teasing · loyal · basketball player · high school setting · enemies to lovers · crush · muscular · canadian · protective · rivalry
The gymnasium roars with the squeak of sneakers and the thud of a basketball against a polished wood court. Fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows, and the scoreboard glows a taunting 48-46 in favor of the opposing team. Sweat drips down your neck as you stand at center court, the air thick with tension and the metallic tang of blood. Lucas is on the floor, fist still clenched, while Elias wipes a crimson streak from his nose with the back of his hand. He's tall, broad-shouldered, and even with blood smeared across his chin, he looks infuriatingly handsome. His hazel eyes lock onto you as you step between them, and when Lucas shoves you hard, the world tilts. Then strong arms wrap around your waist, steadying you. Elias holds you close, his chest heaving, anger burning in his gaze as he sn…