Chapter Thirty-Six

Norah

I'm in my sewing room, so fully engrossed in sketches that I don't even realize my phone is ringing. Once the chiming registers, I fumble for it, eyes never leaving my sketchbook, and answer the call.

"Hello?" I answer absently.

"Norah, it's Teagan."

I drop the pencil and sit up straight, heart pounding in my chest. Teagan never calls me, never even texts me.

"Hi, Teag. Is everything okay?" I ask hesitantly.

"Aye, it is." The relief in his voice is palpable, and I breathe easier. "I thought you'd want to know that Caity came out of her coma."

"Oh my god," I say, smiling through the tears flooding my eyes. "That's wonderful news. How is she? How's…everyone else?" I can't bring myself to say Eamon's name out loud.

"It is good news," he agrees. "They started weaning her off the medicine on Tuesday, and she opened her eyes yesterday. She hasn't said much, but she's shown signs that she knows who she is and recognizes her family. They're still monitoring her of course, but so far, all signs are looking good. They imagine she'll have to go through quite a bit of physical and occupational therapy and possibly speech therapy."

"Oh, thank god. I'm sure Rosie is just beside herself with joy. If you talk to them," I say, swallowing thickly, "will you please tell them how glad I am?"

"Aye, ‘course I will," he says genuinely. "Listen, I won't keep you, but I wanted to relay the information and see if you'd like to meet us at O'Nelly's tomorrow night. I know Friday nights are crazy, but Layla and the girls will be there. And Paddy's been asking about you."

I flinch. I miss Paddy like crazy, but I've been avoiding anything and anyone that reminds me of Eamon. O'Nelly's being the biggest.

"I don't know, Teag. I'll think about it, okay?"

"Sure. I understand," he says compassionately, "but, Norah, lass? I really think you ought to join us. It will do you good."

I'm not used to Teagan being so forthright, especially with me. He's always kept things lighthearted. "Uh…okay. I'll stop by for a bit. Just long enough to say hi to everyone," I concede.

"Atta girl! You'll make Paddy's night! The old codger has been downright cranky lately."

I chuckle, picturing Paddy as anything but jovial. "Well, that's unacceptable. Can't have him grumpy."

"Too right," Teagan says. "Alright, I'll talk to you later, Norah."

I end the call, feeling confused about the whole conversation. I text Layla.

Norah: Hey, Teagan just called me with an update on Caity. She's awake. He also said you're all getting together at O'Nelly's tomorrow night?

Layla: Oh, thank God! How is she doing? Yes, just a few drinks at the pub. Nothing big. We miss you.

Norah: I didn't get a lot of details, but her memory seems to be okay. Which is huge. I told him I'd be there for a bit, but I don't know if I'll keep my word or not. I miss you girls and Paddy, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to go back there yet.

Layla: I get it. But just…try? For me?

Norah: I'll try.

I sit, staring out the window for a long time, debating on if I should reach out to Eamon. Just to see how Caity is doing. But even bringing his name up in a blank message has my heart cracking. I eventually decide against it. Hopefully, Teagan will have more information tomorrow.

* * *

Friday arrives with dark skies and steady rain. My mood matches the weather. I spent a couple of hours working on sketches and compiling a list of supplies for the spring production. Once I'm satisfied that I'm off to a good start, I set my sketchpad aside and reach for my coffee. Curling up in my chair, I stare out the window and watch the rain pour down, wrap both hands around my mug, and wage war with my thoughts. I told Teagan and Layla I'd be at O'Nelly's tonight, but I just don't think I can do it. The thought of getting dressed and interacting with everyone exhausts me down to my bones. I want nothing more than to hide in my house and do nothing. Decision made, I text the group.

Norah: Hey, girls, I'm not feeling up to coming out tonight. I'm sorry. Rain check?

Amelia: What?! No way! Just come for a little bit! One drink!

Myra: Norie, I'm all for a good pity party, but you NEED to join us!

Norah: Girls, you know I love you, but I don't think I can do it.

Myra: If you don't come willingly, I will drag my pregnant ass to your house and get you.

Amelia: Same! Just not the pregnant part!

Norah: You two are impossible. Can we do it another time? Please?

I don't get a response after that, which doesn't bode well. If they are serious about coming to get me, I'm just going to have to put my foot down. I'm not going out tonight, and that's final. Feeling proud of my resolve, I reward myself with a long, hot bath followed by an Outlander marathon.

The rain finally lets up, and I'm in the middle of watching Claire and Jamie's wedding when my front door bursts open, and a pregnant Myra and not-pregnant Amelia saunter in.

"Get up! Get dressed! You're coming with us!"

I groan and throw the blanket I was snuggled under over my head. Clearly, my prayers of my friends not coming for me are going unanswered. "Go away," I mutter.

"Nope. We're not leaving without you," Amelia says, ripping the blanket away.

"Gah!" I yell, hands reaching for the blanket. "Give it back! I'm serious. I don't want to go to Paddy's tonight. You can't make me!"

* * *

Soon, I'm sulking in the backseat of the car while Amelia drives us to O'Nelly's. She and Myra are singing loudly to Beyoncé's Single Ladies , completely ignoring my pleas and the insults I'm hurling at them. I'm still not sure how I ended up here. One minute, I was in my favorite pajamas on the couch, and now I'm dressed in light-wash skinny jeans and a taupe sweater with my curls tamed and hanging free around my face. I even have a little bit of makeup on.

