Chapter 49
forty-nine
BéBHINN
Dad,
The family met Dagr today. It went how I dreaded—in the beginning. All four of the boys didn’t try as hard as I hoped, yet they didn’t throw him out… Silver linings? Things got better once Mom and the aunts got involved in torturing them.
I’m not under any false illusions that you would have behaved any better, but I do believe you would have enjoyed meeting him. Dagr took all their nonsense in stride. Being only ten or so years younger than Bran and Patrick probably evened the odds.
He spent the night last night—probably one of the things that you’re glad to have not lived through. He flew to Dublin only to see me. He got to know Gray, Mags, and Blair. They love him, by the way.
He’s it for me, Dad. I wish you could yell at me or shake me or hug me. I need your advice. I need you to tell me not to jump the gun (America has the best sayings).
We said I love you to each other, and oh my God, I’m so gone for him. You’re the first person I’ve told. I think he’s my person, like Mom was for you, and you were for her.
Before leaving for Wales, he said he had a plan for us to be together, maybe even before I graduate. Whatever it is, I’ll do it. The “boys” won’t be happy. You probably wouldn’t be happy either (though I believe Mom and I could talk you around).
I wish you were here to give me a hard time about it. I wish we could have argued about Dagr’s age or that I’m sleeping with him or anything really.
I just need you. It’s getting easier, though. I don’t cry anymore, or rarely anyway. I always remember that you wanted me to be happy, and Dagr makes me more than that.
I think Mom likes him.
River thinks he’s some long-lost relative of Bran and Pat’s. I’m gagging. I’ll keep you updated on that saga.
When I find out Dagr’s plans for our future, I’ll let you know first.
Thanks for listening, Dad.
I love you,
Bébhinn
“So, he’s like inviting all of us to his house in Colorado?” Mags clapped her hands in excitement. “I’ve always wanted to visit.”
“Are the two turds invited?” Blair signed.
“They are,” Bébhinn laughed. “He even invited Ciar.”
“I hope Dagr told them they aren’t allowed to bring any of their trashy dates with them.” Gray clearly hadn’t forgiven the boys completely for what their dates had said to Blair months ago.
“He didn’t tell them, but I did. Not that I can stop my nephews from trolling the local bars for willing women. I’m just excited about the trip. We leave in three weeks, which will leave us six weeks before school starts once we’re home.
“Bran and Patrick said they would cover Daniel and Jonathan’s work commitments.
I think that Mom, Raven, and River must have ‘encouraged,’” Bébhinn air-quoted, “the guys to do whatever it took to get Daniel and Jon to go. I’m hoping the trip will solidify, at least to some of my family, that Dagr is perfect for me. ”
“Clearly, the man knows how to give orgasms if the noises coming from your bedroom earlier are anything to go by,” Gray teased.
Bébhinn felt her face heat, but she was too pleased with her life right now to be embarrassed.
“Jesus,” she heard Mags mutter and followed her friend’s line of sight to see that Daniel, Jonathan, and Ciar were approaching the bar where she and her friends were seated.
Bébhinn was about to wave to them when her phone rang.
“Dagr’s calling me. I’m going to step away for a sec. Be nice to the boys, will you?” Eye-rolls were all she got. “Oh, hey, guys. Be back in a sec,” Bébhinn told the guys as she walked by them.
Rounding the corner near the restrooms where the music was muted, she answered. “Hey, how are things in Carmarthenshire?”
“Productive. Dad will get his land. I only called because,” Dagr hesitated, “I miss you.”
She leaned against the wall between the male and female restrooms, her legs suddenly feeling less than stable. His admission made her feel faint with happiness.
“I’m out with the girls, but God, Dagr, I miss you too.”
“Good, because I’m closer to a solution to our problem of long-distance dating.”
She could hear the grin in his voice. “Tell me!” she demanded.
“No can do. I’ll be back in Dublin in two days.
We have a lot to discuss, which reminds me, I asked Dad about his birth mother.
He said Grandma had a small box of items somewhere with a bit of information.
Dad never looked. He never wanted to, but to prove he isn’t a long-lost brother, he’ll try to find it.
The birth mother made it clear that she never wanted to be contacted, but it wasn’t a closed adoption for all that. ”
“I can’t wait. Should I plan another family get-together for the big reveal?”
“Actually, yes. I have some business to discuss with your brothers. It’s not confidential, so everyone can hear. If Dad digs up Gram’s information on the mother, I’ll bring that too. Dad said he had amazing parents and isn’t interested in looking into his past.”
“I understand that. I hope he isn’t offended that we asked. We don’t need to see anything. Honestly, Dagr, we don’t.”
“Oh no, he found it all amusing, especially that your friends think I look like your brothers. He simply isn’t interested. Listen, you’d better get back to your friends. Text me when you get home.”
“I will. Love you.” Before he hung up, he said an “I love you” that was heartfelt and final and had her confidence in their relationship soaring.
Bébhinn made her way back to the bar and found her friends and family discussing the Colorado trip. She aimed her words at her eldest nephew, Daniel. “Thank you for rearranging your schedule to go.” She looked toward Jonathan and Ciar next. “I appreciate you two also making the effort.”
Daniel only nodded, but Patrick said, “He seems fine, B, but Christ, he’s old as balls.”
