Текст книги "Frozen"

Автор книги: L.A. Casey

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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

I was insanely mad, but them, they were fucking crazy.

I cannot believe this group of morons' thought, even for a second, that what they did was a good idea.

"You're a bunch of eejits, I hope you realise that."

Everyone hung their heads.

They knew.

"I hope you also realise that I almost suffocated trying to dig our way out through the fucking snow," Darcy snapped.

Everyone, but our brothers, gasped.

"Yeah," I chimed in. "The snow in the tunnel he made collapsed on him and I had to pull him out. You almost killed Darcy."

I was telling the truth, but I added a touch of drama to my voice to really get my point across and from the look on everyone's face, it worked.

"I'm so sorry," Darcy's mother cried.

Legit cried. Real tears.

I never saw Marie cry before so I did a lot of staring.

I even felt bad.

Just for minute though until I reminded myself what the group of eejits orchestrated.

"I honestly can't believe you trapped us in a house buy burying the exits, is that even legal?"

My father huffed. "Pretty sure it's not."

Interesting.

"What? You're going to have us arrested?" Sean asked me, his tone sarcastic.

I curled my lip in disgust. "It's no more than you bloody deserve.

Sean didn't reply, he only looked down.

Everyone seemed to favour looking down at their feet.

"What about the blackout? Did you cause that too?" Darcy growled.

Everyone shook their heads. "The village power only came back on yesterday. The mountain house and lodges should have power by Thursday – the council is working on it," Justin explained.

Burying us in together was bad enough, I may have smashed something just now if they messed with the power too.

"From this moment on I never hear of anyone mention mine and Darcy's name in a sentence together in a way that is suggestive to us being a couple or ever being a couple. I don't want anyone trying to play matchmaker, and above all, don't trap us anywhere together ever again. Got it?"

"Got it," everyone replied in unison.

I nodded my head then glanced to Darcy before looking back to everyone else.

"And for the last time there will never be a Neala and Darcy relationship. He doesn't want me... and I don't want him."

With that said I turned and walked out of the room, up the stairs and into my bedroom.

My heart was pounding against my chest and my stomach churned.

I hated myself.

I hated liars and I hated lying.

Yet I just told the biggest lie of all.

I was no better than the rest of my so-called family.

It seemed being a liar came natural me.

To all of us.

"Another, Darcy?" Bob, owner of O'Leary's Pub, asked me.

I looked up at Bob and nodded my head even though it was starting to spin.

Bob sighed and rested his elbows on the counter top in front of me and stared at me.

"What's the matter, kid?" he asked me.

I liked a girl a hell of a lot and I missed her like fucking crazy.

How could I word that without sounded like a bitch?

"I fucked shite up with a moth I was seeing and I'm a bit gutted about it," I said, and shook my head. "She's a good girl and I was a prick to her."

There, that'd do.

"You cheat on her?" Bob asked as he leaned back and picked up some beer glasses and wiped them out with a cloth.

I frowned at him. "No, I shagged her then told her I regretted it, when I really didn't."

I didn't want to mention that I didn't directly say those words to her, and that I said it to Justin and Sean instead but Bob would have picked up it was Neala I was talking about. Bob was a nice man, but he loved a bit of gossip and this bit of juice would be all over the village by the New Year if I let too much information slip.

"So tell her you didn't mean what you said," Bob said with a shoulder shrug.

If only things were that simple.

I grunted, "I did but she doesn't believe me."

"Rightly so," Bob nodded. "You hurt the lass and she is wary of trusting you again. That's understandable."

"Yeah," I glumly agreed. "The thing is, I told her I'd prove meself to her and show her I do like her and want her for more than a dirty romp between the sheets, but she's having none of it. I haven't seen or spoken to her in a few days."

Bob whistled. "Sounds like you really bruised the lass's heart."

I lowered my head to the counter top and groaned, "Yes, I'm aware of that. Thank you."

Bob chuckled, "Sorry laddie, didn't mean to stick the dagger in deeper."

I sighed and lifted my head, "It's grand. I deserve it."

Bob tilted his head to the side as he watched me. "You really like this lass?" he asked.

I nodded my head. "More than I've ever liked anyone," I admitted.

Bob raised an eyebrow. "Even Laura Stokes?"

Who?

Oh, yeah, Laura.

Fuck.

She didn't even compare to Neala. No one woman did or ever would.

She ruined me for anyone else.

"Even Laura Stokes." I nodded to Bob.

He smiled. "Prove it."

What?

