That made me feel a little better, but I was still feeling mind-fucked.
"I can't believe this, I thought you were unemployed!"
"I know," he replied, "and I was going to tell you. I just wanted you to know me before you knew about all this."
I frowned. "You were worried that I'd act differently if I knew you had money?"
He shrugged. "I wasn't sure of anything, so I kept it to myself."
I was silent for a moment then I said, "I understand. Thank you for telling me even if only because I overheard Cala."
"Aideen," Kane sighed, "I was going to tell you when you got settled into the apartment, I swear."
I believed him.
I bobbed my head up and down. "I know. This whole situation is just insane."
Kane scratched his neck. "While I'm telling you about properties I own, you know the old community centre in the middle of town?"
The centre he was talking about had been empty for years.
I eyed him. "Yes?"
"I own that too," he admitted. "I plan on turning it into a youth centre to help get kids off the street and away from gangs and trouble."
I blinked. "Oh, my God. Kane."
"What?" he murmured.
"That is … wonderful. I could kiss you for telling me that, I work with kids so that means a lot to me. Thank you so much."
Kane smiled. "Kiss me if you want to."
I pulled a face at him but got on my tippy toes and kissed the corner of his mouth.
"Tease," he breathed.
I smiled up at him. "I remember you sayin' years ago you wanted to do somethin' with the centre, I just didn't think this was it."
He shrugged. "It's just something I want to do. If I can help one child, It'll all be worth it."
My heart!
"Can I help?" I asked. "I mean, with the kids, when the centre is open?"
Kane's eyes lit up. "I'd love nothing more than you to help me, babydoll."
I beamed. "It'll be amazin'. I know loads of ways to keep a child's attention even into adolescents. We can do up plans, and get in volunteers to help..." I paused my rambling when I found Kane smiling at me.
"What?" I asked, shyly.
He shook his head. "You just make me happy."
Oh.
"Yeah? Well, you make me happy, too."
Kane's eye heated and I knew I needed to change the subject or this beautiful hallway would be destroyed in bodily fluids.
I shook my head and glanced around the hallway. "I can't believe you own this place. It's gorgeous."
He smiled knowingly at me. "Thanks. It's not officially open yet because the bigger apartments upstairs aren't ready, but they will be soon."
I looked up and down the hallway. "I wonder who my neighbours will be."
Kane snorted, "You won't have neighbours. You'll be the only person on this floor."
"What? Why?"
Kane deadpanned, "Because I said so. The elevator will only open on this floor to those with a special keycard."
"That's stupid. There are other apartments here that should be used."
Kane shrugged. "I'd rather you had everything to yourself."
I blew out a breath. "I really don't know what to say."
"Say thank you, landlord and master."
I growled, "Thank you, master dickhead."
Kane laughed and put his arms back around me and said, "Close enough."
I smiled.
He was too perfect.
I pulled back from Kane when my phone rang. I dug it out of my pocket and answered it without looking at the screen.
"Hello?"
"Did you find an apartment?" Keela asked, expectantly.
I rolled my eyes. "Hello, Keela."
"Don't hello me. Did you find somewhere?"
I chuckled, "Maybe."
"Aideen!" she growled.
I looked at Kane and snorted, "I found me new apartment."
Kane winked at me while Keela screamed in my ear. I pulled the phone away and hissed, "Me ear, you bitch!"
"Sorry," Keela said. "Where is it? What's like?"
"It's literally two minutes from your house, and it's gorgeous."
Keela screamed. Again.
"Damn it, Keela!"
Kane laughed.
"I'm so fuckin' excited."
I smiled. "Me too, and I can move in right away."
"Tomorrow we can all help you move in, but tonight?" Keela cackled, "Tonight we celebrate."
Uh-oh.
This was a horrible idea.
I was sat in a newly opened pub, fifteen minutes down the road from Upton, with all my friends and family surrounding me, and all I wanted to do was go home and go to bed. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't leave because everyone was out celebrating my pregnancy and new apartment. It was a night for me, and for Kane. I had to suck it up and pretend like I wasn't seconds away from face planting on the table.
