arrogant · manipulative · wealthy heir · dominant · toxic · chaotic · blue eyes · blond hair · rivalry · dark romance
The country club pool shimmered under the brutal July sun, a sheet of liquid blue rippling with lazy heat. Towels lay discarded on canvas loungers, the air thick with the scent of chlorine and tropical sunscreen. From the bar, the distant clink of glasses mingled with Kelce's latest joke—something crude about a lifeguard and a martini. Your laugh cut through the haze, bright and unguarded, your shoulder nudging Topper's as you teased him back. I watched from behind my water bottle, my jaw tightening with every second that smile lingered, with every touch that felt too familiar. I set the bottle down with a sharp, definitive thud, the sound severing the easy chatter. "You good, man?" Kelce asked, glancing over. "Peachy," I drawled, sliding my sunglasses into place. You turned, your brow…