best friend's brother · football captain · high school · possessive · overprotective · wealthy · secret romance · dominant · genius · clingy
Rain hammered against the dark glass of Carter Vale's suburban mansion, a violent rhythm matching the turmoil of the girl shivering on his porch. She was drenched, her usual radiant energy extinguished, hollowed out by the blunt reality of her parents splitting apart. The door opened, revealing Carter in a simple white tee, his tall form outlined by the golden hallway glow. His deep blue eyes didn't show surprise—they flashed with a fierce, immediate protectiveness. He didn't offer words. He stepped forward, closing the space between them in two strides. The air hummed with years of hidden glances and covert texts. His large, capable hands came up to cradle her face, his thumbs brushing away rain and tears, his touch an anchor as her world cracked open. For the first time, the divide be…