β
Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da. I'm done for...
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Β¨I think I need you for keeps.Β¨
Β¨I think I need you for keeps, too.Β¨
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
No, no, no, Da, I'm serious," I slurred. "I think I love that girl."
"Well, who's this girl?"
"She's a river," I sighed and closed my eyes. "I'm keeping her Da.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
She makes my heart go, like, whoa. Boom, boom, fucking boom. All the time.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I once read somewhere that we mature with damage, not with age.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
If this is love, then it's you. You are love.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I'm your daddy on the field, bitch.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I hated humans.
They were such a disappointment.
And to think, god switched dinosaurs for man.
He must be raging.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Now, tell me who made you cry and I'll fix it.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
She was worth it all.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Boys with pretty eyes and big muscles mess everything up for girls.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I wanted to fight all her battles. I wanted to give her all her smiles and make her laugh and snatch her away from the rest of the world and keep her all to myself. I just wanted her. For keeps.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
SHANNON LIKE THE RIVER. WILL YOU PLEASE BE MY FRIEND?
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I just wanted her. For keeps.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
For once in my life, I wanted a safe place to run to instead of from.
I felt like I was slowly dying in that house.
In my home.
Where I was supposed to lay my head.
Where I was supposed to feel safe.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Humans didn't deserve the love and loyalty dogs gave them.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I can take you home when you have to go?
What the actual fuck?
I might as well have shouted, love me, fucking love me at the girl.
I felt like a bleeding eejit.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
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.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen, #2))
β
I don't agree with your choices", I croaked out. "But I respect that they are yours to make.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
You are so concerned with fighting the bullies at school, Mam," I sobbed, tears streaming down my cheeks. "When the biggest bully of them all lives under this roof.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
But you can't destroy what's already broken...
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
And when you fuck with her, you fuck with me.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I once read somewhere that we mature with damage, not with age. If that's the case, I was an old age pensioner in the emotional stakes.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Β¨I think I need you for keeps,Β¨ he slurred. Β¨I think I need you for keeps, too,Β¨ I confessed.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Relax,β Johnny whispered in my ear, distracting me from my memories. βYouβre safe with me.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
She makes my heart go, like, whoa
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I think I need you for keeps,β he slurred. βI think I need you for keeps, too,β I confessed.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Bolting over to him, I collapsed down on the bed and wrapped my arms around my brother's neck, clinging to him like he was the only thing holding my world together.
Sometimes I thought that might be true.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
But I already felt like I was drowning with her. That's how consumed I was in this girl. That's how much I loved her. Fuck.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Fathers were bastards and men couldn't be trusted.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I hated humans. They were such a disappointment. And to think, God switched dinosaurs for man.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
A lifetime of striving to be the best.
The fear of not being good enough.
And the constant, sinking feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Well, he is her brother, lad," Gibsie offered. "He was obviously going to come back for her." "I donβt give a shite," I snapped, thinking about her bruised face. "I didnβt want her to leave, Gibs, and he just took her away from me. And I let him!" "You do know that you're not allowed to keep humans as pets, donβt you?" he asked in a wry tone. "You know that's just dogs and cats, right?
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Who's making you sad?" he asked then, voice slurred and sleepy. "Tell me, baby.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Put your head up, Shannon like the river.β Moments later, he draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in to his side. βNo oneβs going to hurt you.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
A boy had never called me beautiful before
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Iβm your daddy on the field, bitch.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
She makes my heart go, like, whoa." "Is that right?" he mused. "So bad, Da," I sighed. "Boom, boom, fucking boom." I shook my head. "All the time.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I love you, Shannon like the river,
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
But weren't all teenagers a little fucked up and troubled sometimes?
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
If my parents' relationship was a representation of love, then I wanted no part of it.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen #1))
β
Hughie placed a hand on my shoulder. βKeep looking out for her, Cap,β he said, squeezing my shoulder. βGod knows someone needs to.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
You're getting soaked out here." "But you won't have a jacket," I blurted out. "But you will,
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I didnβt understand how people could hurt any animals, but especially dogs. They were too good for us. Humans didnβt deserve the love and loyalty dogs gave them.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
And every fucker has an answer for every other fucker's problem β until it's their own fucking problem and then they're fucked.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I didnβt have anything to offer this boy.
