Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“That’s fair,” I said with a laugh.
“Come sit with us,” Saoirse called from the chair in the living room. “We’re not allowed in the kitchen either.”
“That’s because this kitchen is the size of a closet,” Aoife said as I moved back toward the living room.
“It’s because I’m a shitty cook,” Aisling informed me. “She’s afraid I’ll ruin it.”
“Ash’s probably right,” Saoirse said, grinning up at me. “But I’m an excellent cook.”
“I’m not great,” I admitted, sitting down on the couch. “I can do a few things really well, though.”
“Yeah, she can,” Cian muttered.
“I’m going to kill you,” I hissed, whipping around to look at him.
“Your chicken casserole thing,” he clarified, watching with relish as my eyes widened with horror. “And that potato soup thing you make.”
Aisling and Saoirse cackled.
“Those are good,” I replied, turning back around. My face felt like it was on fire, and it took every inch of willpower I had not to fan it.
“Uncle, you got liptick on,” Sean announced.
“What?” Cian asked in confusion.
“He’s right,” Saoirse said. “Nice shade of red, but with your coloring, I’d go a little darker next time.”
“Fuck,” Cian muttered, reaching out to pull my hair as he strode down the hallway.
“I want liptick, too,” Sean said as they disappeared.
“Well,” I said, turning back toward them. “That timing couldn’t have been better. I noticed it right before we got out of the car.”
Aisling laughed.
“Sersh,” Aoife called. “Can you come stir this while I finish the biscuits?”
“Notice she didn’t call Ash,” Saoirse said smugly as she left the room.
“I can stir food,” Aisling said dryly. “But I’m still in a careful-around-Aisling bubble, so they don’t ask me to do much.”
“How are you feeling?” I asked quietly.
“Still sore,” she said with a shrug. “But it’s not so bad anymore.”
“The bruises look better.”
“Most of them, yeah.” She smiled crookedly.
“I’m glad.”
“Now if I could just sleep,” she said with a humorless laugh. She waved me off when I winced. “I’m going to talk to someone. I made an appointment next week. We’ll see how it goes.”
“I think everyone should go to therapy,” I replied.
“You go?”
“I have, yeah.”
“Did it help?”
“Definitely.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Aoife’s been on me about it. Which, between me and you, she probably needs it more than me. This whole limbo thing with Richie is really fucking with her.”
“She’s been through a lot,” I said, not really sure what she was referring to. “All of you have. If I thought Cian wouldn’t laugh in my face, I’d try to get him to go.”
“I’ll give you a million dollars if you convince my brother to go to therapy,” she said with a snicker.
“Do you have a million dollars?”
“I’ll get it,” she replied firmly.
“Dinner’s on,” Aunt Ashley called as Cian and Sean came back down the hall.
“I peed on the toe-lit,” Sean announced.
“Nice job, bud,” Aisling said as she stood. She was still moving carefully. I pretended not to notice.
“You didn’t tell me I had lipstick all over me,” Cian murmured as he pulled me up from the couch.
“You didn’t let me change my sweater,” I countered.
We crowded around the little kitchen table. Cian and Saoirse sat on folding chairs, and Sean used one of the barstools from the counter so we’d have enough seats. Cian’s thigh pressed against mine as he poured me ice water from the pitcher being handed around.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
“Don’t worry, it’s water. Aunt Ashley’s not tryin’ to get you drunk this time.”
I pinched his thigh under the table.
“Are you still going on about that?” Ashley asked, shaking her head. “It’s not my fault you can’t handle your liquor.”
“You kept handing me drinks!”
“You could’ve said no at any point.”
I opened my mouth and then snapped it shut again. The truth was that I’d wanted to make a good impression, and it had felt rude to tell her to stop.
“How are your parents?” Aoife asked, changing the subject. “It was so nice of them to come to the hospital and everything.”
“They’re good,” I replied, sending her a small smile. “They were glad to be there. We take care of each other.”
“The motorcycle club, right?” Saoirse asked curiously. “It’s because Cian’s a member.”
“Well, yes and no,” I replied, looking at Cian. He nodded, like I needed his permission or something. “Part of it is that, yeah. The club takes care of its own. But Cian’s one of ours, too. Our family, I mean. He’s best friends with Titus, so my parents consider him one of their kids. Even if he wasn’t part of the club, they would’ve been there because they love him.”
“Well put,” Aunt Ashley said.
“Better not screw it up,” Aisling told Cian, gesturing between us. “Doubt they’ll like you so much then.”
My mouth dropped open in surprise.
“Aisling,” Aoife snapped. “What the fuck?”
“Yeah, he doesn’t have to worry about that,” I said, looking at Aisling. Her shoulders had hunched uncomfortably. “If something happens with me and Cian, they’ll assume it was my fault.”