"I don't under-"

"Darcy Hart. Long time no see, which is bad for you and me."

I turned from Bob's watchful gaze to Laura's heated one.

I forced a smile. "Hey Laura... How are you?"

"I'm good, honey." Laura smiled seductively. "You?"

I nodded my head. "Not too bad," I lied.

"Did you have a good Christmas?" she asked.

I had an amazing Christmas Eve, but a shitty Christmas day.

"Yeah, spent it with family... You?"

"Same," Laura said leaned into me, but frowned at me when I pulled back. "What's wrong?" she asked.

I blinked. "Nothing, why?"

She gave me a knowing smile. "You're down about something – I can tell."

How?

"I'm fine... really."

Laura chuckled, "Okay then."

She continued to look and smile at me until I cracked.

"It's... a girl," I mumbled. "I recently just realised how much I like her, but I said something very hurtful to her and messed everything up."

Laura frowned and reached over and rubbed my shoulder. "I'm sure Neala will forgive you, Darcy. I can see how down you are about whatever happened. I'm sure she will see it too."

Doubtful.

"Nah," I muttered. "She doesn't believe me when I say I'm sorry or that I didn't mean what I said– Wait a second, how did you know it was Neala?" I asked, my eyes wide with shock.

Laura dropped her hand from my shoulder and laughed, "Come on, Darcy. I'd have to be blind to miss the connection between you both. You've have it since we were kids it just showed itself in the form of hate and anger."

I stared at Laura in a loss for words. How she knew Neala and I had a connection when we didn't even know?

She continued to speak, "I'm glad you both finally figured it out though, better now than when you're both old and grey."

I was so confused.

"I don't know about anything anymore... I'm just confused, and I don't know what to do with meself. It's bollocks."

Laura chuckled and patted my arm. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. Good luck, Darcy."

Laura leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Bye," she whispered before she stood up and walked away.

Just like that, our involvement was over.

Thank God.

If I couldn't have Neala, I wanted no woman.

I looked straight ahead and picked up the fresh pint of beer in front of me. I looked to my right when Bob walked back toward me and grinned.

"So you do really like this girl," Bob said.

I wanted to laugh, but I just blew an extra amount of air out though my nose and said, "Yeah, man."

Bob smiled at me. "Then do everything you can to get her."

Bob moved away to take care of some other punter who wanted to order a drink.

I was left alone with my thoughts, but not for long.

"I told you he'd be here. Pay up, bitch," Sean's voice cheered.

The annoyed growl of my brother followed, "Here dickhead."

"Stop making money off me misery, you pricks," I said before downing half of my pint.

Sean sat on the empty stool on my left while Justin sat on the empty one on my right.

"Did I just see you turn down Laura Stokes?" Sean asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Yeah, for good. She's cool with it though."

Sean whistled. "You've got it bad, kid."

Tell me about it.

Both of lads clapped their hands on my shoulders.

"How you doing, chief?" Justin asked me.

I grunted. "How does it look like I'm doing?" I asked.

"Like shite," Sean replied.

Ding ding ding.

We have a winner.

"That about sums me up," I said and took another gulp of my pint and shook my head when I swayed a little.

Both of the lads sighed.

"If it helps," Sean began, "she hasn't talk to any of us either. Except the kids of course."

My stomach lurched.

She was all alone right now when she shouldn't be.

I felt like even more of a massive dick.

What our families did to us was shitty enough, but dealing with what I said doubled the shittiness.

"Other than the obvious problem, is she okay? Is she eating and taking care of herself?" I asked out of worry.

I'd hate myself even more if I made her sad enough to become sick. Granted I've barely eaten since Christmas, but fuck me, I couldn't care less about myself, it was Neala who I worried for.

"Yeah, she's eating and showering and doing all of the normal stuff... She's just sad, man."

I swallowed and looked down. "I know, I wish I never said what I did."

"Do you mean that or you mean you wish she never heard you?" Sean asked.

I looked at him and honestly replied, "I wish I never said it. I lied to keep from looking like a pussy whipped bitch in front of the pair of you so you both wouldn't see that I'd be gutted if she regretted me. I made my worry a reality by lying. I fucked everything up and I've no one to blame but meself."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, bro," Justin said and nudged me. "It'll work itself out, you'll see."

"It won't fix itself," I said, shaking my head. "I wrecked this so I have to fix this... I owe it to her."

Sean patted my shoulder in support while Justin flagged Bob down and ordered a round of drinks for us. Bob quickly got the order to us and took away my now empty pint glass and frowned as I started on the fresh one he laid before me.

