‘Well, that’s true,’ Tammy said, trying to joke through her tears.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Shay said. ‘You have to believe me, I did it all to protect you, and to protect Ma. We had a chance to get her away from our da, and I didn’t want to waste it. And I couldn’t bear the thought of your father torpedoing your medical career before you’d even had a chance to get it started.’
‘I…I just thought you were a jealous asshole,’ Tammy spluttered.
Shay’s Daddy instinct kicked in so hard that it was impossible to resist. He couldn’t let her suffer like this when he was so near. Never again. He put his arm around her slim shoulders. She was so close that he could smell her now — that sweet smell from his childhood.
‘Iwasa jealous asshole,’ he said, gently rubbing her back. ‘I’ve always been jealous, since the day I was born. Jealous of the special bond my brothers had. And then, later, jealous that you were into both of them… and not me.’ He paused, squeezed her shoulders. ‘Forgive me, Tammy. Can you forgive me?’
There followed the longest moment of Shay’s life. Then, finally, when he felt like he almost couldn’t take it anymore, she nodded.
CHAPTER 16
Tammy lay in bed, thinking. Her life had been full of confusing moments, but none quite as confusing as this. It was like her reality had been flipped upside down.
‘We want to give you a chance to process this,’ Conor had said. ‘You take the bed tonight — the three of us will take the living room. Tomorrow, we’re going to hit the parks. We know this is a lot to take in, but a bit of fun will help to clear your head.’
Tammy had protested, but the brothers had insisted. It’s not like she was in the mood for anything saucy, but she could have done with the company.
Heading around the parks tomorrowdidsound like something that would help her out, but also, it felt kinda weird to be having fun when it felt like Shay had just dropped a bomb on her perception of the past.
He’d been trying to protect her. All these years, he hadn’t hated her. He’d… liked her?
She lay on the supremely comfortable mattress, her head spinning. Beneath her, she could hear the ocean, lapping against the base of the hut.
Conor. Finn. Shay. Her dad. The sea. The endless, timeless sea.
Of course, she’d wondered about Shay. There was no doubt that he was attractive. And he was so different to the other Healy brothers. So quiet and mysterious. And now, apparently, her guardian angel.
Was he the third bear she’d been searching for all these years? Was she the reason that, no matter how good it felt with Conor and Finn, she always knew there was something missing?
She didn’t remember falling asleep — who does? — but she definitely remembered waking up.
All three Healy brothers were knocking on her door. For the first time ever.
‘Wake up, sleepyhead.’ It was Shay’s voice. Not gruff, not angry. He sounded like he could speak freely for the first time in his life. ‘There’s fun to be had.’
‘This ride isamazing!’ Tammy’s heart was pounding. She gripped the edge of the carriage and took in the incredible view.
‘Tamster,’ Finn said with a lopsided grin, ‘the PeopleMover isn’t technically a ride. You know that, right?’
‘Uh, we’re riding it, aren’t we?’ she said.
‘Classic doctor, always arguing semantics.’
‘I could stay on this all day long and have literally the best day of my life.’ Tammy was clutching a ton of unhealthy treats. Conor and Finn had said that because it was a special day, they were operating on a ‘stripped-down’ version of the rules. When Tammy had asked them what they meant by stripped-down, Shay had said that meant there were no rules today.
‘Don’t be getting any ideas though,’ Conor said, ‘if there’s any bad behavior, we can still punis—’
‘Absolutely not,’ Shay butted in. ‘You want the right to punish her, you need to set very clear boundaries.’
‘Fine,’ groaned Finn. ‘Mr. BDSM is right. Let’s just say no rules today. You know, except for the actual law or whatever. So, knock yourself out with all the candy you can eat.’
‘Squee!’ exclaimed Tammy. ‘I like new Shay.’
It was a little thing, but it felt amazing to Tammy. Shay didn’t feel like a third (fourth!) wheel at all. It felt like he was integral to the relationship.
The PeopleMover finally pulled into the station. Conor spoke. ‘Now, I know you’re having fun on this… train. But do you think we could get off now? I was kind of hoping to experience something a little more… thrilling.’ He pointed towards an imposing shape on the horizon.