“Stell, we're going, say goodbye, get his number or not, I don't care. He's a fucking idiot anyway.”
Jarrod turns and glares at me, “Oh I know you, it’s Lauren, Lauren East. You. Ha, I know what you've done. I know your boys and I know your husband. Your house is up for sale with us, because you, you fucking slut, left him for some kid, for some young bloke. Yeah, I fucking know all about you, you fucking whore.”
He's right in my face now. His revolting breath on me. My house is up for sale?
“Hey mate. That's my sister in law. Don't you fucking dare talk to her like that!”
Stella pulls him away from me before I get a chance to say anything. He looks from me to her and says: “Sorry baby, just kidding. You go with the girls, I'll come next door and find you later and get your number.”
Stella goes all puppy dog eyed and nods her okay to him and we leave for the bar next door. Finally, I think to myself. Next time I see Ryder I will ask him to knock that little prick out. Not gonna win mother of the year award for encouraging my son to fight. But hey, I think that ship sailed long ago.
We walk into the spit and saw dust joint next door and the band are already in full swing and the dance floor is packed. I look around at the tattoos and missing teeth. And that's just the women. This nights just getting better and better. Jo is straight to the bar and ordering a round of shots for everyone. I decline and ask for lemonade. Why does everyone look at me with amazement at that request?
“What? I feel a bit sick. I want to be on top form tomorrow when I go and see Gabe and throw him around the bedroom,” I say with a smile.
My stomach lurching at the thought.
“Eeeewwwwwww Lauren! TMI, TMI. That's my brother you're talking about.”
“Fuck off Stella, I've seen you in action tonight. Don't try and come the sweet and innocent with me now.”
“Yeah well I don't want to hear about what you're gonna do to my brother.”
“Tough,” I reply. “Don't listen then, and stay away from Jarrod White. The blokes a complete loser, your brothers would kill me and Sam if they knew we let you hook up with a prick like that. He's a spoilt little rich kid whose been in trouble most of his life.”
She says nothing in return, just pouts. I know I sound mean, but the bloke really is bad news.
We find a table as Jo looks around and shakes her head, turns to me and says, “There's no one in here under thirty five. How am I supposed to pull?”
“You’re not,” I reply.
“I need you focused on fighting off the weirdo’s she's gonna attract.”
I nod my head towards Stella, who is gyrating around a wooden pole. We all look in her direction and laugh.
“Come on let's dance,” Jemma shouts.
We drag Stella from her pole and strut our stuff on the dance floor. We are approached by men of all ages. Some we have a little dance and a bit of banter with others we turn our back on and ignore. Despite my reservations and lack of alcohol, I'm really enjoying myself. I am back with my girls, on a loud night out. Just what I needed. And tomorrow I will be back with Gabe. And I can't wait. I get the queasy feeling in my stomach again and step out to the garden of the bar for some air.
I decide to text Gabe. What's the point in making him suffer any longer? I might as well let him know I want to see him tomorrow.
I miss u baby
My reply comes just a few seconds later
Fuck Lauren, I miss u too. Plz come home, now! I'll come and get you
Without hesitating I reply.
Ok I'm at Beaches with the girls
Wot the fuck r u doing in beaches?
Dancing mostly
U took Stell into Beaches
Beaches was the safest option... She's a fuckin liability your sister
Plz don't tell me things like that Lauren. I'm on my way. I Luv u. Will u marry me? x
I head back inside with the biggest grin on my face. Shit Jarrod is here. On the dance floor, with his tongue rammed down Stella's throat. Great!
“Sam! Could you not have stopped this?”
“She tried Loz. Stella told her to mind her own business,” Jemma informs me.
Sam shrugs, “Let her get on with it Lauren, I'm sick of telling her.”
I leave them to it for a few minutes but when they fail to come up for air, I start to panic, Gabe will be here soon and I can’t just leave Stella with someone like Jarrod. I look around.
“Where's Jo?” I ask.
“Over there talking to those blokes,” Jem indicates with a nod toward Jo standing in the corner talking to two blokes who must be in their twenties.
Well if Jo's on the prowl, Sam and Jemma are half cut and not interested and Lu has gone home. That leaves me trying to pry Stella out of Jarrod's clutches before her brother gets here. This should be interesting. I walk over to where they are dancing/dry humping on the dance floor.
“Stell.”
I tap her on the shoulder. “Stella.... Come on, we're going.”