“I know I called him Bren, but it was just a ploy to ingratiate myself with him. It happens when you really need someone’s help. You can’t sound like a belligerent *ss.

“You remember what I said just now, right? I asked him if he still holds a grudge against me. That’s really the crux of our disagreement. I hated his guts, so I left. I didn’t try to explain myself or resolve any conflict between us, which caused him to resent me even more. I even thought he hung up on me because he refused to help me.”

Deirdre was nailed to her spot. She did remember the words Declan had used. If she was right about Brendan and Declan’s relationship, then the latter would not have said something like, “are you still holding a grudge”, would he?

Her expression relaxed. Pressing her lips tight, she asked, “So… you’re in a bind, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it… serious?” asked Deirdre, concerned. Anything that could make Declan ask Brendan for help must be some grim affair.

He was silent for a moment before f