Chapter Two - The Girl Next Door

Noah's POV

If someone had told me three years ago that moving back home would punch me straight in the chest, I would've laughed.

But then Ava Collins opened that front door.

And suddenly breathing felt optional.

She wasn't the kid sister I used to flick rubber bands at or the girl who followed Jacob and me around asking to play Xbox. She wasn't the shy freshman who blushed every time I teased her.

No-Ava Collins was standing there in the doorway, sun hitter her skin just right, tank top sticking to her in the summer heat, eyes wide like she wasn't sure what to do with me.

I didn't know what to do with me either.

I managed a simple "Hey, Collins" when what I really wanted was to say was, When the hell did you grow up?

Now I was back in my old driveway, unloading boxes while trying not to stare at the girl next door like an idiot.

Didn't work.

She kept brushing her hair out of her eyes, biting her lip without realizing it, doing these little things that should've been insignificant-but they weren't. Not anymore.

Tyler whistled when he saw her, and I swear something dark flared in my chest. I didn't mean to glare that hard, but he shut up instantly, so whatever.

I tried to focus on the boxes. I tried not to notice every time she looked my way. But them she caught me lifting my shirt to wipe sweat and staring straight at my stomach like she forgot subtlety existed.

That... did something to me.

Something I probably shouldn't admit out loud.

Jacob picked the worst time to show up. He stormed toward us like he already knew I was thinking things I shouldn't be.

"Don't flirt with my sister," he snapped.

If I'd been anyone else, maybe I would've apologized or backed off. But something in the way Ava stood there-shoulders tense, cheeks flushed, eyes flickering between us-made me want to push a little.

So I leaned closer to her and murmured, "Doesn't mean I'll listen."

Let me clear: I did not expect her reaction.

Her breath hitched. Eyes widened. And for a second-just a second-I saw something flicker in them. Something that made the heat outside feel colder than what hit my spine.

Jacob dragged her away like I was a threat. Maybe I was.

Now he and Ava were halfway up their steps, and I was stuck here with a box inmy hands and a brain that wouldn't shut up.

Tyler slapped my shoulder. "Bro... you're dead. Jacob's gonna murder you."

"Yeah," Jace added. "Either that or make you run laps with Coach Carter.'

I ignored them.

Because all I could think about was Ave-her voice, her smile, the way she'd said good different like she meant it.

I shouldn't look at her like that.

She's Jacob's sister. The one girl I promised never to mess with.

But then she turned around once before walking inside, eyes meeting mine across the yard.

And she didn't look away.

Not right away.

Trouble.

This summer was going to be absolute trouble.

I dropped the box rubbed the back of my neck, and tried to convince myself to get a grip.

But the truth hit me harder than any practice drill:

I didn't come back expecting anything from this summer.

But Ava Collins?

Yeah. she might become the one thing I can't stay away from.

No matter how many rules I break.