AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Come in,” I croaked out, really not wanting anything or anyone from the outside world to come into this room and burst our bubble.
I only wanted to be with him.
“Joey’s parents are gone,” Mam announced when she walked into my room, her gaze sweeping over us both, no doubt to see if we were behaving ourselves. “Are you alright?”
“You shouldn’t have done that, Mam,” I heard myself say, sitting upright now. “Brought them over here? Ambushing us like that?”
“I didn’t,” Mam was quick to correct, gaze flicking between us. “Your father wanted to talk to Joey’s father.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sure you’ve realized by now that there’s no talking to him,” Joey replied with a sigh. “He only hears what he wants, Trish.”
“Yes,” Mam agreed sadly. “Listen, Joey, if we’ve made it worse for you at home…”
“It’s grand,” my boyfriend was quick to dismiss. “I understand why ye had to talk to my parents. I get it.” Standing up, he moved to where his bag was resting against my wardrobe and quickly bundled his uniform inside. “I meant what I said,” he added, zipping it closed and hoisting it onto his back. “I’m not him, Trish.”
“I know you’re not, pet,” Mam was quick to soothe.
Nodding stiffly, Joey flicked his gaze to me. “I’d better go.”
My heart sank.
“You could stay?” I looked to my mother hopefully. “He could stay the night, couldn’t he, Mam?”
Mam worried her lip. “Well, yes…”
“No, I need to go home,” Joey cut in, slipping his arms through the straps of his schoolbag. “What time is the scan tomorrow?”
“Half past one.”
“We finish school at twelve, so we can go straight to the appointment from there.” Retracing the steps back to my bed, he leaned down and brushed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll see ya in the morning.”
“You can stay,” I pleaded, reaching up to grab his hand.
Giving my hand a small squeeze, he winked down at me before letting go. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” he called over his shoulder as he moved for my door.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of what happens in your home,” my mother blurted out, causing my boyfriend to freeze in my bedroom doorway. “But I’ve heard enough stories and seen enough bruises on your body to know that it has to stop.”
“Mam!”
“You should know that I’ve phoned the Gards and reported your father.”
“Mam,” I strangled out, dropping my head in my hands. “What the hell?”
“And you should probably know that this isn’t the first time that I’ve reported him, either, but I’ve never had enough proof.”
“Oh my god, Mam.”
“But tonight, he threatened to harm you in front of me,” she continued to say, eyes locked on my boyfriend. “And while it might not be my business, I refuse to sit back and do nothing.”
“Jesus, Mam,” I croaked out, feeling my heart hammer violently as I waited for him to erupt.
“I presume they’ll pay a visit to your house before the night’s out,” Mam added, looking red-faced. “I’m sorry, love, I really am, but I couldn’t have it on my conscience.”
“It’s grand, Trish,” was all Joey replied, not turning back to look at either one of us. “I understand.”
“You can stay,” she repeated, tone thick with emotion. “There’s always room for you in this house.”
“Thanks.” With a heavy sigh, he shook his head in resignation and said, “But I have to go home,” before walking away.
