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“Well?” Molloy demanded down the line as I walked home from work that evening. “How did it go? Was he horrible? Are you okay? Did he hit you? Tell me that he didn’t hit you—”
“Molloy, take a breath. I’m grand,” I cut her off by saying before she could launch a full-blown interrogation. “I’m almost home. I’m going to grab a shower and check on the kids, and I’ll swing by your place afterward.”
“So, you’re really okay?”
Not even close. “Yeah, Molloy, it’s all good.”
“What did he say?”
“He asked me if I planned on marrying you.”
“Oh my god,” she groaned dramatically. “What did you say?”
“I told him that we already got married in secret, and that you got my name tattooed on your ass instead of a wedding ring.”
“You did not say that to my dad.”
“No, I didn’t.” I chuckled. “How are you feeling?”
“The same as I was when you last asked,” she mused. “Chill, Joe, I’m still me.”
Thank fuck for that.
“Well, I’m literally down the street from your house,” she added. “I have the car, so just call me when you’re ready and I’ll come get you.”
“You at Casey’s flat?”
“Yep. I’m putting highlights in her hair. I had to get out of my house or I was going to stab my brother with a spoon.”
“If you’re going to stab him, use something sharper.”
“Like a knife?”
“Maybe just a fork. We don’t need you having that kid in prison.”
She laughed down the line. “I’d look hot in stripes.”
“You definitely would,” I agreed. “Listen, hang up, and I’ll call you later.”
“Love you.”
“Love you back.”
Ending the call, I slid my phone into my pocket, only to retrieve it once more when it started ringing.
Not bothering to read the display screen, I clicked Accept and put the phone to my ear. “No, Molloy, stripes don’t make you look fat, and no, you haven’t put on weight, either, and yes, even if you do put on weight, I’ll still want you just as much as I want you now—”
“Joey, come home. Come home quick!” Ollie screamed down the line. “Please, come home. Daddy’s going to kill her!”
“Who, Ollie?” I demanded as my legs broke into a run in the direction of my house. “Is it Mam?” My heart jackknifed in my chest. “Is he hurting Mam?”
“Shannon!” Ollie screamed down the line. “He’s killing Shannon!”
70
Him or Us 2.0
JOEY
