Hope and Dream

14.

The Irish have always been victims of negative stereotyping. I mean, people think we're all drunks and brawlers...and sometimes that makes you so mad all you wanna do is get drunk and punch somebody...

"I did NOT start that fight!" Jimmy yelled.
"Please!" Kevin said. "You threw the first punch..."
"Only because he was being a dick while sitting at MY bar!" Jimmy yelled. "And during a funeral, no less!"

They all started laughing as more whiskey was poured. Bucky could tell that Katie was feeling buzzed, but he didn't really care, all she had to do was keep leaning towards him and continue to let him keep his arm around her waist. He liked to feel her warmth against his body. He especially enjoyed the feeling of rubbing circles against her thigh....and hear her soft moans in his ear.

"Alright, so...Joey Ice Cream?" Bucky asked.
They all laughed, and Joey made a face. Bucky loved the sound of Katie's laugh.
"Yeah, so?" Joey said. "What about it?"

Joey was a squirrely guy, but one of the most loyal best friends you could ever ask for. He would never tell a single soul your secret. Even if asked the same question a million times over, he would change his story every time just to trip up the person asking the question.

"Really, Joey?" Katie asked.
"What?" Joey asked.
"How'd you get the name?" Bucky asked.
"I'm smooth, that's how." Joey quipped.
"PLEASE!" Katie exclaimed with a huge grin.
She slammed the shot glass down on the bar and gave him a look, all while having the most beautiful smile on her lips.
"You stole five gallons of vanilla ice cream and got sent to juvie...AFTER you ate the first gallon! AND, if I recall the story correctly...you had to beg for the ice cream. So technically...you didn't even steal it." She exclaimed, obviously loving telling this story.
Bucky couldn't help but laugh as he saw how excited she was.

She couldn't help the smile playing on her lips as Joey glared at her.

"I still say I was framed." Joey said. "I plead the fifth...I swear, I wasn't there........"
"I was there!" Jimmy exclaimed.
"You didn't see nothing." Joey said.

Everyone started talking at once as Katie leaned back against Bucky. He took another shot and just gave a smile while glancing at her. He could stay in the same exact spot, frozen in time forever with her in his arms.

God she was absolutely perfect.

Joey glared at Katie but nodded his head.
"Fine." Joey said. "I wish they never told you that story. It's because of YOU I have the nickname."
Katie leaned forward and couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"It was WAY too easy a nickname!" She exclaimed.
Joey made a face but couldn't help but start laughing.
"And you adore it, be honest." Katie said. "It was made with love. What about the time Joey had to paint the bar?"
"Yeah, why'd I have to do that, by the way?" Joey asked.
All four brothers just shrugged their shoulders.
"Because I didn't have to pay ya." Jimmy said.
"And...it's you." Tommy said.
"And you're easy to trick." Kevin said.
"And I didn't want to." Sean said.
Joey made a face as we all started laughing.
"Am I just around for your amusement?" Joey asked.
"Basically." Katie said.
Joey made a face, but she wrapped her arm around his shoulders.
"We wouldn't be anywhere without you." She said.
Joey couldn't help but smile as he took another shot.
"So how do you know the brothers?" Bucky asked.
"We all grew up together." Joey said. "I basically know everything about them! The Donnelly Brothers could never make it a block outta the neighborhood."
"You act like you're The Sopranos." Bucky said.
Katie couldn't help but give a laugh as she glanced up at him.
"You know The Sopranos?" Katie asked.
Bucky gave her that sideways smirk and looked at her.
"Really, Doll?" Bucky asked.
Katie gave a smile and Joey smiled.
"Yup." Joey started. "I know all there is to know..."
"What?" Sean asked. "You do not..."
Joey leaned forward and gave a laugh.
"Oh yeah?" Joey asked. "Okay..."