To which she replied, “Mom seemed to like your grandpa’s balls just fine, dickhead.” Ciar sprayed whiskey over Mags and Blair, earning him glares.
“Christ, Bébhinn, you’re more like Aunt River every day. Stop,” Daniel complained.
“Honestly,” Ciar started, “none of us has ever been to Colorado. I’m stoked. Plus, it will give me and Gray a chance to discuss the new Murphy’s nightclub.”
Bébhinn was as excited for his new club as Gray was. She would be working on the hospitality side, while Bébhinn would be working on the interior design side. It would be her biggest solo job yet for Triskelion Design.
“I appreciate that Dagr’s trying to make an effort to know us, Bébhinn, but Jesus, don’t you think you two could have gotten to know each other a little better before fuc—” Jonathan cut himself off, going with “—sleeping with each other?”
“It does seem like you jumped right into it,” Daniel chimed in.
“Trust me, guys, from the noises coming out of Bébhinn’s bedroom, there was no sleeping going on.”
Mags elbowed Ciar at the same moment Bébhinn told him to “Shut up, dickhead. I didn’t know you were in my house.”
Blair had been quiet up until now. She usually was when the guys were around, even though the group was close.
So it was a surprise when she signed, “At least one of us is getting some action.” That coming from Blair was shocking enough, but then she doubled down with, “But everyone knows, I’m very good with my hands. ”
She, Mags, and Gray all burst out laughing, high-fiving the little redheaded imp. They laughed harder when they saw that Daniel, Jonathan, and even tough-as-nails Ciar were all staring in horror at Blair with their jaws on the floor and a bit of pink in their cheeks.
“I approve of three-drink Blair over two-drink Blair,” Mags chortled.
They had all had a few more drinks than their regular casual evenings out, but it kind of became a celebration for her and Dagr, making it official. She couldn’t wait to see him again. She really couldn’t wait to hear what his plan was to keep them from living apart.
Speaking to Daniel and Jonathan, Bébhinn said, “Dagr’s coming back to town in a couple of days. He said he needs to go over some business stuff with your dads, and if his dad, Ulf, can find the information on his birth mother, he’ll bring that too.”
“Jesus, don’t get Mom started again,” Jonathan complained. River did enjoy teasing the guys.
They stayed another hour. The guys said their goodbyes and headed off to some back-room poker game that Ciar had been invited to.
At home, the girls decided to put on pajamas, make popcorn, and settle in the living room to watch the newest episode of Amazing Race UK.
The show had to be in its hundredth season.
She had been texting Dagr since she’d gotten in the Uber, and they were still texting. Unfortunately, she’d also had a few strange messages from Justin.
Gray glanced at Bébhinn’s phone when she sighed and read the latest message, where Justin said he’d missed her at the Club’s indoor rock climbing that evening. He also wondered if she had any plans for the weekend.
“You’re going to have to be blunt. No one likes to hurt someone’s feelings, but in this case, where you’ve never encouraged his feelings and he still keeps on, you’re going to have to.”
“Here,” Mags said, holding her hand out, “give me your phone. I’ll do it.” She held up her other hand to stop Bébhinn’s instant protest. “I promise not to hit send until you’ve approved it.” Bébhinn shrugged and handed it over. Thirty seconds later, she heard her phone ping while Mags was texting.
Mags touched Blair’s leg to make sure she was still lip-reading the conversation. “Dagr just texted, by the way, and said his dick got hard during a video conference because he thought about you coming on his tong—argh!” She squealed when Bébhinn snatched her phone back.
“You’re such an asshole, Mags.” Gray practically fell out of her chair laughing, and Blair’s soft chuckles further kicked Bébhinn’s blush up to fire mode. “You’re all assholes, come to think of it.”
Mags threw a handful of popcorn at Bébhinn, still chuckling. “At least read my message to Justin.”
Bébhinn read the message out loud. “‘Hope you guys enjoyed the rock climbing. I saw the pics on Facebook. It looked like everyone had a great time. I’ve been swamped with work, and this weekend my boyfriend and I are going house hunting.’ And then Mags put a house, diamond ring, three hearts, and five aubergine emojis.
Christ, I’m at least taking the purple dicks off.
The rest isn’t bad though. Thanks.” She pressed send and prayed Justin finally got the hint.
Gray was on her phone again, which she’d been on since they’d started watching the movie.
Since voyeurism amongst friends clearly wasn’t out in this group, Bébhinn gave a meaningful glance toward Blair and Mags before leaning into Gray’s side and asking, “So who’ve you been texting, Miss MacGregor? ”
Gray flipped her phone over so fast, Bébhinn could have sworn her hair ruffled from the resulting breeze. She, Blair, and Mags all had similar faces of raised brow suspicion as they observed the normally unflusterable Gray become very, very flustered.
Finally, Gray found her voice. “A difficult client.”
The responses were “Hmm,” “Ahh,” and from Mags, “Bullshit.”
Gray stayed silent. Bébhinn took mercy on her, knowing well there were times that the truth wasn’t an option.
“No matter, Gray. We all need to keep a few things secret.” She bumped Gray’s shoulder to let her know that she genuinely meant what she’d said.
She held up her glass of green tea. “To best friends,” she cheered.
“Best friends,” Mags repeated.
Blair nodded in agreement and held her glass of Diet Pepsi up.
Gray shrugged off her unease and raised her glass of wine. "Cheers."