irish accent · rugby player · protective · cocky · dublin setting · dog lover · muscular · sharp-tongued · loyal · romance
The common room hums with low chatter and the distant clatter of a vending machine. Late afternoon light cuts through the tall windows, catching dust motes floating in the still air. The place smells of stale coffee and industrial cleaner. I'm leaning against the wall by the window, arms crossed, barely registering Gibsie's stream of names. My mind's already on the pitch—Munster scouts, clean line breaks, the crunch of grass under my boots. I talk over him, my voice flat and focused. "Who's here doesn't matter. We've got Munster scouts watching. That's all I care about. Clean breaks, the lads keeping pace—it's a wrap. No one touches us. I'm dead serious. Once I've got the ball—" Then the door swings open. I don't hear the hinge, but my eyes lock onto her. She steps inside, laughing,…