Page 41

“It’s Briony’s birthday,” Emmy says. “Twenty-five today.”

Her birthday? Shit. And that creep grabbed her?

“That deserves a toast,” Niamh says. She looks over my shoulder. “And would you look at that? Perfect timing.”

The lassie arrives with a tray of drinks and starts setting down glasses.

Briony opens her wee bag. “I’d like to get this. I owe you, Ryan, after what you did.”

I wave her off. “Don’t be daft. You’re no paying on your birthday.”

“Besides, I’ve already added it to Ryan’s tab,” Niamh says. “Order whatever you want for the rest of the night. You too, Emmy. Trust me, he can afford it.”

Briony balks. “Oh, we couldn’t possibly⁠—”

“Sounds good to me,” Emmy says.

When Briony looks like she might continue to argue, I raise my glass. “Happy birthday, Briony.”

Everyone else at the table echoes the toast. Briony gives up, lifts her glass too, and we all drink.

Afterwards, Emmy nods at Niamh’s drink. “Vodka, soda, and lime?” she guesses.

“Naw,” Niamh says. “Just soda and lime.”

Emmy frowns, then points at my glass.

“The same,” I say.

“Well, that’s a pint.” She points at Liam’s lager. “What about you, Imran?”

“Coke. Full fat. Living dangerously.”

“Imran doesnae drink,” Liam explains. “And Niamh and Ryan both have big fights coming up. They’ve already had their one for the night. Basically, I’m the fun one this evening.”

He grins, but Emmy’s eyes are already back on Niamh. “You fight too?”

“Aye.”

“That is so cool.” Her gaze drops to Niamh’s arms, bare in a sleeveless top.

“Niamh, are you fighting on the same night as Ryan?” Briony asks. “At Braehead Arena?”

“Aye, same card,” Niamh confirms.

“Have you been looking Ryan up or something?” Liam asks Briony. “The card was only announced today. How do you know about it?”

I have the same question, though I wasn’t going to ask.

“Oh,” Briony says, flushing. “My brother’s really into MMA. He sent me a link earlier.” Then, quickly changing the subject: “So, how do you all know each other?”

Imran explains that we all train at Glasgow Fight Club, that it’s Niamh’s da’s gym, and that we’ve known each other for years. “Especially these two.” Imran gestures to me and Niamh. “They were at school together.”

“Aye.” Niamh’s mouth curves. “Believe it or not, Ryan used to be a reedy wee thing.”

I roll my eyes. “I wasnae that reedy.”

“Aye, you were.”