I do believe this is my longest chapter ever. Yay me! I've been enjoying writing this much more and especially doing dialogue is getting easier. Hopefully you like it.
Any opinions on where you'd like to see the plot go would be great. I have a general idea of the direction I'm going but I'd love to hear from the readers.
As always thanks to my constant reviewers: Ithilya, Little Miss Bovver, Steffy-Michelle, CullensThePackAndMeLove, and Niffer01. Hearing from you all makes me keep truckin' on with this.
Josie leaned into Pete's side as he held her tightly while they walked the short distance between their flats. Matt trailed awkwardly just behind them and Josie leaned around Pete to try to include him in the conversation as much as possible, "So you're a Harvard man, huh?"
"More like was a Harvard man – I got kicked out." Matt replied dryly.
Josie felt her face color, "Shit, I'm sorry Matt…I just remember Shannon mentioned you goin' to school there and I shoulda realized it was in the middle of the semester. I really need to learn to keep my big mouth shut." She trailed off causing Pete to pull her even tighter into his side and he gave her shoulder a reassuringly squeeze.
"You couldn't 'ave possibly known Joze." Pete told her as he glared over at Matt, daring him to get upset about it.
"You're terrible Pete and I'm an idiot." Josie said crossly, noticing the way he was looking at Matt.
Matt returned her words with a smile, "Nah, there was no way you could have known. So you're from Boston I hear?"
Josie smiled back at him gratefully, "Yeah, South Boston to be precise but I went to BU for my undergrad. Where're you from?" They continued to chat about the States as they walked quickly through the cold and Josie found herself feeling relieved that he wasn't as uptight as Shannon was when they'd first met.
In no time they arrived at her flat and as Pete opened the door for her she took in the familiar surroundings, noticing Pete had kept his word and stopped in. The place was spotless.
"Geez, it's even cleaner than it was before I left. I may hire you as my fulltime maid," she joked.
Pete smirked down at her and pulled her into another bone crushing hug. He hadn't stopped touching her in some way since she'd showed up at his apartment…not like she minded. To be honest, she'd felt some paranoia that Pete wouldn't be happy to see her, that he may have moved on while she was gone and that she'd find him in bed with another girl. She felt stupid now for ever doubting him.
"Whatever baby wants, baby gets." Pete said a line from The Break Up that he'd started using frequently after they'd watched it together a few weeks before she'd left.
Josie rolled her eyes up at him, "Ugh, I thought you'd forget about that by now!" Pete leaned down, capturing her lips with his and Josie smiled into the kiss. She nearly got lost in him again before remembering Matt and her eyes snapped open to see him awkwardly standing between the kitchen and living room, not knowing what to do with himself.
She unwillingly pulled away from him and Pete grinned down at her unapologetically, "Can't help it, sorry." He said, looking anything but, "You look exhausted," he continued with concern in his eyes and Josie yawned loudly in response.
She glanced at her watch, noting she'd only be getting about two hours of sleep before heading to work, "Yeah, you boys should get goin', Stevie is gonna have your head when he sees Matt and I want all fighting finished quickly so that you're my first customer."
Pete grimaced in response, half for having to leave her already and the other half thinking about how his brother would react, "You don't want to come, love? Steve would be so happy to you he wouldn't even notice Matt."
Josie grinned up at him, "Nope – you and the fleet got him into this mess, so you as the leader have to get 'im out." Pete rolled his eyes at her, leaning down for one final kiss before finally addressing Matt.
"Alright mate, let's get you back. You –," he pointed at Josie, "Get some rest, I'll be at the Abbey before you know it." She smiled softly and he leaned in close to whisper, "You'll be stayin' at mine tonight, no argument…I've slept like shit since you've been gone."
"That makes two of us." Josie answered truthfully, between everything that'd gone on at home coupled with not being nestled into Pete's side she'd been averaging about 4 hours of sleep a night, "Now go, I'll see you in a bit." She said, shoving him out the door, "Nice to meet you Matt, come round to the Abbey when you can," she gave him a smile before turning to Pete with the smile she only gave to him.
"Ah, that's what I've been waitin' for," he said softly, leaned in for one final final kiss then strode down the hallway with Matt following his lead.
Josie walked carefully into the Abbey, seeing that it was already half full for noon on a Sunday. She pulled the baseball hat she was wearing down over her eyes, trying to be inconspicuous, at least until she got behind the bar.
No such luck.
