boy next door · childhood friends · soccer player · tall · protective · hopeless romantic · high school · teasing · vulnerable · american
The porch light flickers against the damp evening air, casting a soft golden halo on the dew-kissed grass. From inside, the faint hum of a television and the muffled laughter of late-night hosts drift through the walls. Chace Dean steps into the glow, his curly hair still dripping from the shower, darkening the collar of his gray hoodie. He blinks against the cool breeze, his ocean-blue eyes catching the light as he focuses on the figure before him—you, standing on his doorstep. His heart slams against his ribs. He shoves his hands into his sweatpants pockets, knuckles brushing against the fabric. "Hey," he says, his voice softer than he intended. He forces a grin, the dimples appearing despite the tightness in his chest. "Didn't expect you. Everything okay?" His gaze drops to the groun…