AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s me,” I cried, tears falling fast now, as I managed to pull him into a sitting position. “I’m here, Joe.”
“Aoife.”
“You’ve got to come with me, okay?” Sniffling back another sob, I managed to get him to drag himself to his feet. “I’m going to take you someplace safe, okay?”
“Molloy.”
“I’ve got you.” Hooking one arm around his back, I draped his arm over my shoulder and unsteadily dragged him towards the door. “It’s okay, Joe. Just lean on me. I’ve got you.”
How I managed to get us both down the staircase in one piece was beyond me, but I didn’t have time to think about it, because Shane and his goons were waiting for us in the hallway, which put me even more on edge than I already was.
“You know, you should really let him sleep it off,” Shane offered with a snicker. “Poor lad can’t even get high without the missus busting his bollocks.”
“For fuck’s sake, Holland, don’t be a dick. Can’t you see the poor girl is in a bad way over her lad,” another much bigger, much older, bearded man, with a distinctive Belfast accent said. He then walked over to where I was attempting to hold up a semi-comatose Joey, and hoisted him upright. “Where’s your car, love?” he asked. “I’ll carry him over to it for you.”
As much as I wanted to tell them all to go to hell, I needed the help.
“It’s outside,” I sniffled, and then moved for the door, only to quickly glance over my shoulder to make sure the man was following me with Joey.
Thankfully, he was.
Hurrying over to my car, I quickly unlocked the passenger door and swung it open.
“W-will he b-be okay?” I heard myself ask, feeling acutely small and young in that moment. “Should I t-take him t-to the h-hospital?”
Here I was, on Christmas Eve night, bawling like a baby on the side of the road, while some beefed-up gangster put my boyfriend in the car for me.
Jesus Christ…
“No, love, he’ll be grand and so he will,” the big man assured me as he settled Joey into the passenger seat. He even went as far as fastening his seatbelt around him. “Take him someplace safe and let him sleep it off.”
“Was that…” Shaking my head, I exhaled a ragged breath and strangled out, “Heroin?”
The man didn’t answer.
“What do I do?” Another harsh cry escaped me. “How do I h-help him?”
“He’ll be grand,” the man told me. “He’s not too far gone to be pulled back. And with a lass like you in his corner, he’ll come right. Don’t you worry.”
I stared up at him, feeling a wave of anger, curiosity, and gratitude wash over me. “Why did you help me tonight?”
“Because I was your lad here once upon a time, and I wish somebody had helped my wife before I became what I am, and she became my ex.”
And then he turned around and walked back inside the house, leaving me alone with Joey.
Hiccupping out another sob, I rounded the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. Shaking like a leaf, I slowly fastened my seatbelt and stuck the key in the ignition.
“She’s pregnant,” Joey whispered from beside me, lips mashing together clumsily.
“Who?”
“My mother.”
Jesus.
I was so reeling that I honestly didn’t know what to say.
Groaning in pain, he slurred. “I’m…sorry, Molloy. So fucking…sorry…”
