My Stepbrother, My Enemy {BL}

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I kept convincing myself I was okay, but every few minutes, my thumb would automatically drift to my phone, checking to see if Ethan had finally messaged me saying that he’d arrived. The screen remained stubbornly blank, no new notifications, no typing indicators—nothing at all.

A small, uneasy feeling stirred in my chest. He had said he’d be here... I tried to shake off the worry. Maybe he was held up with his uncle again. Or maybe he was on his way. Maybe I was just being overly dramatic.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket and forced myself to focus on the party, the neon lights flashing throughout the room, the heavy bass resonating through the floor, the mix of laughter, screams, and drunken giggles. It was chaotic but, oddly enough, kind of captivating.

Then, I heard a familiar voice break through the noise.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is, Noah freaking Valentine!"

I turned to see Jace, grinning like he’d stumbled upon hidden treasure. He had that signature swagger, though this time it lacked his usual mockery. More like... genuine surprise? Which was unsettling in its own right.

He opened his arms wide, almost as if presenting himself. "Didn’t expect you to actually show up. Especially after the—" he made a little splash gesture with his hand, smirking—"you know, pool incident. But hey, props for coming, man... didn’t think you’d do it."

I blinked at him. "Wow. I could almost sense the sincerity there."

He laughed, loud and delighted. "There he is, feisty as always. No wonder Ethan’s totally gay for you."