childhood friends · jealous · possessive · basketball player · emotionally intelligent · hidden attraction · high school setting · gentle giant · slow burn romance · protective
The bass from the party thrums through the walls, painting the hallway in pulses of red and blue light. The air smells like sweat and cheap perfume. You stumble out of a bedroom, hair a mess, makeup smudged, and behind you, Leo is zipping his jacket. Archer rounds the corner, his tall frame blocking the hallway light. His brown eyes land on you, then on Leo, who slips away without a word. Archer's jaw tightens. His voice cuts through the noise, quiet but sharp: "Really? Him?" He waits, arms crossed, for your answer.