Page 10 of Steadfast

“Right. Leia.”

“That’s her name!” He shook his head. “I knew she was named after a character, but I couldn’t remember which one. Anyway, she said to tell you hi.”

“She’s in my accounting class.”

“The college one?”

“Yup.”

“Nerds,” he replied.

I snorted, and then we were both laughing, shushing each other as the bed shook.

“I love how you try to pretend you aren’t just as smart as me.”

“Am not.”

“Whatever.”

“How many college classes have you taken, nerd boy?” I asked, poking him in the stomach.

“Zero,” he hissed, grappling for my hands.

“Liar!” I whisper-yelled back, tightening my knees as he tried to roll us over.

“I can’t remember!” he said in exasperation, still trying to wiggle away from my fingers.

“Yes, you do.”

“Five,” he said finally as he got a hold of both of my hands, wrapping his fists around them. “Good god, woman. How many hands do you have?”

I was out of breath as I settled back against him, both of us listening intently to make sure we hadn’t woken anyone up.

“I love you,” he breathed, kissing the top of my head.

“Love you, too,” I murmured, feeling better than I had all day.

There was something about Richie that made me feel like I was wholly myself when we were together. Every day I woke up and put on ten different hats. I was a big sister to Cian and Saoirse, mother to Ronan and Aisling, cashier at the store,perfect student no matter what was happening at home, cute carefree girlfriend in front of Richie’s family. It was exhausting.

With Richie, I could justbe.

We lay there quietly for a while, neither of us sleeping. I knew why I was awake, but I was a little surprised when Richie’s breathing never slowed into the shuddery breaths that I knew meant he’d passed out.

“I got into the plumbing apprenticeship,” he said finally, tightening his arms when I moved to sit up. “Stay here.”

“You did?” I asked, twisting my head to look at him. “When did you find out? That’s awesome! Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You were already dealing with the social services shit,” he replied quietly.

“So?” I stared at him in the dark.

“Oh, hey E, I know you’re freaking the fuck out about this woman who showed up to your house, but I need to interrupt you for a minute because I got great news today,” he said sarcastically. “I’m not that much of a dick.”

“Don’t do that,” I said, shaking my head as my stomach sank. “Don’t. If we ignored your good news every time I was dealing with bullshit, we’d always be ignoring the good stuff that happens for you. I don’t want that. Are you crazy?”

“I’m telling you now,” he replied, giving me a squeeze.

“You did it,” I said with a grin.

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