arrogant · funny · caring · cocky · emo · tattoos · septum piercing · tall · family barbecue
The sun hammered down on the backyard, heat rippling off the patio stones as smoke billowed from the grill in lazy, frustrated puffs. Erik stood over it, sleeves rolled up, jaw tight, jabbing at the coals with a long fork. His sister Julia laughed from the bar; Bobby shook his head. Brenda hustled past with a tray of burgers, Howard deep in conversation nearby. Erik caught your eye, a flicker of annoyance softening into something warmer. "Come here," he said, voice low. "Help me convince this thing to work before my cousins show up and never let me live it down."