Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen, #2)

by Chloe Walsh

“Normally, I would take offense at that,” Gibsie huffed. “But considering we’re in a shower together and your naked ass is pressed to my dick, I’m going to let that comment slide because I, too, find this situation slightly creepy.”

“No, I mean a girl as kind, and caring, and trustworthy, and loyal as you,” he countered gruffly. “And beautiful. Jesus Christ, you are so fucking beautiful that it’s painful to look at you. I’ve never seen anything like you in my life.”

“It’s like you see me—and I see you. Christ, I think you saw through me that very first day on the pitch at school, because I sure as hell haven’t been the same since, Shannon. You don’t give a shite about rugby. It never fazed you and that threw me because I’m not used to that. I’m not used to having someone want me for…well, for me—but you did. And you took the time to notice me. To see things that no one else was seeing, things I didn’t want to acknowledge to myself.”

“And I was scared, Shannon. I was so fucking afraid of how I felt for you. I still am. You scare the absolute shite out of me—for reasons I’m still not entirely sure of, because in all honesty I don’t know what the fuck is happening here. My head is in pieces and I’m so far out of my comfort zone that I feel like I’m balancing on thin ice, but I know that there’s no other person I would willingly put myself out there for like I have with you.” He shrugged helplessly. “Like I’m doing right now.”

“I want you because you drive me fucking crazy. And yeah, I’m not going to lie, I feel sorry for you,” he added gruffly. “I’d be a coldhearted bastard if I didn’t, but that’s got nothing to do with why I want to be with you. I’m sticking around because I need you.”

“You think it’s the other way around, but it’s not,” he told me. “I need you, too, because you calm something inside of me. You make me feel good. Like I don’t have to…” His voice trailed off for a moment as he clearly pondered what he was trying to say. “You make me feel like I’m enough as I am,” he finally admitted. “Like if this is the furthest I go, if I don’t make the squad, then it’s okay.”

“And you left me,” he sobbed, crying harder. “You can’t leave me. I need you to stay with me.”

“Pregnant?” he seethed, voice rising in outrage. “I am fucking pregnant! I’m pregnant with despair, Johnny! I have a belly full of fucking disgust right now.”

“I’m here for Johnny the boy,” I told him, cupping his face with my trembling hands. “Not Johnny the rugby player.” Exhaling a shaky breath, I leaned closer and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth before pulling back to look in his eyes. “I’ll stay for both, but I’m only in love with one.”

“It’s not what I see when I look at you. It’s not what I have ever seen. I only want it for you because you want it for you,” I added, voice hoarse. “But I’m here either way—rugby or no rugby—if you want me to be.”

“I’m keeping you, Shannon Lynch.”

“You like that, Shan?” he whispered in my ear, pumping his fingers in and out, prolonging the seizure-induced pleasure wrecking me. “Coming on my fingers?” He kissed me again, harder this time. “Because I fucking love it.”

“Je veux lécher la chatte de ma copine.” I frowned. “What?” Johnny grinned devilishly. “I said, je veux être à l’intérieur de toi.” I scrunched my nose up. “You know I’m terrible at French.” “I’m counting on it.” He laughed as he sauntered off. “See you tonight, baby.”

“I have everything I need right here.”

“But don’t forget that you’ll always be my 13.” She sniffled and wiped my cheek with her fingers. “My binding 13.” I choked out a pained laugh, thinking about that stupid bet. “You heard about that?”

“Yeah.” Half sobbing, half laughing, Shannon smiled and nodded. “I won.”

“Hands down.” I kissed her puffy lips. “Undisputed.” “Now, I’m keeping 13,” she told me. “So come home to me wh...