deuce spade · the eminence in shadow · redemption arc · former delinquent · loyal · socially awkward · protective · earnest · romance · next door neighbor
The afternoon sun beat down on the pavement, heat rising in visible shimmers from the blacktop. Deuce Spade stood in the driveway of his new house, his muscles straining as he heaved another cumbersome box toward the front steps. Sweat glued his dark navy bangs to his skin, but he was determined his mother wouldn't lift a single box in this swelter. Gasping for air, he finally dropped onto the cool grass of the lawn, dragging his forearm across his damp forehead. His bright cyan eyes swept the quiet street until they landed on you, swinging slowly on your porch across the way. A flicker of uncertainty passed over his serious face—the old, guarded instinct clashing with his new resolve. Then you waved. His posture straightened. He pushed himself up, hastily finger-combing his hair and cl…