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I picked him up and whirled him around. “Wow, Frankie. That’s absolutely fantastic. I knew you could do it. Let’s get a drink, and you can tell me all about it.”

But he was too excited, his words tumbling from him. He steadied himself as I placed him on the floor.

“I went to the café where we had breakfast and asked if they had any jobs going. They said yes, and I start in a couple of days. As for the college…” He smiled again. “I played for them, and they loved it. They messaged me later this afternoon to say I have a place. We need to work out some details, but I can’t believe I actually did it.”

“I had no doubt.” How could they not see the raw talent he had? The innate flair for anything musical. “I will admit, I had a bit of a wobble earlier. I thought when you first mentioned getting a job that you were going to leave.”

“Why would I do that? Why would I leave the only man who’s cared for me since the first moment we met? Why would I leave the man who means more to me than anyone I’ve ever known? Why would I leave the man I love?”

“You love me?” I asked, disbelieving. What? Why? How?

“Of course I do, you silly man. For a smart man, you’re a bit stupid at times.”

He could say that again. I looked at him closely, his green eyes so bright and full of life. I never wanted to not look at them again.

“Yeah, I really am. But I’m a little disappointed.” His face fell. “I wanted to tell you I love you first. You beat me to it.”

“Fuck, Mac. I thought you were going to tell me it was over. Now, about that party.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

FRANKIE

When Mac said he was going to throw me a birthday party, I thought it’d be a quiet affair with my family and his, but of course, I forgot how big his family was.

While I only had Gran, Mum, and Logan, Mac had six siblings, their respective partners, and a horde of children I couldn’t even count. Oh, and not forgetting Dennis.

He decided the party would be at his dad’s place and, to be honest, it was a good idea. The place we lived in wasn’t big enough to swing a cat, so there was no way we’d fit all of them in there. Dennis’s place was enormous, and he was used to hosting parties, so it was the sensible thing to do.

Gran was beside herself with excitement, and when we turned up at two on the dot to collect her, she was positively giddy. Until, of course, she broke the news that Mum and Logan wouldn’t be coming.

“Did she say why?” I asked as we walked her out to the car, her steps unsteady.

“I don’t know how to tell you this, son, but she’s moved away. I don’t know when, and I don’t know why. I called her as you said, but it wasn’t until I saw Enid from next door that I found out she’d gone. Moonlight flit. If you ask me, she couldn’t afford the rent, what with Brian being in prison and all.”

I sat in the back of the car, my shoulders slumped. I mean, she could have told me, but then, what contact had I had with her since Brian decided he’d try to end my life? The answer was very little.

I didn’t know what to say, nor did I know how to process the information. Should I be upset at the fact she had abandoned me, much like Dad did, or should I be relieved that I no longer had to deal with her shit?

But what about Logan? Who’d look after him? He was a naughty little toerag at times, but he was my brother, and that upset me more than anything else.

“I know it’s your birthday, pet, but you needed to know. Try not to let it get you down,” She said, her eyes sad.

Mac said nothing, but every now and again, he’d check on me through the rearview mirror and smile, and when we arrived at his dad’s house, he pulled me in for a hug.

“Don’t let it ruin your day. Your Gran is here, and she’s the one that matters. Remember that.” He leaned back to look at me and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. “I love you, and so does she.”

He was right, of course. I put my shoulders back and stuck out my chest. It was my day. I was twenty-one, a fully-fledged adult, and nothing anyone said was going to spoil my day.

And no one did. Everything was wonderful: the food, the drinks, and don’t get me started on the cake. Who knew Aileen had a knack for cake decorating?

She’d made the most amazing cake in the shape of a grand piano, and although it didn’t work, it tasted fantastic. I had more than one piece, but no one minded. It was my party.

If I thought the day couldn’t get any better, I was wrong. A pile of presents sat on the dining room table, more than I’d ever seen in my life.

There were clothes, shoes, and the most beautiful watch from Fergus and his family. Mac had promised to give me his present later, and if it was what I hoped it was, it wasn’t something to open in front of his family. He’d insinuated as much that morning as he’d made me come for the second time.

Since declaring our love for each other, things in the bedroom department had gone from strength to strength. I no longer stayed in the spare room and had moved into Mac’s bedroom. I much preferred sleeping with him, secure in his arms, knowing he’d keep me safe whatever was thrown our way.