Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen, #2)

by Chloe Walsh

“Were you brawling?” “Definitely not,” I choked out, still trembling. “I’m not a fighter.” “Oh, I think you are,” Feely replied. “Muhammad Ali right here, folks.” “She floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee,” Katie chuckled. “A teeny-tiny bee.”

“I actually wanted to mention one more person, if that’s okay?” he told her, still shaking her hand. “Of course.” “I’d like to thank my girlfriend for her unconditional love and support. It’s been a roller coaster of a ride getting back from injury, and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be here today without her fierce encouragement.” Clutching his medal in his hand, he looked into the camera and gave the medal a little shake before saying, “Shannon, I love you, and I’ll be home soon.” “Aww!” Katie squealed, jumping clean out of her seat. “Shan, you’re famous!”

“Shannon like the river,” I called out to her, unable to stop the smile that was spreading across my face as I climbed down the rocks to get to her. “Are you gonna come hug me or what?” “Oh my god!” she literally squealed as she untangled herself from Claire and sprang to her feet. “You’re back!” Tits. That was all I could see as Shannon broke into a run.

“I don’t mind. But I’m just giving you a heads-up that I’m about to root through everything you own.” “Hey, don’t take them all,” Hughie shouted, running up the beach toward us. “That’s my Toblerone, you little bitch.” “Possession is nine-tenths of the law,” Gibsie said and laughed, running off with an armful of chocolate in his arms. “Claire, grab the bag and run, babe. It’s full of sweets.” “Welcome home, Johnny,” Claire squealed, chasing after Gibsie with my carry-on bag in her arms. “Thanks for the sweets.”

“To be fair, I have been known to storm out on occasion,” I offered with a chuckle. “But I would never leave you behind, Shannon like the river.” “I believe you,” she whispered, snuggling into my chest. “I really believe you, Johnny Kavanagh.” “Good,” I replied gruffly, tightening my hold on her small frame. “Because when it comes to you, Shannon Lynch, I’m all in.” “Me too.” “Where you go, I go.” “Promise?” “I promise.”

“Get out of the sleeping bag and come have fun with me,” he ordered. “Or I’m going to fart on your girlfriend. And trust me, it’s going to be a ripe one. I was on the cider all day yesterday.” “He’s telling the truth,” Claire added, gagging. “His farts are toxic, guys. I thought he was going to blow us up last night.” “You were farting, too,” he shot back. “Like a ripper.” “I know,” she replied, not missing a beat. “I had to try and drown out yours, didn’t I?” “God, the two of you are beyond fucked up.” Johnny chuckled. “Get up, or I’m releasing the beast,” Gibsie warned. “Do it now or I might slip a salmon out while I’m at it.” “Ew, Gerard,” Claire scolded. “That’s so wrong.”

“He’s talking about taking a shite,” Johnny confirmed, jerking out of his sleeping bag quicker than a cat. “I’m coming, so go take your salmon and swim it down a river somewhere else.” Gibsie grinned. “Like your girlfr—” “Say it and I’ll kill you.”

“Shannon!” Claire laugh-screamed my name and I reached out to grab her hand, laughing as all four of us screamed out the words of the song. Cameras were flashing all around us, but for once I didn’t care. We were young and free and together.

I didn’t miss the way that every few minutes Gibsie smoothed his hand from her calf to her ankle. I also didn’t miss the way that Claire rewarded this move by tightening her thighs around his neck and dropping a hand to stroke the side of his jaw. I didn’t think either one realized they were openly petting each other. They just seemed to be completely in sync with each other on both physical and emotional levels.

Keeping his eyes on mine, he continued to mouth the words of the song, swaying us gently to the music. Stroking his cheek, I leaned down and pressed my lips to his, not an easy feat given that I was sitting on his shoulders, but I had to kiss him. I just had to. The hand Johnny had on my thigh moved to cup the back of my head as he kissed me back, right there in the middle of a field, surrounded by sixty thousand people and Jimmy Eat World singing to us.

“You’ll love me no matter what?” A shudder rolled through him and he clenched his eyes shut. “No matter how hard it gets?” “No matter what,” I forced the words out of my throat, knowing that I was agreeing to break my own heart in the process. “You sign and you shine.” “And you’ll be okay?” he pushed. “No matter what?” I forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.” “I’ll marry you,” he said then. “When we’re older and everything settles down.” Taking my hands in his, he placed them around his neck and leaned in close. “Just stand by me,” he said in a voice thick with emotion. “Stay with me.” His hand squeezed mine. “And I’ll make you proud. I’ll do right by you.” My breath came out in a pained rush. “Johnny…” “We’ll have a family,” he continued to say. “One of our own, and I’ll stand by you right back. In whatever you choose to do. No matter what.” “This won’t break us,” I croaked, touching my brow to his. “Nothing can break us,” he whispered. “I promise.”

“That’s Shannon’s brother,” Claire explained. “And yes, we’re aware that he is beyond adorable.” “Hey, Tadhg,” I said, giving him a bright smile when he approached. “How are you finding everything—” “Don’t talk to me,” he warned, giving me a horrified look. “Jesus Christ, you’re my sister. You don’t know me when we’re here.”

“Nope,” Lizzie answered for her. “You have competition this year, Thor.” “Oh, please.” Gibsie made a pshhing sound and waved a hand in front of himself. “I’m the only competition around here.” Looking thoughtful, he added, “I’m basically my own competition.” “Hey, blondie!” Tadhg called out from down the corridor, causing all of us to turn and look at him. “Nice legs.” Turning to Gibsie, he smirked. “You better up your game, lad. Because it’s on.” “Oh my god,” Helen and Shelly giggled. “He’s got spunk.” “Too much of it,” I muttered under my breath. “That little shit,” Gibsie hissed, stepping around us to hunt after my little brother. “You better keep your prepubescent eyes off my baby mama, fucker. Or you won’t have balls to drop!” “I have bigger balls than you, fatty,” Tadhg called back, laughing his ass off. “Just ask your mother.” “I’m not fat!” Gibsie roared. “And you leave my mother out of this!” “I’m coming for your girl, Gibs,” Tadhg continued to taunt, thoroughly enjoying driving Gibsie crazy. “Fair warning.” “I’m going to kick you all the way back to primary school,” Gibsie snarled. “Fair warning.”