After my confrontation with Clayton, I spotted Josh walking toward me, with Brigit close by. Without a word, he pulled me into a hug. I embraced Brigit and Rhyian quickly as well, while Leroy, Finn, and Roisin smiled warmly at me, offering silent comfort.

"You okay?" Josh asked, his voice laced with concern. I managed a small, reassuring smile and nodded, though inside, my emotions were still a tangled mess of confusion and frustration. I couldn't shake the sting of Clayton's betrayal, but I was grateful to be surrounded by friends who didn't push for explanations.

In the background, I heard Chelsea calling my name, her voice sharp with impatience, but I ignored her. Clayton had already taken center stage, spinning some excuse about my absence. He was telling the crowd I didn't want to be there because I was upset over his loss. As if. I scoffed inwardly, scanning the area for Diarmid. My heart fluttered with anxiety, but he was nowhere in sight. My eyes darted toward Finn, and he seemed to catch on to my silent question.

"Diarmid's already at the parking area," Finn said, his voice low but clear.

Brigit linked her arm through mine, pulling me along gently. "By the way, you three are coming to our place for dinner tonight," she said with a bright, determined smile. "And I won't take no for an answer." Her voice was warm, but it was clear she wasn't leaving room for debate.

With that, we made our way through the crowd, slipping away from the chaos unnoticed. Relief washed over me—I had successfully dodged whatever spectacle Clayton was planning. But that relief was short-lived, replaced by nervous anticipation. How would I face Diarmid after everything? The memory of his actions earlier, stepping in for me, loomed large in my mind. Just thinking about seeing him again made my stomach flutter.

Brigit must have sensed my unease because she gave my arm a comforting squeeze. "You'll be fine," she whispered softly, her words like a balm to my frayed nerves.

As we approached the parking lot, I spotted Diarmid leaning casually against his bike, arms crossed over his chest. He exuded calm confidence, his dark eyes focused on me as if he had been waiting. But there was a tension beneath his composed exterior—something in the set of his jaw and the way his gaze softened slightly when he saw me. My heart raced, and I found myself dragging my feet, uncertain of what to say.

Brigit released my arm with an encouraging nudge, walking ahead with Finn, Roisin, and Rhyian. They greeted Diarmid with easy smiles, the light-hearted banter between them contrasting with the heaviness I felt. Josh gave me a supportive look before he and Leroy followed the others, leaving me alone with Diarmid.

My footsteps echoed in the quiet as I approached him. He didn't say anything at first, his eyes tracking my every move. The air between us felt thick with unspoken words, and I fidgeted nervously, unsure of how to bridge the gap.

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"Hey," I finally murmured, my voice soft, almost tentative.

"Hey," he replied, his tone measured, as if weighing the tension in the space between us. His eyes, deep and piercing, flickered over my face. Was he waiting for me to say more? Or was he just as uncertain as I was?

I swallowed, feeling the weight of everything I hadn't said. "Thank you," I blurted out awkwardly, breaking the silence. "For earlier... with Clayton. I—I don't know what I would've done without you."

Diarmid straightened slightly, uncrossing his arms. His expression softened, but only just. "You don't have to thank me," he said, his voice low and steady. "Clayton's an ass. He deserved it."

I nodded, though the awkwardness between us still lingered. I wanted to express more—how grateful I truly was—but the words jumbled in my throat. Instead, I stood there, feeling small and unsure.

Diarmid took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. His presence was overwhelming, a mix of strength and something deeper—something that made my heart race even faster. "Are you okay, though?" His voice dropped an octave, gentler now, laced with genuine concern.

For a moment, our eyes locked, and I felt like he could see straight through me. "I'm... yeah," I stammered, though I could tell from the way he was looking at me that he didn't believe it.

"You don't seem okay," he observed, his voice soft, but firm.

The tension between us grew, and I felt my emotions bubbling to the surface—relief, confusion, and something else I wasn't ready to name. My heart was racing, and I didn't know how to explain the whirlwind of feelings Diarmid stirred in me.

"I just... I don't know what to say," I whispered, my voice cracking slightly.

Diarmid's eyes softened even further, and he stepped closer still, his warmth enveloping me. "You don't have to say anything if you're not ready," he said, his voice like a gentle caress. "But I'm here. Just so you know."

His words hit me harder than I expected. He wasn't just being polite; he meant it. The sincerity in his tone made me feel vulnerable, but it also made me feel safe, in a way that scared me.

Before I could respond, Diarmid broke the silence again, his expression turning more serious. "So, about dinner..." He hesitated, searching my face. "I know Brigit invited you, but... I'd really like it if you'd come."

I blinked, caught off guard by the raw honesty in his voice. His hopefulness, the way he looked at me—it made my heart skip a beat. "I'll be there," I said softly, a shy smile tugging at my lips. "I'll ride with Josh and Leroy."

Diarmid's face lit up, his smile bright and warm, and for a brief moment, the tension between us eased. "Great. I'll see you at our place then."

"See you there," I murmured, my heart fluttering as I turned to leave.

Before I could take more than a few steps, I heard him call after me, his voice teasing. "Maybe next time, you'll ride with me?"

I glanced back, my cheeks flushing as I smiled. "Maybe," I replied, my voice carrying a hint of promise. "We'll see."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us. And though it terrified me, it also excited me in ways I hadn't expected.