Page 21 of On The Rocks

Mam had told me earlier that Orla had taken over all the preparations. She said the bride was legally her daughter, so it was her responsibility to help Maeve get everything organized.

Aislynn wanted to go shopping with my fiancée to help her glam up for her big day, but Orla wasn’t cooperating. Eventually, she told Ash that Maeve was wearing her mother’s wedding gown, with a few updates, of course.

My sister and Mam were convinced she was up to something.

And so was I.

“How are the wedding plans coming along?” Tadhg asked, pulling me away from my thoughts.

“I don’t get involved. My days are spent in Patrick’s office, going over bar stuff. He’s got suppliers he says I should use because they’re cheaper.”

“And probably crooked,” Donovan retorted.

I nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”

Donovan leaned forward from the backseat. “How long has he given you to come up with the cake Da borrowed?”

“Twelve months from the day of the wedding,” I told him, indicating to take a left. “One year to turn the place around and get it jumping like it used to, and also turn over enough profit to pay the man back. I got some ideas, but first, I thought I’d ask Carbine if he’d do a live set with his band every month. Maybe get another local band to play some weekends, too. Even thinking about using that distillery we built out back to make my own beer.”

“I’ll help out,” Donny offered. “Maeve will, too. You’ll need her when you sack Saskia.”

I glanced at my brother briefly before turning my eyes back to the road. “I’m not sacking Saskia.”

His face scrunched up. “You can’t have your fuck buddy working alongside your wife.”

“And what kind of asshole would that make me?” I demanded. “Firing a girl because I used to fuck her is all kinds of wrong, not to mention probably illegal.”

“Used to fuck her?” T inquired with a glance. “So that’s over now?”

“My marriage isn’t real, but I’m not going into it fucking other women. I told Sass I was getting married before I left,” I admitted, giving him big eyes.

“What did she say?” Tadhg asked.

I stayed silent, grimacing slightly.

“Thought so,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Watch that one doesn’t cause you any shit.”

“Amen,” Donny interjected from the backseat.

I barked a laugh. “We weren’t love’s young dream. I fucked her here and there, and her me. No ties, no commitment. Granted, she cussed me out when I told her it was done, but she probably wasn’t expecting me to turn around and get married toanother chick, so I kinda get her issue. She’ll get over it in about a week. It’s just her ego that’s bruised, is all.”

“Riiight,” Donovan drawled.

“Asshole,” I muttered, lips thinning.

Tadhg chuckled. “You all set for tonight?”

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “Though God knows why they want me to have a bachelor party when it’s a marriage of convenience.”

“Jesus, Cal, will you shut your damned mouth with that shit,” Donny snipped. “Every time the wedding’s brought up, you make it clear it’s not a real fucking marriage. It’s disrespectful as fuck, and if Maeve overhears you, it’ll upset her.”

“It’s true,” I challenged.

“Maybe it is,” he conceded. “But you’ve made the choice to do it, so accept it or back out now.” He shook his head, grumbling, “I think you’re trying to convince yourself as much as you are us.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I bit out.

“You shut the fuck up,” he threw back.

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