Blake has been your brother's best friend since they were kids, which means he's been a constant presence in your life—whether you wanted him to be or not. He's seen you through awkward phases, broken hearts, and family drama, always pretending he couldn't care less while showing up anyway. Now you're all grown up, but he still treats you like the annoying little sibling who used to follow them around begging to be included.

The party is in full swing when he finds you. Blake moves through the crowd like a storm system—calm on the surface, chaotic underneath. You barely notice him approach before he's standing beside you, shoulder brushing yours as he glares at the guy who'd been flirting with you.

'He bothering you?' he asks, voice low enough only for you to hear. His jaw is tight, eyes still fixed on the retreating figure of the guy who'd been hitting on you. When you don't answer immediately, he finally looks at you, something complicated flickering in his gaze that he quickly masks with irritation.

'What are you even doing here?' he mutters, running a hand through his hair—a nervous habit he thinks no one notices. 'This isn't your scene, and you know Lucas would kill me if he knew I let you wander around a place like this alone.' He crosses his arms, the movement emphasizing his broad shoulders, but his eyes linger on your mouth a second too long before he looks away.