“You’re a good man, Irish.”
“He’s a better man than me,” AJ snorted. “I’d have fucked her seven ways to Sunday by now . . . you should see how deliciously thick she’s gotten. Thighs and tits of a goddess, boys.”
I was on my feet and swinging at AJ before his last words left his mouth. The fucking lunatic laughed when I landed a right hook to his jaw, followed by a solid punch to his stomach. He didn’t even attempt to fight me off; he had our buddies there to save him. Tank, the monster that he was, had easily wedged himself between us, and shoved me a metre or two away from a now-groaning AJ.
“Cool off,” Tank said, but he was grinning, thoroughly amused. “You got your hits in.”
Not nearly enough of them, if you asked me.
“Arsehole,” AJ shouted, then laughed. “Why’d you have to hit me in my face?”
“It was warranted – you talked about his missus.”
“I’m joking!” He paused. “Okay, I wasn’t, but still. Ow!”
I scowled. “Ye know better. I’m wound up over her right now. Don’t be given me reasons to attend another funeral!”
“You’re so rude!” AJ grumbled as he got to his feet. “And fuck you lot for sitting there – are you recording this, Pretty?”
“Hell yeah I am,” he snorted. “I wanna show my wife what I have to put up with in between calls.”
Amused, I signalled to Tank that I was calm. He returned to his seat and I crossed over to AJ and peered at his face. His jaw was slightly swollen and red, but other than that, he was fine.
“Ye’ll live.”
“If it hurts me to kiss Dani later, I’m decking you.”
I grinned at his grouching.
“When are ye gonna ask her to be your girlfriend? You’re actin’ like a clown with that girl.”
“For your information” – AJ looked me up and down – “I asked her last night. I am now, officially, no longer a bachelor. I’ve got me a missus, a ball and chain, a bed-warmer if you will.”
“If you listen very closely,” Pretty said, squinting his eyes as if that would help him hear better. “You can hear a collective sigh of relief from the women of London.”
“Bullshit.” AJ waved his hand. “A collective cry as hearts break everywhere is what you’ll hear. Women love me.”
“I’m honestly so fuckin’ glad.” I patted his shoulder. “You havin’ a missus will be like a dog gettin’ neutered. Ye’ll finally calm the fuck down.”
We all laughed at AJ’s expense, and he did too because he never took anything too seriously. None of us did when it came to insults.
“Irish, when are you coming back from compassionate leave?” Stitch asked me. “We miss your ugly mug.”
“Ugly, ay?” I smirked. “Pretty here told me his wife thinks I’m handsome when I’m all cleaned up . . . And didn’t your wife tell me I looked like a dark-haired Thor before? Will she like my new look?”
“I changed my mind.” Stitch glowered. “Quit. We all hate you here.”
Laughter filled the room once more.
“I have to see a counsellor first, obviously. I’ll be back . . . a couple more weeks, maybe. I can’t get much more than that without riskin’ me job,” I answered honestly. “But Noah needs me right now.”
“Get your missus better and then come back to work,” Pretty suggested. “Life was always safer when you were dating Noah.”
“I disagree,” AJ chimed in. “He was the shittest wingman ever when he was with Noah, but luckily I no longer need a wingman. Did I mention that Dani is my missus now?”
A collective groan echoed throughout the station.
“Is this all we’re gonna hear now?” Texas sighed, running a hand through his black hair. “I’m the only single one left. Jesus. I never thought I’d want a steady girl at twenty-seven, but y’all are makin’ me jealous.”
I didn’t remind him that I was technically still single, because I didn’t want to be. I wanted to be back in a relationship with Noah more than anything. But I had to remember that baby steps were the way to go, even if the slow pace was killing me. Having her in the end would be more than worth it.
“Dani has an Irish cousin who just moved here.” AJ grinned knowingly. “A sexy redhead. You like those, Tex.”
Texas raised his eyebrows. “What’s the catch?”
“She’s crazy, just like Dani, that’s the catch. She has that fiery Irish temper.”
AJ showed Texas a picture of the redhead. I caught sight of it and whistled.
“She’s fine-lookin’.”
“Our kids will be beautiful,” Texas said, earning a laugh and a pat on the back from every man in the room.
“I’ve got you, bro,” AJ said as he tapped on the screen of his phone. “Double date tomorrow night?”
“If she likes the look of me, hell yeah.”
“Mate.” AJ rolled his eyes skywards. “Why d’you think I pitched her to you? Dani already pitched you to her and told me to get us a double date because you’re apparently ‘sex on legs’ and your Southern cowboy accent induces ‘fanny flutters’. That was a direct quote from Dani’s cousin, none of that was improvised on my part. I think you’re ugly and sound like a dumbarse when you speak.”
I shook my head in amusement as they exchanged insults and worked out the details of their upcoming double date. When my phone rang and I saw it was Mr Ainsley, I answered it right away.
“Mr A,” I greeted him. “Everything okay?”
“No,” he sighed. “Anderson was here last night and he had a long talk with Noah. She’s very upset and doesn’t want to speak to us. She wants us to leave, but we’re not going anywhere. She doesn’t want to see you either. I don’t know what the son of a bitch told her but get over here now. She needs you.”
I was already jogging out of the station before I hung up the phone, shouting to my friends that everything was fine when everything was definitely not fucking fine. I jumped
