Nick

"Coda was great, Nick!" Caoilainn exclaims excitedly. "Thank you so much for bringing him tonight. Rian did so much better than last week. I'm so happy for her."

"Anytime, Caoilainn," I tell her, looking around and doing my best not to blush like a girl while rubbing Coda behind the ears. "Coda loved it. I'm glad he could help," I tell her.

Between making Caoilainn smile, and knowing we helped Rian, I feel great. Until I look over at the pub, that is. Tadhg's working tonight and I can see his glare from here.

I sigh inwardly.

"Alright, so," I start to tell Caoilainn. "I'm gonna go get a drink and then I'm outta here. I'll see you later. Tell Rian's mom we can stop by again next week if she likes."

"Oh, ok," Caoilainn replies. "Yeah, I have to get back to the class anyway. I'll let you know what Mrs. Holloran says. Thanks, Nick." She bends over to hug Coda goodbye and then she's gone in a blur of hard shoes and tights. I stand there for a moment longer before turning to face the music at the pub. Looking down at Coda, I rub his head.

"Come on, boy, let's go say hello to Tadhg," I whisper. "Make sure he knows I'm not here to invade his territory."

Contrary to what Tadhg might think, I don't intend to try anything with Caoilainn. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to. Seriously. If not for him, I'd waste no time trying to date Caoilainn. But, that's not my style. I don't date other people's girls, especially not those of my friends.

I frown. Hmmm...I wish someone else I knew followed that code.

Anyway, unless she tells me otherwise, Caoilainn's off my wish list. Until or if she becomes single again, I'll just have to guard my heart and look elsewhere. Not that I'll be mean to her. I'd never do that either. She's still my friend, but it's just not my style to covet what isn't mine to take.

As I approach the bar, Tadhg lifts his chin in a sign of hello. I grab a barstool and take a seat, tugging Coda next to me and handing him a rawhide to chew on while us guys chat.

Tadhg quietly turns. He retrieves a bottle of Dalmore from behind a shelf in the back of the bar, and two glasses. While his back is to me, I raise my eyebrows and shoot a curious look towards Coda, who just stares at me as if to say, "I don't know, either."

Tadhg puts the glasses in front of us, pouring a pair of neat whiskies. Picking one up, he holds it out in front of me and offers a sign of toast before swinging it back. I look him in the eye and do the same.

A few seconds pass in silence and I wait for it.

Tadhg has something to say and I plan to sit back and let him get to it.

"Got something for you, Nick," he says while looking at the glasses before us, and pouring two more heavy shots.

"Oh yeah," I reply, picking up my glass to down more whiskey with him. Coda stops chewing his bone to look up at me before picking it up again. Good thing my house is in walking distance from the I-S.

As Tadhg refills my glass with one hand, he reaches into his back pocket with the other. "Yeah, been thinking about the other night," he tells me.

"At the pond, you mentioned Emilia Passon, remember?"

Meeting Tadhg's eyes and pausing my glass midway in the air, I reply cautiously, "Yeah, what about her?"

I'm surprised Tadhg remembers my truth or dare fumble. He was pretty busy staring at Caoilainn that night. Though come to think of it, I do remember catching his eyes a couple of times when I was doing the same thing.

Crap.

Pouring a fourth shot, at which point I hold up my hand and tell him I'm good after this one, he goes on, putting the bottle of Dalmore on the counter next to us.

"Well," he says, throwing his own drink back. "Turns out, she's moving back to our area."

I raise my eyebrows in response. "Is that right?" I ask, reaching down to rub Coda behind the ears. Rian might not be the only one who needs some therapy tonight.

"It is," Tadhg replies. "Things in Daily didn't work out too well for her, so Emilia is moving home two weeks from now."

I scrape at a splinter on my thumb and look around. I'm not really sure where this conversation is going, or what I'm supposed to think. It's not like I really had a crush on Emilia. I only said that at the pond to give everyone an answer. I barely even remember what Emilia looks like.

I hear a door back behind the bar and in the kitchen slam shut. Someone must have just come in from outside. I wonder who it is. Tadhg looks over his shoulder, distracted for a second, but he doesn't seem concerned. I guess he was expecting whoever it is.

