falling for 13 || Johnny Kavanagh

I'm Not Leaving You

J O H N N Y

The door opened, and the sound of familiar footsteps filled the room. My head lolled to the side, too heavy to lift, but I knew it was her. I'd know her anywhere.

"Gracie," I croaked, trying to move, but my limbs were floppy and useless. "You came!"

"Of course I came," she said softly, "What else was I supposed to do?"

I smiled—a big, sloppy, morphine-induced smile. "You love me, don't you?"

"Johnny," she sighed, pulling a chair closer to the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Better now," I said, tilting my head as much as I could to look at her. She was a little blurry, but she was here. My Grace. My runner. "I was worried you'd leave me, Gracie."

"Leave you?" she asked, frowning as she leaned in closer. "Why would I leave you?"

"Because I'm broken," I whispered dramatically, waving my free hand in the air. "But they fixed my dick, Grace."

Her face went bright red, and I grinned like a fool. "That's...good to know," she mumbled, her eyes darting to my parents and Gibsie, who were standing near the door, trying not to laugh.

"Don't be embarrassed," I slurred. "You're gonna thank those doctors one day."

"Johnny!" she hissed, mortified.

I turned my head to Gibsie, who was grinning like a lunatic. "See? She gets me."

"She definitely does, buddy," Gibsie said with a smirk, patting my shoulder.

"Alright, Edel, Gibsie—let's give these two a minute, yeah?"my Dad said, patting Gibsie's shoulder, and putting his arm around my Mam

"What?" Grace's head snapped up, panic in her eyes. "No, no, you don't have to—"

"Yes, they do!" I cut her off, pointing a wobbly finger at the door. "Go on, everyone. Out. This is a private moment for me and my girl."

"Johnny," Mam said, clearly trying not to laugh. "Be nice to her."

"I'm always nice to her," I said, offended.

"Sure you are," Dad muttered, shaking his head as he followed Mam and Gibsie out of the room.

When the door clicked shut, I turned back to Grace, beaming. "Finally. Just us."

"Yeah," she said nervously, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "Just us."

"You're so pretty," I blurted out, blinking lazily at her.

"Johnny, you're high," she said, trying to hold back a laugh.

"I'm honest," I corrected, giving her what I thought was a stern look. "I love you, Gracie Lynch."

Her face softened, her eyes filling with something I couldn't quite name. "I love you, too, Johnny."

"You do?" I whispered, like it was the biggest secret in the world.

"Yeah," she said, smiling. "I do."

I grinned, my heart swelling so much it felt like it might burst. "You're gonna marry me, you know."

"Am I?" she asked, her voice teasing.

"Yeah," I said, nodding as much as I could without making myself dizzy. "I've already decided. You're it for me, Gracie."

She reached out, brushing her fingers through my hair. "You're a mess, Kav."

"Your mess," I countered.

She laughed softly, and the sound was better than any drug they could pump into me. "Yeah, my mess."

I stared at her, my brain foggy but my heart clear. "You're too good for me, you know."

"Don't say that," she said, frowning.

"It's true," I insisted. "But I'm gonna make you happy, Grace. I swear it."

"You already do," she whispered, leaning closer.

I blinked up at her, my gaze dropping to her lips. "Can I kiss you?"

Her eyes searched mine, and for a second, I thought she might say no. But then she nodded, her smile soft and full of something I could only describe as love.

She leaned down, her lips brushing against mine in the gentlest, sweetest kiss I'd ever had. My heart went haywire, and for the first time in hours, I felt like myself again.

When she pulled back, I couldn't help but grin. "Best day ever."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

"Yeah, but you love me," I said smugly.

"I do," she admitted, her cheeks flushing.

"Grace," I said, my voice dropping to a whisper.

"Yeah?"

"I think I've fucked everything up," I confessed, the words tumbling out of me before I could stop them. "The team, the season, my shot—everything."

Her expression softened, and she cupped my cheek, her thumb brushing over my skin. "You haven't," she said firmly. "You're going to be okay, Johnny. You're strong. You'll get through this."

"You think so?" I asked, my voice small.

"I know so," she said, her eyes steady and sure. "You've got this. And I'll be right here, every step of the way."

I stared at her, my chest tightening. "You're too good for me, Gracie Lynch," I whispered again.

"Maybe," she said with a smirk, leaning in close. "But you're stuck with me anyway."

Grace stayed close, her hand still resting lightly on my cheek, her presence somehow chasing away the chaos swirling in my chest. I didn't want her to let go. Didn't want her to move.

"You promise?" I asked, my voice rough, still slurring a little from whatever they'd pumped into me.

"Promise what?" she asked, her eyes locked on mine.

"That you'll stick with me," I said, searching her face like it held all the answers in the world. "Even when I'm a prick. Even when I mess up. Even if I don't..." I trailed off, the fear coming back to the surface. "Even if I don't make it back on the pitch."

Her expression didn't falter. She didn't hesitate for a second. "You'll make it back, Johnny."