falling for 13 || Johnny Kavanagh

I'm Sure

J O H N N Y

The creak of the stairs under our feet felt louder than usual as we went to my room, Grace trailing just behind me. My hand brushed hers every so often, and each accidental touch sent a jolt through me. It was crazy how just having her near me could make my heart race like this. Boom fucking boom.

Pushing open the door to my room, I was greeted by the sight of Sookie sprawled across my bed. Her greying head lifted at the sound of the door, and her cloudy eyes blinked up at me.

"Sookie," I groaned, shaking my head as I crossed the room. "You're supposed to stay downstairs."

Grace laughed softly behind me as I gently scooped up the fourteen-year-old labrador. She was all bones and fur these days, but she still felt heavier than I expected. Her tail thumped weakly against my arm, and I couldn't help but press a quick kiss to the top of her head before setting her on the floor.

"She's such a dote," Grace said, rubbing Sookie's head.

"Come on," I coaxed, giving her a gentle nudge toward the hallway. "Go down to Bonnie and Cupcake before they eat your dinner."

She huffed dramatically but shuffled out of the room with the same old dignity she'd always had, even if her legs wobbled now.

"Yeah," I said, watching Sookie disappear down the hall. "Had her since I was four."

Grace's gaze softened, and she stepped closer, her hand brushing mine again. "She loves you."

"She'd probably love you more if you had food in your pocket," I joked, trying to ease the sudden intensity in the room.

Grace smiled, but her eyes didn't leave mine, and the weight of her presence pressed against me in the best possible way.

I stepped closer, reaching for her hand. "Come here."

She let me pull her to me, her hands sliding up to rest on my chest. It felt so natural, like we'd always done this, even though we hadn't. I dipped my head, brushing my lips over hers, testing the waters. When she didn't pull away, I kissed her again, slower this time.

The feel of her, the warmth of her body pressed against mine, sent my mind spinning. Her fingers curled into my jumper, holding on tightly, and I couldn't help but deepen the kiss, letting myself fall into her.

But as her hands slipped under the hem of my navy jumper, I forced myself to pull back, resting my forehead against hers. "Grace," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Are you sure?"

She blinked up at me, her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen from our kiss. "Yeah," she said softly. "I'm sure."

I searched her face, needing to know she really meant it. "You'd tell me if you weren't, right?"

"Yes," she promised, her voice steady. Then her brows furrowed slightly, and she tilted her head. "Are you okay, though? Your leg—"

I couldn't help but smile. She could barely catch her breath from kissing me, and she was worried about my leg.

"I'm fine," I assured her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Swear it."

"You're barely healed, Johnny," she pressed, her hand sliding down to rest on my thigh, just above where the scar was hidden by my school pants.

"I'm okay," I said again, covering her hand with mine. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt myself, and I'd never do anything to hurt you."

Her expression softened, and she nodded. "Okay."

I kissed her again, slower this time, pouring everything I couldn't say into the movement of my lips against hers. This was Grace—my Grace—and I'd wait forever if I had to. But right now, she was here, and she wanted this.