Well, that was a pretty long chapter! We'll see where this one goes because I'm not quite sure yet.
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I woke up the next morning around 8 and decided to take a walk since it wasn't raining or anything, the overcast sky was threatening it though. I pulled my hoodie on as I made my way down the stairs and stretched my arms behind my back as I sucked in the cool, clean Irish air. I turned towards the downtown and took off at a jog, not that it would last long because I was definitely NOT a runner.
I slowed to a walk after a few blocks and popped my earphones in and picked a good song from my playlist to keep myself entertained. I reached the end of town and crossed the street to make my way back, jogging again at this point. My music was loud enough to where I barely heard the commotion behind me until I saw the first sheep pass by and I jumped in surprise and turned, pulling out my earphones.
"G'morning, Aby!" Connor's voice met my ears and I smiled up at him as he passed by, "You working tonight?"
"Aye, you boys coming by?" I replied with a smile, waving across the herd at Murphy. He waved back with a grin but soon had to trot ahead to catch a few strays.
"Very good chance we might," Connor said, slowing down to maintain the conversation. "After all this I think Murph and I'll be needin' good company and a few drinks."
Looking at the herd they were moving I had to agree.
"Well, good luck, boys!" I called after them as Connor kicked his stallion forward, Rocco at his heels. "See you later!"
I watched them herd the sheep through the street and towards the other end of town to the road that would lead to Robinstown as I continued walking home. When I reached the bakery they were far ahead and I could barely even hear Connor's whistles as he worked Rocco around the herd, I smiled and unlocked my door to make my way up to my room to shower, feed Titus and have my own breakfast.
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That evening I made my way to work in the rain and felt immensely sorry for Connor and Murphy who were surely making their way back home from the sale by now as I stepped into the warm familiarity of the pub and shook the rain off of me as best I could. I hung my hoodie on the coat rack and grabbed my apron from behind the bar, trying it on my waist.
I went around to the tables and took the chairs off and set them around, wiped down the tables, turned on the lights and the sound system on the stage in case anyone felt musical that night. I went behind the bar to prep the taps and glasses and ice maker and everything else I would need then went to the door and unlocked it so any drenched stragglers could find rest inside.
It never took very long for said stragglers to make their way in and only minutes later the familiars started coming through the chipped door, jingling the bell and bringing with them the whole joy of working in a pub. Irish accents flooded my ears and laughter filled the room and I started pouring glasses of beers, coffees, and whatever else everyone felt like drinking that particular night. Whiskey was a hot item tonight, most likely due to the damp weather.
William was exceptionally flirty this evening and I found myself avoiding his hands as I went around the tables doing refills and serving food. At one point, I actually smacked his hand and issue a warning but he wasn't deterred.
When the door opened and the soaked MacManus brothers finally walked into the pub, my spirit rose considerably and I made my way back to the bar to pour their drinks.
"Guinness and Killian's," I stated, placing their respective drinks down. They grinned at me.
"You know just what we need, Aby," Connor said as he took a drink.
"Yes, I really do," I winked as I set down three shots. Two shots of Jameson for the boys and a tequila shot for myself.
Connor took his with a grin and raised it, exclaiming "Slainte!"
"Aye, slainte!" Murphy agreed, clinking his glass with Connor's and mine. I licked the salt from between my thumb and finger and we all tossed back our shots. I quickly grabbed my lime slice and eased the bitterness of my shot with it. Licking my lips and closing my eyes, I savored the burn as it settled in my stomach.
"Better go easy," Murphy warned, "Don't need you getting drunk on the job."
"I can hold my liquor, Murphy MacManus," I demanded.
"I imagine you can, lass," Connor agreed, "But tequila'll knock anyone on their ass if you aren't careful."
"Trust me," I laughed, "It's the whiskey I have to be careful with."
We stacked our shot glasses on top of each other and I leaned onto the counter as we talked about their time at the sale. Apparently they had made a good profit off the sheep and I was glad to hear it, they had such a small place that I wondered if they were very well off...but then I remembered their generous tips they always left me and I assumed they lived where they did because they WANTED to.
"Aby," someone across the bar called me for a refill and I waved and nodded, letting them know I'd heard. I went over and got their glass and order and made my way back to refill it, and that was when things got crazy...
