Saving 6 (Boys of Tommen #3)

by Chloe Walsh

“Wait, wait, wait—“ His strong arms came around my body, pulling me flush against his chest. “Just hold up, will you?” “Let go,” I warned, shivering when his hands clamped down firmly on hips, keeping my back pressed closely to his chest. “Now.” “I fucked up,” came his thick response, as his breath fanned my cheek. “Forgive me.” “No.” My heart raced wildly. “You hurt my feelings.” “Be my friend again, Molloy.” “No.” Shaking my head, I twisted around to look up at him. “You said that to hurt me, you knew it would, and if I forgive you, you’ll only hurt me again.” “Yeah, I probably will.” Green eyes, so lonesome and full of regret seared me. “But I won’t mean to.” He blew out a harsh breath. “I won’t hurt you on purpose again.” Accidentally or on purpose; it hurts just the same. “I can’t.” Releasing a shaky breath, I took a step back. “You really hurt me with that.”

“I care.” Reaching out a hand, he grabbed the front of the hoodie I was wearing – his hoodie – and fisted the fabric as he pulled me back to him, our bodies flush together. “I care. I care. I care,” he repeated, eyes locked on mine, as his hand moved up from my hoodie to cup my neck. “Too much.” “See?” Blowing out a ragged breath, I sagged forward, letting my head fall against his chest. “That’s all I wanted to hear.” “I know, Molloy.” Resting his chin on my head, he sighed heavily. “I know.”

You spoke to her like shit, too, asshole, my mind reminded me, and I flinched at the horrible fucking mess of things I had made with her before Christmas. My inability to produce a competent fucking sentence to explain to Molloy how very wrong I was for her, had resulted in me spewing poison and making her cry. Tearing my

“Nice hoodie.” “Nah, just the one,” I shot back, returning her nudge. “And nice legs.” “I’m wearing jeans tonight.” “Not in my head.” “Funny.” She grinned up at me and I couldn’t stop myself from mirroring her actions.

“You’re my best friend,” she blurted out of left field. “But don’t tell Casey, because she’ll claw your eyes out for that title.” “I’m honored.” “You should be.” “Well, you’re mine, too,” I agreed with a chuckle. “But don’t tell Podge because…yeah, he won’t give a shit.” “So, we’re besties?” she asked, holding her pinkie finger up. “Fuck it.” I shrugged and hooked mine around hers. “Why not?” “Yay. Okay, okay,” she laughed, sinking down on the edge of the trampoline, bottle in hand.

It was too much – her, the moment, my feelings, the way my heart beat – it was all too fucking much. And still, I remained completely motionless, watching her watch me.

“You’re really here.” He cracked a lid open and peered up at me. “Thought I dreamt you up.” And then he looked at me, completely spaced out of his mind, with lipstick smeared across his mouth and cheek. “Hey.” “Hey.” My stomach bottomed out at the sight. “You shouldn’t give yourself away to the likes of her,” I whispered, giving him back the words he’d spoken to me a long time ago. A flash of recognition filled his eyes, causing his nostrils to flare. “Molloy.” “It hurts,” I admitted softly, reaching down to rub the lipstick off him. “This hurts me.” “I would never hurt you, Molloy,” he slurred, his words a lot like his life, a broken mess. “I’d rather die than hurt you.” “Don’t say that.” “It’s the truth.” Releasing a pained groaned, he croaked out, “Only thing I’ve ever done right in my life is leave you alone.” My eyes filled with tears, and I quickly blinked them away, but not before one lone tear dripped from my cheek and landed on his bare chest. “You’re crying.” A bleary sort of anxiety filled his features as he slowly pulled himself up on his elbows. “Why? What did I do?”

“I thought I hurt you tonight,” he finally said, breaking the heavy silence between us. “When I woke up and saw you there? I thought I did something we couldn’t take back. I was so fucking relieved when you told me that we didn’t.” Exhaling a heavy sigh, he added, “But the way you’re looking at me right now makes me wish we had.” He shook his head and turned to walk away. “At least if we had, then I could understand the disappointed look in your eyes.” “Joe.” I sucked in a sharp breath as he started to walk away. “Joey, wait I—” “I’ll be seeing ya, Molloy,” he called over his shoulder. And then he was gone.