"Aideen?" James called out.
Yes, my brothers were here.
My father too.
They were also sat at the same table as us, which included the Slater brothers. When they first arrived, I envisioned a world war erupting in the pub, but everyone was surprisingly civil. James' even apologised to Kane. Yeah, he apologised.
I stared at him when the words left his mouth. I didn't trust that it wasn't a trick to catch Kane off guard, but when I looked at James face, I saw he was being genuine.
He didn't like apologising, I could sense that, but he was being the bigger man, and I think it was because of me. He was putting aside his differences with the Slater brothers for my sake, and for my baby's sake. I was so grateful that I hugged my brothers long and hard, which they each thought was hilarious.
"What?" I replied to my brother's call.
He grinned. "Are you okay?"
I nodded my head. "I'm fine, why?"
"Because," Alec cut in, "you look like you're about to fall asleep sitting up."
I lightly chuckled, "I'm okay, just a little tired."
I shivered when I felt his hand pressed against the base of my spine.
"We can leave now if you want?"
I wanted to groan when Kane spoke into my ear. It felt good and relaxed me, which only made me feel that bit more tired. I turned and looked at him, our faces inches apart.
I shook my head. "I'm fine."
Kane's eyes were a little bloodshot. "You sure?"
There was a faint smell of whiskey on his breath, and it made me want to nibble on him.
"I'm sure." I nodded then swallowed. "But do me a favour?"
"Anything," he murmured and looked at my mouth.
Stop it, Kane.
"Don't drink anymore. I gave you a high dose of insulin before we left but don't abuse that, please."
Kane winked. "I'm done."
I arched an eyebrow making him chuckle.
"I promise, I just had one beer and a whiskey."
That was it?
"Your eyes tell a different story."
Kane grunted, "I've never been a big drinker; it doesn't take a lot for me to feel the effects from it."
I nodded my head. "Okay then, thank you."
He grinned at me and exhaled again.
Whiskey breath apparently got me going.
"Take a mint or somethin'," I whispered. "I'll nibble you if you don't."
Kane licked his lips. "You like whiskey?"
My brother Dante overheard Kane's question and it made him laugh.
"She loves whiskey, probably the smell more than the taste. If there was such thing as a whiskey scented candle, Aideen would buy hundreds."
I glared at my brother, but couldn't correct him because what he said was completely true. I loved the smell of whiskey.
"That's good to know." Kane grinned.
I growled at him. "Don't think it will get you into me knickers."
Kane lowered his voice and said, "I'll just keep talking and wait for you to beg me to get into your knickers."
I burst into laughter and it got the attention of my girlfriends.
"What's so funny?" Bronagh asked, smiling.
I chuckled, "When one of the brothers say the word ‘knickers' I think it's the funniest thing ever. Their accents just butcher the word."
Nico snorted. "Which is why we say ‘panties' instead."
"No!" every female at the table bellowed.
Nico jumped and quickly raised his hands up in the air. "I'm sorry."
His brothers, and mine, laughed their arses off about how terrified Nico looked of us. It amused us girls, too.
I yawned and it caused my friends to smile at me.
"It's nearin' eleven, Ado. Go home."
I groaned to Keela, "I'm ready for bed at eleven? A few months ago I didn't go out till eleven! This is so messed up."
Everyone laughed.
"This is the easy part, baby." My father smirked. "You don't sleep for the first eighteen years."
I almost cried. "Thanks for tellin' me that, Da."
My father winked and smiled at me. I did too until the sudden urge to go to the bathroom hit. I groaned and stood up. "Be right back."
"Where are you goin'?" Harley asked me.
I grunted, "The toilet."
I glared at the table when snickers were heard.
"It's not funny. You try havin' the spawn of Satan sittin' on your bladder twenty-four-seven!"
I turned and walked around the edge of the dance floor that was packed with people. I rolled my eyes at the laughter from my friends and family that followed me. I made it to the bathroom and was happy to find a vacant stall.