Claiming Serenity(16)

Donovan thought of pressing Declan, asking about Quinn’s other distant relatives back in Ireland, but just then, Sayo walked through the door and both their attention switched to her. She offered them only a quick nod and didn’t smile, didn’t do much more than dig her money out of her back pocket as the girl behind the bar wrapped up her order.

“She looks tired,” Donovan told Declan, his voice low so Sayo couldn’t hear him.

“Autumn said she spends most of her time at hospital.” They watched Sayo turn toward the door, a small white bag under her arm as she left McKinney’s without so much as a wave to either of them. Declan stared after her, the muscles around his eyes tight as though he was thinking of something he wanted to keep to himself.

“How old is her cousin?”

“Eight, I think. Adopted, like Sayo. Autumn said Sayo thinks they may have both come from the same village in Japan so she’s close with the little girl.”

“Damn.” Donovan hated to hear that. He had an eight year old cousin living in Savannah. A lazy little punk named Kevin who spent most of his time in front of his Xbox killing zombies.

“It’s a rough bit, someone that young suffering so.” His shoulders shaking as though he’d been spooked, Declan crossed himself quick and Donovan smiled. He forgot just how superstitious and very Irish Catholic Declan could sometimes be.

When Declan remained quiet, Donovan thought he’d distract him, pull him out of his foul mood by mentioning how early they would have to start training in the morning. The rugby season was in full swing and Coach Mullens was putting them through hard, tormenting paces. “Don’t forget our early run in the morning.”

“Six?” Declan asked, his voice a little too hopeful

“Five.” Donovan laughed at the loud groan his friend made. “That too early for you, sunshine?”

“Piss off, I’m bloody captain. I don’t know what Mullens thinks it’ll accomplish to have us dragging arse before the bloody sun comes up.”

Donovan knew. Coach Mullens wanted them winning the conference title. He especially wanted the seniors, the guys in their last season, or nearing it, like Declan, to have the opportunity to be scouted by the National teams. That meant they all did extra drills and started runs earlier and earlier. It was Coach’s insistence that the squad improve that had Donovan on the pitch the night before, working off his nervous energy. And sexual frustration. That little conversation with Layla in the classroom left Donovan on edge and seeing her again last night hadn’t helped any.

Donovan looked up, sensing Declan’s hard glare on him and frowned when the Irishman’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

Declan popped his neck once and leaned on his elbows. Donovan didn’t like the stern frown his friend wore or how his forehead dented as that frown deepened. He’d seen Declan use that look more than once on freshmen half-assing their efforts during drills. “You get this barmy little look on your face when you’re thinking of Layla.”

“Dude, whatever.”

A shrug and Declan’s expression did not relax. “Deny it all you want, mate but that’s the same damn look you had on your face the night you punched me when you thought I was chatting her up.”

“Man, come on, that was months ago. Drop it already.”

“You admitted you fancied her.”

Donovan shrugged, trying to forget that drunken confession. “I was drunk. Doesn’t count.”

Declan nodded, pulled his arms over his chest and considered Donovan as though he was trying to figure something out. But he didn’t speak. Declan only stared, taking his time to watch Donovan squirm in his seat. “You want to explain to me what that shite was with Layla in Marshall Hall?”

“No.” Donovan let his shoulders fall, knowing it was pointless to tell Declan to mind his own business. Autumn, her friends, somehow Declan had taken it upon himself to act like their body guards. The overprotective shit was damn annoying. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It is when our coach’s daughter runs away from you looking like you’ve had a go at her.”

“It’s not like that, Deco.”

Declan’s eyes were hard, calculating, but he didn’t speak, just nodded once and Donovan didn’t like how final that expression seemed. “Good. Then there shouldn’t be a problem. Just remember, mate, Mullens won’t thank you for messing his daughter about.” Tired of the lecture, Donovan stood, was about to kick his chair under the table when Declan grabbed his sleeve. “I won’t thank you for fucking with her either.”