"O-k. Uh," I say, hoping Tadhg will jump into the conversation and let me know where he's going with it, although I'm starting to get an inkling. "On second thought, maybe I'll have one more, Tadhg," I comment, nodding towards the Dalmore.

"Sure thing," he says, opening the bottle and pouring me another. I notice he leaves his glass empty.

"Anyway, the reason I'm telling you is because I know you were interested in her," he continues, staring at me intensely like he's trying to figure something out.

"So, the other night, when we were on Facebook messing around, Caoilainn and I found Emilia's page and friended her. She was excited to hear from us. We might have casually mentioned your name in conversation and she was very happy about the possibility of hanging out when she gets home. Caoilainn even got her phone number; they're going to go shopping together one day.

"Really?" I ask. "That's cool."

"Yeah," Tadhg replies casually. "I wrote her number down for you. Thought you might want to call her." Tadhg hands me the small piece of paper he had previously pulled out of his pocket.

"Here," he says starring at me. "You never know where it might lead. It could be your second chance with her. Know what I'm saying?"

I put my glass on the bar and look him in the eyes. "Yeah. Yeah, Tadhg, I hear you."

Loud and clear, my friend. Yeah, I hear you alright; look elsewhere and stay the fuck away from Caoilainn. I hear you.

"Well," I say to Tadhg, standing up and signaling to Coda that its time to go, while trying not to wobble.

Coda scuffles to his feet, grabbing his rawhide in his mouth to take with us. I reach down and gently tug it from his mouth, putting it into my pocket while maintaining eye contact with Tadhg. "It's time for me to get Coda home. He needs some shots before it gets too late. Thanks for the drinks. What do I owe you?"

I look down and reach into my wallet to pay for the drinks but as I do, I feel Tadhg's hand on my own. I look at the bar and then up at him.

"Don't worry about it, Nick," he says. "These were on me. Just a little celebratory drinking between friends. I know you're happy about Emilia and I was glad to tell you."

He looks at me pointedly and deadly serious. "I'll tell Caoilainn goodbye for you. I'm sure she was happy Coda could help Rian."

"Yeah, me too," I respond. I turn to go but Tadhg calls to me one last time.

"Next week and after, when I'm away," he explains.

"Yeah?" I ask, looking back.

"I'm sure Rian will love to see Coda again," Tadhg says. "so I'll make sure Ruari's around for you."

What? What does Ruari have to do with-

"Yeah, that way, if anyone gives Caoilainn any trouble about having a dog in the club, Ruari can jump in and make sure to keep an eye out for her."

Ah.

Message received.

Ruari will be there to make sure I keep my distance.

"Sounds good, Tadhg," I reply shaking my head. "Be safe, man. Good luck!"

"Thanks, Nick," he responds, wiping the bar down. "I appreciate it."

I turn to leave and walk out of the bar before anything else happens.

Damn.

When I reach the porch I look down at Coda and laugh. Some night. Then I look down at my left hand. Emilia's number sits quietly in it. Hmmm, maybe I should look her up on Facebook, too. Never know where things might lead. Anything is better than pining after someone I can't have.

With a bit of a sway to my step, I walk off the porch, letting Coda lead the way. Maybe this will be a good thing after all.

Tadhg

"You can come out now," I say behind me. "He's gone."

Ruari pops his head out from the kitchen and looks at me. "I wasn't-"

"Yeah, yeah," I say to him, pouring myself another whisky while grabbing a glass for Ruari as well. I fill Ruari's up while dumping Nick's into the sink.

Tossing my shot back, I look at Ruari wearily. This is going to be an awkward conversation. What the hell? I'm on a roll with them tonight.

"Here's the thing," I say to him. "I know you know about us; Caoilainn and I."

Ruari doesn't pick up his drink. He stands very still and stares at me.

I like Ruari. Maybe I shouldn't. He and my cousin Walker don't get along. I know that's all over Jenny, though, so I get it and can't help letting him off the hook about it.

