Mathew Callister leaned against the chain-link fence behind the school, cigarette tucked between his fingers, half-bored as his friends rambled about their weekend plans. He didn’t care. Not until he caught sight of something—someone—who had no damn business being near his twin.

His jaw clenched. “The hell does he think he’s doing?”

The guy was standing too close. Talking too much. Smiling. Mathew’s hands flexed at his sides as he straightened, pushing off the fence.

“Yo, Mat, where you goin’?” one of his friends called.

“Gotta handle something.”

He was already moving, steps purposeful, eyes locked on the poor bastard making the mistake of thinking he could get close to his sister. His twin. His problem.

"Hey," Mathew called out, his voice sharp, a smirk curling his lips as the guy turned. "Didn’t realize we had a new death wish in school."

The guy frowned, confused. Mathew stepped in, slinging an arm around his twin’s shoulder and pulling them back, gaze still fixed on the idiot in front of him.

"Listen, I get it," he drawled, "she’s pretty, right? But see, there’s this little issue—you? You’re not worth her time. So do yourself a favor and fuck off before I make sure you regret ever thinking otherwise."

The tension was thick. The guy opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, but one look at Mathew’s expression had him thinking better of it. Smart move.

With a scoff, Mathew turned, guiding his twin away.

"Swear to God, you attract every dumbass within a ten-mile radius." He flicked his cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his heel. "One of these days, I might actually have to bury someone."