by L. A. Casey
That hurt my feelings.
“I don’t poke me nose into her business... I just worry.”
“Aye, mama bear, I know,” my friend agreed, “but she isn’t a kid anymore. She’s a teenager and they keep a lot of shit bottled up.”
I knew that and I knew Bronagh was almost eighteen and wasn’t considered a child anymore, but I couldn’t help but stress over her. It had been my job to worry about her for the last nine years, and I couldn’t just switch the instinct off. She was very much my little sister and baby wrapped into one.
I sat on my bed and frowned, deeply. “I suck at this parentin’ thing.”
Aideen chortled. “Don’t even go there, you’re a better parent to Bee than most people are to their biological children.”
I appreciated her saying so.
“I try very hard with her,” I sighed, “but the older she gets, the harder it gets. I’m worried sick that she will get cabin fever and go insane because she is always indoors. She hardly ever socialises, her teachers at school tell me durin’ parent teacher meetin’s that they’ve never met a girl so closed off.”
“Listen to me,” Aideen began. “There is nothin’ wrong with that girl, she is perfectly fine, she just deals with things—and others—differently.”
I glanced up at the picture of my parents on my bedroom wall and looked away when tears threatened to fill my eyes. “I don’t know of she’ll ever fully accept that they’re gone, Aideen,” I swallowed. “She doesn’t even like seein’ pictures of them, never mind talkin’ about them. I’m very concerned for ‘er mental health.”
Aideen grumbled to herself then said, “She’ll accept it eventually, it just takes longer for some people. Trust me, her hormones are goin’ to kick in eventually and she will have boy fever, you mark me words. These conversations will be replaced by typical big sister complaints like, ‘I have to re-stock the condoms in the bathroom because Bee is shaggin’ too much.”
“Aideen!” I shouted with unexpected laughter.
She cackled through the receiver of the phone, snorting every now and then.
I shook my head. “You can seriously tell you were raised with all lads, Ado. You do not speak like a lady.”
“Darlin’,” she chuckled. “I’m perfectly okay with not being a lady, a lady wouldn’t land herself a man like Skull, would she?”
I still couldn’t believe she dated someone that went by the name Skull. Even more, I couldn’t believe that before she dated him, I had a very brief fling with him. It was the tattoos that drew me to him; he had a mean as fuck tattoo on the side of his head that travelled down his neck and ended at his hip bone. If the tattoos and his incredible good looks didn’t sway me, his manners would have. Skull might look like a menacing man, but he was most definitely a sweetheart.
“His nickname still gives me the creeps,” I shivered. “Can’t you just call him Trevor when we speak about him?”
Aideen cackled. “Nah, I like how freaked out you get when I say it.”
“Bitch,” I grumbled.
She wasn’t bother by my insult.
“Can you let your sister sulk on her own for a few hours and come dancin’ with me? We haven’t had a night out in forever.”
Guilt settled in my chest. “Aideen—”
“Please, Branna,” she cut me off. “Please.”
I groaned. “You’re makin’ turnin’ you down very hard.”
“That’s what she said.”
I laughed. “Okay, loser, I’ll come out.”
Aideen whooped. “Brilliant. Wear somethin’ sexy, I want you to at least kiss some hot piece of man flesh tonight.”
I grimaced. “You’re vile, Aideen Collins.”
“I know,” she laughed. “Do you want to meet at Darkness or at me apartment?”
“Is Skull pickin’ you up?” I quizzed.
“No, he is on shift at the club tonight. He is on at ten, but we won’t be goin’ ‘til half eleven or so.”
I gnawed on my inner cheek then said, “I’ll meet you at the club. It’s already half nine and I need to shower and get ready. I’ll have more time if I just meet you there.”
“‘Kay, bitch.” Aideen cheered. “I can already taste the Vodka.”
I snorted. “See you later.”
“Byeeee.”
I lowered my phone from my ear when the beep signalling Aideen hung up sounded. I plugged my charger into the base of my phone then headed out of my room and went down the hallway to my sister’s bedroom. I knocked on the closed door and waited.
