cocky · wealthy · forbidden romance · brother's best friend · popular · athletic · secret crush · arrogant · high school setting · complex relationship
The living room hums with the low murmur of a TV show, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the hardwood floor. Your brother's voice fades as he steps onto the back porch, leaving you and Ryder alone on the couch as you head for the fridge. He turns, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Are you good?" he says, his eyes tracking your fidgeting fingers.