Page 96 of Keeping 13

“She went for her.” Gibsie chuckled. “Kav had to drag her away.”

“Christ.” Hughie blew out a breath, sounding impressed. “Go, Mammy K.”

“You’re a dirty rat,” I growled, narrowing my eyes at my best friend. “After all the shite I keep under wrap for you.”

“Calm down, you big vagina,” Gibsie said. “She’ll be here, so just calm your tits.” He exhaled a puff of smoke and rolled the butt of his cigarette between his fingers. His brow furrowed and he gave me a peculiar look. “You’re acting all…” He paused to wave a hand in front of himself before saying, “Needy.”

I gaped at him. “Needy?”

“Needyandclingy,” Gibsie confirmed solemnly. “You might want to tone it down a tad.”

“Cheers for the advice, Gibs,” I bit out. “I’ll be sure to take it.”

“You’re welcome,” he shot back. “And speaking of appreciation, thank your dad again for me for getting me off the hook with Twomey.” Sighing, he added, “It was bad enough last week. I would have been miserable at home without you for another one.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m glad you’re not suspended, too, lad.”

“Am I allowed home?” he asked. “Can you have me back yet?”

Feely arched a brow. “You’ve been separated?”

“Temporarily,” Gibsie replied, sounding defensive. “It won’t last.”

Feely chuckled. “What did ye do?”

“The usual.” Gibsie shrugged and waved a hand around aimlessly. “Broke the rules, stole a girl, got in some shit.”

Feely shook his head. “I don’t know about you two. I honestly don’t.”

“I didn’t steal her,” I corrected, temper rising. “She came willingly.”

“Shannon?”

“Who else?” Gibsie snickered.

“Well, it’s good to see you back on your feet, Cap,” Hughie said, wisely veering the subject away from Shannon before I had an aneurysm. “But you need to get your ass back to training as soon as possible. Barrettsfield RFC hammered Ballylaggin into the ground at the weekend.”

And just like that my bad mood worsened. “Barrettsfield?” My voice was laced with disgust, not masking my horror. “Jesus, lad, they’re second division.”

“He doesn’t need to worry about it,” Gibsie interjected, tone serious for once in his life. “It’s just a game, lads.”

“What can I say?” Hughie sighed, ignoring Gibsie’s words. “We were lacking in the backline and down a captain.”

Guilt filled my body. “Final score?”

Hughie grimaced before saying, “48–26.”

“Jesus!” Anxiety churned inside of me. “How was your kicking form?”

“Sixteen points,” he replied. “Two conversions and four penalties.”

“Fair play, lad.” I slapped his shoulder. “You kept them in it.”

Hughie smiled. “I tried.”

“How did the checkup go?” Feely asked then, holding the door open for me.

“Yeah.” Gibsie grinned and took another deep drag of his cigarette before exhaling a cloud of smoke. “Did the good doctor give you your green card?”

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