7. Lola

Chapter 7

Lola

The day started as a shit show but turned into something fantastic. Finn did this complete one-eighty, but I don't actually think that's what happened. I think he finally let his walls down, and of all people he chose me to do it with. I can't get over it. I've been on cloud nine ever since, even more so since the orgasmic kiss on the side of the street. I've never been one for public displays of affection, but I wonder if that is because Dillon didn't like it. I mean, he's the only boyfriend I've ever had. So I only have experience with him, but Finn is making me second-guess everything.

I happily scrub down tables, deliver food and drinks, laugh, and talk with customers. Aoife is a lot of fun to be around, and I love all the stories everybody tells me about Finn. They're trying to embarrass him, but it's not happening. He scowls at them and keeps his mouth shut and grunts, but when nobody's looking, he's winking at me or touching me in any way possible.

My body is on fire for him, and I keep glancing at the clock, waiting for it to close and the cleanup to be finished. I plan on having a very late night with him.

As soon as we got back from the shops and explored downtown, I rushed upstairs to make sure everything was shaved, plucked, smoothed, and ready for a night of luscious debauchery because it took six months of dating Dillon before we had sex. Sure, I was a virgin then, but this is my first time with anybody else.

Nerves rattle my cage a bit, but I keep pushing it down because all I have to remember is that kiss from earlier. This peace takes over me, and it's all right in the world. My gut is telling me he's the one. The man for me is Finn O'Neill, and that's why I've been drawn to come to Ireland my whole life. He's been here waiting for me.

He was fifteen when I was born, so the call to come at such a young age makes more sense. He's been here living his life, pursuing his dreams, and now we can pursue our dreams together.

Dancing around and bopping my butt to the music, I feel eyes on me as I turn around, and Finn lustily gazes at my ass. I smile, putting a little more sway in my hips, and he grabs onto the counter of the bar and shakes his head as he turns away. I notice him subtly shifting his pants, and I can't hold back my grin.

Oh, yeah. Tonight is going to be a lot of fun.

"Hey, Aoife, I'll get the trash. You head out front. I got it back here."

"Ye sure, lass? It can get pretty heavy."

"Yeah, I got it. It makes more sense for me to do the cleanup."

"Now, lass, I appreciate your help, but ye're a guest here. Ye don't need to be doin' all this work."

I wave my hand at her. "Please, I love that I can help. It makes me feel useful. Plus, I love it here."

Aoife smiles at me and rubs her hand down my arm. "Oh, lass, I love having ye here. Ye bring such a freshness to the place. I'll hate it when ye go back. I want ye to know, ye're always welcome here. For however long ye need it. Ye count on us O'Neill's being here for ye."

Getting emotional, I smile and nod, afraid to say something and start crying. Aoife is a kind woman, but she's not the touchy-feely type, so having her talk to me this way makes me feel cherished. I've only ever had my sister, and having a mother figure is something I've always wanted, and this woman is offering it without even trying.

"Thank you, Aoife. You have no idea how much that means to me."

Aoife doesn't say anything else. She nods and turns around. The emotional talk is too much for her, and she needs some space, as do I.

I collect all the trash into two big bags and lug them out back. Seriously, who needs a gym if they're moving trash all day? This is a workout all on its own.

I drop the bags by the trash can to lift the top of the bin.

"Ye slut, stay away from me man. Ye fat pig. He only feels sorry for ye."

Startled, I find Shannon standing behind me with her hand on her hip.

"Excuse me. I'm not a slut, and Finn isn't your man." I don't dare turn my back on the woman because she has to be crazy if she sneaks into the alleyway of the pub to confront me.

"He's my man. He's hoping just to get an easy lay; he's a man, after all. But he's mine, and ye need to back off, cow."

I inhale deeply, trying to let her not affect me, but the name-calling is a bit much for a supposedly grown woman. Worse, she keeps talking about Finn like she owns him, and after what she did to him, I can't tolerate it.

"Listen, Shannon. You're the one who gave up a great man for shady reasons. I get that you're mad at yourself for letting a catch like Finn get away, but he's moving on, and you need to do the same. He wants nothing to do with you."

"Ye're a lying whore!" Shannon screams and comes at me and smacks me across the face.

The shock of the attack has me spiraling and floundering backward, but I regain my balance only to have Shannon jumping on me, pulling my hair, and smacking me a few more times across the face. I lose balance and fall onto the trash bags, and she sits atop me. I scream and lift my hands to my face to block, then I lift my legs to hit her in the back, and I lift my hips to bump her off me. She falls to my side into the trash bags, reaches for my hair, and yanks. Another hand slaps as a stinging sensation swipes against my cheek. I grab her hand and pull it away when a large diamond ring shines, turned inside out on her hand, and she cuts me with it.