"Holy shit, JOSIE!" She cringed slightly but then her face broke into a large grin when she was enveloped in a huge bear hug. Swill lifted her off her feet and twirled her around like a rag doll. Excited cries joined his and she was suddenly being passed around like a football to each of the boys, finally landing in Dave's waiting arms. He hugged her tight and she grinned up at him.
"Ello gorgeous, you not plannin' on runnin' out on any of us again, are ya? We've been lost without you." Josie smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Not plannin' on going anywhere anytime soon, trust me. Terry!" He had suddenly emerged from the storeroom and she ran at him full force, hugging him tight. Josie had known how important Pete was to her but she'd had no idea how attached she'd become to the rest of them.
Terry pulled her into another hug, "We've missed ya freckles, this place has never been filled with such miserable sods since you left. Even the old timers were cryin' in their beers."
Josie gave a small giggle, hitting Terry in the stomach softly, "I don't believe it. But lucky for you lot I've missed you too."
She moved to stand behind the bar and the boys immediately crowded around yelling over each other to be heard, "Does Pete know you're back?" Dave questioned.
Ike fired out, "How's yer Da?"
"What'd you bring us?" Swill yelled loudly, searching through her bag to see if there was anything hidden in its depths.
Josie laughed and held up her hands in defeat, "Whoa, one question at a time and Swill – stop pawing through my stuff, your presents are back at my place." Swill grinned widely back at her and she turned back to face the rest of the boys.
"Ike – my dad's doin' much better; he's home and choking down rabbit food as he calls it and still trying to sneak Big Macs but all in all he's doin' well." Ike gave her a reassuring smile and Josie turned to Dave, raising an eyebrow, "And didja think my first stop'd be the Abbey? I saw Pete this morning and met Shannon's brother; sweet welcoming party by the way – getting the poor Yank in a fight his first day."
She glared slightly at the boys surrounding her and all but Bovver had the sense of mind to look ashamed, "Now, who wants to be my second first customer?" Swill began downing his pint quickly, racing Ike in an impromptu chugging contest and he slammed his empty glass on the counter seconds before Ike did.
"Yes!" He shouted, throwing a triumphant fist in the air, "I win, pint me Joze."
Josie smiled back at him before reaching up to grab a few glasses to give the boys. Just as she finished getting the final pint and handing it to Keith's waiting hand the door swung open to reveal Pete with Matt in tow. She felt her face break into another grin and butterflies danced in her stomach, fuck I've missed him. She watched as his eyes frantically searched the crowd as though her appearance this morning had been an illusion and when they settled on her behind the bar he visibly relaxed, striding quickly towards her.
He reached her in moments, leaning across the bar to kiss her cheek lightly, "Hi baby, you miss me?" All the boys surrounding them gave playful groans of disgust.
"Fuck Pete, thought your balls grew back last week, 'parentley not." Bovver said viciously, glaring disgustedly at Josie before turning on his heel and storming over to their usual table.
Josie's face twisted into a grimace as Pete nearly went after him until she grabbed his arm tightly, "Don't bother – it's not like he's ever liked me and I'm sure another Yank around doesn't help matters." The rest of the boys glared in Bovver's direction but Josie waved them all away, "Welcome back me, huh?"
Swill leaned over the bar to pinch her cheek, "Well we all missed our wittle Josie bear, we was miserable without you – Petey most especially."
Josie grinned back at Swill as she swatted his hands away, "I think a welcome back Joze party is in order, eh boys?" Dave said, grinning at Josie as her eyes widened in surprise.
"No, no, no – you know I hate just-for-me parties." She flapped her hands frantically at the mad glint that had appeared in Dave and Swill's eyes. She looked to Pete for help but he simply held up his hands in defeat and smirked before walking towards the pool table to chat with Matt who'd taken up residence in the corner of the bar, away from the reunion.
Swill lunged forward and gave a fist pump of victory, "Yes!" he cried, pointing at Josie, "You sussed us out for your birthday but there's nooo stoppin' us this time, we even have Pete's blessing." This caused Josie to drop her head in her hands after glaring in Pete's direction – they all knew she hated parties just for her. She'd learned about the surprise party they'd been planning for her birthday a week in advance and managed to trick Pete into cancelling it for her.
"We should get that poncey lookin' bird to help us," Swill said with a smirk. Ever since Josie had brought Emma to the Abbey a few times Swill'd been hell bent on bedding her. Before she could stop him, he'd reached into her bag and removed her phone quickly dialing Emma's number. She rolled her eyes and threw a slice of lemon at the back of Swills head before storming down the length of the bar, away from their party plotting.
