Hit Me Up // Jack Avery • Why Dont We

31

JACK AVERY'S POV

Shock was evident on Val's face as the guy released her from his embrace and starts talking about how long it was since he last saw her.

"I can't believe we ran into each other," the guy says, turning to his companion and motioning to Val, "Luke this is Val, we went to high school together."

"What are you doing here?" She asks in bewilderment.

"It's Mark's birthday on Friday, remember him?" the guy asks her, completely ignoring the rest of us. "You should totally come. I bet he'd be glad to see you."

"He moved back to Louisiana?" Val asks in surprise and I couldn't help but notice the smile growing on her face as she talks to the stranger.

"Yeah, you didn't know?"

"Sorry, who're you?" I couldn't help but interrupt their little reunion.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry," Val apologizes as she suddenly remembers that she has company. "Jack, this is Jordan."

"Hey," the guy greets me, extending a hand.

I'm not one to refuse a handshake but I purposely refused his, wrapping my arm around Val's waist and pulling her to my side.

"Awkward," Dylan loudly mutters to Corbyn and the others who were all watching us with amusement.

Except Jonah, who was too busy ordering our food.

"How exactly do you two know each other?" I couldn't help but pry.

"We were in highschool together," Val explains.

"Broke up about a year ago," the guy feels the need to add, nearly making me lose it.

Val glares at him. "Jordan!"

He raises his arms in surrender, laughing a throaty laugh that no one joined in on besides the Luke guy who he came with.

Our conversation was cut short when the second counter becomes vacant and Jordan moves over to order his food.

"Are you okay?" Val asks me, concern all over her beautiful face.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I ask as calmly as I could, but it still sounded forced.

"We broke up a long, long time ago," she assures me.

"I'm not jealous."

"It's written all over your face."

"Is it?" I managed to smile.

"Yes," all five of our friends answer, leading us to sit at the booth by the door.

"I'm thinking you girls could give us a tour of the place," Daniel says. "We've already been here but we've never looked around."

"Oh, we could show them that place!" Dylan tells Val and she obviously understood what Dylan was insinuating because she was nodding in agreement.

"They'd love that!"

"I was actually thinking we'd do something together," I admit truthfully. "Just us two."

"Ugh, your love disgusts me," Dylan rolls her eyes.

"Dylan can show us around then," Corbyn says. "It's not everyday you get to see her and I totally get that."

"Thanks," I sigh in relief, thankful they let me off the hook without all the teasing and kissy faces.

"Jenkins," Jordan hollers as he and his friend walks out with takeout bags in their hands. "I'll text you the address!"