"I know how you meant it. You also called me pretty."
"Did I?"
"I heard it." I shrug. "But listen, I'm a one night go all out guy. You're on the record, and in your music, as being a relationship guy."
"So?"
"So, I don't want to add to the heartbreak album you're writing." My tongue runs behind my teeth because I’m starting to think it would be a lot of fucking fun to contribute.
"How'd you know I'm writing a heartbreak album?"
"You just confirmed it."
"Geesh, you really are a pirate." His green eyes shine.
"It's in our blood. Anyway, I'm game to hook up if you are but I don't think it's a good idea."
Rhys looks off in the distance for a second before coming back to me. "Yeah, maybe you're right."
"I know I am, you'll fall in love with me and we can't have that."
"No, of course not." He laughs and it is more satisfying than getting a laugh out of my family or my teammates.
"Let's try the pub tomorrow, even if it's a quick stop in."
"Alright,Bonn na Craic, eight o'clock?"
"Good times at the bottom indeed." Rhys says more to himself than me.
With plans made, Rhys gets up on his horse, like a fucking knight even though he’s wearing my sweats, and sways off into the hills.
***
Hours later, our muddied clothes have been washed and are hanging in front of the fire to dry. My parents have gone to bed in the loft upstairs and Delilah and I are nursing the final dregs of our drinks.
"I can't believe Rhys Reid heard dad's lucky mother fucker joke." She shakes her head.
"It's such a good one though."
"It is." I wait because I can tell there's more on her mind. "So, what's going on with you two?"
"Me and Rhys?" I unnecessarily clarify.
Her only response is a look that says "duh."
"Ah, well. I dunno. He's hot, obviously, but I don't think he's a one-time kind of guy. And he's hurting right now. I wouldn't want to hurt him more."
"So no vacation fling for you two?"
"No, it's flirty, but not like that." He’s undeniably attractive but I’m not sure it’s a good idea. "The electric, all consuming attraction isn’t always there."
"But it’s there sometimes?" She leads.
I shrug bashfully instead of going into detail about seeing him stripped down to black briefs with water droplets cascading down his ink covered chest.
"It must be so different for him at home." She ponders.
"What do you mean?"
