SKYFALL, Johnny Kavanagh

Hold onto her

Johnny's Point of View

The kitchen was too fucking quiet.
Maeve was still in the bathroom.
Gibsie had disappeared into the living room, probably sprawled out like a starfish on the couch, half-watching whatever nonsense was on TV.

And Joey was here.
Acting like nothing was wrong.

Like he hadn't just seen her face.
Like he hadn't looked at the same bruises I had and said nothing.

I tightened my grip on my mug, staring at the tea swirling inside like it might settle something in me.
It didn't.

Nothing about this felt settled.

I pushed my chair back, setting the mug down harder than necessary, and turned to Joey.

"Alright." I said, voice low. "Who's hurting her?"

Joey didn't even flinch.

Didn't react at all.

Just kept rinsing the pan like I hadn't just laid that question out in the open between us.

Finally, he exhaled, slow and measured, shutting off the tap.
He grabbed a tea towel, drying his hands with deliberate movements before turning to lean against the counter, arms folded across his chest.

"I'd have no problem telling you." He said, voice even. "If it were my place to tell."

My jaw locked. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means if you want answers, Kavanagh, you need to ask Maeve."

"I have asked Maeve."

"And?"

"She lies."

Joey didn't blink. "She lies because she doesn't trust people."

Something hot crawled under my skin.

"She trusts me." I shot back.

Joey arched a brow. "Does she?"

That hit harder than it should have.
Because I wanted to say yes.
I needed to say yes.

But the truth was, I wasn't sure.
Because Maeve was still holding something back.
Because she walked into my house, bruised and still had a lie ready.

And I hated it.

Joey must've seen something in my face, because his tone softened – just slightly.

"Be worthy of it." He said quietly. "Get her to trust you."

The words settled deep.

Then, because I had to, because the thought wouldn't let go of me, I asked, "Is it you?"

Joey stilled.

Then he laughed.

"You're serious?"

"I have to ask."

His face darkened. "I have never laid a fucking hand on my sister."

Something in his voice made my stomach twist.

"And if you think for a second that I would." He cut himself off, shaking his head like he couldn't believe he was even having this conversation. "Jesus Christ, Kavanagh."

"I had to ask."

"No, you fucking didn't." His voice was low now, dangerous. "If you knew anything about me, you'd know I'd kill the bastard who hurt her. I wouldn't be him."

I believed him.
God help me, I did.

But that still left the question.
Who was it?

Before I could say anything else, Joey's phone rang.
He sighed, pulling it out of his pocket.
The second he saw the screen, his jaw clenched.

"What do you want?"

I didn't even pretend I wasn't listening.

"No, you were told... There's no coming back from this... I don't give two shits how sorry you are... No... She's where?"

Joey's whole body stiffened. "When did that happen? ...And the baby? What the fuck do you want me to say? ...Why would I be sad? It's a goddamn relief is what it is."

He was quiet for a long second. "Fine. Yeah, I'll be there. I just said I'd be there, didn't I?"

He hung up.

I crossed my arms. "Who was that?"

Joey exhaled roughly. "I need to take off."

I frowned. "Where?"

"Doesn't matter." He moved toward the door.

"Like fuck it doesn't." I snapped, stepping in front of him. "Your sister is in the bathroom."

"Yeah." He rubbed a hand over his jaw. "I'm going to need you to hold onto her for me."

"What the hell is going on?" I demanded.

Joey exhaled sharply. "I already told you, Johnny."

"No, you haven't told me shite." I shot back. "You're just leaving her here, and I have no fucking idea what to tell her."

"Fine." He snapped. "Tell my sister that my father, her uncle, just called. My mother had a miscarriage on Friday night. And he's on his way home from the hospital with her now."

Fucking hell.
I ran a hand through my hair. "Shite."

"Yeah. You have no fucking idea."

He turned back toward the door, but just before opening it, he looked at me again.

"I want you to hold onto her." He said again, voice rougher now. "Can you do that, Johnny Kavanagh? Can you look after my sister for me?"

I met his gaze head-on.

"Yeah." My voice was firm. "I can."

Joey held my gaze for a second longer, then nodded. "Good."

Then, he called toward the living room. "Gussie! I'm leaving now if you want a spin into town for your car."

A second later, Gibsie's head popped out. "Everything okay?"

"Go on." I told him, jerking my chin toward the door.

He hesitated. "You sure?"

"Yeah."

To his credit, he didn't press.
Just gave me a nod and followed Joey out the door.

Maeve was still in the bathroom.
And Joey's words were still running through my head.

Hold onto her.
Not watch her.
Not keep her company.

Hold onto her.

I didn't know what that meant, not really.

But I knew one thing for sure.

I wasn't letting go anytime soon.