“Come in, Branna,” Bronagh called out.
I opened the door, and the sight I was greeted with caused me to smile. My sister was tucked up in bed with her covers pulled up to her chin. I glanced at her television and chuckled when I saw she was watching Supernatural. It was quite possibly her favourite television show. She watched it religiously.
“Are you okay?” I asked Bronagh when I climbed up onto her bed and settled in next to her.
She nodded. “I’m good, school was just a little... hectic today.”
I wanted to press her for information, but I knew it would just lead to an argument. Aideen was right; she would talk to me about whatever was bothering her when she was ready to.
“Okay, well, if you want to talk to me. I’m here.”
Bronagh’s lips twitched as she watched her program with focused eyes. “Thanks.”
I played with her hair for a minute or two then said, “So Aideen asked me to go out with her for a few drinks tonight, do you mind?”
Bronagh shook her head. “I’m goin’ to sleep after this, so nope.”
I knew she wouldn’t mind, but it relaxed me hearing her saying it.
I loosened up. “Okay, great. I’ve already locked the house up before I came up here, but before I leave I’ll check once more and set the alarm.”
Bronagh lifted her arms out of the covers and gave me two thumbs up. I leaned over and kissed her forehead and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow after school. I’ve to head to class in the mornin’ then I’ve to go to the hospital in the afternoon.”
My sister nodded. “Can you leave some money out for me? I’m going to the deli on my lunch hour tomorrow.”
I kissed her head and stood up. “Okay, I’ll put it on the kitchen counter for you.”
Bronagh looked at me then and grinned. “Be good.”
I raised my eyebrow. “I’m always good.”
“You’re right,” my sister smirked. “Maybe you should be very bad then.”
“Bronagh!” I gasped making her laugh.
I folded my arms across my chest. “I’m still not used to you makin’ jokes like that.”
“Get used to it then,” Bronagh snorted. “I’m sure when I see you tomorrow I’ll take the piss out of you again.”
“You’re a bitch,” I grumbled.
“And proud.” My sister smirked.
I playfully rolled my eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I walked out of her bedroom and closed her door just as she shouted, “Have fuuuuunnn!”
I grunted to myself as I headed in the direction of the bathroom. After I showered, dried and styled my hair I glanced at the clock on my bedroom wall and groaned. It was twenty to eleven, and I hadn’t even decided on what to wear yet. I groaned and slumped back onto my bed, and stared up at the ceiling.
“This night is goin’ to be a disaster.”
“Where are you?” I impatiently asked Aideen. “I just pulled up outside in a taxi and I don’t wanna wait around on me own.”
“I just got here, too. I’m over with Skull at the entrance to the club.”
I relaxed. “Okay, see you in a sec.”
I paid the taxi driver then got out of the car and brisk walked past the lengthy queue of people and made my way to the top of the queue. Aideen’s face lit up when she saw me. She let go of Skull’s arm and hugged me when I reached her.
“You look gorgeous!” She gushed.
I looked down at my black tube dress that stuck to me like a second skin and pushed my boobs up, then switched my gaze to Aideen.
“Me?” I quizzed and brushed the compliment off. “Have you seen your boobs in that dress?”
“But of course,” my friend wickedly grinned. “They’re me best asset.”
I raised my eyebrow. “That’d be your brain.”
Aideen snorted at my correction and took hold of my hand as we moved over to Skull who greeted us with a bright smile. “Well if it isn’t me fantasy threesome partners,” he teased.
I playfully rolled my eyes while Aideen cracked up with laughter, which caused Skull to smile. He flicked his gaze to me and winked.
“How is Branna this evenin’?” he asked.
I teasingly fanned my face. “I’m great, how is Skull keepin’?”
“Grand,” he said and jabbed his thumb at Aideen. “I’ve this one on me arm, I couldn’t be better.”
Aideen snorted. “You’re already gettin’ laid later, there’s no need to sweet talk me.”