The real problem is that Ruari's so much like Walker. They're two alpha males fighting over the same female. They were bound to lock horns no matter what.

Truthfully, at the end of the day I trust Ruari. He may not get along with my cousin, but we always have. Out of all the guys I hang with, Ruari's the one guy who keeps his distance but at the same time, always seems to be standing behind me when I need him. Walker, Cian and Fionn are close to me, too, but when push comes to shove, Ruari is equally there whenever I need him. This is a loyalty I hope I can count on now.

I'm leaving for boot camp, and then likely an overseas assignment (if the news is any indication of the state of things in the military). I need someone here to look after Caoilainn.

I like Nick, and our other friends, but I'm not blind and I'm sure as shit not dumb. I know what's going on between Fionn and that crew.

I am no Brody. Fuck that. It's not happening while I'm gone. When the cat's away I don't want any of these mice thinking it's time to play with my girl.

The thing is, Ruari is Caoilainn's step-brother, and he's always been protective of her. I know we get along but that's not the same thing as when it comes to someone dating your family. I need to approach this situation delicately.

Complicating matters is the fact that Caoilainn has made it clear she wants to keep our relationship under wraps. I don't want to break my promise of silence to her, but like I said, I'm no fool. Someone has to watch our back.

"You wanna explain that, Tadhg?" Ruari asks me. " 'Cause it sounds like you just said you're with my sister. That better not mean what I think it does." He never breaks eye contact with me and I can see his temper rising. I know that look. I see the same thing when I look in the mirror sometimes.

"You heard right," I respond calmly, maintaining eye contact. "We're together."

"Since when?" He questions me.

"It doesn't matter," I tell him. "We're together and I'm gonna need your help."

At my comment, Ruari looks away to take his glass and drink. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm leaving," I start. "You know I'll be gone a long time."

"Yeah, so" he responds banging his glass on the bar. "What do you need my help with?"

"Look," I say. "Caoilainn and I are together and I aim to keep it that way. You've seen the guys sniffing around her skirts. While I'm gone, I need you to make sure they stay away. I'm not about leaving any Jodies in my wake when I'm go."

"Maybe I'm not about you dating my sister," he growls, pouring himself another glass of whisky. "Ever think of that?"

"Oh yeah, Ruari," I respond, growling in my own throat. "And why not? I'm not good enough for her, or something? That what you're tellin' me?"

"Fuck you, Tadhg," he grits out, shaking his head. "You didn't even ask me first."

"Ask you? Last time I checked, Caoilainn was a grown woman."

"Yeah, piss off, you know how these things work. You know better. You should have talked to me first before starting anything up with Caoilainn."

As much as it irks me, I know he's right. Yeah, Caoilainn can make her own decisions, but I did break the guy code in not talking to Ruari first. But, it's not like I could go to him when she asked me not to.

"I'm not saying you're wrong, Ruari," I explain. "But you know Caoilainn. She has her own way. She wanted this as much as I did. We're been best friends since I can remember. You know that. Anyway, she made me promise not to say anything to anyone. I'm breaking that promise talking to you now about us. But I'm leaving and I need to know I can count on someone to have my back while I'm gone. I need your help, man."

Ruari grabs a barstool and sits down. When he looks up at me he just shakes his head like he can't believe what I'm asking him.

"You really gonna make me ask you again, man?" I plead. " 'Cause I will. I don't like doing it, but for her-"

"Shut the fuck up, Tadhg," he cuts in. "You know I will. I'm not gonna tell Caoilainn I know about you two. But you hurt her, I'll fucking kill you, got it?"

I smile. Gotta respect his love for his sister. I pour myself a glass of water; I'm starting to feel a little buzzed. "Thanks, man. I knew I could count on you."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he sighs. "Sure did pick an expensive whisky for the occasion, huh?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm off to the Marines tomorrow, Ruar, what do I care? I probably won't have a decent drink for the next few years." Pushing my water glass aside, I pour us both one more shot.

"Fuck it. Know what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, Tadhg," he replies drinking his whiskey. "I do."

"Slainte!"

"Slainte, Ruari."

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