Taming 7 (Boys of Tommen, #5)

by Chloe Walsh

“What?” I demanded, startled by her sudden switch in mood. “What’s wrong?” “I’m so sad, Gerard.” My heart seemed to both stop and speed up at the same time when those words came out of her mouth. “You’re sad?” Instantly, I had this primal urge to make it better. To make her happy. “Why are you sad, babe?” “Ugh.” Groaning in discomfort, she covered her face with her hands and leaned forward. “Forget it.” “Hey – hey, look at me, Claire.” Crouching down in front of her, I pried her hands away and forced her to look at me. “Talk to me.” Her brown eyes locked on mine, hazy and focused for a long beat before finding traction in our stare. “Because.” “Because?” I coaxed, still cupping her face. “Because you don’t love me the right way,” she whispered, leaning into my touch. “The way I need you to love me.” She reached up and covered my hands with hers. “The way I love you.” If I thought my heart was breaking earlier, it fucking shattered in my chest when I heard her vulnerability. “I do,” I replied, roughly clearing my throat. “I love you in so many ways.” “Then why?” she slurred. “Why won’t you just kiss me?”

“Hey … Patrick?” Smiling, I leaned across the table, giving him my full attention. “Hey … Claire,” he humored me by drawling, while he cracked open a can of fizzy orange, and took a sip. “Are you seeing anyone at the moment?” “Seeing anyone?” “Yeah.” I nodded eagerly. “Like a girlfriend or something.” “Oh God,” Shan choked out before practically diving for her mug. Patrick stared blankly at me for a long beat before arching a brow. “What are you up to, Baby Biggs?” “Ignore her,” Lizzie growled, and then forcefully kicked me under the table. “She didn’t take her meds this morning.”

“So do I,” Shannon offered up. “Take multivitamins, that is. Although, I take, like, three different ones. Edel buys a ton of health products for me and the boys.” Smiling sheepishly, she added, “I guess I was lacking in a few vitamins.” It was beautiful to see, to finally know that my friend was receiving the maternal love she always deserved. Because in all honesty, no one deserved a better life than Shannon Lynch and her brothers.

Gerard shot back before reaching over to ruffle Shannon’s hair affectionately. “Keep that head up, Little Shannon.” He offered her a reassuring wink. “Everything’s grand.”

“I’m always okay,” he replied warmly, and then he turned his mega-watt smile on me, causing every bone in my body to turn to jelly. “Claire-Bear.” “Hey, Gerard,” I replied, desperately trying to sound nonchalant, even though every nerve-ending in my body sprang to life when he slid onto the bench next to me. Most of last night was a blurry haze, but when I woke up in his arms this morning, it felt different. Deeper.

“So, we’re okay?” he asked, keeping his big gray eyes locked on mine. When he reached up and tucked a rogue curl behind my ear I swear, an audible puff of air escaped my lips, which, I had to begrudgingly concede, wasn’t as embarrassing as a moan.

“She hired me.” “She did?” The smile Gerard was sporting grew to epic proportions. “Fuck yeah, my little mermaid!” “Yep,” I breathed against his chest when he pulled me in for a massive bear hug. Unable to stop myself, I inhaled deeply, filling my senses with his delectable signature scent. I didn’t care if it was creepy or not. The boy smelled delicious.

“You’re amazing,” he chuckled, pulling back to look at me. “Do you hear me, Claire-Bear?” Cupping my cheeks with his big hands, he leaned in close and pressed his forehead to mine, while excitement and pride danced in his eyes. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“What?” Lizzie protested in a defensive tone. “He’s acting like she won the lotto.” “And that pisses you off because?” Gerard demanded. “What’s your problem, viper? Why can’t you be happy for her?” “Gerard,” I growled, digging him in the ribs. “Don’t call her that.”

“Babysitting?” Gerard arched a brow. “Together?” “Uh, yeah,” Shannon explained, cheeks turning bright pink. “It’s a little business venture we started working on during the summer.” Smiling, she added, “It’s really starting to take off.” “Got a problem with that, Thor?” Lizzie was quick to ask, glaring at him. “With Shannon babysitting?” He shook his head. “Not a one. She’s perfect for the role.” “So, it’s just me you have an issue with?” “It’s just you.”

