Escape Across the Pond

Chapter 15

Dear Dad,

Will there always be another shoe to drop? Or do you just expect the shit to hit the fan? Can we not live our lives without things going wrong? Or is this like you can't appreciate the good days without having bad ones? Either way, it's crap.

The car ride to the pub was a touch bittersweet. I was certainly looking forward to seeing Charlotte and The Lads but I wasn't ready to share Alex with the others. He was giving me the impression that he felt the same when we got closer to our destination he grunted out, "Fuck the lot of them. Let's just go back to my place, love."

I laughed and squeezed his hand where it sat on the gear shift and said, "I can't just abandon Charlotte and leave her hanging. I promised I'd be there." He reluctantly agrees but then I give him a cheeky smile and remind him, "I don't have to work tomorrow, you know? You could always come stay at the cottage with me." And then shrug my shoulders like it was his call. He growls and snatches up my hand and brings it to his lips to kiss.

"What are you doing to me, love?"

This gets another chuckle from me and I reply, "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

A short while later we're pulling into the car park at the pub. Alex helps me out of the car and we walk into the pub together with his arm wrapped possessively around my waist. I must admit that I find it sexy and protective. Not at all like he wants to control me and this makes my heart feel full when I look up at the man holding me so close. But then I realize every eye in the bar is on us and I feel my smile fall slightly. The last thing I wanted to do was draw so much attention to myself and that's exactly what I've done it seems. Alex on the other hand doesn't seem bothered in the slightest. If I'm being honest, it feels like this drop-dead gorgeous man is proud to walk in with me on his arm and I think he may be showing the room that he's mine and I'm his. I feel my confidence surge back to the surface as we make our way to the back of the bar where I see The Lads and Charlotte sitting at a table in the corner. I see Bash's giant form and his blonde man bun sitting with his back to the wall facing the rest of the bar and the door always watching the room. Killian sits next to Bash with his back to the bar and Charlotte beside him with Finan on her other side. It seems as though the O'Brien twins are making a Charlotte sandwich while avoiding direct view of the bar. I think the twins understood the assignment without me having to say anything at all. I could kiss them both.

When we get to the table I smile at Bash and then wrap my arms around Charlotte from behind. She looks up and squeals like usual before leaping out of her chair to give me a hug and kiss my checks. "How was Newcastle? Did you find what you were looking for?" she asks.

I look over to Alex who has walked around the table to sit by Bash facing the rest of the bar and then answer her, "Oh yes, I actually had a little help."

Beaming at me, Charlotte wiggles her eyebrows and whispers, "I want details later." I laugh and go take my seat in between Alex and Fin.

"Well, hello gorgeous. We're glad you could make it." Fin says when I sit down.

"Hey, Fin. Hey Kil. Thanks for keeping Charlotte company until I got here. I owe you one." I say looking over at Killian who has slid just a little closer to my friend.

He tosses me a wink, "No trouble at all. She's not so bad when she's not hustling me." Charlotte mocks a gasp and smacks him in the chest and I see Kil light up just from her touch. Very interesting.

Of course Finan, not to be left out of any conversation jumps in, "Well, what did the two of you get up to? Or into should I be asking? Remember mate, it will be sweeter if you wrap your peter." he says to Alex. Bash guffaws in the corner and I see Killian and Charlotte trying to contain their laughter. I roll my eyes and shove him but I hear Alex rumble beside me.