Unraveled (MxM)

ELLIOT

The first time I saw Asher Brooks, I knew he was going to be trouble.

I knew it from the way he stepped into my house with his mother, like they owned the place.

Well, in fairness, that was because they now did.

Unfortunately, my father had decided that Asher's mother was the new love of his life and decided to get married to her.

Like anyone was going to replace my mother.

I wish I could say I instantly hated Asher because of that. That I hated him because of what he and his mother's presence entailed- my family slowly being replaced.

That was part of the reason, yes, but it wasn't the major one.

I could not pinpoint exactly why he rubbed me off the wrong way.

Maybe it was the way his dark, wavy hair touched his forehead so artfully. It was longish, curling above his collarbones slightly and it should've looked messy. Shouldn't have looked charming. But it did. A feat my messy blonde hair could only dream of.

Maybe it was his intense green eyes that stared at me like he could see the deepest, innermost parts of me that I wasn't even aware of.

Or maybe it was his tall, athletic build that triggered every one of my insecurities.

And don't even get me started on his lips. Or his sharp jawline that could cut glass. Or his cheekbones. Or his...

Damn.

I absolutely hated Asher.

Because he stirred things in me that I didn't want.

Things I didn't want to feel towards him, in particular.

"... and I hope you get along with him," Dad was saying to me.

No. That was never going to happen.

"Asher Brooks. Nice to finally meet you," he said, his deep voice irritating me. Of course, he had a perfect voice too.

Asher extended his hand toward me in a handshake, the smile on his face making me feel things. Things I had no business feeling.

Correction, it wasn't a smile. It was a smirk. A knowing one, too, like he could read all of my thoughts. Like he knew all of my secrets.

I absolutely hated him.

"Elliot," Dad called out, his voice going deeper in warning when I continued to stare at Asher without taking his hand.

I could hear his voice now in my head, you better take his hand or else...

Asher raised an eyebrow, his stare challenging, as if daring me to... to do something.

Whatever it was, it was more than just shaking his hand.

Fuck him.

Fuck him a thousand times.

Who did he think he was? Coming into my house, acting all damn cocky like he had a right to be here. Like he belonged here.

His mother wasn't any better. She was clinging on to my dad, their hands intertwined, a stupid, cheesy grin on her face.

That smile felt mocking. Almost like she was saying, "I'm the new woman of the house, Elliot, and there's nothing