Lauren walked into the Vic, Lucy literally one step behind her, head held high. She weaved around the people standing, and walked straight past Ryan, Whitney and Tyler without even looking at them, even as Ryan noticed her and called her name. Joey'd stood up when he saw her enter, bless him, probably worried she and Lucy would be ripping each other's hair out. She reached him and pulled him straight into a kiss, him surprised but quickly responding and deepening it. She could hear Fats wolf-whistle as she pulled away breathless.
"What was that for?" he said, pulling her closer to him. "Not that I'm complaining" as Fatboy called across the table "Damn baby girl. We all getting greetings like that?" She grinned, before looking at Joey. "No. Just him." She raised her voice slightly, knowing certain people would have been watching her and now would be listening to her response. "I love you." He smiled at her, somewhat confused and curious she could tell, but definitely not complaining. He pressed a kiss to her forehead "Love you too babes". Lauren smiled whilst rolling her eyes when Poppy made a heart with her hands and held it up to her and Joey. He clocked Lucy standing behind them.
"It's alright if Luce joins us, isn't it babe?" Lauren turned, grabbing Lucy's hand. She went to protest at the same time Joey went to question his girlfriend but Lauren spoke over the top of them. "One drink. Baby steps guys. I love you both, you know that?"
Lucy ducked her hand, but nodded, Lauren staring at Joey until he nodded too. Fats thankfully breaking the tension by saying he'd get them drinks. "So how come I never used to get greetings like that?" Ryan called across the Vic.
"Because she didn't love you, douche." Lucy threw the comment over her shoulder without even looking. "Besides look at him then look at you" Joey had to bite his lip to stop his smirk, he looked surprised that Lucy was defending them, but seeing his girlfriend giggle with laughter, he couldn't care as long as her intentions were good. "Don't say that" Lauren said, "Now you've got everybody here checking out my boyfriend muppet" the girls giggled, Ricky passing them their drinks.
"Wait you dated him?" Alice said, causing Lauren to groan and Lucy to roll her eyes. "I wouldn't say that, more casually hooked up." Lauren replied, pausing before speaking again "Anyway it was a looooooong time ago." Lucy squeezed her hand as Lauren looked at Joey somewhat nervous of his reaction. He leaned in to kiss her, and mumbled against her mouth that he didn't care. Pulling back he spoke "All got pasts babes." She smiled at him, him speaking again. "Was bound to meet something from your past eventually" he shrugged. "Yeah but I thought it'd be Peter" Lauren said, groaning as Lucy laughed. "Isn't your twin called Peter?" Alice said. Lucy nodding as Lauren rolled her eyes. "Got a thing for dating your friends brother's babygirl?" Fats said. "Lucy & Pete. Whit & Ryan. Al & Joey" Joey smirked as his girlfriend put her head in her hands, as everyone laughed.
"Babe." Joey called to get her attention. "It's aight." She smiled at him relieved he was okay with part of her past arriving in the Square. "Did they make you cry?" he said "Want me to beat them up for you?" he said, making her shake her head no but laugh which was his intention, even if he was partially serious. He flung his arm around the back of her chair, her moving to sit in closer to him "Not like any of them was important ay?"he mumbled, to her, she nodded, not important at all. Not compared to him anyway.