Declan clambered up into the caravan behind me, and I scooped my clothes up from the floor as I passed. With my back to him, I dressed, uncaring that they were the same clothes I’d worn the day before.
“Aye, ya’d be gettin’ the ride in last night?”
I stilled, my heart leaping up into my throat. “Whatcha talkin’?”
When I turned to face Declan, my friend jerked his head, and I followed the direction of the gesture. The lube and condoms from last night were still sitting on the side, including the torn-up wrapper from the one I’d used. Fuck.
“Nah,” I replied stiffly. “Left out from the wee buffer girl, like.”
“Tess’s mate, aye?”
I gave him a non-committal shrug, praying he didn’t ask any more questions. Thankfully, Declan’s narcissism won over.
“Y’good if I ditch ya today, aye?”
I cocked a brow. “Tess again?”
It was almost unheard of that Declan actively made an effort to spend time with a girl after he’d gotten what he wanted from her, especially a wee settled. I’d never seen my mate like this and as he scratched the back of his head, Declan Furey almost lookedsheepish.
“Aye, thought I’d take her back ta the fair, like.”
“Like a weedate, aye?” I teased, laughing when Declan scowled.
“Feck off, y’feckin’ melter. She’s a craic’er wee ride, is all,” he snapped, bristling with embarrassment.
“A’right, don’t be ateing me head off, now,” I said, still smirking. “Aye, I’d be fine entertaining meself. Enjoy ya day with y’wee buffer.”
Declan grinned at me, punching me playfully in the arm. “Quality, thanks fella.” He turned to leave, hesitating before jumping down out of the open door. “Don’t ya go doin’ anythin’ I wouldn’t do, now.”
I chuckled. “A short list, eh fella?”
“Doncha know it. Catch ya later, like.” Declan disappeared from view.
“Aye, see ya.”
The caravan door slammed shut, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. My eyes were drawn to the evidence from last night and I scowled, snatching up the lube and johnnies and dropping them back into their drawer. Fucking hell. I was usually much smarter than that. I’d been covering my tracks for years without any slip ups and Declan had almost rumbled me twice this morning. I needed to keep my eye on the ball and be less distracted byRonan’sballs.
“Feckin’ hell,” I sighed under my breath. I needed a cold shower.
The day passed in much the same way as the ones that had come before it. After I’d showered and tidied up my gaff, I’d taken a wee stroll over to Seamus’s place. We’d had a good laugh at Declan’s expense, ripping on him for being so wrapped up in his settled girl.
As it turned out, he and Darragh had struck out with Pearl and her mates last night – not that I was surprised in the least. Pearl had itbadfor Declan, that was clear to everyone. It was probably just as well he wasn’t particularly interested her because she had the same dangerously obsessive tendencies as Declan himself did. I dreaded to think what trouble they’d get themselves into together – both dead or inside within a year, I’d reckon.
When Seamus had invited me out tomcatting in town yet again, I made my excuses. I subtly shifted his attention to Darragh, suggesting maybe he’d be up for it, all the while knowing if Darragh was kept occupied, Ronan and I were free to do what we wanted. I certainly knew whatIwanted to be doing tonight.
After saying my farewells to Seamus and grabbing a burger from a BBQ as I passed, I headed home. It was a craic’er day – hot without a cloud to be seen, and I settled down in the sun to eat my lunch alone.
It was strange not having Declan around. We’d spent every day together for as long as I could recall, either larking about or working. It occurred to me that this was what my life would be like if Declan ever got around to marrying a girl and settling down. He wouldn’t be hanging around with my arse day in day out when he had a wee wife and a bunch of wains.
And what about me? Was that in my future? I wasn’t sure. Declan and I were already pushing the limits of what was ‘normal’ convention within traveller culture. Both of us were on the cusp of our thirties now and some of the older generation had begun asking questions about us not being settled down with families. Whilst Declan wasn’t in a rush to be tied down, I was sure he eventually wanted that life for himself, but me? Sure, a wife and family would certainly provide me even better camouflage, but I wasn’t a cheater. Giving up feeling the way I did with Ronan for a lifetime of bland, unemotional connection turned my stomach.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I lifted my hips to slide it free before reading a message from an unknown contact.
UNKNOWN: Top Ride?
I laughed to myself, a wide grin on my face. Ronan had discovered my little joke.
JOHN-FRANCIS: It’s the truth, ain’t it?
