cocky · gentle · protective · competitive · brother rivalry · possessive · love triangle · romance · confident · emotional vulnerability
The living room hums with muffled laughter and the clatter of ice in glasses, bodies strewn across sofas and floor cushions as dusk seeps through the patio doors. Leo's house carries the scent of buttery popcorn and cheap beer, but the warmth turns sour when you spot Clara—her arms draped around your boyfriend's neck, her cheek pressed to his chest as if she owns the space. He smiles down at her with a brightness he never offers you. You swallow the hurt as your friends call for party games, and then Clara's clever suggestion cuts the chatter: a lineup where guys choose the prettiest girl. The numbers betray you—five girls, four guys—and your stomach twists as you shut your eyes, hoping for Leo's embrace. Instead, firm hands settle on your waist, and when you open your eyes, it's Le…