(Jesus Christ. Drama.)
Lochlan is stretched out in the sun, sipping a glass of orange juice, reading a book. I'm close by in the shade, curled up in a chair in shorts and a hoodie. My book is too far away, upstairs beside the bed. I'm thirsty and he won't share, everyone is out, including the kids who write exams this week and this is the most beautiful weather so far this year.
So what did you say? You actually fired him?
No, once he explained all the paperwork and gave me the files I...decommissioned him very gently. I didn't stay after that. We didn't watch a movie.
Decommissioned. Ha. This is so ludicrous. The life you have led.
Indeed.
Now I can be your sugar daddy. He rolls his eyes.
You mean I can be yours. But back in the day you were literally my sugar daddy and I have a few stubborn cavities and near-diabetes to show for it.
You either have diabetes or you don't, Bridget.
I have a lethal sweet tooth and I blame you. Never use food as a reward.
I didn't. I used candy. Candy isn't food.
It is to me.
Well, like I said. You ain't right, He drawled. No accent. It was my turn to laugh. He's only marginally able to joke about any of this. It cuts so close. I turned over and smiled at him. Maybe we'll get somewhere someday, I'm thinking, when the side gate flies open and Caleb barges into what was a perfectly good morning. Loch gets up fast.
This is your fault, Caleb tells him.
Huh? I didn't know she was going to put you out to pasture. That's what you do when a horse gets too old to be of use though..
Caleb stops and nods and then throws one of the best punches I've ever seen from him, honestly. Friday morning now features a bloodfall over Lochlan's lower face. Epic nosebleed. Holy cow.
Lochlan fires back and connects with Caleb's jaw and grabs the front of his shirt on the way out of the strike, dragging Caleb forward into his knee before letting go. I slide in between them. Loch scoops me right out of the way as gently as he can and I'm left with no choice. No one's home. I didn't even think Caleb was home. I look for weapons, distractions. The orange juice is half empty but the pressure washer is right there. Two birds, one stone. I can get them separated and blast all of the blood off Lochlan in one go. I fire it up and Caleb does a double take. He yells Don't you dare, Bridget. I've got my blackberry on me.
Don't really care. I squeeze the trigger and they both holler at once but back off each other so I let go.
Lochlan moves to come to me so I blast him again. In the face.
FUCK, BRIDGET!
I think it hurt. I think his nose is broken. Now he's wet with a river of red right down his whole front. Caleb is checking his blackberry to see if it works. Fucking whatever so I blast him again too to see if he gets my point.
He rolls his eyes and frisbees his phone off into the grass. He turns to me and asks me nicely to put the sprayer down.
Only if you two are done hurting each other. I hate it. I stop talking so I don't cry.
What's going to happen when Ben comes back and finds out you didn't wait for him after all?
This has nothing to do with Ben. It's between you and I.
It's Pyro inserting himself where he doesn't belong and holding undue influence over y-
He didn't even know until this morning!
Lochlan takes his shirt off and uses it to try and clean up his face. Yeah, fucktard.
Caleb moves to lunge at him and I blast him. Just a little.
BRIDGET.
Hurt him again and I'll flatten you with this. It's...it's a really high PSI.
What does that mean?
I can take the paint off the space shuttle. From here.
Where is the shuttle?
I don't fucking know!
He puts his hands up and backs down. I don't need him charming you into an unstable situation. That's all.
Unstable? What the fuck, you asshole! Loch is ready to go again. Shirt's on the ground, a red puddle of surprise.
You don't have her best interests at heart, Loch. You want to be sixteen forever. She needs more than-
Are you two finished? I pulse the sprayer just once and they both look at me.
If you want a further explanation then come see me later. I look at Caleb. I'm sorry I did it on the heels of a net worth inventory but I had to make sure. You always tell me to make sure. So I did. And it looks bad. I'll give some of the money back if you want but otherwise I need to do this. I can't keep you here as Cole forever. I'm not getting anywhere. I need to get somewhere. This isn't working.
You were in it for the money?
I was in it for revenge and for other reasons but none of them were ever about money.
You loved me at some point.
Still do.
You're going to kill me with these candid thoughts, Neamhchiontach.
I wish I could sometimes.
Lochlan snorts and I turn the sprayer toward him but don't turn it on. He puts his hands up and turns and walks away. Caleb stays put.
Don't you give him everything, Bridget. He betrayed you the worst of anyone.
He's paid dearly for it already, Diabhal.
Who gets to decide that?
I DO! I FUCKING DO AND NO ONE ELSE!
Should I call Ben and get him home now before there's nothing left for him to come back to?
Please don't act as if you have his best interests at heart. He wanted me to do this a long time ago. But I don't listen. I take forever and make up my own mind instead.
