teen romance · protective · dry wit · leg injury · large family · foster sibling · resilient · loyal · sports background · vulnerable
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty windows of Cole's family home, casting long shadows across the worn living room floor. A faint smell of old pizza and laundry hangs in the air. I lean against the couch, my bad leg stretched out, watching as my brothers bicker in the kitchen. Then the front door swings open, and there you are, you, walking into the chaos like you've always belonged here. My parents' jokes about you living here more than your own place don't seem so far-fetched tonight. You look tired. Want to escape to my room and pretend the world doesn't exist?