Justin looked at Bob then to me.

"How many has he had?" he asked.

"This is number five," Bob replied.

I rolled my eyes when Justin hissed.

"Do you want to get drunk off your face? Drowning your sorrows won't get you back your Neala Girl, little brother."

He didn't get to call her that, only I did.

I snarled, "What do you know? You have a wife and a kid. You don't know what I'm feeling."

Justin laughed and it only fuelled my rising temper.

"You think things have always been smooth sailing with Sarah? I started going out with her I was twenty-five and we're still together and happily married because we work to keep what we have. No one is gifted a healthy relationship so stop feeling fucking sorry for yourself. You fucked up with Neala, go fix it if she means that much to you."

I knew Justin was right, but I shoved him simply because I was looking for a fight.

I wanted to feel something other than the sick feeling that was constantly in my gut.

Justin jumped up from his bar stool and I took it as an invitation that he wanted to exchange blows. I threw the first punch and it caught Justin square across the jaw. It knocked him backward against his stool and then onto the floor.

"Ah, fuck!" Sean snapped from behind me and smacked the back of my head with such a force my brain rattled. "You wanna fight, you come at me. It's my little sister you fucked over, remember?"

I saw red and speared Sean down to the ground.

I pulled back and unleashed a series of punches on his face, but not one landed because he had his head guarded so I switched getting a few hits in on his chest.

"It's fine, honestly, don't be worried. A minute or too and it'll be fine. Sit back down," Bob's loud voice broke through my clouded one.

A blind noise blocked everything out and my vision spotted.

It took me a second to realised I'd been punched in the head.

Sean, the bastard, broke through and punched me.

I was just about to return the favour when I felt arms come around my neck from behind and pull me off Sean. I reached back and hit Justin who had a hold of me, but he didn't let up until I stopped throwing punches. My head was spinning and my stomach threatened to spill at any second.

"Are you done?" Justin snapped in my ear.

"I'd have killed you both if I could see straight!" I snapped then coughed when Justin's arm tightened around my neck.

Sean laughed from the floor across from me. "I don't think so, little Hart. I let you get some hits in to help relieve some stress. You feel better?"

I blinked my eyes and when my vision focused I could see Sean, but it looked like he was swaying while sitting down.

I unexpectedly laughed, "Yeah, I feel better."

I surprisingly did.

Justin's hold on me loosened, and then both him and Sean got to their feet and they helped me up to mine. They both shoved and playfully slapped my head.

"Okay, everyone. Show's over," Bob announced.

The people who bothered to look our way turned and continued on with their conversations like we weren't just fighting a minute ago.

"I can't believe he put you on your arse with one hit," Sean poked fun at Justin as we straightened our stools and sat back down on them.

Justin rubbed his jaw. "Me last fight with him was five years ago. He's perfected throwing a decent punch since then it seems."

I snorted as I lay my head on the counter top.

Justin smacked my back with his hand. "I've never seen you like this over a girl."

"She's not just some girl, man," I stated. "It's Neala."

Sean nudged me. "Your Neala Girl?"

Yeah.

My Neala Girl.

"Yeah, she's mine," I said and sat up straight. "I need to make this right... but I don't know how."

Both of the lads patted my shoulders.

"We'll help you, bro," Justin said.

I inwardly smiled.

I sighed, "How?"

We all sat and thought about it for a few minutes, then Sean snapped his fingers. "You have to get her on her own – you won't get her full attention in a room full of people."

I rolled my eyes. "She won't leave her apartment. How they hell can I get her on her own when she won't speak to me?" I asked.

That sent us into another few minutes of silence as we thought.

"I've got it," Justin said. "We can trick her to come out-"

"Do you remember what happened when you deceived her? I'm sure you do, it was only last week. You trapped her in a house with me for days," I cut Justin off with a growl.

Justin frowned. "That wasn't just me, man.... And we all said sorry about that."

I shook my head and looked at my half full pint of beer, I didn't even want to drink it anymore. I came here to drown my sorrows, but no matter how much I drank I still couldn't escape the way I felt. I pushed the pint away.

"It's New Years Eve... what if we get her to come to the party here tonight?" Sean suggested.

I looked to him and deadpanned, "If she won't come out of her apartment, then she won't come here."

Sean grinned and smirked. "You leave that to me. I'll get her here, you just make sure you head home and that you're all clean up and ready to lay everything on the line for her. You got that?"

I raised my eyebrow and looked to Justin who shrugged his shoulders.

