Love Goes On

Chapter 24

Laurine's P.O.V

I wake up snuggled into Cian's side. He doesn't stir as I try to wriggle free but his grip on me is firm, protective. Dayl laughs a little to my right. "Need help?"
I shake my head. "No." I mutter stubbornly folding my arms across my chest, as much as I could anyway considering my position.
Dayl shrugs.
"It just might be a bit cruel for Bren to wake up to that."
I sigh. "Brendan doesn't care so please stop making me feel bad."
Dayl shrugs again. I wonder if he knows how infuriating that is.
"It's not my fault they fell for you."

I try again to move Cian's arm and this time he stirs, pulls a face and rolls over. I take the opportunity to jump up. I follow Dayl into the kitchen where he starts making hot chocolate for everyone.
"Who's up?" I probably should've noticed this.
Dayl shushes me. "Just you, me and Ryan so shush."
Oh it must be still early. I shiver as the cold hits me and I long for Cian's warmth again.
Dayl hands me a mug and I grip it tightly, grateful for the heat.
We walk back into the room and I sit on the couch beside Dayl and notice Ryan on my left, staring at a point on the wall.
He must have gotten the couch. 

Dayl explains.
"It was better to let Ryan have the couch than sleep next to all of you lot all cuddly and stuff."
Oh.
Dayl looks bewildered.
"It's just funny for me to imagine, if Ryan and Brendan hadn't like resigned from their post, if they'd fought more who would've won out in the end."
Ryan glances at me briefly to gauge my reaction to Dayl's pondering.
"I think the outcome probably would've been the same."
Ryan nods and gestures at Dayl as if to say 'told you so.'
Dayl nods. "Fair enough I just think they could've been more persuasive.'
I snort. How unladylike.

"Whats you're idea of persuasive then Dayl? Emotional blackmail? Mind games? Relentless flirting?"  I laugh.
Dayl grins. "It's not giving up. And listen I think that with girls like you two the lad who gives up on you immediately becomes second best regardless because you want consistency and loyalty."
I nod, acknowledging the truth in his statement.
"Yeah that's very true." I agree and Ryan exhales loudly, sipping his drink.
"But sometimes letting go of something is just as hard and as brave as fighting for them if you believe it's the right thing to do."
Brendan stirs and slowly sits up.
"Morning." He yawns.

He gets up and walks out to the kitchen.
"Just to warn you there's a girl at school, Amanda, I don't know if you have classes with her but she has her eye on Cian so she'll probably try make your life hell." Dayl warns me distractedly.
Oh great. Just great. An enemy is exactly what I need of course.
Let the fun begin.