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“I believe him,” my best friend replied without a hint of hesitation. “If he says nothing happened with Catwoman, then that’s the truth.”
“You do?”
“Absolutely,” she replied with a nod. “He wouldn’t do that to you, Claire. Not Gibs. His entire world revolves around you.”
“You really care about him, don’t you?” I mused, sitting back down to link arms with her. “Aw, my bestie approves.”
“He’s one of the good ones, Claire,” she urged in a sincere tone. “Sure, Gib’s a joker and a prankster and can say all of the wrong things at times, but his heart is as big as the moon.”
“It truly is,” I agreed with a dreamy sigh.
“I’ve never felt safe around boys or men,” Shannon admitted, brow furrowing as she spoke. “For obvious reasons.”
I winced. “Yeah.”
“But I feel safe around Gibs,” she told me. “Aside from Johnny, he’s the only other boy whose hands I would willingly put my life in.”
“Aw.” My heart squeezed tight. “Shan.”
“So, don’t listen to Lizzie, okay?” she urged. “Listen to your heart.” She smiled. “It won’t steer you in the wrong direction, I promise.”
My heart, like it knew it was being spoken about, started to thud violently in my chest. “He asked me to be his girlfriend last night.”
Her blue eyes widened like saucers. “He did?”
Biting down on my lip, I nodded excitedly. “Yep.”
“And what did you say?”
“I told him I was scared.”
Shannon’s eyes warmed in understanding. “That’s okay, Claire,” she soothed, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Taking the next step in a relationship can be really scary.”
“It really can.”
“But it can also be really exciting, and freeing, and so incredibly liberating.”
“He told me that he would wait for me,” I explained, feeling my face grow hot at the memory. “For as long as it takes until I’m ready.”
“But you’re ready now, aren’t you?” she mused knowingly.
“Yes.” I exhaled a shaky breath and nodded eagerly. “I really am.”
“Well, he’s right here, Claire.” My best friend grinned and gestured to the pitch. “That’s your man.”
“You’re right.” I stood up and nodded in confirmation. “That’s my man.”
61
Who the Fuck Is Damien?
GIBSIE
I was deep in concentration having just been thrust several feet into the air for another line-out, when the sound of Coach ranting and raving like a lunatic from the sidelines snagged my attention.
However distracted, I still managed to retrieve the ball midair and protect it with my body against the opposition’s challenge as my teammates lowered me to the ground.
“Bring him down safely, lads,” Danny roared, falling back to steer the pack from the rear. “Are ya alright, Gibs?”