A few hours later Josie was downstairs in the storeroom counting through bottles of liquor and trying not to yawn for the fiftieth time that day. She leaned her head against the shelf, closing her eyes tiredly for a few seconds until she felt the warmth of a body wrap around her and a familiar scent surround her. She leaned back into Pete's tall frame as he kissed her shoulder softly before turning around to face him.
Pete smirked down at her and leaned down to kiss her lips gently, "You get tired of listenin' to the party plannin'?"
Josie hit his chest, "Not funny, some boyfriend you are leaving me high and dry like that."
He stuck his lower lip out in an exaggerated pout, "Aw gorgeous, they're just happy you're home. Not nearly as thrilled as I am though." He lifted his eyebrows suggestively at her and she felt her pulse quicken at the familiar look and his darkening blue eyes. It had been too long since they'd been together. Josie pulled Pete down to her, kissing him roughly and he responded eagerly, taking her lower lip in his mouth and sucking lightly.
Josie wrapped her arms around his neck tightly and he lifted her into his arms as she wrapped her legs around him tightly. He twirled them around slamming her against the wall as he kissed down her neck, running his hands down her body and cupping her ass, "Fuck Joze, I've missed you. I need you." Pete murmured his voice rough with desire as he sucked her earlobe softly.
"Mm, baby – I know, soon." She moaned as he sucked on her neck lightly causing her head to go fuzzy.
"I was thinkin' more like now." Josie looked at him, her eyes hooded with desire and she could barely think straight while he was kissing her neck like that. She could feel him against her as he pushed even closer, molding their bodies into one. She whimpered slightly at the friction and all rational thought went straight out the window. The fact that they were in the storeroom and that anyone could come in at any moment had nothing on getting to be with Pete.
She reached down to unbuckle his pants, hearing his belt hit the floor as he was running his hands up and down the bare skin of her back as he reached to unclasp her bra. She clung to his tall frame tightly as he moved to pull both of their shirts off, her bra following quickly. Just as their clothes dropped to the floor Josie heard a slight noise and her eyes snapped open only to meet the shocked look on Dave's face.
"Oh my God, Dave." Pete wrenched his lips from her neck and glared at her.
"Fuck Josie, did you seriously just call me Dave?" Josie's face flushed crimson as she nodded her head in the direction of the door. Pete turned to look and his face colored slightly as he dropped Josie to the floor, shielding her half naked body with his.
Tense silence filled the air for a minute until Pete cleared his throat loudly and Dave leapt back as though burned, "Oh fuck, I am so sorry. I just – it's just that, Terry told me to come check on Josie and I didn't know you were down here mate. And I just…" He continued to babble frantically while staring at the couple as Josie tried to awkwardly get her shirt off the ground without being seen.
"Dave, Dave!" Pete shouted, interrupting another round of apologies, "It's alright mate, just…fuck off for right now, let Joze get decent, yeah?" Dave caught Josie's eye and his face burned a bright red as he turned quickly, sprinting up the stairs.
Pete made sure they were completely alone before relaxing his tense stance and turning to her, "So maybe the storeroom wasn't the best place for a reunion?" he tried to joke slightly, smirking down at her frazzled state.
Josie's face remained a bright crimson red and she leaned her head into his chest, heaving a sigh of embarrassment, "I cannot believe that just happened. You don't think he saw anything, do you?"
Pete's eyes darkened in rage, he hadn't even thought about the fact that Dave may have caught a glimpse of Josie's naked top half and his entire frame shook at the thought, "I'll rip his eyes out if he did."
Josie tried her best to glare at him through her embarrassment, "Jesus Pete, like it's his fault we were about to fuck in the storeroom?"
Unwillingly, Pete smirked down at her as he leaned down to kiss her sweetly, "Yer so cute when you're embarrassed slash mad, you know that?"
Josie smacked him away, "Ugh, don't – that's how we got into this mess. How in the hell am I going to ever look Dave in the eye again?" She groaned slightly as she shoved him further away.
Against her will, Pete wrapped her in his arms giving a kiss to her now clothed shoulder, "Sorry baby, you'll be fine. And it's not my fault I can't resist you, you're just too hot."
Josie rolled her eyes and leaned up to press a kiss to his lips, "Ass…now go away before you start something you can't finish."
"Oh I'll finish it alright," he pulled her tight and grabbed her ass tightly, "tonight." He whispered the promise then finally released her to head upstairs.
Josie watched him until he'd reached the top of the stairs and she heard the door slam shut. Her face still burned and she tried to get her breathing under control. She mentally scolded herself for getting caught in such a situation but as her thoughts strayed to what could have happened she felt her entire body grow warm and her knees felt weak.
