Page 107 of After the Siren
‘We haven’t talked about that yet. Maybe.’
She nodded, and he could tell she was making an active effort to keep from giving him useful advice. ‘Are you going to tell Ommi and Abi?’
Theo sighed. ‘Again, maybe. If we’re still together in the off-season.’
Eva took a sip of her smoothie, grimaced and set it aside. It wasverygreen. She was thinking hard about what she wanted to say. She’d never been one to rush words.
‘You know,’ she said finally, ‘I always admired the fact that you did what you wanted. I get that it must be hard, but I’m proud of you. If that’s allowed.’
Theo swallowed. ‘It’s allowed.’
She hesitated. ‘Maybe I could talk to them? Sometimes I think you’ve all been frustrated by this for so long that none of you listen anymore.’
Theo bit back a retort and let her keep speaking. She was usually right about this sort of stuff. Unfortunately.
‘I know what they’re like,’ she continued. ‘And they definitely need to listen to you. But I think that, because they didn’t get it, you gave up trying to explain it. That’s on them. But you might have to give a little, too. If you do want them on board. You seem to be doing pretty well, no matter what they think.’
Theo thought about that day on the beach months ago; thought about Jake saying, ‘Would that convince them?’ He thought about Paddy, and Xen, and Yelks, and every game he’d played this year. Thought about being sprawled on the couch with Jake tucked up next to him, the way it felt to walk into training, the roar of the crowd as he walked up the race on game day.
‘I don’t need them to get it,’ he said, and was surprised to find it was true. ‘No matter what happens next, I’m glad I did this. But I’d like it if they made an effort.’ He sighed. Let something go. ‘Paddy’s parents flew out from Ireland to see his first game, you know? They’ve never even come to one of mine. I’ll try to meet them in the middle, but I just ... I’m not holding my breath.’
‘That’s fair,’ she said. ‘I’ll talk to them. And while we’re on the subject of annoying our parents, I’ve been meaning to tell you: I’m going to quit my job.’
‘What?’
‘I’ve had enough of being a lawyer. I’m sick of the hours, I’m sick of the work, I’m sick of the people.’
‘What are you going to do?’
She smiled. ‘Retrain as a teacher. I love the idea of teaching, and I’ve really enjoyed the bit of uni tutoring I’ve done, but it just never felt like an option. There’s a program set up for people who want to switch to teaching, and I’m going to do that. I know it won’t be easy, but I want to do it.’ She grinned. ‘Maybe someone inspired me to think about what I really want.’
Theo reached across the table to take her hand. She’d been biting her nails. ‘I’m proud of you, too. If that’s allowed.’
‘It’s allowed.’
‘Hey.’ They both looked around. Jake was standing in the doorway. He’d stolen one of Theo’s hoodies and was wearing it over his boxers. It was big on Theo, so it came halfway down Jake’s thighs. He looked sleepy and soft, his feet bare on the tiles. Theo wanted to grab him and drag him straight back into bed.
‘Good morning,’ Eva said. ‘There’s coffee in the pot if you want some.’
‘Thanks.’ Jake ambled over to the counter and poured a cup. He hesitated for a second behind Theo’s chair, as though he’dbeen thinking about leaning down to kiss him and changed his mind. He took the chair next to Theo, nursing the coffee between his hands.
‘Now,’ Eva said, putting her glasses on. ‘I hear you want to date my little brother.’
Theo groaned and buried his head in his hands. ‘No, Eva.’
Jake grinned. ‘Yeah, I was hoping I could take him to the school disco. I’ll have him home by nine.’
‘I can probably allow it,’ she said. ‘Maybe even nine thirty. You seem like a nice young man.’
Theo snorted. He couldn’t help it. He raised his head in time to see Jake looking at him, mock-wounded.
Eva shook her head at Theo. ‘Don’t be rude to your date, Theodore.’
‘Yeah,Theodore,’ Jake said.
‘You know what?’ Eva pushed her smoothie aside. ‘I think this calls for pancakes. What do you think?’
‘Agreed,’ Jake said. ‘I’ll help.’
