who's who in the game of love

chapter two

After we had unpacked we sat down in the kitchen.

'Did you hear about the lads’ new band? You know girls, Mae phoned that Mr Walsh character herself and set up the meeting so they could get the contract.'

'We heard about their new band, Westside, right? We actually met the other guys who's supposed to be in it too.' Cat said.

'How did you meet them?'

'They're going to stay here for a while, they're supposed to get to know each other a little better before they start working.' Sam said.

'So how do they seem? Are they nice boys?'

'Yeah, some more than others, or what would you say Sam?' Cat said meaningly.

'Shut it Cat!'

'Ah, touchy, touchy!' Cat said teasingly.

'I don't like any of them more than the other.'

'Sure you don't.' Cat said and rolled her eyes.

'Just drop it Cat. You never know when to let go.'

'Angels, please. Calm down. Don't fight like this.'

'Hi guys, early for a change are we?' Sam said as we pulled up two extra chairs to the table.

'Yeah, you should always try something new, right?' Shane said laughing.

'So, how do you guys like Sligo then?' Cat asked Nicky and Bryan.

'We haven't seen much of town yet but I think we're going to like it,' Nicky said.

'Not much to see really,' Sam said. 'But if you want to see something beautiful you should have Shane take you out to the stables. It's breathtaking.'

'That would be cool, maybe you can take us tomorrow if it's not too much trouble,' Bryan said.

'Yeah, sure.'

'Marky, we need to talk,' Sam suddenly said and dragged him away. The others just starred not knowing what to make out of it.

'What do you want that's so important that you just have to tell me right now?' Mark said.

'Come here, let's sit down.'

We sat down close together, she didn't want anyone to hear what she was going to ask.

'Mark, does Shane still have a thing for Cat?'

'Yeah… At least I think so. Why?'

'It's like this; my sis's nuts about him but she'd rather die than admit that to anyone so I thought if Shane's interested…'

'… we could fix them up together,' Mark filled in. 'That's brilliant! Let's play Cupid. Come on then!' He said and dragged me laughing back to the others. Bryan looked strangely at us but he didn't say anything.

Later

'Oh, I love this song,' Sam said. 'I just have to dance. Bryan would you like too…?'

Bryan looked a little confused. He looked at Mark but he didn't seem to react at all.

'Sure, why not?'

We got up and started dancing.

'Are you sure this is OK with your boyfriend?' Bryan asked keeping his distance.

'Who?'

'Mark, aren't you together?'

Sam started to laugh.

'Mark's not my boyfriend.'

'But you guys seem so close…'

'That's because we used to be an item but it ended almost a year ago. Besides we've known each others since we were toddlers…'

'OK.' Bryan sounded relieved and came closer.

'Shane, do you have any foals out yet?' Sam asked.

'Yes, there's some down by the creek.'

'I must see them, they're so adorable! Does anyone want to join me?'

'I'd like too,' Georgina said.

'Why don't we all go?' Kian said.

When the others started to walk Cat grabbed Shane's arm and pulled him into the stable with her.

'Cat, what are you doing? Don't you want to go with the others?'

'Shut it and listen to me for a change.'

'OK,' Shane said thinking what he might have done.

'Do you remember when you kissed me last summer?'

'Yeah…'

'I haven't been able to get that kiss off my mind since we left. Shane, I think I'm in love with you.' Then I kissed him. When the kiss ended Shane asked in a husky voice;

'Can I speak now?'

'If you must.'

'First…' He put his arms around me and kissed me.

'Now I can speak. I'm in love with you too, Cat and I never want to be apart from you again.' We kissed again.

We went out from the stables and headed down to the creek where the others were. We decided to keep us a secret, for now anyway. We wanted to have some fun with Sam and Mark who probably would try to fix us up since I know that my sister loves doing that sort of things.

'Oh, I'm so bored.' Sam said. 'Mark, can't you think of something to do? I'll die if I don't get to do something soon.'

We were all gathered in Mark's sitting room.

'I suppose we could have a party,' Mark said. 'My parents have taken my brothers to some relatives in Belfast and won't be back in a couple of weeks.'

'Yeah, that would be great!' Everybody were in on the idea at once.

'Guys, we have to go to London tomorrow for some promotion this week, remember?' Shane said.

'Right, I had completely forgotten that,' Mark said. 'But we can have one when we come back, can't we? And you girls could organise everything while we're gone. It's not like they have anything else to do…'

'Shut it Mark, we're looking for jobs you know that but it's not that easy to find any,' Sam said and attacked Mark.

'Cool it Sam, I'm only joking.'

We both started laughing.

'I've actually found something,' Cat said.

'What? That's great,' Sam said. 'Where?'

'You don't have to be so overjoyed, it's just a little part time job in a clothing store, Becky's you know. By the way,' She said and looked at her watch. 'I have to go there now and work, so I see you guys later.'

'I'll join you, I have to shop a little anyway,' Sam said.

chapter three