AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think you might have the wrong impression of Ronan. I’m pretty sure he wants to be around you.”
“Err… Alex, did you have alcohol with breakfast? The man can’t stand to be anywhere near me.”
“Oh please,” Bella starts. “I’ve known that man more than ten years, and I’ve never seen him react to another woman the way he does with you. He’s not good with his feelings. It may appear like he hates you, but I’m pretty sure he wants you.”
I shift on the bed, a little uncomfortable. The girls know about Chicago, I told them we hooked up a couple of times when they asked after he went nuts in the club trying to strangle Dan. I still think they are wrong.
“Look, can we please just drop it? Let’s find something to wear. I need to be somewhere.”
“Is everything okay?” Bella gives me a worried look.
“Yeah, I just… when Dylan was younger, he was practically raised by his grandmother––she’s buried in St Raymond Cemetery up in the Bronx. We used to visit every Thanksgiving and Christmas. He asked me to continue to visit after he was stationed abroad, he wanted Maddie to know her… she won’t get to do that this year… his parents, they, erm… they weren’t that close. His mom married George, and the relationship with her mother became strained. George was rich and Andrea’s mom wasn’t. They never stopped her from seeing Dylan, but it was only ever at things like birthdays, thanksgiving and Christmas. Until Dylan was old enough to ask to go see her. By the time he was twelve, he stayed every weekend and went every day after school.”
I take a breath and head into the kitchen to grab some water. Dylan and I may not have been together, but damn do I miss him.
The girls follow, standing either side of me.
“I hate that my little girl is going to grow up without a father, and now, because his parents are stubborn and rich, it looks like she’s going to grow up without a mother.” The tears stream down my face as the girls pull me to them.
I try to push them away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring the mood down.”
Bella pulls away and looks directly in my eyes. “You don’t ever have to apologise to us, we’re your friends… it’s what we’re here for.”
“She’s right, lean on us. Would you like us to come with you? And I really think being around people today might be good for you.”
“Thank you, but no. I’ll be okay going to the cemetery alone, and I think having dinner with Maxim is what I need.” I smile at the girls.
“Now, let’s go find me something to wear.” I sniff, stealing my emotions and heading back to the bedroom.
The girls wouldn’t let me come to the cemetery without a driver, they didn’t think I should be getting a subway or bus and I tried to argue, but they were pretty damn insistent. I left him parked at the entrance and told him I’d be about half an hour. I’m headed back to the car when movement to my left catches my eye. I glance over and I realise it’s Ronan, tipping a bottle of amber liquid to his lips.
I start to turn away, but I hear him say something. I can’t work out what it is, but he sounds upset. I look over at the car and notice the driver has gotten out and is standing near the entrance to the path. I signal to let him know I’ll be another minute. He nods but doesn’t move. I sigh, letting out a breath and heading to where Ronan is.
“Hey, Ronan, are you okay?”
“I felt you… go.”
“What? What do you mean?”
He doesn’t answer me, he just takes another big glug of whiskey. I step forward and reach for the bottle.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ronan. Why don’t you give me the bottle? Come––”
“No… St… go.”
I let out a breath and roll my eyes. This isn’t going to be easy. Deciding on another tack, I kneel on the ground next to him and stare at the grave he’s chosen to sit by. It’s only then that I realise it’s Rory’s. Shit. I pull my phone out of my pocket, deciding that calling one of his brothers is probably a better option that me trying to get him to leave.
Just as I’m about to unlock it, his hand shoots across and knocks it out of mine, sending it flying.
“No.”
“No? No what, Ronan?”
“Home, leave.”
“You want to go home? Come on, I’ll take you.”
“NO! YOU!”
