Chapter 16
For Breakfast
Ciara
Waking from a deep sleep, the scent of bacon and coffee greet me. I stretch and let out a groan as my body fusses at me. As my brain begins to wake, I realize I’m in my bed.
“What the hell?”
I don’t remember coming home, forget about how I got into my sleep shorts and tank top and under the covers. Dylan comes to mind and the last thing I remember is riding in his car with his warm hand on my thigh.
Confused and hungry, I climb from the bed and head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and pee. I’m so hungry, I could kiss Daliah for starting breakfast. However, when I get to the kitchen, I find none other than Dylan, shirtless in a pair of sweatpants, cooking bacon and eggs.
“Hey Cee, Dylan’s making me breakfast for my birthday,” Ciarán sings.
My mouth falls open when Dylan turns to face me. His sweats are hanging low on his hips, and his abs and V are on full display. Quickly, I force my mouth closed.
Damn.
Even his belly button is sexy. I’m around built guys all the time in the gym, but this, this is just. Damn.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. Did you have a good sleep?”
“Um … yeah, I think I did. Did you stay the night here?”
“Yup. Had some clothes in my gym bag. I slept on the couch after Daliah helped me to get you changed and in bed,” he says with that grin I’m beginning to find irresistible.
“Oh, um. Okay.”
“We still need to talk, and I wanted to make my buddy here a birthday breakfast. Not to mention our champ deserves a breakfast of champions too.”
I snort. “I’m not the one knocking people out cold.”
I shake my head clear and go to hug my brother and wish him a happy birthday. Ciarán’s excitement is rolling off him. I sit and tug his head to me to kiss it.
“So you won?”
“Yup, sure did.”
“Does that mean you’re going to fight for Miss Vega or are you going to try out for Mr. Dylan’s gym?”
I give him a look to tell him to shut his lips. I haven’t decided if I plan to try out for Dylan’s gym. I heard his offer, but I need to know facts first.
Dylan comes to place plates in front of us both. My cheeks heat as he looks down into my eyes the whole time. His pretty eyes drop to my lips, causing me to look away quickly.
He places a hand on my back. Goose bumps begin to rise all over my body and my nipples strain against the thin fabric of my tank top, making me wish I had changed before coming out. I squirm in my seat and try to hunch to cover my breasts.
“Can I get you anything else?” he says close to my ear, sending my pulse racing.
“Um … uh … I mean, n …n … no. Thank you.”
He chuckles and moves his hand to the back of my neck, then begins to massage my skin. I make the mistake of turning and looking at his torso. I swallow hard as my mouth runs dry.
He doesn’t just have abs. His abs have abs. I bite my lip as I imagine running my hands along his smooth-looking skin.
He reaches beneath my chin with his free hand and lifts my head for me to look into his eyes. There’s a sexy grin on his lips as usual.
“Eat up. We’ll talk and I’ll answer those questions for you,’” he says and winks down at me. He then calls over his shoulder. “Ciarán, I’m going to take you up on that offer to use your bathroom.”
“No problem. Take your time, this is so good, bro. Thanks.”
I sit frozen as I watch him saunter over to grab his bag and then stroll down the hall to Ciarán’s room. I don’t think I take a breath until he’s out of sight.
“I think you like him,” Ciarán whispers.
“Eat your food.”
He giggles and continues to devour the bacon, eggs, and hash in front of him. I shake my head clear and tuck into my own breakfast. I moan around the fork.
The eggs are so good. Quickly, I dive into the hash. The potatoes are seasoned and cooked to perfection. I was not expecting this at all.
I tear this plate up. Ciarán belches beside me, causing me to realize I’m eating like a savage. I slow down, but finish it all. Ciarán sits chatting happily as I eat.
“Hey, you should get dressed when he’s done in your bathroom. We’re going to the gym to sign you up.”
“Yes,” he croons, and fist pumps the air.
I can’t help the smile that comes to my lips. With the money from last night, I’ll be able to do more than sign him up for the gym for his birthday.
I can’t wait to see his face when his new computer arrives. I plan to order it next week. I know he was just grounded, but he’s a good kid, other than this one incident. Besides, he needs it for school.
Dylan appears dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. His hair isn’t styled, causing him to look more like the boy from my memories. I shoot Ciarán a look and he jumps up to run to his room to get ready.
Dylan takes the seat Ciarán abandons. I fidget on my stool, wishing I had gone to shower and get ready for the day. I reach up to finger my braids from last night.
