Page 22 of Irish Fury
Forcing her shoulders to relax, Mags settled in to enjoy a few hours of uninterrupted work. As her hands worked through an intricate bee pattern, her mind drifted to her friends. Their visit and care had been a balm to her spirit that she hadn’t realized she’d been craving.
Jol prepared a whole brunch spread for her friends, and at everyone’s urging, the housekeeper sat and enjoyed the feast, even laughing at the crazy exchanges.
The moment they walked into Eze’s flat and introductions with Jol and Abeo were made, they dragged her to the back bedroom and forced her to strip to her bra and panties to see for themselves how badly she was hurt.
“God, Mags,” Gray gasped. “You’re so lucky you didn’t break any bones. I’m still pissed you didn’t call one of us.”
Blair lightly ran her fingers over Mags’ ribs and winced before signing, “Did your mom freak?”
At her hesitation, Bébhinn clasped her shoulders and forced Mags to look her in the eye. “Tell me you told Charles and Aileen.” At Mags’ grimace, she added, “You better have a damn good reason for all your recent cloak and dagger bullshit.”
She had about ten reasons, but she refused to tell them everything. However, she could give them something. “This book deal is super amazing for Dad, but family finances will be tight for a few more months. I’ve taken a couple of part-time jobs to pick up the slack. My parents don’t know, and I don’t want them to.”
Blair, ever the most intuitive, asked, “Why did you move out of the townhouse, then? You didn’t have to pay rent.”
Mags felt heat sweep over her body, exhausted by the subterfuge. She put her clothes back on while her three best friends looked at her with concern.
She decided on one more truth. She sat on the bed and faced the firing squad before her so her shaky knees wouldn’t fail her.
“I didn’t make the financial aid deadline and couldn’t afford Trinity this semester. Your father,” she looked at Bébhinn, “provided a roof over our heads while you and all of us were in school because he was the most amazing, thoughtful, honorable man to have ever walked the Earth. But…well, I’m not in school, and I have honor too.
“I had to take a few jobs to make ends meet while my parents are in America, but I’m excited for my business. I believe in myself, guys. This year has been shit for me, and there are some personal family things I’d like to share, but I can’t. Not yet. Just know that I have a plan, and I feel optimistic.”
Bébhinn cried and sat on the bed next to Mags. “Dad would have kicked your ass for moving out. I want to kick your ass, but you're scrappy, and I don’t want a black eye for tonight. You should have trusted me. Us.” Her voice hiccupped the last.
“Mags,” Gray started before swallowing roughly several times, “you saw me at my lowest, and you refused to leave me there. You were the catalyst that brought Ciar and me back together. I would have been honored to help you. It hurts me that you didn’t give me the chance.”
That gutted Mags. Her own panic had blinded her to her true resources. It wasn’t money she’d needed all these months. It’d been her friends’ support.
“What jobs are you working?” Gray asked.
Groaning at what was to come, she told the truth anyway. “I work in the kitchen at an elderly care center Monday through Friday. I get there at five. Once the dishes are done from morning service and the lunch prepped, I hoof it to the chippershop we all like on Crown Alley. I fillet fish and fry until the afternoon.
“Then I work on my projects above the Smith Gallery the rest of the day. I dust and clean the shop for money off the attic space, but” she attempted brightly, “I get to use their toilet and breakroom fridge and microwave.”
“Where have you been showering?” Bébhinn asked tightly. “You’ve only been staying here since last night.”
Mags blushed furiously, but she was done lying. “There is a gym not a half mile from the gallery that rents lockers and has showers.”
“What else?” Gray asked.
“I bartend Friday and Saturday nights. The tips are great. You guys know that fabric isn’t cheap. It’ll all be worth it in the end, I swear.”
“You didn’t eat or drink at Murphy’s last Sunday,” Blair stated. She was tight-lipped, her face pale and pinched. She was beyond hurt.
“Well, I was running a bit short of funds, but I loved seeing everyone. Honestly, I didn’t mind.” Even Mags was getting slightly depressed at her “woe is me” bullshit. “Listen. It sounds bleaker than it is, and now that Eze, the guy who lives here, has decided I’m to live with him until I get on my feet, my life is truly turning around.
“I don’t want your sympathy, guys. I’ll take your love and support, but not your pity.”
Blair was busy typing away on her phone, which was odd since she needed to watch everyone to stay involved in the conversation. Mags watched as Blair’s face paled. Whatever she’d been reading wasn’t good.
Blair looked up and stared daggers at Mags, while tears slipped from her expressive green eyes clouded with tears. “Your parents are living a few blocks from America’s number onecancer hospital. Johns Hopkins. Her cancer is back, isn’t it? That’s what all of this is about. Don’t lie, Margaret, or I swear I’ll call Dad right this minute.”
This was it then. No more running. She was tired of hiding, and Mags trusted her friends with her life and certainly with her mother’s secret.
“It is. I found out the night before your wedding, Bébhinn.”
In that moment, the painful band that had been constricting her loosened. She was able to explain the reason why her mom had insisted on secrecy, on wanting to fight the cancer on her own two feet and with her own money.
