KEIFER'S POV —
I didn't move at first.
She stood there like she belonged in my room—like she hadn't just detonated every carefully stacked thought in my head by showing up unannounced.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked softly.
I pushed off the door and closed the distance between us, slow enough to stay in control.
"Who was he?" I asked.
Not sharp.
Not accusing.
But the way my voice dropped gave me away.
Her lips twitched.
Just slightly.
Oh no.
"That?" she said innocently. "You mean the guy who picked me up?"
My jaw tightened. "Jay."
She tilted her head, eyes bright. "The one I hugged?"
I took another step closer. "Don't."
She smiled wider. "The one I had dinner with?"
That did it.
"You're enjoying this," I said flatly.
"Am I?" she asked, backing up a step—right into the wall.
I followed, close now. Too close.
"You followed me," she added lightly. "That's kind of cute."
"I wasn't—"
"You were jealous," she said sweetly.
I scoffed. "No."
She leaned in just enough that I could smell her shampoo. "Then why are your hands clenched?"
I didn't answer.
She tapped my chest once. "And why is your heartbeat doing that?"
I caught her wrist before she could pull away.
Her eyes flicked to my hand.
Then back to my face.
"Jay," I warned.
She looked up at me through her lashes. "Yes?"
Something snapped.
I planted my hands on either side of her, pinning her gently to the wall—close but careful, voice low and thick with honesty I'd been avoiding all night.
"Yes," I said quietly. "I'm jealous."
Her smile softened instantly.
Before I could say anything else—
She kissed me.
No warning. No hesitation.
Just warmth and intent and her hands sliding up into my damp hair like she'd always known they belonged there.
I forgot everything.
My arms wrapped around her waist automatically, pulling her closer—not desperate, not rough, just real.
We broke apart breathless, foreheads touching.
I laughed once, shaky. "You're impossible."
She smiled. "You love it."
I guided her to the chair near my desk and sat down, pulling her onto my thigh like it was the most natural thing in the world. She settled there easily, arms around my shoulders.
"Okay," she said, finally serious. "Jealousy lesson over."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"The guy," she continued, "is my brother."
I blinked.
"…Your what?"
"Percy," she said, grinning now. "Lives in New York. Self-obsessed. Loud. The only person who's allowed to lift me like that without consequences."
The realization hit all at once.
My brain replayed the night in fast-forward.
The hug.
The laughter.
The way he'd touched her hand.
The way I'd mentally planned his funeral.
Brother.
I blinked once.
Then again.
"…Your," I said slowly, carefully, like my tongue didn't trust the word, "actual brother?"
She nodded, utterly pleased with herself. "Blood. Legal. Trauma-bonded. Unfortunately permanent."
My shoulders dropped.
All of them.
Relief hit so hard it was almost dizzying—followed immediately by something worse.
Embarrassment.
Heat rushed to my face.
"Oh," I said.
She laughed softly, brushing her thumb along my jaw. "You're adorable when you're embarrassed."
"I followed you," I admitted. "With the guys."
"I know," she said. "I saw."
"You let it happen."
"Of course I did."
I groaned, dropping my head briefly against her shoulder. "I made this whole thing dramatic for nothing."
She kissed my temple. "Not for nothing."
I looked up at her.
"You care," she said gently. "That matters."
I sighed, pulling her closer. "Next time… just tell me."
She nodded, resting her forehead against mine. "Next time… answer your texts."
"Deal."
She smiled—soft, sure, choosing me without saying it.
And just like that, the jealousy finally quieted.
Not gone.
But understood.
God I was jealous over my own damn future brother in law...
Ughhh whyyy keiferrr
JAY'S POV —
For a moment, we just stayed like that.
Me perched on his thigh. His arms loose around my waist. The world finally quiet.
Keifer brushed his thumb along my side, hesitant now—like he was choosing his words carefully.
"So," he said, pretending not to care, "are you… busy tomorrow?"
I smiled. "Why?"
He exhaled through his nose. "I was thinking—maybe a date. After school."
My heart did that stupid little jump it always did around him.
"A real one?" I teased. "Or another dramatic kidnapping?"
He huffed a laugh. "Real. No walls. No jealousy. Just me and you."
I nodded, soft and sure. "I'd like that."
His smile was immediate. Unguarded. Beautiful.
"Good," he said. "I'll pick you up."
We stood a few minutes later, neither of us in a rush to end the night.
At the door, I turned back to him. "Try not to spiral until tomorrow, yeah?"
"No promises," he said, then leaned in and kissed my forehead. "Drive safe."
I smiled and reached for the door—
And immediately smacked my hand against the edge.
"OW—fuck—"
I barely finished the curse before he was there.
One hand on my wrist, the other tilting my chin up.
He kissed me.
Quick. Firm. Absolutely unapologetic.
A profanity kiss.
"Profanity," he murmured against my lips.
I laughed, dazed. "You're ridiculous."
"Still your boyfriend," he replied smugly.
I shook my head, smiling as I slipped out into the hallway.
"Tomorrow," I reminded him.
"Tomorrow," he echoed.
---
The drive home felt lighter.
Like the city had loosened its grip on me just a little.
When I unlocked my condo and stepped inside, the lights were dim. Everything spotless. Quiet.
Too quiet.
I took off my shoes slowly—
And nearly screamed.
Percy was half-sitting on the couch, hair a mess, eyes barely open, blanket tangled around his waist.
"You're back," he mumbled.
"Percy," I hissed. "Why are you awake like a horror movie extra."
He squinted at me. "You were gone. I woke up. Thought maybe I'd been abandoned."
I rolled my eyes, dropping my bag. "You were asleep. Snoring."
"I do not snore."
"You absolutely do."
He yawned, rubbing his face. "Did you fix whatever you stormed out to fix?"
I paused.
Then smiled.
"Yeah," I said. "I did."
He cracked one eye open, studying me. "You're smiling like someone who kissed their problem instead of fighting it."
I laughed softly. "Something like that."
He flopped back onto the couch. "Good. Because tomorrow, I'm interrogating him."
"Percy."
"Kidding," he said. "Mostly."
I shook my head, heading toward my room.
Behind me, he muttered sleepily, "Night, baby sistah."
"Night," I replied.
As I closed my door, I leaned back against it for a second—hand over my heart, smile still there.
For once, the chaos had softened into something warm.
And tomorrow—
Tomorrow was a date...