Page 24 of On The Rocks

I almost rolled my eyes. “I always stay in my fucking lane, never stick my head above the parapet. Work hard, keep my mouth shut, and never cause shit for anyone. Still, I don’t profess to be a damned saint. Maeve and I never wanted to be forced into marriage. You wanna play with us, then I’ll play right back.”

Liam stood and gestured toward Conan before nodding toward the exit. “I know where you stand now, Callum, but when you’re balls deep inside Jade, think about the beauty you’re throwing away. Have a good night, and I hope you enjoy yourempty fuck.” He shot me a withering glance and made for the door with Conan trailing behind.

The instant they left, I flopped back on the couch and scraped a hand down my face.

Pissing off the heir to the Irish Mafia wasn’t smart, but the second Liam let slip how both our das had played God with my life, all fucks flew out the window.

My aul fella had been moving me around a chessboard for years without my knowledge, and it sickened me. Now I was stuck with a wife I didn’t want, all because Da and Paddy decided years ago that Maeve should be mine.

But I had no choice but to fall in line. If I didn’t, I’d lose everything I’d worked my entire life for; plus, everybody I loved would suffer, including Ma and Aislynn.

I was caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place because, in twelve hours, I had to get up, put on a suit, and make my way to my wedding.

My eyes fell on Jade, who by then had moved on and was gyrating her hips for a crowd of men sitting a few tables away.

All I had to do was click my fingers, and I could have her eating out of the palm of my hand. She was beautiful and statuesque, my type to a T. I hadn’t fucked a woman in weeks, months even, and the temptation to call her over and turn on the charm was bubbling to the surface.

It would’ve been so easy to shoot her a grin, offer her a seat, and talk her panties off, but instead, I picked my whiskey up from the table and drained my glass before rising to my feet and heading for the exit, all while thinking about how much I needed my beauty sleep.

After all, I was getting married in the morning.

CHAPTER 6

MAEVE

“Hold still, Maeve,” Aunt Orla snapped, digging her nails into my shoulders to push me back into the chair. “If you want your makeup to look nice, you need tostop fidgeting.”

“Sorry, Aunt Orla,” I murmured, squinting up at Shannon while she swiped some scary-looking bright pink powder across my cheeks.

It was the morning of my wedding, and I was trembling not only on the outside but the inside, too. My stomach felt like a tornado was twisting inside me, and my palms were clammy with nerves.

If I were honest, I never thought this day would come. I’d resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t the type of girl men flocked to. I wasn’t traditionally beautiful or remotely sexy. Geeky men were hot, but geeky girls didn’t seem to command the same appeal.

At least this geeky girl didn’t.

My attributes came from within. I was smart and imaginative and could win gold in the debate Olympics. I knew I had a good heart, and I loved the girl I was. But the things I felt made me attractive weren’t coveted by the opposite sex.

I’d been okay with that. I had great friends and a life I loved. Learning was my superpower, and it ran deep, but lately, a tiny part of me wished I could be more like my stepsisters.

Simply, I wanted Callum to be as proud to marry me as I was to marry him.

Memories from the night before flashed through my mind, and my cheeks heated.

Maureen had arranged a small bachelorette party here in the house. Aislynn came, along with Emily. We played music, drank champagne, and had a wonderful time—except for Orla and my stepsisters, who whispered in the corner while throwing me catty looks.

I didn’t care. I had one more night left in Patrick’s house, and then I’d be free. I couldn’t wait to go to Wyoming and begin a new life, away from all the bitchiness and drama; plus, the prospect of having Maureen as my mother-in-law made my heart swell.

As the party began to wind up, Callum came home from Liam’s club and joined us for a nightcap. To my delight, he was charming and attentive, and it put my mind at rest because I hadn’t seen him much during the week and was beginning to think he was avoiding me. Therefore, when he showered me with attention, my heart fluttered, and suddenly, I couldn’t quite believe that this handsome, strong, hardworking man was about to be my husband.

The night turned weird when Shannon and Erin sidled up to us, full of smiles and coy looks, and offered to help me get ready today.

Callum had looked on approvingly, so I didn’t have much choice but to accept, and honestly, I needed the help, so here we were.

My scalp tugged, and I winced.

“There,” Erin crowed, spraying my backcombed roots. “You look great.”

“I just need to do her lipstick,” Shannon said decisively, her eyes roaming over my face while she inspected her handiwork. She picked up a scarily bright pink tube of lip gloss and unscrewed the wand.

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