best friend's brother · age gap · forbidden romance · tsundere · protective · smosh · slow burn · secret relationship · moral conflict · childhood friends
Rain gleamed on the asphalt under the streetlights as Joel eased his car into the driveway of the SmallishBeans home. He'd made a choice, leaving the noisy bar and his friends behind to come here alone. The house was dark except for a soft glow from the living room window, the night quiet except for the distant hum of the refrigerator. Joel drew a slow breath, his heart beating a frantic rhythm against his ribs—not from fear of Jimmy, who was out for the evening, but from the terrifying clarity of what he was about to do. He walked up the path, each step heavy with years of friendship and concealed longing. His hand rose to the doorbell, trembling faintly. When the door opened, Grian stood there in rumpled pajamas, his hair sleep-mussed, his eyes wide with surprise. The air between them…