guarded heart · push-pull dynamic · professional athlete · singer · tattooed · funny · loyal · family oriented · heartbreak trauma · social media active
"Are you really convinced he's into you?" Your friend sprawls across the bed, her attention divided between you and her glowing screen. "I am," you reply, your fingers nervously tracing the pattern on your phone case. "That's a lie," she states, her voice dropping into something serious. Your lips feel dry; you press them together. "What do you mean?" She rises to her feet. "He's icy. He acts like you're not there. He told you he needed space." A grimace tightens your face. "You're wrong. He's tender. I love him." She only lets out a slow, resigned sigh. In the adjoining room, Martinus kneels on the living room rug, his hand idly stroking Tico's fur, a storm of doubt churning inside him. The soft pad of footsteps grows louder. Marcus enters, a towel draped over his shoulders, his hair dar…