“Fuck.” Shane pokes his chipped tooth with his thumb. “I’m guessing Colin’s not happy about it.”
“No shit, Shane. You should get a promotion to detective with those intuitive skills. You’re wasted down at the station.” I shake my head as everyone laughs. “I’d bet money he’s not fucking happy, would you be?” She’s Colin’s world. He wants the best for her and I’m probably the worst thing that could’ve happened to her. I don’t even have anywhere to live, for fuck’s sake. I can’t blame him for wanting to protect his own. If the shoe were on the other foot, I’d do exactly the same.
Poppy returns with a tray of shots, placing them on a tall table next to the ledge I’m sat at. “Cheer up. It’s Christmas.” Thelass is bonnie enough to cheer any man up with just her smile, but I’m a lost cause.
“Christmas is cancelled for me, sweetheart.”
“Why, are you on Santa’s naughty list?”
Dan chimes in, “No, just Colin’s hit list.”
I tighten my jaw and narrow my eyes as I lift a green shot from the table and knock it back. A ball of fire burns the back of my throat, incinerating the prickling tinsel that’s been lodged there.
“Easy there, tiger.” Poppy giggles as I pull a face, my eyes watering from the burn.
“Are you trying to kill me off?”
She giggles again. “It’s my own concoction.”
“It’s a chemical weapon, is what it is.” My mouth is on fire. “Tastes like regret in a glass.”
Poppy waves a dismissive hand. “I call it the hairy fairy. It’ll put hairs on your chest.”
“Sweetheart, I’m hairy enough.”
“Bulldozer, stop flirting with my woman.” Dom winks at Poppy. “She has a thing for a hairy chest.”
“What’s she doing with you then?” his brother Dan says. “You managed to grow some?”
“Very funny.” Dom hands the shots out to the rest of the lads. “Here, maybe this’ll shut you all up.”
Poppy tilts her head. “So, are you not staying at Colin’s anymore?”
“He’s been caught with his hand in the cookie jar,” Shane says.
Poppy’s green eyes widen as if she’s pieced it all together.
Dom lifts the last shot for himself. “I gotta hand it to you though, mate. You’ve got some big fucking balls to go there.”
“He’s now got two lighter balls after going there,” Shane says with a chuckle.
“Watch it or I’ll put a chip in that other tooth.”
Shane rocks back on his heels. “Poppy, get the man another drink, would you? He’s gonna need a few to lighten up.”
She collects the empty tray. “I told Draven you’re here.”
“Thanks, love.”
Shane rests a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, mate. He’ll get over it. You’re not the first bloke to fall for someone’s daughter. Could be worse.”
“Just how the fuck could this situation be any worse?”
He points a thumb at Kane, who’s leaning against the ledge with his arms folded. “Look at Kane. He fell for his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, not to mention the history with the lass’s dad.”
Kane looks about as moody as I do. He pushes off the wall. “If you need a place to stay, you can kip at the farmhouse. Violet’s moved in with her uncle and cousins, so the place is all ours. Maybe we should get a sign up,the lonely hearts club.” He sign writes it in the air. “Losers and sad bastards, welcome.”
“Sounds like a blast.”
