Logan and I thought it might ease things for Da. It did in some ways. However, it caused trouble in others.
This is why we’re back. Not to see our family and have a good time. We're here because we’ve gotten wind of Oland being up to something.
Something that involves Kate and her best friend. It’s a problem Da and Uncle Finlay thought we should look into. A problem that’s going to get Oland hurt if there’s any truth to it.
“Remember, we have to keep an eye out for McTavish. We probably should keep our distance as much as we can. I didn’t mean to hug the lass. It’s a habit,” Logan whispers into my ear.
Deja will be eighteen next week. Her father plans to surprise her with a trip to New York at the end of the month. There’s a chance she won’t be coming back to Ireland. Not for a while.
My granda is up to something. Logan and I are here to confirm some things. Once Deja is in New York, I can finally tell her how I feel.
She’ll be further out of Oland’s reach. I’ll be careful this time. What happened to Nakim will never happen again.
I grunt at Logan because I can’t promise him anything. I find it hard enough to keep my feelings for Deja locked away. Whenever I’m around her, I need to be near her.
It’s for her safety, Cole.
CHAPTER 4
Bonfire Whispers
Deja
A week later …
“Happy birthday, Deja,”two newcomers call out.
I smile and wave. I wasn’t expecting this party. Logan and Cole were called away last week after the game.
I had to take a rain check on the dinner Cole owes me. I was a little bummed, but I got over it. Then this morning, he called to tell me they were throwing me a bonfire party for my birthday.
I shouldn’t have been so disappointed in the first place about the dinner. Cole isn’t interested in me. It’s not like we were going to dinner alone.
Besides, Boyle has been pursuing me for the last five months. I’m still not sure about him. I used to have a crush on him, but that was before he dated Ríona Gallagher.
She’s a total bitch, and I do believe she only dated Boyle because I liked him. And I thought he liked me too, until they showed up at a party together. Knowing he kissed and probably shagged her fish-face arse is a total turnoff.
Everyone knows we can’t stand each other. It kind of felt like a slap in the face when they got together. However, I had been ready to give in and let him take me out about a week ago.
Now I get this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when he calls or asks me out. I keep telling myself it’s not because of Cole. To be honest, it has more to do with the possessiveness Boyle has displayed over the last week.
I haven’t agreed to be his girlfriend so it’s not appealing to me at all. Even tonight, something has been off with him. I’m friends with his best friend’s girlfriend, so he’s a part of my friend group.
Actually, Boyle and his cousin Jameson are friends of mine. Jameson has never been super outgoing, but Boyle is just the opposite. Boyle has been acting an arse tonight.
I’ve tried to avoid him, but he hasn’t gotten the hint. What’s even more frustrating is the fact that Cole and Logan’s old friends have joined the party, and Cole has been off with them most of the night.
“Who’s in charge of the music?” Boyle grumbles.
“It’s one of Deja’s mixtapes,” Kate replies.
“The ones she makes with the CDs yer brothers send ya?” Aisling says.
“Cole sends them for her. She just allows me to listen to them first,” Kate corrects her.
“Gah, I would chew off me left arm for him to send me anything. A worn T-shirt, his sweaty jocks, a bottle of his bathwater. Ugh, the brush he uses for all that thick hair,” Aisling drools.
“He’s all right. Don’t ya think yer going too far?” Boyle mutters.
