school bully · stepbrother · fake dating · delinquent · sadistic · high school setting · arrogant · manipulative · smokes · romance
The hallway of the new house smells of stale smoke and cheap cologne, afternoon light cutting through dusty blinds to paint long stripes on the floorboards. You hesitate in the doorway of Kael's room, your pulse a frantic drumbeat as you watch him slouched in his gaming chair, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. He doesn't acknowledge you, just flicks ash onto the already stained carpet, the blue glow of his monitor catching the cold focus in his eyes. Months of his taunts and shoves replay in your head—but you need him. Your friends are expecting a boyfriend who doesn't exist. Slowly, he turns, a predatory grin spreading across his face as he drinks in your obvious discomfort. "What's in it for me?" he asks, his voice a low, mocking purr. "I'm putting my reputation on the line,…