Page 46 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

Deep down, he must know that. He must be able to feel it.

“Interrupting something?” We both spin around to take in Eoin. We must have been so distracted by each other neither of us heard the front door open and close. I realize how condemning this must look. Irish and me standing close together, staring into each other’s eyes. His finger under my chin, tilting it as though to kiss me.

“Not at all, brother. I was passing on my condolences about Ace, and Jaine was feeling a little melancholy, that’s all.”

“I can take care of Jaine’s needs.”

“I’m sure you can.” Irish’s tone is flat.

The tension is thick. It’s my guessing what took place at the meeting is unfinished business between them. Not over me, per se. More so over the festering wound of disrespect.

“Anyway, I’m about to head off.” Irish turns his attention back to me. “It was good chatting with you, Jaine.”

“You too.” I nod, offering a weak smile.

My phone vibrates around an hour later.

Padraig:It’s good to be back on my old number. You never finished what you were going to say.

Jaine:Should you be messaging me?

Padraig:We’re family. I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t unless you’d rather I didn’t?

Jaine:I didn’t say that.

Padraig:Finish the sentence then, darlin’. Because…?

Jaine:Because I didn’t want to let you go either.

* * *

I’m lyingin bed with my head on Eoin’s chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heart. I know he’s got something on his mind, and I suspect it’s because he found Irish and me in such a compromising position earlier.

To stake his claim, he fucked me three times in quick succession, and I’m not sure he’s done with me yet.

“Do I have anything to be concerned about, Jaine?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

“You and Paddy.”

I rest my chin on his chest, staring up at him until his aquamarine eyes connect with mine. “I love you.”

“You love him too.”

“True, but I still love you. I was honest about my feelings for both of you from the beginning, Eoin.”

“It doesn’t mean I have to like them.”

“Nope, but it does mean you have to accept them for what they are because they’ll never change.”

“I do accept them. It was just difficult to see you standing so close to my brother.”

“He was sympathizing about Ace, and I got a bit emotional, that’s all.”

“Are you sure that’s all it was?”

“Yes.”

---