In Too Deep

ChapterTwenty-Four

Chloe mostly got used to the bug being at the Cahills’ table. She wasn’t really nervous about it anymore. The bar had been buzzing since Danny announced his run for alderman. The clientele looked at him like he was a celebrity as he strode through the Rose smiling at his constituents.

Brendan started showing up to listen in even when Alan wasn’t there. He seemed to think Danny’s election bid was a new lead. She hadn’t seen Alan in a few days and it had been even longer since she’d seen Ronan.

She felt shitty about the way she behaved but didn’t know what to do about it. He acted as though they were done. It hurt, but she’d known what she was getting into.

Brendan had texted earlier in the day to let her know he’d convinced Joe Nolan to come to provoke the Cahills. Since she didn’t know Nolan, she wasn’t nervous about giving anything away.

Danny was at his table when she checked on other customers. “Hi, Mr. Cahill. What can I get for you tonight?”

“Just a Guinness.”

“Anyone joining you this evening?”

“My father should be here soon.”

She got his beer from the bar and delivered it. When she turned, she saw Alan Cahill walk through the door. Actually, it was more of a shuffle. His face was flushed and his bright blue eyes sparked.

“Hi, Mr. Cahill. How are you?” she asked as he neared.

“I’ve been better.”

“You’re looking a little flushed. Let me get you some water.”

“Only if it’s with a whiskey.” He winked at her, but he didn’t look well.

She brought his whiskey but added a glass of water to her tray. Alan was already grumbling at Danny when she set the glasses in front of him.

“If you need anything else, just give me a holler.”

She walked away and only heard Danny ask, “What does he want? He hasn’t worked for you for years.”

Chloe assumed they were talking about Joe Nolan. She’d never met Nolan, so she didn’t know what to expect. She pulled out her phone to send Brendan a text about the tension at the Cahill table, but then she realized he was probably listening. She’d never make it as a spy. Too many moving parts to keep track of while putting on a face of innocence. She’d take restaurant work over that any day.

That made her think about everything that Ronan was dealing with. He was interacting with his family again while still digging for answers about his dad. The face he had to put on each time he had to deal with the Cahills must’ve been difficult. He certainly didn’t need additional pressure from her.

Since the bar was quiet in this pre-dinner hour, and her only responsibility was the Cahills, she waved to Johnny to let him know she was taking five and she stepped out back to call Ronan. The phone rang three or four times and she was about to hang up, assuming he didn’t want to talk to her.

“Hey,” he said.

Just like that. Like it had only been a few hours instead of days since they’d spoken.

“Hey.” All of a sudden, her heart filled and her chest became tight. Just from hearing the sound of his voice. Her emotions choked her and the words wouldn’t come.

“Chloe? You still there?”

Swallowing quickly, she said, “Yeah, I’m here. It’s good to hear your voice.”

“Yours, too.”

“Look. I’m sorry about the other night. I don’t know what got into me. I felt like you were pushing me away and trying to control me all at once, and then Johnny made these drinks that knocked me on my ass. So I was mad and wanted you to be too. But it wasn’t fair.”

“Babe.”

The single word had her sucking in a breath.

“You’re rambling,” he said.

“I don’t want you to be mad at me. I don’t want to fight.”

“Neither do I.”

“Can you come over when I get off work so we can talk?” she asked hesitantly.

“You can drive me home.”

“Where are you?” She looked around as if he’d be there.

“Sitting in Brendan’s car listening to the Cahills.”

He was here. “I wish I could see you sooner.”

“It won’t be too long.”

Before she could say anything else, he was talking to someone else, probably Brendan.

“Nolan is coming down the block, so you’ll need to get back to work.”

“See you soon.” She hung up, tucked her phone in her pocket, and went back to the bar.

Although she didn’t know who Nolan was, when a tall, older man came in and waved Jana, the hostess, off, Chloe figured it was him. Then he made a beeline for the Cahills. The man looked sketchy, peering over his shoulder like he was being watched. She didn’t want to look like she knew where he was going, so she waited a minute and then approached the table.

“Hi. Can I get you anything?”

Alan waved her off. “He won’t be staying long enough to finish a drink.”

“Okay.” She tried not to sound too cheerful in covering up her shock at his abruptness. While Alan was often brusque with Danny, he’d always been polite to her. “How about either of you? Need refills?”

“No, we’re good, Chloe. Thank you,” Danny said.

She walked away and restrained herself from looking back to watch the drama unfold.