Four weeks away. She planned on cleansing Ciar from her system in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
twenty-two
CIAR
Ciar leftImogen with Tina at his flat in London. He would only be gone one night, but it killed him to leave his sweet girl. Nothing, however, would keep him from seeing Gray.
He’d practiced his speech for days. He’d made up his mind he was going to tell her everything. Even the parts that he’d rather stay unknown forever.
He was wearing a sharp, black Armani suit, diamond-crusted cufflinks, and his favorite Blancpain Villeret keeping time on his wrist.
He’d gotten dressed in his old room at Daniel and Jonathan’s townhouse, half hoping he might catch a glimpse of Gray next door.
He never saw her.
His best friends were unusually quiet. Courteous but distant. Nothing of their years-old camaraderie was present.
They were having a drink in the kitchen before their car picked them up to take them to Gray Eyes.
Not willing to allow the uncomfortable silence to last, he cleared his throat to get their attention. “Things have been difficult. I apologize for keeping quiet.”
They didn’t respond, just continued to take nips of their whiskey. Clearing his throat yet again and tugging at his shirt cuffs, he tried again.
“I plan on explaining everything to Gray first. Then I’ll tell you, I promise.”
“Do you know how many times we’ve spoken to Gray in over two months?” Daniel asked harshly.
“Once,” Jonathan growled. “Your business is your business, Ciar, but those four girls are our best friends, and you’ve mistreated one of them.”
“How are we supposed to be okay with that?” Daniel finished.
“Damn it,” he rubbed his hand roughly over his face, “you’re not. I’m ashamed, okay?” Finishing off his Absolut and lime, he slammed the glass tumbler to the bar. “I never meant for it to go on this long.
“I know you all think I’m some sort of cheater, but that isn’t true. I’ve just been a fucking liar because I’ve been afraid to lose her.”
“You already lost her, bro. She blocked our numbers weeks ago, and the girls refuse to give us access to Gray because we’re friends with you,” Daniel explained, finishing his own two fingers of Three Wolves.
“I’m glad to hear you didn’t disrespect her like it seemed you had, but brother, seriously, clean up your shit.” Jonathan finished his drink and announced their car was pulling up.
“Listen, Ciar,” Daniel started, “despite your personal shitshow of a life, I’m proud of you. Gray Eyes looks to be a success. Let’s go and enjoy the night.”
“The success is Gray’s.”
As they moved out of the kitchen, Jonathan stopped abruptly and placed his hand on Ciar’s chest, halting him as well.
“Nice ink, dickhead.”
Daniel flipped an overhead light on, his eyes widening at the new tattoo taking up the remaining real estate on Ciar's neck.
“Jesus, dude. You never stopped caring about her, did you?”
Ciar shoved by both of them. “Let’s go.” Two weeks after Imogen was born, he’d gotten the new ink. Gray Imogen. The two loves of his life.
A doorman opened the massive wooden and steel door for the three men. The door sported an impressive carving of the Murphy crest. He never okayed the expense, but it had Gray’s attention to detail all over it.
Being cut out of her life, her thoughts, had been hell, but he supposed it must feel the same on her end. She had loved him.Jesus, pleaselet her still.
His whole body felt like he’d rolled in stinging nettles. His suit felt restrictive, as if his chest were in a vise.
