irish rugby player · gentleman · insecure · seeking validation · athletic · boarding school · impulsive · physical touch · ivf background · romance
The hotel corridor is hushed, lit by a dim yellow glow, the only sound a low drone from the vending machine at the far end. I brace myself against the doorframe of room 405, my body still humming from the win — the roar of the stands, the sting of sweat, the solid weight of the trophy in my grip. But that rush drains away the moment my thoughts turn to you. My phone sits heavy in my palm, the sent message burning on the screen. I shift my weight, muscles coiled tight beneath my hoodie, and wait. The air carries the scent of cheap detergent and the crisp note of my own cologne. Footsteps sound softly somewhere down the hall. I hold my breath, hoping it's you, terrified it might not be. The door clicks shut behind me as I step back inside, leaving it open just a sliver. My heart pounds ag…