Josie had always fancied herself to be tougher than the average girl but again she was shocked to find just how willing she was to give Pete anything and everything he ever asked for. A small smile played on her lips as she realized she'd at least found a man that seemed to reciprocate those feelings.
She worked quickly, finishing stocking the rest of the room in minutes and as she turned to leave she felt her face burn again, gottta face him sometime, though the thought of having to look Dave in the eye made her nervous as she was pretty sure he'd caught a glimpse of her topless. She bit down on her lip nervously and walked slowly up the stairs, keeping her eyes on the ground as she reached the top of the stairs. She could hear Swill arguing with Ike about something football related and she chanced a glance at their table.
Dave was wedged uncomfortably between Swill and Ike and he had his eyes trained on the glass in his hands. Pete was casually seated at the head of the table, leaning back arrogantly as he smirked at the argument between the boys. Josie smiled when he seemed to sense her presence and he caught her gaze with a wink. She rolled her eyes as he gave her a wide grin and she immediately whipped her head around when she saw Dave watching the two of them. Her face burned again so she decided the best course of action was to ignore him, not the most mature thing to do but it was all she could come up with.
Retaking her place behind the bar next to Terry she pasted on a fake smile before turning to help the next customer. The eyes that met hers were unfriendly to say the least. Watery blue eyes shadowed by bright purple makeup glared into her face. Josie immediately recognized one of the local girls that were usually hanging on the GSE's coattails. She had noticed that the girls had kept their distance today but hadn't questioned it as she was more than thrilled to not have to watch them throwing themselves at Pete.
"The bitch is back, eh? Can't say we missed you," Josie stared back in disbelief at the girl, her mouth open in shock, she didn't even know her name, "and can't say we're happy you're back."
Josie frowned, "Funny – can't say I missed you lot either. Though I don't see how it's any business of yours that I'm back at all." She turned to leave but was stopped when the nameless girl grabbed her arm tightly and leaned over the bar.
"It is my business. Listen, I've known Pete a long time and he goes through girls like you like Kleenex. It's amazing you've lasted so long but mark my words, he'll drop you like a bad habit as soon as you get too clingy." Josie's mouth dropped open again at her words and her eyes narrowed in rage.
She leaned over the bar so her face was inches from the other girl, gripping her wrist as the other girl's hand was still latched onto Josie's arm, "Now you listen to me: I don't give a flying fuck what you and the rest of the local whores think of me. I don't care if you think Pete's gonna leave me for one of you, because I know that's not going to happen. But let me tell you – if you ever touch me again I will kick the shit out of you, got it?"
Josie felt the blood thundering through her head and the girl wrenched her arm out of her grasp turning to leave, "Whatever, too bad your dad lived – maybe if he'd died you would've stayed where you belonged."
The next thing Josie knew she was climbing up and over the bar and had tackled this nameless girl to the ground. She got in one punch before strong arms were ripping her off of the other girl. Josie kicked out, trying to reach the girl but was hindered by Pete clutching her to him tightly, "You fucking bitch – if you ever say a word about my family again I'll kill you." She hissed violently and tried again to get at her.
The bar had fallen completely silent, all eyes on the encounter and a few of the other local girls were helping up the girl Josie'd gone after, "Claire – stay the fuck away from her." Josie heard Terry saying but all she could hear repeating in her head was the wish of death on her father.
Pete held her tight, not relaxing his grip on her and murmured into her ear, "Relax Joze, what happened?"
Josie continued to fight against him, still trying to get at Claire who was now covered in her own blood. The one hit seemed to have broken her nose, "She said she wished my dad had died so that I'd have stayed in the States." Josie replied and she felt Pete tighten his grip on her, letting out a hiss of anger, "Now let me go so I can kill her, please."
Josie continued to struggle and Pete dragged her away from the crowd into the backroom. He trapped her against the wall, using his strength to stop her from escaping. He had to admit, when she was this angry she packed quite a bit of force in her small frame. Finally, after a few minutes she relaxed against him and he took the opportunity to pull her into a hug. Pete was shocked when he felt his neck grow wet from her tears.
"Joze, talk to me – why're you cryin' love?"
Josie sniffled slightly, "I don't belong here. I mean Bovver hates me, all the local girls hate me, I'll always be an outsider. I just don't get it – am I so hard to like?"
Pete cupped her face in his large hands, forcing her eyes to meet his, "You belong with me. I'm sure of that. Fuck the lot of 'em." He kissed her tenderly and she felt the rest of the world melt away. She'd always be an outsider to all of them but as long as she had Pete she just might be able to accept anything else that came her way.
