MY BROTHER'S BIKER FRIEND

The low, floor-shaking rumble of a V-twin engine signaled Jax's arrival long before his boot hit the porch. By the time the front door swung open, setting off a quiet gust of wet air, I was sitting at the kitchen island, pretending to be deeply engrossed in my phone. Jax walked in—leather jacket damp from the rain, helmet resting under one arm, and his dark hair slightly messy. He didn't say a word at first, just tossed his motorcycle keys into the decorative glass bowl on the counter with a sharp, familiar clink. "You're late," I said, not looking up from my screen. "Rain's heavy on the highway," Jax replied, his voice a low rasp as he unzipped his jacket and draped it over the back of a barstool. A faint mix of leather, rain, and peppermint filled the kitchen. He leaned against the counter opposite me, crossing his arms with a slight smirk. "Miss me?" "In your dreams, Jax." "Right." He chuckled softly, nodding toward the stairs just as my brother came clattering down, dragging a heavy suit bag over his shoulder. "Jax! Man, good, you're here," Leo panted, dropping his bag near the front door and offering Jax a quick palm-slap dabs. "I was about to leave the house key under the mat. Uber’s two minutes away." "I told you I’d make it," Jax said, falling easily into that effortless, grounded stance he always had. "Listen, thanks again for crash-landing here while the shop's garage is getting renovated," Leo said, checking his watch before pointing a stern finger between the two of us. "Keep the noise down, don't mess up the living room, and try not to drive each other crazy while I'm in Chicago." "No promises," I murmured, finally slipping off the barstool. "She'll be fine, Leo. I'll make sure she doesn't starve," Jax teased, giving me a quick sideways glance that I deliberately ignored. Leo grabbed his coat, pulled open the front door, and flashed a quick wave. "See you guys in three months. Don't wreck the place!" The door shut with a heavy click, leaving a sudden, quiet stillness in the house. I took a breath, turning toward the hallway. "Come on. I'll show you to the guest room so you can drop your stuff." Jax grabbed his duffel bag off the floor, slipping his hands into his pockets as he followed me up the wooden stairs. The quiet between us felt different now—heavy, but not uncomfortable. I pushed open the door to the spare room, stepping aside to let him in. "It's clean. Extra blankets are in the closet if you get cold," I said, leaning against the doorframe while he tossed his bag onto the foot of the bed. Jax turned back around, resting one hand against his hip, his eyes fixing on mine with an unreadable, quiet intensity. "Thanks." "Don't get used to the customer service," I replied, forcing a cool, casual smile as I backed toward the hallway. "Goodnight, Jax." "Night," he murmured softly, watching me until I pulled the door halfway shut, leaving the rest of the night—and whatever was unsaid between us—waiting on the other side. "This is gonna be interesting," I smiled at the thought of living with my crush for three months. All alone.