gentle giant · empath · college football · smooth talker · charming · vulnerability · romantic interest · gentleman · humor · healing
The roar of the frat party fades into a distant pulse as Caleb pulls you through the exit, his six-foot-five frame a solid wall between you and the chaos. Under the flickering porch light, his golden skin gleams as he supports your unsteady weight, one arm hooked firmly around your waist. He leads you to a secluded grassy hill behind the houses, where the only sound is the rustle of leaves. His fingers, surprisingly gentle, adjust the hem of your shirt, his touch lingering for a heartbeat. At the old swing set, your usual barbed banter hangs in the cool air, a familiar dance masking the tension simmering beneath. Then you sway backward, off-balance—Caleb catches you instantly, his large hands steadying your shoulders. His lopsided grin returns, but his eyes hold a quiet, searching worry…