The trouble with Debbie

chapter 14

Debbie had moved around the room a few times now and Ronny was sticking to her like glue. Literally. She had moved his hand so many times she'd lost count. She had told him at least twice not to touch her but he seemed to like hearing her say it. She prayed Keiron would get back soon. She kept looking through the crowd for someone to save her, Tony had walked past few times but wouldn't stop and intervene.

Finally after what felt like forever, she spotted Keiron walking across the room. She beamed when she saw him but his face was not a happy one.

"I see you made a friend," he scowled, "I was only gone 10 minutes and some new guy is touching your leg..."

"Excuse me?" Debbie stood up. The man stood up too and turned to face Keiron.

Keirons face looked as though it had turned to stone.

"What the f**k?" he muttered, "you?"

Debbie stood, still confused and and a little pissed at Keirons new attitude, "you know each other?"

Klara and Tony came over, noticing the unrest, "is everything okay?" Klara smiled.

"Keir?" Tony looked at Keiron, "bloody hell, when did you get back in the country?"

"can somebody tell me what the frig is going on please?" Debbie interrupted, "how is it that you all know each other?"

"Keiron here," Ronny smirked, "is my little brother."

Both Debbie and Klara stood surprised and silent.

Debbie remembered how uncomfortable Keiron had been about discussing his brother.

A member of staff approached Tony to tell him that it was time to sit down for the meal. Tony nodded and encouraged the small crowd of friends who were trying to get a whiff of what was going on, to go and get seated. Eventually it was just Debbie, klara, Keiron and Ronny still standing by the bar.

"so you wanted me to come tonight to watch you have a date with him?" Keiron stung Debbie.

"What? No! Why are you pissed off with me? I wasn't coming here for him! I specifically told Klara that I didn't want to be set up with him or anyone else!"

"in my defence," Klara raised a hand, "I wasn't setting you up, per say, just encouraging a conversation..."

"you seemed comfortable enough with it," Keiron snapped at Debbie again, "got him here with his hands on you like you came here alone tonight..."

"Okay, first of all, you need to check your tone," Debbie spoke through gritted teeth, "Mr free hands over here wouldn't take the hint. I've had to physically move his hand off me 5 times this evening already and I've been here 20 minutes. Second of all, I didn't know this was going to happen, why would I ask you to come here with me and meet another guy?"

"It's true," Klara spoke, "I did kinda set her up... But, are you two together? Like, together together?"

"Yes." Debbie sighed.

"No," Keiron huffed, "I'm just the latest sap to get roped in to her madness."

They all stood silent. Debbie, hurt, picked up her purse, "Keys." she demanded. Keiron gave her the car keys and she left the restaurant.

"I see you still have a way with the ladies." Ronny smiled.

"That was a low blow Keiron," Klara shook her head, "I think you really hurt her. None of this was her fault. I set up Ronny and her. I didn't know you guys were close like that, she never told me. I don't know what's going on between you and your brother, but, you shouldn't be so harsh on Debbie. I'm gonna leave you guys to talk. Please don't fight." Klara left them and joined every one else at the table. She knew better than to try to talk to Debbie right now. She was very angry and was probably sitting in her car, smoking and swearing.

Tony looked at the brothers. It had been a very long time since he'd seen them both together and the last time wasn't a good time.

"everyone stay calm." he patted Keiron on the back as he walked away with his wife.

Ronny sat back down and sipped his drink.

"How are you doing these days bro?" he asked.

"I See you still act like a slimy git," Keiron snarled, "hands all over her."

"I didn't know she was yours this time," Ronny owned up, "I swear. She's a very nice one. Met her at Tony and Klaras wedding, been trying to get hold of her since but she was dating some plumb. Now it seems she's with you. That's a shame, I was ready to show her..."

"shut up Ron," Keiron snapped, "she's not some possession..."

"yeah, yeah, I know, calm down," Ronny leaned back in the chair, "trust me, I know she's different. Why do you think I've been asking after her all this time? I had no idea you were involved with her, I didn't even know you were back in England. Mum didn't say..."

"mum only just found out ...."Keiron sat opposite his brother.

"why are you back anyway? And how are you with Debbie? What happened to Tammy?"

"Tamara," Keiron signed, "is in Texas where I left her screwing her manager."

"Whoa," Ronny laughed, "I knew she was a wild one! I was surprised you still wanted her after what she did..."

"After what YOU did..." Keiron argued, "you're the creep around here."

"And she was the whore..." Ronny grinned, "she spent months flirting with me. It was all leading up to one thing, she was going to give herself up to me, no matter what. You know it's true. The fact that she did in Texas is proof enough."

"if your brothers girlfriend is flirting with you," Keiron leaned closer to him brother, "you tell your brother. You don't f**k her."

Ronny sat quietly for a few minutes. Keiron hated talking about Tamara and his brother. He hated his brother. Now he'd probably ruined any chance he had with Debbie. Why did he snap at her like that? What an i***t. She was never gonna talk to him again and he deserved that.

"Look," Ronny finally spoke again, "I'm sorry about Tamara. I never should have went there. I'm sorry she continued to hurt you in the US. As for Debbie, I genuinely had no idea she was here with you, I didn't even know you were here. I've always liked Debbie so I wasn't trying to creep her out, I was just showing her my interest... "

"You're a creep by nature," Keiron sniped, "you don't deserve someone like her."

"Yeah well, you haven't exactly shown yourself in the best light tonight yourself," Ronny laughed, "maybe instead of brooding in here with me, you should go apologise to her."

Keiron hated to admit it but his brother was right.

He got up from his chair and looked at his brother, he had definitely aged since the last time they were together.

The last time they were together, they were rolling on the floor outside of his old house, throwing punches and insults at each other. He turned to walk away, his brother cleared his throat, "I am sorry," Ronny spoke, "About Tamara. And I'm very sorry about Debbie. It's nice to see you again." Keiron didn't respond, he gave a curt nod of his head and left the restaurant. He hoped he wasn't too late to catch Debbie.

If there was one thing he was sure about, it was that Debbie couldn't be anybody else's.