Binding 13

Play and slay was my only option because I refused to crash and burn at seventeen.

"Are you alright, Joh

His tone, for once, was serious which was why I responded with a clipped nod.

"Ready to talk about it yet?"

"Talk about what?"

"Whatever the hell it is that's been driving you demented since we came back from Christmas break."

"Nothing's bothering me," I replied, pulling my school trousers up my thighs. I buckled my belt and reached for my shirt.

"Bullshit," he countered.

"I'm grand," I added, quickly snapping my buttons back in place.

"You've been like a bear with a sore head since coming back to school after Christmas," he grumbled. "And don’t tell me it's because of your surgery because I know there's more to it–"

My phone began to ring then, distracting us both.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled it out, checked the screen, and then resisted the urge to fling it at the wall.

"Fucking Bella," I grumbled, canceling the call and tossing my phone back in my bag.

Gibsie grimaced. "What's going on there?"

"Nothing," I replied. "It's done with."

"Does Bella know that?"

"She should," I replied flatly. "She's the one who ended it."

"Yeah?"

"Yep." Pinching the bridge of my nose, I exhaled a calming breath before adding, "She's fucking around with Cormac Ryan now."

"And you're okay about it?"

"Don’t give a fuck if I'm being honest, lad," I replied flatly. "I'm more relieved than anything."

Gibsie shook his head. "You sure? You were messing around with her for a long time."

"I was done a long time ago, Gibs," I admitted. "Trust me, lad, all I want her to do is leave me the hell alone."

"Well, if that's true then it's the best news I've heard all year," Gibsie declared. "Because I honest to god ca

"No chance of that happening," I told him as I repressed a shudder. "I always wrap my shit."

"She's a needle-in-a-condom type, lad," Gibsie shot back. "And you're a shining beacon of light for those girls –with a huge, neon, euro sign hanging over your head."

"I pull out," I shot back. "Always."

"Every time?"

"Why are you asking me about my sexual health?" I deadpa

Gibsie grimaced. "Because she's dirty."

"Gibs, you don’t say shite like that about a girl," I warned. "It's not on."

"I'm not saying that about just any girl." He shrugged and added, "I'm saying it about that girl."

"Well, I'm fine," I bit out. "Had my tests last month and I'm clean as a whistle."

"Thank god." He sighed, looking relieved. "Because she–"

"Can we not talk about her anymore?" I interrupted, thoroughly sickened at the thought of her. "I'm tired of hearing about her, Gibs."

"Okay, but let me ask you one more question," he replied. "Just one and I'll drop it."

I sighed wearily and waited for him to speak, knowing that it didn’t matter whether I agreed or not.

Clearing his throat, he asked, "Are you relieved Bella ended whatever the fuck you'd call what you two were doing because you were tired of Bella?" He studied my face for a few moments before adding, "Or because you're into the girl?"

His question caused me to pause mid-button. "The girl?"

"Yeah, the girl."

"What girl?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"The fucking girl, Joh

"Gooey eyes?" Pulling my jumper down over my stomach, I stepped into my shoes. "What the hell are gooey eyes?"

"Swooning eyes," Gibsie snapped, exasperated now. "Smoldering gazes. Fuck me looks. I want to eat your pussy signals." He shook his head and reached for a can of deodorant out of his gear bag. "Whatever you want to call them."

"You're tapped, Gibs," I a

"There's nothing wrong with my head, Kavs. You're the one with the fucked-up eye twitch whenever that girl is about the place." He tossed the deodorant towards me and I caught it mid-air. "Don’t think I haven't copped what's going on there."

"Don’t know what you're talking about, lad." I reached under my shirt and sprayed my pits. "My eyes are in perfect working order."

"Your dick's in perfect working order, too," he shot back. He pulled his school jumper over his head and continued, "When that girl's around the place."

I took my time answering him for two reasons.

The first being I didn’t want to react on gut instinct and make a show of myself.

The second being I had no goddamn clue what to say.

Remaining silent, I concentrated on tying my shoelaces instead.

"Not going to answer me?" Gibsie probed, gri

"There's nothing to say," I bit out, focusing way too hard on making the perfect tie knot. "I'm not talking about her."

"Why not?" he pressed.

"Because I'm bleeding not, Gibs."

"Because you like her," Gibsie stated.

"Because she's not up for debate," I snapped.

Because you really like her," he corrected. "Because you want her."

I shot him a dirty look and then returned to staring at my shoes.

"I wish you would just admit it, lad," Gibsie mumbled.

"And I wish you would mind your own fucking business," I offered sarcastically. "It's getting old, lad. You don’t hear me giving you shite about your love life."

The minute the words were out of my mouth, and I saw his eyes light up, I regretted them.

"Ah, so you are contemplating getting with her?" Gibsie demanded excitedly, eyes dancing with sheer delight. "I fucking knew it."

"No," I corrected. "I'm not."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Because?" he pushed.

"Because I'm fucking not, okay?" I barked. "Now drop it."

"You're ridiculous," Gibsie a

"Leave it out, Gibs."

"I just don’t understand what the issue is," he argued. "I've seen the way you look at her. You clearly like Sharon."

"Her name isn't Sharon." I shot him a dirty look and then returned to packing up my bag. "It's Sha