The warm aroma of garlic and cream filled the kitchen as Kylie swayed to the rhythm of the music, stirring the sauce in the pot. Her voice was soft, almost melodic, as she sang along to the lyrics playing in her ears. In that moment, the world outside the kitchen didn't exist—just the gentle hum of the music, the sizzle of butter melting in the pan, and the quiet comfort of solitude.
Until a deep voice shattered the peace.
"You have a beautiful voice."
Kylie's body tensed. Her grip on the wooden spoon faltered, nearly slipping from her fingers. The unexpected presence behind her sent a jolt through her system, and she quickly turned, heart hammering. One hand instinctively reached up to pause the music as she took an automatic step back—until the cool edge of the counter pressed against her spine.
Alec.
He stood in the doorway, relaxed yet somehow imposing. A plain white T-shirt stretched over his broad shoulders, and gray sweatpants hung low on his hips, the waistband of black boxers just visible beneath. The dim kitchen light cast soft shadows across his sharp jawline, emphasizing the tattoos that covered his arms, inked stories woven into his skin. His dark eyes held an unreadable expression, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
If he was here, then Michael had to be nearby.
Kylie's first instinct was to leave—to put distance between herself and the boy who complicated things in ways she wasn't ready to admit. But he was blocking the only exit, his frame filling the doorway with an ease that made her pulse quicken.
She swallowed, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. "Didn't realize I had an audience."
Alec's lips twitched, something between amusement and something deeper flickering in his gaze. "Couldn't help it."
Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, charged with something unspoken. The scent of simmering cream and garlic filled the air, but Kylie barely noticed it now. Because Alec was still there. Watching her.
And he was here then her brother was also here.
'Why couldn't he just pop out and chase away the tension she was feeling in the room,' She thought
Her arms folded under her chest as a subconscious attempt to shield herself, suddenly aware of how little she was wearing. Her tank top clung to her frame, and her shorts barely covered her ass, riding up dangerously high whenever she moved.
Alec's eyes flickered downward at h,er movement before slowly dragging back up to her face. Kylie quickly averted her gaze, her stomach tightening as she stared at her feet instead.
Then, he moved.
His steps were slow, deliberate, eating away the space between them until he was standing dangerously close. The warmth of his body radiated against her skin, his presence alone making the kitchen feel smaller.
Kylie took a hesitant step back-only to be stopped by the counter.
"What are you making?" Alec asked, his voice quiet, yet there was an underlying edge to it.
"Um-the sauce for-my Alfredo," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
A ghost of a smirk played on his lips. "Smells good."
Kylie nodded quickly, her fingers twitching against the cool surface of the counter.
Then, his expression shifted. The teasing warmth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by something unreadable.
"What did Jay want?"
The question hit her like a slap.
"W-who?" she asked, despite knowing exactly who he was talking about.
Alec's jaw ticked.
"Jay," he repeated, his voice low. His arms lifted, palms pressing into the counter on either side of her, effectively trapping her in place.
Kylie's breath hitched.
She felt his presence completely now-his height, his build, the way his scent filled the space between them. Every nerve in her body was on high alert.
"H-he was just being frie-"
Before she could finish, Alec's fingers tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you."
His grip was firm but not rough. His hand, large enough to cover her face, held her gently in place. The heat from his touch sent a shiver down her spine. His other hand rested against her waist, fingertips brushing over the sliver of exposed skin between her top and shorts.
Kylie felt like she was burning.
Alec's eyes studied her face, lingering on her lips for a second too long.
Her mind screamed at her to move, to push him away, to speak-but all she could do was stare up at him, completely caught in his intensity.
Then, just as suddenly as he had invaded her space, he let go.
"Don't talk to him."
His voice was final. Unyielding.
And then, he was gone.
Kylie stood frozen, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to calm her erratic heartbeat.
Her fingers curled into fists as she scowled at the empty doorway.
Who the hell does he think he is?
Before she could dwell on it further, a sharp smell hit her nose.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Is something burning?
With a frantic gasp, she spun around, rushing to salvage her meal before everyone ended up eating crispy Alfredo for dinner.
---
"So he just left?" Marie asked, her eyes wide with intrigue as she walked beside Kylie toward the gym.
"Yes."
Kylie could still feel the heat on her skin from the encounter, still hear the low rasp of Alec's voice in her ear.
"He likes you," Marie stated matter-of-factly, then added with more emphasis, "Like, really, really likes you."
Kylie shot her a look. "You didn't have to say it twice."
"But it was important." Marie grinned. "Plus, anyone with eyes can see it. The way he looks at you? Girl, that's not just casual interest. And let's not ignore the fact that he is hot."
Kylie sighed, shaking her head. "His expression barely changes. How would you even know?"
Marie smirked but didn't answer as they entered the gym.
The crowd of students gradually quieted as the principal, Mr. Evans, stepped onto the stage. A middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a commanding presence, he gestured for silence before addressing the student body.
"Good morning, everyone. As most of you know, I am Derrick Evans, the principal of this wonderful institution. Now, I invite Ms. Malcolm, one of your fellow students, to say a few words."
The girl on stage stepped forward, her voice clear and confident.
"Welcome to another school year, my fellow peers, distinguished principal, respected staff, and teachers. As we begin this new year, let us remember the opportunities before us..."
Kylie half-listened, her mind drifting.
Across the gym, her gaze landed on Romaine.
He wasn't sitting with them.
Instead, he was with a group of seniors-the same ones Michael had warned her about. Kylie's stomach twisted.
Marie and Cole followed her gaze, their expressions mirroring her concern. Angie's reaction was the most telling-her jaw tensed, and her fingers clenched into fists before she quickly turned back to the stage, forcing her face into a neutral expression.
"I heard they sell drugs on campus," Marie whispered, her eyes never leaving Romaine's new 'friends.'
Kylie frowned.
"I mean, it could just be rumors," Marie added, as if trying to reassure herself more than Kylie.
"That was not reassuring," Cole muttered. "Not even a little bit."
"Let's just watch the assembly," Angie said abruptly, her voice tight.
Kylie wasn't convinced.
Something was definitely.wrong with Romaine.
---
"Where. The. Fuck..Is. Romaine?" Marie huffed, arms crossed.
They had been waiting for almost an hour.
"Well, it looks like he ain't coming, so let's just go," Angie said, already heading towards her car.
Kylie frowned. "Let me call him."
"If he doesn't pick up this time, we're leaving," Cole said flatly.
After a few rings, Romaine finally answered. Kylie put the phone on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Where are you?" Marie snapped.
"Sorry, guys. I won't be able to make it. Something came up."
"Fucking bullshit. You knew we were waiting. You could've called," Marie said, voice dangerously even.
"I agree with the barbarian," Cole added, earning a glare from Marie.
Kylie sighed. "Let's just leave it at that. He apologized, and we still have time to go out."
But the nagging feeling in her gut wouldn't go away.
Something wasn't right.
And if Romaine was getting involved with them...
It was only a matter of time before things got worse.