Page 36 of Evading the Enforcer

“You have to be an O’Rourke to get it,” Maeve explains.

“I guess you’ll have to marry me,” Rogan chimes in.

“Or me,” Meave counters.

I glance at Niall. “What, no offer?” He looks so uncomfortable, I decide to put him out of his misery. “It’s a joke, Niall.”

He nods. “I know.”

Then why did he make it so fucking awkward?

I set my plate on the coffee table. “It’s time for y’all to open your gifts.” I pass the bags out to each of them. Maeve claps excitedly, Rogan lets out a whoop, and Niall cautiously takes it from me as if it might explode.

“I’m going first,” Maeve calls out. Tissue paper crinkles as she reaches inside the bag. She squeals as she pulls out the blanket that’s made up of rectangles featuring advice from Bigfoot. “I love it.Make a big impression.Hide and seek saves lives,” she reads. “Thank you so much.” Leaning over, she throws her arms around my shoulders, briefly squeezing me.

“My turn,” Rogan announces. There’s no gingerly reaching into the bag with him. He tips it upside down, dumping it on his lap. “Dude! This is sweet.” He holds up the sweater with multiple Bigfoots walking across the material.

“I thought you won’t wear sweaters,” Maeve says, winking at me.

“That’s only because I haven’t seen one this awesome.” Rogan stands and slides his arms into the sleeves. Once the buttons are fastened down the front, he struts across the room, spins around, and struts back. He pauses halfway, puffing up his chest and posing with his hands on his hips.

I play along, letting loose with a catcall, and he flexes his muscular biceps.

Niall launches a pillow that slams into the side of his face, and we all laugh. Rogan included. He returns to his seat on the couch and wraps his arm around me.

“Thank you, Lucy. This is the coolest sweater I’ve ever seen.”

I smile. “You’re very welcome.”

“Okay, big brother. It’s your turn,” Maeve says.

I glance at Niall, finding his glacial stare on Rogan.

“Niall, open your gift,” Maeve reminds him again, but he seems busy having a silent conversation with his younger brother.

Rogan’s arm slips from my back, and Niall’s focus moves to the Santa Claus bag in his lap. His stare lingers on it for a few beats too long.

“Don’t worry. It won’t bite you,” I tease.

He reaches in and pulls out the tissue paper-wrapped bundle, setting the empty bag on the floor. He slowly peels away the white layers until he’s holding a highball glass that has an image of Bigfoot and the sayingSquatch on the Rocks.

Niall’s deep laugh is unexpected and has me smiling. His amused blue eyes flick to me. “Thank you, Lucy. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of use out of this.”

“You’re welcome.”

He holds the glass up so his siblings can read what it says.

“I’m taking that back to school with me,” Rogan says.

Niall scowls. “The hell you are.”

“You better hide it, or he will,” Maeve says.

I take a cookie from my plate, nibbling on it while the three of them continue with their sibling antics. Watching them sends a pang of jealousy through me. It must be nice to have close family members to rely on. To have people you share so many memories with.

Who am I kidding? If I had siblings, I’d lose my mind in no time.

“Lucy, would you like another drink?” Niall asks.

---