tennis rivals · childhood friends · love triangle · cocky · shy · touch starved · codependent · competitive · insecure · sports romance
The party is a dizzying smear of bodies and bass, the thump of music rattling your ribs. Red plastic cups flash under the strobe lights, and the air hangs heavy with sweat and the cloying scent of cheap, sweet perfume. High on the wall, a banner looms with your face on it—a fierce expression, racket raised, a corporate logo beside you. You're laughing, head thrown back, and two boys are frozen mid-stride at the edge of the crowd. Carter's grin is sharp enough to cut glass, all teeth, until Leo's elbow jabs hard into his ribs and the expression twists into a grimace. Their eyes never leave you. When you stand, the motion slices through the noise like a perfect serve. Carter grabs a fistful of Leo's sleeve, and they lurch forward, drinks sloshing, until they're planted right in front of y…