Page 62 of Trying Sophie

“I will tell you to be careful though. I don’t want you getting into a situation you can’t handle.”

“You don’t need to worry about me,” she answered defiantly, her chin raised and ire sparking in her eyes.

I studied her for a moment. Objectively speaking, Aoife was a beautiful girl. A little quirky perhaps, but that wouldn’t stop guys from coming at her full force. It might even encourage them.

“And yet I do,” I replied, pushing the sickening thoughts aside.

Aoife was 21 years old. I needed to stop thinking of her with pigtails and scabbed knees. I’d always do my best to protect her, but I had to let her be an adult too. I knew that. And yet …

“In case you were wondering, though, I’m a virgin.”

My jaw fell to the floor and she smirked, thrilled to have shocked me, before she stood and skipped out of the room, the sound of her cackling reaching my ears.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” my mam whispered as she followed Aoife. “You two are going to send me to my grave.”

If Aoife wasn’t having sex, why in the motherfucking hell was she hanging out with Tanya? Something didn’t add up. Even though I hated it when they meddled in my life, I needed to figure out what was going on. Since I couldn’t step in without Aoife becoming suspicious, I decided to ask Aidan and Liam to run interference for me. If Aoife was tagging along with Tanya, those two would be able to keep an eye on her for me. And besides, I wasn’t convinced Aidan was quite done with the notorious Ms. O’Reilly.

Which got me to thinking. Since Tanya showed up wherever Aidan was, had they seen Aoife last night? And if they had, why hadn’t one of them said something?

Declan: I hate to even ask, but did you see Aoife last night?

Aidan: Yeah man, don’t worry. We kept an eye on her.

Declan: I need to convince her Tanya’s bad news. She’s slept with half the team already! I don’t want people thinking my baby sister is next in line.

Aidan: Significantly less than that, I’d say. In fact, just me and O’Dempsey so far as I know. But you don’t need to worry about Aoife. No one would dare touch her.

Declan: You sure about that?

Aidan: Absolutely. The second Aoife walked in, Eoin made a bee-line for her and didn’t leave her side all night. The little fucker complained non-stop about what a cock block she was, but he made sure she got home safe.

Aidan: What’s your problem with Tanya, btw?

Declan: I don’t have a problem with Tanya personally. I just don’t want Aoife to get the same sort of rep.

Aidan: Don’t worry. We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen if you’re not around to play big brother.

Declan: Thanks man. But call me if she shows up and I’m not there. I need to put an end to whatever shit she’s trying to pull.

Aidan: Sure thing. It just seemed like you needed a night off. You looked tired.

Declan: Yeah, I’m in bad shape today. I needed that extra sleep.

Aidan: I know what you mean.

Aidan: We still on for brunch today?

Oh shit, I’d forgotten to cancel when I’d jumped in my car to drive out here.

Declan: Sorry, forgot to tell you yesterday. No can do. I’m in Ballycurra helping out my mam with some Christmas stuff. Rain check?

He didn’t need to know this wasn’t my plan all along. That I’d come out here because I’d woken up feeling restless and couldn’t think what else to do with myself. He didn’t need to know that even now that restlessness threatened to return.

Aidan: Sure, no problem. Later.

I spent the morning helping out where I could and when it was finally a decent hour, I set out for the pub. The thought of seeing Sophie again sent a prickle of anticipation down my spine. I’d felt that same tingling sensation a thousand times before, usually right before kickoff, but never over a woman.

I didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing.

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