“But I m-make everything w-worse f-for you,” she continued to cry. “You k-keep getting in f-fights trying to pr-protect and s-stick up f-for me. It’s n-not fair on y-you… always h-having to s-save me.” “That’s my job, Shan,” I said as I pried her ponytail from her small fist. “I’m your big brother. I will always stick up for you.” “I l-love you, J-Joe.” “I love you, too,” I whispered, wrapping her up in my arms. “I’m going to fix this, okay? I’ll make this right for you. I promise.”

“I understand what’s happening here, and I'm on your side." "You don’t know shit about what’s happening here," Joey warned, backing up another step when I reached up and touched the darkening bruise on his cheek. "Don't touch me." "Why not?" I closed the space between us once more, pinning him to the garden wall. I reached up and let my fingers graze over the cut on his brow. "Are you afraid I'm going to hurt you?" "No," he strangled out, shaking from head to toe, as he physically strained his body away from me. "I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.” His words threw us both.

“I might.” Wide-eyed and chest heaving, he watched me warily, waiting for my reaction. Waiting for my rejection, I quickly realized. “That’s not going to happen.” With my eyes locked on his, and my heart hammering wildly in my chest, I forced myself not to flinch. Not to turn away at the sight of his bruised face, or the dark circles under his eyes, as I whispered, "Because you're not him." Joey stiffened. "You don’t know that, Molloy. You don’t know me. I break everything I care about. That’s what I do. I fuck it all up.” My heart skipped about three dozen beats.

I will fuck it up.” “But will you mean it?” I pushed, refusing to back off. “That’s the important part.” “No.” His green eyes narrowed on me, studying me with a sharpness that was entirely unnerving and exhilarating all in one breath. “I won’t mean it, of course I won’t fucking mean it, but that won’t stop it from happening—“ His words broke off when I kissed him.

When I saw her standing in my sitting room earlier, with that piece of shit leering at her like she was fresh meat, I all but took leave of my senses. If I had more years on this earth, it still wouldn’t be enough time to describe the depth of the fear I’d felt when I watched that bastard train his attention on her.

Her words did something to me, fucked my head up real good, and when she pulled me back into her embrace, and pressed her lips to mine, I couldn’t see beyond her. Tread carefully, the beating muscle in my chest commanded, because if you let her in, if you let yourself fall for this girl, you’ll never recover. Forget that shit, she’s already in. Keep her.

I like you,” she came right out and declared, and fuck if my heart didn’t pound in my chest in response. “And before you start with all of your bullshit denials, I know you like me back,” she was quick to add. “It stands to reason that if we both like each other – which we both do…” She paused to narrow her eyes and point a warning finger in my face. “Then shouldn’t we, you know, continue liking each other on an exclusive basis?”

Pulling back slightly, she locked her green eyes on mine. “You’re not running.” Leaning in, she pressed another soft kiss to my cheek, lingering a little longer this time. “That’s always a good sign.” Jesus. “Molloy,” I half-growled, half-groaned, as she continued to blow my world apart with soft, featherlight kisses to my cheek, getting closer and closer with each one. “It’s a bad idea.” “Don’t worry,” she said in a soft tone, as she reached up and stroked her thumb over my cheekbone. “It’ll be safe with me, Joe.” “What will?” “Your trust.”

"Don’t look at me like that!" "Like what, Joe?" Her voice was soft, her eyes warm, as she closed the much-needed space I'd put between us. "Hmm?" Reaching up, she cupped the back of my neck. "Don’t look at you like you matter?" With a sharp tug, she dragged my face down to hers and pressed another hot kiss to my lips. "Because you do." She kissed me again, harder this time. "You matter to me, Joey Lynch." "I shouldn’t," I strangled out, forcing my body remain rigid and not fold into her like a huge part of me wanted to. "And yet you still do," she whispered, knotting her fingers in my hair. "And what's more is that I matter to you, too." She smiled. "And it scares the hell out of you." "You don't mean shit to me," I desperately tried to convince the both of us, as my chest heaved. "I don’t care about you, Molloy. I never have and I never will." "You're a terrible liar," was all she replied before crushing her lips to mine.

Shivering against my will, I let her control me, gave her the power to hurt me worse than my family ever could. When she kissed me like that, I couldn’t take the vulnerable way it exposed me. Like a sheep baring its neck to a wolf, I went willingly, giving it all up to her, knowing that she could hurt me beyond repair. Oh Jesus. It was bad. It was dangerous. I was the very worst person a girl like her could get tangled up with, and still, she clung to me like I hung the goddamn moon. I needed to stop it. And I would. As soon I summoned up enough willpower to stop kissing her. That might take a while, the beating muscle in my chest warned.