“Maybe I like sweet talkin’ you.” He grinned.
I pretended to heave. “You’re both too cute, stop or I’ll be sick.”
They laughed and Skull moved us inside the club’s entrance and instructed us to go down the stairs. He promised to meet up with us later after the door was clear of punters. I thanked him then took Aideen’s hand as she led us down the flight of stairs. At the bottom of the stairs a bouncer who guarded the main entrance to the club greeted us.
“Heya John,” I said with a wave.
His face brightened up. “Branna, how are you, babe? Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I’m good, this one dragged me out tonight.”
“I expect nothin’ less from Miss. Collins,” John teased.
I smiled as he stamped Free on my left wrist, and Darkness on my right in thick black ink.
“Thank you,” I smiled warmly as he did the same for Aideen.
“You got it, darlin’.” John winked. “Have a good night.”
I thanked him again and followed Aideen through the double doors that lead into the nightclub. I needed a moment to allow my vision to adjust to the club’s next to no lighting. The strobe lights were already forming an ache in my temples. I followed Aideen over to the crowed bar, and I hung back while she ordered us some drinks.
I tapped my hand against my thigh and bobbed my head along to the song that was pouring through the speakers. I took the drink that Aideen offered me and took a sip. I hummed as the liquid slid down my throat.
Vodka and Coke.
“Me favourite,” I grinned.
Aideen clanked her glass against mine and downed her drink in just a few gulps. I blinked, and didn’t even attempt to do the same with my drink because I knew it’d be back up my throat just as quick. I drank mine at a regular pace, which was not what Aideen did. By the time I finished my first drink she was on her third.
“Let’s dance!” she shouted when her glass was empty.
I put my empty glass on the bar, took hold of Aideen’s hand and allowed her to lead me to the dance floor. We danced, laughed and danced some more. I was just about to request we take a little break, when the sea of people parted on the dance floor and opened up the view of the booths across the club.
My eyes locked on the corner booth, or rather on the man in the booth.
Oh, Christ.
“Branna?” Aideen laughed. “Will you blink?”
I knew I was staring, and for the life of me I couldn’t make myself stop, or at the very least look away. My libido sprung to life and had taken over full control of my body.
Pulse. Pulse. Pulse.
“Who is that?” I asked Aideen without taking my eyes away from the Greek God that was sat in the corner booth gulping down Budweiser like it was water.
“That,” Aideen wickedly grinned as she nudged me to the edge of the dance floor, “is Ryder Slater. Skull says he is from New York and that he just moved here with his younger brothers, one of his brothers—who is an identical twin by the way—is a fighter. He has fought here almost every weekend for the past few weeks, he is lethal and is only Bronagh’s age.”
I heard everything Aideen said, but my mind, and vagina, only focused on one crucial detail of her Intel. Ryder Slater.
“He is gorgeous,” I gushed, unable to look away from him.
Aideen whooped over the music. “Go get him, mama.”
I felt molten heat creep up my neck. “I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Aideen asked, clicking her tongue.
I looked at my friend and frowned. “How does a woman like me talk to someone who looks like him? Because I honestly have no idea, I’ll make a tit out of meself.”
Aideen rolled her eyes and over the music she said, “Branna, will you listen to yourself? You sound like you’ve already been rejected by him, but you haven’t and you won’t, if you just be yourself. You’re stunnin’, babe, and you’re a hell of a girl, too. Lads dig that.”
I hated that my eyes welled up. “You’re so sweet to me,” I said and quickly dabbed under my eyes, careful not to ruin my eye make-up.
“We have got to get you laid,” Aideen grumbled. “And Ryder Slater will be the one to work out all of your kinks. Come with me.”
Everything happened rapidly when Aideen grabbed hold of my hand and quite literally tugged me along behind her as she briskly walked off the dance floor, not caring that body after drunken body was in our way. I shouted for her to slow down, but either she couldn’t hear me over the music, or she flat out ignored me. I only shouted once because I became very self-aware that I was shite at walking in heels, and brisk walking in them could very well cause my immediate death.
