Forever Mine (An Ireland Forever Short Story)

by Laney Powell

  “I saw them.” I shuddered. “That was actually intimidating, and I don’t scare easily.” I was desperately trying to ignore what she’d said about not dating people in bands. It couldn’t be, could it? She had to know I was part of Blackthorn. I tried to make sense of it and came up empty.

  “Well, it’s too bad we can’t hang out today. Tonight, maybe?”

  “I doubt it,” I said. “Not that I don’t want to, but the show is tomorrow, so I’ll be busy right up to showtime.”

  “No worries,” she said. “I’m here for a couple of days after the show, and I don’t have anything other than the interview, so we can plan for then.”

  “I’d like that,” I said.

  “So would I, Declan. All right then.” She set down her plate and got up. “I’m going to go soak my bits and parts and then take my life into my hands and drive into Dublin. Will you be somewhere I can see you at the show?”

  Um, yeah. On the stage. “I don’t know. I’ll look for you.”

  “Perfect.” She moved back to the bedroom and picked up her things. Then she came out into the sitting area, and sat in my lap, putting her arm around my neck. “Thanks for dinner, and for breakfast,” she said softly. She kissed me, running her hand through my hair. “And everything else in between.”

  I wrapped my arms around her middle, holding her to me, and kissing her as if I wanted her to stay. Which I did. But I couldn’t ask. Not now. Shit, shit, shit. Not now.

  “See you tomorrow, my Irish pirate.” At the door, Jyn turned and blew me a kiss. Then with a soft click, she was gone.

  Jyn

  As I told Declan, I did indeed go back to my room—on the other side of the castle, as I’d originally thought—and promptly parked myself in the tub. I hadn’t had such enthusiastic sex in a while. I mean, most sex was enthusiastic, but not that many times.

  I smiled. He was an energetic pirate.

  While I had no interest in anything more, I did hope I’d get to see him before I left. He was fun and easy to be with. Even though I didn’t normally fall into bed with someone like that—it was just chemistry. Nothing more, right? It couldn’t be.

  After I’d spent an hour in the deep soaking tub, I got out, feeling somewhat refreshed. I dressed for walking today, taking the parka with me again. I also took my camera, in case I was inspired.

  Oh, hell. There really wasn’t a lobby here. I wondered where I was supposed to pick up the car. I dialed the operator, and she directed me to what she called the car park. So I went in search of a car park.

  A footman, not Rufus, directed me to it. It was a parking lot out by the stables. A young man came up to me as I got closer, and he walked me over to the valet service, which was where my car had been left.

  After a brief instructional session, where the young man gave what sounded like a very detailed, perhaps overly detailed lecture on how to drive on the opposite side of the road I’d been driving on my entire life. I nodded and signed where he told me to. I had insurance that would protect me—I’d checked before I left. Everything I’d read about driving in Dublin said you needed to have it because driving was an adventure.

  So I thought I was ready.

  I was wrong.

  I made it to Dublin and had to get out of the car and drink my entire water bottle down. I was shaking. It was insane, and I drove in Chicago. Once I’d gotten my bearings, I headed for the restaurants I’d planned to see here. I’d get a drink and a snack in each, making notes. Then I needed to do some sightseeing, and take some pictures, and I’d be done for the day.

  I found myself wondering if Declan would be around and then remembered that he had to work today to get ready for the show. I hadn’t asked, but I assumed he was a roadie, or someone on the crew, or something.

  It didn’t matter. I was only here for four more days. If I saw him, I saw him. I ignored the pang I felt at not seeing him again. Besides, it would give all the parts of me that were sore today time to heal. For round two, I thought with a giggle.

  The day was lovely, with sun and a light breeze. I tasted ciders at all the places I stopped and ate all sorts of yummy snack foods. With my reviews of the eateries, and my pictures of the town, I could get started working on my piece tomorrow.

