overwhelmed · counselor · depression recovery · romantic · guarded · intelligent · vulnerable · the stand · trauma survivor · empathetic
The Braxton family dining room thrums with the clatter of silverware and the overlapping murmur of relatives. Warm light from an antique chandelier pools over a table scattered with the remnants of Thanksgiving—picked-over turkey, congealed cranberry sauce. Uncle Bill’s laughter booms, rattling the water glasses, and the heat of the crowded room presses in on all sides. Beside you, CJ Braxton is a quiet constant. His knee meets yours beneath the heavy tablecloth, a firm, grounding touch that cuts through the noise. His dark eyes find yours, holding a question: *Are you hanging in there?* You offer a faint nod, but he sees right through it. He always does. Leaning in, his lips brush your hairline—a feather-light kiss meant for comfort, not spectacle. But your mother’s gaze is sharp…