I looked back to Sean and decided what the hell? Who better to help me win Neala over than her own brother?

"I got it," I said with a firm nod.

I just prayed whatever Sean had planned would work because one way or the other I was starting the New Year with my Neala Girl in my life as my girl.

I wouldn't settle for anything less than her heart.

"Neala?"

Uh.

"Neala. I know you're in there open the door. Please."

Go away.

"Neala!" my mother's voice shouted. "Please, open the door."

I shot up from my bedroom when my mother's voice rose to one of panic. I envisioned something horribly wrong with her so without a second thought I ran from my bedroom, down my hallway and pulled my front door wide open.

"Ma?" I said with worry laced throughout my tone.

I blinked when my brother stood before me and not my mother.

I was confused.

I was sure I heard my mother's voice.

"Where's Ma? I heard her," I said.

Sean gnawed on his lower lip before he lifted up his arm and pressed on the screen of his iPhone.

"Neala?" my mother's voice played from the phone.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion then looked to Sean who shrugged his shoulders and pocketed his phone.

"I knew you wouldn't open the door to anyone but our distressed mother," he said.

Bastard!

He tricked me.

I snarled at him and tried to slam my door shut in Sean's face, but he halted the process by throwing his body between the door and doorframe making it impossible for me to close the door.

"Get. Out!" I snapped.

Sean grunted in pain, "No, we need to talk."

The hell we do.

"I don't care for a single word you have to say, you piece of shite!" I bellowed and lifted my hand and proceeded to slap Sean's head.

He yelped, "Neala, stop it! That hurts! Ow!"

Feel pain you fucker.

"No! You deserve everything you get you lousy excuse for a brother," I said then fell backward onto my arse when Sean burst through the door and fell face forward onto the floor next to me.

Ha-ha-fucking-ha!

"That hurt," Sean murmured.

I glared at him. "I'm glad."

"You're the dark lord of evil," he groaned.

I evilly grinned. "And some day I'll rule the Earth."

Sean groaned as he rolled over onto his back. We were silent as he laid next to me and stared up at the ceiling. I was looking upward too, but only because I didn't want to turn my head and see his stupid face.

"This is breaking and entering, you know?" I grunted.

Sean snorted, "You're me sister."

"So? I don't want you here, so it still counts as breaking and entering," I said as I sat upright, groaning as a slight pain radiated up and down my arse from the impact of hitting the floor when I fell. I got to my feet and placed both hands on my behind and rubbed the pain away. I looked down at my brother and rolled my eyes.

"You're almost thirty-two, and yet you still act like you're fifteen," I said with a shake of my head.

Sean looked up at me and smirked. "I bet you'll be having a repeat of this conversation with me in fifty years."

I snorted, "Doubtful, I plan to disown you long before then."

Sean clumsy got to his feet, and when he straightened up he flung an arm around my shoulder and hugged me to his side. He kissed me on the crown of my head and said, "You couldn't disown me – you love me too much."

True.

I grunted in annoyance. "It's a shame how I could never disown you, but you have no problem doing it to me for four days."

Sean raised his eyebrow. "Four?" he questioned.

I huffed, "I'm meshing Friday night and Tuesday morning as one whole day so yes, hours wise it adds up to four days."

Sean nodded his head then hugged me again. "I'm sorry, Neala, truly sorry. It was a stupid idea, utter rubbish really. Please forgive me. I'll never trick you into anything ever again. I promise."

I stepped away from my brother and closed my front door before I turned back to him.

"What do you call playing Ma's voice on your phone in order to get me to open up the door then?" I asked.

Sean opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. "Starting from right now I won't trick you anymore. Promise."

I snorted and shook my head at him.

"Come on, Neala. It's New Years Eve, you can't start a brand new year not speaking to your family."

Says who?

I snorted, "Watch me."

Sean frowned. "We miss you, Sis. Ma cries everyday because she feels so horrible about everything that's happened."

That hurt.

I gasped, "Are you using Ma crying as a guilt trip on me?"

Sean shook his head. "No, I'm just telling you how hard she is taking you ignoring her. She didn't mean to hurt you, none of us did... even Darcy."

I widened my eyes. "You're on his side?"

He was my brother! How could he be on his side?

"Hell no," Sean stated. "I'm backing you all day, everyday. I'm just saying the kid isn't taking the aftermath of your falling out very well."

Part of me wanted to ask if he was okay, and the other half wanted to go to him and make sure he was okay, but I forced down the feelings of longing and grunted, "Yeah, well, I'm not exactly the picture of happiness here either, Sean."