When we made it through the crowd and across the dance floor I silently thanked God that I survived, but then quickly asked him to take my life when I realised where Aideen brought us to a stop. We were no more than a metre away from the very booth that the stunning Ryder Slater was sat at. He was looking down at his phone, but when he noticed we were standing next to his table staring at him, he pocketed his phone and gave us his full attention.
I stepped behind Aideen out of sheer mortification.
“Hiya,” she shouted over the music. “I’m Aideen, and this is Branna, we thought you might like some company. You look a little lost sittin’ over here on your own.”
How can she speak to him, or any man, with such confidence? I wondered. I would never be able to do that, not without looking like an utter fool in the process.
I was jolted from my thoughts when Aideen turned to me, and roughly pulled me out from my hiding spot behind her. I stumbled to her side and knocked my knee against hers causing me to hiss. I resisted the urge to rub the sting away, because my attention was now on the grey eyes that were trained on me.
Oh, hell.
“Hello,” Ryder said at the exact same time the song playing changed. It allowed me to hear how deep his voice was, and how wicked his accent sounded.
I waved at him—like an idiot—and said, “Hey.”
His lips twitched and I wondered if he already thought I wasn’t worth the trouble of talking to.
“Would you like to join me?” he asked, raising his voice to be heard over the now thumping sound that filled the club.
I swallowed, and stared at him with shock.
Aideen jabbed her elbow in my side and answered for me. “She’d love to,” she gushed.
She put her small hand on the base of my spine and pushed me to the side of the booth Ryder was sitting on, and I didn’t know why, but I resisted. I suddenly felt like I was being fed to the sharks. I brought my face to Aideen’s and said, “I can’t do this, I feel too idiotic to sit next to him. I don’t trust meself not to say somethin’ stupid.”
Aideen completely ignored me and turned me around to face Ryder—who hadn’t moved an inch since we arrived at the table—and nudged me forward with both of her hands. To avoid falling on t
op of Ryder, I had to turn on my side and drop into a sitting position next to him. I didn’t look at him out of fear I’d see amusement on his face, so instead I looked to my friend—I use that term very loosely—and tapped the empty spot next to me, but she shook her head, grinning.
I widened my eyes, and pleaded with Aideen not to leave me through my skull drilling stare.
“I’m goin’ to go and get us some drinks,” she stated. “You two get to know each other, I won’t be long.”
I gasped when she turned and almost instantly got lost in the crowd. I sat up straight and searched for her in hopes I would see her, but I only saw strangers move their bodies to the playing music.
“Oh, my God,” I whispered.
I sat very still for a few seconds before I plucked up the courage to take a glimpse at Ryder. I froze when I found his eyes were on me, and a smile had taken over his face. The sigh that left my body was one of need, because if I thought Ryder was incredible looking before, seeing him smile almost had me proposing to him. Almost.
“Are you okay?” he asked, a hint of concern in his tone.
I knew I couldn’t get away with lying, Aideen and Bronagh told me enough times that my face told everything I kept inside, so I decided to be honest. I shook my head to Ryder’s question and said, “I didn’t know she was goin’ to abandon me like that. I’m so sorry, it was her idea to come over here, not mine.”
Ryder’s lips quirked as he said, “I’m glad she thought of it.”
I blinked, dumbly. “You are?”
“Of course,” he nodded. “I probably would have never seen you otherwise. I’ve found over the last few weeks that this club is always wall-to-wall full. You’re such a tiny thing; it’d be easy to miss you in the sea of bodies. And that would be a true tragedy.”
Branna, breathe, my mind, and lungs, urged.
I sucked in a breath and exhaled it almost immediately, and it made Ryder chuckle.
“Darling, you look like I’m going to eat you up.” His eyes held a glint of mischief as he spoke. “I won’t bite you, I promise. Not yet anyway.”
Fuck.
I cleared my throat and said, “I’m sorry.”