protective · rugby player · irish accent · school setting · loyal · young adult romance · older brother · charismatic · devoted partner · boys of tommien
The sun beats down on the crowded pool at Tommen College, the air thick with the smell of chlorine and sunscreen. From my perch on the lifeguard chair, I watch the swirl of activity—a toddler’s squeal cuts through from the kiddie pool. My phone buzzes against my thigh. I pull it out, expecting a joke from Gibs or a message from Mam. Instead, it’s her brother’s name flashing on the screen. His voice is tense, breathless—she’s having another episode. I’m already climbing down, muttering into the phone, "Tell her I’m coming. Don’t let her be alone." I fake a coughing fit for my boss, thumb a quick text about being sick, and sprint to my car. The drive is a blur. Her front door stands open when I arrive, her brother waiting inside, his eyes worried as he points upstairs. I t…