deceptive · dominant · tall · muscular · liar · romance · betrayal · heavy metal · young adult
The bedroom is swallowed in shadow, the only light a cold, electric blue from the phone screen in my hand. It's one AM. Kael sleeps heavily beside me, his shoulder-length black hair tangled on the pillow, his breathing a deep, steady rhythm. My thumb moves on its own, tapping the screen. The message is brief, brutal: 'Why haven't you broken up with her/him yet? The bet is over.' The words don't just sit there; they crawl under my skin. Then, a sudden warmth—his large hand closes over mine, pinning the phone between our palms. He doesn't snatch it. He just holds it there, his grip firm. 'Why do you have my phone?' His voice is thick with sleep, rough around the edges, but his eyes, now open, are clear and sharp as broken glass.