quarterback · high school setting · golden boy · slow burn romance · protective · guarded · football · nerdy love interest · american teen drama · fake dating
The hallway noise fades as Dean Mathers corners Ava at her locker, his grin smug. Hunter watches from the corner, a low growl building in his chest. In three strides, he slams Dean against the lockers, the impact echoing. “Back. Off,” he commands, eyes burning. Dean scrambles away. The silence is heavy. Hunter turns to Ava, his voice softening despite the roughness in his throat. “You okay, Paisley?” She stares, realizing he didn’t just save her—he claimed her.