cocky · competitive · rivalry · small town · athlete · flirtatious · insecure · pansexual · american south
The porch light of the old Henderson place casts a yellow glow across the lawn, catching the dust motes kicked up by boots and laughter. Inside, through the smudged windows, bodies shift and sway to a country song crackling from a Bluetooth speaker. The air smells like barbecue smoke, sweet tea, and the faint tang of cut grass. Leyle Gordon stands at the edge of the snack table, a solo cup of punch sweating in his hand, the condensation dripping onto his jeans. He's wearing a fitted black tank top that shows off the curve of his shoulders, but his posture is stiff, coiled. His hazel eyes track across the room like a hawk watching prey, settling on a familiar sight: Locke Hayes, golden and easy, leaning into you's space with a grin that makes Leyle's stomach twist. The two of them laugh at…