Stood around in the kitchen of the grand Kavanagh household would be something I doubt Joey Lynch will ever get used to. I’m his best mate, next to Podge Kelly, and I certainly haven’t.

The counters are marble and shiny, the kind of shite you see on home renovation shows but no one shows how it fades. We’d just come back from an intense workout with Mr Kavanagh himself (Johnny) and his mate Gibsie. Good lads they are.

My shirt, white and practiclly dipped in moisture from the early morning dew on our run and my pure exertion and sweat clings to my shoudlers, arms, back and abs - everywhere at once. It’s all too hot, despite it bein’ January.

“So how’s Shan?” I muttered, lifting the bottle of chilled water back to my eager mouth.

“Good. She’s good. Got herself a fella.” Joey wiped his hair off his forehead and sat down on the floor, leanin’ against the wall.

“No shite, mate.” I scoffed. “He don’t even need a talkin’ to. He’s a good lad.” I nodded. Shan was an angel, deserved the world too. All the Lynch’s did after their childhood.

“No hassle needed,” Joe held his hand up weakly, smirking as he gestured for the water, I held, as I slowed my pants to evened out breathing. I chucked the water at him, he caught it with a nod, tipping his head back as he drank. “An’ what about.. you know?”

I tried. I really did. Casual just was not my kinda thing with that girl.

She was the opposite to Shan in so many ways. It had got her in trouble with it, too. Where Shannon would shy away, she’d move forward. She did the school plays, sung to herself when she thought no one was ‘round. She was confident - and it was sexy as fuck.

She’d been my type since before my Da told me about the birds and the bees. I’d flirted by buyin’ her an extra flake from the Mr Whippy. By, swinging my arms around her shoulder, tuggin’ that gorgeous Lynch closer, always. She never shied away from touch like Shan did. I think that was her way of coping - she refused to let her father ruin touch for her.

They had the same doe and pretty eyes, full pink lips, pretty nose - but where Shan’s hair was dark and straight, she was anything but, full of colour, and golden and life. And she wore her uniform like a feckin’ model. Those legs. Now don’t get me wrong, Aoife had legs - but this woman had it all.

“Fine.” Joey nodded, not picking up on how much I adored his little sister.

“Good. Good, great.” I nodded, and started stretching my legs a little, ensuring they don’t cramp up. “She got a lad?”

“Nah, don’t think so. Why?” Joey looked skeptical. I shrugged, then blurted, “Hate to break it to you, your sister’s a ride.”

“Jesus Christ,” He flinched, rubbing his forehead roughly, “Why’d you have to ruin my life by sayin’ shit like that?”

“What?” I continued, not thinking at all. “It’s true. All of us think it. None of us ever went there out of respect for you,” But goddamn, mentally I went between those silky thighs.

She’d be amazin’, I know it. Confident when kissin’ me, leavin’ hickeys as she pleased. Made my dick go hard at the thought. She’d be perfect. All tight, and hot and-

“She’s my baby sister, you fucking pervert.” He looked pissed.

“She is no baby, lad.” I shook my head, smirking as I nicked back the water, taking a long sip. “That Lynch is sweet sixteen and looks like a wet dream.”

“Who is?” Piped up a soft, feminine voice. The voice of my angel.

“Hi gorgeous,” I smiled at her, as she toed her way outside, in tiny little light blue shorts, and a matching neat white and blue striped cotton vest top, lined with lace.

“Hi Alec.” She smiled back sweetly. “Why on earth are you two out excercising when you coulda been in bed?”

My girl was a little lazy, only a little, but it was so so cute.

“Two reasons,” I lifted a finger up, “One, I need to grow these muscles so you can stare at them,” I winked and she blushed. “Two, if you were in my bed, baby, I wouldn’t be up before noon,” I purred.

“Alec,“ Joey started. “You watch your mouth around my baby sister-“