Impact (The Fight for Life #2)

by K. A. Sterritt

  “I really don’t think I can face going in.” Sia sounded sheepish. “It’s just a crap load of old books.”

  I laughed. “No one’s holding a gun to your head, my friend.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “Course not.” She kept glancing over my shoulder, which I found disconcerting. I glanced over my shoulder to the line of people behind me. “What are you looking at?”

  “Not what. Who?” Her wide eyes were trying to tell me something. “There are two guys further back in the line and they are hot with a capital H.” She scrunched up her face. “Let’s go introduce ourselves.”

  “No way.” I glanced back and locked eyes with a man who made me catch my breath. When he smiled, I turned back quickly. Sia was waving to him and dragging me out of the line.

  “I know you from somewhere,” Sia stated unashamedly to the men who looked like they’d stepped off the pages of a glossy magazine. They both had a rugged charm most women would find very appealing.

  Both guys stared at Sia then looked at each other, shrugging their shoulders. “Well, you’re clearly Australian, so I’m thinking that has something to do with it,” he said in an Australian accent, holding out his hand. “I’m Charlie and this is my brother, Matt.”

  “Sia,” Sia mumbled, shaking Charlie’s hand but looking at Matt. I was left standing there feeling a little awkward.

  “And you are?” Charlie asked, looking directly at me, a warm smile lighting up his handsome face.

  “Juliette.” I took his outstretched hand and shook it, feeling he held on to my hand a few seconds too long.

  “That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”

  I cringed. Was he flirting with me? Did I like him flirting with me? “Thank you?” It came out more like a question, thanks to my internal debate on how I felt about the situation.

  He smiled again. It was a really cute smile. Charlie wasn’t nearly as muscular as Leo, but not many guys were and he was still in great shape. His hair was longer and lighter brown, but he had similar clear blue eyes and a strong jawline that would turn the heads of most women. I needed to stop comparing every single detail of his appearance to Leo, but he reminded me so much of the man who’d broken my heart, and it scared the shit out of me.

  He was motioning over my shoulder and I looked at him questioningly, unsure what the problem was.

  “We’re up,” he said, gesturing to the big gap that had opened up ahead of us.

  “Oh. Right.” I shuffled forward quickly.

  “You from Sydney?” Charlie asked in a broad Australian accent.

  It was surprising to me how obvious the Australian accent is when you’re out of Australia. When you’re at home, it’s just how everyone sounds. “Melbourne, actually.”

  “Ahh. A Mexican.”

  I had no idea what he meant by that and my expression must’ve told him so.

  “Victoria. South of the border.”

  “Well, I do love Mexican food.”

  Charlie laughed and I couldn’t help smiling. He was so laid back, and I needed a good dose of that. I couldn’t help but notice he was in great shape. His loose white t-shirt still gripped his defined biceps. Flashes of Leo caused me to close my eyes briefly from the pain. I opened them again quickly, determined to push those to the back of my mind.

  “So are you travelling or working over here?” I asked. Small talk wouldn’t kill me.

  “Matt and I work half the year in London and half in Sydney.”

  We were almost at the door. “So, Sia. Have you changed your mind?” I could see as clear as day that she had taken a shine to Matt, so I thought I’d have some fun with her. “Weren’t you just telling me it’s just a crap load of old books?”

  Sia gave me a mock glare. “I might’ve said that.”

  “Well, thank God.” Matt laughed, looking directly at Sia, who he was clearly interested in too. “Guinness factory tour?”

  “Totally.” Sia bounced on the spot, delighted. She turned to Charlie and me. “You two bookworms okay together?” Then she stepped forward and whispered in my ear. “Rule Number One: have some fun.”

  “Go away.” I pushed her lightly on the shoulder and shook my head, chuckling. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Oliver St. John Gogarty. Three o’clock?” Matt suggested.

  “Done.”

  Matt and Sia disappeared in what seemed like a puff of smoke, leaving me standing there with a virtual stranger. An extremely good-looking stranger.

