Page 35 of Trying Sophie

Cian laughed cynically. “Oh, that’s rich. Declan O’Shaughnessy jumping to protect someone’s honor. I never thought I’d see the day. And to think, all for someone he’s only ever treated like garbage.”

I stepped into Cian’s space, but Sophie—her eyes flashing with anger—angled herself between us. Putting her hand to my chest, she pushed me backward, and mouthed, “I got this” before turning to Cian.

“Cian Kelly, what is your goddamned problem?” She settled clenched fists on her hips. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you or what sort of pissing contest you’re trying to start, but don’t you dare.”

Cian took a step back, surprised by her forcefulness. Lifting his chin toward me, he asked, “Why’d you keep him a secret?”

“What?! I didn’t keep him a secret,” Sophie spat out, her tone exasperated.

“You didn’t tell me you knew him.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize we’d become besties who told each other everything.”

Cian’s face turned red and I wondered if he was blushing or if it was from anger. I was tempted to ask, but Sophie was on a roll. I almost wanted Cian to continue goading her to see how far she’d go.

I snorted when she added, “Ooh, I know! Why don’t you come over tonight and we can stay up all night braiding each other’s hair!”

When Cian’s eyes narrowed and he inhaled a shallow breath I knew he was picturing being up all night with Sophie’s hands in his hair, but in his vision he wouldn’t be braiding it. How did I know? Because when she’d said it, my own thoughts had ventured to me riding her hard from behind with her hair wrapped around my fist, her neck taut, and Cian and I were cut from the same cloth.

Stepping forward, I laid my hand on Sophie’s shoulder and Cian’s jaw tightened as he took a step back. He was close to reaching his breaking point and I didn’t want him exploding at her. I loved Cian like a brother but he came from a long line of Kelly men who had mean streaks a mile long and an ocean deep. He could yell at me later, but right now I needed him to chill the fuck out.

“No, you’re right Sophie,” he answered, calmly. Too calmly. “We’re not really friends and there’s no reason I should care who you spend time with, even if the guy you’ve chosen is the biggest fucker in all of Ireland. You’ve really outdone yourself with this one.” The look he tossed me was pure disgust. “Best of luck to you both,” he spat, as the door slammed behind him.

“I should go after him,” Sophie whispered. “I was kind of a bitch and I didn’t mean to be.”

“Let him be. He deserved everything you gave him and more.”

Sophie turned to face me. “What’s his problem anyway?”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted with a frown. “I should probably go find out. I’ll talk to you later?”

“Yeah, of course,” she said, wrapping her arms protectively around her waist, her eyes flicking to the door Cian had stormed through.

My eyes trailed her gaze and my feet followed, leaving her standing there with a worried look on her face. I promised myself one day I’d kiss those frown lines away for good.

* * *

“What the fuckwas that back there?” I demanded and the smug bastard flipped me the bird.

“Not happening, Cian.” Taking effort to keep up with Cian’s long strides since he had a good five inches on me, almost all of it in his legs, we marched to a line of parked cars. “That back there was a load of bullshit and you know it.”

Abruptly, he stopped and turned. “Fine. It’s bullshit. Whatever you say.”

“Dude, what’s your problem?” I was well past the point of irritation but was trying my hardest not to show how pissed off I actually was. “You know how I feel about her.”

He snorted. “No, I don’t, and you don’t either because you don’t even know her. You know what you think you know about her, but that’s it. You’re hung up on some version of Make Believe Sophie. You always have been.”

“Again, bullshit.”

“Is it though, Dec?” His face softened, and the aggressive glint in his eye faded. “Tell me one thing you know about her.”

“She’s a travel writer.”

Another snort. “Too easy. Half of Ballycurra knows that. What else?”

It seemed like every time I set foot in this town I had to endure an inquisition about Sophie and what my intentions were. Had I known that’s what I was in for today, I might have stayed home.

Who was I fooling? Nothing could keep me from coming to see her.

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