Nothing at all.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Me too. To assholes and bullshit,β Johnny snarled. βNow, tell me who made you cry and Iβll fix it.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Your mother is a baker," I snapped. "How do you not know how to work a bleeding stove?" "And yours is a flashy fashion designer," he shot back. "But I don't see you prancing around the place in fur coats and Prada handbags.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
It didnβt make sense to me. But his smiles were addictive. The more he offered, the more I craved.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I carefully scrolled through his playlists and almost had a heart attack when my eyes landed on the one named Songs for Shannon.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Please be seventeen. Please fucking throw me a bone and tell me youβre seventeen. βIβm fifteen.β Fuck my luck.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Okay? I know that. It was wrong. I understand. I justβ¦I justβ¦β βYou just what, Shannon?β he coaxed. βI thought you liked me,β I strangled out. βJesus Christ,β Johnny groaned, dropping his head in his hands. βOf course, I like you.β He tugged on his hair and sighed. βI think itβs pretty fucking clear that Iβm mad about you.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
To anyone who's ever had a dream they dared to chase with insatiable hunger and drive.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen #1))
β
Boom fucking boom da
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen #1))
β
Give me a name," Johnny growled, dropping his hands to his hips. "And I'll take care of it.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
No, baby, I donβt mind.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Hi, Johnny.β βBoom, boom, fucking boom, Da,β I groaned, slapping a hand against my chest. βIβm done for.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I donβt give a shite," I snapped, thinking about her bruised face. "I didnβt want her to leave, Gibs, and he just took her away from me. And I let him!"
"You do know that you're not allowed to keep humans as pets, donβt you?" he asked in a wry tone. "You know that's just dogs and cats, right?
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
They should have been called soul blue because they were deep as fuck and sucked a person right inβ¦
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Darren was born gay, the same way Joey was born straight and I was born empty.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Shut the fuck up!β Joey roared back at her. βYou are the most pathetic excuse for a mother that ever walked the earth.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Β¨I think I need you for keeps,Β¨ he slurred.
Β¨I think I need you for keeps, too,Β¨ I confessed.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
He had his tongue in my mouth, his hand in my hair, and my heart in his pocket.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Now," I sneered, glaring down at their faces. "Who wants to call my girlfriend a whore to my face?
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Nobody is going to open their mouth about it." Realizing my tone was bordering on angry, I brought it down a notch and tried again. "Not the team, Coach, or anyone else. I won't let them."
She blinked her confusion. "You won't let them?"
"That's right," I confirmed with a nod. "I won't let them."
"You promise?" she whispered, a tiny smile pulling at her swollen lips.
"Yeah," I replied gruffly, feeling like I would promise all the fucking promises in the world just to make this girl feel better. "I've got your
back.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
But it was those wild eyes that really struck me, and I had this crazy urge to google eye color charts just so I could figure out the fucking color blue in her eyes. I would do that later, I decided. Creepy or not, I needed to know.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
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 when you're done, okay?" "I will.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen #2))
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I might as well have shouted, love me, fucking love me at the girl.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
What happened?β he demanded, glaring down at me. βWho the fuck made you cry?
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Boom, boom, fucking boom....
