Chapter Twenty-Nine
Alicia
I’ve had more bad days than good days in my life, but today is in the top five.
As if the ordeal with my father wasn’t enough, now I won’t see Rowan until at least tomorrow.
Obviously, he can’t control the weather, but the disappointment I felt when he told me he’d be late was overwhelming.
My first reaction—albeit an unfair one—was to take it out on him.
His offer to have the guys hang out at the pub while he’s away was sweet, but it pisses me off that I even have to consider that.
Why can’t people that are supposed to be in prison stay in prison?
If my father had been picked up for just drugs, I could understand parole, but he’s a thief and violent.
The world would be a better place without him taking up oxygen. Now he’s free and taking up my oxygen.
Stepping just inside the door to the main level of the apartment complex, I stop to check our mailbox, rifling through bills and junk mail.
A letter from the landlord with a red-stamped “URGENT” leaves a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I can guarantee what it’s going to say before I even open it, but I do so anyway, and skim the first few lines until I find the words I knew would be there: increased rent payment.
“God fucking dammit,” I curse under my breath while I read through the rest of the missive. When I see how much rent is increasing, I want to puke. “An extra two hundred dollars? How…?”
Groaning, I shove the letter in my purse and trudge down the hall to our apartment.
The light is on in the kitchen, but it’s otherwise quiet.
Bridget is already asleep, if the lack of light coming from under her door is any indication.
It’s actually a huge relief since I have no idea how I’m going to tell her about our father.
I want to shield her from him, but the last thing she needs is for him to blindside her.
There’s no telling how she’ll react though.
* * *
I’ve been tossing and turning all night, sleep evading me completely.
Finally, at around seven o’clock, I give up and force myself out of bed and into the kitchen to make coffee.
When it’s finished brewing, I pour the life-giving liquid into the Medusa mug Bridget gave me for my birthday last year and trudge to the sliding doors that lead to our microscopic patio.
I leave the door cracked to let in the fresh air.
There’s only enough room for a small bistro table and two folding chairs.
I always had plans to spruce it up, but with how little it gets used, I can’t justify the money.
The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, coaxing the midnight blue sky to lavender before resting above a line of vivid pink.
It’s been a long time since I’ve witnessed a sunrise, thanks to working late hours.
I forgot how beautiful they can be. It hits me then that I haven’t taken the time to enjoy my hometown in years.
When did I last go to the beach or stroll along the River Walk?
Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I just watched the clouds roll by.
I need a day off. And not one spent running errands or doing housework.
Paddy told me to take tonight off just in case my dad decided to show up again, so my shift at the country club is all I have today.
I could easily work that shift then enjoy the evening, but I know I’ll be too exhausted to really do anything by the time I get home.
Which leaves calling in, something I never do, and probably shouldn’t.
No, I won’t do that. Working a shift while short-staffed sucks, so I don’t want to be that person.
My phone chirps from inside with a text message. Setting my mug on the table, I dart in to grab it, then settle back in my chair before opening it.
Rowan: Mornin’ love. Sorry for the early message. I just got back to my flat in Charlotte. Going to sleep a few then drive your way if you’re free today.
A smile warms my face as the universe makes the decision for me.
Alicia: Hey stranger. I’ve been up for a while. No plans today. I’m calling in to the club, and Pat gave me tonight off.
Rowan: Calling in? Are you sick? I’ll head there now.
Alicia: No, not sick. Just realizing I need a day off. Weather is supposed to be on the warmer side. Thinking of having a beach day. Want to join me?
Rowan: Does that mean you’ll be in a bathing suit?
Alicia: No, I swim nude.
Rowan: In front of God and everyone?! Over my dead body, hen.
Alicia: Kidding.
Rowan: Funny. Aye, I’ll be there. Let me sleep a spell, then I’ll be on my way.
Alicia: Take your time. XOXO
Suddenly, I’m feeling wide awake and light as a feather. A beach day with Ro is exactly what I need. Maybe Bridget will want to join us. With that in mind, I call my manager. He won’t be happy, but he’ll get over it.
* * *
The forecast wasn’t kidding when it said today would be on the warmer side.
By early afternoon, the temps are already pushing ninety and there’s barely a cloud in the sky.
It will be another thirty to forty-five minutes before Ro gets here, so I force Bridget to sit in front of me on my beach towel while I french braid her hair back like mine and apply sunblock to her pale skin.
