Page 4 of The Eraser

I nod. "I'm sorry."

He shakes his head. "Not me who you need to apologize to, bud."

I glance over at Maverick, who's watching me. "I'm sorry, Maverick."

"He deserved it," Callie says as she comes to stand beside me. "He ruined my hair."

"Oh, honey," Nicola says softly. "It'll wash out, and yes, your brother will be told off for doing that, but violence is never the answer."

"I'm sorry," I say once again.

"It's all over now," Callie's da says. "We all make mistakes. It's a learning curve." He grins at me. "I'm Eric, and I hear you're Stephen, Callie's best friend."

My chest puffs at his words. "Yes, sir."

"No need to call me sir, Stephen. Eric is fine. Now, why don't you all sit down and eat cake, then you can play once you're done. How does that sound?"

"Come on, Stephen," Callie says as she takes my hand. "Maverick, if you promise to behave you can come with us too."

Maverick shrugs and follows behind us.

I've never felt wanted before, but being around Callie and her family, it feels different. I have a feeling that this is how a family is supposed to be. Not the painful way my family is.

I don't know if I'll see Callie again after today, but I do know she's changed the way I see things. I thought I'd always be treated with anger and pain. But today, I haven't been, not by her family. That's something I'll always remember.

ChapterOne

STEPHEN

Four years later

"I know you, don't I?"I hear from behind me, but I ignore it. I’m walking along O’Connell street and the last thing I need is to be stopped by this guy, especially as the gardai are parked across the street. But he's right, he does know me—to see at least. I’ve seen him a few times around town. From what I've heard, he’s a thief. He tries to steal from me, and I’ll kill him. "Stephen, right?" he says as he runs up beside me.

"What's it to you?" I snap as I spare him a glance.

"Just making conversation. So, you're close with the O'Hara family. How did that happen?"

"None of your business," I fire back. I'll never tell anyone how I came to find the O'Hara family. It's been four years and I'm still close to them. They treat me like one of their own. Callie is a sister to me now, and I'll do anything to protect her.

"Ara man, why are you being like this?" he asks, still keeping his steps with mine.

"You're a thief," I say.

He laughs. "I am. There's nothing wrong with doing whatever you have to do in order to survive. You gonna to act as though you wouldn't do the same in my position?"

He's right, I've stolen a few times. I've needed to. It wasn't because I liked it; it was out of necessity. I needed food and new clothes, and stealing was the only way I could obtain them. Thankfully, I no longer have to do that shit. Not now I have the O'Hara's. They ensure that I have food and clothing without me asking—not that I ever would.

"I've never stolen from anyone who didn't deserve it," he says with a grin.

I laugh. "You're a modern day Robin Hood, yeah?"

He lifts a shoulder. "Something like that. Anyway, I've not robbed anyone in a while."

I roll my eyes. "Saw you not even ten minutes ago steal a man's wallet as he was getting on the bus."

"That was ten minutes ago. I told you, it's been a while."

I laugh once again. Okay, I could actually like this guy. "Fine, I'm Stephen."