Page 89 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

Padraig:How is she?

Jaine:You could have asked her yourself.

Padraig:Now, now, Jaine.

Jaine:Well, you’re meant to be dating the love of your life, and yet you fucked my business partner over your desk earlier today. Jessie’s confused. And do you know what? I’m confused for her.

Padraig:Are we only ever going to talk about Jessie and me?

Jaine:I’m sorry. It’s just this situation is dragging the past up. I can see where all of this is headed.

Padraig:And where is that?

Jaine:What do you mean ‘and where is that’? You know exactly where.

Padraig:Nope. I don’t, darlin’. So, why don’t you remind me?

Jaine:I think Jessie’s got a point.

Padraig:What do you mean?

Jaine:You’ve changed. And not for the better either. You’ve turned into an asshole. Listen, I need to go.

Padraig:Jaine.

Padraig:Jaine!

I stare at the ceiling.Well, that didn’t go well.

Lowering my head, I stare around the place. This is what my life’s been reduced to. A successful lawyer, a vigilante sniper, and here I am.

Stagnating.

Day after day, I sit on this old leather sofa on my own with way too much time on my hands, being haunted by memories of the past.

Sometimes I wish I could just be absorbed into this piece of furniture. At times, I feel I already have.

I’ve got a husband who keeps secrets from me and who spends most of his time in another state. A so-called friend asking me to reminisce about one of the worst moments of my life. Maybe he’s forgotten. If he has, lucky him. I sure as hell never will.

On top of that, I’ve got a host of people who don’t want to cause me any upset. The end result is everyone’s keeping secrets from me.

Is there anyone who treats me like a fully functioning adult these days? Someone who doesn’t feel the need to wrap me in cotton wool and handle me with kid gloves?

Even Jessie’s hiding something. I know she is.

Isn’t there anyone who’ll tell me what the fuck is going on?

No.Yes.

I dial his number. It finally connects.

“Hello, Jaine.”

“Molly.” Great.

“If you’re looking for Eoin, he can’t come to the phone right now. He’s in the shower. We’ve been a bit…. busy. Shall I ask him to call you back?” She laughs smugly.

I disconnect the call.

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