Extraits

"Hey, Cap? Are you getting your hole – I mean, are you making sweet love, or can I come in?"

"Yes, I am," Johnny growled. "Now fuck off."

The zip lowered on our tent opening and his blond head popped through. "Morning, family."

"Shannon's getting fat," Ollie tossed out. "She loves Dellie's food, too."

"I'm a size 8, you thug," I choked out, offended. "I weigh 7 and a half stone. I'm not fat."

"You don't call girls fat, Ol," Tadhg groaned. "Remember what Joey told us? They're always skinny – even when they're whales."

"Oh, yeah," Ollie replied sheepishly. "But she's up that whole stone, remember? Dellie was crying 'cause she was so happy about it? Remember? The doctors said she was bones and skin and had to get the stones up or she'd get sicker."

"Skin and bones," Tadhg corrected with a pained sigh. "And don't worry about it, Shan. You're still a rake."

"I'll call you every day," I vowed, as I stood in the middle of Dublin airport with my flight number being called over the intercom. "And I'll send you a million texts."

"But it won't be the same."

"I know, but we'll make it work," I promised.

"How?"

"We'll figure it out, okay? But I need you to stop crying," I begged. "Please."

"I can't help it. My heart is breaking here."

"I'll be home soon," I coaxed. "It won't be forever."

"No – no! Just no. You can't leave me, Johnny!"

"I have to go," I groaned. "Come on, don't make this harder than it has to be."

"You promise this isn't a forever goodbye?"

"I promise," I urged, patting his back. "Now, come on, Gibs. You're cutting off my air supply here."

Are you going to ruin me, Shannon like the river?"

"Thank you," I croaked out, teeth chattering, as my heart thudded a rhythm of adoration for the boy standing in front of me. "For everything."

"I'd do anything for you, Shannon like the river," Johnny replied gruffly, pulling me into his side. "Anything."

"Wait – I'm invited for dinner tonight, too, right?"

"Gibs!"

"Am I?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Jesus Christ, Gibs. I swear to god, I will pull this car over and you –"

"Fine!" Gibsie huffed. "I didn't want the roast spuds anyway. My Mam's are better."

"Gerard," Claire coaxed. "It's okay. You can have dinner with me."

"Can I eat you?" he asked, sounding playful once more.

"If you're good," she replied, patting his shoulder.

"What?" Gibsie's voice rose so high, it was almost girlish. "I mean –" he roughly cleared his throat several times before adding, "What?"

Feely chuckled quietly. "Lost for words, Gibs? That's a first."

"I know, right?" Claire giggled, using her finger to close Gibsie's mouth. "I think I broke him."

J: Driving now. See you soon. x

S: Okay. x

J: Show me your tits.

I laughed loudly at the message on the screen.

S: Nice try, Gibsie.

J: Fuck! Hey Little Shannon.

"Gibson! Kavanagh!" their coach roared from across the pitch. "No girlfriends at training! This isn't a fucking discotheque."

"And you are just as sweet."

Ollie beamed up at her. "I am?"

Mam nodded. "Yes, you are."

Tadhg snickered, joining Ollie at the island. "You look like Shannon."

"So?" Ollie huffed, keeping his gaze trained on the cake Mam was cutting. "I'm sweet."

"Alright, Shan." Ruffling her ponytail, he roughly shoved Darren out of his way. "You coming in or are you just going to stand there leaving the cold out?"

"It's the heat out," I muttered.

"Maybe in your house," he shot back, not missing a beat, before disappearing into the kitchen.