Chapter 68

Returning to the bar, Sinead smiled a little as she slipped back up onto her barstool next to Siobhan. The hockey player’s girlfriend wasn’t quite drunk, but she was definitely happy and had allowed Sinead to signal the bartender to cut her off. That didn’t stop Siobhan from being a giggly mess as she talked about moving up to Canada from down in the States. She and her boyfriend had been dating for almost ten years while he’d been in the League, and most of that time had been spent in Dallas and California.

Toronto had been a big change, but the popularity of the Leafs compared to the more Southern US teams had made a big difference. She actually got recognized on the streets here sometimes.

It was actually sort of fun talking to Siobhan, where she felt like there wasn’t any pressure to be more than what she looked like. She didn’t need to prove anything to the blonde woman.

That didn’t mean there weren’t any issues going on, however. The bartender had just poured Sinead another pair of glasses of wine - one for Marc, and one for herself - when the Irishman from early squeezed into the space next to her at the bar.

“Yeah, I’ll have a Guiness and a shot of that Grey Goose you got up there,” he said, then turned and acted surprised like he hadn’t known who he was going to be standing next to. “Well, hello, ladies. Can I entice you into taking a shot with me?”

“A shot sounds pretty good right now,” Siobhan said with a grin.

“Not for me,” Sinead said. “I’m good, thanks. And Siobhan, I thought you said water for the next hour was the right choice?”

“Vodka is as clear as water,” the Irishman smirked.

“He’s so right,” Siobhan giggled.

“I think we’ll both pass, thanks,” Sinead said, making eye contact with the bartender and shaking her head. He acknowledged that and set just one shot on the bar next to the tall glass of Guiness. Sinead turned to Siobhan fully, putting her back to the walking cliche pointedly. “Hold my seat,” she said. “I just need to bring my man his glass.”

“Of course, babe,” Siobhan grinned at her.

Sinead took her glass, and Marcs, and headed back for the table. She even managed not to hesitate when she heard the Irishman mutter, ‘Flaming cunt’ under his breath. She strutted to the poker table and leaned in, setting Marc’s glass down on the lip designed to hold the drinks.

“Might have a problem with a pushy asshole,” she murmured softly into Marc’s ear.

She could see his jaw clench just slightly and he nodded once.

“I can handle it,” Sinead said.

“You shouldn’t need to,” Marc said. “I’ll keep my eye out.”

“Thank you,” Sinead said and kissed his cheek. “But I can handle myself.”

Marc caught her hand as she went to pull away, looking up into her eyes. “I know, ma petite rebelle,” he said. “But you don’t need to.”

Sinead wasn’t sure how she felt as she walked back towards the bar to make sure Siobhan didn’t get swept up by the low-tier gangster and make some mistakes.