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"You lied to an entire police organization," I ree And Mooing to get an earful when Dad makes it ho charges I should go down there and kiss his ass And do you realize that you could just as easily have been in that pub when it got boo to Cork, I likely would have I would have ht in the eye, perhaps shared a pint with him

And then who knows? I could have ended up like Rowen Or worse

Dad pours himself another whiskey "You know, since Jesse finally settled down and started using his head, I thought I could finally relax I thought our faht you’d do sohtly softer voice that screaerous"

"Neither did I," I adht have in the past "But it was the best way to protect everyone"

He heaves a sigh, shaking his head to himself "How do you know?" He parrots me, just as I did to him

I rest my chin on his shoulder "I just do"

He chews his food in silence for a fewto come horuht thisin Ireland for another week, at least"

"And then?"

"And then I don’t know" I hope I findit one day at a time, like I have every day since I arrived here"

He stabs at his food with his fork "This thing you have with hiht? That boy’ll never not be a criminal"

"I do realize what he is"

"He’ll never step foot in our home"

"I know that, too"

"And Dublin is 4,682 led it"

I smile, sadly "I really care about him 4,682 times more than I ever cared about Aaron, or Brody, or even Neil In a different way A deeper way"

I can see the frustration in his face as he h the obstacles to this relationship that he just presented All of them are valid That frustration is followed by a flash of realization, and then fear

"You are not actually thinking of staying here That’s justYou can’t do that, Aon A life! You can’t just blow that off for souy you’ve known for a minute!" Each word comes out faster, louder, laced with --"

"Dad!" I cut him off with a yell, but follow it up with a pat on his ar to ht about You raisedfor me" I have an envelope’s worth of plane ticket receipts to countries I’ve drea the clock on the wall, anxiously waiting for River to co toall of my plans doesn’t, either

There has to be soh that turns into a monstrous yawn He’s exhausted, but too stubborn to turn in just yet "Just do me a favorplease"

"What?" I ask with hesitation

"Get on a plane and fly somewhere--anywhere away from here and him"

I open my mouth to protest but he cuts et it, okay? You care about hie how you feel God knoon’t get anywhere with that The boy did save your life after all That’s bound to create a strong connection But, sometimes people need some time and space to think clearly You’re one of those people, Aes you ht now, you’re not suddenly going to becoirl anders through life ‘one day at a time’ "