Redemption(81)

“I’ve never been an auntie before, so I would love that. You’re so lucky to have him, Jessica. I bet you’re very proud.”

I smiled and nodded. “I definitely am.”

Just then, a knock sounded at my door. My posture picked up as I looked out towards the door, then back at Tara and Jimmy. I shrugged and Jimmy immediately tensed, sprinting for the door. I ran after him and tried to peek over his shoulder as he gently pushed the curtain aside. Once Jimmy was satisfied, he put the curtain back and looked at me with a smile.

“Who is it, Jimmy? Tell me!”

He started laughing. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

“What?”

Jimmy said nothing, so I huffed in his direction and opened the door.

I wished I hadn’t. Boy, did I wish I hadn’t.

“Tyler, why aren’t you answering any of my calls? I heard about you and Evan. Please don’t tell me it’s because of him?”

Oh shit. I knew I would have to face the music one day, but I wasn’t ready right now. My parents would go apeshit when they realized Dean was here and very much a part of my life now.

I sighed and opened the door wider so my mum and dad could come in. When they walked in, they both noticed I had company.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. O’Shea.”

I cleared my throat. “Mum, Dad, this is Jimmy, and I think you already know Tara.”

They both smiled. “Yes, I remember you, Tara. You’re a nurse at the hospital. My dear, whatever happened to you?” My mother walked up to Tara and placed a hand on her arm.

Tara smiled timidly. “It’s a long story, but I’m okay.” She looked at me, then back at my mum. “I think I better leave you to some privacy.” Tara walked off, but Jimmy still stood there with a big grin on his face. “Jimmy!”

Jimmy jumped, which was quite funny to see considering his size. I could tell he wanted to stay, but there was no way in hell he was getting the popcorn out and watching the “O’Shea Show”.

Tara shouted his name again and Jimmy sighed. “Duty calls. I’ll leave you to it.” He smiled and, reluctantly, walked away.

“Come here, pumpkin.” My dad raced over and took me in his arms. “Why have you been avoiding us?” he whispered in my ear.

I stiffened and looked across at my mother, but she had her eyes fixed on something else…or someone else. “That’s why.” She gritted her teeth and glared at Dean as he came down the stairs.

My mother was about to shout, but Dean put his hand up. “Please. I’ve just gotten Jeremy off to sleep. I know you—”

“What? You know what?” My mother was getting herself all in a fluster. She turned to me. “What is this, Tyler? Explain.”

I knew I kept saying it, but fucking shit with a cherry on top.

“Erm.” I didn’t know what to say at first. My tongue was all twisted in my mouth. I knew this conversation was coming, but I certainly didn’t expect it to be now.

Sensing my unease, Dean came rushing over and placed an arm over my shoulder. My mother’s nostrils flared, which probably wasn’t the best of signs, but knowing Dean was there to support me gave me strength.

“I know you must be angry…,” I began.

“Angry?” my mother spat. “Why on earth would I be angry, Tyler? This man, who has his arm around you, stalked you for years, broke into your house, and got you so scared, you had to fake your own death and move thousands of miles away. Why would I be angry about something like that?”

Dean placed his hand out in a calming gesture. “Mrs. O’Shea, I know this is a lot to take in, but I would never, ever hurt your daughter. She is my number one priority. She always has been.”

My mother huffed. “Do you hear that, Derren? Apparently, the guy who frightened our daughter to death and caused her to break away from her family tells us that Tyler is his number one priority. Isn’t that just peachy?”

My father was about to answer, but Dean cut in, “I screwed up, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make it up to Tyler. To try and make it up to you.”

My mother clenched her fists. “You’re dangerous, Dean. You always have been. You’ve carried on in your parents’ footsteps, and now you’re bringing that to my daughter’s door. How could you?”

Dean looked at my father for a moment. He wasn’t saying anything, which meant he clearly wasn’t as angry as my mother right now. I hoped I had an ally in him, but I wasn’t too sure where my mother was concerned.

“I’m done with that life, Mrs. O’Shea. It was never one I wanted to be born into in the first place. I couldn’t help who my parents were.”