I'd lost count of how many beers I'd actually drank, but in all honesty I didn't care. I didn't even know what time it was. And considering it was my first ever time drinking, it wasn't that bad. Sure the beer had a weird aftertaste to it, but I got used to it after about three more. Plus, it was strangely addictive. Unfortunately I'd left my watch at home on the nightstand, so I had no idea what time it was, or how long Camille had been parked around the corner. But that wasn't what I was concentrating on - Connor was.

The guy was charming, easy to talk to, and funny as hell. But I knew all those things would eventually get to me. I was easily guilt-tripped and usually my sympathy got the better of me. I'd always had a very bad guilty-conscience, and I knew that the more I was around him, the harder it would be for me to carry on with the plan. But until that day came, I was going to try my best to stick to it.

"Fuck! Ass!"

I glanced at the old bartender before turning back to Connor.

"Someone piss him off or something? He's been doing that all night." I questioned, gesturing to the old man.

"Who Doc?" I nodded in response and he shrugged. "Nah. He's got Tourette's, and a stutter. Poor man don't have it too easy."

"Yikes." I sighed.

He nodded and turned back to me, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"So tell me somethin'," He started. I nodded and tilted my head to show that I was listening. "How did ye know Murph was me brother? I don' remember tellin' ye."

The word 'Shit' sprang to mind and I wrung my hands nervously, averting my eyes for a moment. It was time to use my amazing lying ability's.

"Well," I dragged out, crossing one leg over the other. "You both dress the same, for one thing."

"That could be a coincidence lass, a lot of people dress the same. Don' make 'em brothers."

I rolled my eyes at him. "That wasn't what gave you away."

His eyebrows raised. "Really?" I nodded and he leaned forward. "Well then, what did me and me brother do to give it away?"

"Your eyes." I replied, smiling slightly. "I realised it when we were in the diner. You both have the exact same gorgeous blue eyes." I rested my left temple on my fist so that my head was tilted slightly. Camille had labelled it my 'Innocent-Girl' look.

He stared down at me for a moment before chuckling and shaking his head. "Little flirt aren't ye?"

I shrugged. "I try, makes life easier."

"That it does."

As he took a long drag of the cigarette between his middle and index finger, another question popped up in my mind. One that I was actually curious about.

"So, who's the older brother?"

He released the smoke from his mouth - thankfully away from my face - before replying. "We don' know, our ma never told us."

My eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Wait, how don't you know who's older? Wouldn't you be able to tell with the age difference?"

Now I knew the boys were twins, but I wanted to hear it from him. It would save my ass if I slipped up again.

"We're twins Gracie." He smirked.

"I don't believe it."

He shrugged. "Well it's true. But I don' blame ye for 'avin' yer doubts. I mean, look at me," He gestured to himself with his left hand. "And look at Murph. You're probably wonderin' how a hot bloke like me is related to that thing back there." He then waved towards the hall to the bathrooms, where his brother had last been spotted.

I smiled in amusement and released a small giggle, taking another sip of the beer afterwards.

He nodded and his eyes flickered down towards my chest, remaining there for a few seconds. And just when I was beginning to suspect him of being a complete perv', he finally spoke.

"Tha's a nice necklace."

Inwardly sighing in relief, I looked down at my family pendant, holding it between my thumb and forefinger.

"Yeah, it's a family necklace. One of a kind...well, three of a kind I suppose." I shrugged.

"What d'ya mean?" He questioned, taking the pendant into his own hand, inspecting it further.

The pendant itself was a silver circle with a black tree in the middle, and multiple colourful jewels had been stuck onto the pendant so that it didn't look so plain.

Ignoring the small tingle I felt as his hand grazed my upper chest, I kept my eyes on his face.

"Well, like I said it's a family necklace. There are three; My mom has one, my sister has one, and I have one. You wouldn't know they were different unless you saw them up close. The branches on the tree are swirls, the one's on my mom's and sister's necklace are normal looking branches. But they all have jewels on them. My mom had them made for us when we were born, we never take them off." I explained.

He finally released my necklace and leaned back, obviously done with the inspection.

"It is beautiful lass."

I nodded and took another sip of the beer. "So tell me, how drunk do you plan on getting me tonight?"

"I don' know what ye mean." His attempt at an innocent voice was comical.

"Oh come on, you've been buying me beer all night. What are you up to?" I teased, crossing my arms on the bar.

He shrugged and a small smirk appeared on his face. "Not up to anythin'."

"Hmm, of course." I said, my tone full of sarcasm.

He raised an eyebrow and aimed his index finger my way. "I'll 'ave you know I'd rather not get girls drunk, make's 'em useless."

My jaw dropped at his revelation, but I laughed either way. "You are unbelievable!"

"That's what they tell me." He winked, taking another drag of the cigarette.

"I doubt they mean it in the way you think it." I scoffed.

A mock-hurt look appeared on his face. "Oi! If ye must know I've had a lot of compliments in me life!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. I consider meself a bit of a ladies-man to be fair."

I smirked, narrowing my eyes slightly. "Okay Casanova, tell me something though. If you're such a 'ladies-man' then why aren't you back there?" I gestured to the bathroom hallway where a lot of couples seemed to be headed.

"Well lass, you've been 'ere for about," He looked back before turning to face me again. "Three hours now. I'd say I'm halfway there."

My jaw dropped for a moment but I easily composed myself. "Not that kind of girl, but good come-back."

