Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

“Why did you do this?” I repeated. “Because I think you two are doing a line together on the sly,” Mam said with smirk. “You look so cute together.” “Doing a line?” I gaped at my mother. “What are you talking about? You know I don’t take drugs! I’m tested all the fucking time.” “No, love,” Mam chuckled. “Doing a line together as in secretly seeing each other.” Shrugging, she added, “I was trying to let you know that I was okay with you having a girlfriend, and I was trying to make Shannon feel welcome.” God. This woman. “Well, I can assure you that I am not doing lines of anything—cocaine or girls,” I snapped. “We are just friends.” “She’s a lovely girl, Johnny,” Mam offered. “Seems very fond of you.” She turned to look at me when she said, “You could do a lot worse than a nice girl like her.” “Yeah, well, I don’t see her like that.” Lie. Lie. Barefaced lie. “She’s just a friend.” More lies. “That’s it, Ma.” “Do you honestly think you can sell me that shite, Johnny Kavanagh?” Mam shot back, lips twitching. “I’m your mother. I brought you into this world, and I know every single time you tell me a lie.” “I am not lying,” I lied. “You’re lying to me right now.” “I am fucking not.” “It’s okay if you do, love,” Mam said in a reassuring tone. “We’re friends,” I bit out. “That’s it.” “But you like her?” Mam asked after a long pause of silence. I turned to look at her. “What?” “Shannon,” Mam filled in, tone gentle and coaxing. “You like her.” I shook my head and exhaled heavily, ...