Breakaway Read Online Free PDF Page B

that for you.” Bettina sniffed, her face sour with disapproval as she looked him up and down. “What’re you doing back here?”
    Rory rested his elbows on the bar. “Jackson Bell rang me and said he wanted the football camp to be tip-top this year. Since I’m the one who founded the camp, he reckoned I’d be a big asset to him in terms of motivating the boys. I’m also helping my gran with some things she can’t take care of on her own.”
    Bettina smirked. “And we’re supposed to buy that line of bullshit, are we? It’s quite obvious why you’re here.”
    Rory took a sip of his pint. “I just told you why I’m here.”
    “Yeah? How about you pay a visit to Jake while you’re here playing handyman? Apologize to him for fucking him over, if you’ll excuse my language.” Bettina cupped her mouth. “Best friends since they were five years old,” she yelled to the pub at large. “But then Mr. Bighead here started playing professional hockey in New York, and all of a sudden, the likes of us aren’t good enough for him. Isn’t that right, Rory?”
    Rory felt a pang of remorse. It was true; he had treated Jake like shit, ending the friendship without any explanation. But at the time, he couldn’t stand the thought of appearing weak to his friend. He hadn’t the guts to say, “Look, I just can’t handle dealing with anyone from Ballycraig right now, okay?” He simply cut him dead right after he broke off with Erin.
    It wasn’t only the fear of looking like some kind of jerk-off that made him ditch Jake; it was the knowledge that Jake would have gotten in his face about what he did. The last thing Rory wanted to deal with was the truth. It was much easier to sever ties and convince himself that being an eligible bachelor and pro hockey player in the greatestcity in the world was the life he was supposed to lead, not getting tied down before he’d even hit twenty-five.
    “I will be apologizing to Jake,” Rory replied politely. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
    “I hope he spits on ya and tells ya to go to hell,” said Teague.
    Rory took a step toward his lumpy former schoolmate, and all of a sudden Teague’s bravery fled. “What did you say?”
    “Nothing,” Teague muttered into his beer.
    “Just keep your gums glued, you fat, waxy moron,” said David under his breath.
    He nodded curtly at Rory, who nodded back. He’d always liked David, and could never work out why he palled around with Teague and Fergus.
    “I hate to tell you, Mr. Hockey Superstar, but Jake Fry would sooner kick you in the teeth than be mates with you again,” Bettina informed him. “He might accept your apology, but he’s changed a lot since you decided to come down off your high horse.”
    “We’ll see.” Rory’s confidence had her shooting daggers at him with her eyes.
    Rory took another sip of his beer. He hated to admit it, but something inside him was feeding off all the animosity being directed his way, making him feel cockier than ever. Which was why when Liam O’Brien planted himself in front of him with a menacing glare, Rory was unimpressed.
    “Steer clear of my cousin. We clear?”
    “As glass.” He took his time downing more beer. If the folks of Ballycraig thought he was going to guzzle his pint and head out as quickly as he could, they had another thing coming. Feeling a bit congenial, he turned to Teague. “How’s life treating you these days, Teague?”
    “All right,” Teague replied, still staring down into his beer broodingly.
    “Yeah? What’re you up to?”
    “Same as usual,” Fergus answered for him, talking more to his friend than to Rory. “Spongin’ off his mam and dad and living on the dole.” He patted his friend’s hunchedshoulder. “Buck up, Teague. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. There’s loads of people doing the same.”
    “Ah, shit off, the lot of yuz!” Teague snapped angrily, slamming his pint down on the bar and storming out of the pub.
    “I see