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I knew what women liked. Flowers, candy, jewelry, and to be wowed. It had always worked for me in the past. Besides, there was no ‘one size fits all’ when it came to women. Seen. Heard. What crap is that? I think O’Malley has been drinking too much of his own brew.
I’m not about to change for anyone. I’d meant what I’d said to Kyleigh. Unfortunately, there were things I hadn’t said and probably should’ve. I’m just not sure if it is too late.
I wasn’t sure who I was angrier with, myself or with Finn for telling Kyleigh I had left. I had no idea how my name even came up in their conversation. Finn had no idea that Kyleigh and I knew each other. Since when did he tell strangers my business? Or maybe Finn suspects something and was trying to confirm by questioning Kyleigh.
That was an even worse scenario. I was fully aware of Finn’s warning, but what Kyleigh and I shared - what we had…have - is no one’s business. Either way, I had no idea how I was going to fix this.
Kyleigh was pissed and rightly so. I chose not to tell her I was going, but I had enough time to text her goodnight. I had every opportunity. I was just too fucking stupid to act.
I could drop everything and fly right back to Tabiq, pull her into my arms, kiss her, and beg her to forgive me. That was only one issue. I was facing a bigger one. Why was it so important to me that she did forgive me? I’d hurt women in the past. Never had it been intentional, but nonetheless, damage had been done and hearts had been broken.
I’d always moved on, but something about Kyleigh wouldn’t let me. If I gave it a couple of days, would these feelings change or fade? I sure as hell hoped so, because it was very unsettling.
Even though she had hung up on me, I tried calling and only got voicemail. Then I sent a text telling her I would like to talk to her again, but I never received a response. Had she meant it when she said that it was goodbye? I don’t think so. I’ve seen how she looks at me. It’s the same way I look at her. You don’t just flip a switch and shut off those feelings. But I know she’s trying to build a wall and not let me back in.
If she were here in Ireland, I’d send her flowers with a note. Since that wasn’t an option, I needed to think of something else, and fast. The longer we didn’t talk, the more likely she’d never speak to me again.
I tossed money on the counter to cover my tab with a tip and left without touching the last beer. O’Malley had been right about one thing; I couldn’t drink my troubles away.
When I got into my pick-up truck, I pulled out my cell phone and looked at the time. It was almost one in the morning. With the time difference, it was close to eight at night in Tabiq. Maybe I was wrong in assuming Kyleigh’s bad day had anything to do with me. Maybe something had gone wrong at the hospital. There was one way to find out.
I dialed Finn and he picked right up. “Liam, we’re about to have dinner. But if you’re calling with good news, we won’t complain if the meal gets cold.”
“I met with a couple of people. They will get back to me in a couple of days. How’s everything? How’s work?” I asked.
“You’re calling me to ask about my job? What’s wrong, Liam?”
“Nothing. Why?”
“How’s your job, Liam?” he asked. “See, it’s a red flag, isn’t it? We never ask each other about work. Is there a reason why you’re so interested in mine suddenly?”
“You looked…stressed the last time I saw you, that’s all,” I said. That was true, but his stress had to do with the wedding, and I knew that.
“If you want me to relax, call me tomorrow with what I want to hear. For now, I’ve got to go. Nurse Marzon is here and being on the phone is rude.”
“Kyleigh is there? Why?” I blurted without thinking.
“Liam, I think you and I should have this discussion in the morning.”
“Is she all right?” I asked, ignoring his request.
I heard him speak away from the phone. “Excuse me, ladies, I need to talk to my brother alone for a moment. Please, start dinner without me. I won’t be long.” I could hear some rustling and then a door closing. “Okay, now we can speak freely,” Finn said, “and you’re not going to like what I have to say.”
I didn’t care. I just needed an answer. “Is she okay?” I asked again.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. She is here, smiling, but there is something in her eyes that wasn’t there when we spoke this morning. I thought it might be something that happened at home. Now I believe it’s you,” he said gruffly. “What the fuck did you do, Liam?”
“It’s just a misunderstanding. If you hadn’t sent me to Ireland so quickly, I could’ve fixed this. Hell, there wouldn’t have been an issue in the first place.”
“You’re blaming me? I believe I warned you about getting involved with the women here. Your playboy ways are not appropriate here. Hell, they’re not appropriate back home either. I hope you haven’t done something we’re all going to regret,” he said.
“How would my actions affect you?” I asked.
“You’re my brother. What you do does reflect on me. No different than my actions affect Reesa. If her parents find out you broke her heart, that will fly through Tabiq like wildfire on a windy day. The repercussions of that could ruin Reesa.”
I cared about my soon-to-be sister in law, but right now, my focus was on Kyleigh. “Why would people talk about her? I don’t understand.”
“That’s right, you don’t. You have no idea what these people have been through,” he snarled.
