“Well…”
She shakes her head, frustrated. “So predictable.” She opens the door and starts to get out.
“Where are you going?”
“We’re here, aren’t we?”
“Your house is over there.”
“I can get out here, too.”
“That makes no sense. Let me drop you in front of your door.”
She looks at me, one eyebrow raised. “Aren’t you scared?”
I swallow nervously. “O-of what?”
She looks at me, enjoying the moment. “You’re stammering again.”
“I’m not scared of your dad.”
“Hmm.”
“Why should I be? He’s not my coach anymore, and you’re not…” I bite down on my tongue, stopping myself from continuing.
Casey sighs: it’s a sigh that takes my breath away, leaving me with an unfamiliar emptiness that feels a lot like sadness.
“You’re right, Nick. I’m not.”
Not even she can finish the sentence, because the truth is that there’s nothing more to it.
She’s not. Full stop.
So why does it hurt so much to say? And why does it hurt even more hearing her say it?
I park in front of her house and she hurriedly opens the passenger door, probably intent on running into the house before her dad sees me and grabs his hunting rifle. And I know that he will. It’s happened before.
I get out of the car too, as Casey heads towards a door to the right of the house that I hadn’t noticed before. But before she can open it, the front door flies open.
Don Madigan is standing there, in all his fury, desperate to wring my neck right there on his doorstep. His arms are crossed and his expression says:I may not have killed you eight years ago, but I can damn well do it now.
It’s like time hasn’t passed for him, except his hair which has grown grey. His physique is still the same, as is his dangerous stare.
“O’Connor,” he greets me, through his teeth.
“Coach Madigan,” I respond, flashing him one of my best smiles.
“I didn’t think you’d ever drag your tanned arse cheeks back to Dublin.”
“They needed some time out of the sun.”
His stare hardens. He’s never been a fan of sarcasm – especially not mine.
“How come he’s here?” he asks his daughter.
“My car wouldn’t start.”
“Again?”
