Taming 7 (Boys of Tommen, #5)

by Chloe Walsh

“I mean it,” he urged, turning to look at me now. “I can’t lose another person I love.” “You love me?” He nodded sadly as another tear trickled down his check. “I love you most of all.”

“You know, Gerard, if you ever get super sad, I can be your sister, too. Hugh won’t mind sharing.” “You can’t be my sister, Claire.” “Why not?” “Because you can’t have the hots for your sister.”

“I don’t see anyone.” His lips tipped up in the smallest of smiles before he added, “Except for you.”

Claire Biggs had a lot of things. My back. My attention. My heart. My soul. Yeah, she had all of me and that wasn’t an exaggeration.

My girl.

From as far back as I could remember, my mind had always been very clear about three things. One: Hugh was my brother. Two: Bethany was my sister. Three: Claire was mine.

I wanted the future I joked about with her. I wanted everything with her. Problem was, I didn’t trust the person I was. I was too fucking scared of becoming what had ruined me. Of abusing her love and breaking her heart.

I had a feeling that in order to thrive in the future, a person had to put to bed their past.

You know, since the academy frowns on rapists that drive teenage girls to suicide and all that jazz.

“Tell you what, Joe. I’d rather be a Lynch than a bitch any day.” With that, Tadhg hitched his bag over his shoulder and sauntered out of the common room, flipping the bird as he went.

Switchfoot’s “Only Hope” was as accurate as a song could be if I had to explain my feelings for her, but I would never play it for her.

🥺

“It’s not about me finding excuses to not be with you, Claire,” he roared. “It’s about me knowing that you’re the perfect person for me.” Clearly furious, he slapped the heel of his hand against his forehand and hissed, “All the while knowing that I’m not!” “What?” I shook my head. “That makes no sense, Gerard.” “Yeah, it does.” Nodding eagerly, he ignored the raindrops that were trickling down his face. “I know you’re better off without me, Claire. Okay? I know that.” Releasing a shaky breath, he held his hands up and shrugged helplessly. “But I also know I’m not better off without you.” He raised his hands in a helpless motion. “Not better off one bit.” “Oh my god,” I cried out, beyond confused. “I never know where I stand with you.” “In front,” came his quick response. “On top. Number one. Fucking always, Claire.”

Oh wow. Maybe, Shannon wasn’t the lucky one. Maybe Aoife was.

Claire side comments to herself are so funny, she cracks me up 🤣

I believe you, Gerard Gibson.