  Throats being cleared alerted us to the fact that it was my turn to pay. I dashed forward to buy my ticket.

  Clutching the brochures, I glanced over to my new friend, who was still busy paying. I felt awkward waiting, but rude walking away without at least a wave. Charlie glanced up just as I was about to look away and held up one finger, indicating I should wait. What harm would it do to make a new friend? He seemed harmless enough.

  I shifted from one foot to the other and stared down at my white converse, which had seen better days.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  “Of course not. I mean. Sure. Why not?” I bit my lip, wondering why I felt so nervous around him. “Is this your first time?”

  “Nope. I come here every time I visit my grandparents. This is my fifth.”

  “Wow.”

  “I’m guessing you’re a virgin.”

  An instant blush heated my cheeks. “Excuse me?”

  “A Book of Kells virgin.” He smirked and started walking towards the first room.

  “Oh right. Yes. I knew what you meant,” I called after him, but didn’t hurry to keep up.

  We walked into a dark room with various display cabinets around the edges and one large display case in the centre. I made my way to the first cabinet where a video was playing. I was fixated immediately. It was showing the early method of binding books. I felt almost teary watching the craftsmanship that went into it and was horrified that my brain immediately went back to Leo’s farmhouse and the time and care that had gone into its construction. There was something about traditional methods that created art rather than just function.

  “Pretty impressive, huh?” Charlie sidled up to me to watch the screen with what seemed like equal admiration. “I’ve watched it so many times, but am blown away every single time.”

  I looked up at his side profile and wished I could be excited to meet someone gorgeous with similar interests to mine. I just felt like I was cheating, which was completely crazy. Regardless of the circumstances, Leo had pushed me away and I needed this opportunity to spread my wings.

  When we’d seen all the cabinets, Charlie led me to the centre display case to see the main event: The Book of Kells.

  “So is seeing this a bucket list item for you?” he asked.

  “It is.” Tears pricked my eyes as I stared at the Book containing, amongst other things, four Gospels in Latin based on Vulgate text completed in 384AD and written on prepared calfskin. (I read that on the plaque. I wasn’t that much of a book nerd.) It was overwhelming to see it in person. “My dad loves books. I guess I inherited that from him.” I attempted to casually wipe my eyes to ensure no tears escaped. I’d only just met this guy, and he didn’t need to know my big sob story. “He has an incredible collection of books at his house and has visited many of the world’s finest libraries. He told me about The Book of Kells when I was quite young. I guess deep down I always hoped I would see it, but this is the first time I’ve left Australia.”

  “Really? That’s incredible. Most Aussies head to Europe the second they finish high school.”

  “Not me,” I mumbled as I walked away. I didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

  “I’m sorry.” Charlie whispered when he fell into step beside me just as I was about to take the stairs. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  I attempted a laugh. “You didn’t. It’s totally fine. I had something in my eye. That’s all.”

  We walked up the stairs in silence.

 
; “So, is it Jules or Julie for short, or are you always Juliette?”

  Hearing him say Jules was painful. He had the same deep, gravelly voice as Leo. “Jules.” I almost said Juliette, but it sounded so formal and I was on holiday. “Jules is fine.”

  “Okay then, Jules. Let’s go see some books.”

  We ascended the last flight of stairs and walked out into a cavernous area that literally stopped me in my tracks. My jaw dropped as I struggled to process what I was seeing. It was the most stunning, awe-inspiring, incredible room I’d ever seen, and I knew the image would stay with me forever.

  A chuckle snapped me out of my stupor. “Your face just spoke a thousand words. It was a beautiful sight.” Our eyes locked and I felt the air crackle around us. “You are really beautiful, Jules.”

  This was not good. “I… um… I think I might go on by myself if you don’t mind, Charlie?” I took a step back and broke our eye contact.

  I saw what I thought to be hurt flash across his eyes. “Did I say something wrong?” he asked tentatively. “I have a bad habit of saying exactly what I think.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. “No. It’s not you. It’s—”

  “It’s not you, it’s me? Seriously?”