“What in the name of Christ are you talking about?” Gerard snapped, running a hand through his hair. “I congratulated our friend on getting her first job. Yeah, our friend. Last time I checked, that wasn’t a method of seduction. But you still somehow manage to fly off the handle!”

“I don’t need to say it,” Lizzie finally replied, eyes locked on Gerard. “From the look on your face, you already know it’s true.” Shannon groaned, Patrick dropped his head in his hands, meanwhile my jaw damn near hit the floor. “You did not just say that, Lizzie Young,” I whisper-hissed. “Tell me you did not just say that!” When she made no move to respond, I turned to the boy sitting beside me. “Gerard.” The boy that was climbing to his feet. “No, Gerard, don’t … just wait a minute, will you?” He didn’t wait. He didn’t respond, either. Instead, he stood up quietly and walked out. He didn’t even slam the café door behind him.

“Jesus.” I shook my head in resignation. “Okay, fine, fine! But this is the last time, Claire.” “Yay!” she cheered gleefully, clapping her hands together. “See? I knew you’d come around to my way of thinking.” “Yeah,” I huffed. “Like I have much of a choice.” “Oh, stop it,” she teased, leaning across the seat to press a kiss to my cheek. “You know you love me.” Yeah, and I had a feeling the whole world knew it.

“You know, I could just wear regular black pants,” I offered. “Like he does in the movie.” Rolling onto my side, I traced the curve of her spine with my finger. “Come on. Don’t be sad.” “Yeah, but I’ve been working so hard on these costumes.” “I know,” I coaxed, settling her hair over one shoulder, revealing one perfectly shaped ear with three tiny stud piercings on the lobe. “Come on, Claire-Bear. Look at me.”

“Really?” Big brown eyes full of unshed tears greeted me. “You’d do that for me?” “Of course.” Using my thumb, I wiped a rogue tear from her cheek. “I’d do anything for you.”

“How’s the fam, Joe?” I asked, steering the conversation to safer waters, while offering Shannon’s super-hot brother a bright smile. “All good.” “Any new pics of the main man?” “Oh, I have loads,” Shannon blurted and then thrust her fancy pants phone into my face. “See his little smile in this one?” she gushed, pointing to an angelic-looking cherub with a huge gummy smile. “Isn’t he the most beautiful creation your eyes have ever seen?”

“Wouldn’t be the worst thing,” Joey replied breezily. “You were a dream to toilet train.” Tadhg’s face turned bright red. “You did not fucking say that in company.”

“You don’t smell it?” “No, lad, I don’t smell my balls,” Johnny deadpanned before walking over to the couch and sinking down next to my bestie. “Hi, Shannon,” he said in a much softer tone, as he leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek.

“Hey!” Johnny snapped. “That wasn’t my bleeding fault.” “Then whose fault was it, Kav?” Gerard demanded. “Mine?” “Yes,” both Hugh and Patrick chorused.

“Guess who has an admirer,” Lizzie offered then, causing all heads to turn in her direction. “Who?” everyone chorused in unison. “Claire.” “Wow, Liz, thanks,” I groaned, feeling everyone’s eyes land on my face. “This is all according to Lizzie,” I was quick to explain, feeling my cheeks flood with heat. “And no, before any smart ass says it, it’s not Thor,” she continued, enjoying this way more than necessary. “It’s Jamie.” “Jamie?” Hugh was quick to ask, brotherly detective skills activated. “Who … ” “ … the fuck is Jamie?” Gerard filled in, turning to stare expectantly at me. “Jamie?” Shannon asked, looking momentarily confused before her lips formed the perfect o-shape. “Oh … that Jamie.”

“No one asked you to do that, asshole,” Lizzie spat. “She did,” Gerard countered, pointing a finger at me, as his eyes danced with unconcealed frustration. “She asked me to.” He was right. I did ask him to save me that night.