"You do know that I hate you both, right?" I glare at the back of their heads.

Amelia laughs, and Myra turns in her seat to blow me a kiss before saying, "No, you don't. We're your favorites."

I roll my eyes and flip them off, which makes them both howl with laughter. I need new friends.

Paddy's is absolutely packed when we walk in. It's usually busy on Friday nights, but there's hardly any room to move. Alicia is behind the bar slinging drinks with Paddy, and I smile despite my mood.

Paddy turns his head towards the door when the chilly air from outside rushes in his direction. He grins widely, eyes sparkling with delight. " Norah!" he bellows in greeting.

Alicia's head snaps up, and she beams at me before whispering something to Paddy. He nods and walks out from behind the bar, weaving through the crowd, shaking hands and patting backs as he passes. When he reaches me, he envelops me in a bear hug, and I laugh, hugging him back. I didn't realize how much I needed this. Maybe I don't hate my friends.

"Hey, Paddy," I say, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"It's good to see you, lass!" he exclaims, holding me at arm's length and looking at me carefully. "You alright, then?"

"Yeah, Paddy. I'm alright. How are you?" I ask, forcing myself to smile and act like I'm not about to have a meltdown.

He studies my face, clearly not buying the lies. "Have a pint of the black stuff on the house, aye?"

I swallow the lump in my throat, nodding, and follow him to the bar.

"Norie!" Alicia greets me while filling pint glasses with beer. "It's so good to see you!"

"Looking good, Li. Loving the outfit tonight," I wink, admiring the black leather vest she's wearing over a deep purple tank top. Her full sleeve of colorful tattoos runs up her left arm, making her look even more badass. It's warm enough in the pub that she can get away with it.

"Thanks, girl!" Alicia says, handing me a perfectly stacked Guinness.

I thank her and start towards our group's usual spot, Ro's shock of red hair catching my attention first. I shouldn't be surprised by his presence, but seeing Ro and Teagan without Eamon feels wrong. I shake it off, determined to not dwell on him, and take the open seat next to Layla.

"I'm so glad you made it!" she says, hugging me.

"I didn't have much of a choice." I roll my eyes and nod towards Amelia and Myra. "Those two don't take no for an answer. Remind me why I'm friends with them again?"

Layla laughs. "Because you love them and life would be significantly more boring without them?"

"I like boring. Boring I can work with. I'm happy with boring." I shrug, glaring playfully at the two in question .

I glance around the table while sipping on my beer. Mac and Myra are cozied up together, heads bent in hushed conversation. Mac's hand is rubbing soft circles over Myra's baby bump. It's such a sweet gesture that I have to look away. My eyes fall on Rowan. The normally boisterous Irishman is hunched over his drink, forearms resting on the table, looking desolate. He must sense me watching him because he glances up and plasters a fake smile on his face.

"Everything okay, Ro?" I ask cautiously.

"Aye, right as rain, love!" he says a little too brightly. "Good to see you out and about. Wasn't sure if we'd have the pleasure of seeing you tonight."

I shrug. "I was brought against my will. I'm just having one drink and then heading back home."

"Suppose I'll have to try and change your mind, then. We're playing some songs in a bit. You have to stay for that at least," he says with a wink.

"If it's the soccer team, forget about it." I grimace. "I'd rather not lose my sense of hearing, thanks."

He barks out a short laugh. "Just us Irishmen tonight, so your ears will survive."

It takes everything in me not to flinch in pain. As much as I love listening to them, it brings back more than one memory of Eamon singing to me.

"We'll see," I tell him. "No promises though."

He gives me a look I can't decipher before standing and rapping his knuckles on the table. "Be right back. Think I need another drink. You want one?"

"No, thanks." I shake my head and hold up a finger. "Just the one, remember?"

He winks and walks away.

"What's going on with Ro?" I mutter to Layla.

"Oh, right!" She turns to face me fully. "I forgot to tell you about that. Teagan said he got into it with Alicia and has been off ever since."

Thinking back to my lunch date with Alicia, I wonder if Ro's current mood has anything to do with that or if something happened while I was gone .

"Yikes," I reply unenthusiastically before saying, "I'm going to the bathroom; I'll be right back."

Winding through the pub's patrons, I slip into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I need just a moment. While I'm glad I came, I feel so overwhelmed. I finish using the restroom and am washing my hands when I hear Paddy over the PA system.

"Good evenin', lads and lasses! Thanks so much for coming out tonight! I've a special treat for you! I've been missing me home country something fierce, so I asked our favorite Irish footballers to play a few ditties for us tonight!"

The crowd goes crazy—applauding, whistling, and hollering. Maybe I can sneak out before they start playing. It's packed, so I can easily get lost in the throngs of people. I step out of the bathroom and make a beeline for the bar to let Alicia know I'm leaving, refusing to look at the stage. I open my mouth to say goodbye when I hear a familiar guitar cord being strummed. I squeeze my eyes shut and take a steadying breath. If this is Ro's idea of a joke, I'll murder him. When I open my eyes, Alicia is staring at me with tear-filled eyes, her fingers pressed against her mouth.

Then I hear a deep, familiar brogue say, "This one's for my Ringsend Rose."