“Alright, team, good work today!” I call out as the kids round up the loose balls and put them away. “We’ll do it again tomorrow. And, Gabriela? Don’t forget your shoes, love!”
“Okay, Mr. Teagan!” She giggles as she runs after her brother.
Once I see all of the kids out safely, I head into my office to make sure I have everything in order for the rest of the week. Just as I’m finishing up, my phone rings. Pulling it from my pocket, I answer without looking at the caller.
“‘Lo?” I say.
“Hey, Teag,” the voice of my younger brother greets me.
“Tommy, how are ya, mate? Been a while.” I’m closer to my brother thanprobably anyone in my family.
I love them all, of course, but my parents are difficult to talk to. My sister, Tarrah, is the golden child, and while we get along really well, her whole goal in life is to please our parents, which she does to a T. She’s the light of their life, while I’ve always been their biggest disappointment. Not because I was shady as a kid; I was just your average boy. I got into the normal amount of mischief but never caused any real trouble, other than being adamant that I don’t want to take over the family farm. I decided from an early age that I didn’t want to spend my life tending sheep and crops. I wanted to go out into the world and do something bigger, make a difference to those around me. Yes, farming is important; I understand that, but it isn’t what calls to me. My da, Martin, can’t understand it and takes every opportunity to tell me so. My Mam, Siobhan, doesn’t have the nerve to ever speak up on my behalf, so she sides with my father. As for my brother, he’s the baby of the family that everyone dotes on.
“Aye, it has. How are ya getting on?” my brother asks.
“Grand. Been busy. You?”
“Grand, yeah. Started a new job last week,” Tommy says.
“Oh yeah? Tell me about it.”
Tommy proceeds to tell me about how he quit his dull delivery job and was hired on at a local pub working in the kitchen. Tommy never could hold down a steady job, which doesn’t seem to bother him or our parents. Da doesn’t think less of Tommy for not wanting to take over the farm someday. I listen to my brother drone on for a while before asking about the rest of the family.
“How’s Tarrah? She still planning on marrying what’s his name? Geoff? George?”
“Gerard,” Tommy says with a laugh. “Yeah, they’re thinking maybe next October? I don’t know. I tend to zone out when she starts harping on about it. I can only take so much, ya know?”
“Yeah, mate, I hear you. How’s your mot? Still seeing her?” My brother goes through girls faster than he goes through jobs. I gave up on even trying to remember their names. I think the last one was Angie?
“Kristina? Nah. We broke it off a few weeks ago. She was getting clingy. What about you? Have you moved on from what’s her name?” Clearly remembering names is a family trait.
“Yeah, that’s old news.” I don’t want to tell Tommy about Layla. One, there isn’t really anything to tell, and two, I feel like voicing it out loud to my family might jinx me.
We talk for a few more minutes about our parents—still miserable—and if I’m coming back to Ireland anytime soon—I’m not. As much as I love my home country, the thought of going back just doesn’t excite me. Probably because I know that no matter where in the country I live, it’s still too close to the farm. I love the life I’ve created in North Carolina, not to mention the friends I’ve made along the way. Eamon and Rowan are more like family to me than my own.
Chapter Six
Layla
I’ve been sitting in Congdon Hall drinking coffee and studying for the better part of an hour when I decide to stretch my legs. Gathering my books, I shove them in my messenger bag, grab my cup, and head out the door. It’s the perfect fall day. Beams of sunlight are peeking through passing clouds, and the air is crisp, blowing gold, red, and orange leaves along the sidewalk. I turn toward the amphitheater, choosing the scenic route over the quicker path. Just as I set foot on the small bridge that extends over the pond, I hear my name being called.
Whipping my head around, I see Teagan jogging towards me, grinning broadly. The dimple on the left side of his mouth makes him even more adorable than he already is, and the green Seahawks hoodie he’s wearing accentuates his already brilliant emerald eyes. Sunlight brings out streaks ofauburn in the chestnut hair peeking out from under his ball cap. Although he is certainly all man, his smile gives him a boyish quality. He jogs up to me, leaving less than a foot of space between us.
“Hiya,” he breathes, making my heart race.
“Hi yourself,” I say, grinning back at him.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he says. “Just coming from Congdon?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “Took a break to stretch my legs. Thought I’d take the long way to the library and back. Where are you headed?”
“I was heading to the library myself. I have a bit of a break before my next class. Mind if I join you?” Teagan gestures in the direction of the library.
“Not at all,” I say, and we resume walking. “Haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”
“Grand! Been busy. Between classes, work, and games, I hardly know if I’m coming or going anymore,” he says. “How are you, Lovely?”
Teagan lightly bumps his elbow into mine in a friendly gesture. He smells so good, like pine and clean laundry. I want to bury my face into his hoodie and never leave.