If Joey left, if he walked away from me, it would hurt. It would cripple me, and that was a worrying realization. I’d given so much power over to a boy who refused to call me his girlfriend. No, instead, I was the friend he liked on an exclusive basis, but nobody could know. Fuck my life.

“Molloy?” “What?” “Do you hate me?” No, I love you. “Go to sleep, Joey.”

Instead, he continued to stare back at me. “I was supposed to meet you after work last night. I was supposed to walk you home, and I didn’t show up. I remember now.” “Well, good for you.” I gestured to the window and glared. “See ya.” “I’m sorry.” “You’re not sorry.” I stared hard back at him. “You never say sorry, because you’re never sorry, remember?” His green eyes remained locked on mine, unblinking. “I am this morning.” “Well, this morning I’m too mad to accept it,” I countered, swallowing down a surge of emotion. “When you didn’t show up last night, or answer your phone, I thought you were hurt, or worse.” My voice cracked and I quickly steadied myself before adding, “But you weren’t hurt or worse. You just had a better offer.” He swallowed the venom in my words, and didn’t even try to deny it, or fight with me.

“You should want me to leave, Molloy,” he argued. “You shouldn’t be blocking the door, baby, you should be holding it goddamn open.” “I’m not going to do that,” I warned, voice thick with emotion. “It’s not ever going to happen, so get that bullshit notion out of your head.” “I’m a mess; in case ya haven’t noticed.” “Yeah, I’ve noticed,” I shot back, curling my fingers around his wrist, as I pulled him back to me. “Do you see me running?” “No, and thank fuck for that, because, contrary to how I act sometimes, I don’t want you to run,” he admitted gruffly, chest heaving. “I want time with you, Molloy. I do.

“You’re right, I absolutely do know who you are, and I’m in, okay? I am all in with you. All I’m asking for in return is that you try to stay clean.” “Try.” “Yes, try.” I nodded slowly. “Just try, Joe. For me. That’s all I’m asking for.” He was silent for so long that I thought he wasn’t going to answer me. But then, he released a ragged breath and pulled me into his arms. “Okay, Molloy,” he whispered, wrapping me up in his arms. “I’ll try.”

Everyone on our team would gladly change places with you in a heartbeat.” Not if they knew how it really was for me. Or how it felt to live in my head.

Laughter erupted from the rugby table, and I couldn’t stop the surge of heat that spread in my chest when she looked across the room at me and beamed. She was something else, that girl. She fucking beamed at me like I was someone worth being that happy to see. I’m not. Her smile caused the dull ache to settle in my chest.

“Excuse my flanker,” he told us, as he led the blond lad back towards the lounge. “He’s like a bleeding Labrador. Completely harmless, with zero awareness of social cues and etiquette.” “I was only being friendly,” the blond lad argued as his friend led him away. “It’s nice to be nice, Johnny.” “Yeah, I know you were, Gibs, but those people are strangers, and what did we say about you talking to strangers?” “Don’t do it?” “Exactly.”

Being with her made me want to keep a clear head, because I wanted to remember her. I wanted to be in the moment with her, and not just float through it. Because she was Molloy. My friend. Maybe even my best friend.

“And when I woke up this morning, I was completely soaked.” The sound a spanner clattering to the ground and then the words, “Jesus Christ,” filled my ears. I grinned in victory. “Are you alright there, Joey, lad?” my dad asked from where he was rummaging under the bonnet of the car with a dipstick in hand. “How’s that under-tray coming along, son?” Joey, whose upper body was hidden beneath the car they were working on, muttered another curse before saying, “Yeah, Tony, it’s nearly on there.” “Good lad yourself,” Dad said, turning his attention back to me. “You know, Aoife, pet, if you’re sweating that much during the night, it’s a sign that you’re coming down with something.” “Yeah, I certainly felt like I was coming—“ Another loud clatter sounded from beneath the car. “Fuck.”

“I would never regret you, Joe,” I said, sitting up so that our chests were touching. “I couldn’t. Not ever. I care too much.” “I know.” His eyes burned with heat. “And I know that I’m not good with the words you need to hear from me.” “I know,” I whispered, understanding. “It’s okay.” “But don’t ever think that I don’t have feelings,” he said, and then pressed a kiss to my mouth. “Because the only time that I allow myself to feel anything is when I’m with you.”

