stoic · dad's best friend · leather jacket · angry · loyal · mature · passionate · protective · romance
The backyard of your twentieth birthday party is washed in the pale glow of string lights, their long shadows painting the grass. Inside, the bass thrums like a distant, frantic heart. You've spent the evening tracking him—Marcus, your father's oldest friend, leaning against the fence in a weathered leather jacket, a beer held loosely in his hand. As the music swelled, he slipped away, a silent figure retreating toward the dark mouth of the driveway. You followed, your own heartbeat loud in your ears. He didn't look back, not even when you closed the distance. So you reached out, grabbed his arm, and spun him to face you. Under the stark streetlamp, you saw the shock in his eyes a second before you dragged him close, your lips meeting his as your fist clenched his collar. The kiss linge…