Rival Lovers

| 006 |

Chapter 6: Couch Surfers and Awkward Encounters

It's safe to say I nearly lost it when I stepped out of my room this morning.

There, leaning casually on the countertop Lucas and I share, was a guy I had never seen before. He looked about our age.

At first, I assumed he was one of Lucas' friends, but they resembled each other so much it made me hesitate.

"Who the hell are you?" I blurted, eyes wide.

He was definitely attractive—a scar cutting through his eyebrow and a tattoo snaking down his neck, disappearing beneath his shirt.

He turned his head toward me, giving me a quick once-over before licking his lips and speaking.

"Jay."

"Jay who?"

"I'm Lucas' brother."

My eyes widened even further—Lucas had a brother? How did I not know that? The resemblance was undeniable. They were equally attractive, but in different ways—if that makes sense.

I blinked, trying to process the information.

"Lucas has a brother... and you're just here, leaning on our counter?"

Jay shrugged nonchalantly.

"Yeah, drank too much at a club last night. Lucas picked me up, let me crash on your guys couch. You were asleep."

"Right .. I'm Zara."
I said, still a little thrown off.

"So, what are you doing here? I mean, besides standing in my kitchen."

He smirked, running a hand through his messy hair.

"Just waiting for Lucas to wake up. Figured I'd grab some coffee, maybe get to know his roommate."

I raised an eyebrow. "Get to know me, huh?"

"Yeah," he said, a playful glint in his eye. "Unless you'd rather I wait quietly in the corner."

I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorway, watching him closely.

"You don't really seem like the 'wait quietly' type."

Jay chuckled, pushing off the counter and moving a little closer.

"You're right about that. But I can be... if that's what you want."

I rolled my eyes, trying not to let the smirk tugging at his lips distract me.

"So, you're just in town to visit Lucas?"

He shrugged again.

"Something like that. Needed a change of scenery. Was thinking of enrolling here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you're serious? You're actually gonna start school here?"

He nodded.

"Yeah. Lucas mentioned it a while back, and the timing just felt right. Thought it'd be a good move."

I blinked, still trying to process. "And Lucas is cool with this?"