Page 91 of The Secret We Keep
My eyes narrow on him. “What makes you say that?”
Paddy runs a hand through his draping hair. “Because the guy was an arsehole. Treated everyone like shit.” He turns to look at me quickly. “But you know me, right?” He groans, looking forward again. “Always have to try to help. Only, this time, I got someone killed.”
I swallow and try to steady my shaky breathing. “It’s not a bad thing, trying to help.”
The corner of his lip twitches. “It’s not always a good thing.” Another look my way; this time he holds it for longer before dropping his hold.
His gaze burns right through me.
“I guess I thought I was doing the right thing. I don’t know, I just… I should have been the bigger man and not let him get to me.”
I don’t want to know what the other man said. It’s obvious that whatever it was, Paddy feels responsible for the accident. “Do your parents know what happened?”
With his shoulders slumping, he says, “Mum does. Although, she’ll have probably told Pops by now.”
“She must be worried about you.”
He dips his chin. “She is.” Then he changes the conversation. “I wanted to talk to you. I met my boss before coming back here. I asked for reduced hours when I go back to work.”
My heart sinks. “So you’ll be leaving again?” I blurt without thinking.
He shakes his head slowly, expression twisting. “No, Morgan. I’ll be staying here. If that’s okay with you?”
It’s more than okay. “Yeah. Sure,” I say shakily, failing to play it cool. I’m embarrassed for being so obvious with my emotions.
Paddy’s face lights up. “Okay then. I’ll be staying.”
I purse my lips, nodding my head slowly. “Okay.”
A comfortable silence falls between us.
“So, how’s work?” Paddy asks sincerely.
I notice we slow down and pull onto a gravel track. Unsure of my surroundings, I reply, “Yeah. Good.”
“Made any friends?”
My eyes narrow as I read a small, green sign.Lovers Lake.
Oh, God.
Why on earth is he pulling into here?
“Friends?” I reply, swivelling my head to look at him.
He hums, fingers moving on the wheel.
“There’s this one girl. Sarah. She seems nice.”
“That’s good.”
The car bounces along the track. I thought Paddy drove cautiously on tarmac. Watching him manoeuvre the lumps and bumps of the path is something else.
“Are you worried about your car?” I ask with a nervous smile on my face. Still wondering why we’re driving down here.
“A little,” he tells me, straightening his back and looking out of his window.
The car jolts as the front wheel sinks into a hole. “Well, maybe, if you’re staying, you should consider getting something more suitable for where we live?” My hair whips across my face as Paddy turns, hitting a mound.
