Page 143 of The Secret We Keep
“Anytime, curly fries.”
She grins before pressing her soft lips to mine. “Now we celebrate.”
I'm glad I chose my red bikini
Morgan
Sunbeamsdanceuponmyface.
A lightness blooms within this place.
Laughter bubbles, sweet and free.
Joyful, simple me.
I’ve been willing every day to be over since Paddy told me he was taking me away. And now it’s here. Friday. And my tummy is housing so many butterflies, I’m pretty sure if I open my mouth, they’ll flutter out.
Why am I this nervous?
Chucking my bag into the boot of his car, I say goodbye to Mum and Dad who are nervously twittering together. “I’ll be fine,” I tell them, trying to put their minds at ease.
They may have apologised for being so overprotective, but this is new to them. Letting me go away.
Their lingering eyes stay on my every movement.
My first weekend away from them in over three years was bound to be a mountain out of a molehill situation.
“I’m twenty-one, remember. Big girl now.”
My dad flicks his gaze to Paddy. “You’ll look after her.” The stern edge to his voice tells me he isn’t asking.
Paddy gives him a solemn nod but doesn’t say anything. I watch as he stares hard at my dad, the pair of them exchanging silent, unspoken words.
“Great. Now that we know my boyfriend isn’t going to murder me in my sleep while I’m away, can I go?”
Mum hurries over, pulling me into a hug. “Becareful.” She emphasises the last word.
“Mum?”
She cringes, eyes crinkling, caught between awkwardness and downright uncomfortableness. “S-E-X,” she spells out, making sure my father doesn’t hear her.
My already crowded stomach bottoms out. “Jesus, Mum. I’m not sixteen. I’m not going to have sex and get pregnant.”
“No, love. I know. But I also know it’s likely you’ll be having sex soon.”
My eyes widen in horror.
“I’m your mother. I know these things,” she says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “And I know how you look at him and how he looks at you.”
I glance at Paddy, a steadying wave of surety making me relax.
When I look back at my mum, she gives me a reassuring smile. “I just want you to be careful, so I’d feel better if you take these.” Handing me a packet of condoms, I swear I’ve never felt so uncomfortable in all my life. We have never had these talks because I simply haven’t ever been interested in anything remotely related to sex or boys since my run-in with Rory.
The only man I would ever and have ever considered going all the way with is the one now opening his car door.
Okay, so maybe I should take them.
“Fine,” I concede, earning me a smile. It’s not a smile that shows she’s happy her daughter might have sex later, it’s one that shows she’s trying to be understanding. “Shall I call when we get there?”
