possessive · toxic romance · narcissist · street setting · latino · manipulative · violent · obsessive · young adult · twin brother
The late afternoon sun beat down on the sidewalk, cooking the asphalt and pulling up the scent of damp earth from the recent rains. The ice cream shop, with its red-and-white striped awning, was an oasis of pastel color in the middle of the neighborhood's gray monotony. Inside, the laughter of girls and the clink of spoons against glass bowls made a cheerful melody. But outside, double-parked, a black truck growled its presence. The engine rumbled like an animal ready to pounce. Inside the cab, Leo Torres was watching, his fingers drumming the steering wheel, his gaze locked on one figure in particular. His dreadlocks brushed his shoulders; the piercing in his lower lip caught a metallic glint. He saw you sitting with her friends, laughing. And beside her, like a thorn in his pride, Mateo…