“Thank you,” she said. “I’m sorry for keepin’ Indie a secret. I just ... it was just nice to have someone like me even though they know a bunch of lads would kill ‘im for lookin’ at me that way.”
I tilted my head to the side. “He doesn’t care about your brothers and cousins?”
“Since some of them are his cousins, no, he’s cool about it. He’s worried about Locke, though. They’re best friends, and he didn’t tell ‘im we were datin’ because I told ‘im I wanted no one to know. They might fight over it, and then Indie might fight me over that.” She put her head in her hands. “You’re right. Relationships are too much to deal with.”
I managed a laugh. “Well, you’re in one now, and I’ve never known you to take the easy way out of anything.”
Georgie looked up at me, and for a moment, she looked exactly like Bronagh.
“I thought ye’ said that I couldn’t have a boyfriend anymore.”
I stared at her, and I knew if I made her break up with this boy, it would push her away from me. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, and while she was still a minor, she had to have some independence and experience life.
“Listen to me, and listen carefully. You can continue to date him, but the relationship is not, in any shape or form, to become intimate until you’re an adult. That means eighteen years old at the very least. There is more to a relationship than sex. Not everything that is special has to become physical.”
Georgie’s green eyes widened as she jumped up and flung herself at me.
“Oh, thank you, Da!”
I caught her and hugged her tightly. When we separated and she was stood in front of me, my damn heart broke in two. She was gorgeous. The purest beauty I had ever seen. She was the spitting image of Bronagh just with my smile and dimples. She was a young woman, and I hated it.
“This is hard for me,” I said, my voice rough. “You know that, right?”
“I know, Da, but I promise ye’ that I haven’t even kissed Indie yet, and I won’t be doin’ anythin’ like what you’re scared of until I’m a lot older. I swear.”
She said that now, but wait until she was in a situation with this little Collins fucker that made her want to try the things she swore not to do. I knew I would be the last damn thing on her mind when this little punk had her attention.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll think very hard about decisions when it comes to kissing and everything that follows. Consider every single aspect of it, okay? And number one, do not be afraid to say no. Respect yourself, and do not give any boy the time of day if he doesn’t give you the same level of respect. Do you understand me, Georgie Slater?”
“Yes, Da, I do.”
I nodded. “I want to meet him.”
Georgie smile vanished, and her already fair skin paled. “Ye’ already met ‘im loads of times.”
“I never knew he was your boyfriend then, though.”
She swallowed. “Ye’ won’t scare ‘im, right? Because he is already wary of Jax, and he hasn’t even tried to scare him off yet ... except for when Jax punched ‘im yesterday. Indie text me earlier that when he was over at Jax’s house with Locke, Jax just stared at ‘im without blinkin’. It was enough to freak Indie out, and they’re cousins. And I know Beau, Enzo, and Alby are goin’ to lay it on thick with ‘im now, too.”
I fucking loved my sons and nephews.
“I won’t scare him, but I won’t be his friend either.” I said firmly. “I want him to know that you’re my life, and if he ever hurt you in any way, I’d end his. That’s all.”
“Da!”
I shrugged. “I’m just telling you the truth.”
Georgie sat back down and sighed. “Okay, I guess that’s fair.”
“Tell him to come by tomorrow afternoon. I want to be sad tonight that you’re growing up. I’ll get over it by then and enter a new stage of parenting that requires me to scare your boyfriends into submission.”
“Daaa,” she said with a shake of her head but with a smile on her face. “I love ye’ so much.”
“I love you too, but remember what I said earlier. You’re grounded for your outburst this morning and for what you said to Jax. No electronics for a week, and you’re to pick up extra chores around the house.”
Georgie nodded, accepting her punishment. “Okay, Da.”
She hugged and kissed me once more before she said, “I’m goin’ to go up to me room and text Indie about tomorrow, then I’ll put all of me stuff on your and Ma’s bed so ye’ can lock it away in your safe. I’ll walk over to Jax’s then.”