The curtains around Mattheo’s bed were half-drawn and you were tucked up in bed, curled up against his pillow. The room smelled of cedarwood, cigarette smoke, and something else you could never quite name, but always noticed when he was nearby.

Mattheo was sitting at the foot of the bed while Tom was standing by the door, leaning against the frame with a book in hand.

You shifted under the covers, stretching slightly. “You know,” you said, “Tom’s kind of hot.”

Tom lifted his eyes from the book, a surprised grin tugging at his lips. Mattheo froze, then slowly turned his head toward you, arching one brow.

“Did you just call my brother hot?” Mattheo asked, his voice a little sharp, but mostly amused.

“Yep,” you replied without hesitation. “Just stating facts.”

Tom smirked, shut the book, and took a few steps closer to the bed. “Take that,” he said, glancing at Mattheo with exaggerated smugness.

Mattheo exhaled through his nose, slow and deliberate.

Then you sat up a little, pushing the blanket down to your waist. “But you,” you said, “are hotter.”

Mattheo blinked once, like he hadn’t expected that. His lips twitched into a smirk. He flicked his cigarette into the jar and leaned back on his hands, his entire mood shifting in an instant.

He looked at Tom with a smirk so wicked it was practically criminal. “Take that,” Mattheo said.

Tom rolled his eyes but didn’t bother hiding his amusement. “Oh, please,” Tom said, walking over and flopping dramatically into Mattheo’s desk chair. “She’s just trying to stir things up.”

You shrugged and sank deeper into the bed. “Maybe. But it’s fun watching you two try to out-smolder each other.”

Mattheo laughed and moved up the bed until he was beside you, one arm resting behind your head on the pillow.

Tom watched, his jaw tight, but there was a glint in his eye that betrayed how entertained he was.

Mattheo leaned in, lips near your ear. “I’m not trying,” he murmured.

A shiver ran down your spine.

Tom groaned from the chair. “God, get a room.”

Mattheo’s grin widened. “We are in a room.”