"I apologise in advance for whatever shit Naomi says to you, Harv." TJ chuckled, as he watched the girls head in their direction.
After a week on holiday, the group of them had finally returned home last night, and were adamant on coming today to catch up with both Max and Harvey. Although Kiara, Poppy and Zoe were buzzing about it, Naomi wasn't so keen and there was a pretty good explanation for that.
The only reason Naomi had found herself socialising with this group of individuals was because of her relationship with TJ. However, that relationship had only developed because she happened to be one of Lottie's best friends. When Harvey and Lottie had split, it had been unexpected and also caused a little bit of tension. In other words, Harvey wasn't one of Naomi's favourite people right now.
"It's cool, don't worry about it." Harvey laughed back yet he knew she wasn't one for holding back. It was something that made her very different to Lottie and made their friendship very unusual.
"I know who should be worried though!" Taj announced before creating a drum roll sound on the table with his hands.
"Who?"
"Grace."
Taj's comment caused Grace to look up at him with a questionable look across her face. She had a feeling she knew where he was going with this and assumed it would be because of Lottie. However, he ended up proving her wrong.
"Kiara managed to chase Lottie away, I'm sure she will make her attempts at chasing you away too." Taj explained but before Grace got chance to bite back, Harvey spoke over her.
"She didn't chase Lottie away, Taj. That had nothing to do with it."
"She had a good go at it though, didn't she?"
Although Harvey knew that was true and knew that it bothered Lottie, it was something he had tried so hard to refrain from happening. Kiara didn't have a filter on her mouth or her actions. She had made many attempts to get with him since they were at school and for some reason, she wasn't really growing out of it.
As Kiara neared closer, Harvey was trying his hardest to avoid her eye contact and Grace picked up on it. So placing her hand on his leg, she then leaned in closer to him with every effort to make a point to Kiara.
"She can try all she likes." Grace bit. "It will do fuck all."
Turning his head to catch sight of the warning expression on Grace's face, Harvey couldn't help but laugh. He knew that Grace wasn't bluffing, she wouldn't let that girl get away with anything.
"Look who it is!" Kiara yelled; her high pitched voice spreading across the whole bar. "My favourite boys are back!"
Instantly making her way over to Max, Kiara took a seat on his lap before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"How was it? Travelling and all? You got a bit of a tan but not much." Kiara observed as she leaned back to examine his face.
"This skin just burns, I gotta fake it if I want some colour." Max remarked, knowing that Kiara would be the first to offer to do it for him, considering she had been making offers for years.
"And Harvey Lawrence..." Kiara's attention was quickly turned to the less enthusiastic male sat before her. "How is Cambridge? Are you loving it?"
"Yeah, babe. It's cool, thanks." He said, trying to keep it short and sweet, in hope her attention would be drawn elsewhere.
"I saw your new car. You've got to let me have a ride in that. I bet it's fucking amazing!"
"You might have to wait your turn on that." Harvey began before Grace immediately but in.
"Girlfriend gets first dibs." She remarked with a smile on her face, yet if looks could kill, Kiara would be on the floor right now.
"Oh yeah babes, you two are a thing right?" Kiara continued to act unfazed by Grace's warning remark, as she flicked her dark hair off her right shoulder. "It's cute."
Grace knew she didn't mean that and if she did, she meant it in the worst possible way. Kiara wasn't one for giving compliments, nor caring about many other people but herself.
"I'm totally rooting for you!"
"Oh yeah?" Grace asked with raised eyebrows, yet the tone in her voice was clear that she didn't believe a word.
"Yeah! It would be a bloody miracle if you don't end up being a rebound. Harvey was with Lottie for so long, right Naomi?"
As Kiara turned her head on search for Lottie's best friend to come into view, she was finally met with a confused expression. It was obvious that even Naomi was confused as to why Kiara was taking Lottie's side, as that had never happened before. However, she did quickly compose herself because she was still fuming at Harvey for breaking Lottie's heart.
"9 long years." Naomi commented, as she took a seat beside TJ. He immediately reacted by urging her into his side and kissing her cheek. He was trying to remove her attention from the brewing drama, wanting to save Harvey from this backlash right now.
"Shit. They were close to marriage and everything!"
"It's quite hard to believe someone could be so fucking stupid to end that, just for the sake of hooking up with a bunch of girls." Naomi bit as she turned to look at Harvey. "It's adorable to see that you've settled now but how were they; all of those other girls? Did you get it out of your system?"
TJ could tell that Harvey was trying to remain composed, while Grace could feel his hand tense in hers. He understood exactly where Naomi was coming from but he didn't feel the need to have this conversation here. In addition, if he had settled things with Lottie, then he didn't understand why it had to be anyone else's issue.
"Naomi." TJ jumped in to warn his overly vocal girlfriend. "Stop it."
"What? I'm just asking a question, I'm curious." Naomi bit back, as she shifted away from him at the same time.
"No, you're trying to cause shit. So stop it."
"Oh, of course you're going to jump on his defense because it's all lads, lads, lads, isn't it?! I'm sure you'll all join in too, right?" Naomi continued with clear frustration in her voice, as she glared around at each of the guys. "Who gives a shit how Lottie feels in all of this?"
"Naomi..." Harvey breathed, letting go of Grace's hand and resting his against the table. "I know you're pissed but I've spoken to Lottie so you don't need to restart a drama. We're good."
"Of course she's going to tell you that. You didn't have to watch her cry for weeks on end."
"Naomi! For fuck sake!" TJ bit once again with clear aggravation on his face however, his tone didn't go down too well with the brunette either.
Flashing him a look, she didn't say a word before standing to her feet and storming off over to the bar. Glimpsing over at his friends, TJ rolled his eyes before letting out a long sigh.
"I'm going to need more than this one drink. Lord fucking help me." He said as he held the glass up before rising to follow her.
"Sorry man, this is my fault." Harvey apologised, as he knew this was not going to be an easy battle for his friend and would probably ruin his whole night.
"Nah, don't worry about it. She shouldn't be bringing this shit up now anyway."
As TJ got to his feet and followed his very frustrated girlfriend to the bar, Kiara began clapping her hands once he had left.
"Well shit! The drama never ends, does it?" She laughed while finding a lot of joy in this. "We all just got back and it kicks off."
"You're really loving this, aren't you?" Grace bit, not being able to contain her anger for this girl right now. "You just stirred that up perfectly to cause a scene before sitting back like you had nothing to do with it."
"I was just pointing out facts, babes." Kiara shrugged her shoulders and as Grace was about to bite back once again, Harvey squeezed her thigh in an attempt to stop her.
When she turned to look at him, he didn't say anything before turning his attention back to Kiara.
"How about you get the next round of drinks, Kiara?" Harvey suggested in a calm tone but with other motives behind it. "I'm sure Max and I would love a welcome home shot or two."
Pursing her lips, Kiara spun her head around, causing her hair to whip Max across the face before flashing him a smile.
"In agreement?" She asked and he flashed Harvey a grin before nodding his head.
"Definitely."
...
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