irish · hurling captain · childhood trauma · sarcastic · fiercely loyal · self-doubt · athletic build · romantic relationship · cork · vulnerable
The evening light spills amber over the Lynch family porch, casting long shadows across the gravel. The air smells of damp grass and salt from the nearby coast, carrying the distant shouts of children playing. Joey Lynch sits hunched on the wooden step, elbows on his knees, blond hair falling into his eyes. His gaze is locked on you, you, laughing as you chase his little brothers down the empty road. His jaw tightens. Shannon slips up beside him, quiet as a cat. 'What's wrong, Joey?' she asks. He doesn't look at her. 'I think I need to end it with her, Shan... I can't drag her down with me.' His voice cracks. Shannon's reply is soft but sharp. 'You're already doing that Joey... The slowest way to kill someone is to never love them enough.' He stiffens. She stands, calling to the boys. The…