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“No! Jesus Christ, don’t get my Ma,” I choked out, burying my face in her neck. “I’m not having a panic attack, lad.”

“You’re not?”

I snapped my head back up. “No!”

“Then what are you doing?”

“I’m taking a shite,” I shot back, causing Shannon to giggle. “Shh,” I mouthed, rubbing myself against her. “Go downstairs and wait for me, Gibs,” I called out. “I’ll be fifteen minutes—” My eyes roamed over her naked body and my dick strained.Fuck.“Maybe twenty.”

“Yeah, I see pink knickers on your floor, so I know exactly what kind of shit you’re taking, you lucky bastard,” he called back. “Hey, Little Shannon.”

Shannon’s eyes widened. “Uh, hey, Gibsie.”

“Nice floral bra, Shan,” he added. “I love the colors—hold on a second! Are you aB cupnow?”

“Get the fuck out of here,” I roared. “And don’t touch her bra!”

“I’m just saying that a full cup size is a big jump in one month,” Gibsie replied. “Fair play, girl. You’re blossoming—”

“I’m going to rip your gooch off and feed it to you, ya bleeding pervert,” I snarled, setting Shannon down so I could climb out of the tub. Swinging the bathroom door open, I stalked towards him. “And how the fuck would you know what size bramygirlfriend wears?”

“Because I have eyes,” he laughed and then flung Shannon’s bra at me before diving across the bed to get away. “You know when people say they’re a great judge of character? Well, I’m a great judge of tit size–”

“I hope you enjoyed your last meal, Gerard,” I snarled, leaping onto my bed stark naked. “Because you’re going to die today.”

“You keep thatbeastaway from me!” he choked out, making the sign of the cross with his index fingers. “The power of Christ compels you!”

“What are you doing?” Ollie’s voice filled my ears and I dropped to the mattress quicker than a cat.

“Alright, bud?” I choked out, covering myself with my blankets.

“Why are you naked, Johnny?” he asked, standing in my doorway in his Spiderman pajamas. “Where are your pajamas?”

“I was having a shower,” I lied through my teeth and told him, scrambling to cover myself up. “Gibsie broke in and stole my towel, so I’m giving out to him.”

“Yeah.” Laughing nervously, Gibsie shrugged. “We’re always playing jokes on each other.”

“That’s not funny,” Ollie said with a scowl. “He could get the double die-monia if he doesn’t dry his hair.”

“The double die-what-e-a?” Gibsie chuckled.

“The double die-monia,” Ollie repeated. “Mammy told us it nearly whipped our nanny once.” His brow furrowed. “I’m not sure what that means, but she got it ’cause she wasn’t drying her hair, and it’s supposed to besuperbad. They put you in a hospital and everything!”

“He means double pneumonia,” I corrected, stifling a groan. “I’m all good, Ol. Don’t worry. It’s the summertime. I won’t get sick.”

“Yeah, well, it’s still not funny,” he huffed. Turning to Gibsie, he added, “How would you feel if someone took your towel?”

“Fair point, kid,” Gibsie replied, stifling a laugh. “I promise I won’t take Johnny’s towel again.”

“Well, give it back to him now,” Ollie insisted, not budging from the doorway. “Come on,” he urged. “Do the right thing, and say you’re sorry.”

“I’m so sorry, Johnny,” Gibsie choked out, holding a hand in front of his mouth. “And I would love to give you back your towel, but I seem to have misplaced it.”

“Don’t worry, Johnny,” Ollie said with a huff. “I’ll get you a new one.” He moved for my bathroom quicker than I had a chance to register what was happening.

“No, no, no—” I called out, but it was too late. He had the door wide open, revealing Shannon standing there—thankfully wrapped in a bath towel.

“Ollie, get out,” Shannon hissed, slamming the door shut once more. “Oh my god!”

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