“Me and Casey.”
“If you want me to treat you like a man, then start acting like one when you say her name. Or start running. Fast.”
I gather the last scraps of my courage and take a deep breath. “I’m in love with your daughter,” I say quickly.
“Mmm.”
“And, I have no idea why, but she loves me, too.”
“I have no idea why, either.” Don Madigan crosses his arms and studies me intently.
“I know that I’m not good enough for her, but I love her, coach. She’s the most important person in my life and I promise that I’ll do everything I can do make her happy.”
“So no more bullshit?”
“No, sir.”
“I never liked you, O’Connor.”
“I know that, sir.”
“And I don’t think I ever will.”
“I can accept that.”
“But you’re better than that surgeon. I couldn’t deal with him. He didn’t even like sport.”
I smile, despite myself.
“But I’m warning you: I’ll be keeping an eye on you. A close eye. And if you make her sad, or she eventhinksabout crying…”
“You’ll shoot me up the arse with your rifle.”
“No. I’ll kill you with my bare hands. I already have a place picked out in the garden, under that tree over there. See?” he says, pointing to it. “I could dig you a nice, deep hole, where all the pieces of your body will fit nicely after I’ve torn you apart.”
I swallow, nervous.
“Are we clear, boy?”
“Crystal clear.”
Suddenly his face loses its certainty, concern etching itself into his expression.
“She’s all I have, Nick.” For the first time in my life, the coach calls me by my name. “Casey’s my whole life.”
“I know, sir. But she’s my whole life, too.”
He nods, serious. “Well. I guess we have something in common, then.”
Suddenly, I hear the door to her apartment shutting, and turn to see her approaching us. She’s wearing a green dress and flat shoes, with her hair pulled back and a smile that melts the world around us.
“Something unique, sir.”
“Hey, you two.” Casey joins us. “What are you talking about?” she asks, looking between us.
“Everything,” I respond, sliding my hands around her waist. “Shall we go?”
“Sure, I’m ready.”