William, slightly drunk but definitely still in his right mind, started walking beside me as I made my way back to the bar and the things he was saying to me were anything but flattering or appropriate and I started getting more than a little sickened, but I continued my work and did my best to ignore him as I refilled the glass. William just leaned on the bar and continued his long list of things he'd like to do with me, or to me, and places we could disappear to after the pub closed and I rolled my eyes in annoyance as I passed Connor and Murphy who were squinting angrily at William. I returned to the table and handed the customer their now refilled glass of beer then headed back towards the bar. And that was when William pushed past all the boundaries we had established and full out grabbed my ass with both hands, causing me to jump, squeal angrily and turn to slap him...HARD.
But I didn't get the chance to because when I turned, Murphy already had William by the neck and slammed onto a nearby empty table, leaning over him with a murderous glare in his normally gentle blue eyes.
"You better keep your hands to yourself," Murphy threatened, almost so deadly quiet that I had to strain to hear what he said next. "Or I'll cut them off. Don't you even think for a second I won't."
And just as quick as he'd slammed William down, Murphy backed off and let him up. William wiggled off the table as quickly as he could and backed away from Murphy, heading for the door. Connor blocked his path and whispered something in his ear before he smacked the back of his head hard and William stumbled into the door before he pushed it open and fled the pub.
I was terribly embarrassed by the whole ordeal because everyone in the pub was now staring at me, their eyes going from Murphy to Connor and back to me again. I blushed and ducked my head, slipping through the doors to the kitchen to collect myself and try to register what had just occurred.
Murphy must have been keeping an eye on me to get there as quick as he had, and that made me a little uncomfortable...but also a little bit happy. I wondered what Connor had said to William and a million other questions ran through my mind. Finally, I decided it really wasn't that big of a deal, just like brothers would protect their little sister, Murphy and Connor had come to my aid. I brushed off my front and made my way back to the front.
"Sorry about that, guys," I muttered to the brothers as I rejoined them at the bar. The band was just filing in and the atmosphere had become much more chill and relaxed as the music began so I had time to sit and enjoy the boys' company for a while.
"It was our pleasure," Connor assured me, "Damn cocky ass needed a beatin'."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't beat him," I stated with a sigh, "But I wish you would have let me get a slap in."
Murphy laughed loudly and I felt his arm slip around my shoulders and I was pulled into his side without any resistance. I inhaled that now familiar scent of smoke, beer, sheep and...him and smiled.
"You're a regular firework, Aby," he said happily, "But don't even waste your time. Connor and I got your back. Don't ya forget that, lass."
"I won't, Murph," I replied, reaching over to pull Connor into this hug. He chuckled but leaned in gladly and I hugged Murphy with my other arm. "Thank you, guys. I don't know what it is, but I feel...like I've known you boys forever."
"It's our Irish charm," Connor teased. "Irresistible."
"But, Aby here says we're not sexy material," Murphy countered, bringing up my failed conversation of the previous day. I blushed and buried my face in Connor's arm.
"Does she now?" Connor asked, his accent becoming ten times thicker for some reason, "Well, maybe we'll have to prove her wrong someday, little brother."
"I'm the older one!" Murphy snapped, "And don't you be forgettin' it or I'll have to knock some sense into ya!"
"Anytime you think you're man enough, Murph!" Connor dared.
"BOYS! You're freaking twins, who CARES who's five minutes older?" I snapped, pushing them apart.
They continued to glare at each other for a while longer before Murphy finally shrugged.
"It's alright," he stated, draining the last of his Guinness, "We both know the truth. Ice or no."
And suddenly Murphy was off his barstool and heading for the door laughing like crazy with Connor on his heels. I followed quickly and by the time I was outside, they were mounted up and galloping off with Murphy slightly in the lead.
"BYE, ABY!" he called back, voice full of laughter as he stayed one hoofbeat ahead of his furious brother. I shook my head and smiled at the absolute ridiculousness of the pair of them. I wonder what it was about ice that consistently got Connor so riled up...oh well, I'd have to ask Murphy someday.
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I actually think Connor is the oldest, but that's only due to some observations I've made while watching the movie, and being the youngest in my family I can see things in Murphy that practically scream "younger sibling".
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