CHAPTER FIVE

He raises an eyebrow and I sigh with dismay. I wish Blake was here so that he can save me from Kyle, then again, I don't think Charlotte could.

"You've been home for more than a week and you didn't think to come and see me? I thought we were best friends, or did that magically change when you got married, hm?"

"I'm sorry, it's just that I've been -"

"Ah!" He raises his hand. "I don't want to hear your excuses!"

"If you're going to act like an asshole, I'm going to close the door."

Kyle's jaw drops and I burst with laughter. He shoots me a glare as he strides into the house, nose firmly in the air. I close the door and trail down the hallway after him.

"So, what have I missed? Anything important?"

"And why do you think that? Everything is fine."

"You're being a delicate petal, so something must be up!"

"I can't believe you right now." He gasps.

"Come on, spit it out, I don't have all day."

With a shake to his head, Kyle slides onto the stool and flops against the kitchen counter. I lean against the bench and pat his shoulder.

"It's probably not as bad as you think. Now tell Ava so she can fix everything."

He pushes himself up and sighs.

"I'm freaking out! I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. There's so many options too, like, what are you supposed to go with? Why are there so many options? There should be less options."

"Kyle, came down," I shout.

He jumps and I laugh.

"Options? What are you talking about?"

"I, um, I." He goes bright red. "After seeing your wedding, it's inspired me to propose to Charlotte, but what ring do I buy? Gold, silver, rose gold or white gold? How much money do I spent? How many diamonds should be on it?"

"Breathe before you pass out, okay?"

"Happy?" Kyle inhales a breath whilst glaring at me.

"Congratulations! And i'm sure whatever you pick, she'll love."

"No, don't you dare say that! Charlotte would be happy that I proposed but I don't want to give her a ring she's going to spend the rest of her life hating. Has she said anything to you about rings? Don't you girls talk about these things?"

"We talk about more than this stuff." I chuckle.

"Seriously?" He groans.

"Char and I thought I'd have to be the one to nudge you along. We certainly didn't think you'd do it this soon. Kinda glad you've drawn your own conclusion on this, though."

"Well, thanks." He pouts.

"Which rings are you looking at? I'll help you narrow the list down."

"Thank you." He sighs.

He slides his phone out and we flick through the rings on the website. I sit beside him and we assess all the options, which is way too many, before deciding on two rings.

The first is a simple, elegant, and classing princess cut diamond on a white gold band, and the other a rose gold band with cubic zirconia around it and a an opal cut diamond.

"You have to pick the final one, but either way, she's going to love it!" I smile.

"Thank you for the help." He smiles.

"No worries! When are you asking her?"

"If I don't chicken out, tonight! I'm going to buy the ring and go straight to her. I've been waiting for three weeks, I can't do it anymore because she's getting suspicious of my odd behaviour."

"Sounds good."

"Wish me luck?"

"You don't need that! She loves you."

"I just need to make sure I get the words out."

"Just remember, the fact you're proposing before the age of thirty is enough for Charlotte."

Kyle frowns and I giggle.

"Do you want to catch up later tonight and celebrate or is this a tomorrow thing?"

"No, let's meet at the pub for celebration drinks, maybe a round of pool."

"Awesome, I'll message the crew."

"Thank you, Ava." He smiles.

"And good luck!" I wink.

I squish Kyle into a hug and walk him to the door. He's hesitant to leave but he goes. Now that they're getting married, I feel old which is weird because I'm married.

As Kyle leaves, Blake returns with a smile on his face. I lean against the doorway and watch him stride up the pathway. He pecks my lips and wanders into the house.

"Was that Kyle?"

"Yes." I nod.

"How's he going? Charlotte asked me if he's being acting strange, and if I noticed him hanging around other people. Of course I told her to stop worrying and that because Kyle has been weird since the moment I met him."

"Hey, he's not that weird!" I pout. "And he's going to pop the question to Charlotte! He's been nervous and looking for rings, so that's why he's been, hm, I guess weird."

"Ah, makes sense! Choosing a ring is so stressful. I had two sales women on either side of me making so many suggestions, I thought my head was going to explode."