  Or not. I wanted to walk around the castle. The gardens were gorgeous, and I will admit, I was hoping to run into Declan, work be damned.

  Once I was finished with all my listed destination in Dublin, I readied myself for the drive back to the castle. I made sure to finish while it was still daylight. I didn’t relish the idea of trying to get out of the city in the dark.

  Maybe I’d already gotten a thicker skin, but it wasn’t as bad as the drive in. I parked the car, and went back to my room, passing a couple of groups of women on the way. The band must have come back, I thought.

  No matter. I’d see them the day after the show, get my interview, and be done. I ordered room service that night and went to bed early.

  Tomorrow was showtime, and I needed to be ready.

  The next morning, I got up and went through my clothes. Today, according to the schedule, was one long party leading up to the show. Janie had sent a list of all the welcome parties that would be happening around the stadium, with the VIP party happening right after the show. The record label, the manager, and a fan party looked the most interesting. I probably wouldn’t have time to change, so I decided on one outfit–a chiffon wrap overlay with ruffled bell sleeves that was long, but had a high slit at the wrap up my leg in black with sparkling gold ballet flats for the parties before the show. Then a silver number with strappy silver shoes—flats again, because concert, no matter how VIP the seats were. Today would be a selfie kind of day, too. I packed the bag I called the fix-it kit for makeup and hair and headed out to venture back into Dublin.

  I hit all three of the parties and took lots of pictures. It was the first time I’d seen Janie since I’d gotten here. She gave me a hard hug and told me she was sorry that she was a no show. I laughed and said, “Look around, lady. You’re kicking ass.”

  She looked at me with a wide grin. “So are you, Jyn. If I were a guy, I’d be all over you.”

  “Well,” I said.

  Janie laughed. “I knew it! You found one already, haven’t you? Is he a nice Irish lad?”

  “He is indeed. I might see him later.”

  “Then after this week, you need to tell me everything. I’m sorry, but I need to go,” she added. The head of the record label was making an appearance.

  The band didn’t show until the end of the party with the record company, and at that point, I was headed out for the fan party. Those were always interesting, and I might get some good gossip. Not that it mattered—I’d see the band tomorrow for the interview and ask whatever I wanted.

  The fan party was great because I was able to get into the bathroom and change. I loved my sparkly silver dress. It fit the mood.

  Finally, it was time to head to Dublin Stadium. I checked my credentials, just to make sure I still had them. I parked in the VIP lot and lined up to go in. We were ushered to a fenced off area right in front of the stage.

  Fantastic.

  The crowd was excited and wild. When the guy opening, Conor Byrne, came on, he was well received, although I heard people talking around me about his feud with the band. I was definitely asking them about that.

  Then it was time for Blackthorn. The lights dropped, and a voice began to sing. It was Seamus, one of the brothers and lead singers. No music, just him singing.

  He was haunting. The lights came up, and I looked to the stage, checking out all the guys in the flesh.

  Then I saw him. I had to blink, to make sure I was seeing this right. On the keyboards, eyes closed, leaning into a microphone.

  Declan.

  Declan McManus, one of the members of Blackthorn.

  I had to sit down. The crowd jumped and screamed around me, but I kept my eyes on the man who was on the keyboard. He was Declan McManus. He’d lied t
o me.

  And I’d broken my cardinal rule. No guys from the band.

  How had I missed this? How had I missed that my—well, not my, but the guy I’d spent hours naked with—Declan was Declan McManus, a member of Blackthorn?

  He must be dying of laughter, I thought as I put my face in my hands. Jesus—thinking about the things I’d said about the band, all nonchalant and arrogant. He must have been laughing the entire time.

  He’d never told me. He knew why I was here, I remembered. The noise in my head was beginning to drown out the noise of the surrounding crowd. And him telling me he worked with the band, being all sorts of vague!

  When he knew all about me!

  I stood up, glaring at him. If looks could kill, he would have dropped dead on the spot.

  Was this some sort of game to him?

