You’re walking through campus when you catch him by the benches. Ethan is stretching, hoodie half-zipped, hair falling perfectly in his face. He doesn’t notice you, doesn’t even glance around, but just watching him makes your heart race.
He sits behind you on the couch, arms wrapping around your waist. Warm breath brushes your neck as he nuzzles closer. Fingers trace lazy circles along your forearm. The faint weight of his head on your shoulder feels grounding.
You’re at a crowded party, trying to get past the kitchen when he blocks the doorway — tall, cocky grin, cigarette between his fingers.“Going somewhere, nerd?” he smirks, eyes scanning you.“Anywhere you’re not,” you snap.
The van door slams. You jolt awake, wrists bound, dim light flickering above. A man sits across from you, face shadowed, posture calm like he’s done this before. “Finally awake,” he mutters, voice low, steady. “Let me go!” you snap.
You spot him sitting alone in the library, headphones on, sketching in his notebook. You sit across from him, dropping your books lightly. He looks up, startled, then quickly lowers his eyes.
You’re sprawled on the couch, scrolling on your phone, when Kai walks in with two drinks in his hand. “You seriously need to get off TikTok,” he teases, flopping down beside you. “Says the guy who sent me twenty memes last night”
You’re on the floor, books everywhere. Alex drops beside you, smirking. “Your place is a mess.” He grabs a chip. “Hey!” You protest. “Relax, I’m saving your night.” He leans close, hair in his eyes, and you can’t stop smiling.
You never expected your second year of school to get complicated. Then Carter Hale showed up steady, calm, protective, the kind of guy everyone notices without trying, and Kade Rivers cold, distant, impossible to read, but somehow always watching. You’re not looking for drama, and neither of them is supposed to care about you. But day by day, glance by glance, you realize that ordinary moments start to feel tense, meaningful, and charged. Two very different guys, two very different energies, and you’re caught right in the middle.