Page 10 of There is No Try

My phone vibrates on the bedside table and my stomach drops as I check it.

Ronan

What did I say about fucking my sister?

I kept to my word and never fucked Bridget. I assume Nora told you I’m about to be your new brother-in-law?

Find someone else if you need to marry.

I’m not going to fight with him over text messages and click the phone icon to call. Without a greeting, he lays into me. “Bridge deserves better than a bloody contract marriage, Luc! Don’t drag my sister into your immigration problems.”

“It’s not only a contract marriage,” I admit, but quickly backpedal. “As much as I appreciate how protective you are of her, she’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions. She’s the one who suggested it.”

“Of course she suggested it!” he roars.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Who are you talking to?” Nora asks him, her voice distant. “Is it Lucas? I told you to not bother him today.”

“Yes, it’s Lucas,” he seethes and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him so angry, especially directed at me.

“Luc, don’t listen to him. I think it’s lovely.”

I chuckle to myself, then tell Ronan, “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you yesterday. It was important that we talked to Gavin first.” I sit up with a groan. The last thing I want is my mate pissed about this. With a deep breath, I admit, “I love her.”

“You better.” Ronan then grumbles, “Feckin’eejit.”

I’d never hurt Bridget or Gav. It doesn’t matter that we’ve never officially dated, I’ve never loved anyone as deeply as I love her. I’m done hiding how I feel and can only hope Ronan will eventually accept it.

There’s a soft knock on my door as Gavin asks, “Are you up?”

“I’ll be ready in five,” I shout to him, then tell Ronan, “Sorry, I have to go. I promised Gav I’d take him to breakfast this morning.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t berate me again, and we hang up on a semi-positive note. After I’m dressed, I meet Gav in the kitchen. He’s laughing at something Bridget said to him, and her smile falls when she spots me. Eyes wide, she blushes and quickly turns away. I hate how so much has changed already. My heart twists in my chest as I fight the urge to take her in my arms. It’s always been this way with her, but today it’s so much worse. She knows how I feel about her, and by some cosmic miracle, she loves me back. Still, she’s not mine.

But she will be.

“Are you ready to go?” I ask Gav, and he hops off his stool with a wide smile. “We should be back in a few hours.”

Bridget pivots quickly, her dress twirling an extra second longer. “Hours? I thought you were only having breakfast.”

I rub the back of my neck, wincing. I hate lying to her, but want to keep it a surprise. Before I can offer a version of the truth, Gavin chimes in, “We need a few things.”

“What sorts of things?” Bridget doesn’t wait for a reply and makes her way to her handbag, rummaging through it to find her wallet. She pulls out a few notes, handing them to Gavin as she asks, “Will this be enough?”

Gavin laughs, and I bite back a smile as I reply, “I’ve got it, pup.” She lifts her gaze to me with a frown. Gavin hands her back the fifty euros, which definitely won’t cover what I will be buying today. I close the distance and press a soft kiss to her cheek,whispering, “We’ll be back soon.” There’s an adorable hitch in her breath and it takes everything in me to not kiss her.

Gavin and I leave and once we’re in my car he bursts into laughter. “Do you think Mum suspects anything?”

“Not a chance.” I wink and we drive off.

His favourite breakfast spot is a little bakery called The Void. As much as I shouldn’t overload on carbohydrates today, I can’t help ordering a croissant eggs benedict and a cappuccino. Gavin gets his usual French toast and a hot chocolate. I insist he order a side of eggs or sausage, and he agrees with a playful eye roll. His mum would never approve of so much sugar without at least a little protein, and I’m glad he doesn’t fight me on it.

Once our order is placed, he dives right in and asks, “When you marry me mum, will we still live where we do? Or will it be like Leo?”

“How do you mean?”

“Leo and Nora moved in with Ronan, and… Never mind, it’s selfish of me to ask.”

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