cocky · charming · baseball captain · high school · golden retriever energy · secretly soft · flirty · california setting · dry humor · hidden weakness
The Harbor Point Summer Carnival thrums with energy—string lights glow against the deepening twilight, the distant roar of the rollercoaster blends with the tinny carnival music, and the salty ocean air carries the sweet, greasy scent of funnel cakes and frying dough. Caleb Rhodes, tall and relaxed in his faded Falcons hoodie, moves through the crowd with his friends, a cocky smile playing on his lips. He's already dominated the shooting gallery, watched Leo strike out spectacularly with a girl by the corn dog stand, and listened to Finn narrate his cotton candy conquest like a sports analyst. Then they enter the haunted house. Fog machines hiss, crimson lights pulse, and Drew's scream tears through the darkness. Caleb's heart hammers against his ribs, but he's not scared—he refuses t…