“We’ve known each other since we were at school. We’ve seen each other around a few times,withSkylar. That’s all.”
He stares at me, unconvinced.
“Oh, come on! What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong is that I was the one who went and spoke to the Hannigan family.”
“What?”
“I apologised to them on your behalf.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You just disappeared without a word, as always. You hurt that girl, embarrassed herandher family. You ruined her reputation.”
“I didn’t—”
“So I went and apologised to them.”
“That wasn’t your job.”
“You’re right, it wasn’t. It was yours.”
“I didn’t do what everyone thinks I did,” I say, weakly trying to defend myself. “I never started those rumours.”
“But you still didn’t do anything to help her. And sometimes, Niall, staying silent is worse than reallydoingsomething.”
I was quiet at dinner. The conversation with my father really bothered me. I didn’t know he’d spoken to Mary’s family in my place – to be honest, I never thought that people around here would still be talking about the whole incident. It seemed so silly, just a stupid teenage rumour – something that should’ve died out over time. It’s true that I never did anything to make things better for her. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t me who started those rumours, or even that I never slept with Mary in the first place. I hurt her and her family. I forced her to move out of town. I ruined her life.
“Everything okay, Coach?” Carter asks me from the passenger seat. “I’m sorry you always have to drop me home.”
“It’s no problem.”
“I could’ve cycled.”
“Not in the dark on your own; not when you’re leaving my house.”
He fixes his gaze in front of him. Maybe I was a little harsh on him.
“I don’t mind giving you a lift. This way, we get to chat a little, too.”
“Okay.”
“So, how are things going with Skylar? Does she still hate you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Does she still insult you?”
“No. She just puts up with me, now.”
I laugh. My daughter is so strong-willed – but I can’t tell him that. I would never evendreamof it. That’s not the reason she’s so strong.
“Well, that’s a start, right?”
“I guess so.”
“What do you think of the team?”
