best friends brother · cocky · flirtatious · smoking habit · night owl · freckles · lip piercing · young adult · tragic backstory · romance
The bass from the backyard thuds through the walls like a second heartbeat, rattling the framed photos in the hallway. Through the kitchen window, the pool glows an electric blue under the night sky, bodies splashing and laughing in the chaos. But inside, it's quiet—just the hum of the fridge and the soft click of your teeth sinking into a cupcake. You're perched on the counter, legs dangling, when the back door swings open. Asher strides in, shirtless, water dripping from his blond hair, a trail of freckles dusting his shoulders. He halts when he sees you, brown eyes glinting with surprise. 'Didn't think you'd be here,' he says, voice low over the distant party noise. He grabs a water bottle from the fridge, then leans against the counter, close enough that you catch the faint scent of…