  He was smiling, singing, and having the time of his life. Just like he had the time of his life yesterday.

  Two could play at this game, asshole.

  Declan

  By the time we’re ready to go on stage, I’m relaxed and excited for the show. The parties were fun, but Janie kept us moving—it was essentially show up, wave, and leave. She used the excuse of getting ready, and I was glad. She knew we needed time before we performed.

  I hadn’t seen Jyn at all since she’d left my room, and it made me nervous. She’d be here tonight, and she would know who I was.

  Why hadn’t I told her?

  But I had to put that worry aside because I was here to do my job. Once I explained, she’d understand. She’d have to. She knew what it was like—she wrote about bands and parties and all the things that went along with them. She’d understand. I hoped I was right.

  We were on top of the world tonight. Every song, every mark, everything—we hit it just right. When we came off stage after the second encore, Janie hugged us all. “You guys were great! You’re going to explode. Like, to the moon.”

  “You haven’t been wrong yet,” Seamus said, kissing her cheek. “This whole weekend kicks ass!”

  “Go tidy up. Wipe yourselves off. We have the VIP thing.”

  As we walked to our dressing room, I could still hear the crowd in the stadium. I hoped that Jyn had been there, had seen it. I wanted to see her again, and I didn’t want to have anything between us.

  A thought hit me as we all moved to the reception room in the stadium where the VIP party was being held. She was a VIP. She’d be there. My heart sped up. I couldn’t wait to see her. My cock was happy at the thought, too, but it was more than that.

  She was special. And after tonight, everything would be out in the open with us, and we could see where this could go. I felt my mouth curve into a smile as the security guards threw open the doors, and we walked in to cheers and applause.

  I was scanning the room for Jyn.

  Then I saw her. My heart almost stopped just as my cock felt like it was about to burst out of my pants.

  She was wearing strappy silver heels, and this little sparkly dress. The bottom of the dress moved around her legs, which looked like they went on for miles with her heels making her taller.

  Her hair was up, but there were tantalizing trailing bits around her face, and she was laughing at something the man next to her was saying. I felt the blood rush to my head, singing to me to go and kick the teeth in of any man who got near my woman.

  She was mine. She would be mine. She just didn’t know it yet. I took two steps toward her when Sean caught my arm.

  “No, man, we have to go schmooze,” he said, towing me in the opposite direction.

  I looked back at Jyn. It looked like she had glanced at me over her shoulder, but her head never turned to look at me.

  I’d have to get to her later.

  An hour later, I still hadn’t made my way back to Jyn. At the moment, I didn’t know where she was. I kept looking for her, and she would appear within my line of vision, never looking at me, always talking and laughing with other people. I was finding it hard to concentrate on what was going on in front of me because I was watching for her.

  Then I got annoyed. Wasn’t she supposed to be here to interview the band? Why wasn’t she coming to talk to me?

  I stopped myself. The surrounding crowd was like a wall.

  “Hey,” Janie appeared at my elbow. “Snap out of it.”

  “What? Sorry. I was distracted.”

  “Yes, I know,” she whispered, keeping a big smile on her face. “It’s starting to show. Get your game face back on. Right now.”

  I nodded and stepped closer to where Liam and Fergus were talking to one of the guys from the label.

  The night went on, and still no Jyn. Not close up, anyway. The four of us were standing together, alone for a moment when Janie appeared again. Seamus had disappeared somewhere.

  She was arm in arm with Jyn. “Guys, I want you to meet one of my old friends. She came over for the show, and you’ll be seeing her tomorrow for one of the interviews we scheduled. This is Jyn Lyle, and Jyn, this is Sean, Liam, Fergus and Declan.”

  Jyn shook hands with everyone. When she got to me, she said, “Declan, nice to see you again.” Her smile was professional, and not what I would have expected. She turned her attention to the entire band. “I’m looking forward to chatting with you all tomorrow. It was good to meet you, but I’ll get out of your hair—I know there are still tons of fans who want to see you.” She waved, gave Janie a one-armed hug, and was gone before I could say a word.

