Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“My parents didn’t move from Claddagh. They wouldn’t have. They died in a car accident,” he clarified. He didn’t normally share the details of his childhood because it made people uncomfortable, himself included, but Seamus understood his upbringing in a way only people from Claddagh could and his parents were sure to hear the rest of the details eventually, if they hadn’t already, and then they’d tell him. Besides, they were technically betrothed so he had a right to know. “We had one living relative. State services tracked him down even though nobody asked them to because it’s the law or something.” DJ shrugged. “He was my father’s father but they were estranged because, as the story goes, he was removed from the community in shame after he stole from people, gambled away all his money, and cheated on my grandmother when my dad was little. I guess he wanted another chance at being a father so he insisted on taking us in, but he wasn’t any good at it the second time around either. He’s dead now.”
“That’s awful.” Seamus looked mortified. “I’m so sorry you went through that. I shouldn’t have pried and made you relive it.”
“It’s fine. I was pretty young. It’s all I know and I came through it okay. So did my sister. She went back to Claddagh the moment she could, and she’s back in the fold, married with kids. She’s happy.” DJ considered his next words and decided it was better to get everything out in the open. The next morning, both of their families would be calling, excited to plan a wedding that was apparently based on a lie. There was no avoiding their situation, so they had to deal with it. “Besides, we’re betrothed now, right?” he said, smiling at Seamus to let him know he wasn’t angry at his deception. “That means you’re allowed to get to know me. Asking about my childhood isn’t prying.”
“Fuck.” Seamus grimaced and closed his eyes. “I’ve made such a big mess, and I have no idea what to do about it.”
DJ unfolded his body, planted his feet on the floor, and rested his forearms on his thighs. “Well, it seems to me we’re in this mess together so let’s figure it out together.”
“None of this is your fault.” Seamus shook his head. “Hell, you’re a victim in it. I am so sorry.”
“I’m fine,” DJ assured him, and he was.
Had he been excited when his sister said she found a husband for him? Of course he had. Just because he couldn’t live in Claddagh, didn’t mean he didn’t value what the community stood for. He appreciated the unity and care he had seen in his childhood, and he had stayed in Hope because he saw the same neighborly kindness in this town.
But Claddagh had something Hope didn’t—a very intense view of relationships, marriage, and family. People in their hometown married into a family when they married an individual. Unions were arranged by those who knew the bride and groom best, and while everyone had a choice, it was rare to turn away a betrothal set up by the people who loved you and had your best interests at heart.
As much as that notion would be foreign and repellent to the world at large, he knew from firsthand experience that, other than rare exceptions, it worked. The community deeply valued their spouses, their families, and each other. Love, loyalty, and friendship were their core tenets, and DJ wanted nothing more than to enter into that kind of union. For a few short hours, he had thought he’d miraculously have that opportunity. But disappointment wasn’t a foreign concept to him. Neither was working his way past challenging situations not of his own making. If there was one thing life had taught him, it was that the only way to get through something was to go through it, so that’s what he would do.
“We can figure this out together. Let’s start with you filling me in on why your parents thought they should arrange a marriage with a man for their straight son,” DJ suggested. “You said you lied to them? What did you say? And why?”
“This isn’t your problem to fix.” Seamus rubbed his hand across his bristly cheek. “I put us in this position and it’s my responsibility to get us out of it.”
“Hey, Seamus?”
He stopped his pacing and looked at DJ.
“You’re not alone anymore. We’re not in Claddagh, but you have someone else from the community with you now. That means something to me, and I suspect it does to you too. For now, I’m your betrothed, which means we’re partners in everything, this included. Even if you reject the arrangement, I’ll be loyal, I’ll be your friend.” He reached to his left and patted the arm of the couch. “Sit down, talk to me, and we’ll figure this out together.”