Chapter Three

Eamon

Groaning, I roll over and hit the snooze button on my blaring alarm. It's been a while since I drank that much, but it's a relief to know that I'm not in tatters after last night. Why did I drink so much again? Oh, that's right. I'd offended that lass. Norah. That was her name. She was a fine thing, with a head of red hair and stormy blue eyes. The way she glared and then challenged me to a drinking contest brings a smile to my face. While she had given her demand to Alicia, I had taken the time to check her out. With curves like that, how could I not? Her hourglass figure was perfectly encased in her green V-neck shirt and dark jeans. I deserve sainthood for not staring at the moderately plunging neckline that showed off the swell of her breasts. Not that I noticed.

I amble out of my room and into the kitchen, where I pour a glass of water and grab an aspirin to clear my head. I have practice in a couple of hours. That should give me enough time to shower and apologize to Paddy. I never drink that much, and he was not happy about it. For an Irish pub owner, he's pretty strict on his consumers. Cranky old codger. Either way, I'm not about to get on Pat's bad side.

After showering and getting ready, I lock up my flat and head to my car. I'm just sliding into the driver's seat when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I pull it out and groan when I see who's calling. My younger sister, Caity. She only ever calls when she wants money.

"Hiya, Caity," I greet her as cheerfully as possible. "How are ya?"

"Hey. What are you doing?" she asks absently.

I can't stop my eyes from rolling. Leave it to Caity to forgo civilities.

"It's nice to hear from you too, wee sister. I'm doing great; thanks for asking," I reply sarcastically.

She sighs heavily before saying, "Sorry, Eam. How are you, big brother?"

"I've got a bit of the fear in me, but nothing unmanageable."

"You get wankered last night, then?" Caity asks with a laugh.

"Ach. Just having the craic. Some fire sprite challenged me to a drinking contest of the black stuff. It would have been ungentlemanly of me to decline."

"Naturally," she says with a snort before continuing nervously. "Hey, listen. I don't have a lot of time to talk, but I was wondering if you could lend me a few quid to get me through the week? I'm strapped, and I don't want to bother Mam."

My heart sinks, but I'm not surprised. Caity's been hanging with a bad crowd for the better part of her life. I've always suspected she's doing drugs, and I don't want to enable her, but better me than Mam. I feel guilty enough having left Ireland, so I make it a point to keep Caity from worrying our mother. And my wee sister knows this.

"Fucks sake, Caity," I say with a sigh.

"I know," she groans. "Listen, I'm sorry. It's okay. I'll figure something else out."

Raking a hand through my hair in frustration, I take a deep breath before asking, "How much do you need, Caity?"

Norah

"Well, well. Good mornin' to ya, Miss Grady," Paddy O'Nelly drawls as he wipes the bar down with a cloth, eyeing me over the rim of his glasses.

He only calls me Miss Grady when I'm in trouble, so this should be fun.

"Pat, I'm so sorry for last night. I don't know what came over me. I didn't even want to go out." I explain. "Will you please forgive me? I'll come wash dishes for you this week if I need to!"

"Ach. I'll tell ya what came over ya, Miss Grady. That Irish temper of yours, and don't be tellin' me you don't have Irish blood in ya." He pauses to glance up at me before continuing, "It doesn't help matters that Eamon Kennedy was egging you on. I'll have words with him too before the day is up. Just you wait."

My heart beats wildly at Eamon's name. Of course, he's close with Pat. They're both Irish. Nobody claiming to be from Ireland would even think of going to any other "Irish" pub in Wilmington. They'd be crazy.

"I'd never met him before last night, Pat. I just couldn't stand him accusing me of being a wimp and unable to hold my Guinness."

Pat chuckles at first but then turns serious. "Acushla. Just be careful. The last time you let yourself go in my pub like that, you came in the next day looking like you'd seen a ghost. I never want to see that look in your lovely blue eyes again. You're practically family."

I smile warmly at him. "Don't worry, Pat. I've learned my lesson, and I feel awful today. Thanks for letting me off the hook."

"Now hold on there, lass. Who said I was letting you off the hook? You said you'd do dishes, and I mean to see that you do. I'll have you back tomorrow night if you don't mind."

Damn.

"Of course!" I quickly agree, "I'll be in tomorrow at seven."

"Alright, then. I'll see you at seven. Now let me get back to my work, you wee sprite!" he teases.

I giggle and bounce out of the pub with a wave goodbye.

Eamon

I'm getting out of my car, fuming over the conversation with Caity, when I notice someone coming out of Paddy's. I freeze when I see that it's the lass from last night. Norah bounds out of the pub, looking pleased as punch. She certainly doesn't look like she's hungover. In fact, she looks bloody gorgeous with that radiant smile on her face. And do all of her jeans fit her like that? I stand there gawking after her like some sort of creeper before snapping out of it and making my way inside.

Paddy's taking stock of the liquor bottles when I saunter in. I love this pub. It's the closest thing to home I'll allow myself to enjoy. I love Ireland, truly, but I vowed I'd never go back, not after everything that happened.

"Oy! Eamon! Why are you dallying in my doorway like some lost pup? I do believe you and I have a score to settle, young man," Paddy yells, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Aye, I'd say we do, Paddy." I make my way to the bar, sliding onto a stool. "Don't suppose you'd overlook last night's incident would ya?"

"For such a bright lad, you're a wee dumb in the head, aren't ya? ‘Course I'm not going to overlook your offenses! After what you did to that wee lass last night. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!"

"Now just a minute," I counter, pointing a finger at him. "I do believe the blame falls squarely on said wee lass . She provoked me. I swear it." I can't help the grin that spreads over my face.

"See here, young man. I've known Norah as long as I've known you, and she's as innocent as they come. I've only seen her do that once before, and I never wanted to see it again, you hear?" the older man protests.

"How was I to know? I've never seen her before in my life. I won't deny it was a bit of fun dueling it out with her, though. She's got spunk, that one. Are you sure she's not Irish? "

"Ach. She may be Irish a little bit. But either way, shame on you for behaving that way towards a lass. I've a mind to ban you from this pub," he threatens.

That won't do. I mindlessly grab a coaster and spin it between my fingers.

"Ah, Paddy. Come on! It was just a bit of craic. You're not going to ban me. How can I make it up to you?"

"Well, now that you mention it, you can come back tomorrow night at seven and wash dishes."

"What? You're not serious," I say in shock, the coaster drops to the bar. I didn't think he'd actually make me work off my transgressions.

"I am serious. As serious as Christ on the Cross, and you know I don't take that lightly, lad. This is a respectable place. I can't have it turning into one of those sports bars or whatever they are. Come and have a good time, yes, but taunting young girls into drinking until they fall over gives the wrong impression. Now, get out of here. I'll see you tomorrow night." And with that, he turns his back and continues counting bottles.

What the bleedin' hell? Looks like I've been properly dismissed. He'll change his mind. He's just slagging me. Has to be.