"Yeah, I thought so too."

I chuckled and rolled my eyes, though a little nagging question in the back of my mind came back.

"Connor,"

"Yeah Gracie?"

I tried to plan my words out carefully before releasing the question.

"Does it ever...bother you, when Murphy does that stuff? I mean, do you ever feel bad for the girls?"

He sighed and averted his eyes for a moment.

"I don' really think about it ta be honest lass. I mean, I've done it a couple a times too, so I can't judge 'im."

I nodded in understanding, though a wave of disappointment ran through me.

"Fair enough." I sighed.

"Don' get me wrong Grace, I've 'ad me fair share of relationships. But sometimes you can jus' tell when it ain't gonna work."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not judging you, Connor. My sister's done the exact same thing. People usually think it's feelings that keep the relationship going, but it's not. It's the sex, or lack of I suppose. Most people will do anything to get into someone's pants, even spend months hanging out with them. But when they get it, everything's gone. So many people mix up love and lust, it's hilarious actually."

It was only when I took another sip of the beer that I realised Connor was deadly silent. I looked up worriedly to see Connor with a look of confusion on his face - and slight amusement.

"Fuckin' 'ell."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What?"

"How do ye know so much about this stuff?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "Like you said, my sister get's around. She's had her fair share of heartbreaks and I know what kind of guys are in this world, I'm a walking relationship-advisor."

"Tell you what lass, next time I get into something with a girl, I'll let ye know first. Get yer view on it since yer such a smart thing." He smirked, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

I laughed and rolled my eyes. "I don't know about that. I'm good at judging guys, not girls."

He sighed over-dramatically. "A'right then."

"Don't do that." I groaned.

"Do what?" He questioned, completely confused.

"That voice," I sighed, shaking my head. "It's a 'Guilt-trip' voice. It makes you sound like someone shot your puppy and it drives me mad."

He smiled in amusement. "You're somethin' else lass."

"That's what they tell me." I sang, smirking slightly as I repeated his earlier words.

He playfully glared and I shrugged innocently in response.

"Wait a sec, I've been here for three hours?"

He nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Murphy's been back there for three hours?" I questioned, gesturing to the bathroom hall with my eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"Ye know Gracie, he has trouble in dat department, but it ain't for takin' too long to get there." He laughed.

Any other girl would have blushed or stuttered at the words, but I'd heard a lot worse from Camille. And his words were nothing compared to hers.

"Then where is he?"

"Well, there is a back door lass. Me guess is Murph' decided to take it back to Rocco's flat."

I narrowed my eyes curiously. "Rocco?"

"Our frien'." He shrugged. "Murph' and I usually take the girls we don' plan on seein' again to Rocco's place, dat way dey don' come after us."

I nodded slowly in thought, realising that it must've been where Murphy took Camille. No smart-enough man-whore would take a girl back to his home, it was a death risk. Especially if they weren't planning on seeing that girl again.

"Smart. Do you know what the time is?"

"'Bout ten-ish, why?"

I sighed and shook my head, knowing I'd have to get back to Camille. I'd gotten enough info - at least I thought so - so there was no reason for me to stick around.

"I gotta go." I shrugged, hopping down from the stool. But as I stood straight, I felt the effects of the alcohol hit me. It wasn't a large dizzy spell or anything, but I'd never drank before, so I felt a little dizzy, and strangely happy - content even.

"Ye sure? I don' think ye can walk 'ome like that lass." He said, surprisingly concerned.

"I'll be fine," I reassured, waving a hand. "I've dealt with my sister in worse states, this is nothing."

He got down from his own chair and followed me towards the door, holding it open as I exited.

"I thought I told you I'd be fine."

He rolled his eyes and chuckled slightly, placing an arm around my waist to keep me walking in a straight line.

"Ye women are all the same, say one thin' when ye actions are somethin' completely different."

I rolled my eyes at him as we walked down the road, and my sisters car soon came into view. Though as we neared, I knew I'd have to get rid of Connor. He might have seen her, and I couldn't risk the plan coming apart.

"I'll be fine from here." I told him, moving away from his arm so that I could turn to face him.

"Ye sure?" His eyes narrowed sceptically.

I placed both hands on his shoulders, staring up at him. "I'll be fine. Trust me on this. My sisters car is right there, but she can't know I was with a guy. She'll tease me for life and I can't be dealing with that."

I wasn't lying, Camille would most likely torment me for the rest of the week, considering how close I was to Connor.

"A'right Grace, it's a good thing ye don' wear heels though. Ye'd probably be on yer face by now."

"Told you, not that kind of girl. But I guess I'll see you around." I sighed, crossing my arms.

He nodded. "I guess. Or I could see ye at McGinty's tomorrow night."

I narrowed my eyes, a playful smirk appearing on my face. "You asking me out?"

He shrugged, rubbing his chin in mock-thought. "Well, I'm not sure since goin' out requires me actually havin' ta spend money. And a wise little thing tol' me not to spend money on girls. So technically speakin' I'm askin' ye in."

I giggled and rolled my eyes. "I guess I could make an appearance."

He nodded and took my right hand in his left, softly kissing my knuckles.

"Smooth move Romeo." I teased, though the move had a bigger effect than I'd let on.

"Ye ain't seen nothin' yet lass."

He winked and released my hand, making his way back into McGinty's.

I laughed to myself and crossed my arms, making my way towards Camille's car.