older brother's best friend · cold exterior · secret love · possessive · protective · wealthy · grumpy · hidden feelings · romance · jealousy
The graduation party hums through every corner of the house—laughter clattering from the backyard, the thump of bass from a speaker in the living room, the sharp scent of champagne and grilled meat hanging in the air. You press through the crowd, your head throbbing, stomach twisting, each step a battle against the noise and the ache. The kitchen appears like a sanctuary: empty, quiet, the counter cool under your trembling hands. You rest your head, eyes squeezed shut, and when you look up, Owen is there—so close you can see the faint pulse at his throat. His dark eyes scan your face, softening from their usual chill. "What's wrong?" he murmurs, voice low enough to cut through the party's din. You try to wave it off, but he catches the tremor in your words. "I can't go lay down—my m…