"Now lemme look at your hand, that was quite a hit." Josie managed to smile up at him and for the first time she felt the dull pain in her right hand. Pete took her hand gently in his, rubbing the knuckles softly.
"Oi, you alright there Rocky?" Josie looked up to see Terry leaning in the frame of the door, smirking at her slightly.
"I'm so sorry Terry, I can't believe I let her get to me like that." She hung her head in shame as she realized just how crazy she must have looked.
"Yer fine love, there's not a person in this place that blames you for goin' after her like that. To take a run at your dad was outta line." Josie tried to smile back at him but all she kept hearing was Claire's voice saying she wished her dad had died.
"Why don't you take off for the day? You must be beat." Josie met Terry's concern filled face and nodded her head in agreement.
"Yeah, I should've listened to you when you said to take my time getting back to work." Pete rolled his eyes slightly, wishing she'd listened to the two of them as it would have prevented this day, "Thanks Terr, I'll come by tomorrow to chat and figure out my schedule, yeah?"
Terry nodded his head and Josie walked forward to hug him goodbye then turned to Pete, holding out her hand for him to take. They walked out of the backroom and were met by the boys all crowding around the door waiting for her to reappear.
"With a punch like that we could use you in the GSE love, you thinkin' of joinin us?" Swill grinned down at her and Josie shoved him away in embarrassment.
"Noo thank you, I'm a lover not a fighter…the exception being if anyone says shit about my family and or you lot." The boys all grinned in return but Josie noticed the way Dave seemed to hang back slightly when she'd become used to him being at the forefront. In the aftermath of the fight she'd nearly forgotten about Dave interrupting her and Pete. Christ whatta first day home, she thought bitterly.
She felt Pete squeeze her hand tightly, "Alright boys, I'm off. Too much thrown at me when I've had about three hours of sleep. I'll see you lot tomorrow, yeah?" They all nodded in agreement, shouting out goodbyes as Pete led her out of the din of the Abbey and into the cold, clear day. Matt had decided to stay behind, Josie forcing Swill to pinky promise he'd deliver him back to Pete's in one piece.
The couple walked hand in hand towards Pete's catching up along the way on the three weeks they'd been separated. Pete couldn't stop looking at her or touching her to ensure that she really was here. He knew now, without a shadow of a doubt, that he had to spend the rest of his life with her. The three week separation had nearly killed him and just the thought of her ever leaving him again physically hurt.
He smiled as she leaned into his side and he wrapped his arm around her tightly, "You hungry or anything? We've got to fatten you up, looks like you lost a stone in less than a month." Pete had been so relieved to see her this morning but as the day had progressed he'd got a chance to examine her closer and he'd noticed how much smaller she seemed. Her clothes hung off her frame and there were large bags under her normally bright, brown eyes.
Josie shrugged her shoulders, "To be honest food was sorta at the bottom of my list the past few weeks, followed closely by sleep. I just haven't been hungry lately but right now I'd kill for a kebab if you're buyin'." She said with a smile.
"Course I am, come on then." They walked quickly to the nearby kebab place and Pete waited until after they were seated with Josie inhaling her food before asking what had been on his mind for some time, "You talk to your professor yet?"
Josie visibly cringed, "A bit, he's still not sure my thesis is viable or not."
Prior to her dad's heart attack Josie had been trying to get into the PhD program at King's college. If she did, it meant Pete would have her for at least another couple of years. If she didn't…well he didn't like to think about that but her student visa would be up in September and if she wasn't offered a permanent job at the museum Pete could kiss his world goodbye.
Pete nodded his head in response, not knowing what else to say, "Baby, I know you're worried I'm just gonna up and leave once I'm done my masters but do you honestly think I could just walk out on you? We'll figure something out, pinky promise." He smiled as she held out her pinky to him and he looped his around hers, taking her hand to his lips and kissing it softly.
"Forget I brought it up," he said, trying to keep it casual, "I'm just glad you're home."
Josie grinned at his words, "Me too. Now for a recap: I find you with another man, Dave catches us half naked and I broke some girl's nose. I certainly know how to return in style, huh?"
"No one can ever compete with your style," he watched her as she continued to smile at him and he felt desire stir within him, "You about finished? I want to get you home to finish what we started earlier."
Josie's heart raced at the familiar look in his eyes and she wolfed down the rest of her food before grabbing his hand and running towards his place. Fuck it's good to be home, she thought. Forgetting how unwelcome she'd felt earlier today all she could think about was how Pete was now her home.
I reeeally, truly hope you're all enjoying this & if not, tell me!