Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen, #2)

by Chloe Walsh

“Your son”—Gibsie paused to point an accusing finger at me before continuing—“ejaculated on me.” “He did?” Mam asked with a hopeful expression on her face. “Yes, he did!” Gibsie groaned, shuddering from head to toe.

She looked fucking adorable as she ran several yards up the beach with the rugby ball in her small hands. Her wooly hat and scarf swamped her face and that mountain of dark hair was blowing around her, with wet clumps sticking to her rosy cheeks. Rain was dripping from her coat, her school skirt was drenched through and clinging to her bare legs, and I swear I had never seen anything so fucking beautiful. Freedom suited her.

“Give me that ball.” “Never,” she laughed. “It’s mine. You gave it to me, and I’m not giving it back.” Like my fucking heart?

“Okay.” Like a toddler throwing a ball, Shannon held it between her legs, and with her brows set in deep concentration, she tossed it into the air—and about ten feet in the wrong direction. “I didn’t realize I was playing with one of the minis,” I laughed as I went to retrieve it. “Remind me to get you one of those child slides when I take you bowling.” “Hey, I’m all you’ve got, thirteen,” Shannon called back, grinning. “So don’t mock me.” She was all I had right now—the only person I could trust not to judge me for not being on form. I couldn’t do this with the lads. I would be too embarrassed. But it was different with Shannon. Everything was different when it came to her.

And now we were here at the beach, having stolen his best friend’s car to skip school and escape our hometown. We spent the day doing absolutely nothing and that meant absolutely everything to me.

“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.”

“Please just let me,” I whispered, shocked at my own forwardness but not taking it back. “Shan—” His voice broke off and he groaned. “We talked about this…” “I know,” I agreed, breathing hard and fast. “But I just… I want to see.” “Just see?” He was breathing hard, his heart racing almost violently against his chest as he drew in short breaths. “That’s what you want?” Nodding, I sat up and placed my hands on his stomach. “I just want to see.” With trembling hands, I reached for my shirt and fingered the buttons nervously. “Do you want to see?” Feeling skittish, I unbuttoned the top three buttons of my shirt. “I’ll show you, too—” “Of course I want to see,” Johnny groaned, snatching my hand away from my shirt. “But if I see, I’ll take,” he choked out, jaw clenched tightly. “And I can’t be taking, baby, so please don’t fucking show me.”

I was painfully aware of the sheer size of him. I was so small in his arms. I was breakable to this boy and it was a troubling thought. He could destroy me in more ways than one. The thing was, I didn’t care what he did to my body so long as he left my heart intact. He could have and take whatever he wanted from me, I would gladly give it all to him so long as I had a promise in blood that he would never hurt me so badly I wouldn’t mend. Because I knew I wouldn’t bounce back from this. From him.

“I can’t mess this up, Shan. I need this.” Exhaling a ragged breath, he pressed his forehead to mine. “I meant it when I said I need you for keeps.” “You remember saying that?” He nodded slowly. “I remember.” The air left my lungs in a sudden rush. “Good.” “I’m going to keep you,” he whispered and his hot breath fanned my face. “If that’s okay?” “That’s definitely okay,” I breathed, pressing my hand to his cheek. “I want you to keep me.”

“Jesus.” Shuddering, he dropped his head in the curve of my neck and groaned. “This is how I’m going to die” was his muffled response and it caused me to laugh. “Think it’s funny?” he teased, lifting his head up to grin at me. “I’ll be taking you with me.” God, I really hope you do… “But for now, I’d better take you home,”

“I bet you wish you had a normal girlfriend.” “Normal is boring,” he replied. “And besides, I could say the same thing to you.” He shrugged. “I’m hardly a normal boyfriend.” “I’m just saying that it would be easier for you if—” “Well, I don’t want easy. I want you,” he cut me off by saying. “Just the way you are.”