"I'd love anything because it's from you." I smile.

"Thank you, and I'm glad, because that's the only thing that kept me sane."

"We're going to the pub tonight! Drinks and pool, maybe dinner if you feel like it."

"Mm, pub meal sounds delicious."

"How's Lo?"

"She's good! Misses her bedroom more than she missed me." He half-laughs.

"I doubt that."

"Have you seen her fluffy unicorn? She's missing it."

"Which one? There's seven in her room." I giggle.

"That's the exact thought I was having." He sighs.

"We can take all seven next time we see her or just keep them here because I know she'll have another ten or so at Tori's house."

"I like your positivity."

"Thanks." I grin.

* * * * *

We take our table number and find a seat somewhere in the sport section. I sip on my drink and weave my fingers through Blake's fingers. He drinks from his beer and looks around the room.

Axel walks into the pub and waves. He hits the bar before joining us.

"Why are we gathering here on short notice?"

"Because-"

I squeeze Blake's hand and shake my head.

"Why are you being so secretive?" Axel raises an eyebrow.

"Because it's not my news to share."

"Did Kyle knock up Charlotte?"

"No." I frown.

"Are you pregnant because that looks like a plain lemonade?"

"I'm not pregnant." I sigh.

"So they're getting married." He nods.

"How come you draw the conclusion to that? It could be to welcome us back from our honeymoon."

"Because he's been acting weird," Axel notes.

"That's what I said." Blake laughs.

"I love how you two think about marriage and not that he's cheating, it's refreshing and interesting." I giggle.

"Kyle would never cheat and he'd be murdered by you two," Axel comments.

"You're right there, Axel." I nod.

Our food is brought out and it's delicious! However, it's quickly gone with the three of us eating.

Just as I imagined, Kyle and Charlotte arrive with smiles. She hardly makes it to the table before she screams with excitement.

"We're getting married." She holds her hand up and shows off the rose gold ring.

I jump up and Charlotte swings me into a hug. I almost fall over but Kyle grabs my arm and tugs me to my feet.

"Congratulations!" I smile.

"Does that mean Kyle is buying drinks?" Blake laughs.

"He should, you did that." Axel smirks.

"I don't know if I can afford it after buying the ring." He sighs.

"Welcome to being married." Blake rumbles with laughter.

I pout and he looks away. Kyle goes to the bar and Charlotte takes a seat with me. I look at the ring and she smiles with pride.

"Should I dig out the wedding magazines or are you two waiting?"

"Dig them out! I want a beautiful wedding with blooming flowers, so if we start now, we'll be ready for next year."

"Okay, sounds good." I nod.

"I can't believe he asked! I thought this wouldn't happen."

"Same here, but everyone else seemed to have guessed it."

"Really?" She gasps.

"Yeah." Axel nods.

"I'm just happy he did! Ugh, it's amazing." Charlotte sighs with content.

"So, any plans to ask Grace or are you still searching for the right one?"

Axel shrugs his shoulders.

"We haven't been dating for that long, so we're still testing the waters."

"We like her, so make sure you don't screw things up!" Charlotte warns.

"I'll try not to." Axel chuckles.

Kyle places the jug of beer on the table along with the glasses.

"Where's Ben? I thought he'd be here for pool."

"Apparently he's busy tonight." I roll my eyes.

"I think he's found someone." Axel nods.

"That's adorable!"

"There's no excuse!" Charlotte bumps her shoulder into me.

"Ops, I'm sorry." I raise my hands.

"Regardless, thank you for coming to celebrate our engagement." Kyle smiles. "Now can we drink and play some games? I need to forget I just emptied my bank account."

"Yes, let's play pool! I think I should be able to not epically lose a game now."

"Let's put those skills to the test." Axel finishes his drink and wanders to the pool table.

"Wish me luck?"

"You'll smash it." Blake smirks.

I kiss his cheek and chase after Axel. I crack my knuckles and stretch my arms over my head.

"Let's do this!"

Axel puts the balls into the centre of the table and breaks it with the white one. I line a ball up and shoot it, it sinks and I bounce up and down with a smile. Maybe I'll actually win this game, probably not though, but I have hope.