Chapter 2: Riley

Riley pov

Finally, we reached my room. It was a large guest suite with a full bed and neutral decor that felt like it had been copied from a catalog.

I dropped my backpack on the bed and stared out the window, trying to ignore the ache in my throat.

"Do you like it?" she asked softly behind me.

I didn’t turn around. "It’s fine."

She walked over and wrapped her arms around me. “I know this is a big change, honey. But it’s a good one. David’s really trying to make things work, and this… this is a fresh start for both of us.”

I nodded because I didn’t have the energy to argue. I wasn’t mad at her not really. Just tired. Tired of running, tired of starting over, tired of being the second thought in every chapter of her life.

We were quiet for few moments when came the knock on the half-closed door.

I turned just in time to see Noah.

He had the kind of face that could either belong to either a model or a criminal.sharp jawline, intense eyes, a mouth that didn’t seem familiar with the idea of smiling.

He glanced at my mom, then at me, then back again. “David said to let you know dinner’s in an hour.”

Mom smiled too brightly. “Thank you, Noah.”

He nodded, then looked straight at me.

I met his gaze and I patted myself inwardly for not flinching. He raised one eyebrow, then left without another word.

“See?” my mom said with a hopeful chuckle. “He’s polite. Just quiet.”

Polite? He looked at me like I was stain!

Dinner was awkward.

David tried to make conversation and my mom tried to help. I tried not to choke on the tension between us but it didn't work.

Noah sat across from me with his elbows on the table, slowly twirling a fork between his fingers like he was counting the seconds until we disappeared from his life.

“So,” David began. “Noah, did I tell you Riley’s starting classes at Calridge next week?”

Noah barely looked up. “You didn’t.”

“She’s transferring in as a psych major.”

He slowly blink. “Cool.”

I cleared my throat. “Actually, I’m doubling with literature.”

That earned me the smallest flicker of his gaze. “You write?”

“I read.”

He nodded once, then returned to his plate like the conversation was done.

Asshole.

Two days have passed and we avoided each other like plague.

I woke up early and he stayed out late. I used the downstairs bathroom. He claimed the upstairs one . We barely made eye contact, and when we did, it was laced with silent judgment.

I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.

It was a Friday morning when my mom cornered me in the kitchen, holding a coffee mug in one hand and her phone in the other.

“You’re falling behind in statistics, right?” she asked casually.

I frowned. “Yeah, I’ve missed a few credits. Why?”

She smiled too sweetly. “Noah has a math degree. He’s tutoring undergrads part-time. I asked him to help you.”

I nearly choked. “You what?”

“Just once or twice a week.”

“Mom, he hates me. Why would you do that?”

“He doesn’t even know you, why would he hate you!.”

“That’s not better!”

She sighed and leaned in. “Please, Riley. Just give it a try. He’s really smart maybe it’ll help.”

And just like that, I found myself standing in front of his bedroom door, clutching my stats textbook like a shield, trying not to throw up.

I knocked once.

No answer.

Again.

Still nothing.

I turned to leave just as the door creaked open.

Noah stood there, shirt half unbuttoned, damp hair tousled, his eyes were heavy like he’d just woken up and tattoos peeking out from under his collar and down his forearm.

“What?”

I cleared my throat. “My mom said… the tutoring thing.”

He stared at me for a long moment, then stepped aside. “Come in.”

I hesitated. “You sure?”

“No,” he said flatly. “But I don’t have a choice.”

I stepped in.

His room was exactly what I’d expected. Clean, organized and cold. Bookshelves were lined on the walls, mostly filled with thick, academic-looking texts. A single leather chair sat near the window. His bed was neatly made, though his discarded hoodie on the desk chair suggested he wasn’t as robotic as he pretended to be.

I sat on the edge of the chair while he moved to his desk. He grabbed a pen, opened my book, and didn’t look at me.

“You’re already two weeks behind,” he muttered.

“Thanks for the reminder.”

He finally looked up, eyes dark and unreadable. “You want help or not?”

I bit my tongue. “Fine.”

He started explaining a concept I didn’t understand, his voice was low and steady, like this wasn’t completely bizarre. Like I wasn’t sitting in the room of the guy who made out with me a year ago.

But the longer he talked, the more I noticed the things I shouldn’t have. The curve of his jaw, the way his tattoo moved when he flexed his fingers and the tiny scar above his brow.

"Got it?" he asked.

I blinked. “What?”

He smirked. “You weren’t listening.”

“I was.”

“Okay then,” he said, sliding the notebook over to me. “Solve this.”

I stared at the problem. Was this question written in Roman? I couldn't understand a thing.

He leaned in too close to me.

“Riley,” he said, his voice was much lower now, almost amused. “You’re gonna have to concentrate.”

“I am,” I snapped.

“Then stop staring at my chest.”

My cheeks flushed. “I wasn’t.”

“Sure.”

He leaned back, smug and silent, watching me like he was already five steps ahead.

Oh God! This was going to be a long semester.

Noah didn’t speak to me the rest of that first session. Not unless he had to.

He corrected my mistakes with red ink, not words. He pointed at the wrong answers like they were things I should be ashamed of. Every second in his room made me feel suffocating.

When I left, I didn’t say thank you and I bet he didn’t expect me to.

The door clicked shut behind me as I returned to my room and yet I kept thinking about him.

I lay in my new bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every glance, every moment in that quiet room. I hated how clear he was in my mind. The smell of his cologne, the tone of his voice, the challenge in his eyes.

He was rude, arrogant, and cold asshole but why did he get under my skin so easily? Why couldn't I get that kiss on my mind?

He was my stepbrother for God sake!