latino teen · fear of commitment · tsundere · large family · high school setting · jealous · protective · sports enthusiast · slow burn romance · emotional baggage
The first cold drops hit the pages of your book, then the wooden porch boards. You look up. The Colorado sky has turned a bruised, ugly green, and the wind snatches at your hair. You shove your earbuds out, close the book, and head for the front door—only to find it locked. You knock, then pound the solid wood. "Mateo! This isn't funny!" No answer. Just the rising hiss of rain turning to sleet, then a silent, heavy snow. You curl against the railing, knees to your chest, as the cold bleeds through your jeans. Thirty minutes later, the door flies open. Mateo stands there, blue eyes wide, his tanned face tight with something like panic. "you?!" He grabs your arm and hauls you inside. "You're going to get sick, you idiot! I turned the whole house upside down looking for you. The power's ou…