64
Ryan
Evan opens the front door. “Oh, hi…”
I poke my head out of the kitchen to see Nick waltzing into the living room.
“I brought back up,” he says, as Ian and Riley appear behind him.
“What the hell…?”
“How is she?” Riley asks right away.
“Better. She’s upstairs, having a shower. What are you doing here?”
“We thought you might need us.”
“Why would I?”
Nick shrugs.
“I get it: you guys don’t trust me. You don’t think I’m capable of taking care of someone, right? Always the same fucking story – Ryan’s the immature little boy who can’t be trusted.”
“We’re here forher, you dick. And maybe a little bit for you,” Nick grabs my shoulder and looks me in the eyes. “I saw how you were at the hospital. You were in shock. We just wanted to make sure you were okay, too.”
I look at him, doubtfully.
“So why are they here, then?” I ask, nodding at Ian and Riley.
“Well, Riley didn’t want to stay at home because she was too upset, and Ian…he’s here to cook.”
“You cook?” Evan asks, approaching him. “Welcome, mate. Make yourself at home! The kitchen’s over there.”
We all burst out laughing.
“What’s going on?”
Christine appears on the stairs, still wrapped in her dressing gown.
“An O’Connor-style invasion,” I tell her.
“Chris,” Riley goes right over to her and throws her arms around her. “I was so worried, I wanted to come and see how you’re doing.”
“I’m okay, thank you. But…why are they all here?”
Riley turns to look at my brothers.
“They’re kind of a package deal. A bit like theThree Musketeers. You need to get used to it.”
They’ve only been here for a few minutes and I already feel suffocated.
“So, kid. The kitchen?” Ian turns to Evan.
“This way, mate. I hope you’ve brought ingredients with you, because we don’t have a fucking thing.”
“Evan!” Christine cries.
“I have some bags in the car, if you wouldn’t mind giving me a hand.”
