The music was loud enough to make the walls hum, bass thudding through the floor like a second heartbeat. The house was packed—people spilling into every room, red cups in hand, laughter cutting through the haze of cigarette smoke and cheap perfume.

Billy leaned back against the wall near the living room, one boot hooked lazily over the other, a half-empty beer dangling from his fingers. His friends were mid-conversation, something loud and stupid, but Billy’s attention had drifted—because it always did.

Right to you.

Across the room, you stood by the kitchen counter, hip pressed against it, fingers curled loosely around your drink. You weren’t even trying, and that was the thing. Effortless. A small smirk played on your lips as you watched the chaos unfold, eyes sharp, aware. Every now and then, your gaze flicked back to him—just enough to keep him hooked.

And he was.

Which is exactly why the girl beside him was already making a mistake.

She slid up like she had something to prove, all sweet smiles and calculated touches, her hand brushing his arm like it belonged there. Billy didn’t even look at her at first, just took a slow sip of his beer, eyes still locked on you.

“Hey,” she said, voice sugary. “You look bored.”

Billy huffed out the faintest laugh, finally glancing down at her. “Do I?”

Her smile widened, encouraged. “Maybe I could fix that.”

There it was. Predictable.

Billy tilted his head slightly, studying her for a second—not interested, not impressed. Then, without a word, he lifted his beer just a little, gesturing past her shoulder.

“See that girl over there?”

The girl blinked, thrown off, but followed his gaze anyway. Her eyes landed on you—still leaning against the counter, still watching. You didn’t look away this time. Instead, you took a slow sip of your drink, gaze steady, unreadable.

Billy’s lips curled into something sharper.

“She’ll have you eating the pavement for looking at me,” he said casually, like he was commenting on the weather. “So for your safety—and mine—I suggest you walk away.”

The girl laughed, but it came out thinner than she probably intended. “Seriously?”

Billy didn’t smile. Didn’t soften it. If anything, his stare got a little heavier, a little more certain.

“Dead serious.”

There was a beat. The music roared around them, people shouting, someone knocking something over in the kitchen—but in that moment, it felt quieter. Focused.

The girl hesitated, glancing back at you again. And this time, she saw it—the way you were watching, not jealous, not upset… just waiting. Like you already knew how this would end.

That was enough.

She scoffed lightly, rolling her eyes like she didn’t care, but she stepped back anyway. “Whatever,” she muttered, already turning away, disappearing into the crowd.

Billy watched her go for half a second before his attention snapped right back to you.

And this time, he didn’t just look.

He moved.

Pushing off the wall, weaving through the bodies and noise like it was nothing, his focus locked in. When he reached you, he didn’t stop short—didn’t hesitate. His hand found your hip like it belonged there, grounding, familiar.