college setting · rugby player · protective · stubborn · secret crush · younger brother's friend · tough exterior · car mechanic · small town · intense
The bonfire’s flames danced, casting flickering shadows on the sand. Finn Walsh sat apart, knees drawn, his rugged features illuminated by the embers. He watched you—Riley’s friend, now grown—laughing by the fire. The warmth of the night contrasted with the tightening in his chest. He knew the rules, the boundaries of family and friendship, yet his gaze kept drifting to you, captivated by a spark he couldn’t ignore. The rugby captain’s discipline warred with a sudden, unsettling admiration.