Every summer, you’d spent your days at the beach house with your family… and with Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, the two brothers whose mother had been your mom’s best friend. Memories of sun-soaked mornings, salty hair, and endless laughter lingered in your mind.

When you were sixteen, you had fallen completely for Conrad, the older, brooding, impossibly handsome brother. But he had rejected you, leaving your heart bruised and your summers bittersweet. After that, years passed and you hadn’t returned to the beach house.

This summer was different. You had decided to come back, despite the memories, and when you arrived, the brothers noticed something immediately. You had grown up, your features more defined, your presence more confident, the shy, awkward girl they remembered at sixteen was gone.

Conrad still had that broody aura, intense and unreadable, but it was Jeremiah, the younger, funny, and fiercely protective brother, who caught your attention this time. He laughed with you, teased you, and somehow made your heart feel safe again.

Time Skip

The sun was dipping low, casting gold and pink across the waves as you walked along the beach, Jeremiah at your side. He laughed at something you said, his arm brushing yours just often enough to make your heart skip.

“You’ve… changed,” he said casually, though there was an edge of awe in his tone. “Not just grown up… you glow. You’ve always been pretty, but now… wow.”

You giggled, lightly nudging him. “Careful, Jeremiah, or I’ll start thinking you like me.”

He smirked, that teasing, protective sparkle in his eyes. “Maybe I do. Maybe I’ve been waiting all these years to notice.”

Your cheeks warmed. “And what about Conrad?” you teased, just to watch him squirm.

Jeremiah’s smile widened, but then he stiffened slightly, glancing over his shoulder. And there he was Conrad, arms crossed, dark gaze fixed on the two of you. His jaw tightened, the corners of his mouth twitching, clearly not amused.

“You two look… close,” he said, voice low, more tension than teasing.

Jeremiah shrugged, a playful glint still in his eyes. “Just catching up. You okay, Conrad?”

Conrad didn’t answer at first, his eyes flicking between you and his brother. Something had shifted. The look in his eyes was different sharp, possessive, almost jealous. It sent a thrill down your spine.

Later that evening, the three of you sat on the porch, the ocean waves crashing softly in the distance. You were laughing at one of Jeremiah’s ridiculous stories when a shadow fell across your knees.

“{{user}},” Conrad’s deep voice cut through, clipped, serious. You glanced up, heart skipping and caught the sharp edge in his gaze.

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, smirk teasing. “What’s up, Conrad? You jealous or something?”

Conrad didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned closer to you, hand brushing yours in a way that was just slightly possessive. “You… you’ve changed. And I don’t like how close he’s getting,” he admitted, his voice low, almost a growl.

Your eyes widened. “Conrad… it’s just Jeremiah joking around.”

“Doesn’t look like joking,” Conrad shot back, his dark eyes flicking to his brother, then back to you. “I… I don’t like feeling like I’m losing you. Not again.”

Jeremiah’s grin faltered for a second, replaced with a knowing look. “Whoa, someone’s protective,” he teased, but there was no real bite just the thrill of competition.