“Oh my God, guys, stop,” I interjected with a nervous chuckle. “He hasn’t even asked me yet.” “Yet,” Gerard bit out, still staring at me.

“Are you honestly considering going out with that eejit?” Gerard asked, recapturing my attention once more. His tone, for once, was serious, and his gray eyes held none of their usual twinkling mischief. He took another wolfish bite of Robbie’s roll before adding, “I mean, seriously?”

I was also the one who rescued her from that noisy bastard of a bull in the field behind Johnny’s place when we were kids. I was the one that took the shocks off the electric fence, so she didn’t have to. I was the one who spent every waking hour of my life not only adoring her but protecting her with my life. Not Jamie fucking Kelleher!

“What I don’t understand is why you’re not with her already,” Joey finally joined in the conversation by saying in a lazy tone. “Who?” I gaped at him in horror. “Lizzie?” “Yeah,” Joey replied, tone laced with sarcasm. “Because that makes sense.” “He was referring to Claire,” Johnny interjected with an expectant look.

“I’ve already told you a thousand times, Kav, not everyone wants to settle down in secondary school.” “Except that you do,” Johnny pointed out in the know-it-all tone of his. “How’d you figure that one?” “With her, you do,” he stated calmly. “Because you love the bones of that girl and this sour mood that you’re sporting is directly related to the fact that another fella is planning on asking her out.” Hit the nail on the head, why don’t you?

“No need to worry about me, Johnny, lad,” I tried to appease. “I’m always okay.” “I can’t bleeding help it,” he admitted with a rueful smile. “Despite my best efforts, I’ve grown regrettably attached to you.” Smirking, he added, “And all of your sixteen other personalities.” “Aw, shucks.” I grinned back at him. “Is this your way of telling me you love me, Cap?” “Whatever floats your boat, Gibs.”

“Jamie asked me out.” Yeah, I got that. “Claire.” Training my attention on her small hand covering mine, I let out a sigh. “It’s okay. You don’t need to explain anything to—” “I didn’t give him an answer!” My heart bucked wildly. “You didn’t?” “No, Gerard.” She shook her head slowly. “I didn’t.” “Why?” “You know why.” “Yeah.” Exhaling shakily, I kept my attention trained on our entwined hands. My life consisted of this girl. Of the perfume she wore. Of the smiles she offered. The clothes she chose on a particular day. The colors she painted her nails. She was embedded inside of me, and I was hooked. Claire was my safe place.

Feeling mischievous, I leaned in close and trailed the tip of my tongue from the curve of her jawline, not stopping until I reached her cheek. “My germs,” I teased before pressing a kiss to the adorable apple of her cheek. “Mine.” Her breath hitched in her throat, and I momentarily panicked, fearing that I’d taken it too far. But then her hands were in my hair, and her nose was brushing against mine, as her warm breath fanned my lips. “Gerard.”

She pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek. “Hi.” “Hi.” Feeling my resolve weaken when her lips brushed the curve of my mouth, I sagged forward, buckling under the pressure of my feelings for this girl. “Wait, I need to tell you something … ”

“But we need to be smart about it. Fighting in class isn’t going to do us any favors, Gibs.” “Who are we fighting?” a familiar voice asked, and we both turned to find Joey sprawled out on one of the couches with a coat draped over him. “So that’s why you weren’t in religion class,” Johnny accused. “You were taking a bleeding nap.” “Come and talk to me when you have a colicky newborn, feeding on demand at home,” Joey replied, standing up. “Back to my question.” He stretched his arms over his head and cracked his neck from side to side. “Who are we fighting?” “No one. We’re not fighting anyone,” Johnny was quick to rebuff. “Because I am in contract. You are on a warning,” he added, pointing at me before turning his attention to Joey. “And you are on probation.” Ignoring Johnny’s words of warning, Joey looked to me and repeated, “Who are we fighting, Gussie?”

