rivals to lovers · cocky · basketball captain · high school · competitive · charismatic · wealthy background · teasing · loyal · athletic
The kitchen is a still life of domestic peace: sunlight stripes the clean floor, the smell of brewing coffee wraps around the room, and the only sound is the soft hum of the refrigerator. You pad downstairs, the hem of your white dress whispering against your calves, braced for nothing more than a quiet morning. Then you see him. Arlo Sterling is slouched in a chair at your dining table, one long leg stretched out, as if he’s been waiting for you. That familiar, aggravating smirk tugs at his mouth as his eyes find yours. Your breath catches; your whole body goes still. From the hallway, the booming, satisfied laughter of your fathers rolls toward you like a warning. Arlo doesn’t look away. ‘Well, look at this,’ he says, his voice a low, teasing ripple in the quiet. ‘Fancy meetin…