Page 15 of Grace on the Rocks

“Anyone using this chair?” a voice asked, as another cousin emerged from the crowd.Eòghann—first in everything: first cousin, first hero, first personBryanbetrayed by running away from home.

Scrambling to his feet,Bryanstretched out an arm to his cousin, but then hesitated.Joiningthem for a pint might be a peace offering, a willingness to bury the past, butEòghannmight not be ready for more.

“Can’t believe you’re back, you rascal,”Eòghannsaid, shoving that worry aside and yankingBryaninto a bear hug. “Can’tbelieve you didn’t tell me you were coming,” he added, shovingBryanplayfully away before calling to a nearby server for three meatless pies with mushy peas and three stout ales.

ThankChristsome things hadn’t changed.Theremight be a little grey scattered through his dirty-blond hair and beard, but fromEòghann’sall-black attire like a lifetime spent in mourning, to hisCommesdesGarçonsKyotocologne with its teakwood and patchouli notes, this was the sameEòghannBryanhad left behind, and he was overwhelmed that after so many years away, his cousin still remembered he was vegetarian.

When he turned back around after placing their order,Bryancould swear his eyes held a slight sheen.Guiltstabbed once more, not regret over the time away, but everything that came with it.

“So… back for a visit or a bit longer?”Eòghannasked, careful not to sound too hopeful, not to apply any pressure.Not,Bryanthought, to make him bolt like a weeScottishhare, back to the mainland.

“I’ve got… plans.Here.”

Eòghann smiled, genuinely pleased, andBryanrelaxed a little bit more.

“Well, what are they, lad?” he asked, looking betweenBryanandTeàrlach. “Don’tkeep us in suspense.”

“Long-term, whisky.”

“Whisky?”Eòghannrepeated, his grin growing broader, an intrigued smile, not a laughing-at-Bryan’s-ridiculous-notions one.

“Aye.Completelygreen, zero carbon.”Hewas nervous saying it, butEòghannjust nodded like it all sounded perfectly modern and reasonable, not a trace of hesitation over the memory of last timeBryanhad tried to drag the island kicking and screaming into one of his eco-warrior schemes.Ateleven, he’d believed he could save the world one side of beef or juice bottle at a time, but he hadn’t had the words to make the rest of them believe.

“It tracks, right?”Teàrlachasked, andEòghannnodded his agreement.

“What about the short-term?”Eòghannasked.

Bryan took a deep breath.Hetwisted the spinner in his pocket and forced the words out like ripping off a plaster. “Renovatethe old cottage as a… proof of concept.”

Both of his cousins’ eyes went wide. “Offthe grid and all?”

Bryan nodded, realizing for the first time how desperately he needed his family’s approval of the plan.

Eòghann smiled slowly. “Theold man would’ve loved it.”

“You think?” he asked hopefully.Itwas true,GrandadMacwas the reason for his interest in sustainability.Well,Grandadand theCrocodileHunter, but not having had the pleasure of meetingSteveIrwin,Bryangave his grandad all the credit for encouraging him like no other.

A round of cheers erupted from the other side of the pub as karaoke started up, and suddenly, sitting with two of his best friends, surrounded by the sounds and smells of home,Bryancouldn’t remember ever feeling more content.

He didn’t deserveEòghann.Hetruly didn’t.Maybecoming home hadn’t been such a terrible idea after all.

A kid up on stage crooned a plaintive pop ballad, the meatless pie was cooked to savory perfection, and despite his inconvenient guests, everything felt somehow right.

“Shall we take bets?”EòghannaskedTeàrlach, grinning atBryanin a way that made him tune nervously back into the conversation.

“On how long before he beds her?Hardlyseems sporting.”

Bryan rolled his eyes. “How’dyou know about my guests?”

Eòghann laughed. “That’sright.There’stwo of them.”Hewaggled his eyebrows lasciviously atTeàrlach, who snorted into his ale.

“You’re both disgusting.”

“One of them’s more your type,Eògh,”Teàrlachsaid. “Theother one though…”

“Why’d you keep looking so delighted about it?”Bryanasked. “She’scompletely?—”

“Careful,”Teàrlachwarned, flicking his eyes to the door where the twoAmericaninterlopers had just stepped inside, the brunette looking somehow sexy and comfortable all at the same time as they scanned the place for an empty table.Itdid things toBryan’sstomach—unwanted things.

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