“I’ve provided security for people who were recovering addicts.”
“Anyone famous?” Noah asked, interested.
“Let’s just say Caitlyn doesn’t look like those I’ve known, but shedoeslook like my mother did when she was ill,” Joe said, ignoring the question. “You should keep those things in mind.”
“Whatthings?” Noah rubbed his temples, now confused. “Besides you thinking she’s been sick.”
“Maybe you ought to question the validity of the rumors that she’s been in rehab. If someone would lie about that, they might lie about something else.” With a single backward glance, Joe strode from the room.
Noah followed, bemused. Had Joe really been suggesting thatKevenwas lying? His friend had gotten a black eye once defending Noah, who’d then had to step in. Keven might have put thegitin the hospital otherwise. While Noah had learned to respect Joe’s opinion, the man didn’t know Keven.
“‘Twas the strangest thing ever,”Noah said as he and Finn were getting ready for bed. “Joe’s usually the trivia king, not Mr. Mysterious.”
“Well, you’ve been on two bucket-list trips with him.” Finn yawned as he crawled into his bed. “What do youthinkhe was meaning by it?”
“Well, he basically called Keven a liar.”
“Aye. ‘Tis what it sounds like to me.”
Noah frowned at his friend. He and Finnhad known each other since they’d been wee boys and attended the Cong village school together. He was as close to a brother as Noah’d ever had, but hadn’t ever liked Keven, though Finn wouldn’t say why. Things had been awkward between the three of them.
Looking back on it now, Noah recognized how Finn had pulled away that first year. Noah had put it down to the newness of attending university in America. It hadn’t been until he and Finn had taken their own flat off campus that their brotherly friendship had returned to what it’d been before.
But what about Joe? What could he possibly have discerned about Keven in such a short time? Joe watched people and missed very little. Noah had a lot of respect for the man. They’d met when he’d accompanied Kayn on his first charity trip. Sona’s granny had been the recipient and had come to Ireland in search of her long-lost sister, who’d turned out to be Noah’s grandmother. If not for Sona and Kayn welcoming Noah into their family, he wouldn’t have been able to attend university here or work on a degree in game design. They’d become his family in America, which had helped with his homesickness.
His thoughts went back to Joe’s comment. Noah might not care to admit it, but if the big man hadn’t liked Keven at a glance, it was important to pay attention.
“What do you think of Keven, Finn?”
Finn rolled to his side and met Noah’s gaze. “I’m thinking you’re not really wanting to know, and I won’t be riskingourfriendship.”
Noah had a sinking feeling, which left his stomach in a knot. Finn believed Noah would throw away their friendship for answering a question? He sank onto his bed.
“I promise I’ll not be cheesed off, but I need you to tell me how you feel.”
Finn sat up. “Keven’s a chancer.”
A manipulator who took advantage of situations? A flash of anger went through Noah, and he had to force himself to stay seated. “Go way outta that.”
“I’ve seen him at it,” Finn said simply, his voice low.
Noah blinked. “When?”
“You know that vase he sold for a bunch of money?”
“The one his grandmother had him sell for her? Aye.”
“I overheard him telling his mates about it. Seems he thought it might be worth something, so he had it appraised. ‘Twas an antique worth a lot of money, but he told his granny he’d only been able to get a few dollars for it. Hebraggedabout giving her a pittance for it while he pocketed the rest.” Finn’s expression turned to one of disgust. “And to make it worse, Noah, he wasproudof himself for fooling the trusting old woman. Thought he was right clever about it too. I’m sorry, but ‘tis nothing but the truth.” Finn rolled over and faced the wall.
Noah sat on his bed, cold and confused. How could Keven have done that to his own granny? Worse still, how could Noah have not seen a flaw like that in the man’s character?
10
Noah’s eyes popped open. What had awakened him? He listened but heard nothing but Finn’s soft snores.
Stretching, Noah immediately thought of Caitie. Thinking about her before falling asleep had led to dreams of her.
Finn and Joe’s comments kept repeating in Noah’s mind, doing battle with his loyalty to Keven. The man had been a good friend to Noah, but what else might he have lied about?