“He wrote you a letter?” I nodded. “He left one for all of us, but I can’t read mine.” He frowned again, deeper this time. “Do you want…me to read it?” “I don’t think I want to know,” I choked out, feeling flighty. “I just…maybe if you read it, just to check?” Johnny didn’t hesitate. His fingers ripped open the envelope, and with a steady hand he held the piece of paper to his face, concentrating intently on whatever my father had written.

“I’m not going to let him hurt you, Shannon.” He was sitting poker-straight in his seat, eyes trained on the windscreen and gripping the steering wheel with such force that his knuckles had turned white. “I promise.” I sighed heavily. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” He turned to look at me. “Have I let you down yet?” I shook my head. “N-no.” He nodded stiffly, eyes blazing with heat. “Then believe me when I say that I won’t let him hurt you again,” he repeated, reiterating every single word slowly. “Never again.” He fastened his seat belt and I did the same. “All I need you to do is keep talking to me,” he added, starting the engine. “Just keep letting me in.” He turned to look at me. “And I’ll keep you safe.”

creep.” “You’re all too young for that kind of talk,” Hughie stated, casting a meaningful look toward his sister. “Especially you.” “Oh my god, we’re sixteen!” Claire laughed. “And that’s rich coming from the boy whose headboard is positioned directly against my bedroom wall.” Walking over to her dresser, Claire began to bang her palm down on the dresser in a hard rhythm. “Oh, yeah, baby, give it to me,” she mimicked in a male voice. “Oh, Katie, I love what you do with your tongue—” “Claire,” Hughie hissed in warning. “Pack it in.” Unperturbed, Claire continued to mimic his voice, speeding up the banging. “Yes, baby. Now, now, I gotta pull out or I’m gonna cooooo—” Hughie slammed the bedroom door shut just as Claire screamed, “Come!” and all three of us erupted in laughter. “Fuck off,” Hughie roared as the sound of his bedroom door slamming filled our ears.

“Yay—let’s go!” Clapping, Claire butted Hughie out of the way with her hip. “I’m so excited.” “Calm down,” Lizzie grumbled. “You’re not going.” “I’m a vicarious spirit,” Claire replied. “I live for this stuff.”

“Ah, yes, Hughie’s sister.” Mam smiled to herself as she ran the iron over my jeans. “You’ve been chasing after that girl since the day Johnny brought you home here, looking like a little blond chubby cherub.” I snorted, and it was Gibsie’s turn to glare at me.

“Do you remember the summer back in primary school when you all camped out in the acre? You fell into that bush of nettles trying to lift her over the electric fence because she was afraid of the neighbor’s bull.” Mam laughed softly to herself. “You were all stung by nettles but you still managed to get her out of that field.” “Oh yeah.” Gibsie chuckled, scratching his chin. “I forgot about that.”

Did I knock? Did I just walk in like I usually did? Jesus, I didn’t know. I had no fucking clue what I was doing. Thankfully, the front door opened inward when I was halfway up the garden path and Shannon was physically shoved outside by two blonds before the door slammed shut behind her. Holy fuck. My feet faltered as my eyes drank her in. She was wearing a tiny red dress with a black leather jacket and matching black heels that made her legs look like they went on for days. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and flowing down her right shoulder, and her face? Jesus Christ, her lips…her eyes… Fuck, I was in so much trouble.

“You look so fucking beautiful.” You said that already, lad. “Seriously, you’re gorgeous.” Shut up, Johnny. “Uh, thanks.” Under the streetlamps, I could see the blush on her cheeks. “It’s the clothes and makeup.” “It’s the girl,” I corrected, giving her hand a squeeze.

“Oh, here—” Reaching into the carrier bag, she withdrew a CD case and thrust it into my hands. “I made this for you.” “Uh, okay.” I stared down at the CD case. “Thanks.” “You’re welcome. It’s a mixtape,” she explained, face burning red. “Or a mix CD.” I stared down at her handwriting on the case. Shannon’s songs for Johnny. Fuck me.

“I’m keeping you, Shannon Lynch.”

“I’m walking you to your door,” I told her, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. “And I’m making sure you’re okay.” “I’m okay,” she hurried to say. “And I want to make sure you stay that way,” I told her as I took her hand in mine. “So, let’s go.”

