Juice: The O'Malleys Book 1, contemporary Adult Romance Read Free Page A

would never give up, Rory thought with pride. Sometimes, when he was a kid he would cry at night, his small head hidden underneath the blankets as he listened to her coughing and gasping for air. And through the walls, he would remember the words of the stories he had told her. Holding his hands over his ears, he would silently call on the spirit of the great Gráinne Mhaol to give Aoife courage. And to keep her safe, to keep her alive. He knew in reality he was comforting himself also. He couldn’t imagine life without Aoife, it didn’t bear thinking about.
    Rory shook his head. You’re an eejit, O’Malley . Fairy-tales and stories . He ran his hand through his hair and let it fall onto the back of his neck massaging it roughly, weary and frustrated. She was fading. He could see the light in her eyes dimming; it had been twenty four years. Twenty four years of hospitals, doctors, infections and resuscitations. He couldn’t even blame her for feeling resigned to her fate anymore. What kind of life was that for a young girl? He turned back towards the bed and saw that Aoife was awake and smiling at him.
    “Jaysus Rory, you look like someone has killed your puppy. It’s goin’ to be okay.”
    He smiled at her and raised his eyebrows at the look she threw him.
    “I know, stóirín . I know.”
    She laughed at him and started to wheeze and cough, he went to her quickly and sat her up rubbing her back in a circular rhythm until it passed.
    “Thank you. And I’m not your darlin’ Rory O’Malley, save that for your pretty girls in London and New York. I’m just Aoife, just like I’ve always been. Stop hiding from me with well-placed endearments. I know the real you.”
    Rory sat at the edge of the bed and took her hand. He tried to blink back the tears that were threatening to rise to the surface.
    “You’re precious to me Aoife. I can’t bear to see you like this.”
    “Ah you O’Malley men, you’re all the same ya know. If you can’t fix it with your millions you lose the run of yourself. Some things can’t be bought, Rory. Some things are just meant to be. I’m dying Ror, I can’t fight for much longer. It’s too hard.”
    Rory put his face close to hers and looked into her eyes. She looked so fragile to him, her cheekbones more pronounced, her blue eyes huge and glassy.
    “You can fight, Aoife. You have to keep on fighting.”
    “Calm down, you big eejit. Rory, you are clever enough to know that even you can’t stop the waves from crashing on the shore. Some things are bigger than all of us. A perfect storm Rory. That’s what I need. The right lungs with the right blood type, a perfect match. And I need it soon. I’ve been on the waiting list for two years; it would be a miracle if it happened now. Somewhere out there are the perfect lungs made just for me. But I can’t lie here and wish that person harm in order for it to happen. How shit is that, Rory? I need for them to fail at their life in order for me succeed in mine.” She lay back on the bed holding the oxygen mask close to her face. Spent, from even the most minor exertion. Rory jumped from the bed and looked down at her, his face pained and angry.
    “No! No, Aoife. We’re not in control of what happens to other people. We wish harm on no one.” She pulled of the mask and patted the bed beside her.
    “Sit down ya big dope! Read me a story Ror. Make me forget for a while. That one.” She pointed to the old and worn book on the bed side locker. Rory picked up the book and gently touched its much-loved cover.
    “Oh Steinbeck, is it? It was far from Mister John Steinbeck you were reared, Aoife O’Malley.”
    “It’s one of daddy’s books; you know how he loves his American classics.”
    His heart clenched when Aoife gave him a big smile, he noticed her lips were developing a bluish tinge of late.
    “He writes beautifully Rory and from the heart, where it should always come from. Come now, start on page ninety two.”
    She put her