  “I’m sorry. You’re lovely and I’ve really enjoyed meeting you, but I…” I really didn’t feel like explaining to a stranger that no one would ever stand a chance with me as Leo had ruined me for other men forever.

  “I’ll back off. I promise. I didn’t mean to scare you off.” He held his hands up. “I come in peace.”

  “I hope you don’t think I’m arrogant assuming you are flirting with me, but I don’t want to lead you on.”

  Charlie chuckled. “How about we pretend I find you really unattractive and just enjoy your company as friends?”

  I laughed. “OK. I guess I could also pretend you are offensively ugly too.”

  “Right. Then that’s settled, then. We’re just two ugly mugs hanging out in Dublin. Deal?”

  I smiled at the ridiculous deal. He was the reason Aussie men had a reputation for being gorgeous. He could’ve been another Hemsworth brother, and I was to pretend he was ugly. No problem at all.

  We wandered through the library, gazing at the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves cordoned off from tourists. We read the giant banners telling stories of Norse myths and legends and we chatted easily. He had put flirtation on the back burner, and we managed to enjoy each other’s company without me fearing where it was leading. He knew the score, so I could relax. It actually really helped to keep my mind off home, and more specifically, Leo. If I were honest, I’d thought of little else since we’d left. Even though Sia had banned any talk of him, the thoughts were always there. What was he doing? Was he thinking about me? Was he going to the fights? Was he okay? I had driven myself crazy.

  “Did you want to buy any souvenirs?” Charlie asked as we moved through the gift shop towards the exit.

  “I’ll just grab a few postcards.”

  He was waiting for me outside when I ventured out into the sunshine.

  “We’re due to meet Matt and Sia. Will you let me buy you a Guinness?”

  I scrunched up my nose. “I’ve always wondered if it’s like drinking tar.”

  “You can’t come to Ireland and not at least try Guinness.”

  We had walked past a few bars on the way to Trinity University campus and I had heard Irish bars were a must. “Okay. One pint of Guinness.”

  He grabbed my hand then quickly dropped it, realising he probably shouldn’t have. I was horrified to realise I liked the feel of his touch and balled my hand he’d just dropped into a fist. I wasn’t supposed to like the touch of another man.

  “Sorry,” he said as he scrunched his nose, his voice barely a whisper. His apology appeared reluctant.

  “It’s okay,” I reassured him, but wished he hadn’t done it. Now I knew his touch.

  We jostled along the busy streets to the cobbled Temple bar area near the river. Bars lined both sides of the street and buskers created a fun and lively atmosphere. A man dressed as a leprechaun standing over a pot of gold insisted we have our photographs taken with him. Of course we threw in a few coins for whatever charity he was collecting for.

  “Come on. This is my favourite bar in Dublin.”

  Charlie opened the door and ushered me in, careful not to touch me again. It was only three in the afternoon, but it was packed to the rafters with singing and dancing patrons. I couldn’t help laughing.

  “You still keen to try Guinness?” Charlie shouted in my ear.

  “Sure. Why not?” I shouted back, lifting my shoulders.

  “That’s the spirit.” Charlie smiled then elbowed his way to the bar while I sang along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”.

  A group of guys in fancy dress, or at least I hoped they were in fancy dress, gestured for me to join them on the dancefloor in front of the live band. I shook my head and mouthed, Not a chance.

  One of them jogged over to me and shouted in a posh English accent, “I’m getting married next weekend.” I felt immediately drunk from the beer fumes, but he had a friendly face. “Let me have one more dance with the prettiest girl in the room before then?”

  “Come on!” chanted a chorus of voices who had to be his bucks.

  I rolled my eyes, then thought, Fuck it!