“Where the hell were you?” Darren demanded, stalking from the kitchen toward us. His eyes shifted from Shannon to me and his feet faltered. Leaning against the doorframe, I folded my arms across my chest and stared back at him. Yeah, I’m here, fucker.

“Do what?” Shannon replied, tone harder than I was used to hearing. “I went for a walk to my friend’s house. There’s no law against it, Mam.” Pride roared to life inside of me. Go on, baby. Don’t let them push you around.

“It’s not about Johnny,” I hissed, keeping my furious gaze locked on Darren. “It’s about how you’re trying to control my life.” “He’s still outside, you know,” Joey added. My heart leapt in my chest. “He is?” “Stay where you are, Shannon,” Darren warned before stalking into the hallway and swinging the door open. Muttering a string of curses under his breath, he slammed the door shut and returned with a thunderous expression. “He’s still there.” “Like I said,” Joey replied, taking another bite of his sandwich. “Go on out to him, Shan,” he added midchew. “Don’t mind the two of them.”

“If you keep it up—if you force them apart—he will lose his shit. Draw a battle line with that fucker and he will go to war with you.” Turning to Mam, he added, “And if I were you, I’d lay off throwing threats around because you have a hell of a lot more to lose out of this—and a lot more skeletons to be exposed—if his daddy decides to have you done for slander.”

didn’t stop to listen to him. Instead, I hurried out the front door, breaking into an excited run when my eyes landed on Johnny leaning against the side of his car, scowling at my house like it personally offended him. His eyes found mine and relief flooded his features. “Are you okay?” Nodding, I barreled through the garden and rounded the footpath at top speed, not stopping until I was flush against him. “You didn’t go home,” I said, panting as I looked up at him. “You didn’t leave.” “I couldn’t,” Johnny replied thickly. His hands dropped to my hips, pulling me closer. “I needed to know you were safe.”

“If you need me, you call me,” he whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and then cupping my cheek. “Doesn’t matter what time it is. Just pick up that phone, and I’ll come, okay?” Unable to stop myself, I leaned my cheek in to his touch. “Okay.”

“Why not?” he taunted. “Don’t you think she’s sexy?” “Of course I think she’s sexy,” I spat out. “I think she’s a lot of fucking sexy.” Gibsie waggled his brows. “Is that so?” “Yeah, that is so—but that’s not the point.” Flustered, I shook my head and pointed at him. “You don’t say that she’s sexy.” I narrowed my eyes. “You keep your beady little eyes off her.” “Well, it’s the truth.” He laughed. “And I’m not blind, lad.” “You look at her?” I demanded, appalled. “At my Shannon?”

I shrugged, feeling helpless. “From our relationship. What do you want from me?” “Honestly?” I nodded. “Always.” “Everything,” she whispered, looking into my eyes. “Especially the broken parts.” Aw, shite. She gave my words back to me, and I was done for. Completely fucking done for.

“I’m in love with you, Shannon. I’m completely fucking hooked on you, so when you’re hurt, it affects me. It hurts me. I can’t pretend that it doesn’t.” She shuddered and stepped closer to me. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m with you because I feel sorry for you…” I hooked an arm around her bare back and tugged her all the way until she was flush against me. “It just means that I’m going to get upset when you’re upset, and that when someone hurts you, I’m going to want to cause some serious harm to them in return. I’m all in, Shannon. Scars and all. Fucked-up father and all. One hundred and fifty percent.” Brushing her ponytail over her shoulder, I gently tugged at the end, forcing her to look at me. “I feel everything for you,”

Her breath hitched. “You think I’m sexy?” “Look at me, Shannon—” Stepping back, I gestured to the obvious bulge in my sweats, trying to keep the outrage out of my voice. “Look at what you do to me. Do you not get that? You are so damn sexy, I can’t even tell you how much.” Shannon blushed. “Really?” “Really,” I confirmed, pulling her back to me. “Really fucking really, Shan.” “If I had one of those, it would be sticking up, too,” she blurted out, cheeks pink. “For you, I mean. Because I feel the same way about you.” “Uh, thanks?” I chuckled, shaking my head. “That’s not a visual I’d like to think about ever, but I appreciate the sentiment, baby.”

