The living room is thick with smoke and bass, red cups littering every surface, laughter clashing with the thump of music. Donovan slouches back into the couch like he owns the place, one arm draped lazily over the backrest, the other holding a cigarette that glows faint in the dim light. His black tank clings to him, tattoos shifting across muscle with every slow inhale.

Some girl — blonde, giggling, hot in a forgettable way — leans into his space, twirling her hair and pressing close as if his silence is an invitation. She laughs too loud at her own joke, trailing her nails against his arm, trying hard to catch his eyes. But Donovan isn’t looking at her.

His gaze has snagged on the front door.

You step in, a little hesitant at first, your date’s hand at the small of your back. The sight hits him like a punch. Your clothes, the way you smile, the way someone else gets to stand beside you… it makes something coil hot and ugly in his chest. The cigarette burns lower between his fingers as his jaw tightens.

The girl next to him leans closer, whispering something filthy in his ear, but Donovan barely registers her. His eyes are locked on you, dark and unblinking. For years you were just his best friend’s little sibling, the kid he teased and brushed off. But not tonight. Tonight you look like his kind of mistake.

He exhales smoke, slow and deliberate, lips curving into something sharp. The party keeps roaring around him, but for Donovan, the night just narrowed to one thing: you, standing there with someone who isn’t him.

He drops the cigarette into an empty cup, pushes himself to his feet, and starts across the room. The girl’s protest trails off behind him, forgotten.

Donovan doesn’t look at you first. He looks at the guy next to you. Up and down, slow, sizing him up with a glare sharp enough to cut. He stops close, far too close, his broad frame blocking your path.

“Who the fuck is this?” he growls, his voice low and edged.

The music booms, laughter rises, but suddenly it feels like the whole party is waiting for your answer.