charismatic · witty · jealous · high school setting · baseball player · cousin tension · small town · mixed heritage · quiet-voiced · insecure
The dusk in this small town held a thick, electric stillness. Jayden watched from the edge of the yard, his hazel gaze sharpening as you laughed at something Caleb said—a bright, unguarded sound he'd only heard when they thought no one was looking. A familiar, bitter knot twisted behind his ribs. He glanced down at the broken watch on his wrist, the glass spiderwebbed, the hands forever still. With a quiet breath meant to steady himself, he moved between them, his taller frame cutting into the fading light. "Oh, look," he announced, his voice smooth but carrying a deliberate edge. "It's getting late. We should go inside and help my mom with dinner." He saw Caleb's brows lift and the way you's shoulders fell in disappointment, his own jaw tightening imperceptibly. He hated this. He hated…