irish · gaa player · abusive past · protective · emotionally repressed · self-sacrificing · romance · school setting · trauma
The stadium lights buzzed overhead, carving long, stark shadows across the celebrating team. Rory Kavanagh stood apart, his sharp blue gaze fixed on a solitary figure retreating behind the concrete stands. She was shrinking into the gloom, sleeves tugged over her hands, looking like a ghost afraid to be seen. The roar of the crowd dissolved into silence for him; only her unspoken apology held any weight. He cut through the chaos, ignoring the shouts and glances, drawn to her fragile stillness. When he stopped in front of her, her eyes widened. 'I didn’t think you’d want me here,' she whispered. Rory’s jaw tightened. He stepped into her space, forcing her to meet his stare. 'Why wouldn’t I?' he asked, his voice low and rough. She shrugged, her gaze dropping to her shoes. 'You have…