Page 36 of Nolan (The Doherty Mafia)
“You better think about what you’re saying to us, brother. You really think you could be anything or anyone without the rest of us backing you up?”
I stood up and so did Colin. We were both on opposite sides of the table but it was obvious we were prepared to jump across and grab each other’s throats any minute.
Aidan held Colin back while Killian came over to my side and put his hands on my arms, dragging me down to my chair.
“Colin, you need to shut up or we’re going home, now!” Marley hissed at him. He smiled at his wife and shook his head.
“Somebody needs to speak the truth, don’t they? He thinks he’ll be a big man without the family. He hasn’t actually lived his life. He doesn’t even know who he is.” Colin spoke to his wife like the rest of us weren’t even in the room.
But then he shut up when Reese returned carrying a tray full of trifle dishes.
Amelia joined us a few moments later, taking her place beside Marley. She was too close to Colin for my comfort and from the way he was drunkenly looking at her now, I sensed he had something more to say.
This dinner was a bad idea.
“Do you really know this guy?” Colin spoke to Amelia directly, pointing at me.
“Why don’t you shut the fuck up and mind your own business?” I growled.
Amelia shrugged at him. “We haven’t known each other very long.”
Colin smiled, trying to keep looking at her while Marley deliberately blocked his vision.
“You think you’ve bagged a Doherty, well maybe you should get your facts straight—your new fuckbuddy doesn’t even want to be a Doherty anymore.” Colin had a laugh in his voice as he spoke, like he thought this was all very funny.
Amelia threw me a nervous glance. She was clearly confused about the sudden shift in dynamics in the room.
“You need to watch your language around her,” I said, but Colin ignored me. In fact, even Amelia seemed far more interested in what he had to say.
“Nolan and I are…spending time together because of…many other reasons besides the fact that he is a Doherty. As shocking as it may sound to you.”
Isabelle chuckled at the other end of the table. I caught Killian smiling too. This may have seemed like a funny drunken moment to the rest of them, but it was pissing me off, more than they realized.
“What other reasons could you have? Is it because you think Nolan is experienced in bed? He knows how to make you feel good? I’m sure he does given all the chicks he’s fucked in his short lifetime.” Colin chuckled to himself as he spoke.
It seemed like Marley had enough and she stood up with a jerk, standing over her husband with her hands on her hips.
“What’s the matter, honey?” he asked, trying to focus his vision on her.
“We’re going home and you’re staying there until you learn to behave yourself!”
The rest of the family broke into a fit of laughter because Colin looked genuinely afraid of his wife.
Marley apologized to Reese and Killian for ruining dessert, and then she left the house. Colin had no choice but to follow his wife, because no matter how much of a dick he was to me, he’d never disrespect Marley. She meant the world to him.
Within moments it seemed like everyone else had forgotten about the scene Colin had caused. The normal chatter resumed around the table, except for Amelia. She stared at me and I stared back. I wasn’t sure what she was trying to say but it seemed like she was trying to say something.
I didn’t wait long after dessert was served—I said I was going home. Amelia stood up too and she hugged Reese before we left.
She had just witnessed everything she needed to know about my family and my relationship with them.
“Are you okay?” Amelia asked after we drove in silence for a while.
“I’m fuckin’ fine,” I growled. I banged my hand on the steering wheel and mumbled an apology.
“I’m sure it was just all the alcohol talking,” she said.
I didn’t want to look over at her. I didn’t want to have to see Amelia feeling sorry for me.
“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Once they’ve had a few drinks it becomes very clear what they really think of me,” I said.
Amelia reached for me, placing a hand on my thigh. Just her touch was enough to make me go hard. I clenched my jaws tightly. The only thing I wanted to do right now was stop the car and fuck her in the back seat, but I didn’t trust myself. I didn’t know what I’d do to her body if I had her naked at this moment. It felt like—taking Amelia would be the only way to steady my throbbing chest.
