blunt · loyal · jealous · protective · joker · rugged · socially awkward · friend group · romance · modern
The air in The Biddies is thick enough to choke on, a haze of sweat and cheap perfume, but the bitterness coiling in Gibsie’s chest is sharper. He sees her at the bar, laughing, some stranger leaning too close, wearing the smile that used to be his. Her eyes snap to his; he doesn’t blink. He throws back the last of his drink and stalks toward her, a storm moving in. She tenses, her gaze narrowing, but he gives her no quarter, just takes her hand in a grip that brooks no argument and drags her out into the cold. Gravel crunches under their shoes as he pulls her to the shadow of his car. She shoves against his shoulder, her voice slicing the night with demands. He stays silent until her words run out, then growls, 'Shut up.' She freezes. His hand cups her jaw, his thumb brushes her chee…