Owen

A mess of confused emotions twist in my stomach. All this time, Emer thought my note—the words I poured from my heart—were from Aiden. But that’s not what I’m most upset about.

What irks me the most is that Bree lied, again.

The rational part of my brain reminds me that she was just a kid when she did it. But I can’t help but wonder what else she’s lying about. Or what other secrets are just waiting to be uncovered. Something in the back of my head warned me that she would bring trouble, and I was right.

I pace the hotel foyer, knowing I just made a bigger jackass of myself by storming out of the restaurant than if I’d just laughed the damn thing off. But I’m pissed. And more confused now than ever.

I didn’t sleep last night with all the thoughts of Bree spinning in my head.

Tempting me.

Taunting me.

And the pressure of a migraine squeezing inside my head.

I catch a glimpse of Agnus walking towards me. I mutter a curse under my breath and turn towards the elevators.

“Don’t even think about walking away from me, boy.”

Hand ready to hit the elevator button, I curl my outstretched fingers into fists and turn to meet her hard gaze.

“If this is about the letter. I wrote it a long time ago. It doesn’t mean anything.”

She purses her lips, eyes narrowing, then sighs. “I see the way ye look at that girl.”

“Emer’s like a sister to me.”

“I wasn’t talking about Emer.”

I start to correct her, but she clucks her tongue at me. “I may be old, but I’m not blind.”

“I love ye, Agnus. But I don’t need ye meddling in my affairs.”

“So, it’s an affair, is it?” She raises an eyebrow.

“That’s not…” I drag my fingers through my hair and glance around at the curious onlookers.

I hate making a scene, but Agnus seems intent on doing just that.

Taking in a steadying breath, I close my eyes and tilt my head to the ceiling, knowing I’m not going to get out of this conversation.

“Ye have feelings for her,” Agnus says, studying me.

“I barely know her.”

“I knew my Danny for three weeks before he asked me to marry him.”

“Jeezus, Agnus, I’m not marrying her. I’m not marrying anyone.”

She snorts. “Ye might be able to fool yerself, thinking ye’re like Shane, but ye’re not. Ye’re miserable by yerself.”

“I’m not-”

“Maybe Beatrice isn’t the one ye’ve been waiting for.” Agnus continues, ignoring my obvious frustration. “But ye’re never going to find out unless ye stop fooling yerself by thinking ye’re in love with my daughter.”

I suck in a shaky breath at her bluntness, and blink down at her.

“I’ve practically raised ye since ye were a little boy. Ye think I didn’t know how ye felt about her?”

I clench my back teeth and look away, heat warming my neck and creeping into my cheeks. “Ye don’t know what ye’re talking about.”

“I do.” The hardness of her tone is gone, replaced with sympathy. “Emer showed me that letter. I knew Aiden didn’t write it. The boy could barely write his name legibly, and I knew yer printing. Knew yer words, and yer heart.”

“Ye didn’t say anything.”

“No. Because I knew it wouldn’t make any difference. My girl has been in love with that boy since she was a child.” Agnus places a hand on my arm and smiles sadly. “I don’t deny ye’ve always cared about Emer. But ye don’t love her the way ye think ye do. Ye never have. I think ye always knew she’d never be yers, which made her safe.”

I shake my head, even though I hear the truth in her words.

“Ye’re a good boy, Owen,” Agnus says, patting my hand like I’m still a child and not a grown man that towers over her. “But ye’ve always been so worried about everyone else. So afraid that they’d leave ye. I know how hard it was when yer mother left. How difficult it’s been for ye to let anyone else in that big heart of yers. Ye’ve wrapped yer whole world around a few people. It’s time to let other people in.”

I hate how right she is. And how fucking terrified her words make me feel. Never pegged myself for a coward. But it’s what I feel right now.

Across the lobby, Bree exits the restaurant, her cheeks filling with color when she sees me. I’m blocking her path to the elevators, and she looks around like she doesn’t know if she should flee out the lobby doors, or go back into the restaurant.

“Ye’ll do the right thing. Ye always do.” Agnus squeezes my hand, then walks back into the restaurant, patting Bree’s arm before she does.

The thing is, I don’t know what the right thing is right now. But it’s probably not the dirty things my body begs to do to Bree as she slowly approaches.

As much as Agnus was trying to help, her words only increased the pressure I’m already feeling.

“I’m sorry,” Bree mutters when she reaches me. “About the note. I was-”

“It doesn’t matter,” I say roughly.

“It does. If I’d told her-”

“No. It. Doesn’t,” I say a little too harshly, making her flinch. I know Agnus was right. “It changes nothing.”

“Still, I’m sorry-”

“No more apologies, Bree.” I step towards her, watching her eyes widen, her cheeks flush at the nearness of my body. “No more lies. Promise me.”

“I promise.” She says the words softly, glancing down at the floor.

I reach past her, my arm brushing against her shoulder, and press the elevator button, needing some time to sort out my thoughts. Needing my guitar and a notepad to channel the angst that’s been crippling me for too long.

“Just tell me why ye did it? Why ye told Emer the note was from Aiden. Did I do something to hurt ye?”

She inhales a small, unsteady breath before admitting, “No.”

“Then what?”

Her tongue darts out over her bottom lip and she exhales unevenly before she says, “I saw the way you looked at her. And I wanted it to be me.” Her hand goes to my chest, resting there for a second.

The elevator doors open, and she drops her hand, stepping in. “I guess we both know something about caring for someone who’ll never feel the same way. I’m sorry I was the cause of your pain.”

“We’ll talk later,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Sure.” She gives me a forced smile, and I see the resignation in her eyes as the doors close in front of her.

Damn it.

Chase after the girl, ye idiot, my heart hammers.

I start to press the elevator button, with every intention of doing it, then stop.

Before I allow my heart or cock to make any more decisions concerning her, I need to get my head screwed on. And that just isn’t possible when she’s anywhere near me.