“No, Shan, you’re going to live.” I laughed. “Now slowly release the clutch and tap down nice and gently on the accelerator—” “I broke it!” she wailed when the car stalled. “I’m so sorry.” “You didn’t break anything,” I replied, slipping the car out of gear and leaning over to turn the key in the ignition. “We’ll start over.” The engine roared to life once more and I repeated the same instructions, shifting the gears for her. “Good job!” I praised when she didn’t stall and the car started to crawl. “That’s it, Shan. You’re doing it, baby.”

“Oh my god, did you see that?” she squealed in delight. “Did you see me slip into fifth by myself?” “I saw,” I choked out, gripping the oh-Jesus handle for all I was worth. “Can we be done now?” “Please just one more time?” she begged as she headed for the laneway for the hundredth time. “I promise I’ll be done then.” “Last time,” I choked out, clenching my eyes shut only to think better of it. “Watch out for the—” My words broke off and I held my breath as Shannon swerved. “Pothole,” I finished, exhaling a shaky breath. “This is exactly like GTA,” she said, laughing.

“I take it back!” I squealed, twisting and turning. “You’re not pretty—ahhhhh, Johnny, I can’t—you’re sexy! You’re sexy, okay? Ah, ah, mercy. I scream mercy!” “I show no mercy,” he snickered, slipping his head under the hem of my shirt and upping his efforts. “Your leg kicks out when I tickle you here,” he chuckled, tickling my ribs. “That’s so weird.”

“You know I want you,” he panted, pressing his forehead to mine. “I only want you.” “Then why—” “Because I’m not taking your virginity in this house, Shannon!” he growled, jaw clenched. “On an after-school whim, with your brother’s fucking condom.” He shook his head. “I’m not doing that, baby.”

“You deserve better, and I’m not doing that to you.” Chest heaving, he walked over to my bedroom window and leaned against the sill. “When we sleep together, I want us to sleep together.” He looked over his shoulder, blue eyes blazing. “All night.”

Dangling Shannon’s bra from her fingers, Mam arched a brow. “Care to explain?” “Would you believe me if I told you that was mine?” I offered weakly. “It’s not your size,” Mam growled before taking aim at me with the bra. “In my house!” she wailed, slapping me over the head with Shannon’s bra. “And then I went to tidy your bedside locker, and guess what I found in your drawer?” She took another swipe at me with the bra. “A box of condoms!”

“Keep laughing,” she growled as she straddled his chest. “But you’re going down.” “On you?” he shot back, waggling his brows. “Yes, please.” “Gerard!” “Claire,” he purred. “Ag—” She slapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” she hissed, leaning close to his face. “And stop licking my hand.” “You…ant…e…oo…ick…your.…ussy…stead…”

“Nothing about any of this is okay.” Mr. Kavanagh moved to pick up his clothes off the floor and Johnny let out a demented scream. “Don’t fucking pull out,” he choked out. “I don’t want to see it.” Johnny covered my eyes with his hand and pulled me in to his chest. “Don’t look, Shan. Honestly, baby, keep your eyes closed. I’m scarred for life.” “Relax, Johnny,” Mr. Kavanagh replied in an amused tone of voice. “Relax?” Johnny spluttered, dropping his hand from my eyes. “Are you serious right now? I eat my fucking dinner on that counter—not anymore, apparently. No, I’m never eating in this bleeding kitchen again.”

Claire growled, folding her arms across her chest. “I’m telling you, we need to go see The Wedding Date.” “I’m not listening to you,” he declared, glaring right back at her. “Not after The Notebook escapade.” “That was a great movie,” she choked out, clutching her chest. “You have no taste.” “You cried!” he spat out. “For days!” “So did you!” she shot back. “Louder than me.” “Exactly,” Gibsie ground out. “Which is why I’m not listening to you again.”

