Page 34 of Kissin Irish by Morgan
I cried so hard I didn’t notice someone sit beside me until an arm went around my back.
One whiff of her perfume, and I knew. “Jassica?”
She hugged me sideways.
I let my head fall against her shoulder. I cried harder.
“I’m so sorry about Waldo, Cece. It’s all my fault. I should’ve been here.”
Sucking in snot, I said, “I know Pagan drives you crazy.”
She brushed my hair back that had gotten stuck to my wet face. “No. It’s no excuse. I’ve let you down. You’re my only real friend here, and I treat you like shit.”
Wiping at my eyes, I said, “You’re my only real friend here, too. And I’ve needed you. But I get it. You’ve been heartbroken.”
I cried all over again, feeling that heartache for Waldo. For Irish.
Jassica brought me into a full embrace. “I’m not going to let you down again.”
I didn’t believe her. “What about Pagan?” He’d be over here any minute to bitch her out or fuck her.
“He doesn’t know I’m back. It’s over between us. I’m finished being the other woman.”
“Where did you two get off to?” I asked, wondering where they’ve been for the last few days.
“I went home to Memphis. Pagan followed me. We fought and made up for days until Kingpin called needing him to bail Riff out of jail. Someone else could’ve done it, but Kingpin wanted to make sure your brother came back for the fight. When we got here this morning, and found out about Waldo, Pagan and I fought again. I’m tired of it.”
I doubted she was. She’d probably be back in his bed come nightfall, but I said, “Good for you.”
“I won’t leave you. I’ve left Pagan. But I won’t be leaving Royal Road.”
If she really wanted away, she’d leave Royal Road. I could get a new nurse. It wasn’t a conversation for the moment though.
“Pagan will figure out who killed Waldo, don’t worry.”
“I’m worried about someone else getting hurt.”
“Irish?”
I nodded.
“You love him?”
“Love. It’s too soon for that, isn’t it?” I was honestly asking. It took me years to love my fiancé Ron, and that didn’t last.
“No. When there’s love. You know it right away.”
“You love my brother. I have no idea why.”
“Bullshit, Cece. You love him too. But not the way I love him.”
“You still love him?”
“Of course. But he won’t leave Kara. He takes all his shit out on me and leaves to be wonderful to her and their daughter. But even so, Pagan gives me butterflies. Ya know what I mean.”
When I thought of Irish, I blushed. My knees became weak. I could burst into a million butterflies and float away. I let the feeling wash over me, until I remembered him and Charlotte.
Jass went on, “I’ve asked Pagan to throw the fight. It’d be best all around. He refuses. He’s not thinking of the consequences. About angering Kingpin. Irish will have to beat him.”
