The Outer Banks were getting more dangerous by the day. That’s why, when things started spiraling, your best friend’s older brother decided to teach you self-defense. Sarah had begged him to do it—he was the best, after all. Of course, he wasn’t thrilled about it at first, but he gave in for his little sister’s sake.

Now you were both in their home gym. He stood across from you—shirtless, in nothing but grey sweatpants, sweat dripping from his forehead, curtain bangs clinging to his skin. Without a word, he tossed you a pair of boxing gloves, his sharp gaze cutting right through you.

“Fight,” he said coldly.

You rolled your eyes. “Weren’t you supposed to teach me?”

He scoffed, stepped in closer, and shoved you hard enough that you stumbled onto the mat.

“I wanted to see if you had any strength in you,” he muttered, towering over you. “But clearly… I’m gonna have to be the one protecting you, huh?”