Page 124 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“It’ll either be a burnt-out wreck or parked up at the bottom of the Hudson by now.”

A biker’s hog is like an extension of their own person. I’m not sure I’ll ever find another that means as much to me as that one did. I’m actually praying that it doesn’t turn up. I admire Jessie’s optimism, but if it does, it won’t be in the pristine condition I left it in.

When and if it’s returned, it will be used to make either a threat or a statement.

“So what happened in your forced proximity situation? I know what happened in mine.” She snickers. We all know what happened in hers. She’s told us all enough times.

“Nothing happened.”

“At all?”

“We argued, made up, put the world to rights.”

“Do you still love him?”

“It’s not the kind of thing you can just switch off. Then again, he did, so who knows? Maybe it’s just me who’s cursed.”

“Loving someone’s a curse?”

“When your name is Jaine Jones, it would appear so.”

“Maybe he does love you, and he just doesn’t want to say it.”

I snort. “I admire all the wishful thinking you’ve got going on.”

“Dylan told me that Paddy never cheated after all.”

“That was nice of him to share that with you.”

“You and he would never have split up if you’d known that.”

“No shit, Sherlock.”

“How does that make you feel?”

“Confused as well as melancholy.”

“So he never cheated, you share a child, and you love him.”

“And he’s happily married and in love with someone else, so your point is?”

“And how are things with big bad Eoin?”

“We’re taking things one day at a time.”

I don’t tell her I think something’s going on with him. Eoin’s not being Eoin. Is it because I’m trying to change him, or is something else going on?

“Communication and compromise. That’s the answer.”

“Thanks for the relationship advice.”

“You love him still?”

“Why do I feel like I’m being interrogated?”

“I’m just trying to find out where your head’s at these days, partner.”

“When you find out, then be sure to let me know. Yes, I still love him. I love them both. I will always love them both. Same as I will always love Ace.”

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