Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

“I think I’m going to fall,”

“I won’t let you fall,”

this girl was beautiful.

Thank fuck for that, because you’re ruining all of me right now, I thought to myself.

FUCK

Shannon Lynch had eyes the color of midnight blue that wouldn’t stay the fuck out of my head. At least that’s the closest comparison I could find on the countless internet searches I had performed.

Shannon like the river, with the gorgeous blue eyes, face of an angel, and the troubled past.

Shannon was liked at Tommen. Teachers liked her. Students liked her. I fucking liked her. That was the problem.

Shannon like the river.

I didn’t like it and I liked her even less for being the sole cause of my uncertainty. It didn’t make sense. She was a tiny scrap of a girl—all limbs and bones. There were no curves on her, and I doubted she even wore a bra if I was being honest with myself. See? Too young. Too fucking young. But that didn’t stop me from searching for her in a crowd. And it didn’t stop me from looking when I found her.

Love me, fucking love me at the girl.

I wanted Shannon Lynch. And worse than wanting her, I really fucking liked her. She had this sweet something about her, and I liked how it felt when I was around her. I liked the way she looked, the way she spoke, the way she carried herself. I liked a whole heap of things about her, and oddly enough, my liking her had nothing to do with what was under her clothes.

“You are so concerned with fighting the bullies at school, Mam,” I sobbed, tears streaming down my cheeks, “when the biggest bully of them all lives under this roof.”

“What happened?” he demanded, glaring down at me. “Who the fuck made you cry?” “What?” I breathed, shaking my head. “I’m not crying.” “Your eyes are red and swollen,” he deadpanned. “You’ve been crying.” His eyes moved to my cheek. “The fuck happened to your face?”

“Give me a name,” Johnny growled, dropping his hands to his hips. “And I’ll take care of it.” “What—no! I’m grand,” I quickly replied. “I have allergies.” “Me too. To assholes and bullshit,” Johnny snarled. “Now, tell me who made you cry and I’ll fix it.”

God, he was just so beautiful, it was painful. Everything about Johnny Kavanagh was pure perfection. He was big and strong, and his face?

“Now,” I sneered, glaring down at their faces. “Who wants to call my girlfriend a whore to my face?”

Wicked Twisted Road.’”

You could love this girl your whole life, the crazy thought persisted inside my brain over and over, if you just let yourself.

fuck with my Shannon,

“310587,”

“Don’t forget about me when you’re a rich and famous rugby player.”

“You never know,” he said with a smirk. “I might take you with me so you can cheer me on in the stands.” Please do. Please take me away with you.

“I like her, Gibs. I think I really like her, man. Like really as in a lot. A lot more than fucking like. Christ!”

“Jesus, I want her so fucking bad I can’t think straight, Gibs.”

“Someone touched you,” Johnny whispered in my ear, placing his fingers on the marks. “I want to know who.”

Releasing an unsteady breath, I reached up, grabbed Johnny’s neck, and pulled his face down to mine. And then I kissed him.

“Jesus Christ,” Johnny groaned, dropping his head in his hands. “Of course, I like you.” He tugged on his hair and sighed. “I think it’s pretty fucking clear that I’m mad about you.”

‘Wicked Twisted Road,’”

“It reminds me of you.”

“Reminds me of you.”

You. I would like to eat you, Shannon.

NURSEE

“She’s always been your Shannon.”

I love you, I almost blurted out, holding the three terrifying words back just in time.

Well, I love you, Johnny Kavanagh! Even though you’re leaving. Even though you don’t feel the same. Even though loving you is going to break my heart. I love you with everything I have. And I probably always will.

“And if you just tell me where else I need to keep you safe, I’ll do that, too.”

“Thanks for being worth it,”

But I already felt like I was drowning with her. That’s how consumed I was in this girl. That’s how much I loved her. Fuck.

I love you. I am so in love with you. Please be okay.

“Hi, Johnny.” “Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da,” I groaned, slapping a hand against my chest. “I’m done for.”