A loud cry came from the receiver of my phone, and it caused me to wince.
“Damien!” Dominic called. “Take her for a second; I can’t hear what Branna is saying over her fussing.”
I heard Damien’s voice as he cooed and spoke to Georgie in a soft tone; both his voice and my niece’s shouting faded away, and I heard Dominic’s deep sigh.
“This breast weaning thing is giving me a headache, and it’s only starting.”
I laughed. “Imagine how Bronagh feels.”
“Speaking of my future wife, what has she and Alannah done to grind Keela’s gears?”
Here we go.
“Do you want it straight or watered down?”
“Like you even have to ask.” He snorted. “Straight all day every day, baby.”
You asked for it.
“They’re both drunk in Crough’s pub,” I blurted. “Keela can only do so much to contain them when they’re together like this. Karaoke is involved and alcohol is involved, which means—”
“Horrible dancing and stripping are involved,” Dominic finished.
“Pretty much.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” he angrily stated then shouted, “Dame, you aren’t goin’ to believe this shit. Get the baby ready. We’re leaving. Now.”
I pulled my phone away from my ear and looked at the screen when silence dragged on, indicating Dominic hung up. He sounded pissed, and I didn’t blame him. Drunk Bronagh, was... crazy. Crazier than sober Bronagh, which was saying something.
With a shake of my head, I left my sister’s house and got into my car. I backed out of the garden and headed in the direction of Crough’s pub. I needed to get there before Dominic and Damien did to act as a barricade to protect Bronagh. Dominic would never hurt her, but he’d give her a right talking to, and even that could be too intense for public.
Ten minutes later, as I pulled up to the pub and parked, my phone rang. I fumbled with my bag to grab my device, and when I saw it was my husband calling me, I winced, realising I forgot to call him to let him know I was okay.
“Hey,” I said in a rushed breath when I answered. “Sorry, I didn’t ring. I’ve a—”
“Big ass problem,” Ryder said, cutting me off. “I heard all ‘bout it. Dominic just dropped Georgie off with me and told me where he and Dame were heading and why. Just giving you a heads-up that he’s pissed. Really pissed. Damien isn’t faring better either. You know how he gets when it comes to Alannah.”
Shite.
“Brilliant,” I grumbled as I climbed out of the car and locked it up. “I’ll be home when I square everything away here.”
“Good luck.” Ryder laughed.
I hung up on him, shook my head, and entered the pub. It wasn’t hard to find my sister and friend. In fact, it was quite possibly the easiest task ever bestowed upon me. On a cramped stage in the corner of the pub, both girls jammed out to some God-awful music with no lyrics, just horribly loud siren sounds.
I spotted Keela sitting at the bar, watching the girls with a shake of her head. I moved towards her and took up the vacant stool next to her, gaining her attention. She leaned over and gave me a hug in greeting.
“The barman told me they’ve only been here about forty minutes,” she said as she retook her seat. “They’re both buckled, though.”
“Bee hasn’t drunk in forever with bein’ pregnant and breast feedin’,” I commented, “and Lana hardly ever lets loose... They’re the perfect lightweights.”
Keela snorted. “You’re tellin’ me.”
“Bee must be sure that Georgie is weanin’ in order to be drinkin’ alcohol. Lana is drunk probably because she is dealin’ with the knowledge of her da’s secret affair and with Damien bein’ home—even though she won’t admit she feels any sort of way about his return.”
“That’s exactly what I’m thinkin’. They think they’re havin’ fun, but deep down, they know better. Right now, drinkin’ is a vice.”
“This might end in tears.” I sighed.
“Or laughter,” Keela mused. “I get why they’re drinkin’, but when they drink, it’s pretty funny for everyone in close proximity to them.”
I thought back to the last time they got drunk together, and my lips curved upwards.
“I guess we’ll find out.”
I turned and ordered an ice water when familiar music began to play, and familiar voices began to sing.
Oh, God.
I looked at Keela, who faced the bar like me. We turned back around, but Keela kept her eyes closed, and it made me laugh.