How much longer do you two plan to act like you’re not riding like sexy little rabbits behind closed doors.” “Jesus, Case. Say it louder, why don’t you?” I hissed, poking her with my elbow. “I don’t think Mr. Ryan heard you at the front of the class.” “Actually, I did,” our biology/PE teacher confirmed, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Please refrain from discussing the sexual productivity of rabbits until after my class. Your lunch break is in ten minutes, and patience is a virtue, girls.”

the moment his eyes landed on me, his confusion quickly morphed into recognition before settling on anger. Oh, be angry, fucker, because I can be angrier. “I said get out of the car, asshole,” I demanded, slamming my hands down on the bonnet, uncaring of how much attention I was drawing on them. “Now!”

Losing my cool, I shoved him out of the way, and kicked the number plate of Shane’s car. “Hey!” Shane roared, rolling down his tinted window. “Get a handle on your doll, Lynchy, or I will.” “I’d like to see you try, asshole,” I screamed back at the big bastard, and then I flung my phone at his windscreen for good measure. “I’m not afraid of you!”

Reckless and wild, I broke free of his hold, knotted his jumper in my fist, and dragged his mouth down to mine, kissing him hard and rough. Pulling back, I hissed, “And if you gave one single shred of a shit about me, then you would understand why you need to walk away from this car.” “Molloy.” “Right now, Joey,” I cried out angrily. “It’s not a matter of pride, here. It’s a matter of laying your cards on the table and proving that I matter to you just as much as you matter to me.” He stared down at me for the longest moment, nostrils flaring and chest heaving with temper. Finally, thankfully, he relented with a stiff nod.

“I can talk to anyone I want.” “Not when they sell you drugs, you can’t.” “I told you that I didn’t take anything.” “That doesn’t mean that you weren’t tempted.” “You can’t tell me what to do, Molloy.” “Even when it’s for your own good?” “Even then. You don’t own me.” “Yeah, I do.” “No, Molloy.” I blew out a frustrated breath. “You don’t.” She glared back at me. “You’re here, aren’t you?” “Because you spat the dummy.” “And you came running.” I narrowed my eyes. “Molloy.” She narrowed her eyes right back at me. “Joey.” Jesus, I couldn’t deal with this girl.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here.” I threw my hands up. “I really fucking don’t.” “You’re here for the same reason that I am, asshole,” she came right out with and then sucker punched me in the chest with the next statement. “Because you’re in love with the person staring back at you, the same way I am.” “I’m not in love with you,” I warned her, tone shaky now. “I’m not, Molloy. I don’t love you.” “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Joey.” She had the nerve to roll her eyes and say, “You love me so much that it makes you sick.” “You’re so fucking full of yourself,” I snapped, completely unnerved by the blonde, who was crawling over the console to sit on my lap. “You don’t know what’s in my head, Molloy.” “I’m in your head.”

“What have I gotten myself into?” “The best relationship of your life.” She wasn’t wrong there. “See you at five.”

We were a disgrace, and my only consolation was the fact that it was all Joey’s fault for going along with my idea. God, he was so damn impressionable sometimes.

"Jesus Christ, I don’t know what's worse," I wailed, reaching around to rip the cling-film off. "The fact that I got a tattoo of my boyfriend's name on my ass like some slut, or the fact that I did it with a tampon string dangling between my legs!" "Do you have any painkillers?" was his loving and supportive response. "My head's in pieces."

“He won’t fire you for being my boyfriend.” “I’m not your boyfriend, Molloy,” he was quick to deny. “I’m just your—” “Yes, you are, ya big eejit,” I snapped, irritated now. “It’s been seven months. You’re my boyfriend, I’m your girlfriend, and we love each other a lot.” “We absolutely do not!” “So much in fact that we love to take our clothes off and put our mouths on each other’s—“ “Jesus Christ.” He blew out a pained breath. “You are hell bent on getting me killed, aren’t ya?”

“Wow,” I mused. “You called me Aoife. You never call me Aoife.” “Well, I suppose I better start practicing,” he hissed. “You know, for when I meet your parents.” I grinned. “As my boyfriend.” “Not your boyfriend,” he muttered, and then released a pained groan. “Oh my Jesus, I just realized something.” “What?” “My boss’s daughter is my girlfriend.” Laughing, I patted him on the shoulder. “That, she is.”

