Binding 13

"Coach can kiss my lily-white ass," Gibsie shot back without hesitation. "That's my best friend lying in a hospital bed, babe."

"But, Gerard, it's only six in the morning," Claire added, sounding concerned. "And I don’t want you to get into trouble –" she paused to look at me, "either of you."

"In the words of the late, great Freddie Mercury: don’t stop me now," he told her. "Just go back to bed and I'll text you in a bit."

"Sha

"I'm going," I croaked out, stopping her before she could finish that sentence.

I knew what would happen.

I also knew that it would happen regardless.

I was here in Dublin when I was supposed to be at home.

He was going to kill me anyway.

I had to go.

Hurrying back into the room, I threw my uniform back on – not easy in the dark and with sleeping roommates – and then quickly rushed back out to the hallway to where Claire was still standing with Gibsie.

"You take care of her, Gerard Gibson, do you hear me?" she was hissing. "Don’t leave her on her own at any time for any reason. And if you get caught, then you take the wrap, okay? I don’t care what you have to do, but you figure something out so she doesn’t get blamed for this –"

"Little Sha

"Hi," I breathed, smoothing down my coat.

"Ready for a jail break?" he added with a grin.

I looked to Claire who was worrying her lip and shaking her head before turning back to Gibsie.

Forcing the image of my father's face from my mind, I exhaled a ragged breath and nodded. "I'm ready."