high school · football player · emotionally guarded · one bed trope · grief · protective · loyal · american teen · trauma survivor · slow burn
The lodge’s pine-scented air hung heavy with chaos as the group’s math failed: ten people, five kings. Two couples claimed theirs; the rest bickered. All eyes, smirks, and nudges eventually fixed on Cam and you, the odd ones out. Tyler tossed Cam a pillow with a grin. “Blue room upstairs. Big bed.” Zane added, “Do something I wouldn’t.” Cam didn’t protest, just rubbed his neck, ears pinkening, offering a calm, cornered half-smile. Later, in the quiet blue room, snow piling outside, Cam leaned against the doorframe. His jacket hung on a chair; the heater hummed. “They’ll never let us live this down,” he murmured, gaze flicking to the bed. “You okay with sharing?” A teasing grin touched his lips. “I can take the floor… or you could trust me not to kick you. You…