Page 111 of Myla: The Hawthornes

“Don’t worry, it’s water. Aunt Ashley’s not tryin’ to get you drunk this time.”

I pinched his thigh under the table.

“Are you still going on about that?” Ashley asked, shaking her head. “It’s not my fault you can’t handle your liquor.”

“You kept handing me drinks!”

“You could’ve said no at any point.”

I opened my mouth and then snapped it shut again. The truth was that I’d wanted to make a good impression, and it had felt rude to tell her to stop.

“How are your parents?” Aoife asked, changing the subject. “It was so nice of them to come to the hospital and everything.”

“They’re good,” I replied, sending her a small smile. “They were glad to be there. We take care of each other.”

“The motorcycle club, right?” Saoirse asked curiously. “It’s because Cian’s a member.”

“Well, yes and no,” I replied, looking at Cian. He nodded, like I needed his permission or something. “Part of it is that, yeah. The club takes care of its own. But Cian’s one of ours, too. Our family, I mean. He’s best friends with Titus, so my parents consider him one of their kids. Even if he wasn’t part of the club, they would’ve been there because they love him.”

“Well put,” Aunt Ashley said.

“Better not screw it up,” Aisling told Cian, gesturing between us. “Doubt they’ll like you so much then.”

My mouth dropped open in surprise.

“Aisling,” Aoife snapped. “What the fuck?”

“Yeah, he doesn’t have to worry about that,” I said, looking at Aisling. Her shoulders had hunched uncomfortably. “If something happens with me and Cian, they’ll assume it was my fault.”

“Not true,” Cian said quietly, kissing the side of my head. “And nothin’s gonna happen with us.”

“I like that the club looks out for each other.” Saoirse plunged forward. “That’s nice.”

“I like biscuits,” Sean announced. “With honey.”

“Honey’s the best part,” I agreed.

Conversation flowed smoothly after that. Cian’s family was a lot like mine in the way they teased each other. Normally I would’ve hopped right in, but I was still a little anxious about Aisling’s comment, and I wasn’t quite sure where I fit in. I figured I’d eventually find my footing, so I spent most of the night just listening to them. I’d noticed it before, but with such a small group, it was even more apparent how much Saoirse, Aisling, and Cian revered Aoife. They adored her.

As Cian rose to clear the table, I ran my hand along his thigh.

“Sit,” he ordered, leaning down to kiss me. “You’re a guest, remember?” He turned to Aoife. “You want some coffee, Mam?”

“No thanks, bud,” she said, smiling at him as Sean climbed onto her lap. “I’m going to crash in about an hour.”

“I don’t wanna go to bed,” Sean whined.

“It’s not bedtime yet,” she assured him.

He wiggled to get down and came around the table, stopping at my chair. “You wanna see my treasures?”

“You have treasures?” I whispered excitedly.

“Yeah.”

“I’d love to see them.”

I let him lead me from the table by the hand, smiling at Cian as we passed him. Underneath the TV in the living room was a small wooden box that Sean pulled out very carefully and set on the floor between us.

---