Page 23 of Breaking the Habit

Shay

You’ve spentan awful long time getting ready for a group get together.

Shay chastised herself for feeling so out of sorts as she tried to decide on what to wear to the impromptu get together tonight. She hadn’t been sure that she even should go when Cathal asked her, but then Rhys had texted and asked her if she was going, that he wouldn’t go if she wasn’t there for back up. Then he had sent her a selfie of him pouting and it had made her laugh, so she told the idiot that she would go.

The little get together was being held at Luna’s family pub, her dad agreeing to close the back room for the night when the band had offered to pay for the night’s takings. Shay was worried Rhys being in a pub might not be the best place if he wanted to stay sober for his ninety days, but she wasn’t his mother and all she could do is be there with him if he found it all too much.

Rhys had offered to come get her, however Cathal had also offered and showing up with Rhys might be enough to start the gossiping. Plus, Shay and Cathal needed to clear the air, since things had been awkward for the last week, before they had to face other people. There was no way she was going to air her dirty laundry in public and Cathal wouldn’t want that either.

So the dilemma of what to wear drove her half mad for the day as she ransacked her wardrobe. She’d been so paranoid that Cathal would think she was dressing up for Rhys, that she had texted Sinéad to ask her what she was planning in wearing. When Shay saw how casual Sinéad was going, Shay decided to say fuck it and just wear black jeans, a vest and throw on a red and black check shirt over it.

She left her hair loose and added a little more make up then she did at the shop, choosing to wear sneakers instead of heels because it wasn’t going to be that kind of night. Shay was already waiting outside her building when Cathal pulled up in a taxi.

Getting in to the back with Cathal, she smiled at her boss and said. “Thanks for collecting me. I assumed Luna would need help getting set up.”

“Nah,” Cathal said with a grin. “Luna roped Luke into helping since he was missing Emil. He’s away on international duty this week and Luke had to stay to work on his rally car for the next season.”

Shay knew it must be hard for Luna’s brother to spend so much time away from his footballer boyfriend, but she also knew that Sinéad also missed Jameson when he was away with the band. Even Cathal missed Luna when she was away despite the fact he joked that his world was a lot quieter when Luna was away.

“So, do we know who else is gonna be there tonight? Are we expecting your tattoo fanboy to rock up unexpectedly?”

Cathal chuckled shaking his head. “Oli’s going mad he can’t come but he does want to book in for another session on his rib piece when he can free up some time. I think he mentioned coming back to Ireland in the next couple months.”

“Guaranteed he doesn’t last that long.” Shay laughed, leaning back in the seat.

“Then it’s just the band, Noah and Quinn from the Rebel Racers crew...then me and you.”

“Where are dumb and dumber tonight?” Shay asked, referring to Darren and Isaac, listening as Cathal told her Darren had a last minute family thing and Isaac decided to stay at home with Melody.

“Isaac needs to get out more. He’s such a good dad, like. He shouldn’t put his life on hold. MJ’'s old enough now if he wanted to start dating someone knew.”

“I think Isaac is scared.” Cathal told her and Shay had to agree. MJ’s mam was Isaac first love and she had broken Isaac’s heart in the way she chose drugs over her daughter. The woman hadn’t seen MJ in over two years after a relapse and Isaac was happy to keep MJ away from all that.

They arrived at the Sullivan pub a few minutes later and after getting out, Cathal placed a hand on her elbow when she made to head inside. She paused, lifting her gaze up to Cathal.

“Are we good, Shay?” Cathal asked, letting go of her arm. “I’ve felt shite all week since we argued. I’m sorry.”

Shay gave Cathal a smile and mock punched him. “I’m sorry too. Let’s just forget all about it, okay? We’re good.”

The relief on Cathal’s face was palpable as he led her in to the pub, waving at Luna’s dad as they made their way to the back room, where Shay could hear the party had already started to get going. Cathal left her to go and give Luna a kiss, clapping her twin brother on the back, as the two set up a mic stand behind a massive piano.

Jameson and Sinéad were off to the side, with Sinéad sitting on her boyfriend’s lap. The moment she saw Shay standing there, Sinead waved her over to where they were. Shay started to make her way toward the couple, when she heard a velvet voice say in her ear.

“You really gonna just leave me standing here by my lonesome?”

Shay glanced to the side as Rhys stepped up beside her, dressed in all black, making his pale skin seemed almost white. He grinned over at her, nudged her shoulder. “Everyone’s looking to see what you do. Personally, I think you should sing my praises, really mess with their heads.”

Instead, Shay barked out a laugh and smacked Rhys hard on the arms. “Shup, dumbass. Come on, let’s go sit with Sinéad and Jameson.”

Not even thinking too much on it, Shay grabbed Rhys’ hand and dragged him over to where Sinéad watched her with open curiosity. Jameson and Rhys bumped fists, with Rhys declining a beer when Luna came over and asked what they wanted to drink.

“Just a coke, Luna. I drove my car over. I’m good.”

They all chatted for a few minutes, then Luna squealed and ran over to hug her best friend Quinn, who arrived with Noah Donovan. Quinn and Noah were F1 drivers, with Noah narrowly missing out on his first drivers championship last year. Everyone was saying hello to each other, getting drinks and finishing setting up when Rhys suddenly went rigid beside her.

Shay glanced toward the door to where Rhys’ sister, PR badass, Andi Collins walked hand in hand with Declan Walsh, the lead singer of Heartache Melody. They were a striking pair, even dressed in casual clothes and Shay had the most inappropriate thought that those two would have really beautiful babies.

She nudged Rhys, pulling his eyes from the pair at the same time as Declan and Andi glanced in the younger Collins' direction. “Stop frowning. You’ll give that okay-looking face wrinkles.” She muttered under her breath, loud enough for only Rhys to hear her, and he let loose a chortle of laughter, before winking at Shay.

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