Page 144 of The Secret We Keep
My mum’s eyes begin to water. “Only if you have time. You go and enjoy yourself.”
Considering she’s just handed me a packet of condoms; I find the moment too funny to pass. Letting out a chuckle, I slip the box into my coat pocket. “Okay.”
“Oh, one more hug.”
I eye roll her but relent. This is a huge moment for them both, and I would be an awful daughter if I didn’t give them this time to say goodbye. You know, until I see them againtomorrow.
“Okay, I really have to go now.”
Mum drops her arms, and I smile at her lovingly before I turn and head towards Paddy.
Getting into the car, he has Shania Twain playing. “I think you have a secret thing for Shania.”
“It’s not a secret. I love a woman in boots.” He shrugs.
Shaking my head, I put on my seatbelt and wave at Mum and Dad who are both on the doorstep as we drive away.
“They good?”
“Yeah.” Pulling out the box from my pocket, I hold it up between us. “Mum wants me to be safe.”
His chest rises with his gasp and a burst of nervous laughter rushes out of Paddy. “Fuck. Did shereallyhand you a pack of condoms for a night away?”
“She did.” I lean back in my chair, one hand clapped over my chest. “That must have been hard for her.”
Paddy scratches the back of his head. “I bet your old man doesn’t know she did that.”
“No,” I exclaim, twiddling the box round in circles in my fingers. “I wouldn’t have got out of the house if he knew.”
Letting his laughter simmer, Paddy looks at me before looking back at the road. “Not that they have anything to worry about.”
My smile quickly evaporates. “Right.” I backtrack my emotions quickly.
“Curly fries. I said we weren’t rushing this. Me taking you away isn’t some sexcapade. It’s a chance for you to escape Stoney Grange without your parents. It’s a chance for us both to relax.”
I hum in agreement, but not necessarily about the sex part.
No, I did not assume that I would be having sex this weekend. But neither did I assume that one day I would be holding a packet of condoms in Paddy O’Keefe’s car. So itcouldhappen.
“No, of course. You’re right.”
Paddy grins taking the condoms and throwing them on the back passenger seat. “Ready for our road trip?”
I turn to face him, fixing my smile back in place. “Will you be singing the whole way?”
He turns up the music. “Only if you will.”
“Prosecco?” Paddy holds out a glass for me.
“Thanks.” I take a small sip before placing it on the table between us. The bubbles fizz on my tongue like popping candy before I swallow.
Paddy sits on the adjacent reclined chair. “That’s good.” He tips his head back, downing most of his glass.
My eyes widen.
“What?”
I sit back in my chair. “Nothing.”
