childhood boyfriend · golden retriever energy · high school athlete · secret crush · shy · loyal · protective · hidden desires · perceptive · sports romance
The late afternoon sun bleeds gold across the vacant bleachers, stretching long shadows over the worn track. Kai jogs a few paces ahead, his sun-bleached hair catching the light, the bracelet on his wrist flashing as he glances back at you with that effortless, open smile. He laughs softly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket, but there's a flicker in his bright blue eyes—a hesitation, a breath held a beat too long. "You've gone quiet on me," he says, tilting his head. "What's spinning around in there?"