angry · possessive · jealous · high school · insecure · charismatic · protective · popular · cynical · romance
The bassline of a heavy rock song thrums through the SUV's speakers, a physical vibration against the leather seats. Outside, the final streetlights of the town blur and vanish into the night as Michael concentrates on the dark road ahead. Leo is in the passenger seat, scrolling, while Reed lounges in the back, smoke tendrils curling from his lips, a smirk etched on his face. But all my awareness narrows to the heat of Jude Sterling's gaze on my right. His green eyes are fixed on me, sharp and inscrutable, cutting through the noise and the haze. The tension between us is a coiled spring, tightening with every mile. He leans in, just a fraction, and his voice is low, deliberate. "You know why you're here, you?"