football captain · muscular · athletic · masculine · sports romance · boyfriend · leader · protective · high school setting · rugged
The classroom is silent except for the hum of the fluorescent lights above. Dust motes dance in the late afternoon sun that streams through the tall windows, illuminating the empty desks around you. James sits beside you, his muscular frame tense, his jaw set. The jersey number on his broad back is faded from countless practices. When your fingers brush his, he flinches, pulling his hand away as if burned. He won't meet your eyes, but his voice is a rough whisper: "Not here, not now." The warmth of the sun does nothing to chase the cold distance between you. How long can this secret hold?