Needing 13 - Johnny Kavanagh

I'M A MASTERMIND

TARA

"Am I your newly appointed partner-in-crime?"

"Yu-uh," I snorted, shooting him a sideways glance. "Got a problem with that?"

"I knew you liked me better than that boyfriend of yours." He winked, confident as ever.

Since Darragh and Erin were away, Gideon had slotted himself into my daily life with ease, filling the gap with his sharp wit and larger-than-life presence. Many at Tommen mistook him for Jonathan because of their similar build and dark hair, but the second Gideon spoke, his sun-sized ego made it clear they couldn't be more different.

"Leave him alone."

He snorted, dramatically clutching his stomach. "You're so disgustingly in love with him, it makes me want to vomit. Seriously, I can feel the eggs Benedict I had for breakfast trying to make a comeback."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not disgustingly in love with him," I said, adding air quotes for emphasis. "In love. Full stop. Stop adding unnecessary adjectives."

Gideon's grin widened, wicked and knowing. "Well, Kavanagh's definitely disgustingly in love with you. His reputation's nosedived—follows you around like a puppy desperate for affection. Acts like a rabid dog when you're not around."

"I like it. It's... sweet."

"Ugh, spare me."

"I'll slag you off when you become obsessed with a girl who can't stand the sight of you," I teased, smirking. "That'll be the day."

"My Elizabeth will come," he said dramatically, still smiling.

"Aren't you a softie under all that narcissism?" I cooed, reaching out to pinch his cheek, laughing when he swatted my hand away with a scowl.

"Do that again, and I'll announce over the PA system how you and your boyfriend have been sneaking off to the locker room."

I patted his cheek mockingly. "Don't be jealous, Deon."

"I'm not jealous," he corrected, "I'm disgusted. It's unsanitary."

"Sure, doing it in the school locker room is unsanitary, but the club bathroom's grand?" I shot back, rolling my eyes.

"If you use the staff bathrooms, it's surprisingly hygienic," he said, laughing boisterously. "So, remind me again—what exactly are we doing here?"

"We're kidnapping three kids."

He blinked. "Come again?"

"Kidnapping three kids," I repeated casually. "Unlike my boyfriend, though, we're not going to have a meltdown over it—because these three kids happen to be my nephews."

We were standing on the soccer pitch at St. Andrew's, watching Nate, Jamie, and Enzo run around with flushed faces and fierce concentration. Nate and Jamie played midfield and striker, while Enzo stood determined in goal.

"You like that one," Gideon said, nodding toward the field.

"Who?" I asked, distracted.

"Number 9—King."

I glanced over to see Jamie ruffling Nate's hair after a goal, both of them grinning wide.

"I just think Aiden and he would've been good friends," I sighed, a soft smile tugging at my lips. "He reminds me of myself when I was small. I can't save him from his family, but I can help him find another one. Darragh and Erin were that for me. Enzo and Jamie will be that for Nate."