Exactly. Apparently, Tyler and I share the same problem, there.
“He knows how to be convincing.”
Who knows whether he convinced Mary Hannigan, too? I can’t stop thinking about it, and I definitely can’t start believing it. That rumour destroyed her and her family, and forced her to move away to another city, to leave her friends behind. All because of Niall Kerry. And that should be more than enough to convince me not to go too close to him.
“But you know how to play your cards, too.”
“What are you implying?”
“Me? Absolutely nothing,” he says, laughing. “But, seriously. Nice work.”
“It’s my job. I have to help my students, make things work in this school.”
“And is it also your job to help your students’ fathers?”
“Of course – I help their families, too,” I say, pointedly.
Tyler smiles as he watches Niall try to explain something to the kids: probably the rules and positions.
“He needs this, you know.”
“What do you mean?”
“He needs a fresh start.”
“Everyone needs a fresh start at some point in their lives,” I say, a hint of sadness creeping into my voice.
“Yeah – but he’d already reached the end of the line.”
“I didn’t know you guys were so close,” I say, a little shocked. I didn’t think Niall had stayed in contact with anyone in town.
“To be honest, we hadn’t seen each other for years. But you know how it works: you only need to see someone a couple of times to pick things up from where you left off.”
I’m scared that his theory applies to me, too – but not quite in the same way.
I never liked Niall Kerry. Okay, so he was drop-dead gorgeous. He was funny and charming, but he was never my type. We lived in different worlds; he was into his sports, one of the best-looking guys in school. He always went out with the prettiest girls. Everyone adored him for his sporting talents. And me? I was the nerd, a member of the debating club, president of the Student Council. I always had to get the best grades in everything; I wanted to go to the best university in the country.
We had nothing in common; and seeing him here, now, after twenty years, only confirms what I already knew. Despite the night we spent together, despite all his games, and the fact that he seems so interested in me. He’s probably only trying to ensure the best possible future for his daughter – and for himself, too.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” I find myself saying, now, after dragging myself back from my thoughts. “I wouldn’t trust him so much.”
“Are you talking to me? Or to yourself?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Tyler, but I’d never trust him.”
“What do you think could happen?”
To you, nothing.
“I don’t know; I just don’t trust him. I don’t think his intentions are in the right place – not deep down.”
“Looks like someone’s never quite moved on.”
“You’re wrong. I have moved on. I grew up, I built a life for myself.” I watch Niall as he jokes around with the kids. “He’s stayed exactly the same.”
“Mmm,” he says, considering this. “Maybe he hasn’t grown up just yet, but he’s on the right path.”
“I don’t think so, Tyler.” I heave a sad sigh, shocked that I feel so emotional about the whole thing. “I don’t think I can ever believe in another man,” I mutter, quietly – but Tyler hears.
