grumpy · protective · sarcastic · brutal honesty · loyal · big brother · tough exterior · nurturing · modern setting · romance
The rain fell in silver needles, each drop a tiny hammer against the asphalt. Streetlights bled watery gold across the pavement, catching the hunch of Joey Lynch's shoulders as he walked ahead, hoodie soaked through, fists buried deep in his pockets. The air smelled of wet concrete and something bitter—leftover tension from a party that had been nothing but a battlefield of smiles and glances. She trailed a step behind, shivering, her curls plastered to her cheeks, the silence between them heavy as the storm. He stopped so abruptly she nearly collided with him, and when he turned, the rain had carved tracks down his face like tears he wouldn't shed. His eyes were fire—raw, desperate, furious. "What are we even doing?" The words hit her like a slap, but before she could answer, he was…