My head spun.

So it had been a two-man job from the start.

Explained the mood swings. Sweet one minute, cold the next.

“Enough!” I shouted.

Both doors down the hall cracked open.

“Riley, honey—I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it's late.”

Another neighbor: “Yeah, maybe take it inside?”

They gave me knowing looks.

Great. Whole floor probably heard.

For a second I actually wanted to jump off the balcony.

“Sorry, sorry—we're going in.”

Mortified, I dragged them inside.

Caleb immediately rummaged the shoe rack, pulled out a pair of slippers—his own and mine—and knelt to slide mine on.

“Baby, shoes.”

Treated Ethan like he didn't exist. Zero guilt.

I… let it happen. Habit.

Ethan suddenly hugged me from behind.

“What—?”

He whispered, “Baby… where are my shoes?”

Yep. Classic Ethan.

Why panic? Not my mess.

I pulled away. “Ask your brother. He swapped everything.”

Yeah—Caleb had replaced all Ethan's stuff with matching new furniture. I'd thought the redecorating was cute.

Now I got it: calculated sabotage.

I ignored their stares, walked straight to the fridge, and grabbed three bottles of wine.

“Okay. Explain. You two lied to me?”

“No!”

“Of course not.”

They answered together.

I pinned Ethan. “You. Talk.”

He avoided my eyes. “Baby, I was on a two-month field study with my advisor.”

“First day of the semester my little brother drops this bomb. And you're interrogating me?” Ethan looked pathetic.

“Stop stalling. Answer.”

He sighed. “You know I'm awkward and not charming. I thought you'd get bored.”

“So sometimes… I let him help. Like texting, or showing up when I was slammed.”

Caleb cut in: “Bullshit. You used to complain she texted too much.”

“I did not!” Ethan yelled.

“Liar. Your eyes are shifting.”

But everything made sense.

I'd chased the distant Ethan. If he'd been sunshine-sweet from day one, I would've bailed.

Caleb added, “Swear. Lie and you'll never get her for real.”

“Why would I swear to you?”

“Scared?”

“You—I can't believe I have such a shameless brother!”

“You always treat me like an idiot, huh?”

“You're the dumb one.”

“You…”

“Shut up!” I snapped. “Both of you. Or get out.”

They froze like scolded kids.

They looked ridiculous—two huge guys suddenly silent.

I almost laughed.

“It's too late to kick you out now. Sleep here.”

Caleb's eyes lit up. “Really? I can stay?”

Ethan's voice calmed: “Thanks, baby. You're the best.”

“But tomorrow morning? Both of you leave. I don't want this circus.”

I turned toward my bedroom.

Ethan lagged behind.

“No following. Sleep on the floor.” I glared.

“But… two months without you.” Ethan sounded pitiful.

“Did I stop you? Or were you ‘busy'?”

“My fault. Won't happen again.”

“Yeah, ‘again' is debatable.”

“What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

I shut the door and locked it.

“Floor's yours. Blankets in the closet—you know where.”

“Got it.” His voice dropped. “Baby, I screwed up. Shouldn't have let him sub in. I was slammed—I didn't mean to ignore you.”

“I regret it. I let the wolf in.” Ethan sounded sincere.

I scoffed. “No apology needed.”

“Baby?”

“I don't care who I texted or saw. You look the same.”

He was quiet a moment. Then: “Good night, baby.”

That look—soft, but something darker underneath. Almost obsessive.

Terrifying.

I'd hooked up with two psychopaths.

“Bunch of lunatics.”