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“Absolutely,” she replied, tightening her hold on me. “I was so out of my depth, and your father was working all the hours God gave him to put food on the table. Back in those early days, I genuinely thought I was losing my mind. But it gets better, love. It gets easier. I promise.”
143
Change of Plans
JOEY
“But he’s a hurler, Gibs,” Kav pointed out, voicing my thoughts aloud as I sat at their lunch table, listening to his demented best friend spurt off his latest wild idea.
It turned out that Gibsie had a lot of wild ideas, and I would know, since I was the misfortunate bastard with a class timetable identical to his, meaning we’d spent the first six classes of the day together.
And oh yes, he saved a seat for me in every single one of those classes.
Apparently, Johnny was an even bigger egghead than Kev and was primed for the illustrious 600-point leaving-cert score in June that only the academically gifted snagged.
Meanwhile, I was destined for average, right alongside a lad who could never be accused of being average.
“True,” Gibsie replied with a nod. “But Lynchy needs a change of scenery, and we need a winger. Tommen doesn’t have a hurling team, but we do have a rugby team. A team that’s running seriously low on quality players this year.”
“Look at him,” Hughie interjected. “He’s too—”
“I’m too what?” I sneered, daring him with my eyes to finish that sentence.
“Nothing,” he muttered, turning away. “Nothing at all.”
“Yeah,” I growled, still glowering. “That’s what I thought.”
“He’s aggressive and argumentative, not to mention downright vicious at the best of times.” Feely decided to throw his two cents into the conversation.
“The fuck would you know about it?” I snapped, glaring at him. “You don’t know shit about me.”
“Case in point,” Feely replied calmly. “Plus, he’s already a skilled athlete.”
“True,” Kav mused, scratching his chin, expression thoughtful.
“You’ve seen the lad,” Gibsie continued, ignoring me entirely and concentrating his attention on his teammates. “He’s lightning on his feet.”
Feely smiled. “He’s perfect.”
Turning to face me, Gibsie grinned widely. “So, are ya feeling me, Lynchy?”
“Like fuck I am,” I deadpanned. “If you pricks even think or imagine that I’m going to join your—”
“You’ll get to hit people,” he cut me off by saying, “Repeatedly, legally, and without getting arrested. Consider it a physical form of therapy.”
“I’m reformed,” I replied with a sniff. “Besides, I’m a father now. I don’t have time for sports.”
“Yeah,” all four laughed.
“What?” I snapped. “I fucking am!”
“A father, yeah,” Kav agreed.
“Reformed?” Gibsie snickered. “Never.”
Refusing to take the bait from who I could only compare to a wealthier version of Alec, I shook my head and leaned back in my seat. “Listen, while I appreciate the offer to join your team, I have a girl, a kid, and a job that come before everything. So, it’s a pass.”
“A job?” Kav’s brows shot up. “Already?”
