Chapter Eight
“Earth to Dallas,” Patrick said, slapping Dallas’s arm hard enough that he almost head-butted the bar.
“What did you do that for?”
“I thought you were meant to be looking after the bar. Those two guys down there need a drink.”
With a disgruntled sigh, Dallas straightened and poured two pints of lager. Laura was due back this afternoon, and this shift couldn’t end soon enough. He’d hoped the pub would be busy, but there was way too much time to think.
Laura would be withthatman. Dallas’s hand tightened on the beer handle, and he had to force himself to loosen his grip. This jealousy wasn’t him. Since Maria, he’d made a point of strictly casual. Laura Drummond was the feline disturbing his neat rows of pigeons.
The minutes crawled to the end of his shift, but finally he handed over bar duties to one of his long-time barmaids. He checked his phone and scowled.
“Aw, has Blondie given you the heave-ho?” Patrick said.
“None of your business.” His phone rang and his pulse did a bump and grind. A glance at the screen had his heart plummeting. Not Laura. The real estate agent. “Hello.”
“Ah, Mr. O’Grady. I have good news for you. The previous tenants have moved out earlier than expected. Would you like to take possession this week?”
“That would be great,” Dallas said. “Do I pick up the keys from you?”
“Yes, you can come by the office any time tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thanks,” Dallas said. “I’ll drop by before five.”
“What was that about?” Patrick asked.
“Are you still here?”
Patrick grinned and waggled his finger. “Someone is testy. If I didn’t know better I’d say you were frustrated, yet that couldn’t be right. Is Ms. Blondie putting out?”
Anger flared in him. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
Patrick’s smirk fell away to reveal concern. “What’s your problem?”
“I have a few things on my mind.”
“Keys to what?”
Dallas hesitated. “I’ve signed a lease on a rental property.”
“Oh, is that all? You’re turning out to be quite the tycoon with your rental portfolio.”
Patrick thought he’d purchased another property as an investment. Well, maybe that was best. The last thing he wanted was for his brothers to pop in for an inconvenient visit.
“Fancy going out for a pizza?” Patrick asked.
“Thanks, but not tonight. I’m knackered.”
“We’ll get take away pizza,” Patrick said. “You’ll be tucked up in your lonely bed in time to get a good sleep and slap the cranky on the head.”
Aware his arguments would heighten his brother’s determination, he surrendered. “Sounds good. Let’s go.” He led the way up the stairs to his apartment, frustration nipping his butt. He’d seen Laura since their weekend interlude, he’d spoken on the phone and exchanged texts, but the enforced physical break was making him antsy. Normally, a dry spell wouldn’t bother him. This was different, like an insidious yearning deep in his gut. He didn’t just want her. He craved her, which told him he’d fallen way deeper than he’d intended.
Between the proverbial rock and a damn ugly nightmare place.
Their families…it didn’t seem fair the woman he wanted was the one who’d create chaos with his parents and brothers. His father hated the Drummonds with the same passion as his grandfather.
“You order the pizza,” Dallas told his brother. “I need to text someone.”
