My eyes swing to his. “You’re kidding!”
“Not at all. He’s been evicted from his flat due to new ownership, and I have an extra room. Couldn’t let him end up on the streets. Ro’s another story though. Where is that eejit, anyway?” Eamon glances around.
“Probably going to bug Alicia,” Teagan says as he walks up, Layla at his side. “He couldn’t stay away if he tried.”
“Wait,” I say. “Alicia? Like, Pat’s Alicia?”
“Aye, the one and only,” Teagan continues. “He’s been pining after her since the moment he met her, but he doesn’t have balls enough to ask her out. Which is probably a good thing. If he messes things up with her, which he no doubt will, we’ll have to find a new pub.”
“Or we could just keep going to Paddy’s, and he can find a new pub?” Eamon suggests with a shrug of his shoulders. “I’m not changing pubs just because he fucks up.”
“So, are you guys actually friends with him? Because it doesn’t sound like it,” Layla cuts in.
Teagan laughs. “Ah, we love the eejit, truly. It’s just the Irish way. You give a good slagging to the ones you care about. Friends, family, significantothers…” He pauses to wink at her. “If you ever come across an Irish couple that’s not calling each other names, they’re miserable together.”
“It’s true,” Eamon adds. “My Da and Mam were constantly slagging one another. I always knew when they were in a tiff because she’d be doting on him. ‘Seamus dear, shall I bring you some more biscuits with your tea?’ Normally, he’d ask for some, and she’d tell him that God gave him two legs that work just as well as hers. He’d laugh and slap her on the arse on his way to the kitchen, muttering about how she’s always harping on him.”
I can’t help but laugh at his impersonation of his parents. It’s obvious he grew up in a loving home. I hate that he hasn’t seen his Mom and sister in years and know that he must miss them terribly. His ex did more than just break his heart—she drove a wedge between him and his family. But, had she not been so selfish and deceitful, I never would have met Eamon.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eamon
I’m on top of the world, sitting on the dock of the best local pizza joint in Wilmington with my beautiful girl nestled next to me and friends across from me. After we left the practice field, we decided to make our way to the River Walk for dinner. We’ve been sitting here for a couple of hours, talking about anything and everything, while the water lapping against the dock provides ambiance. Teagan has spent the majority of the evening flirting with Layla, making her blush any chance he can, and this amuses Norah to no end. I could get drunk on her laugh. It’s music to my ears and I’ve determined that I’ll do anything to make her laugh more.
I also can’t keep my hands to myself. If I’m not brushing hair behind her ears, lacing our fingers together, or putting my arm around her, I’m brushing a kiss to her temple or trailing my fingers along her shoulder. I’mwell and truly addicted to this girl. I wouldn’t mind if we found ourselves alone soon so that I could kiss her properly. The need to feel her hands in my hair and her lush body pressed up against mine is overwhelming. My cock twitches and I squirm in my chair to hide the evidence of what she does to me. She doesn’t help matters when she absentmindedly rests her hand on my upper thigh. She’s unconsciously torturing me. I wonder how I can call this night to an end without being obvious.
As if reading my mind, Norah announces, “I hate to end the fun, but I have a full day of classes tomorrow, starting bright and early.
Teagan nods and pushes back from the table. “Aye, we have practice before the sun is even awake, so we probably better head back too.” He stretches his arms above his head, then exclaims, “Oh, shite. My car’s still at the field.”
“Do you need a ride?” Layla asks him, trying and failing to sound nonchalant.
“You wouldn’t mind?” he asks with a grin.
“It’s on my way, and I’m guessing these two want somealonetime,” Layla nods towards Norah and me.
“You’re right. We would,” I say quickly. God bless Layla. “Teag, you have your key?”
“Aye. I won’t wait up.” He winks at me and gestures for Layla to lead the way. “Shall we, lovely?”
Norah gives her friend a quick hug and tells her to text when she gets home. I hear her whisper, “Have fun.” in Layla’s ear before turning back to me.
“Ready?” I ask, snagging her hand in mine.
She nods, intertwining our fingers. “Tonight was fun. I’m glad we did this, and I’m glad Layla and Teagan came too. It looked like they were enjoying themselves, don’t you think?”
I chuckle and release her hand to wrap my arm around her waist. “He’ll be courtin’ her by the end of the week, I’m sure.”
“Courting?” Norah asks dubiously. “That sounds pretty old-fashioned.”
I chuckle again. “It’s what we call dating in Ireland. Didn’t you haveanyone trying to court you on your trip?”
I don’t know why I asked. The thought of her even talking to another guy makes me feel like a possessive arsehole.
“Ha!” She laughs. “No, definitely not. Flirting, yes, but nothing more than that.”
I don’t believe that for a second, so I tell her, “Chances are, if they were flirting, they were trying to court you.”
