Page 56 of His Ringsend


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“Are you going to acknowledge that?” I ask teasingly. “He sure as hell wasn’t winking at me!”

“Oh my god. Shut up. I don’t even know how to respond!” Layla splutters.

“Well, a wave would be sufficient, but if you really wanted to drive him wild, you could blow him a kiss.”

“Stop. I can’t do that.”

“Are you not attracted to Teagan?” I ask her, knowing full well that she is.

She glares at me. “Of course I am. I’d have to be an idiot to not be attracted to him. But I’m not about to make a fool out of myself in front of him and the entire team. He’s probably just a shameless flirt to anyone with tits.”

“You’re thinking of Ro.He’sthe shameless flirt. Teagan is more reserved, like Eamon. Or so he tells me. Just wave at him, then! Don’t leave the poor guy hanging.”

Layla rolls her eyes and wiggles her fingers in Teagan’s direction. His grin only grows bigger.

After practice, we gather our bags and head towards the exit. Layla keeps trying to make up excuses to leave before Teagan comes out, but I won’t let her. I planned on an evening with just Eamon, but now I’m considering adouble date, so I send Eamon a discreet text.

Norah:Bring Teagan along tonight. I’m bringing Layla. ;)

His reply is instantaneous.

Eamon:Reading my mind, are ya? I already told him to tag along.

Norah:I’m sure it didn’t take much convincing. Layla doesn’t think he’s into her.

Eamon:Is she mental? It might as well be written across his face. Heading your way, love.

Layla clears her throat pointedly. “Norah, what are you doing? You have that look.”

“What look?” I ask innocently, batting my lashes at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know exactly what look I’m talking about.”

I start to deny her accusations when we’re interrupted by a very loud rendition ofGalway Girl. Turning, we see Ro skipping,actually skipping, towards us.

“You know, she played the fiddle in an Irish band, but she fell in love with an English man! Kissed her on the neck, and then I took her by the hand,” Ro sings as he grabs my hand and twirls me under his arm, making me laugh.

“Gallagher! If you place your lips anywhere near her, I will personally rip your bollocks from your body and shove them down your throat!” Eamon bellows at him.

I quickly duck out of Ro’s reach and move towards Eamon. Not to be deterred, Ro waltzes up to Layla, grasping her fingers and bowing low to kiss her knuckles. She rolls her eyes but giggles and blushes, not immune to his charm any more than I am.

“And is this the lovely Layla I’ve heard so much about?” he questions. “O’Brien said you were—”

“Oy! Rowan!” Teagan yells at him. “Shut yer bleedin’ hole, you gobshite. I swear to God, you are more trouble than you’re worth.”

He shakes his head and shoves Ro playfully before stopping in front of Layla. “Sorry about the riff-raff, lass. He was dropped on his head as a wee baby, and he hasn’t been right since. We only keep him around because wefeel sorry for him.”

Eamon laughs loudly and drops his bag before grabbing my hand to pull me into his arms. I sigh blissfully as my head rests on his chest, inhaling deeply. He must have showered before coming out because he smells divine.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, love. Not that I’m complaining. It was a nice surprise,” he murmurs in my ear and I shiver.

“I stayed late finishing up a few things for the play and decided it would be more fun to watch you practice than to go home. Turns out I was right.”

“Lucky me.” He smirks. “How’d you get Layla to join?”

“That was a happy accident. She called just as I walked out of the building and wanted to hang out. I convinced her it would be worth her while to meet me here. Again, I think I was right.” I nod my head towards Layla and Teagan, who are talking quietly a few yards away.

Eamon chuckles and presses a kiss to my temple. “I think they’ll be seeing more of each other. Teagan is my new roommate as of today.”