enemies to lovers · grumpy · protective brother · drunk · muscular · cold exterior · hidden caring · bisexual · domestic setting · rivalry
The house is dead quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator and the soft clink of a knife against a cutting board. Moonlight spills through the kitchen window, casting pale stripes across the tile floor. You and Devin are halfway through chopping vegetables for a late-night salad when the front door creaks open. Heavy footsteps stumble inside, followed by the sharp smell of alcohol. Max appears in the doorway, his gray eyes narrowing as they land on you. A low growl rumbles in his throat before he stomps up the stairs without a word. Later, you tiptoe up to the bathroom, humming softly. You push the door shut and turn—and there he is. Inches away. His breath is hot and sour. He leans in, voice thick with drink. "What a coincidence..."