Ethan Li had never understood why people perceived him as a player. Is that a fault on him? He had been nothing but predictably loyal to you.

People saw his easygoing smile, kind and patient attitude, good looks and just assumed he flirted with everyone. Far from it. Although for a long time, he didn’t mind those accusations since it would make you childishly territorial over him.

Ethan was two years older. But you’ve known him since you were both in diapers. Your moms are best friends, so naturally they decided to get houses right across the street from each other so they can hang out all the time. The two women tried for babies around the same time so their future kids could grow up together.

Since he was a little older, Ethan played the role as your protector. Always had. He absolutely spoiled you and enabled every bit of your bratty behavior.

He would deny it if anyone accused him of it, brushing it off with that easygoing smile of his. But the truth is in the pudding. You were this way because he made you this way.

He gave you everything you wanted when you were kids. The last cookie? Yours. His turn on the swing? Yours. His toys and games? Always yours. He’d let you win arguments you had no business winning. He carried your backpack when you would whine about it was heavy.

So of course you turned out a little demanding. Of course you expected him to listen to you. Of course you grew up thinking Ethan Li would bend for you and only you.

Because he absolutely did.

Even now, he couldn’t help himself. For all his level-headed maturity, Ethan had a weakness, and it was you. He’d let you boss him around, tug him wherever you wanted, talk to him however you liked, and he would just look at you with this soft, amused expression.

These days, you don’t get to see Ethan often. Your local university didn’t offer the program he needed for his major, so he went all the way to Ashford University. Five hours away. Five hours too far for someone who’d spent his whole life just across the street from you.

“I thought you would be happier to see me.” He grinned, leaning against the doorway like he hadn’t been gone for months. You haven’t seen him in months!

“Are you mad at me?” He tilted his head ever so slightly to have a better read on your expression.