Burying us in together was bad enough, I may have smashed something just now if they messed with the power too.

"From this moment on I never hear of anyone mention mine and Darcy's name in a sentence together in a way that is suggestive to us being a couple or ever being a couple. I don't want anyone trying to play matchmaker, and above all, don't trap us anywhere together ever again. Got it?"

"Got it," everyone replied in unison.

I nodded my head then glanced to Darcy before looking back to everyone else.

"And for the last time there will never be a Neala and Darcy relationship. He doesn't want me... and I don't want him."

With that said I turned and walked out of the room, up the stairs and into my bedroom.

My heart was pounding against my chest and my stomach churned.

I hated myself.

I hated liars and I hated lying.

Yet I just told the biggest lie of all.

I was no better than the rest of my so-called family.

It seemed being a liar came natural me.

To all of us.

"Another, Darcy?" Bob, owner of O'Leary's Pub, asked me.

I looked up at Bob and nodded my head even though it was starting to spin.

Bob sighed and rested his elbows on the counter top in front of me and stared at me.

"What's the matter, kid?" he asked me.

I liked a girl a hell of a lot and I missed her like fucking crazy.

How could I word that without sounded like a bitch?

"I fucked shite up with a moth I was seeing and I'm a bit gutted about it," I said, and shook my head. "She's a good girl and I was a prick to her."

There, that'd do.

"You cheat on her?" Bob asked as he leaned back and picked up some beer glasses and wiped them out with a cloth.

I frowned at him. "No, I shagged her then told her I regretted it, when I really didn't."

I didn't want to mention that I didn't directly say those words to her, and that I said it to Justin and Sean instead but Bob would have picked up it was Neala I was talking about. Bob was a nice man, but he loved a bit of gossip and this bit of juice would be all over the village by the New Year if I let too much information slip.

"So tell her you didn't mean what you said," Bob said with a shoulder shrug.

If only things were that simple.

I grunted, "I did but she doesn't believe me."

"Rightly so," Bob nodded. "You hurt the lass and she is wary of trusting you again. That's understandable."

"Yeah," I glumly agreed. "The thing is, I told her I'd prove meself to her and show her I do like her and want her for more than a dirty romp between the sheets, but she's having none of it. I haven't seen or spoken to her in a few days."

Bob whistled. "Sounds like you really bruised the lass's heart."

I lowered my head to the counter top and groaned, "Yes, I'm aware of that. Thank you."

Bob chuckled, "Sorry laddie, didn't mean to stick the dagger in deeper."

I sighed and lifted my head, "It's grand. I deserve it."

Bob tilted his head to the side as he watched me. "You really like this lass?" he asked.

I nodded my head. "More than I've ever liked anyone," I admitted.

Bob raised an eyebrow. "Even Laura Stokes?"

Who?

Oh, yeah, Laura.

Fuck.

She didn't even compare to Neala. No one woman did or ever would.

She ruined me for anyone else.

"Even Laura Stokes." I nodded to Bob.

He smiled. "Prove it."

What?

"I don't under-"

"Darcy Hart. Long time no see, which is bad for you and me."

I turned from Bob's watchful gaze to Laura's heated one.

I forced a smile. "Hey Laura... How are you?"

"I'm good, honey." Laura smiled seductively. "You?"

I nodded my head. "Not too bad," I lied.

"Did you have a good Christmas?" she asked.

I had an amazing Christmas Eve, but a shitty Christmas day.

"Yeah, spent it with family... You?"

"Same," Laura said leaned into me, but frowned at me when I pulled back. "What's wrong?" she asked.

I blinked. "Nothing, why?"

She gave me a knowing smile. "You're down about something - I can tell."

How?

"I'm fine... really."

Laura chuckled, "Okay then."

She continued to look and smile at me until I cracked.

"It's... a girl," I mumbled. "I recently just realised how much I like her, but I said something very hurtful to her and messed everything up."

Laura frowned and reached over and rubbed my shoulder. "I'm sure Neala will forgive you, Darcy. I can see how down you are about whatever happened. I'm sure she will see it too."

Doubtful.

"Nah," I muttered. "She doesn't believe me when I say I'm sorry or that I didn't mean what I said- Wait a second, how did you know it was Neala?" I asked, my eyes wide with shock.

Laura dropped her hand from my shoulder and laughed, "Come on, Darcy. I'd have to be blind to miss the connection between you both. You've have it since we were kids it just showed itself in the form of hate and anger."

I stared at Laura in a loss for words. How she knew Neala and I had a connection when we didn't even know?

She continued to speak, "I'm glad you both finally figured it out though, better now than when you're both old and grey."

I was so confused.

"I don't know about anything anymore... I'm just confused, and I don't know what to do with meself. It's bollocks."

Laura chuckled and patted my arm. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. Good luck, Darcy."

Laura leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Bye," she whispered before she stood up and walked away.

Just like that, our involvement was over.

Thank God.

If I couldn't have Neala, I wanted no woman.

I looked straight ahead and picked up the fresh pint of beer in front of me. I looked to my right when Bob walked back toward me and grinned.

"So you do really like this girl," Bob said.

I wanted to laugh, but I just blew an extra amount of air out though my nose and said, "Yeah, man."

Bob smiled at me. "Then do everything you can to get her."

Bob moved away to take care of some other punter who wanted to order a drink.

I was left alone with my thoughts, but not for long.

"I told you he'd be here. Pay up, bitch," Sean's voice cheered.

The annoyed growl of my brother followed, "Here dickhead."

"Stop making money off me misery, you pricks," I said before downing half of my pint.

Sean sat on the empty stool on my left while Justin sat on the empty one on my right.

"Did I just see you turn down Laura Stokes?" Sean asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Yeah, for good. She's cool with it though."

Sean whistled. "You've got it bad, kid."

Tell me about it.

Both of lads clapped their hands on my shoulders.

"How you doing, chief?" Justin asked me.

I grunted. "How does it look like I'm doing?" I asked.

"Like shite," Sean replied.

Ding ding ding.

We have a winner.

"That about sums me up," I said and took another gulp of my pint and shook my head when I swayed a little.