I walked around Sean and went into my living room where I sat down on my lounge chair and covered myself with the blanket that hung over the back of the chair. Sean followed me and sat across from me with his elbows resting on his knees as he stared at me.

"Do you not think ignoring us for six days is punishment enough? We see each other everyday – we're all invested in one another's lives and for you to block us out hurts like hell. I constantly think about you and wonder if you're okay or not."

I looked over to my living room window and sighed and as I watched the snow fall.

"You all hurt me. I just needed to be away from you all for awhile."

I looked back to Sean as he sat back and scrubbed his face with his hands. "Do you not believe we're sorry?"

"I do," I replied. "I do believe you're all very sorry. I'm just still pissed about the whole thing, Sean."

Sean rested his chin on his right hand and frowned. "I don't blame you, but blocking us out isn't the answer."

I grinned. "You're here aren't you? Blocking you out doesn't seem to be working."

Sean snorted, "Damn right."

We sat in silence for a few minutes until Sean said, "Are you coming to the New Years Eve party in O'Leary's Pub tonight?"

I didn't reply right away because I wasn't sure of my answer.

I knew my family, and Darcy's, were sorry for what they did to us, and even though I was still angry at them I couldn't help but miss them. I haven't seen my parents in six days which is the longest I've willingly gone without seeing them, so I saw no reason to delay seeing them any longer. Besides, Sean was right, I didn't want to start the New Year on bad terms with everyone.

"Yeah, I'll go," I replied to Sean who looked shocked with my answer.

I snorted. "Were you expecting a fight?" I asked.

Sean blinked at me then nodded his head. "Well... yes. I wasn't expecting you to come without some resistance."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm fed up with staying inside this house and with the way I'm feeling, a pub sounds like the perfect place for me to go."

Sean didn't say anything, he just watched me.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Half six in the evening."

I nodded my head.

Sleeping in till all hours was a pattern I fell into over the past week.

"I'll go and get showered then changed. You can bring me to your house for a while so I can see Charli and Jess and then we'll go to the pub."

Sean scratched his head. "Sounds good to me."

I nodded my head and got up and headed out of the living and down to my bathroom.

I was going to this party tonight just to make peace with my family. Once that was done I was parking my arse at the bar. A few drinks might erase Darcy and all the bullshit that came with him from my mind, but that was just wishful thinking.

"Ma is down the back in the booths with everyone," Sean said to me as I entered the pub with him and Jess.

Charli was at home in bed, a babysitter was looking after her while her parents rang in the New Year together.

I nodded to Sean and followed them through the pub like a puppy following its master. I felt so out of place in my own local pub with a crowd of faces I grew up seeing. I sighed to myself as I walked.

Maybe coming here was a bad idea.

I shook my head clear and continued to walk behind Sean and Jess. I glanced around as I walked and when I spotted a familiar person over at the bar and when I saw what she was doing I almost fell over my own two feet.

Laura Stokes was kissing a man that was in no shape or form Darcy.

I knew the man though. I stared a little longer and widened my eyes when I realised the lad Laura was tongue raping was Dan Jenkins, the lad I had a date with and bailed on nearly two weeks ago.

Glad to see he was taking my rejection so well.

I was just glad Dan wasn't Darcy. I mean, if it had been Darcy she was kissing I probably would have killed him so luckily for his sakes it was Dan. I was a little too caught up in watching Laura and her new kissing buddy that I walked into someone's back.

"You okay?" Jess laughed as she turned around and steadied me.

I smiled. "Sorry, I was distracted."

"By what?" she asked.

I nodded my head over to the bar where Laura and her buddy sat.

Jess scanned the area I nodded to and when her eyes landed on Laura she grinned. "Huh, Sean wasn't joking. Darcy really did give her the elbow."

What?

"He what?" I asked, shocked laced throughout my tone.

Jess smiled. "Earlier today Laura came up to Darcy all sexy and shite, but Darcy was having none of it. Bob told your ma it was because he was so down from hurting a girl he really liked and couldn't think of any other girl but her."

No way.

"Really?" I asked.

Jess nodded her head. "Honest to God truth."

Oh, wow.

Darcy ended his fuckery business with Laura because of me?

"She seemed to bounce back quick," I muttered.

Jess laughed, "Of course she did. She'll be on the prowl for some new meat since Darcy isn't available anymore."

I raised my eyebrows. "He is available."

