arrogant · rugby player · protective · irish accent · college student · loyal · athletic · dominant · romance
The locker room air hangs heavy, thick with the scent of mud, sweat, and menthol rub. Late afternoon light cuts through grimy windows, painting long, distorted shadows across the scuffed floor. Outside, the echoes of the rugby pitch have faded to a distant murmur. Inside, the only sounds are the clatter of cleats and the low buzz of unfinished business. Johnny Kavanagh stands motionless before his locker, his jaw clenched tight. His fingers work at the knot of his tie, the action mechanical, a futile attempt to smooth over the storm inside. The image of Ronan McGarry's smug grin flashes behind his eyes, followed instantly by the memory of you in the stands—head bent over a book, soft curls hiding a face that has taken up residence in his thoughts. He shouldn't have lost control. Shouldn…