This Is Our Song

by Samantha Chase

  “What?” Riley cried. “It’s not? Why am I just hearing about this?”

  Darcy giggled. “You’re such a dork.” Then she looked at Savannah again. “It was a nightmare at school once people found out I’m Riley Shaughnessy’s sister. It makes it pretty hard to figure out who is really your friend and who is just mooching around in hopes of meeting him.”

  “Yeah, well, it wasn’t such a dream for me either, you know, when I went to visit you at school. Those girls can be vicious!” Riley said defensively.

  “Oh…poor you,” Darcy cooed, patting his knee.

  Savannah watched the two of them in wonder. They were ten years apart in age—which should be a huge deterrent to their relationship—and yet they were incredibly close to one another. It was very sweet to watch.

  “Okay, so just to be clear,” Darcy said, looking between the two of them, “you’re okay with her interviewing me, and you didn’t come here to interview me. Do I have that right?”

  Both Savannah and Riley nodded.

  “Believe me, the beach was calling my name today,” Savannah said.

  “And I pretty much insisted she be here,” Riley said.

  “That takes a lot of pressure off. Whew!” Darcy said with a smile as she stood. “If you will excuse me, I’m going to see who I have to steal Connor from so we can have some bonding time. Savannah, you and I will definitely talk later. Bye!”

  It took a full minute after Darcy had walked away for Riley to move over to Savannah’s bench and sit close beside her. “So that’s my sister.”

  “She’s…yeah. She’s something all right.”

  “I did try to warn you.”

  “There is no middle ground with her,” Savannah said. “She either likes you or she doesn’t.”

  Riley nodded. “Yup.”

  Savannah looked at him and smiled. “I think she likes me.”

  He smiled back and rested his forehead against hers. “That’s good. Because I do too. A lot.”

  “Yeah?” she whispered.

  “Oh yeah. Definitely.”

  The happy sigh couldn’t be contained.

  “This is the part where you say you like me too,” Riley said before adding, “a lot.”

  “I thought it was already implied.”

  “Well, it wasn’t. So come on…” he teased, nudging her with his shoulder. “Just say it.”

  She giggled and playfully swatted him away.

  “I’m not leaving until you admit it.”

  “Okay, fine,” she huffed dramatically. “I like you too, Riley.”

  “And?” he encouraged.

  “A lot,” she purred and leaned in close to him.

  “I’m trying to respect your wishes and all, but I really want to kiss you right now.”

  Looking around the yard, Savannah noticed that most of the group was back inside the house, and the few who were outside weren’t paying any attention to them. “I think we’re safe. Just be quick.”

  He chuckled and cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her cheek. “Sweetheart, I never want to be quick with you. Not in anything we do.” Then he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her slowly—for a very long time.

  And he didn’t care who was watching.

  * * *

  It was after dark and it was down to the Shaughnessys and the Dalys sitting around Aidan and Zoe’s living room. Riley couldn’t help but hide his amusement at how animated his sister had become in sharing stories with Savannah and her family about life growing up as the only girl in an all-male household.

  “Thankfully Anna was always around so I could ask her questions from time to time, because believe me, if ever you want to freak a man out, ask him to take you shopping for a bra or tampons.”

  Everyone laughed until Quinn cut in. “Tampons, yes and always. But bras? There is a definite difference between taking your sister shopping for a bra and taking your girlfriend shopping for one. Apples and oranges.”

  Darcy grinned and looked over at Savannah. “I traumatized them all. Sometimes I didn’t need either of those things, but it was just fun to watch their reactions.”

  “I never took you shopping,” Owen said, confusion lacing his voice.

  “Be thankful, bro,” Hugh said. “You got off easy.”

  “I freaked you out on a daily basis just by being a girl, Owen,” Darcy said affectionately. “There was no challenge there and besides, you were too nice to do that to.”

  “Oh…well…thanks. I guess,” he said and relaxed back in his chair.

  “So what do you think, Savannah?” Darcy asked. “Did we give you enough ammunition to use in your article on Riley or do you need more?”

  “I think she has more than enough,” Riley answered before Savannah could. She was sitting on the floor in front of him and he was mindlessly playing with her hair. When he realized he was doing it, he slowly pulled his hand away.

  “Nonsense,” Aidan chuckled. “I’m sure we have more stories she would enjoy even if she doesn’t use them in her article!”

  For a few minutes it was barely controlled chaos as everyone vied for the best Riley story. He took it all in stride, but in his mind he was wondering when the hell they could all leave so he could sneak back over to Savannah’s hotel room and be alone with her.

  That wasn’t entirely true. He was trying to figure out a way to get Aidan alone so he could ask about the possibility of staying in their apartment for the week. What Darcy had said earlier was true—now that Savannah had talked to his entire family, there wasn’t really a point in staying any longer. And the thought of getting back to L.A. and not having prying eyes was even more appealing.

  Rising to his feet, he made eye contact with Aidan as he walked toward the kitchen. Luckily his brother took the hint and followed.

  “Don’t tell me you want to get mad because I just incited a riot in there over stories about you,” Aidan said with a laugh. He grabbed a couple of beers out of the refrigerator and handed one to Riley.

