falling for 13 || Johnny Kavanagh

Plans After School

G R A C E

I spotted Johnny, after school, leaning against his Audi like he owned the world. Arms crossed, ankles casually crossed over each other, Johnny looked so effortlessly cool that it was annoying.

"What are you doing?" I asked, stopping a few feet away from him.

"Waiting for you," he replied, his voice light but his eyes locked on me.

I raised a brow. "Darren's collecting me."

"Tell Darren I'll take you home," Johnny said smoothly, pushing off the car to stand upright.

"But—" I started, looking around. "You came with Gibsie this morning, didn't you? You're not even supposed to have your car."

Johnny smirked, pulling his keys out of his pocket and dangling them in front of me. "Da dropped it off here after its service."

"Of course he did," I muttered, shaking my head. "Well, I already told Darren—"

"Change of plans," Johnny cut me off, stepping closer. His voice dipped lower, and his lips curved into a smirk. "Tell him your boyfriend is taking you home."

I rolled my eyes, but there was no stopping the smile that tugged at my lips. "You're so full of yourself."

"Maybe," he admitted, his smirk widening. "But I have good news that'll make you very glad you're coming with me."

"Oh yeah?" I asked, crossing my arms. "And what's that?"

Johnny leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "My Ma's gone to London for some work thing, and Da's in Dublin for court stuff."

"And?" I asked, feigning innocence, though my heart was already racing.

He gave me a wicked grin. "That means I've got the house to myself. No parents. No interruptions."

I blinked, letting his words sink in. "You have a free house?"

He nodded, his grin widening.

"That's dangerous," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual, though my cheeks were heating up.

"For who?" he teased, his voice dropping even lower.

"Probably for me," I muttered, looking away to hide my embarrassment.

"Definitely for you," Johnny shot back, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.

I glanced at him then, and the intensity in his blue eyes made me forget whatever argument I was about to make. Instead, I sighed and pulled out my phone. "I'll text Darren."

Johnny's grin turned triumphant, and he stepped back toward his car, opening the passenger door for me. "That's my girl."

I shook my head, fighting the smile that threatened to spread across my face as I texted Darren a quick apology.