My cheeks hurt from grinning so hard. I can’t believe that my dream is becoming a reality. Even if this just becomes a side job, it’s still more than I ever thought possible. And now that my family is learning to be more supportive, it’s just that much sweeter.
“Thank you, Norie, for pushing me to do this,” I tell her sincerely. “I wouldn’t have done it on my own.”
She smiles sweetly at me. “All you needed was one open door. You did the rest. Now, let’s go check on your man and get him on stage.”
We don’t have to go far. Eamon and Teagan are walking toward us, the former draping an arm over the latter’s shoulders. Catwoman is murmuring something to the devil, who is nodding his head weakly. He looks so sullen, but not nearly as queasy.
“You’ve got this, mate.” I hear Eamon say.
“We good?” I ask once they are within earshot.
Teagan blows out a breath before meeting my gaze. “Aye, Lovely. Or at least, we will be.”
“Kennedy and O’Brien!” Rowan hollers as he stalks toward the group. “Huddle up! Just like before a match. Let’s go!”
Teagan and Eamon look sideways at each other before shrugging and following orders. They form a small circle, arms hooked over each other’s shoulders, heads bent together.
“Alright, listen up, boyos. This isn’t like a regular match, yeah? This is bigger. Our opponent is unlike any we’ve ever faced. But do we back down from a challenge?”
The other two mutter a weak “no”.
“Ach, c’mon, you can do better than that! Do we back down from a challenge?”
“NO!” They roar.
“Fuckin’ right, we don’t! Because who are we?”
“Seahawks!”
They’re swaying back and forth in their little circle, chanting and yelling. It’s ridiculous, but it’s working. Teagan is no longer sulking, but grinning from ear to ear. Eamon’s eyes are bright with determination. Norah and I, however, are laughing our asses off.
“Now let’s get out there and show them that it takes more than some face paint and tight costumes to keep us down!” Rowan challenges, putting an arm in the middle of their circle.
Once they’ve all stacked hands, they roar “Seahawks” one last time, and break. Norah snorts and then ushers them to stage right.
“Alright, Seahawks, don’t forget to smile your biggest smiles, bat those lashes, and sway your hips for all you’re worth.”
Rowan gives her a haughty look before prancing onto the stage, blowing kisses and twerking while spinning the lasso over his head. The tassels on his costume bounce with his movements, scattering a kaleidoscope of color over the floor. He gives the audience quite the show and they’re eating it up. By the time he reaches his marked spot, Teagan is taking his position. He looks over at me, so I blow him a kiss. With a wink and a wicked grin, he squares his shoulders and struts onto the stage, twirling his long devil tail. He took Norah’s instructions seriously, and is swinging his hips so hard I’m afraid they’ll dislocate. He stops and pivots, angling his body to show off every aspect of the costume. Someone in the audience whistles loudly, causing him to quirk a brow before shaking a finger at them. I dissolve into a fit of giggles so hard, I’m crying.
It’s not until Eamon takes his place that I compose myself, but that only lasts a moment because he grabs Norah’s face, planting a hard kiss on her mouth. He releases her and swaggers to join the others. While slinking his way across the stage, he claws at the air and hisses at the crowd. Then, without warning, he drops his body low, rolls back up seductively, and slaps his ass. Norah is holding her stomach and crowing with laughter. I think we all expected Rowan to rise to the challenge, but the other two killed it. I’m so proud of them, but mostly Teagan. He faced a fear, and in true Teagan fashion, made it a joyful experience.
I watch as the trio of Irishmen take a bow to a standing ovation. Ro is still blowing kisses and circling his lasso, while Eamon and Teagan hold up their tails and flip their long wigs over their shoulders. Norah catches my attention and rolls her eyes at their antics, but there’s nothing but love and affection in her gaze. Not just for Eamon, but all of them. She doesn’t have biological relatives anymore, but she’s proof that people don’t have to share DNA to form families. Family can be found in the group of people that love you for who you are and encourage you to be the best and most authentic version of yourself.
And I’m lucky enough to have two.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Teagan
“Ma, I know you want me to come home after graduation, but I can’t do that nowandcome back in September.”
I’ve been on the phone with my mum for nearing an hour now, trying to tell her that I’ll be back in Ireland in September for Eamon and Norah’s wedding, but all she heard was me saying I wouldn’t be coming over the summer.
“In September?”
“Aye, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell ya, but you’ve been eatin’ the head off me this whole time. Eamon and Norah are getting married in September.” I finally explain, rising from the sofa in my flat to make a cuppa.
She hums as if contemplating my words before asking, “They’re getting marriedin Ireland?”
