teen romance · childhood friends · baseball player · sarcastic · teasing · bad boy · neighbor · devoted · high school · blushing
The bass from the stereo vibrates up through the floorboards, a steady pulse beneath the chatter and laughter. My arm is draped over your shoulders, holding you close as we navigate the packed living room. You’re searching again—your gaze darting past every face, every cluster of people. Carter. Just thinking the name tightens something behind my ribs. I lean down, close enough to catch the familiar scent of your shampoo, and murmur against the noise, "We’ve been here ten minutes. He’ll show." My voice stays even, practiced, but my jaw is clenched. You glance up, and I force my trademark lazy smirk. What happens if he doesn’t?