I could only presume that the move was meant to be a seductive one, but when she miscalculated her step and landed in a heap on her bedroom floor instead of her mattress, I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped me. “Nice.” “It’s not funny, Gerard,” she croaked out from her perch on the floor. “Omigod.” Draping an arm over her face, she wailed in despair. “I was trying to be sultry!” “Are you wearing Barbie knickers?” “So not the point right now.” Groaning dramatically, she shook her head. “You can leave now.” Smothering my laughter, I sank down on the carpet and reached for her hand. “Come on, don’t be hiding from me.” “That was awful,” she complained, peeking up at me through her fingers. “I am so not sexy.” “You so fucking are,” I corrected, pulling her hand away from her face once more. “But you’re even more adorable.”

“Hey! Hold the fuck up!” I warned, feeling my hackles rise when Claire staggered backwards from the force of being shoved backwards again. “Don’t put your hands on her.” “Stay out of this, Thor!” “Gerard, it’s fine.” “Like hell it’s fine,” I snapped, moving to stand between them. “Take all the swipes you want off me but keep your goddamn hands off her!”

“Looking for Gerard,” I explained with a huff. “And that new boy over there was super rude to me,” I added, jabbing a finger in the direction of Damien. “He told me to fuck off.” “You told my sister to fuck off?” Hugh’s attention immediately flicked to Damien, and I felt an immense amount of pleasure when he turned beetroot red. “In what world did you assume it was okay to speak to her like that?” “My bad, Biggs. I didn’t know she was your sister.” “It wouldn’t matter either way,” Johnny answered, appearing from the tall archway that led to the showers in a pair of black boxer shorts. “You’re new, Cleary, so I’m going to give you a hall pass this time. But for future reference, we don’t talk to our girls like that. You got that?”

“You have about two minutes before Coach comes in for post-game analysis,” Johnny explained, flicking his attention back to me. “Make it snappy.” “You’re the best captain boss ever!” Patting his ridiculously hard pectoral, I scampered through the archway. “And good job winning your game.”

“Please what?” he demanded then. “Please what, Claire? What do you want from me?” “You!” My chest was heaving against his, my entire body screaming out for him, and I honestly felt like I might die on the mortal spot if he didn’t put his lips on me. “I want you, Gerard!” “I’m right here.” “That’s not what I mean, and you know it,” I strangled out. “I want you to talk to me about how you’re feeling! I want you to open up to me, dammit!” “I can’t.” Devastation washed over me like a tidal wave. “Why not?” “Because I love you too much!” he surprised me by saying. Expelling a pained breath, he dropped his head to rest on my shoulder. “Because I fucking love you, Claire Biggs.”

My brother didn’t look convinced. In fact, his tone took on an accusatory note when he turned his attention to the boy sitting next to me and snapped, “What did you do now?” “Me?” With a half-eaten lollipop hanging out of his mouth, Gerard stared blankly back at my brother. “What did I do?” “That’s what I’m asking,” Hugh bit out. “What did you do?” Gerard’s brows creased in confusion. “Today?” “To my sister, asshole,” he shot back, gesturing to where I was sitting. The moment he did that, everyone’s attention flicked to me. Lovely. “She’s upset and I know you have something to do with it, Gibs.” “You’re upset?” Concerned gray eyes landed on mine. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” I forced a laugh and tugged on the sleeve of my jumper. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Catching ahold of the underside of my chair, he pulled it towards him, causing my legs to slide between his thighs. “Did I do something?” he asked again, leaning in close as he spoke, eyes focused entirely on my face. “Talk to me.”

“I’m going to say yes to Jamie,” I blurted out and then held my breath while I waited for his reaction. I wasn’t serious. I had no intention of going out with Jamie, and I wasn’t typically a goading girl – meaning that I didn’t cause unnecessary drama to get my way with boys – but I was growing weary of Gerard’s pretenses and felt like this might be the push that he needed. He stared at me for a long beat before a smile spread across his face. “No, you’re not.” The way he said it, so confident and self-assured, instantly had my back up. “Oh yeah?” I narrowed my eyes in challenge. “Who says I already haven’t?” His smile faltered. “Tell me this is a joke.”

