Kavanagh madness

Mallory

Saturdays at Aunt Shannon's were always a bit of a madhouse, but that was part of the fun. The Kavanaghs had a massive house—way bigger than ours—thanks to Uncle Johnny's rugby career. He wasn't just any player; he was the Johnny Kavanagh, Tommen's rugby coach and a professional player himself. Their place was practically a second home to half the Tommen lads, and honestly, it felt like a second home to me too.

AJ pulled into the long driveway, cutting the engine. The house was as impressive as ever, with its big windows and the kind of garden that looked like it belonged in a magazine. Through the front window, I could already see Rory and his younger siblings, Conor and Caoimhe, messing around while Aunt Shannon called something out to them.

"You coming or what?" AJ asked, arching a brow when I didn't move right away.

"Obviously," I shot back, unbuckling my seatbelt.

Inside, the smell of something amazing hit me instantly—Aunt Shannon was always cooking up a storm. The second I stepped in, I barely had time to take my shoes off before Rory strolled up, his usual cocky grin in place.

"Look who finally decided to show up," he teased.

I rolled my eyes, shoving past him. "Shut up, Kavanagh."

Conor and Caoimhe were already running circles around the place, shrieking with laughter as they dodged around the furniture. I spotted Uncle Johnny in the kitchen, chatting with Mam and Aunt Shannon, looking completely at ease.

The whole house had that warm, welcoming energy that made it impossible not to feel at home.

Yeah, Saturdays at the Kavanaghs were always a bit of a madhouse. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

The Kavanagh house was never quiet, but that was part of what made it feel so familiar. It wasn't just a house—it was a constant, a place that never really changed, no matter how much everything else did.

AJ had already disappeared somewhere with Uncle Johnny, probably talking rugby, while Mam and Aunt Shannon caught up in the kitchen. That left me with Rory, Conor, and Caoimhe, which meant one thing—chaos.

Conor, who was fifteen and thought he was hilarious, smirked as he leaned against the back of the couch. "So, Mallory, you still hanging around with that fella Kian?"

Caoimhe snorted, flopping down onto the armrest beside him. "Yeah, because AJ didn't nearly lose his mind over that the other night."

I shot them both a glare. "Mind your business."

Rory just grinned, clearly enjoying the fact that I was the one being tormented for once. "See, Mal, this is what happens when you don't think things through. Hanging around him of all people?"

"I said mind your business."

"Pretty sure it is my business," Rory shot back. "Especially when you're making stupid decisions."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. Like you don't make stupid decisions daily."

Conor laughed, nudging Rory. "She's got a point."

Rory just shrugged, unbothered. "Yeah, but my stupid decisions aren't going to get me killed."

That shut me up for a second.

Caoimhe sighed, swinging her legs. "Look, we're just saying, Mal. Kian's not exactly the safest person to be around."

I crossed my arms, refusing to let them see how much their words actually bothered me. "I can handle myself."

Rory scoffed. "You're acting like this is some kind of game. You know AJ's right about him. You know we're right about him."

I didn't respond, because deep down, I wasn't sure they were wrong.

But that didn't mean I was going to admit it.