Page 22 of Fix You

My face brightened at her comment. No one ever mentioned my education. They were too caught up in my trauma. “Yes. I’ve got one more year.”

“What’s your major?”

"Accounting.”

"I admire you for that. I’m terrible with math,” Caterina replied good-naturedly.

"I must admit I’m a terrible nerd when it comes to numbers. I think I like it most because math is standard no matter what part of the world you’re in.”

"Have you thought of coming to live here in Boston?”

I paled at the thoughts of life surrounded by people only focused on my trauma. That was the beauty of Dublin. No one knew me. I had a fresh slate.

At Caterina’s expectant expression, I replied. “Oh no, I can’t imagine living here in the States. Even though I grew up in Northern Ireland, it’s not so very different in the South.”

"Since I have three overbearing older brothers, I can only imagine it’s quite freeing not being in the same city as yours,” she teased.

I loved how much Caterina already got me. “Aye, it’s been nice having my freedom.” At the thought of what happened a year ago, sadness filled me. “At the same time, I couldn’t imagine what I’d ever do without them.”

"I know exactly what you mean.”

With my emotions threatening to overwhelm me, I said, "Speaking of my brothers, I better go say hello to the others,” I said

"It was so nice meeting you.”

Her genuine words and expression had me giving her another quick hug. I then quickly turned to make my way to the stairs. I fought to keep the tears pricking my eyes from falling.

When I reached the landing, I debated closing myself up in one of the boys’ rooms until I got a hold of myself. But then standing before me was Kellan. Eamon must’ve said something funny because his handsome face was stretched wide in mirth.

But at the sight of me, the grin slipped from Kellan’s face. Although we’d never spoken about that night, Kellan never needed words to show me his anguish. Even though he was themost attuned with expressing his emotions, he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.

While I stood rooted to the floor, he closed the gap between us in two long strides. With tears sparkling in his eyes, he swept me into his arms. “A’ mé anamhlaidh leat."

Enveloped in his arms, I closed my eyes, allowing the tears to flow. “I’ve missed you, too,” I whispered.

“I guarantee he wouldn’t have missed you if your damn dog had been pissing and chewing on his shoes,” Eamon grumbled.

With a laugh, I pulled back to smile up at Kellan. Although Eamon’s comment had been well-timed to break the seriousness, Kellan’s eyes remained haunted. “Did you know I have a new puppy?” I asked.

“Have you?”

“Aye. His name is Murphy.”

“Murphy–the fucking menace,” Eamon added.

This time Kellan smiled. “I’d love to meet him.”

Glancing around, I said, “The last time I saw him Nolan had him.”

“Nolan’s on the rooftop.” With a wink, Kellan added, “Last I saw him he was having a well-earned Guinness.”

“Are you trying to say being our bodyguard this week has driven him to drink?” I demanded with a grin.

Kellan held his hands up. “I’m just saying the boyo made a straight beeline for the bar.”

“Ha, ha!”

As we started to the roof in search of Murphy, Kellan asked, “What possessed you to get a dog?”

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