Page 32 of Steadfast

“No, sorry.” Richie shook his head.

“Dang.”

“If you guys pick up all the balloon pieces out of the yard, I’ll pick some up today before my shift.”

“Why are you still workin’ at the pizza place?” Cian asked, his mouth full of doughnut. “Didn’t you just get a new job?”

“Yeah, but I haven’t started at the new one yet,” Richie replied. “I’m giving the parlor time to find someone to replace me.”

“No more random pizzas for us,” Cian joked in mock disappointment.

“In a couple of years, you can start working there and bring home your own pizzas,” Richie replied, smiling.

“I’m gonna work for a mechanic,” Cian contradicted. “That way I can keep Aoife’s piece of shit car running.”

I smiled. “That’s sweet.”

“I’ll need something to drive.” He shrugged.

“God, no,” I moaned. “No driving.”

“At least it doesn’t go above forty-five,” Saoirse pointed out helpfully. “He won’t be able to go very fast.”

“Thank you for that,” I replied dryly.

“I’m not wrong,” she said cheerfully.

“She really isn’t,” Richie added.

“You too?” I gasped.

“Your car was on its last leg ten years ago,” Richie said with a laugh.

“It gets me from here to the store and back.” I threw my hands in the air. “What more do I need?”

None of us mentioned that even if I wanted a new car, there was no way on earth I’d ever be able to afford one. I’d saved for over a year to get the one I had. I’d be driving that thing until it died.

“Who wants to go to the park?” Richie asked as the kids finished up their food.

“Me!” Aisling called quickly.

“The one by the skate park?” Cian asked.

“Yup.”

“Did you bring your board?”

Richie looked at him. “Obviously.”

“I’m in,” Cian replied.

“Me too!” Ronan raised his hand like he was at school.

“I’m bringing a book,” Saoirse piped in.

“Yeah?” Richie asked me.

“I just have to be back by two,” I replied, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’ve got work at three.”

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