“It’s Teagan, mate. What the fuck is going on? I just had a text from Layla that you broke up with Norah and she’s on her way back to the States. Please tell me this is some sort of sick joke.”
I groan into the phone, “It’s a long story.”
“You fecking eejit,” my mate snarls through the phone.“What on earth possessed you to make such a dick move? I thought you were in love with her?”
“I was.I am,” I tell him.“It’s complicated, Teag. My Mam and sister need me here. Caity is doing poorly and Mam shouldn’t have to do this alone. I need to be here for my family.”
“I get that, but how does ending things with Norah factor into this?” Teagan demands. “Surely she’d give up everything to be there with you. Everyone can see she’s head over heels for you.”
“I can’t do that to her. She has a life in Wilmington and I won’t ask her togive it all up just so I can selfishly keep her by my side. I love her too much to tie her down.”
Teagan lets out a humorless laugh. “You’re a thick gobshite, aren’t you, Kennedy? Did you even think to ask her what she wanted? Because it sounds like you made the decision for her.”
I stop short. Ididn’task her.
“No, I didn’t, but…”
“But nothing. This isn’t the Middle Ages, mate. Women don’t need men making the decisions for ‘em,” he barks out.
“Fuck off,” I growl, flinging myself onto my bed. “That’s not what I was doing. I was trying to save her from a miserable life. She might be willing now, but what happens when the years drag on and she starts resenting me? Better to end it now after a few months than years.”
Even as I say the words, I don’t really believe them. I know deep down that Norah wouldn’t resent me or my family. She’d fit right in, bringing light to the darkness. That’s just who she is.
As if reading my mind, Teagan says, “You don’t believe that.”
“I can’t take it back,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. “She’s already on her way to Dublin. I don’t even know which train she took. She just…left without telling me. I would have driven her.”
“You think she really wanted to spend all that time in a car with you after you basically sent her packing? And then to say goodbye at the airport?” he asks in disbelief.
I hadn’t thought of that. I was so upset over her traveling alone that I never even considered how difficult that would be for her. For me as well. Could I have really let her get on a plane and fly across the ocean?
“Fuck. I’ve bolloxed everything, haven’t I?”
“Yeah, mate. You really have,” Teagan agrees, not showing a hint of sympathy. “So what are you going to do about it?”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Norah
I’ve been home for three days and have rarely left my bed. If not for my friends, I likely would have forgotten to eat and shower. The moment I stepped off the plane in North Carolina, I was greeted by Charlie and Layla. I managed to maintain my composure the entire flight from Ireland, but as soon as they enveloped me in their arms, I broke. My knees hit the ground and I wept openly. It felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest, shattered, then shoved back in haphazardly, piece by piece. It hurt to even breathe. Charlie and Layla didn’t bat an eye. They sank to the ground and wrapped their arms around me, not saying a word. They didn’t ask for details or slander Eamon’s name. They got me in the car, took me home, made me shower and eat, then sent me straight to bed. They took my phone away and unplugged any electronic devices in my room before curling upon either side of me and going to sleep.
I’ve finally had enough of my own moping and crawl out of bed. I force myself to shower, willing myself to not think about the shower with Eamon. It feels like a losing battle, so I turn the water all the way cold and screech when the icy water hits my skin. It’s enough to clear the haze of unwanted memories. After showering, I forego the sweats and pajamas I’ve been living in and don jeans and a hoodie. When I step into the living room, I find Charlie and Layla perched on the bar stools around the island, and Amelia and Myra curled up on the couch. Charlie hops from her perch to pour me a cup of coffee. She doctors it just the way I like it and hands it to me with a kiss on my cheek.
“Thanks,” I murmur, then look around the space. “What are you all doing here?”
“What do you think we’re doing here?” Myra asks softly, folding her hands over her growing belly. “We’re here foryou.”
My eyes brim with tears. Before they can overflow, I shake my head and blink rapidly.
“I’m not going to cry anymore,” I whine, waving my hands in front of my face in an attempt to dry the tears. “I’m really happy to see all of you.”
One by one, they all come to hug me. When it’s Myra’s turn, I can’t hold it back any longer. “Just kidding. I’m definitely going to cry. My, you’re having a baby girl! I’m getting a new niece!”
Myra laughs, wiping the tears from her face. “I know. I can’t even believe it. I thought I’d feel terrified, but I’m so freaking excited!”
Placing my hands on her slightly rounded belly, I tell her, “You’re going to be one of those pregnant women who looks like she just swallowed a basketball. The rest of you will still be perfect.”
“Ugh, I don’t know about that. I feel like I’m already swelling,” she groans.
