“You fucking Americans. You stick your nose where it doesn’t bloodybelong.”
Eamonn pushed him back. “Sit down, Nathan. I’m ordering you an Uber back to Stroude with us.” Something that resembled guilt flashed in Eamonn’s eyes for a split-second. Or maybe it was hurt. Rafe appreciated what a good guy his boyfriend was, but he couldn’t help feel a stingnonetheless.
He stuck out his hand for Nathan’sphone.
“You can’t,” Nathan said. “Uber banned me. My drivers gave me piss poorratings.”
“Of course,” Eamonn muttered to himself. “Heath, can you order an Uber? You three go together, and I’ll make sure this fucker getsback.”
Why couldn’t Heath or Louisa go with him? Rafe was going to ask, but this was not the time. He told himself that Eamonn was doing the right thing, but Rafe couldn’t help feel like he was falling right into Nathan’strap.
“Bring him back to Sweeney,” Louisa said. She handed Nathan water. “I want him to stay with me to make sure he doesn’t have alcoholpoisoning.”
“I want him to fucking apologize to my girlfriend,” the guy said. The bouncer stood in front of him to prevent a potentialbrawl.
“I’m sorry,” Eamonnsaid.
Don’t apologize forhim.
“He’s severely wasted,” Heathsaid.
“Doesn’t make what he did right,” the guysaid.
“I know. We’re taking him,” Eamonnsaid.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Nathan said, hand over heart. “That your girlfriend is acunt!”
The first Uber came, and Eamonn pushed Nathan inside before the guy could wail on him. They sped off. Rafe watched their car go off into thedistance.
Heath tapped his shoulder. Their Uber waited for him. “Off we go,mate.”
* * *
When they pulledup to Sweeney, they found Eamonn and Nathan waitingoutside.
“I forgot my swipe card,” Eamonn said. He stepped aside so Rafe could open thedoor.
Thank you, he mouthed, his eyes full ofmeaning.
“Sweeney Hall is so posh. It’s so much better than that pisspot Jones.” Nathan gave the exterior ahug.
“Just get inside,” Eamonn said. Rafe watched the exhaustion dribble down his face. He wondered how many times Nathan had done this, caused a scene to make sure the moment belonged tohim.
“Rafe.” Eamonn pulled him back to the door. “I’m so sorry about tonight. I couldn’t leave him there to get his arsepummeled.”
“I know. You did the right thing.” Rafe rubbed hisarm.
“Come on, you nobheads!” Nathan yelled at them at the top of his lungs. He broke into laughter. Louisa gave him the signal to turn the volume down, but Nathan wasn’t listening to anyone right now. “Are you whispering sweet nothings into each other’sears?”
“Shut up,” Rafesaid.
“What?” Nathanyelled.
“I said shut up.” Rafe raised his voice, and though it couldn’t compare to Nathan’s volume level, it had a steely force all its own. “Nobody wants to listen to youanymore.”
“Mate, let’s go upstairs, get you some water.” Heath tried to direct Nathan to the elevator, but Nathan shrugged out of his grip. His eyes were heavy and focused on oneperson.
“You don’t want me here? Tough bullocks. Nobody wants you here, either! You’re a placeholder, that’s all. Something fun to play with for thefall.”