"Not emotionally." Jess winked, turned and continued to walk in the direction of the booths where my family was sat.

Darcy wasn't available emotionally?

What the hell did that even mean?

Did that mean he would still shag people physically, but emotionally he would be shut down like a slutty zombie?

Why couldn't people just be straight when they were speaking?

I hated all this confusion.

I brushed off some invisible dirt from my dress and followed Jess over to the booth. I wanted to laugh the moment I stepped out in front of the booth because every person that was sat down in our section turned his or her head and looked at me at the same time.

It's wasn't just my family at the booth, Darcy's family was there too, of course.

"Evening," I said, curtly.

Justin was the first one to stand up and greet me.

"You look gorgeous," he said as he leaned down and wrapped his arms around me. "I've missed you, kid."

I smiled and hugged Justin backed. "I missed you too, Wise One."

Justin chuckled and released me.

I hugged Sarah and his parents and assured them I was fine when they asked how I was. When my father stood up I gave him a wink so he knew we were cool, I saw his shoulders loosen up as relief filled him.

"I'm sorry and I love you."

I hugged my father and told him I loved him too.

My mother burst into tears when it was her turn to say hello, and I couldn't help but laugh as she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. She buried her face in my neck and sobbed like I just came back from the dead.

"It's only been a few days, woman!" I said making every laugh.

My mother continued to cry as she hugged me.

"Ma," I said when I leaned my mouth down to her ear. "I know you're sorry and I forgive you. Don't worry about it."

I was still pretty annoyed about the whole ordeal Darcy and myself were put through, but I could see how sorry both our families were. Dragging it out wouldn't do anybody any good, so in that moment I put it behind me and looked forward to the New Year.

My mother released me then went to my father for another little cry because she was happy everything was back to normal. Well, sort of.

"Is he here?" I asked Justin.

Justin leaned in and said, "He's around here somewhere. He went somewhere else in the room when you arrived so he didn't upset you."

I nodded my head.

I knew I'd have to speak to Darcy eventually, I just hoped it wouldn't go badly because I honestly couldn't handle any more bullshit between us. I made small talk with everyone in the booth and chit chatted with them for an hour or so. It was late when we arrived and the pub was packed, but now that it was close to midnight, the place was overflowing with people.

"Neala!" Sean called out my name.

I looked at him and stood up from my seat and walked over to him at edge of the seating area when he called my name. I had to squeeze by a few people to get to Sean.

"What?" I asked him.

He sighed, "You need to speak to Darcy. He wants to go home because he feels out of place. I know you'll probably blow up at me, but he is just as much a part of our family as you are and he shouldn't feel like he has to leave out of awkwardness."

I blinked at Sean. "Where is he?" I asked.

Sean looked around then looked back to me. "I don't know, he was meant to message me when he wanted me to bring you-"

"Bring me where?" I asked then narrowed my eyes. "You had better not arranged for me to come here, Sean."

Sean didn't say a word.

Oh, my God.

I couldn't believe it.

"You said you'd never trick me again. You bloody promised, Sean!" I shouted and stepped away from my brother.

Sean sighed, "I'm not tricking you. I was going to try and persuade you to come here tonight to clear the air between yourself and Darcy, but you came here of your own accord. The only place I'm bringing you is outside for some fresh air. Having you here is no evil scheme. This time, I'm letting everything pan out on it's own."

I looked around once more in search for Darcy. "Did he know I'd be here?"

He nodded his head. "Yes, he did... he misses you, Neala. He just wants to talk, but if you really don't want too, I'll bring you home. No questions asked."

I looked at my brother and swallowed. "Do you believe him?" I asked.

"Do I believe that he misses you?" Sean asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Yeah," I said. "Do you believe that he misses me?"

"Without a fucking doubt," Sean stated. "The lad is a wreck after what happened between you both. He was in here trying to drink himself silly earlier just to escape from his own head for a little while. He ended things with Laura Stokes, too. I witnessed it with me own eyes. He doesn't want anyone but you."

I blinked my eyes at my brother, unsure of what to feel or believe.

"I can see you're hesitant so let's go outside and get some air. We can come back in or go home when you sort your head out."

I looked around the room once more and nodded my head. "You're right, I need some air, but I wanna go on me own. It's already ten to twelve – go find Jess and be with her for the countdown."

Sean shook his head. "What about you?"

I smiled. "I'll be fine. I just need a few minutes to meself. Okay?"

"Okay," Sean said slowly, "but if you decide to go home, come back in here and I'll drive you – I'm not drinking tonight. Okay?"