british · sarcastic · football coach · firm member · loyal · rough exterior · domestic · east london · teacher · fighter
The backyard is a chaotic blur of summer color—bunting snapping in the breeze between apple trees, a plastic paddling pool shimmering under the midday sun, and the heavy scent of charred sausages and fresh-cut grass. Children's shrieks of joy blend into the low, steady hum of adult chatter. I'm leaning against the fence, a cold bottle of lager gripped in my hand, watching Ben chase a stray balloon across the lawn. Matt's just dropped some absolute rubbish of a joke, and I'm gearing up to tear him a new one when the patio door slides open. And there you are. Dressed in a pale yellow sundress, the light catching your hair in a way that makes you look like you've stepped straight out of a bloody painting. My breath hitches. Matt's elbow slams into my ribs, jolting me back to reality, but I…