Read Breakaway for Free Online Page B

head, food to eat…”
    “I think they mean
disadvantaged
—like, you’ve no money to send him to camp or something like that. It’s good he’s going. It gives him something to look forward to every day, you know? Build up confidence.”
    “You’re right. I suppose I didn’t think of that. Well, he could be your spy if you wanted him to,” Sandra needled as they headed downstairs.
    “What are you on about?”
    “Christ, you haven’t heard? You must’ve been holed up all day and night yesterday with your nose pressed to the computer.”
    “What are you on about?” Erin repeated, growing irritated.
    “He’s back.”
    There was no question about who
he
referred to.
    “Get out of it.” Erin’s mouth grew dry as she followed her friend into the kitchen.
    “I’ve got it on good authority.”
    “Who?”
    “Bettina,” Sandra answered, looking proud that she’d been the one to tell Erin.
    “Go on, then. What did she say?”
    “She said the bighead came swaggering into the Oak like he owned the place.”
    Sounds like Rory,
Erin thought.
    “Said he’s staying the summer to help his gran out with this and that. That he’s gonna be helping out Jackson Bell at the camp. It’s obviously a load of bull,” Sandra continued, frowning as she took in the disaster area that was her kitchen. “He could hire someone to work on his gran’s; he’s got the money.” She gave Erin a sly look. “You’d have to be stupid as a stone not to realize why he’s really here.”
    Erin snorted. “Well, good for him! If he gets within a mile of me, he’ll never play hockey again. My father will break his legs.”
    “He’ll have help from all the men in town. Bettina said Liam told Rory that if he tried to come near you, he’d have his head handed to him on a plate. You know your cousin: he would do it.”
    “And what did Mr. Big-time Hockey Star say to that?” The thought of Liam threatening Rory was extremely gratifying.
    “Bettina didn’t say.”
    “Hmm.”
    Erin sat down at the table while Sandra put the kettle on.
    “What are you going to do?”
    Erin was annoyed. “What do you mean, what am I going to do?”
    “You’re bound to run into him.”
    “And when I do, we’ll exchange pleasantries and go our separate ways.”
    “And what if he wants more than pleasantries?” Sandra pushed.
    “Then he can go chase himself.” Erin was tempted to take one of Sandra’s cigarettes to calm herself. Her nerves were jumping. “I can’t believe he has the gall to come back here.”
    “I know,” Sandra agreed. “Especially when the reason is so obvious.”
    Erin frowned. “Will you stop banging on about that, please?”
    “You know I’m right.”
    “All I know is he’s the jerk who turned my life upside down, and if it wasn’t for you and Jake, I’d be in the lowest level of hell. He’s an idiot if he thinks I’d ever give him the time of day.”
    Sandra raised her eyebrows. “Seems to me you’re getting very emotional about someone you claim not to give a toss about.”
    “We have a long history,” Erin replied evenly. “It’s not like that part of my brain has been burned out, you know. There’s a thin line between love and hate. I used to love him. Now I hate him.”
    “You could always cross back over,” Sandra said suggestively.
    “And you could keep your yap shut.” Erin looked at her in amazement. “Listen to you, talking about me crossing back over. I thought you hated him like poison. I thought you said if you ever crossed paths with him again, you’d tear his head off.”
    “I was just testin’ ya. See how you would react.” She gave a small yawn. “You do realize this is going to be Ballycraig’s summer entertainment. You and Rory.”
    “That doesn’t speak well of Ballycraig, then, does it?” Erin was working hard to hold her temper at bay. “It makes the village look like a pack of bumpkins.”
    “Nevertheless, I don’t think you’re going to be able to brush him