I nodded my head.

Sleeping in till all hours was a pattern I fell into over the past week.

"I'll go and get showered then changed. You can bring me to your house for a while so I can see Charli and Jess and then we'll go to the pub."

Sean scratched his head. "Sounds good to me."

I nodded my head and got up and headed out of the living and down to my bathroom.

I was going to this party tonight just to make peace with my family. Once that was done I was parking my arse at the bar. A few drinks might erase Darcy and all the bullshit that came with him from my mind, but that was just wishful thinking.

"Ma is down the back in the booths with everyone," Sean said to me as I entered the pub with him and Jess.

Charli was at home in bed, a babysitter was looking after her while her parents rang in the New Year together.

I nodded to Sean and followed them through the pub like a puppy following its master. I felt so out of place in my own local pub with a crowd of faces I grew up seeing. I sighed to myself as I walked.

Maybe coming here was a bad idea.

I shook my head clear and continued to walk behind Sean and Jess. I glanced around as I walked and when I spotted a familiar person over at the bar and when I saw what she was doing I almost fell over my own two feet.

Laura Stokes was kissing a man that was in no shape or form Darcy.

I knew the man though. I stared a little longer and widened my eyes when I realised the lad Laura was tongue raping was Dan Jenkins, the lad I had a date with and bailed on nearly two weeks ago.

Glad to see he was taking my rejection so well.

I was just glad Dan wasn't Darcy. I mean, if it had been Darcy she was kissing I probably would have killed him so luckily for his sakes it was Dan. I was a little too caught up in watching Laura and her new kissing buddy that I walked into someone's back.

"You okay?" Jess laughed as she turned around and steadied me.

I smiled. "Sorry, I was distracted."

"By what?" she asked.

I nodded my head over to the bar where Laura and her buddy sat.

Jess scanned the area I nodded to and when her eyes landed on Laura she grinned. "Huh, Sean wasn't joking. Darcy really did give her the elbow."

What?

"He what?" I asked, shocked laced throughout my tone.

Jess smiled. "Earlier today Laura came up to Darcy all sexy and shite, but Darcy was having none of it. Bob told your ma it was because he was so down from hurting a girl he really liked and couldn't think of any other girl but her."

No way.

"Really?" I asked.

Jess nodded her head. "Honest to God truth."

Oh, wow.

Darcy ended his fuckery business with Laura because of me?

"She seemed to bounce back quick," I muttered.

Jess laughed, "Of course she did. She'll be on the prowl for some new meat since Darcy isn't available anymore."

I raised my eyebrows. "He is available."

"Not emotionally." Jess winked, turned and continued to walk in the direction of the booths where my family was sat.

Darcy wasn't available emotionally?

What the hell did that even mean?

Did that mean he would still shag people physically, but emotionally he would be shut down like a slutty zombie?

Why couldn't people just be straight when they were speaking?

I hated all this confusion.

I brushed off some invisible dirt from my dress and followed Jess over to the booth. I wanted to laugh the moment I stepped out in front of the booth because every person that was sat down in our section turned his or her head and looked at me at the same time.

It's wasn't just my family at the booth, Darcy's family was there too, of course.

"Evening," I said, curtly.

Justin was the first one to stand up and greet me.

"You look gorgeous," he said as he leaned down and wrapped his arms around me. "I've missed you, kid."

I smiled and hugged Justin backed. "I missed you too, Wise One."

Justin chuckled and released me.

I hugged Sarah and his parents and assured them I was fine when they asked how I was. When my father stood up I gave him a wink so he knew we were cool, I saw his shoulders loosen up as relief filled him.

"I'm sorry and I love you."

I hugged my father and told him I loved him too.

My mother burst into tears when it was her turn to say hello, and I couldn't help but laugh as she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. She buried her face in my neck and sobbed like I just came back from the dead.

"It's only been a few days, woman!" I said making every laugh.

My mother continued to cry as she hugged me.

"Ma," I said when I leaned my mouth down to her ear. "I know you're sorry and I forgive you. Don't worry about it."

I was still pretty annoyed about the whole ordeal Darcy and myself were put through, but I could see how sorry both our families were. Dragging it out wouldn't do anybody any good, so in that moment I put it behind me and looked forward to the New Year.

My mother released me then went to my father for another little cry because she was happy everything was back to normal. Well, sort of.

"Is he here?" I asked Justin.

Justin leaned in and said, "He's around here somewhere. He went somewhere else in the room when you arrived so he didn't upset you."

I nodded my head.

I knew I'd have to speak to Darcy eventually, I just hoped it wouldn't go badly because I honestly couldn't handle any more bullshit between us. I made small talk with everyone in the booth and chit chatted with them for an hour or so. It was late when we arrived and the pub was packed, but now that it was close to midnight, the place was overflowing with people.

"Neala!" Sean called out my name.

I looked at him and stood up from my seat and walked over to him at edge of the seating area when he called my name. I had to squeeze by a few people to get to Sean.

"What?" I asked him.

He sighed, "You need to speak to Darcy. He wants to go home because he feels out of place. I know you'll probably blow up at me, but he is just as much a part of our family as you are and he shouldn't feel like he has to leave out of awkwardness."

I blinked at Sean. "Where is he?" I asked.

Sean looked around then looked back to me. "I don't know, he was meant to message me when he wanted me to bring you-"

"Bring me where?" I asked then narrowed my eyes. "You had better not arranged for me to come here, Sean."

Sean didn't say a word.

Oh, my God.

I couldn't believe it.

"You said you'd never trick me again. You bloody promised, Sean!" I shouted and stepped away from my brother.

Sean sighed, "I'm not tricking you. I was going to try and persuade you to come here tonight to clear the air between yourself and Darcy, but you came here of your own accord. The only place I'm bringing you is outside for some fresh air. Having you here is no evil scheme. This time, I'm letting everything pan out on it's own."

I looked around once more in search for Darcy. "Did he know I'd be here?"

He nodded his head. "Yes, he did... he misses you, Neala. He just wants to talk, but if you really don't want too, I'll bring you home. No questions asked."

I looked at my brother and swallowed. "Do you believe him?" I asked.