) go back inside to tell snaggletooth I'm available or b) kiss you all I want and start to tell Swill you're mine so he can just keep his chubby mitts off you."
"Yours, huh?" Wrapping her arms around his neck and softly rubbing the nape of his neck, Josie lifted her face closer to his, "I suppose that'd make you mine, so I guess I can handle that; plus you're, what's the phrase? Fit as fuck." Laughing slightly, he leaned in to close the short distance between them, capturing her lips with his again.
Josie was his – and he certainly liked the sound of that.
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