He nodded slowly, realizing he must look like a lunatic.
He wanted Kelli. He really wanted her.
Before he could think about that—Jesus, it would take a long time for that to soak in—he needed to talk to Brooke. He’d spent every night since Halloween, reliving every moment of their time in bed together. He’d jacked off to the memory more times than he could count…but he’d noticed the last few nights it had been Kelli’s face he saw when he closed his eyes, instead of Brooke’s.
Right now, he was torn and confused as fuck.
He turned away from Kelli and walked across the room. “Hi, Brooke.”
She lifted her hand. “Hey, Colm. I was wondering if you had a minute? I wanted to talk to you.”
He nodded. “Sure.” Glancing around, he found an empty table toward the front of the pub, away from the singing and dancing and revelry around the stage. “Might be quieter up there.”
The two of them walked to the table, sitting down. “Want a drink?” he asked, looking around for Padraig.
Brooke shook her head. “No. I can’t stay long. I just wanted to apologize for Halloween.”
“You left without saying goodbye,” he said, fighting to keep his voice impassive. He and Brooke hadn’t been in a relationship, hadn’t made any commitments to each other. At least not with words. But damn if that night in his bed hadn’t felt like…something that felt meaningful, important.
“I know. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m afraid I had way too many screwdrivers. Between that and the blackout, I was a bit fuzzy when Robbie came in and we started making out.”
Colm frowned. “What?”
“Well, I’m embarrassed to admit when Robbie came in, I thought it was you for a minute or two. I’d been waiting for you, so needless to say, it took him by surprise when I wrapped my arms around his neck and started kissing him.”
“You and Robbie?” Colm knew Brooke had been tipsy that night, but he hadn’t thought her so drunk she didn’t even realize she’d been with him.
“Robbie thanked me for it when we broke apart, said it was a great kiss. We both laughed. Obviously, I’d gone to the wrong bedroom. The thing is…it really had been a great kiss.”
“You were in the wrong bedroom?” Colm realized he was parroting everything she said, but his brain was struggling to keep up.
If Brooke had been with Robbie that night, who the fuck had he…
His gaze traveled across the pub to where Kelli was sitting with Darcy and Sunnie, laughing.
His attention returned to Brooke, when he realized she was still talking.
“Anyway,” Brooke said, still rambling on. “We started talking, and then, well, he kissed me again, and…”
“You left with Robbie.”
She nodded, biting her lower lip, clearly feeling guilty. Colm had noticed Robbie and Brooke had hit it off at the party. The science teacher didn’t seem to mind Brooke’s never-ending talking.
“We’ve been going out since then. I’m so sorry I avoided your calls and texts. I just didn’t know how to tell you. And that was wrong. I really am sorry.”
“It’s okay, Brooke. Honest. I’m happy for you and Robbie.”
She blushed. “Thanks. I know it’s early, but God, I kind of think he might be the one.”
Colm smiled. Brooke and Robbie had been in the Collins Dorm just one time, and they’d both been struck down by the curse. “That’s great.”
“Well. Um. He’s actually waiting for me in the parking lot. We have dinner plans tonight. He wanted to come in himself to apologize, but I asked to do it alone.”
“You and I weren’t in a relationship, Brooke.”
“I know,” she said quickly. “But that night…” She lifted one shoulder. “I was wrong to leave with him, without telling you.”
“I’m glad you stopped by. Tell Robbie it’s cool.”
“Thanks for being so understanding.” Brooke stood, leaving, but Colm didn’t spare her a second glance.
Instead, he looked back at Kelli, who was obviously telling a heck of a story. Her hands were waving a mile a minute, and his two cousins were laughing so hard, they had tears in their eyes.
A light flashed on, and for a second, he swore he actually felt something inside go…click.
He glanced over to the bar. Rising, he walked across the room, stopping next to Pop Pop, right in front of Padraig.
“Where did you spend Halloween night?” Colm asked.
“What?” Padraig was clearly confused by the abrupt, odd question, but Colm needed to know.
“Halloween night. After the party. Where did you sleep?”
Padraig looked confused. “At my place. Emmy was my DD. She drove me home, got me into the apartment, poured me into bed, and then slept on the couch.” He looked over at Emmy and smiled.
Emmy shrugged casually. “I was worried about him. So much bourbon.”
“Lovely lass,” Pop Pop said with a smile.
“Never again,” Padraig promised her before looking back at Colm. “Why?”
“No reason.”
All of Kelli’s worrying, her guilt, had been for nothing. She hadn’t been with Padraig.
She’d been with him.
All the pieces fell together, the puzzle complete.
Colm stood by the bar, trying to get himself together. He felt raw inside, ragged. Like he’d just gone twelve rounds with the heavyweight.
“Colm?” Pop Pop said.
At the same time, Padraig asked, “You okay, Bro?”
Colm considered the question…then felt a grin spread across his face. “Yeah. I’m good. I’m really fucking good.”
“Language,” Pop Pop murmured.
“Sorry, Pop Pop. I gotta go.”
He walked away, leaving a confused twin and grandfather in his wake. He didn’t stop until he was standing next to Kelli’s table. “Hey, Kell. You got a second?”
“Sure.” She rose quickly, no doubt curious about Brooke’s reasons for stonewalling him the past week and a half.
He grasped her hand, leading her to the back of the pub.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Upstairs. Can’t talk down here. Too loud.”
“Okay. So what did Brooke say?” she asked as they climbed the stairs.
“Not yet,” he said when they reached the top of the first flight.
Kelli started to walk toward the couch, but Colm pushed her toward the second set of stairs that would take her
