In Too Deep

“Sorry, wrong brother.”

“I know.” She sighed. “I knew it as soon as you turned. In my defense, it’s really dark out here.” She neared and held up the red plastic cups. “Beer?”

“I’d love one. Thanks.” He took a cup from her.

Tension surrounded the brothers, cloaking them in the darkness that had been cast over this house for years. It made her sad because they were good people, a loyal family. She’d always been a little jealous of the Doyles and how they readily accepted each other.

She turned to Ronan. “I figured you could use a refill.” You know, since you dropped yours before almost kissing me.

“You figured, huh?”

She leaned closer, extending a cup to him. “I thought you might be thirsty.”

“Thanks.”

When he reached for the cup, their fingers touched, sending a charge up her arm. Their gazes were locked and something zipped between them, but then he blinked and it was gone.

Stepping back, she took a drink of her own beer.

“Whoa. You drink?” Killian asked.

She nearly sputtered. “Yeah. I’m a thirty-two-year-old woman. I work in a bar. Of course, I drink.”

Ronan shot her a look. “As I remember, you don’t handle your liquor well.”

“That was one time and I was sixteen!” Had he not gotten over the events of that night? How many times had she apologized?

Both Doyles stared at her. Pointing a thumb over her shoulder, she added, “That wasn’t even the first body shot I’ve ever done. Given or received. I did go to college.”

“Wait. I missed a McCarthy doing a body shot? Why didn’t anyone let me know?” Killian said with a rare smile.

“What’s the big deal?” she asked.

“It’s just that—” Killian started.

“The McCarthys are the good kids. We all know it. Always have. You guys never did anything wrong,” Ronan finished. His eyes still held the accusation: Except for that one time.

“Here’s a newsflash, Doyles, I’m not a kid anymore. I’m a grown-ass woman. And as such, I drink, I fuck, and yes, I occasionally swear.”

Somehow that sounded better in her head than it did when it came out. She hated the need to defend herself.

Killian raised his glass. “To all the women who drink, fuck, and swear.”

She took another drink. But they were right. The McCarthys were the perfect family. Her siblings naturally held up their end to make everyone look good. It required effort from her. Back in high school, it had been easy. She just did whatever she was told and whatever was expected of her. But once she went to college, she realized that wasn’t who she was or who she wanted to be. But for her family, she continued to pretend.

Which was exactly why she shouldn’t be here.

Hadn’t she just listened to her mother talk about all the wonderful, nice men she could be dating? Unfortunately, no matter how many times Chloe had tried to tell her that just because guys seemed nice didn’t make it so, her mother didn’t listen.

Seeing her with Ronan would probably give Mom a stroke. So much for her vow to try to do better. Be the child her mom wanted and life would be so much easier. It wasn’t like her mom was asking for anything ridiculous. A steady job and a nice man. That was all that was missing from her life for her mom to be happy. She went to church, did Sunday dinners, doted on her nieces and nephew.

“What do you want, Chloe?”

Hearing Ronan use her name in the dark sent a shiver down her back. She returned her attention to his face. He had the beginnings of a beard and his black hair, overdue for a cut, curled in waves at his collar. “Nothing. I’m being neighborly. That’s what the block party is all about. If you don’t like it, you shouldn’t have come.”

“Ouch,” Killian said with a smile. “I think you can add being mouthy to your list.”

She sucked in a sharp breath.

“I like it,” Killian continued.

Nothing from Ronan. She didn’t know why she bothered. He would never make a move to sleep with her—of course, that’s all it could be. Just enough to scratch that itch.

Maybe it was time to actually let her mother set her up. Bad boys got her blood racing but it could never be more than a few wild nights. At least with them, she knew what she was getting. Her mother might have the ability to find a truly nice guy. Lord knew Chloe failed in that mission spectacularly. The nice guy she’d found had been worse than all of the bad boys.

“Enjoy the beer, Doyles.” She turned and walked back to the bonfire to play more games with childhood friends.