“I know that you’ve been good to me,” I hurried to add. “And this probably feels like the ultimate betrayal, considering you warned me not to go there with her, but I care about your daughter, Tony.” He shook his head. “Joey—“ “I do, Tony,” I urged. “I really fucking care about her, okay? This isn’t a fleeting notion, either. We didn’t get together on a whim. I put a hell of a lot of thought into this,” I added, blowing out a breath. “She’s my friend, Tony. My best friend – has been for a long time now. I’m not going to lie to you and say that I didn’t see it coming, but I can truthfully say that I did everything I could to stop it from happening—“

“First.” He eyed me carefully and asked, “Do you love my daughter?” Heart thumping violently in my chest, I felt myself nod. “Entirely.” And then I heard myself say, “For about five years now.” Well shit…

“You’re a grand lad, Joey,” Tony added, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “A lad I would be happy to see look after my Aoife.” “No.” I shook my head, brows furrowed in confusion. “I’m really not, Tony.” “You forget that I’ve known you since you were a small boy of twelve,” he reminded me, as he steered us towards the back door. “I remember looking at this small scrap of a lad standing in the garage, down on his luck and with the weight of the world on his shoulders. That small boy asked me for a chance that day,” he added, voice thick with emotion. “I took a chance on that boy, and I’m glad that I did, because the man that small boy turned into is a man who I am damn proud of.”

My parents were far from perfect, but as I sat at the dinner table and watched them embrace Joey, I was glad they were mine.

Dad’s having a hard time understanding why anyone would voluntarily agree to set up house with such a princess.” “Ha fucking ha,” I shot back, digging both of my couch buddies in the ribs when they erupted with laughter. “Aren’t you all just so hilarious?” “Don’t worry, Aoife, love,” Mam offered then. “Dad didn’t have to pay Joey too much to go out with you.” More eruptions of laughter unfolded. “Ah, don’t you take any notice of them, pet,” Dad crooned, through fits of laughter. “It only cost me a fiver.” “I hate you all,” I announced dramatically, and then waved a finger in Joey’s amused face. “Especially you, turncoat.”

Change of plans. Can’t meet up tonight. I’ll see you at school tomorrow. Absolutely unacceptable, Joseph. I’m outraged. Joke. Hope everything’s okay? All good. See you in the morning. Okay. I don’t love you. x I don’t love you back. <3

Slipping a hand into the back pocket of his grey school trousers, I gave his ass a little pinch, and then leaned into his side and resisted the urge to drag him into the bushes so that I could keep him safe – and get him naked. "Keep on pinching my ass, Molloy, and I’ll have to retaliate," he said in a husky tone, lips brushing against my ear as he spoke. "I have behavioral problems, in case ya haven’t heard.” “You know, I think I’ve heard that a time or ten.” “According to my file, I can’t control myself when confronted with a physical altercation.” “Is that so?” “Yeah, that’s so.” Pulling me flush against his chest, I felt his hand slide up my bare thigh and under my skirt, not stopping until his fingers trailed over the hem of my knickers. “Oh my god, you did not just do that!” Shannon wailed, covering her eyes with her hand.

“Don’t hate me, Molloy,” Joey mumbled, falling into the passenger seat the minute I let him go to open the car door. “You’re all I have to wake up for in the morning.”

“You can’t do that again.” Scrambling onto her hands and knees, she crawled over to where I was sitting and threw her arms around me. “You can’t, Joe. You just can’t.” Crying hard, Molloy clung to me like a baby monkey, holding onto my body like it was something of great importance to her. “I need you. I need you, Joe. You can’t do this to yourself.” “It’s okay.” Rattled by just how deeply her pain affected me, I wrapped my arms around her. “Shh. It’s okay.” “We could get out of here,” she sobbed against my neck. “You and me. We could just load up the car and leave this shithole town behind us. I would go with you, Joe. I would. I love you,” she continued to sob, peppering kisses down my neck. “I love you. I love you. I love you so fucking much, it makes me want to die.”

“You’re all I have to wake up for in the morning.” That small slip of tongue had cut me to the bone. And as I lay on my side, running my hand through his hair, and watching him sleep, I made a mental vow that I wouldn’t allow him to lose himself to the world he teetered on the edge of. No matter what, I would be right beside him, ready to pull him back to safety. Even if it meant that I lost myself in the process.