Saving a Legend: A Kavanagh Legends Novel by Sarah Robinson Page B

nothing to do with cars, so yes,” Kieran told her, glad for small mercies. He would be devastated if his license had been revoked because of his record. His parole also didn’t stipulate that he couldn’t drink, but he’d rather not tempt fate. If he was going to have alcohol, it’d be a drink or two at home, not in a rowdy bar where he could get himself in trouble.

    He had zero desire to go back to prison thanks to a bar brawl, or to the partying lifestyle he’d led before. He’d never been a huge drinker, but he’d used both alcohol and drugs recreationally, when others had pressured him in the past. He definitely didn’t want to go back down that road, even if only for a night.
    About twenty minutes later, he and Nora walked into a gritty, hole-in-the-wall Irish pub. Longer than it was wide, the bar lined one side of the place, with booths on the other. Small cocktail tables were in one line down the middle, and people were already filling most of the seats watching a football game on the wall-mounted television screens.
    A few faces turned in their direction, their eyes going huge as they recognized him. Holding his head high, Kieran ignored the whispering as people moved out of his way and more eyes turned to him. The room seemed to shrink away from him, an undercurrent of fear throughout.
    “Jeez, I feel so unpopular,” Nora whispered as they crossed the room and headed toward the bar.
    “Sorry, that’s my fault.” He shrugged, not really caring what anyone thought. Everyone in Woodlawn knew who he was, and who his family was; therefore, they all knew what he had done. This was a reaction he’d become quite familiar with over the last few days.
    “Oh, good. I was starting to think I smelled or something.” Nora seemed more at ease now that she felt the pressure was off. “Wait, is this because of your record?”

    Kieran nodded. Word had traveled fast about what he’d done, and news of his conviction even faster. He was used to the stares at this point—he’d been encountering them everywhere since he’d gotten back in town.
    Nora shook her head, one corner of her mouth tilted down. “That’s stupid. Why do people get so hung up on labels and all that? It happened, it’s over, why talk about it?”
    Kieran nodded again before pointing to some open seats at the end of the bar. “Let’s sit there.” He preferred sitting at the end, where he had the extra room he needed for his large frame. Old habits die hard for a fighter.
    She nodded, and they sat, then waved down the bartender. Kieran immediately recognized the beautiful, wavy-haired blonde as she walked over to them. She wore a simple black tee and pants, with a small waitress apron tied around her waist. The contrast between her all-black outfit and her bubbly yellow hair and dark green eyes was mesmerizing.
    “Hey, it’s Clare, right?” Kieran greeted her with a smile that reached his eyes. Rory’s girlfriend was clearly not as judgmental as some of his family members, and he appreciated how a total stranger had stuck out her neck for him at Sunday’s dinner.
    “Kieran!” Clare reached out a hand and squeezed his. “It’s great to see you here. Who’s your gorgeous date?”
    “I’m Nora, and I’m definitely not his date.” Nora introduced herself with a handshake and an infectious smile.
    “Wow, you’re eager to make that clear, huh?” Kieran teased, his brows raised and a smile spreading over his lips. He wasn’t interested in dating her, but it certainly didn’t help his ego to know she had no interest in him, either.

    “Oh, I’m sorry.” Clare’s cheeks flushed crimson. “I didn’t mean to start—”
    “It’s fine. I’ll just have to pine after Nora in secrecy,” Kieran joked.
    Nora rolled her eyes at him, and Clare laughed. “Can I get you guys something to drink?”
    “I’d love a Coke,” Kieran said.
    “And I’ll have a vodka with cranberry. Ignore Kieran’s lies. I’m just not dating anyone