falling for 13 || Johnny Kavanagh

About Time

J O H N N Y

It was my last match of the summer with Ireland, god only knows when I would be back in green after this. I had been sharing a room with the Irish Captain - Mick Flanagan, I was confused as to why at first. Considering he's the captain and I've only started a few times, or played the last twenty minutes. But, after six weeks, I realised exactly why no one wanted to share with him. He snores like a mad man, it's fucking awful.

But now, he was doing a press interview before the match against South Africa- meaning I had time to call Grace from the room. The phone rang twice before she picked up.

"About time," I said, smirking as I leaned back against the hotel headboard. "Thought you'd forgotten about me, superstar."

"Shut up," Grace laughed, the sound settling something in my chest. "You're the one about to play your last match of the tour. I should be the one acting neglected."

I stretched my legs out, glancing at the digital clock on the bedside table. "I wouldn't blame you. I've been a shite boyfriend, haven't I?"

"Terrible," she said, completely deadpan. "Very negligent, even."

"Right. Guess I'll have to make it up to you when I'm home." I replied.

She laughed, "You'd better."

I could hear movement on the other end, muffled voices in the background. "Where are you?" I asked.

"I'm leaving the hotel. Most of the team are heading to an Irish bar later to watch your match, and I can't exactly miss out on the fun." She answered.

That caught me off guard. "You're watching?"

"Obviously," she scoffed. "You think I wouldn't?"

I swallowed, trying to picture her in some bar in Seville, decked out in green, yelling at the screen. It did something to me. "Didn't think you'd have time," I admitted. "You've got a big day tomorrow, Gracie."

"And you have a big day tonight," she shot back. "You're playing for Ireland, Johnny. That's huge."

I huffed out a breath, a slow grin spreading across my face. "Well now you're just making me blush here, baby."

"Yeah, yeah." She was smiling too—I could hear it in her voice.

For a second, neither of us said anything. It was rare, these quiet moments. The distance between us felt massive, and it was- 5,130 miles to be exact, but at the same time, just hearing her voice made it feel smaller.

"You nervous?" she finally asked.

I hesitated. "A little."

"You'll be grand," she said, certainty in her voice. "Just don't break any bones, alright? Or hurt yourself."

"I make no promises." I grinned.

She sighed dramatically. "You're a pain in the ass."

I laughed, glancing at the time again, wishing I had longer to just sit here and talk to her. But I had a team meeting soon, and she needed rest.

"You should sleep," I told her.

"So should you," she countered.

"Not tired," I admitted. "I'll call you again after the game."

"You better," she said, voice softer now.

"I will," I promised. "Go easy on them tomorrow, yeah?"

"No chance," she scoffed.

I grinned. "That's my girl."