“Where would you like to start?” Dylan asks with an open smile on his lips.
The expression allows me to relax. My thoughts are moving so fast, I don’t know where to begin. I chew on my lip and take a deep breath.
“You know me. I mean, really know me. You called me by my birth name,” I say, searching his eyes, which I haven’t seemed to have forgotten.
The one thing I do know is that he used to be important to me. So much so, I still remember his face, although I can’t seem to remember anything else from my past.
“We were friends. Your family lived next door to mine. I spent a lot of time on you guys’ farm, and you spent a ton of time at my home when you were in Ireland.”
I lick my lips and scoot to the edge of my stool. The more I search his face, the more I feel familiar with his presence. Something about his smile tickles my brain.
“Okay, we both lived in Ireland once,” I say. “And we were friends.”
“We were best friends. We did everything together. We were the smallest kids in our neighborhood. We sort of bonded over that.”
I snort and look him over. “I have a hard time believing that.”
“Trust me, it’s the truth. I’m the youngest of six and thought I’d never grow as big and tall as my siblings. I hit high school and it’s like I shot up overnight.”
He smiles wider, showing all his white teeth and his eyes sparkle with the gesture. It’s like a match is lit against my brain. I see him lined up with five others. However, none of them has his blue eyes and blond hair.
They all have dark hair and green eyes. There are three boys and two girls. I get this warm feeling from being around them. I’m happy with them.
“You remembered something about me, didn’t you?”
“I did. You have three brothers and two sisters, right?”
“Yeah, there’s Logan, Kate, Cole, Connie, and Jamie,” we say the last brother’s name in unison.
“Aye, you remember.” He gives me a wink that causes my belly to drop.
“Yeah, I do. A little, but I’m confused about a lot. In my memories, you and I have accents. What happened to yours?”
His eyes begin to twinkle. “I’ve been here in America almost as long as we’ve been apart. My accent comes out more when I’m around my family or when we’re trying to hide what we’re saying around others. Other than that, it slips out when I’m angry.
“I think you’ve been in the States all this time. You guys left for your da’s fight and never came back. I’m guessing you’ve been as Americanized as I have,” he explains.
“That makes sense. Wait,” I gasp. “You knew my dad?”
“Yeah, he’s the one who started us boxing. I was so sad to hear he’s gone. I’m sorry for your losses,” he says and frowns.
“I don’t remember him. I found my birth certificate and his name was on it. I tried to find out more about him after that.
“That’s also where I learned my real name. I’ve been going by Cee-Cee since I lost my mom.”
“But why Ariel now?” he asks with his brows drawn.
I look him deep in the eyes, wondering if I should truly trust him. He tilts his head to the side and looks me over as well. Then he reaches to place his hand on my arm.
“You can trust me. I’m here to help. You’re safe with me.”
I release a heavy breath. “When I woke in the hospital, I was told my mother was dead and her husband was there to collect me and Ciarán. My stepfather and his two kids treated me and Ciarán like real-life Cinderellas.
“More so me than him. I wouldn’t allow them to treat my brother like shit in front of me. I’ve spent my life cooking, cleaning, and looking after those assholes.”
I pause to reel in my temper. “Theo’s son pulled some shit, and I’d had enough. Instead of waiting to get my shit together so I could get custody of my brother, I took him and ran.
“I could be in so much trouble if they find us. I’m not my brother’s legal guardian, but I’m not losing him or allowing anyone to take him from me,” I say with more venom than I mean to.
“No one will ever get a chance to try. Do you mind if I ask what the son did to make you risk so much?”
I turn to look away from him. The air shifts in the room. When I look back at him, I swear I can see steam coming out of his ears.
He nods tightly. “That’s all the answer I need.”
“Oh my God, my dad started me boxing? Theo always made it seem like he started me fighting. It’s one of the things he always threw in my face. Like without him, I wouldn’t be as good as I am.”
“That’s bullshit. You’re two years younger than me, but you’ve been boxing longer than I have. Your da started you out as soon as you could hold your hands up.”
“What was he like?”
“He was the best. I remember him being patient with us but also making sure we took things seriously. You always brought a smile to his face, and he loved your mom like crazy.”
“So how did she end up with such an asshole?”
“You know, that’s been on my mind too.”
“I’m ready. When are we leaving?” Ciarán comes running out dressed and looking excited.
I look to Dylan, and he nods as if to tell me we can talk more later. I want to hug him. I feel like so many things are starting to fit together.
Dylan