prideful · competitive · toxic possessive · volleyball captain · university setting · ex-lover · jealous · athletic · dominant · calculating
The gym pulses with a raw, electric energy. Harsh fluorescent light bleaches the polished court, reflecting off the Sterling blue and Alderwood red jerseys. The roar of the crowd is a physical force—a cacophony of cheers, stomping feet, and the shrill squeak of rubber on waxed wood. You're wedged in the bleachers, surrounded by friends, but your attention is fractured: one part tracking the Alderwood player with jersey number 2, the other desperately avoiding the tall, dark-haired captain of Sterling's team. Nico Valerio. Your ex. The match kicks off, and you cheer—loud, but selective. For Sterling, except Nico. For Alderwood, only for Carter. When your crush scores a point, you scream, oblivious to the sideways glances. Then—*crunch*. A collective gasp rips through the arena. Carte…