“No,” Gibsie growled, standing firm. “We’re watching my film tonight, Claire. Mine. Me. What I pick.” He pointed a finger at her. “And you’re going to like it!” “Fine,” she huffed. “No, no, no,” Gibsie growled, frustrated. “Don’t say ‘fine.’ That’s a dangerous word when it comes out of your mouth.” “I said it’s fine, Gerard,” Claire said flatly. “Pick the film. I don’t care.” “You’re lying,” he accused. “It’s not fine and you’re going to make me suffer.” “Do what you want, Gerard.” “Stop mind-fucking me!” “Fine.” “Don’t say that.” “Fine.” “Fine!” He threw his hands up in the air. “Fucking fine. You win.” Turning to the man sitting behind the counter, he said, “Two tickets for The Wedding Date please, and a container for her to store my balls in.”

“Do you promise?” I muttered under my breath. “I promise,” she whispered, squeezing my ass. Jesus…

“Only god fucking knows how you managed to father her,” Johnny was roaring. “Because I sure as shit don’t understand how something so good could come from something so fucking toxic.” “Who the fuck are you?” my father snarled, red-faced. “You should know me,” Johnny seethed, shoving my father so hard that his back hit the side of the car with a loud bang. “I’m the rugby prick, remember?” Fisting the front of my father’s shirt, Johnny reared his head back and bopped my father in the face. Blood sprayed everywhere and I flinched. “I’m your daughter’s boyfriend,” he continued, shoving my father against the car once more before swinging his fist and connecting with my father’s jaw. “And I’ve been dying to meet you.”

“You’re going to get back in your car and drive far away. You’re going to uphold the barring order and you’re going to leave her alone. You’re going to stay far away from your daughter’s house and you’re going to continue ignoring her, and I’m going to continue fixing the holes you’ve put in her. And if you ever touch her again, I’ll know about it. One fucking bruise, I’ll see it and I’ll know who put it there,” he snarled, chest heaving. “And then I’ll come for you, and when I do, God himself won’t save you.” He shoved my father again. “Are we clear, you poisonous piece of shit?”

“I’m right here, baby.” His breath was hot on my neck, and then his lips were on my skin, pressing soft, hot kisses to my neck and collarbone. “You are not your father’s daughter, and there’s no orchard in the world far enough from the tree your apple fell from.” His arms tightened around me, the heat from his body cocooning me. “He won’t break you, because I won’t let that happen. Not ever.” “I love you, Johnny Kavanagh,” I choked out, clenching my eyes shut as I grabbed his arm and held it to my chest. “Most in the world.” “I love you back, Shannon Lynch,” he said quietly in my ear and I felt the connection I had to him in the deepest part of my soul. “Most in the world.” “For keeps?” I breathed. He kissed my shoulder. “For keeps.”

She happened to me when I least expected her. I didn’t want it, wasn’t willing to negotiate with the change I knew she would bring. So I blocked her out. I kept her at arm’s length. Until one day, I couldn’t do it anymore.

“Joey cooks,” Ollie offered. “Shannon, too.” Smiling, I nodded. “Yeah, Shannon’s a great cook.” His eyes widened. “Have you tried her spaghetti? It’s my favorite.” “Not yet,” I replied. “I must ask her to make it for me sometime.” “You should,” Ollie agreed. “It’s really good.” “Hey, you know what I really like?” I said. “McDonald’s.” Their eyes widened and I hurried to say, “Do you want to go?”

“I took them!” I choked out, pointing at my car. “You took what, Johnny?” Gibsie asked warily. Swallowing down a groan, I grabbed his arm and dragged him down the path toward my car. “Them,” I choked out, pointing to the three blond boys looking out at us. “You took them,” Gibsie said. “You just went ahead and took some kids?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that,” I bit out, grinning and giving the boys two thumbs up. Ollie and Sean waved back at me. Tadhg gave me the middle finger. “We can drop that one back,” I muttered under my breath.