“Well, then.” Leaning back in his chair like I had slapped him, Gerard folded his arms across his chest and called my bluff. “You better hurry up and catch him before he leaves.” He inclined his head to where Jamie was standing in line for lunch. “You know.” He shrugged just as nonchalantly as I had before adding, “Just in case.” “Fine.” The wave of rejection that washed over me had my pride forcing me to stand up and say, “I will.” “You do that,” he called after me. “Oh, don’t worry,” I tossed over my shoulder. “I’m going to.” “Fine!” “Fine!”

Motherfucker! “She’s going out with him, Johnny,” I snapped, losing my patience with the shoelace I was attempting to tie. “She’s going the fuck out with him!” “Yeah, Gibs, I know,” he replied calmly, stooping down in the corridor to tie it for me. Something I was clearly incapable of doing these days. “You already told me a half dozen times, lad.” “What am I supposed to do?” “Nothing,” he replied, sounding distracted, as he glanced at the screen of his phone before sliding it back into the pocket of his school trousers. “You had your chance, lad. You let her go.”

“What can I say?” I sighed heavily. “I’m a slow learner.” “Nah, Gibs,” he mused. “You’re a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for.” “Clearly not,” I argued. “Considering she’s going out with someone else.” “Then do something about it,” Johnny urged. “Change the narrative.” “Change the what?” “Go get your girl, Gibs!”

“You’re in my seat.” “I didn’t see your name on it, lad,” Jamie joked, looking slick in his fancy black coat and gelled hair. “It’s right there,” Hugh offered, using his fork to point out the word Gibsie engraved on the chair. “Move.” “Don’t families usually eat dinner together,” Jamie muttered under his breath as he begrudgingly took the seat at the end of the table. “They do,” Hugh replied with a sharp edge to his tone. “He is family.”

And then, because I was feeling bitter, I added, “Claire’s an amazing teacher.” I narrowed my eyes at the cuckoo with his arm around my love bird. “Very hands on.”

“Toodles,” I called after them, tone laced with an unhealthy dollop of sarcasm. The moment the sound of the front door slamming filled the air, I faceplanted the table and groaned. “Fuck my life.” “You good, Gibs?”

“I have no idea, Claire,” Gerard replied hotly, “because the only girl I’ve ever taken out is standing in front of me.” “Gerard.” “I can take you,” he blurted out. “If there’s a film you want to see, I’ll take you, Claire.”

“You are so frustrating!” “Me?” His eyes widened in outrage. “You’re the one in the relationship when you’re already in a relationship.” “I am not in a relationship, Gerard.” “Yes, you are,” he roared back at me. “With me!” “We are not together, Gerard.” “Yes, we are!” “I’m not yours.” “Well, I’m yours,” he came right back with. “I’m yours, Claire.”

“But he kissed you?” “Yes.” Frozen to the spot, I watched as a million different emotions flickered in his eyes. “Jamie kissed you tonight?”

“Oh, no! Are you in a fight, love?” Edel asked, taking a seat beside her son. “You haven’t broken up with the girl, have you? Because she’s a keeper, Gerard Gibson.” “No, I haven’t broken up with her,” I grumbled, feeling that familiar pain in my chest at the thought of Claire. We hadn’t spoken since last weekend. Since her date with Jamie. I wasn’t even sure if we were still supposed to be wearing matching costumes tomorrow night, or if she had replaced me with Jamie. Fuck, now I was mad again. “I would never break up with her.”

“Here,” my best friend said, bounding over to Aoife before Shannon had a chance to stand up and snatch him up. “Give your Uncle Johnny a cuddle.” “No fair,” Shannon huffed as she slumped back down on the couch and folded her arms across her chest. “It’s my turn.” “Don’t worry, Shan,” Johnny shot back with a wink, as he swaddled her nephew to his chest with a terrifying amount of confidence. “I’ll cuddle you later.” “Oh shit,” I choked out a laugh. His girlfriend’s cheeks turned as red as apples. “Little Shannon.” I playfully nudged her shoulder with mine. “Sounds kinky.”