I push her back and try to get to my feet, but she relaunches herself at me and throws a punch against my temple. I see stars as a throbbing pain splinters in my head, and I throw my hands over my face as Shannon continues to punch and slap at my face while she screams repeatedly.

In an instant, she's pulled off me, but I don't dare move my hands.

"Fuck, Lola, firecracker. Let me see. Let me see your face."

"Finn?"

"Yeah, babe, it's me."

I lower my hands, and Finn inhales heavily. "Fuck. Babe." Finn glances over his shoulder, and the hatred in his gaze at Shannon has me sucking in a breath myself.

Shannon starts crying. "She attacked me. I was only defending myself. Finn, baby, you believe me, don't you?"

"Hold her and make sure she doesn't go anywhere. I want her arrested."

Finn picks me up and cradles me in his arms. "It's okay, firecracker. I got ye. I got ye." He kisses my head and carries me into the pub while Shannon screams his name behind us.

I bury my face in his neck, not wanting to look at anybody. The room's chatter goes quiet as several people gasp, and only the jukebox plays. "Somebody call the cops. Make sure they know Shannon attacked Lola."

Several people gasp again as Finn moves past them and carries me up the stairs. I'm in shock, as I've never been outright attacked before. In foster care, I've been bullied and pushed but never outright hit or slapped with the intention of cutting my face.

"Okay, firecracker, I need to look at your face and hands." Finn sets me down on the toilet in the bathroom and looks me over. "Shit, baby." He hesitates to touch me, afraid to hurt me more, but I just stare at him.

"We're going to get you cleaned up." I hold his thigh as he digs under the sink and pulls out a first aid kit.

As the shock wears off and I'm alone with Finn, I return to myself a bit more, and anger fills my chest.

"She attacked me. The crazy bitch attacked me."

"I know, babe. I'm so sorry. Fuck, I'm so sorry." He kisses my head as he grabs antiseptic wipes from the kit.

"You don't have to be sorry. This isn't your fault, but she needs help. I mean, seriously, she went all banshee on me. I've never hit anybody before. I didn't know what to do. I could only think to cover my face."

"Shhh. It's goin' to be okay. Don't worry, she'll be punished for this. I'll make sure of it." He sets the wipe to the side and roams his hands over my body, and I groan, making Finn stop. "Shit. Is something broken?"

"No." I shake my head. "It just feels good to have your hands on me."

Finn chuffs, then scowls. "Don't make me laugh right now, firecracker. I'm livid and need to hold on to this anger because if I don't, I'll break. Seein' ye on the ground like that being attacked. I can't handle it."

I cup his cheeks, but I hiss as I glance at my hands and how they sting. There are little cuts everywhere, and gravel is lodged in my palms.

"Oh, babe." He softly kisses my hands.

Then we both turn our heads to the pounding steps coming up the stairs. Aoife appears at the end of the hall, and her mouth drops.

"Lola. Oh, my word. Lass, what did she do to ye?" Aoife barrels herself into the bathroom and checks me over as Finn did. "We need to get ye to the hospital. Sweetheart, we need to make sure nothin' is broken or bleedin' internally. The cops will be here any minute. Don't touch anything and don't clean anything. The cops will want pictures."

Aoife wraps her arms around me, pushing Finn to the side. "Oh, sweetheart, don't you worry. We'll get this handled, and that woman won't come anywhere near ye ever again. Over my dead body, will she come anywhere near ye."

Finn locks his gaze with mine, and I sadly smile at him as I take in the mother-hen attitude of Aoife. I've never experienced it before, or at least of what I can remember. Coco's and my parents died when we were so young. I don't remember them loving me or taking care of me. I only remember Coke, the revolving door of foster parents and group homes.

"I'm okay, Aoife."

"Of course ye are, ye're a strong, independent woman, but ye were attacked. We're goin' to make sure this gets taken care of properly, so Shannon will have to pay for it." Aoife leans back, tsks, and shakes her head as she looks over my wounds.

I'm afraid to look at myself because of how Finn and she are reacting. What if it scars? And I stay deformed for the rest of my life.

Finn says, "Ye're still beautiful, firecracker. Ye'll always be beautiful." I blush at being caught in my thoughts. It's insane how he already knows what I'm thinking.

"That's right, lass. Ye're beautiful inside out, no matter what."

More steps pound up the stairs, and a police officer appears. I sigh. So much for the fun and sexy night Finn and I were going to have. I close my eyes and lean my head back against the wall.

"Ye, okay, firecracker? Do we need to rush ye to the hospital?"

Softly, I shake my head.

"I just need a minute."

Finn's breath hits my forehead, and I sigh as his soft lips caress my skin. I'll never get tired of the kisses he gives me.