Delaney

“Let him go,” I say, when Owen starts to go after Cillian. “We both know there’s no reasoning with him when he’s like that.”

“Ye’re right.” He roughs his palms over his face and curses.

The look in Cillian’s eyes when he saw me nearly shattered me. For a moment, his guard had come down. A flare of emotions sparked. Emotions he’d been quick to guard even when we were in Ireland burned in his gaze.

I want you.

I need you.

I miss you.

I’d seen all the unsaid words in that one look. And for that second, my heart felt whole again.

But just as quickly, he’d shut down. Mistrust and rejection pointed like daggers in my direction. And I was the enemy.

“I should go.” My tone is detached, because the second I allow myself to feel, I know the pain will be too much.

“I’m sorry,” Owen says.

“It’s not your fault.”

He exhales heavily. “Ye should go and say hello to the guys before ye leave.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I can’t take the chance that Cillian will come back. I want to be gone before he does.

“At least go see Emer.”

“She’s here?”

“Ye don’t think she’d allow Aiden to be gone for six months without coming along? Especially not in her condition.” When I frown in confusion, he adds, “She’s expecting.”

“A baby?”

He chuckles and nods.

“Wow. That’s huge.”

“Go see her. Ye’d hurt her feelings if ye left without at least saying hello.”

He’s right. And I need to find Kiersten, to let her know I’m leaving. She’ll kill me if I go home without telling her.

There’s a group of people filing out of the backstage room when I go back into the building.

Straightening my shoulders, I show my pass to the guard at the door, and say a silent prayer that Cillian isn’t in there.

I’ll say a quick hello to Emer, tell Kiersten I’m leaving, then get out as quickly as possible.

The room is crowded, but it’s not hard to find Kiersten because she’s draped shamelessly over Shane, and it’s obvious that she’s been taking advantage of the free drinks.

I shake my head because I know I shouldn’t leave her here alone. But I can’t stay. With the volatile way Cillian looked at me, I don’t know what he’d do if he came back and found me here. And I’m not willing to find out.

“Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph, if it isn’t Cillian’s American,” Shane yells out when he sees me.

All heads turn in my direction.

So much for keeping a low profile.

“Delaney.” Emer moves across the room, arms outstretched when she sees me.

Even Aiden pulls me into a hug. “It’s good to see ye. Cillian finally grew the balls to find ye, did he?”

I tug my bottom lip between my teeth and grimace. “Owen invited me.”

“Does Cillian know ye’re here?” Emer’s brows turn down.

“Yeah.” I laugh humorously. “It didn’t go too well.” Aiden and Emer keep watching me, expecting more, so I blurt out quickly, “He wasn’t exactly happy when he saw me, but that probably had something to do with the fact he found me with Owen.”

The two of them exchange a look, one that I can’t quite read. But I see the Oh shit! in both of their expressions.

“Go,” Emer says to Aiden.

Aiden gives a small nod, then disappears out the door.

“Are ye okay?” She takes my hand and pulls me to the far side of the room.

“Yeah. I just need to leave. I came here with a friend.” I nod at Kiersten, who’s now got her tongue halfway down Shane’s ear. I wince. “But I think she’s going to want to stay.”

Emer takes my hand and gives me a small smile. “Aiden will talk to Cillian. It’ll be fine.”

I shrug, knowing she’s wrong, then give her a forced smile of my own, “Owen told me your news. Congratulations.”

Her face brightens and her hands go to her still flat stomach. “It’s crazy. I don’t know if I should be excited or terrified, or both. We weren’t trying. It just kind of happened. But I think it’s good.”

I squeeze her hands. “I’m really happy for you.”

“Thank ye.” She hugs me again, and this time I hold her a little tighter, because I know this is probably the last time I’ll see her.

“Ye won’t stay?” she asks when I start to pull away.

I shake my head, not trusting my voice when the emotions I’ve been trying to contain bubble up.

She nods in understanding. “I’ll let yer friend know ye needed to leave.”

“Thanks.” I don’t wait for her reply. I turn and bolt out of the room, and down the hall towards the nearest exit. I don’t stop, or look back, I just keep running.