But Keenan continued, “I don’t get it, man. I’ve never seen ye like the way ye were with Errin. Go get yer girl.”
At the mention of her name alone, he wanted to put his fist through the fresh drywall. Brennan took a deep breath and said, “She’s happy. She’s finally doing what she’s been wanting to do since she was a kid.”
“He doesn’t need to call her, boyo.” Pops interrupted as he entered from the kitchen.
“He’s gotta get his arse on the first plane outta here and go see our lass. If she still doesn’t want to come home, then I’m never bringin’ her name up again. Until then? Imma talk ‘bout that sweet lass every single day. Remind him what he’s missin’ out on.”
“Pops, I love ye with all of me heart. But if ye really plannin’ to torment me—”
His grandfather held still beside him and ruffled his hair like he did when Brennan was still a pimpled kid.
“Pops…”
“No. You give this old geezer one good reason for stayin’ here while the love of ye life is poutin’ on the other side of the country.”
“I promised her, dammit!” Brennan said, but suddenly jerked from his grandfather’s hold and locked eyes with him. “Poutin’?”
“Sure is.” Pops’ lips turned up at Brennan’s hopeful voice. “Talked to her me self. She misses us, boyo. She misses ye arse.”
“She said that?” his voice came out even more high pitched.
“Phhst. No need, Brennan, me boy. It’s clear as day. The lass loves ye and misses ye.” Pops folded his still brawny arms above his round belly. His striped shirt stretched even more by the movement.
“I figured as much. Pops,” he held up his hand because his grandfather was itching to interrupt him. “I promised her I would never hold her back. She’s meant to be on that stage, Pops. I refuse to be the reason for her to walk away from her dreams. She would only end up hating me.”
Brennan groaned as Sean Jr. walked into the pub. His entry reminded Brennan that he was discussing his non-existing love life in front of his brother, cousins, and now even his father.
“I’m done talking,” Brennan said.
“Okay, then start listening,” Sean Jr. said as he walked to the dusty folding table in the middle of the construction site. He placed a bottle of whiskey on top of the wobbly table and clanked several glasses next to the bottle.
“I’m not doing this with you,” Brennan said as he narrowed his eyes at his father’s back while he was busy pouring each a glass. Everyone else walked over to his father, calling it a day.
Brennan glanced around the bare room. It was Saturday and his cousins already completedthe stripping part of Lucky and were now in the middle of building up the place.
His uncle Niall had decided hours ago he was done for the day, leaving the young hounds to wrap things up for the night.
Niall would retire soon, leaving his construction company to Keenan and Aiden. He’d told them to work in the pub and he’d be in charge over the kitchen.
Brennan figured his uncle wanted to see if they could hack it on their own. They were ahead of schedule, so at least there was nothing wrong with his cousins’ work ethics.
Brennan glanced over his shoulder and met his brother’s scrutinizing stare head on.
“What?” Brennan barked.
“What?” Dec said as he raised a brow.
“Is that really all you’re gonna say?”
Brennan turned around to face Declan, and before he could answer him, Dec already started again.
“It’s like WWIII out here. Or another fuckin’ cold war. Come, drink with us.”
“You know I have my reasons, Dec,” he said.
“Son. Ye need to let me talk for a sec here,” Sean Jr. said as he grabbed some white plastic chairs and placed them next to the others who already had sat down. Sean Jr. let out a exasperated sigh while sitting down on a stool.
“We haven’t always seen eye to eye—” Sean Jr. said.