I'm done for.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Because no one should be putting their goddamn anything on her,β I barked.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I wanted her, I realized, and it was entirely inappropriate and horrendous bad luck on my account, but I did. I wanted Shannon Lynch. And worse than wanting her, I really fucking liked her.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I won't let you fall," I automatically replied in a soothing tone. "It's okay." I felt her slip and pulled her upright, holding onto the tiny thing for all I was worth. "I've got you," I coaxed, tightening my arm around her. "You're good.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
You're not coming back, are you?" Joey just stared at me, eyes filled with tears. "I can't," he whispered as a tear rolled down his cheek. "If I go back inside that house, I'll kill them both." I watched his face, registered the truth he was telling me, and then I unfastened my seatbelt and opened the door. "Goodbye, Joey," I whispered numbly, and then I climbed out and walked inside.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Shannon like the river was on my mind, and I didnβt fucking like it. I didnβt like that she was taking up valuable time in my head.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Goo Goo DollsββIris
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Oh?β I looked up at him. βWhich one?β He shifted in discomfort. ββShe Will Be Loved.ββ Oh. Oh wow.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Funny how my sister always seems to get mauled and knocked around when you're near her, Kavanagh.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Once I committed myself, once my heart laid claim on her, I might as well slap a label on my forehead stating, Iβm yours. Please be gentle with me because Iβm here to stay.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Shannon Lynch had eyes the color of midnight blue that wouldnβt stay the fuck out of my head.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I believed him when he told me I was safe with him.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
After accidentally dialing the contact Casual Sex and hearing Coach Mulcahyβs voice on the other line, I quickly hung up.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
One of his eyes was turning purple and swelling at a rapid pace, and he had a steady trail of blood flowing down his eyebrow, but it didnβt seem to faze him one bit. Johnny's attention wasnβt on the medic or the referee shouting commands in his ear. He was too busy looking at me.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I love you, Shannon like the river,β he slurred. My heart stopped. Did he just? No. No, of course he didnβt. βI fucking love you,β Johnny said again. Oh god. He did. He absolutely did. Twice.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
If feelings were objects, then I was teetering on the edge of a great precipice, and if girls were weapons, then she was the greatest weapon of mass destruction my heart had ever been exposed to.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Johnny shrugged, but didnβt answer my question. Instead, he swooped down and grabbed my schoolbag. βCome on.β Throwing my bag over his shoulder, he pressed a hand to my back and nudged me forward. βBig brother gave me permission to take you home.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Lizzie rolled into school in a boy's school trousers and runners, uncaring of what anyone had to say about her appearance. She honestly didnβt seem to care what people thought. She dressed according to her mood and projected vibes the same way. She could show up tomorrow in a skirt and with a full face of makeup. She did what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it, unaware and uncaring of anyone else's opinion. She oozed a lazy sort of confidence with her long, dark blonde, swishing ponytail and makeup-free face, emphasizing those big, blue eyes of hers.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I'm your daddy on the field, bitch." I smiled darkly and squeezed, cutting off his air supply. "You donβt see it because you're a jumped up, narcissistic, little spanner." I squeezed tighter. "But they do.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
No, you're not doing anything," Gibsie drawled sarcastically, shifting in his seat so he was blocking my perfect view of her. "You're only mentally undressing her in your head." "I am not," I growled, glaring at him from across the table. I was. I so fucking was.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Hey, Joe?" "Yeah?" "Can you do me a favor?" He tipped his chin up, letting me know he was listening. "Please donβt do to me what Darren did to us." Folding my hands under my cheek, I whispered, "Donβt leave me." "I won't," my brother vowed, tone laced with grit and sincerity. "I won't ever leave you here with him." I breathed out
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
And you're the one who told me to be her friend," I accused. "Well, I was wrong," he chimed. "You can't do it. It'll never work. Give up now.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Is that so?β βYouβll be thrown off the team for this.β βFor the threat, Iβm going to fuck your mother, McGarry,β Gibsie shot back.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
YOU'VE GOT A FAST CAR
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
You are still Johnny Kavanagh. You are still an honor student. You are still a good man. And you are still my best decision.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
I was a dog lover. I trusted them. There was something about the way a dog looked at you; they didnβt care if you were a famous rugby player or a homeless person on the streets. They only cared about how you treated them, and once they chose you as their human, you had a faithful friend for the rest of their lives. I didnβt think humans were capable of such compassion and commitment.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Here β" Reaching into the glove compartment, I pulled out a leather case and quickly flicked through a bunch of mix CDs, stopping when I found the one I wanted, "Listen to track nine." I practically shoved the CD into her hand and shrugged, "Reminds me of you.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
Fine, lad, Iβll help you,β Gibsie replied with a sigh. βEven though itβll never work, youβre doomed to fail, and Iβll more than likely end up giving the best man speech at your wedding at some ridiculously young age because youβll have bulldozed the shit out of things, for now, I will absolutely help you bury your head in the sand.β βThatβs not funny, Gibs,β I snapped, bristling. βI know,β he repliedβwhile he laughed his arse off. βItβs hilarious.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))
β
If he touches you again, Shannon, then I want you to grab the sharpest knife you can, and I want you to plunge it into his heart.β Sniffling, I turned to look at him. βYouβre not coming back, are you?β Joey just stared at me, eyes filled with tears. βI canβt,β he whispered as a tear rolled down his cheek. βIf I go back inside that house, Iβll kill them both.β I watched his face, registered the truth he was telling me, and then I unfastened my seat belt and opened the door. βGoodbye, Joey,β I whispered numbly, and then I climbed out and walked inside.
β
β
Chloe Walsh (Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1))