Page 37 of Since We're Here
“With who?”
“That’s a third question.”
She blinks at me and raises her eyebrows, waiting for my response.
“Fine. Her name was Cara. We were engaged. After I left soccer, I followed her to Dublin. It was a disaster, and five years ago, I came back here—alone—and bought O’Brien’s. And the flat.”
I leave out the fact that she’s Liam’s little sister. That Liam used to be my mate. That I lost both of them in one fell swoop.
Maddie stares, waiting, her hair flowing around her like a sweet halo, but then she nods.
“Well, fuck Cara then, right? She can fuck off to Saint fucking Lucia and hang out with Blue-Brian from Ohio.”
I offer her half a grin. “She’s still in Dublin, I think with a different man than the one she cheated on me with.”
“Well, we hate him, too. She’s a stupid twit for leaving a hot ex-pro soccer player bartender behind who probably has awesome hobbies like crossword puzzles and knitting.”
I bite back a laugh. “I don’t knit. Or do crossword puzzles. And I don’t do relationships anymore.”
She cocks her head at me. “Like, never? Your sister told me you’d been single for years, but she made it sound like it wasn’t by choice.”
“Saoirse,” I grumble under my breath. “It’s by choice. I don’t date.”
“Hmm.” She studies my face until it makes me uncomfortable.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to figure you out.”
I sigh and shake my head. “Come on then, love, let’s go to Dunquin.” The term of endearment slips out, but she doesn’t seem to notice.
We climb back on the bikes, and I lead the way along the winding road toward Dunquin Pier, which is only a ten-minute cycle. It strikes me how normal I feel chatting with Maddie.
I haven’t said Cara’s name out loud in years. It’s basically forbidden in my presence.
Yet I just offered it up to Maddie Hart.
I glance back to make sure Maddie’s keeping up, and she is, her hair flying out behind her from under the crooked helmet, a smile on her face.
This is fine. This is normal. She’s my best friend’s fiancée’s little sister.
Basically, she’s nothing to me. But I can still feel protective of her, right?
Nothing will happen between us. We’ve already established that. We’re just friends.
Cycling one of the most beautiful, romantic roads in the world.
This is fine.
9
MADDIE
Saturday, March 8
Boyfriend Disaster #3: Vinny the Mama’s Boy
Job Location & Length: Kinnley’s Pizza, 1.5 years