  I accepted his outstretched hand and allowed him to drag me onto the dancefloor where I was spun, dipped and swirled until I was laughing so hard my sides ached. When the song finished, we were met with a loud applause. I glanced around the room and saw all eyes were on us. I looked at the groom-to-be and we both cracked up again and bowed to our appreciative audience.

  “Thank you.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it before bowing dramatically.

  “You’re welcome and congratulations.” I laughed and curtseyed.

  He kissed my cheek and then pulled me in for a hug, whispering in my ear in a thick Irish accent something along the lines of, “Not sure your boyfriend was too happy about our dance. Hope I didn’t get you in any trouble.”

  Before I had a chance to correct his mistake, he was singing along to the next song and was surrounded by his drunken mates.

  I glanced around and found Charlie staring at me. When he realised I was looking at him, he immediately shook off his dark look and smiled brightly, holding up two pints of dark liquid. I was in such a good mood from the music and dancing, I ignored the fact this very gorgeous guy clearly wasn’t going to do the friends thing easily.

  Thank you, I mouthed, taking the glass and tentatively bringing it to my lips.

  I was surprised to find it was far more pleasant than I’d been expecting. I wouldn’t be rushing back for another, but it was another experience and I was really enjoying everything about Dublin so far.

  “Let’s go outside where we can hear ourselves think.”

  I followed him outside a little reluctantly. I was really enjoying the atmosphere inside, but was happy to grab some fresh air. We found a free bar table outside and Charlie placed his beer down. “You’re a good dancer.”

  I laughed as I was about to take another sip and the froth on top sprayed out over the glass. “Thanks. Bit out of character for me dancing with strangers, but hey. You only live once.”

  He raised his glass and chinked it with mine. “Carpe diem.”

  I smiled at how much those two words meaning seize the day really meant something to me. Until recently, I’d done the exact opposite of seizing the day by moulding myself into something I wasn’t for my mother’s and father’s sakes. I’d channelled my frustrations into the quest for my beloved adrenaline sports but had kept them a secret. I had been living my life on someone else’s terms, and when I’d stopped, the repercussions could’ve been fatal.

  Before I knew it, I was sculling my beer with my eyes shut tight. When I opened my eyes, Charlie was looking at me quizzically. “Would you like another?”

  I wiped the froth fro
m my mouth with the back of my arm and welcomed the warmth spreading through my body. “Sia.” I spotted her down the street.

  Sia launched herself at me and whispered in my ear, “Two hot brothers. Jackpot.”

  I pushed her back but laughed at her exuberance.

  “Let’s get shitfaced,” Matt proposed boldly. “We’re young and free. Let’s celebrate that.”

  He and Sia had clearly had a few already, and it was easy to forget it was only mid-afternoon surrounded by happy, drunk people.

  “So what’s the plan from here?” Charlie asked. “Are you just here on holidays?”

  “We have no real set plan. We’re just going to backpack around Europe. We both have six weeks’ leave from work.” Sia motioned between us. “We work together at a stockbroking firm back home.”

  “There are loads of stockbrokers in London,” Matt chimed in. “You could get a job over there.”

  “What do you guys do?” I asked to change the subject.

  “We run our family’s office. We make and oversee all the investments and typically spend half the year here in Europe and half back in Australia. Our parents live in Sydney.”

  “Wow. That’s very cool,” Sia said.

  Charlie slapped his hand down on the table. “Right, ladies. No more talk of work. Another round?”

  Many, many hours later, I stood up on shaky legs. “I think I’m done.” I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see it was after ten. “I need to use the ladies’ before I head back to the hotel.” I stood up and swayed a little. “Back in a sec.”

  When I came out of the bathroom, Charlie was leaning against the wall, one leg bent with his foot resting on the wall behind him. “You’re not going, are you?” He tried to sound casual, but I sensed the desperation in his voice. “I’d really like to see you again.” He pushed off the wall and held his hands up. “As friends of course.”

  I paused. “I don’t know you, Charlie, and you don’t know me.” I thought of the one person I was trying so desperately to push out of my thoughts. Leo. My heart ached for him.