Superstars: Irish Courage

Irish Courage - Chapter 25

Levi and Frank were quick to stand and each place a hand onto Rex's shoulder, pushing him back down into the chair he was about to burst up from. They wanted to avoid a confrontation at all costs when it came to his temper. It was legendary, especially when it came to women he was involved with.

"Now, let's not be hasty." Levi stated in a calming tone.

"I think we should let, our little superstar, explain before you go shoutin' your mouth." Henry finished as the brothers took hold of the situation.

Ali adjusted herself from where she tried to hide within the sofa and sat up straight, facing each of the men in the eye before sighing. She didn't like to talk openly about her personal life, only with Bryanna did she talk so openly.

"I'm Bryanna, by the way." Brie introduced herself as Alice opened her mouth to speak.

Bryanna had always been bold and outspoken, despite Alice being the same she was lot more reserved in the way she went about life. Bryanna took it straight by the horns. They adored each other though, and it was only a matter of time before the distance between them brought one of them to the other.

Ali watched as Henry's gaze lingered on Bryanna as she smiled at each of them, she always did light up a room. She let her gaze move to Rex, as she took note to talk to Henry later and met his eyes.

He frustrated her. His temper led him fiercely and she had witnessed it a few times now. He jumped to conclusions, liked to be in control and for a wild spirit like herself, it felt slightly suffocating. They hardly even knew anything about each other despite the attraction she felt towards him and that was another strike in her book. Even though she had promised to stay awhile maybe it was time to move on now Brie had arrived, she wondered. She could feel too many attachments already.

"What do you mean, an Arranged Marriage?" Rex asked slowly.

"I don't have to explain myself, it's private. I'll tell you because I think that you should know." She told him, levelling her gaze with his, meeting him straight in the eye.

"My parents are old-fashioned, God fearing. For most of my life they've controlled everything I do, until I joined the troupe back home. Ever since I've come of age they've been trying to marry off, they think it's the best way to reign me in now." She told them briefly, not going into much detail.

"That gives you even more reason to stay here." Rex stated as a frown marred his features.

"I have to move on eventually." She told him strongly.

She felt Brie's eyes on her and she turned her head, green eyes meeting blue. She could see Brie's curiosity plainly on her face and knew that she would be in for an interrogation later on. Alice watched as a mischievous look came across Brie's face as she raised and brow and could see the cogs turning in her head.

"Well, you at least have to stay a few more weeks. You gotta show your friend around town and we have the spring ball coming up." Frank reasoned as he sensed the new tension in the air.

"Spring ball?" Brie cut in, excitement in her tone.

At the mention of a ball, she knew she had lost the current flow of conversation and watched as Frank informed her of what was coming up in the next few weeks.

The Spring fete was a celebration that stretched over a week within the town and hosted a series of different events that ended with the Spring Ball. It was a formal event held at the town hall that stretched on through the night to celebrate the town and its citizens and everything they had contributed throughout the years.

As Ali listened to the explanation of events she watched as Brie's face became brighter and brighter by the second before turning to her. Hope was clear in her eyes as she took in a breath to begin in speaking.

"Ali-." She began.

"We'll talk about it later." Alice interrupted her as she got up from her seat.

"Let's find Annette and get you settled into a room, then we'll wash up and go find some dinner." She told Brie.

Ali hooked her arm through Brie's and walked from the room, leaving the boys to themselves as she went off to find Annette.

Once they had found Annette, she was thrilled to find that Brie would be staying with her and embraced her with open arms. She loved the idea of having two Irish women staying within her B&B and gave Bryanna a room right next Ali's own one.

While Annette was showing Bryanna around the B&B Alice took the opportunity to clean herself up with a shower and a change on clothes. She took her time in the shower, letting her mind calmly run back over the day's events and let her thoughts wander as water trickled over her. She left her hair to air dry and applied small amounts of makeup to her face to keep her natural look.

After she made her way back to her room she picked herself out an outfit for the evening. She started off with a pair of fitted, ripped blue jeans with a flowing navy blue top that fitted onto her frame lightly. She removed her white blazer from where it hung in her wardrobe and placed her arms through it, in case it got cold later on in the night.

Once she was finished she made her way back down and sat herself down on a chair in the dining area as she checked her pockets to ensure she had her phone, purse and keys. As she waited for Brie she checked her reflection using one of the social media apps on her phone and smiled slightly as she noticed her hair beginning to form into the mass of curls she had left behind a long time ago. She always straightened her hair now.

She put her phone away as a shadow came over her and she looked up, holding the urge to roll her eyes at Rex. She wasn't in the mood for his temper.

He pulled out a chair in front of her and sat down, setting down a black box onto the table with a light thump. She knew what was inside. His hand rested on it as he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. A trait she realised, displayed his nervousness.

"I'm convinced."

"I shouldn't have had to convince you. Can you not trust people enough to take their word?" She asked him seriously as she leant forward.

She watched as he took a moment to come up with an appropriate answer to her question. Ali knew that something wasn't right but she wasn't trying to pry.

"I've been burned before." Was all he said.

Before she could ask any more questions Bryanna came down the stairs and walked towards her in the dining room. Her heels clicking against the floor, signalling her arrival.

"Sorry, am I interrupting?" She asked as she stopped at the sight of them.

"No, I was just about to be on my way." Rex told her with a charming smile as he stood from his chair.

He fiddled with the brim of his hat in his grasp, Ali didn't realise that he held it with him as they had their conversation. She watched as he looked down at her with a secretive smile and leant down, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Till next time, Ali." He told her before leaving.

"You have some explaining to do." Brie stated with a wiggle of her eyebrows.