Page 66 of The Worst Pucking Deal

As Gail disappears into her room to change, I lean against the wall, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. It’s been too long since we’ve had a proper heart-to-heart, and I can’t wait to finally clear the air between us.

“Heading out tonight?” I startle as her brother emerges. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” His tone is casual, nothing like I imagine it would be if Gail had told him why she’s hiding out here.

I nod, giving him a small smile. “Yeah, we’re going to O’Jackie’s for a drink or twelve.”

“Need a lift?” Jamie offers, already reaching for his keys.

“That would be great, thanks,” I say, relieved that we won’t have to worry about driving.

“No problem,” he says, flashing me a reassuring grin. “I’ll meet you guys outside.” With that, he heads toward the door, leaving me to wait for Gail to finish getting ready.

When Gail emerges, dressed in a casual outfit, I offer her a small smile, and she returns it with a hesitant one of her own. It’s a start, I think to myself as we head outside to where her brother is waiting.

As we climb into the car, I feel a sense of gratitude wash over me. With Gail’s brother behind the wheel, neither of us have to worry about driving, allowing us to fully indulge in the night ahead.

The drive to O’Jackie’s is filled with a nervous energy, a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirling in the air. I steal glances at Gail, noting the tension in her posture, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness. This is all my doing, and I want to make it right.

I decide then and there that I won’t allow either of us to leave the pub until we’ve dived headfirst into the realm of alcohol-fueled honesty and reach… I don’t know. An understanding?

Tonight, nothing is off limits. Fuck NDA’s and family obligations.

As we pull into the parking lot of the Irish pub, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversations that we need to have, and for the honesty I owe her.

“Thanks for the ride,” I call over my shoulder just before shutting the car door.

Gail’s brother offers us a wave before disappearing into the night.

The moment we step into O’Jackie’s, the lively chatter and clinking of glasses envelop us, drowning out any thoughts of the outside world. It’s a welcome distraction from the weight of our troubles, and Gail and I waste no time making our way to the bar.

As we push through the crowd, I can feel curious eyes following our every move, whispers of recognition rippling through the room. It’s hard to ignore the attention, knowing that I’m now labeled as Sawyer’s girlfriend-maybe-fiancée, but I push the discomfort aside, focusing on finding a secluded spot where Gail and I can finally talk.

Before we can even order our drinks, Jackie herself appears at our side. Apart from when Sawyer took me to get my belongings, I don’t think I’ve ever talked with her before. Hell, due to my evil hangover, I’m not even sure I could have picked her out of a lineup. But thanks to the pictures hanging around on different walls, she’s easy to recognize.

Her sharp eyes take in the scene with a quick sweep. “Well, well, well, look who it is,” she says with a sly grin, nodding toward me. “Sawyer’s lass, huh?”

I nod, offering Jackie a wry smile. “Yeah, that’s me,” I reply, trying to keep my tone light despite the weight of her scrutiny.

Jackie’s gaze lingers on me for a moment longer before she turns to Gail, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “What’s your poison?”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

Jackie rolls her eyes. “What will you be drinking?” She talks slowly, like I’m being difficult.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes and snap something at the older woman, I turn to Gail. “Tequila, please,” Gail whoops. “And lots of it.”

With a sly smile, the older woman reaches behind the bar and grabs a bottle and two glasses. “Well, lucky for you two birds, I’ve got just the thing,” she says, gesturing toward the back of the bar.

Intrigued, Gail and I follow Jackie through the crowded room, grateful for the chance to escape the prying eyes and probing questions. As we enter one of the pub’s private rooms, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that we’ll finally have the chance to talk in peace.

But before we can even settle in, Jackie leans in close, her voice low and intense. “Listen here, Lucia,” she says, her eyes boring into mine. “You better treat Sawyer right. He’s a good lad, and he deserves someone who appreciates him.”

I nod, understanding the gravity of her words. “I will.” It’s an empty promise, one I don’t feel good about making.

She huffs and turns to leave after leaving the bottle and glasses on the table. “Just use the intercom if you need anything. And if you puke, you clean it or pay for someone to do it for you. I ain’t touching anything that’s been inside your stomachs.”

As we settle into the privacy of the room at O’Jackie’s, the atmosphere shifts, enveloping us in a cocoon of quietude. With our drinks in hand, we sit in silence for a while, each lost in our own thoughts. The weight of the last time we were here together hangs heavy in the air, casting a shadow over our conversation. But as the minutes tick by, I can feel the tension between us slowly beginning to dissipate.

I know I should be the one to break the silence. Fuck it, I owe it to Gail. That doesn’t mean I know where to start, or even what to say. So much has happened. Yeah, I need some liquid courage. I refill my glass, and without hesitation, I down it in one swift motion, the fiery liquid burning its way down my throat. Gail watches me with an amused expression, but I pay her no mind as I pour myself another glass.

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