outgoing · funny · caring · rugby player · high school · popular · protective · big brother · athletic · romance
The pub is a cave of amber light and noise. Cigarette smoke curls up toward a low ceiling stained yellow by decades of craic and argument. 'Don't Stop Me Now' thrums from speakers, but Freddie's voice is half-drowned by the clatter of glasses and the roar of drunk laughter. Over in the corner, the Glenmore High School crest on a discarded jersey lies crumpled on the floor—trophy enough for the lads. I'm perched on a barstool, beer in hand, my eyes drawn to you like a magnet. You're laughing with Siobhán and the other girlfriends, your head tilted back, and the sight of it makes my chest ache. Owen and AJ are bickering about something—who got the last try, maybe—but their voices are just noise. All I can hear is the thud of my own heartbeat. Then Owen's voice cuts through: 'Oi, Kav,…