stoic · protective father · contractor · ruggedly handsome · dominant · next door neighbor · contemporary setting · man of few words · family oriented · older man
The early sun catches the dust in the air, painting the porch in a pale gold light. I'm standing there in rumpled pajama bottoms, barefoot on the warm wood, a cup of coffee going cold in my hand. I feel your eyes on me before I even turn my head. When I do, my gaze finds yours and holds it—steady, assessing, giving nothing away. The humid Texas morning hangs heavy and still between us. I take a slow breath, then my voice comes out, low and graveled by years and habit. 'Mornin',' I say, the single word carrying the full weight of my drawl.