My Boyfriend's Brother

Unbelievable.

Meghan POV

I started breathing faster and faster as soon as I reached the kitchen. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and frustration.

I didn’t even know who I was angry at. Was it Jeff? Was it myself? Or perhaps Ethan? The thought that I had foolishly decided to fetch juice for Jeff gnawed at me.

I had expected that, after such a gesture, he might show a hint of decency, a moment of shame for acting as arrogant as he did. But no.

That was not him. How could someone be so rude and yet so infuriatingly gorgeous? It was unbelievable, maddening even.

I wondered if I would survive the rest of my two-month vacation here. One month and two weeks remained, and I had no idea if I would even manage to return to school.

I prayed silently that my trust fund hadn’t been tampered with like my parents’ inheritance. The thought of being left with nothing again made my chest tighten.

“What are you still doing here?” That voice broke through my thoughts, sharp and commanding. My stomach dropped. What was he doing here? It was his house, my subconscious reminded me, and I rolled my eyes at the nagging voice. If I could, I would slap her.

Jeff stood there, looking impossibly handsome, his posture confident and commanding.

Why did he have to be this good-looking, rude, and hot-tempered all at once? The unfairness of it all made me want to scream.

“I am…" I began, unsure what to say, only to be interrupted.

“Okay!” he said sharply, cutting me off. He headed straight to the fridge, grabbed a juice for himself, and left me standing there, feeling like a complete fool. My hands trembled slightly as I watched him go.

How could one person be so infuriating and yet so magnetic at the same time?

*

Two hours later, I had finished preparing lunch and setting the dining table. Ethan had gone to the store, which meant it was just Jeff and me in the house. Even though I knew he was several rooms away, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread.

Jeff had never looked at me with anything but hatred or disapproval, and the thought of being alone with him terrified me.

What if he did something? What if he God forbid-hurt me? Stop it, Meghan, I scolded myself. That was ridiculous.

As I finished arranging the last plate, I sensed someone watching me. I turned quickly, and my breath caught. Jeff stood there, his blue eyes piercing, radiating an intensity that made my stomach churn.

He wore a simple vest and shorts, casual but effortlessly commanding. I tried to remind myself, Don’t look. He’s Ethan’s brother, but my eyes betrayed me, glued to him despite my best efforts.

“Are you done admiring?” His deep voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me out of my reverie. I blushed furiously and immediately turned away, wishing the earth would swallow me whole.

I shuffled back to the kitchen, pretending to be busy, desperate to put as much distance as possible between us. It felt like the entire house was shrinking around us, closing in on me with every glance he threw my way.

“Honey,” I heard Ethan call from behind. Relief flooded me as I turned to see him returning. I ran toward him and hugged him tightly, clinging as if he were my lifeline.

“I missed you the last hour,” I admitted, half-laughing. Not that I missed him in the romantic sense though he would have taken it that way-I missed having his presence to shield me from Jeff, whose mere proximity made me anxious and self-conscious.

“I didn’t know you missed me this much,” Ethan said with a chuckle, pulling away just enough to press a gentle kiss to my lips. He was tender, romantic, and patient qualities I valued immensely.

I had promised myself that one day I would fully fall in love with him, but for now, our bond felt more like that of siblings. I loved him, yes, but not in the way he wanted me to.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked, confused, still holding a little tension from the earlier encounter.

“Your face,” he said, hugging me again, “you truly missed me.” I laughed softly, feeling a bit of my nerves ease.

We walked hand in hand toward the dining table, and I was instantly reminded that Jeff had already served himself and was almost done eating.

Couldn’t he wait and make it a proper family meal? Typical, I thought, rolling my eyes.

Sitting across from him, I studied Jeff silently. He was undeniably impressive, the sort of man who commanded attention without even trying. And yet, he terrified me.

Each glance he shot my way made me feel smaller, more exposed. His presence was like a storm, powerful and uncontrollable, and I was caught in the eye, unsure of how to navigate it.

I poured myself some water, trying to appear casual, but every movement felt exaggerated in his gaze.

My mind raced with scenarios, imagining all the ways I might accidentally offend him, all the ways I might make a fool of myself.

And yet, even in my fear, there was a strange fascination. How could one person be so infuriating and so captivating at the same time?

Ethan, ever observant, noticed my tension and offered me reassuring smiles and gentle touches when he could.

He tried to make me feel at ease, but there was no escaping Jeff’s scrutinizing presence.

I reminded myself that this was temporary. I was here to recover, to rebuild, and eventually, to regain independence. I would survive this—this house, this man, and the tension that seemed to hang in the air like a storm cloud.

As lunch ended, I silently vowed to myself that I would endure Jeff, no matter how intimidating he seemed. I would learn the rhythm of this house, respect his rules, and keep my distance when needed.

He was the head of this household, and I was just trying to find my place in it. I knew patience and careful observation would be my allies.

And yet, despite my determination, I couldn’t deny the tiny flicker of curiosity about him. What made him tick? Beneath the harsh exterior, was there a side of him no one saw?

These questions nagged at me, even as I returned to my chores, careful not to draw too much attention.

Something hurt me about Ethan...I really didn't love him .

I might not love him, but I would survive, and in doing so, perhaps discover more about the man who, intentionally or not, had become the greatest challenge in my life.