“Which is why I’m not leaving this room today.”
“Get the fuck up.” I throw jeans and a black hoodie down on the bed before walking to her dressing unit to grab underwearand socks. “Aisling O’Donoghue always has the last word, and there is no way in hell my sister is letting that cheating prick and his skanky slut get away with what they did.” Tossing her things on the bed, I hover over her, putting my face all up in hers. “I know you’re heartbroken, but this isn’t you. Fuck them, Ash. They don’t get to suck all the light from your eyes. They have taken enough from you, and it’s time for some payback.”
A tiny spark flares in her eyes, and inside, I’m fist pumping the air. “Did you have something in mind?”
“Get up and find out.”
Come on, Ash.I’m silently praying, begging my sister to find her fighting spirit. If she can’t do this, I won’t push any harder than I already have. Jamie, Jono, and I are prepared to do this alone, if necessary, but one thing is certain—Cillian Cheating Doyle and Kelly Slutface Rogers are not getting married today without feeling the wrath of the O’Donoghues. They can fucking bank on it.
9
AGE 17
“What are you doing?” Ash whispers as I round the back of the wedding car on a solo mission, leaving Jamie and Ash to continue egging the silver Rolls Royce the soon-to-be newlyweds have hired for the day.
“Adding one final touch.” I smirk as I shove a couple of potatoes into the exhaust, using a stick to push them up the pipe out of sight.
“Jono just messaged,” Jamie says, pelting the last egg on top of the roof. “We need to drive the car back.”
The wedding driver is a local guy, well-known for being a big gambler. His usual MO is to leave the car outside the church while the ceremony is taking place and head to the bookies. Thank fuck for his predictability today. Jono was already in the bookies waiting, and he snuck the keys out of his pocket when he wasn’t looking and ran up here with them. Then he ran back to keep an eye on him.
Thankfully, there wasn’t anyone around when we drove the car from the church up the road and into the rear of the car park adjacent to a small apartment building. It’s always empty during the day, and we’ve been able to work without interruption oran audience. There’s no fun in getting caught sabotaging their wedding day although they’ll definitely know we did this. Can’t do jack shit without proof though. As an added precaution we’re all wearing black hoodies and bandanas covering most of our faces.
“You two head home,” I say. “I’ll drive it back and take the heat if anyone sees me.”
“Like fuck you will!” Ash shakes her stubborn head. “If we get caught, weallown this shit.” There’s my ballbuster little sis. It’s good to know she’s still in there underneath all the heartache and pain.
Jamie grins and hugs her. “That’s my girl.”
My scowl is instantaneous. Jamie flips me the bird as he lets Ash go and gets into the passenger seat. I climb behind the wheel while Ash gets into the back. “They’ll have one more surprise,” Jamie says, glancing back at Ash with a wide grin.
I start the engine and reverse around the corner.
“My cousin Elaine made their wedding cake,” he explains, “and I paid her a visit while she was baking it and added laxative to the mix when she was out of the room.”
I burst out laughing as I drive through the gate of the apartments. “Nice one, mate.”
Through the mirror, I catch Ash’s smile. “That’ll give them the shits for hours. Thanks, Jay. You’re my hero.”
I groan as the compliment soaks into his skin and he beams like he’s just won a Grammy. I might have to have words with my best mate again.
“Thought that was me,” I joke as we head towards the church.
“You’re my savior, Dillon,” she quietly says. “You’re the only reason I can even get out of bed each day.”
The atmosphere sobers, and pain lances me straight through the heart. I hate this for my sister, and I wish I could make it all go away.
I love you.I think it, but, of course, I can’t say it. “You’re my everything, Ash. I would do anything for you.”
She offers me a watery smile through the mirror. “Same.”
Jamie’s Adam’s apple bobs in his throat as he looks between the two of us. In that moment, he knows it’s been really, really bad. I’ve told Jamie Ash is struggling, but he doesn’t know the details. She wouldn’t want anyone knowing how bad it is.
“What’re you doing?” Jay asks, frowning as Ash sits on the floor in the back, spreading a cloth across the seat in between chugging red wine from a bottle.
“Rubbing red wine into the leather. I can’t have it too visible, or she won’t sit down, but I reckon a fine layer of red wine will still work wonders on her white dress.”
“That’s diabolical.” Jamie chuckles. “I approve. But remind me to never get on your bad side.”
