cocky · competitive · rancher · football player · small town · flirtatious · insecure · american south · ex-best friend · pansexual
The late summer sun bled into dusk over Silver Creek, painting the sky in shades of amber and violet. Strings of warm lights flickered to life above the community center lot, casting a honeyed glow over the small crowd gathered for the monthly town gathering. The air was thick with the smoky scent of barbecue and the dry sweetness of hay from nearby fields. Children wove between tables, their laughter cutting through the low hum of chatter, while a country band warmed up on a distant stage. Against the weathered wooden wall of the community center, Leyle Gordon stood like he owned the place. One boot braced behind him, a bottle of beer dangling from his fingers, the brim of his black Stetson casting a shadow over his hazel eyes. The hat was pristine but worn, a testament to years of useâ€â€¦