  “No, dumbass. I needed to talk to you for a minute but it’s been hard to get you alone all day.”

  “Hey, as godfather and host, I was busy.” He took a pull of his beer. “What’s up?”

  “Dad’s getting ready to start on the room renovation this week, and I was wondering if Savannah and I could stay at the apartment.”

  Aidan looked at him funny. “Sure…I mean…of course, but…you know it’s only one bedroom, right?”

  Riley chuckled. Leave it to his oldest brother to be the most clueless of the bunch. “Uh…yeah. We’re aware of that.”

  Still looking a little confused, Aidan shrugged. “You could sleep here and Savannah can have the apartment. Or you can both just stay in here. Zoe won’t mind but—” Then he stopped and Riley knew the instant the lightbulb went on. “Oh…okay. Now I get it.”

  “Took you long enough,” Riley teased. “But listen, we’re not saying anything to anyone about it so if you could, you know, keep it to yourself, I’d appreciate it.”

  “No problem. Although you’re just lucky I don’t pay attention to shit. How do you know no one else has caught on?”

  “I don’t. I’m just hoping.”

  “Why? What’s the big deal?”

  “Savannah feels weird about it. She doesn’t want anyone looking at her like she’s a groupie or just hanging out with me like that because of who I am or the story.”

  “Are you sure she’s not?” Aidan asked seriously.

  For the first time in his life, Riley was almost overwhelmed with the urge to punch his brother. “It’s not like that,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “Okay, okay. Calm down,” Aidan said, holding his hands up defensively. “Look, don’t pay any attention to me, I didn’t have a clue you were even into her. But if you say things are good, then they
’re good.”

  Riley sighed. “I think… I think they’re more than good.”

  “Oh no…”

  “What?”

  “Why does everyone come to me with this stuff?”

  “Right now I’m wondering the same thing,” Riley muttered.

  Aidan huffed and put his beer down and was just about to say something when Hugh walked in. “Hey, what’s going on?”

  Great. Now Hugh was going to figure it out too.

  “It’s nothing,” Aidan said. “Riley was just whining because I wanted to tell more stories about him.”

  Hugh laughed and grabbed a beer for himself. “Oh. I thought he was in here drawing his and Savannah’s names in hearts and telling you how dreamy she is.”

  “What?” Riley cried.

  “Dude, you were playing with her hair and I saw you kissing her out in the yard,” Hugh said, still laughing. “Relax. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Well…” Aidan began.

  “Shut up,” Riley hissed at him.

  “Oh…so there’s more?” Hugh asked, his eyes getting big. “This is great. Come on, tell me. What’s going on?”

  “What’s going on with what?” Quinn asked, walking in and frowning at his brothers all huddled together. “What are you guys talking about?”

  Oh, for the love of it, Riley thought.

  “It’s nothing,” Aidan repeated.

  “Well, damn,” Quinn sighed, taking the beer Hugh was handing him. “I thought we were talking about asking Riley to do all of our hair for my wedding. You know, since he seems to really be into that sort of thing now.”

  “Funny,” Riley murmured while his brothers all laughed at him.

  “Come on,” Quinn said, slapping Riley on the back, “lighten up. It’s adorable the way you were all mesmerized by Savannah’s hair.”

  “Guys,” Aidan said. “Knock it off.”

  “No, no…this is good,” Hugh said. “Riley was the one who made fun of me when I was struggling with my attraction to Aubrey. I think it’s only fair I get to have a little fun at his expense now.”

  “Hey, yeah,” Quinn said. “Me too!” He looked at Riley. “Remember how you were ribbing me about Anna at Aidan’s wedding? Turnabout’s fair play, bro.”

  Owen walked in without a word, grabbed a bottle of water for himself, and walked right back out of the room.

  “Seriously, we need to do something with him,” Quinn said.

  “Agreed.” Hugh chuckled.

  “Oh, so because he didn’t want to jump on the pile, he’s the bad guy?” Riley asked.

  “Don’t try changing the subject,” Hugh said. “But nice try.”

  “Fine. But can we,” Riley looked over his shoulder toward the living room, “can we at least go outside and talk?”

  Quietly, the four of them stepped out onto the deck and Riley led them to the farthest corner away from the house.

  “I kind of feel like we need the cone of silence,” Hugh whispered.

  “Shut up, jackass,” Riley said and then huffed. “Okay, so…cat’s out of the bag. I’ve got a thing for Savannah. I was asking Aidan if we could stay in the apartment this week since Dad’s starting work on the house. There! Everyone happy now?”

  His three brothers looked at one another and then back at him. “Well, that was a little anticlimactic,” Hugh said. “Sheesh. Way to ruin it.”

  “Yeah,” Quinn agreed. “You’re supposed to deny it for a little bit so we can all make fun of you. Now it just seems mean.”

  “I told you all it was nothing,” Aidan said, “but does anyone listen to me? No. I’m just the big brother who doesn’t know anything.”

  They all groaned. “For the love of it,” Quinn sighed. “Shut up.”