This kid really needs to go outside more.
But then I can’t really say anything, because I’m just as pale as she is.
“Do you ever think about our parents?” Bridget asks suddenly.
My fingers freeze their work for a moment, stunned by her question. I take a deep breath and resume braiding. “Sometimes. Why do you ask?”
She shrugs. “Just curious. Sometimes I think about them and wonder what they’re doing, and if they ever think about us too.”
“Bridge, I don’t think either one of them is capable of thinking of anyone other than themselves. If so, they wouldn’t have left us.” I’ve never lied to her about their absence.
“What if…” She pauses. “What if prison helped dad? What if being there is what makes him realize his mistake?”
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she’d been present at the pub last night. Tying off the end of her braid, I place my hands on her shoulders, squeezing them gently. “Hey, where is this coming from?”
Bridget shrugs again, then shocks me once again by leaning back into my chest. Gingerly, I wrap my arms around her and tuck my chin over her shoulder.
“You know you can tell me anything, right? Just because I’m your parental figure doesn’t mean my duties as your sister have disappeared. In another life, you and I would still fight, but we’d share everything with each other.”
An indelicate snort escapes my sister’s nose. “You mean how you told me all about you and Rowan before I walked in on your kitchen cuddle fest?”
“Ugh, I know. I know. This goes both ways. I’m sorry.” She’s right. I can’t expect her to open up to me when I don’t do the same. “What do you want to know?”
She makes a humming noise while she considers. “When did you realize you liked him?”
“Honestly?”
“No, I’d prefer if you lied to me. Yes, honestly!” She snaps.
I turn my head and blow a raspberry on her cheek for her sass, earning a disgusted shriek.
“You’re such a brat,” I tease, smiling broadly.
“I thought Ro was hot from the moment I saw him, but I didn’t start to like him until maybe a year later.
He had—and still has—this way of getting under my skin.
He knows exactly what to say to set me off.
It annoyed the hell out of me for such a long time.
But then one day, he came into O’Nelly’s after I’d had a particularly awful shift at the country club.
I was not in the mood for his antics. I could tell he was about to start in on me, but the moment he really looked at me, his entire demeanor changed. I can’t remember exactly what he said.
“I said that whoever put that look on your face was a right gobshite that didn’t deserve to lick the dirt off your boots.”
Bridget and I whip our heads around so fast, our necks crack to see the only man who’s ever made me weak in the knees while wearing navy blue board shorts and a white tank top.
“Rowan!” We both shout, scrambling to get up.
Because Bridget is younger, she’s on her feet first, throwing herself into him, arms locking around his waist. I can’t see his eyes behind his sunglasses, but his mouth falls open in surprise at her enthusiastic greeting.
He recovers swiftly and returns her embrace, planting a quick kiss on the crown of her head.
“Well, hello there, mo stóirín. It’s good to see you too.”
She pulls back, stepping out of his embrace, looking a little embarrassed by her actions, but still smiling up at him like he hung the moon. He doesn’t make a big deal out of it, no doubt trying to keep from making her uncomfortable. Ro gives her a grin, before turning his attention on me.
“A chéadsearc,” he murmurs, one hand reaching for me while the other pushes his sunglasses to the top of his head. “I’ve missed you.”
Sinking into his arms, the world feels right again.
I’m expecting just a hug, but he pulls me flush against him before tipping his head down to capture my mouth.
I can tell he’s holding back out of respect for my sister and the other beach goers around, but it’s no less sizzling than when he has me under him or against a wall.
Breaking the kiss, he smiles before his eyes drop down my body. I chose my swimsuit with him in mind. It’s a simple, black bikini, but the bottoms are high cut. The band rests above my hip bones and only covers half of my butt cheeks. Taking my hand, he twirls me slowly to see the back.
“Christ almighty,” he mutters.
I look over my shoulder at him, enjoying the way his eyes devour every inch.
“Gross,” Bridget whispers. “I’m getting in the water. You two enjoy.”
“Be careful!” I call after her, even though she’s more than capable of handling herself in the water.
“She’ll be fine,” Ro whispers against the shell of my ear, accent thicker with desire. “But I won’t be while you’re wearing this bleedin’ suit, and I can’t do anything about it.”
Pivoting in the sand, I face him, looping my arms around his neck. “Come swimming with me, and I’ll fix that for you.”