Chapter 10 #2
It was still chilly, but Shea’s GAA training jumper (that I’d robbed) kept me plenty warm, and I sighed in contentment at the feel of the sun on my face.
A shadow suddenly blocked the warmth, and I opened my eyes to the silhouette of broad shoulders and floppy hair.
Blinking fast to adjust to the shadow, I jumped slightly as Ronan suddenly dropped into a crouch right in front of me.
Close enough his nose was nearly touching mine.
“Fancy finding you here, beautiful,” he breathed, with a huge grin on his face.
“Still stalking me then?” I teased, as he leaned in and gently brushed my lips with a kiss. I tingled all over at the touch, and the fact that he so casually kissed me. In public.
Despite the warm rush of excitement coursing through me, my head protested at the claiming kiss. It was a very coupley thing to do. He threw himself down beside me with his thick thigh pressing against my leg.
“I’d stalk you all day, every day, if I could, Róisín. But this was just a pleasant surprise. I was on my way to the library when this stunner, basking in the sun like a cat, caught my attention. Lucky it turned out to be you.”
“Oh yes, lucky me,” I quipped sarcastically, even though I was delighted to see him. I hadn’t talked to him properly since Tommy had attacked Ella - and I’d rode Connor - except for a very brief explanation on what had happened to Ella.
“How’s your friend doing?” He brushed my auburn hair over my shoulder, with his thumb caressing the nape of my neck, and sending goosebumps down my arms.
“She’s doing okay. She’s still staying at home, but I’ll ring her in a while to check in with her,” I smiled sadly.
“Anything I can do?” He offered. There obviously wasn’t, but I appreciated the gesture all the same as I shook my head.
“What about a distraction?” he offered with a crooked smile. “I’ll cook you dinner round mine tonight, and we can watch a movie after. My housemate isn’t back from Waterford till tomorrow.”
I paused and looked at him before answering.
We talked every other day, and had some impromptu steamy kisses, but we hadn’t done the deed yet.
It wasn’t that we didn’t want to, but I kept freaking myself out about how much I was starting to like him.
If we slept together and he ghosted me, there was a chance it might shatter me.
And now that I’d slept with Connor, I had weird swirls of guilt coursing through me too.
While things had gotten heavy-handed with Ronan whenever we’d been alone together, it had always been in semi-public places that presented an excuse not to go any further. Dinner at his would remove that barrier.
“Sounds good to me,” I smiled and leaned back against his hard abs while he played with my hair, basking in the sunshine just like me.
After lounging for too brief a period, the dreaded grey clouds started to roll in again, bringing a sharp chill to the air, and Ronan headed to the library.
But not before giving me a gentle kiss that lingered just that extra second longer, causing electricity to dart around my body and make my toes curl up in my runners.
Sighing, I heaved myself up, realizing I was running late for my psychology tutorial, which was at least a ten-minute walk away. I decided to use the time to check in on Ella, and relief coursed through me when she answered brightly on the second ring.
“Hi girl, how’re you doing?” I asked.
“I’m grand, my wrist is a bit sore, but I’m just popping painkillers for that,” she replied with the bright tone still in place. I was so relieved she sounded more herself but also extremely sceptical; it hadn’t even been two weeks, so I was expecting a less put-together version of my best friend.
“And how are you feeling about everything that’s happened?” I probed, not at all satisfied with her answer. I heard her heave a sigh on the other end.
“Not great, but I’m trying not to let it take over me like the last time,” she answered.
“I know, girl, but you still need to deal with it... whenever you’re ready, I mean,” I tacked on at the end, realizing how negative I was starting to sound.
“I’m looking into a counsellor. Garda Kelly suggested it might be a good idea, and Fionn knew someone a friend of his had recommended.”
I paused in surprise at this. “My brother Fionn?” I questioned.
“Maybe get some recommendations from Kelly instead, girl. I don’t want you to end up seeing some stoner about the meaning of life.
” I snorted at the thought, having a strong idea of what my little brother would consider an adequate counsellor.
I was still half-laughing at my own joke when I heard a male muffled response on the other end of the phone, and Ella murmuring back.
“Who’s there with you?” I asked, wondering if her cousin Tomás had been popping in much.
“Fionn called over this morning,” she replied, blasé as anything.
“Again - my brother Fionn?” I deadpanned.
He was an unpredictable young fella, but this was out of character, even for him.
Although, I had never seen him as shook as he had been Saturday night after seeing what had been done to Ella.
So maybe he needed to check in on her to settle himself.
And because ultimately, Fionn was a good man, no matter what shit I gave him as my little brother.
“Yes Róis, that one,” she said with exasperation.
I glanced at my watch as I made my way into the Pearse building, seeing I was seven minutes late.
“Okay, well kick him out when he starts to annoy you. He’s not great at taking a hint,” I advised. “I’m late for class, so I’ll head now and check in on you later. Love you, girl.”
“Love you too, Róis,” she assured before hanging up.