Page 171 of Keeping 13

“No, what’s ridiculous is you going along with that woman’s fucked-up thought process and trying to keep Shan in this house after everything that happened,” Joey countered. “If you keep it up—if you force them apart—hewilllose his shit. Draw a battle line with that fucker and he will go to war with you.” Turning to Mam, he added, “And if I were you, I’d lay off throwing threats around because you have a hell of a lot more to lose out of this—and a lot more skeletons to be exposed—if his daddy decides to haveyoudone for slander.”

Mam had her head in her hands and Darren had his back to me, but Joey was facing me and when he noticed me edging closer to the kitchen door, he smirked and winked.

“What are you—” Darren’s voice trailed off and he spun around, catching me red-handed. “Don’t even think about it,” he warned.

Tearing through the hallway, I yanked the front door open.

“Shannon, I’m not messing around here—”

I didn’t stop to listen to him. Instead, I hurried out the front door, breaking into an excited run when my eyes landed on Johnny leaning against the side of his car, scowling at my house like it personally offended him. His eyes found mine and relief flooded his features. “Are you okay?”

Nodding, I barreled through the garden and rounded the footpath at top speed, not stopping until I was flush against him. “You didn’t go home,” I said, panting as I looked up at him. “You didn’t leave.”

“I couldn’t,” Johnny replied thickly. His hands dropped to my hips, pulling me closer. “I needed to know you were safe.”

My heart burst open in my chest, and I felt like I was drowning in feelings. “I’m safe.”

“You sure?” He looked so vulnerable when he said, “Because I think I’m going to need a promise.”

Oh god…

Reaching up, I snaked a hand in his hair and pulled his face down to mine. “Would you settle for a kiss good night?”

“Only if you promise you’ll still be here in the morning,” he replied, brushing his lips against mine. “So, do you promise?”

I blew out a ragged breath. “I’ll be here.”

“If you need me, you call me,” he whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and then cupping my cheek. “Doesn’t matter what time it is. Just pick up that phone, and I’ll come, okay?”

Unable to stop myself, I leaned my cheek in to his touch. “Okay.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he added gruffly, trailing his thumb over my cheek. “And I’ll pick you up for school on Monday.”

“No, no, no. You don’t have to do that for me,” I hurried to say. “I can get a—”

“I want to pick you up,” he interrupted. “If you want me to?”

I nodded weakly. “I want you.”To. Add theto, Shannon.“To,” I croaked out. “I mean, I want you to pick me up.”

“I want you, too,” he said with a wink. “In every way.”

My body grew hot and achy. “I, uh, I—”

Johnny didn’t wait for me to respond before pressing his lips to mine, firmer this time. Deeper. Holding on to his arms, I kissed him back with everything I had, desperately trying to show him how much he meant to me.

“If that’s what you call hand-holding, then I’d really like to know what you call the other shit,” I heard Darren say from somewhere nearby.

“Maybe they’re gone beyond hand-holding,” I heard Joey muse. “I can’t always be right.”

43

Better Safe than Sorry

Johnny

“What do you mean, you’re nottellingme?” Gibsie demanded, letting the ball spin from his hands. It was Sunday evening and we were down on the pitch, attempting to throw a ball around. Well,Iwas attempting to throw the ball. Gibs was doing his best Inspector bleeding Gadget impression, trying to milk information about my night with Shannon.

“Exactly what I said.” Ignoring the burn in my lower half, I extended my arms and jumped to catch his piss-poor throw. “I’m not fucking telling you.”

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