Page 4 of The Secret We Keep
I run a hand through my hair before I cup the back of my neck, trying to tame the threads of tension beginning to ache there. “She’s fine.”I think.
Fi assesses me with cautious eyes. At the age of twenty-one, she shows a maturity far beyond her years. “You didn’t think to bring her with you?” She folds her arms across her middle.
I smile because I really didn’t. “No.” This isn’t the place for her. And considering she packed her bags while yelling at me, I’d say she wouldn’t have come anyway.
“Well, I’m glad she’s not here. She wasn’t the one for you.”
I quirk a brow at her, wondering how the fuck she always does that. One look. One word. And Fiona can read me like a fucking see through book. “That right?”
Fi nods. “What did you do?”
I look over my shoulder as if the answer is there, because fuck me, I can’t find the right one anywhere else. “You’re so sure I’m the problem, Fi?” I look at my sister as a few more people make their way inside the hall.
“You’re always the one trying tosolvethe problem, Paddy. Whatever happened, I bet you’re blaming yourself, robbing yourself of happiness.”
That cuts so fucking deep, she has no idea.
If I’m being totally honest, I’m not surprised that Hannah left. What she did to me was unforgiveable. But I ruined her life. Even though on paper we’re probably compatible, we had nothing in common. There was never any connection. No spark. As pathetic as it might sound to some, that shit is important to me.
“I am happy,” I try to protest, earning me a shake of Fi’s head.
She smiles widely with disbelief. “It’s a skill being able to read you so easily, and you are so full of shit. What happened? Really.”
I look down, avoiding having to look at her, but immediately look up, trying to prove her wrong. We’re at a standoff. Eyes locked through an ever-stretching silence. “I cheated on her.” I pull my shoulders back and take a deep breath.
My lie earns me an eye roll. Clearly, Iamthat transparent. “People who don’t know you might buy the image you once had for yourself, Pads, but you won’t get away with it here, even if itisonly until Monday.” There’s a weird glimmer in her eyes all of a sudden, but Fi straightens herself. “For you toactuallycome back here means something’s wrong. Like,seriouslywrong.”
Her voice wobbles at the end, and I chew the inside of my mouth, seeing her getting upset. “Well, maybe you could stop reading me and use some of those skills to help this weekend run smoothly for me?” I playfully nudge her chin with a gentle fist, hoping to win her round.
Swatting me away, she sniffs before she speaks. “You told Mum yet?”
I shrug, earning me a sigh.
“Not that you ever listen to me, but please figure out a way to tell her that after three years her only son is leaving again in two days. Evie will be coming to stay with us soon. Mum can’t have that stress as well as yours.”
We both look up seeing Mr Brooks’ conversation end and both our parents making their way over to us.
“Because if you don’t, I will—”
“Patrick? Fiona?” Mum questions, closing the space between us.
I glare at Fi before she casually wraps her arms around my old man’s large waist, not giving anything away. “Dad.”
“Everything alright?” Mum asks, hugging me and then Fi in turn with a slightly worried look on her face. She’s carrying a plate of food to take inside, skilfully balanced in one hand.
“Fine. Everything’s fine,” I tell her. “What did he want?” I nod in Bill’s direction before exchanging a frown with my sister.
“Oh, nothing. He was telling us about his recent holiday.” She looks between me and Fi letting out a sigh. “Oh, for the love of God, what is it? Do I smell or something? You’re both acting weirder than usual.”
I huff. “No, that smell is just your food,” I try to joke, getting a dead arm from my dad.
“Twenty-four doesn’t make you too old for a good old-fashioned beating, boyo.”
I smile, rubbing my arm. “Missed you too, Pops.”
He holds out his hand, and I take it, before he’s pulling me into him. I arrived home a few hours ago, but Dad was still working down the yard at his garage. He looks well. Aged,but still the man I remember. Three years of distance suddenly has my chest tightening and myfingers curling into the back of his shirt. This is why I came back here. No words needed, just, this.
He sighs before asking, “You spoke to Morgan yet?”
