falling for 13 || Johnny Kavanagh

Seriously?

J O H N N Y

I had one hand on the doorknob, ready to leave, when my phone started buzzing in my pocket. I frowned, glancing at the unknown number on the screen.

Grace, standing beside me, raised an eyebrow. "Who's that?"

"No clue." I answered it anyway. "Hello?"

"Johnny Kavanagh?" a deep voice asked. "This is Peter Lawlor from the IRFU."

My heart slammed against my ribs. I straightened instinctively. "Uh—yeah. That's me."

Grace tilted her head in curiosity, but I barely registered it, too focused on the call.

"I wanted to reach out personally," Lawlor continued. "We've been tracking your recovery, and we were very impressed with your last few matches. We want you at Lansdowne Road next Friday for the senior match against Scotland."

I blinked. "What?"

"You'll be on the bench, training with the squad," he explained. "And if things go well, you could get a few minutes on the pitch."

The world tilted slightly.

I swallowed hard, gripping the phone tighter. "Are you—are you serious?"

Lawlor chuckled. "Deadly serious."

I exhaled, rubbing a hand over my face. "I—yeah. Absolutely. Of course."

"Good. You'll get the full details soon, but I wanted to give you a heads-up." The call ended, and I just stood there for a second, staring at my phone.

"Who was it?" Grace's voice broke through the fog.

I turned to her, still slightly dazed. Then I let out a short, breathless laugh. "I just got asked to go to Lansdowne Road next Friday."

She frowned in confusion. "For what?"

"The senior match," I said, still hardly believing it myself. "They want me on the bench. There's a chance I could play."

Her eyes widened, lips parting in shock. "Are you serious?"

I grinned. "As a heart attack."

Grace let out a half-laugh, half-gasp before throwing herself at me. I caught her instantly, arms locking around her waist as she wrapped hers around my neck, squeezing tight.

"I knew it," she said, her voice slightly muffled against my shoulder. "I knew you'd make it."

I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. "You reckon you're my lucky charm, Lynch?"

She pulled back slightly, hands resting on my chest, eyes shining. "I'm so proud of you."

Something warm settled in my chest.

I kissed her, slow and deep, because I didn't know how else to respond to that. She kissed me back, smiling against my lips, her arms still wrapped around my neck.

Eventually when I actually left, and reached my car, I was leaning against the door as Grace stood in the doorway watching me. The porch light cast a soft glow over her face, and for a second, I just looked at her—the girl who had stood by me through everything, who had believed in me even when I wasn't sure I believed in myself. "I love you, Gracie."

She blinked, clearly caught off guard, but then a small smile tugged at her lips. She didn't look scared. Didn't look like she was scrambling for a way out. She just looked at me, steady as ever.

"I love ya back, Kav," she said, soft but sure.

Something in my chest loosened.

I grinned. "Good."

She rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. "Go home, starboy."

I smirked. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She nodded her head fondly, and with one last look, I got in my car and drove off.