  As much as Riley was enjoying how there was now an opportunity to jump all over Aidan, he really did want some advice. “So no one thinks it’s a big deal that we’re seeing each other?”

  “Not really,” Hugh said, leaning against the railing. “You date a lot of women. Savannah’s beautiful, and if she likes you too, why not?”

  “Yeah.” Quinn nodded. “What’s the big deal?”

  Riley and Aidan exchanged a look.

  “The big deal,” Aidan said before Riley could stop him, “is our little brother here is feeling serious toward the lovely Savannah. This isn’t just a hookup.”

  Hugh and Quinn looked at him. “Oh…”

  “Yeah, so…you see why I’m a little freaked out,” Riley finally said.

  “Oh, good! Now it’s fun again!” Quinn said.

  And though Riley groaned, he couldn’t help but laugh. He’d take the ribbing and the poking fun—as long as it was only directed at him. There was no way he’d let anyone—not even his brothers—say anything derogatory about Savannah.

  “Let me ask you something,” Hugh said a few minutes later. “What the hell are you doing here with her then? Why would you bring home a woman you barely know and have her spend time with your family?”

  “Didn’t you do the same thing with Aubrey?” Riley reminded him.

  “Yeah, but it was different. I brought her here because I had already planned on being here and didn’t want to be without her. You clearly brought Savannah here before you got involved with her.”

  Quinn smacked Hugh in the chest. “I got it!” He looked at Riley. “You brought her here to use all of us as a distraction! I’m right, aren’t I? You were freaking out because you had some serious feelings for her and you didn’t want to be alone with her so you figured there’d be safety in numbers! Ha! Figured it out!” He raised his arms in the air in a victory move.

  Riley shook his head. “I swear you are still the least mature out of all of us. And that’s saying something because Darcy can still…”

  “Darcy can still kick your butt.”

  They all turned at the sound of their sister’s voice. Owen was beside her and closed the sliding door behind him.

  “You cannot all sneak outside and have some secret family powwow and think no one’s going to notice.”

  “Shit,” Riley muttered.

  “Yeah, we’ve all been bouncing theories around about what you’re all talking about. Owen has Dad convinced you’re all planning a surprise birthday party for him so…now you are.”

  They all groaned.

  “I’m pretty sure that’s not what you’re all talking about,” she said sassily as she came to stand in the middle of them all, “so you might as well fess up.”

  They all looked at one another as if trying to read each other’s minds and figure out what they were going to say.

  “Riley’s falling in love with Savannah,” Owen said as he stepped in closer. “And she’s falling in love with him.”

  “Wait…what?” Darcy cried.

  “Yeah…what?” Riley asked his twin.

  Owen shrugged. “You’re falling in love with her. It’s fairly obvious. And for what it’s worth, she seems to feel the same way about you.”

  “When did all this happen?” Darcy demanded. “Why am I always the last to know?”

  “Because you have a big mouth,” Quinn said and then pulled her in for a bear hug. He kissed the top of her head. “And besides, that’s what happens when you move away. You miss out on all the good stuff. Aren’t you glad you fought so hard not to be here?”

  “Oh, shut up, you doofus,” she teased and then looked over at Riley. “You and Savannah, huh?”

  He gave her a small smile and nodded.

  “Cool. I think she’d make an awesome addition to the family.”

  Chapter 9

  “Are you okay with your folks leaving today?” Riley asked. It was three in the morning and they had yet to get to sleep.

  “I am,” Savannah said and yawned. “We had a nice day together Saturday with your
family, and I got to have them all to myself yesterday. I never like saying good-bye to them, but it was a good visit.”

  “Are you upset that they made vacation plans with my dad and Martha?”

  She chuckled. “I cannot believe how well the four of them hit it off. I think they’re joining us for breakfast before my parents get on the road.”

  “I need to be home to let the contractors in, otherwise I’d be there too,” he said softly, kissing the top of her head.

  “That would have been nice. But once they leave, your father’s going to bring me back to the house and we’ll see how bad the noise is. Although…”

  “Although what?”

  She rolled over and propped herself up on one elbow to look at him. “I’m kind of done talking with your family. Darcy’s on her way back to school, Owen’s driving back to D.C., Hugh and Aubrey are back at home… I know you promised your dad you’d stay a little longer, but…” She shrugged.

  “Yeah, I know,” he said. “I was thinking about that too. I kind of made arrangements for us to stay at the apartment Aidan has over his garage for the week and then I thought we’d talk about heading back. I can make the call and see if we can get the jet again.”

  Savannah sat up. “Or…” she began excitedly. “We can make it a road trip!”

  Riley scratched his head and yawned before sitting up. “I think I may be delirious from lack of sleep because I thought you just said you basically wanted to drive across the country.”

  She nodded. “I do! Oh, Riley, it will be awesome! We can map it out and find some fun places to stop, and while we’re driving we can do the interview!”

  “Savannah, it’s like…almost three thousand miles! It would take us—”

  “Four or five days—depending on how much driving we get done each day and how many places we stop at.” She looked at him, her eyes big and pleading. “Promise me you’ll at least think about it before making a decision. Please?”

  “I don’t know… That’s a lot of time in a car when we could be doing other things.”