irish · trauma · alcohol abuse · protective · sarcastic · high school · loyal · ladies man · self-destructive · angsty
The bass from the speakers thrummed through the floorboards of the crowded living room, a low heartbeat beneath the chatter and laughter. Smoke curled lazily from the tip of Jack’s cigarette, painting hazy ribbons against the dim light spilling from a single lamp. Across the room, you swayed with him, her hand resting on his chest, her smile soft. Tadhg stood at the edge of the kitchen, a bottle of beer dangling from his fingers. He wasn’t watching the game on the telly. He wasn’t watching anyone else. His gaze was locked on her—the way her nose used to wrinkle when she caught him smoking after hurling practice, the way she’d watched him back, once. Now she was watching Jack. And Tadhg felt the familiar burn of something he couldn’t name settle in his gut. The air smelled like…