Chapter 27

"Hello Joey I would say it's nice to see you but I don't really like lying" Joey scoffed and rolled his eyes, he was pretty sure, from what Lauren had told him at least, the majority of Lucy's life was built on lies.

Joey shook his head and frowned at the two of them "Honestly… what are you doing here?"

"Well I thought that was pretty obvious…we're here to talk business." Lucy leaned over and whispered something into his eat. Joey stood glaring at them. Luke laughed and seemed to kiss Lucy on the cheek. Were they together ? or was this all for his benefit.

Luke grinned as Joey reluctantly led him to a side office and began to search through his files. After a couple of calls, Joey had established Luke really was there on business, although he was sure he had a hidden agenda to.

"Right, what can I do for you?" Joey said wanting to get it over with as quickly as possible. The less time spent with him the better for all parties. Joey hadn't forgotten what Luke had done to Lauren.

Luke leaned back in the chair, his fingers tapping together. "Will Lauren not be Joining us?" the laughter was very clear in his voice and it took Joey a lot to not hit the pratt in the face.

"She's busy" he said deadpanned looking back to the computer screen. "it says here that you wanted to discuss a name change and design for the company and you were looking for a better deal?"

"I'm sorry Joey…I can call you Joey cant I? I was really hoping to be dealing with Lauren, I know this is her area of expertise" he smirked looking at Joey who was getting more tense by the second.

"Like I said she's busy, so you either talk with me or you go elsewhere… your choice. We're the best marketing company around and have 5 years' worth of rewards to prove, if you walk, your even more stupid than I first thought." It was then Luke's turn to become agitated. He shifted in the chair trying to make himself look less of an idiot, a seemingly impossible task now Joey had spoken.

"Fine…business it is…"

"Great, now that's cleared up… is there a reason your considering on leaving the company ?"Joey asked as a genuine question, despite what he'd said a few moments ago, the company Luke worked with; despite them being a new contract, brought good business to Walkers.

"we need a better deal…Walkers don't give us that…your designs are weak and your cost is too high" Luke was straight to the point, which again only irritated Joey further.

"Well you certainty don't beat about the bush do you… I can set up a meeting with Gregory from designs and get my business partner Mitch to see if there's anything we can do on price. Although as one of our newest contractors you are getting one of our best deals already." Joey began to write on one the back of his business card and handed it to Luke.

"So doesn't Lauren work on the design team anymore?" Joey ignored him not willing to rise to the challenge. "Oooo someone's tetchy when it comes to the Lovey Lauren aren't you, no doubt she dropped her nickers for you that night in the club."

"You say one more thing about Lauren and I'll see your company has a black mark against its name." Joey leaned over the desk as Luke held his hands up.

"Mate, I was just interested. You know with our history and everything" again there was an evident tone of sarcasm and smarm in his voice.

The was silence as Joey stood up and walked around from his desk, Luke mirroring his movements so they met in the middle of the room. "Listen here, I am not your mate. Lauren has nothing to do with you, I suggest you leave before I call security to remove you"

Luke grinned as Joey let go of his collar "Big mistake Joey…big mistake"

"No no…the mistake was you coming here Luke. You and Lauren… History. You and this company…history. The second I saw you in that club I knew exactly what you was like, Lauren she deserves better and you know what she has better."

Luke Laughed "What you, you mean?"

"Ye I do…" all heads turned towards the door as it opened.

"I think Our son would probably count as something better too don't you?" Joey smiled, a complete look of pride on his face as she strolled in shutting the door behind her. Lauren wrapped her arm around Joey's waist gently easing him away from Luke as well as bringing him nearer to her.

"Did you just say son ?" he stuttered.

"Deaf as well as stupid" Joey said quietly as Lauren nodded to Luke.

"Ye we have a son. So you can run along and take your little lap dog with you. Lucy's out there looking like a lost puppy. You know I knew you too were low, but I just thought, not going with your ex's best friend was one of the rules of the game"

"I think I should go" Luke said scratching his head.

Joey clapped his hands sarcastically "Oh he finally gets it" Luke walked away to the door looking back to Lauren one last time. "Out!"

"Oh tell Lucy not to bother ringing me when you fuck her over too" her voice echoed as the door slammed shut. Both her and Joey stood staring for a few seconds.

"It's not been the same without you" Joey laughed hugging Lauren.

So Joey stood up for his girl and Lauren stood up for herself, really think that's going to stop Lucy and Luke ? i'll be back Wednesday out tomorrow night xxx