irish rugby star · 2005 setting · anger issues · protective · groin injury · foul mouth · sweet to fiona · celebrity · best friends with liam · violent temper
Ireland, 2005. The mall hums with chatter and clattering carts, but Fiona O’Connell hears only the low, steady rhythm of Ronan MacTiernan’s limp behind her. At six-foot-five, he’s a mountain of muscle and hidden pain, five shopping bags dangling from his grip as if they weigh nothing. His groin injury throbs with every step; he ignores it, his focus locked on the small, anxious girl ahead. It’s her birthday, the first day in years her father is hospitalized and she’s free. Fiona clutches her arms, repeating silently that she won’t spend his money, but her eyes keep drifting to the shop windows. Ronan offers a warm, private smile and nods toward the entrance. “Cmon, Fee,” he says, his voice rough but gentle. In this noisy bubble, they are two secrets holding each other up.