Sean just kept on smiling while Ronan became more and more aggravated. It was only another minute or two before my brother finally snapped.

“All right, Cassidy, you’ve clearly got something to say, so say it,” Ronan announced loudly. “And put your fucking pinky down.”

Sean’s lips moved in something akin to satisfaction as he wiggled his little finger. “What? This pinky? Do I challenge your Neanderthal notions of masculinity, Fitzpatrick? Or do raised pinky fingers turn you on?”

“Don’t give me that. You’re about as gay as a Snoop Dogg music video. Now spit it out.”

Sean gave Ronan a bored look then cast his eyes across the room to one of the new players, an American guy named William Moore.

He pointed his finger at him; his index finger, not his pinky finger. “I know you’re fixing to have this hillbilly replace me. Well, let me tell you right here and now, it’s not gonna happen.”

William was built like a brick shithouse and came from a small farming town in Oklahoma. His mother was of Irish descent and he originally played for a semi-professional team back in the States. William was also one of the kindest, most well-mannered men I’d ever met, so it irked me that Sean was targeting him.

It seemed to be irking everyone else, too, and I noticed a number of the guys bristle, their postures growing stiff. Sean wasn’t doing himself any favors by calling out William. Everybody loved William.

“You’re being paranoid,” said Ronan. “No one’s looking to replace you, Cassidy. Despite the fact that we’d all like to shove your head down a toilet most days, you’re unfortunately talented. It’s the only reason we put up with your piss-poor personality.”

Sean didn’t seem to hear the veiled compliment Ronan had given him, and instead focused on the insult. “That’s funny, because your girls have a history of finding my personality irresistible. Or maybe they just find you lacking.” His glacial eyes slithered to my brother’s fiancée, “It’s really just a matter of time.”

Ronan stood from his seat and took a step forward. Annie tried to grab his hand and pull him back down but he was already gone. Before we knew it he was inches away from Sean, glaring daggers.

“If you want to keep playing for this team then you’ll shut your fecking face right now.”

Sean stared at him, apparently unaffected by Ronan’s aggression. “Oh, so now you have a say in who does and doesn’t play for the team? I failed to receive the memo regarding your promotion to our manager.”

“Leave. Now,” said Ronan, his jaw working. If I knew my brother, it was taking a great effort for him not to deck Sean right then. He had a notoriously short fuse, and Sean Cassidy was an expert at knowing how to light it.

Barely a second passed before several of the guys were up from their seats and leading Sean out of the room. He went, but not before flashing Ronan an immense, challenging smile as he left. Ronan sat back down beside Annie, who gave him a soft kiss on the lips and whispered in his ear. I guessed she was telling him not to let Sean get to him.

I knew she meant well, but there was too much animosity between the two men for them to just let it go. Granted, I’d only ever been an outsider looking in, but if I knew anything about rugby, I knew it was chock-full of testosterone and egos, and those two were not a good mix.

After a few minutes, everybody seemed to settle down. Though after Sean’s appearance, our cheerful gathering wasn’t quite as jovial as before. Needing to pee, I left the private party and went in search of a bathroom. I was just leaving a stall when I saw Mam standing by the makeup counter, re-applying her lipstick. Her blue eyes caught on me and she gave me her usual expression. It was neither a smile nor a frown, but something in between, a grimace masquerading as a grin.

“Lucy, where have you been all evening? I’ve wanted to introduce you to the son of a friend of mine. He’s a real dish, owns his own company and everything.”

“Oh,” I said, noncommittally.

I washed and dried my hands, then Mam slipped her arm through mine. “Come on, we can go find him now.” Her eyes went to my hair for a second and she sighed regretfully. I knew she was embarrassed by it. In a way, that was one of the main reasons why I did it. In another way, it wasn’t. I wanted to be able to express myself in a manner that made me happy. And having hair a color that couldn’t be found in nature did exactly that.

We were just leaving the bathroom when I tried to pull my arm from hers. “Maybe later, Mam. I promised Annie I’d be back soon. We’ve a lot of work stuff to discuss.”

“This is a party, Lucy. Work can wait for another day.”

I stood my ground, planting my feet firmly on the floor and not allowing her to lead me any farther. I knew my mother had her own issues and insecurities; however, she still stressed me out. I wished things could be different, but it was often hard to be around her.

“No, Mam, I’m going back to Annie. I don’t want to meet your friend’s son.”

She gaped at me, as though surprised by my outburst. I was a little surprised myself. Often I went along with her wishes because I didn’t want to upset anyone. A few moments elapsed, and I couldn’t tell if she was going to lose it with me or not.

In the end she didn’t, probably because there were too many people about. She plastered the fakest smile I’d ever seen on her face and said, “Okay, darling. You go to Annie. Enjoy the party as much as you can. I’ll see you back at the house.”