  I watched the silver dress swish back and forth, moving farther away.

  “That is one fabulous girl,” Sean said.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Janie said.

  “Why?” Sean asked. “Is she taken?”

  “No. She doesn’t go out with the guys in the band.”

  “What? You can’t show us women like that and tell us they’re not available!” Liam laughed.

  A chorus of questions greeted that statement. What the hell did it mean? “I’ll be right back,” I said, not waiting for an answer.

  I moved through the crowd, looking for her dress. I spotted her by the door. As she walked out, I caught up with her. “Jyn!”

  She turned around, a half-smile on her face. It didn’t move as she registered that it was me. “Yes?”

  “Hey,” I said. Now that I’d finally found her, I didn’t know what to say.

  “Hey, yourself. I’m looking forward to the interview tomorrow. Thanks again for squeezing me in,” she smiled and continued, “I’m going to go home now, because it’s been a revealing day, and I want to be rested.”

  “Wait,” I said.

  “For what?”

  She wasn’t acting the way she’d been when I saw her last. “I’d like to see you tonight.”

  Her smile got wider. “No but thank you. I’m pretty tired. Thanks for asking though.”

  I put my hand on her arm. “What are you doing?”

  She removed it carefully. “I’m doing my job, Declan. The one I told you about, you know, when you didn’t tell me what it was you did?”

  I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Shit. I didn’t know what to say, not here, not in front of all these people. I could feel the eyes of the other party guests on us.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone,” she patted my arm. “Now you’d better get back. See you later.”

  Jyn smiled one last time as she sashayed out the door.

  What in the hell had just happened? I stared, wanting nothing more than to run after her, to correct my screw up. But a couple of women came up to me, and I smiled automatically. I was working. I couldn’t just walk out on the band.

  Damn it.

  I kept watching the door, hoping she’d come back. She didn’t. At the end of the night, as the last of the party guests left, Janie hustled us back to our dressing room.

  “You guys did great tonight! Just the interviews tomorrow, and then you’re free the rest of the week. I understand some of you need it,” she smiled.

&nb
sp; Lingering while the rest of the guys got their stuff together, I pulled Janie off to the side. “Do you know what room your friend Jyn is staying in?”

  Janie gave me a confused look. “Why do you need to see Jyn? We’ll see her tomo—oh,” she stopped, and looked at me. “Did you get to know her outside of the party?”

  God in heaven, I hoped she and Janie hadn’t been gossiping. “You could say that.”

  “And you’ve fucked things up somehow.”

  “What? I—what are you talking about?” I was taken aback by her honesty.

  Janie laughed. “I know a guy looking to make something right. I love you, Declan, but you’re on your own. The castle is not that big.” She patted my arm and walked away.

  I watched her go, wondering what in the hell I was going to do.

  Jyn

  The sun shone on my face through the window as I rolled over in the bed. I’d come back from the show last night, opened the bottle of wine that Janie had left in the welcome basket, and finished it off before I fell asleep. That hadn’t been my plan, but it was good wine, and I’d sat in the large soaking tub for a long time, drinking and listening to music.

  These things happen.

  Which meant I had a headache the size of Dublin when I rolled over to see the overly cheerful sun. And for the first time, a few tears slid down my cheeks.

  What the hell? I’d had no interest in Declan beyond this trip. Even as I thought it, I knew I was lying to myself. Something had happened between us; at least it had for me. I didn’t plan on it, but there it was. I liked him, and not only because he was great in bed.

  But because there was something there.

  Damn it.

  I shook off my tears, and swiped at my face. I have never let a guy get me down. Ever. And I wasn’t about to start now. I needed to get through this day, and I would fly home tomorrow. Then this would be done, and Declan would be a nice memory; something that I’d had a lot of fun with, but nothing that I needed to take home.