Chapter 67
Martin
I walk down the stairs to the street. When I open the door, my Captain is leaning against his car, waiting. I try to hide a silly smile as I walk over and stop in front of him.
“Hello, Doctor.”
“Hello, Captain.”
He straightens and reaches out, gently tugging me closer by the edge of my jacket.
“You look great tonight.”
“Please, stop.”
“I mean it.”
“Are you actually trying to be a gentleman?”
He shrugs. “Something like that.”
“Then you should kiss me. That’s how it’s done.”
He lets out a half-hearted laugh. “I’ll fix that right away.”
His hands slide into my hair, fingers weaving through the strands as his breath mingles with mine. He kisses me with a longing that feels like he’s been waiting for this — that he’s missed me, that he never wants to let me go.
“Is that better?”
“We’re getting there.”
“Come on, or we’ll be late.”
“And where exactly are you taking me?”
“Just get in the car and you’ll find out.”
“Where the hell are we?” I ask as I climb out of his car.
“No questions, Doctor. Trust me.”
“I’d like to, but we’re miles from town. Is this even still County Dublin?”
“It is. And anyway, does it make any difference?”
“I don’t know. Are you going to kill me and dump my body in the sea?”
He laughs. “The idea hadn’t crossed my mind, but now that you mention it…”
“Surely no one would come looking for me out here.”
“You’re just full of suggestions today.”
“You’re right. I’d better shut up.”
“Let’s go, or the night will start without us.”
“What night?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” he says, heading for the club. It seems one of those local spots where a few shady types and the regular drunks hang about.
“This place is creepy.”
“Are you still talking?” he teases, before pushing the door open and waving me in.
The warmth of the place immediately seeps into my bones, along with the music, the buzz of people, the clink of glasses, and a pleasant, familiar atmosphere that has nothing to do with how it looks from the outside.
Jamie moves confidently through the pub, as if he’s been here a hundred times. He leads us towards the counter, and I fall in step beside him, still trying to take everything in.“Hey, Patrick!”
A muscular guy, all tattoos and piercings, turns to us.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“I heard there’s a live band on Thursdays. Apparently, they’re meant to be half decent.”
The man jumps onto the counter, not a bother on him that I’m standing exactly where his feet are about to land. He swings over, drops down on the other side and hugs Jamie, gripping his shoulders like an old friend.
“The lads will be happy to see you. We’re all here somewhere…” He looks around, then notices me.
“Hey, man.” He slaps my shoulder hard enough to almost knock me down. “First time in here, is it?”
“He’s with me,” Jamie says.
“I’m Patrick.” He sticks out his hand.
“Martin. Nice to meet you.”
“Did you come in for a bit of proper music?”
“I was dragged in against my will.”
Patrick bursts out laughing and turns back to Jamie. “I like him.”
“He’s a doctor.”
Seriously? Jamie is actually bragging about coming here with me?
“Shit, what a shot!”
“What shots are you talking about?” A girl with huge dark eyes approaches us.
“Do you remember Jamie?” Patrick asks her.
“Of course! Hi, Jamie. I saw your last game. You were great.”
Jamie smiles smugly. “Thank you, Erin.”
“What brings you here?” She asks.
“I came to listen to the band.”
“This will be one of the last nights here at the pub.”
“Liam mentioned something to me about an album and a tour,” Jamie says.
Wait a minute: Liam?
“Where is he now?” Jamie asks.
“I’ll go look for him. Maybe he’s in the back… Oh, there he is.” Patrick points to a table to our right.
Everything starts to make sense in my head, but I’m not sure I like it.
Patrick lets out a whistle that rings in my ears, dragging Liam’s attention our way. Liam, who’d been leaning against the table, straightens and looks over at the counter. The minute he spots Jamie, he pushes off the table and heads straight for us.
“What the fuck…?” He practically launches himself at Jamie.
Literally.
“You told me to come for a night.”
“And about bloody time!”
“I heard someone’s playing tonight.”
“You heard right.”
Then he turns to me and gives me a good once-over. “Do we know each other?”
“We met in the blue room.”
“And we haven’t even introduced ourselves. I’m Liam, and this is my shitty club.”
“‘My’ club?” Patrick cuts in.
“Ours, so, but nobody gives a shit.”
“I’m Martin.”
“Is this your first time, Martin?”
“I’m a virgin, I won’t lie.”
They all burst out laughing as Jamie’s hand slides over my shoulder.
“Then we’ll go easy on you.”
Liam’s laughter cuts off, his gaze suddenly fixed on something behind me. I turn discreetly and see a beautiful girl with copper-coloured hair walking slowly toward us.
“Isn’t n-no one working tonight?” she asks, smiling.
Liam holds out a hand to her and then pulls her close. He hugs her with one arm, the way you do when you want to protect someone, no matter what. Then he kisses her on the forehead, right where a faded scar still shows all its pain.
“She is Rain,” Liam says, and when he says her name, even I feel something tremble.
“Hello.” She smiles as she looks at us. “Have we met?”
“This is Jamie, the Leinster captain.”
She pauses, then tilts her head. “Jamie… I remember you.”
“I am happy to see you, Rain.”
“And this is Martin,” Liam adds, pointing at me.
“Nice to meet you, Rain.”
“They’re here to listen to us play,” Liam tells her.
“So go ahead and look for a table, there must be some left free,” Patrick says. “I’ll send someone over right away.”
We scan the room, spot a vacant table, walk over, and sit down opposite each other.
“It’s really a nice place,” I say.
“Yeah.”
“Do you come here often?”
“Not as much as I’d like, but every now and then I pop in. I’ve known Liam for a while; he’s one of our biggest fans, and I’ve met the whole family.”
“Family?”
Jamie smiles wistfully as he looks towards the counter. “They’re all one big family, one you want to be a part of.”