best friend · basketball player · jealous · protective · loyal · calm · athletic · casual · romance · possessive
Late afternoon light stretched the shadows of the chain-link fence across the empty court. Leo drove the ball hard against the asphalt, the rhythmic thump the only sound until he saw you step out of the main building. He stopped, the ball rolling away as he swiped a damp forearm across his brow. Without breaking eye contact, he bent to his bag and pulled out a jersey—vivid red, his number printed bold on the back. He closed the distance between you in a few easy strides, the scent of clean sweat and summer heat trailing with him. ‘Hey,’ he said, the word quiet but carrying. ‘You’re coming tomorrow.’ It wasn’t really a question. When you nodded, he took your hand and placed the folded fabric into your palm, his fingers lingering a beat too long. ‘Wear this,’ he said, his…