“She did. Like, she knows I had, you know, feelings for Connie. But that’s it. It’s not my place…I mean, she never asked. And it’s not my place to out Connie to anyone. Not even Julia.”

“So what, is Connie a lesbian too then? Or a bisexual—they’re the ones that like lads and girls, aren’t they? Or does she just want to shag everyone? Does she even care?”

“I really don’t know. When we started, she said that it was just for fun, that she was straight, but—”

“I’m straight,” Orla interrupted, “And believe me—I wouldn’t voluntarily go down on a fucking girl. Ever.”

“That’s what I mean. It went on for so long, she didn’t date any guys…We were together, I guess. But…” I sighed. “I don’t wanna go on about it. It’s not like it matters anymore. It’s over, you know? It was just a fling at the end of the day. Nothing important.”

“You’re right. You’ve got a girlfriend now, ay? Though I gotta be honest, Ryan—I’d keep an eye out, you know. And make sure O’Reilly doesn’t stab poor McMahon in her sleep.”

Chapter 15

March 1996

“O’Reilly. Uh—hey. What’s up?”

Connie’s cheeks reddened but she was quick to neutralize her expression, smiling at me with a weak edge I hadn’t quite expected. Our interactions were infrequent and short, neither of us entirely sure what to say to the other, and since I had come out, I had seen her only from afar. She had done well to avoid my gaze and I hers though from time to time I would become aware of her eyes on me, watching carefully when she thought nobody else might notice. But we hadn’t spoken to each other alone in so long that to see her like that, up close and without distraction, threw my mind into a discomforting disarray.

“Alex.” She hesitated before her eyes flickered over me, studying me in a way that was not entirely subtle. She crossed her arms across her chest and stood a little straighter, her chin pointed up high. “Did you watch the game?”

“I, uh—yeah. I did. I don’t normally come but um, semi-final, I know. I had to make an appearance.”

“You came because it was Holy Faith.” It wasn’t a question, really, but it stung like an accusation. I nodded and she raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing skulking around back here?”

“I’m waiting. For Julia.” I motioned toward the dressing room and watched as Connie’s eyes darkened, her expression almost immediately souring. Her perfectly polished red nails dug into the sleeves of her hoodie. She was close enough that I could smell her perfume, lingering in the air. That gentle fragrant that brought me back to untoward memories I ought to have suppressed—my head tucked into her neck, naked bodies pressed together, cotton sheets drenched in sweat mingling with that scent that was unmistakably Connie.

“Of course. Your girlfriend now, isn’t she?”

I nodded, looking away from her. “She is, yeah.”