JOHNNY
"I can't wait for tonight!" Gibsie declared, practically vibrating with excitement. "I'm bleeding buzzing, Cap!"
We were all gathered at my house, getting ready for the bonfire. Gibsie had invited Feely and me, insisting that his best friends needed a proper night out to blow off steam before the big game next Friday. His enthusiasm was infectious, but bordering on manic.
"We get it, Gibs, you're excited," Hughie said, sounding half-exhausted as he lounged on the couch. "Did you down a Red Bull or something? You look like you're off your head."
"Shut it, Ginger Pubes," Gibsie shot back, sticking his tongue out at Hughie in a playful, exaggerated manner. "It's not my fault your missus would rather be off with her friends than hanging out with you."
"Fuck you."
"That's actually what your sister does, lad."
That did it. Hughie jumped up, fury written all over his face. "I'll fucking murder ya!" he roared, lunging at him with all the intensity of a raging bull. Feely and I had to grab him before he could reach his target, holding him back as he strained to get at Gibsie.
"Claire!" Hughie barked, still seething at his now-blushing sister, who was watching the scene unfold with wide eyes. "Don't go near that perverted gobshite, ya hear me?"
Unfazed, Gibsie continued to egg him on, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Touch me, and Katie'll find out. And you know what happens if Katie finds out? She'll tell Tara. And what happens then? She'll kick your arse, 'cause as her new brother and a proud member of the Lynch clan, I'm untouchable. So suck my dick, Biggs."
"New brother?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion as I glanced between Shannon and Gibsie. What the hell was he on about now?
Shannon threw her hands up in surrender. "Don't look at me, Bulldozer. I know nothing." She turned to Gibsie and laughed. "Welcome to the family. Was there no other fucking option?"
Gibsie placed a hand over his heart, adopting a solemn expression. "Your sister adopted me, Little Shannon," he said with exaggerated seriousness, "and saying no to your sister when she's wearing a teeny-tiny bikini that leaves feck all to the imagination is not an option."
The words hit me like a brick to the chest.
What the fuck?
Saying no to your sister when she's wearing a teeny-tiny bikini that leaves feck all to the imagination'?
What the actual fuck?
Had Gibsie seen Tara in a bikini?
When?
How?
Why?
I could feel my body go rigid, my fists clenching involuntarily at my sides. Tara wouldn't talk to me, hadn't spoken to me in a week, and now the first I was hearing of her was that Gibsie—my own best friend—had seen her in a bikini?
Keep your head, Kav.
No way.
Breathe.
He's your best friend.
Breathe.
He's joking.
Breathe.
No fucking way.
Breathe.
I was going to kill him.
YOU ARE READING
Needing 13 - Johnny Kavanagh
Roman d'amourI had never needed anyone. I didn't know what it was like to need a person until I met him. I needed him. He looked at me as if there was something inside me worth looking at. I hated him for it. Why? Because I could see myself loving him. If o...
