Page 14 of A Thistle Beyond Time
They reached the second pub and went inside, to the sounds of Irish music being played by a live band. The atmosphere was loud and raucous in comparison to the karaoke bar they had just left. Everyone seemed to be truly enjoying themselves, as they clapped and stomped along with the music. Cormac wasn’t sure why, but he felt more at home here than he had anywhere else he’d been, all day long.
Jenna ordered more whiskey for the three of them, seeming determined to drink the men under the table. They found an empty booth to sit in and Cormac became very aware of the fact that Jenna was quite into her cups. If she were sober, she wouldnae be leaning into him and have her hand resting on his knee. Not that he was going to complain about this development. Dylan winked at him and nodded in his cousin’s direction. Cormac simply shrugged his shoulders. He wished there was something he could do, to make this night better for her. Drinking the amount of whisky she had consumed was not going to help.
“Cormac,” Jenna was starting to slur her words. “I jush wanted to thank you, for shticking up for me back there.”
“It was me pleasure, lass.”
“I like it when you call me lash. Did you know you are probably the mosh handsome man I’ve ever sheen?”
“I didnae know that.” Cormac chuckled.
“You are… really. I mean it.”
“I ken ye need to stop drinking, lass.” He decided it was time to intervene, before she got sick.
“No… I jush want one more, pleash.”
“Jenna, Cormac’s right. You’re going to regret this in the morning. Why don’t you let Cormac take you back home? I’ve got some unfinished business I need to take care of.”
“Shtay away from Jonathan, Dylan. I mean it.”
“I’m not talking about Jonathan. I met a pretty girl earlier, and we’re going to meet up at her place.”
“Oh… okay. Cormac, lesh go.” Jenna swayed as she tried to stand up and Cormac steadied her before she fell over. “You’re so sweet,” Jenna giggled, clutching his sleeve.
“She’s pretty drunk,” Dylan observed.
“I ken it. Dinna fash. I’ll be sure she gets home and to bed.”
Dylan gave Cormac a questioning look.
“Alone.” Cormac reassured him.
“I’ll get you guys a cab.” Dylan offered, and then headed outside to flag one down.
“Come, lass, let’s get ye home.”
As they hit the fresh air outside, Jenna swayed even more.
“Weeeee!” she cried.
Cormac was concerned she was going to fall, so he did the only thing that made sense and picked her up to carry her to the waiting cab.
Dylan paid the driver and told him the address. He handed Cormac his house key.
“Here, you’ll need this to get into the house.”
“And what of ye? How will ye get in?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a spare,” Dylan winked, as he prepared to close the cab door.
“Thank ye, Dylan.”
The cab dropped them off in front of Jenna’s house and Cormac lifted her into his arms again, carrying her up the stairs to the front door. Opening the door, he carried Jenna across the threshold and she began to giggle.
“What’s so funny, lass?”
“You carried me, like I was a bride.” She continued laughing, as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard.
