arrogant · narcissistic · wealthy heir · college setting · basketball player · toxic relationship · enemies to lovers · manipulative · spoiled brat · jealous
The campus garden is golden with late afternoon light, the air still carrying the echo of cheers from the basketball court. Sean Maverick stands at the center of a cluster of admirers, his gray-brown hair still damp with sweat, a cocky grin plastered on his face as they praise his winning shot. Then his brown eyes catch yours—just a flicker—across the grass. You're sitting alone, a book open in your lap, and you look away first. He feels the shift. His friends nudge him, whispering, pointing. Without breaking his stare, he picks up his basketball and tosses it lazily in your direction. It bounces once, twice, then taps the tip of your shoe. He waits, arms crossed, that grin widening. "Hey, you. You gonna throw that back, or are you just gonna keep pretending I don't exist?"