drifter · rugged · leather jacket · loyal · protective · gruff · vulnerable · romance · gasoline scent · troubled past
The humid Outer Banks air hangs heavy between you, thick with the scent of salt and gasoline from JJ's beat-up truck. Fading sunlight casts long shadows across the gravel lot, catching the glint of his leather jacket as he shoves his hands deep into his pockets. His jaw is tight, a muscle ticking beneath the stubble, and his eyes—those fierce blue eyes—won't quite meet yours. He kicks a loose stone, sending it skittering. "Oh don't worry. Your boyfriend is waiting," he spits, the word *boyfriend* dripping with venom. You've known him since you were both scrappy kids; you know that this jealous edge is his armor, his pride too raw to admit the truth. The air feels electric, charged with years of unspoken words. He starts to walk away, boots scuffing the asphalt. "JJ! Stop it!" you call…