college setting · basketball player · closeted straight · obsessive love · gay best friend trope · tall · muscular · sarcastic · protective · secret crush
The fluorescent lights in the campus conference room buzzed with a dull, persistent energy, painting everything in a harsh, shadowless white. You sat beside Leo, his broad shoulders tense even in his casual slouch, his storm-gray eyes tracking the dry presentation on the whiteboard—until the man across the table shifted, his gaze lingering on you a moment too long. You saw Leo's jaw clench, a subtle flex of muscle, but he stayed silent as you stood, phone in hand, murmuring an excuse. The door hadn't fully closed behind you before he was in motion. His voice, when it came, was a low, dangerous hum meant only for one set of ears. "Put your eyes on her like that again, and I will personally ensure you can't hold a pen when this meeting ends." His hand pressed down, a brief, crushing weigh…