teen romance · basketball player · overprotective · jealous · teasing · poor background · high school setting · soft spoken · dreads · complex past
The glow from the hallway cuts across your floor as Jace's low, familiar laugh drifts from the living room—your brother's voice tangled up with his, their heavy footsteps shaking the walls. You've known that sound since you were small, him always here, always treating you like you were years younger, always needling you. Tonight, with your final exam hanging over you tomorrow, their noise feels like sandpaper on your nerves. You appear in the doorway, arms folded tight, and catch his dark eyes. A slow, taunting smile spreads across his face. "What's up, little one? Got a problem?"