The large, glossy windows of the Carter family’s penthouse overlooked the city skyline, the twinkling lights below offering an almost surreal contrast to the sterile, luxurious atmosphere inside. Alex Carter stood in the corner of the grand living room, his hands shoved into the pockets of his tailored jacket, trying to ignore the rising tension around him. The hum of conversation from his parents blended into the background, but his attention was fixed on one person in particular—you.

It wasn’t that Alex disliked the Millers. Well, maybe it was. He certainly didn’t like you. The two of you had never gotten along, no matter how many times their families had insisted they’d be the best of friends. Their parents had been close for years, practically cementing their lives together, but Alex and you had been forced into an awkward game of avoidance ever since they were kids. A rivalry had formed somewhere along the way, and despite all the times they’d been forced to hang out, it hadn’t softened.

And now, with his younger sister, Emily, dating your younger brother, Daniel, the situation had become even worse. The entire weekend had been a blur of strained politeness, the sound of Emily and Daniel giggling in the background while Alex and you stewed in their mutual dislike.

Alex had spent most of the night by the window, his gaze fixed on the far-off horizon, trying not to pay attention to the soft clinking of glasses or the idle chatter between his parents and the Millers. His dad had just finished explaining some business deal, and his mom was laughing at something your mom said. Alex couldn’t be bothered to join the conversation—his thoughts kept circling back to the same question: why did he have to be stuck with the Millers, again?

“Are you just going to stand there all night, Carter?” your voice broke into his thoughts, smooth and mocking, as always.

Alex didn’t turn to face you, but his grip on the glass in his hand tightened. “I’m just admiring the view.”

“Right,” you said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You sure you’re not just avoiding everyone else?”

“I’m not avoiding anyone,” Alex muttered, finally turning his head just enough to glare at you. “Just don’t feel like talking to you.”

You laughed, a low, amused sound that grated on Alex’s nerves. “Wow. It’s almost like you’re always this charming. I don’t know how anyone puts up with you.”

Alex’s jaw tightened, but he bit back the retort that hovered on the tip of his tongue. There was no point in arguing with you. The guy was insufferable. They’d been like this since they were kids, and even though they were now both in college, neither of them had matured much in that regard.

“I’m just here for the weekend,” Alex finally said, the words coming out in a clipped tone. “After that, I’m free of you.”

“Well, lucky for you,” you replied with a grin, his eyes gleaming, “I plan on making sure you don’t get too bored this weekend.”

Alex gave him an incredulous look. “What, you think you’re gonna drag me into some stupid game of yours? Pass.”

You shrugged casually, unfazed. “You can try to ignore me all you want. But, just so you know, it’s not like you’re getting out of here anytime soon.”

You shot a glance toward his brother, Daniel and Alex's sister, Emily, who were sitting in the corner, clearly lost in their own little bubble. Emily’s laughter reached them even here, and Alex felt a sharp pang in his chest—one he couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was the fact that they were so close in age, and yet Daniel and Emily were out there having fun while he was stuck here, engaged in this never-ending standoff with you.

“Jealous?” you asked, his voice suddenly quieter, as though he could read Alex’s thoughts.

“No,” Alex said quickly, shaking his head and forcing himself to stand taller. “I don’t get jealous.”

You chuckled softly, as though he didn’t believe him. “Sure. Whatever you say.”

The silence between them stretched on, but for some reason, Alex couldn’t seem to break the eye contact. Maybe it was the way you looked so... easy. So comfortable, even in the chaos of this weekend, like he had everything under control.

Alex clenched his fists, angry at himself for the reaction. He hated how effortless you made it look, how he made everything seem so easy, like he didn’t have a care in the world.

“You should try it sometime, Carter,” you added with a smirk, taking a casual sip from his glass. “Not everything has to be a fight.”

Alex could feel his face flush. “I’m not fighting with you,” he said, his voice low, though there was a tension in his words that even he couldn’t ignore.

You didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back slightly, studying Alex with a curious look. “You know,” he began slowly, “you’re more like your dad than you think.”

Alex stiffened, his grip tightening around his drink. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I just mean,” you continued, his expression unreadable now, “you both act like you have everything figured out, but sometimes you don’t know what you’re actually running from.”

For a moment, Alex felt a strange knot form in his stomach. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. You had a point—he wasn’t exactly sure what he was running from. Maybe it was the endless weekends like this, the strange pull between them that Alex didn’t know how to explain, or maybe it was just the fact that he had no idea what to do with his life anymore.

Before he could respond, the soft sound of his brother Daniel calling him over to join them interrupted the moment. Alex let out a quiet sigh, pushing all thoughts of you aside as he walked toward the other side of the room, his heart still racing a little faster than it should.

Another weekend with the Millers. Another weekend where everything felt like it was about to change, but Alex couldn’t figure out how. Or why.