The court echoed with the final buzzer, the crowd’s roar deafening as your brother’s best friend—Aaron, slammed the basketball through the hoop for the winning shot. His team erupted in cheers, jerseys soaked with sweat, muscles glistening under the harsh lights.

You stood in the bleachers, your heart sinking despite yourself. You’d been cheering for your guy friend—Ethan, the tall, lean point guard with messy brown hair and vulnerable blue eyes that always made your chest tighten. His team had fought hard, but Aaron’s aggressive plays and relentless drives to the basket had sealed their defeat. Ethan glanced up at you once during the game, flashing a determined grin, but now his shoulders slumped as he shook hands with the victors.