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My ability to provide for my family.
My ability to procreate with a functional pair of balls.
Yeah, I had a feeling both were at stake today.
This was all new territory to me.
One minute, I was twelve years old, and locking eyes on her at the school gates, and the next, I was seventeen, standing in her house, about to tell her father that she was mine.
Christ.
I had no fucking clue how to make this work without screwing everything up.
Because let’s face it, I had a gift for fucking up.
Muttering out a string of curse words under my breath, I followed her into the house, feeling my heartrate increase with every step I took closer to the kitchen – a kitchen I knew well, considering I’d helped Tony fit it three summers ago.
“Aoife, is that you, love?” With her back to the door, Trish Molloy reached into the oven and retrieved the nicest smelling joint of roast beef I’d ever had the pleasure of smelling. “Have you any idea what time young Joey is coming over? The meat’s just done, and I want to serve it while it’s hot.”
“Yeah, Mam,” Molloy offered, offering me a reassuring nudge with her shoulder. “We’re both here.”
Here we go.
“Joey, love.” Setting the roasting tin on the counter, Trish pulled off her oven glove and shuffled over to us. “How are you?” With a warm smile, she grabbed my arms, reached up, and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “It’s lovely to have you over.”
Repressing the urge to jerk away from her touch, I forced myself to smile down at the low-sized, blonde.
“It’s good to see you, Trish.” Feeling at a complete fucking loss, I shrugged and added, “Thanks for having me over.” Again. “The food smells great.”
“Ah, sure you should know by now that you’re always welcome in this house,” she replied, and then frowned. “But what have I told you about keeping that hood up and hiding that handsome face.” Reaching a hand up, she pulled my hood down. “Now.” She smiled and patted my cheek. “Much better.”
Jesus.
“Yeah, Joey.” Snickering, Molloy trailed after her mam, helping to set the table and lay out the cutlery. “You really need to stop wearing your hood up all the time.”
“Force of habit, I guess,” I bit out, glaring at the back of her head. “Can I help with anything?”
“No, no, love,” Trish said, ushering me over to the table. “You sit down and relax. You’re our guest. We’ll look after you for a change.”
The sound of a throat clearing filled my ears, and I didn’t need to look behind me to know that Tony had entered the kitchen.
“Joey,” he said with a sniff, as he walked over to the joint of beef. “You’re keeping well?”
“Tony.” Forcing myself to remain calm, I offered him a small nod. “All good. Thanks for, ah, for having me over.”
“It was Aoife’s idea.” Reaching into the drawer, he retrieved the sharpest looking carving knife I’d ever had the misfortune of laying eyes on. “She said the two of you had something to discuss with us.”
That’s how he’ll do it,I thought to myself, as I made my peace with God,that’s what he’ll use when he cuts my balls off.
“Dad,” Molloy growled in a warning tone. “You promised.”
Tony held his hands up. “Have I said a harsh word to the lad?”
“You didn’t have to,” she snapped back. “The fact that you’re glaring at him while yielding a carving knife says it all for you.”
Christ.
“Listen, Tony.” Knowing that I was going to have to get this over with sooner or later, I pushed my chair back and stood. “Can we talk outside?”
