CHAPTER 45: OBSESSED MUCH? (LOL)

Julian’s POV

I showed up at Ethan’s place without a text or call, and the surprise on his face when he opened the door said it all. His brows lifted in disbelief. "You’ve got to be kidding me. You know phones exist, right?"

I brushed past him, pretending not to hear. "Can’t go home yet. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to drive to from school."

He shut the door, muttering something under his breath about people with no manners. "Hmm. I’m guessing it’s another family problem. What happened this time?"

I dropped onto his couch and let out a sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. "It’s Catherine."

That was all it took. Ethan looked into my eyes a second before breaking into a laugh that ran around the living room. "Of course it had to be her. Who else could make you look like this?"

"Shut up."

He threw himself into the chair opposite me, still grinning. "No, seriously. You look like a guy who’s been losing arguments in his own head for three nights straight."

"Maybe because she’s the most annoying human being I’ve ever met," I snapped. "She keeps getting under my skin, and I can’t even explain how. Everything she says, everything she does, it just pisses me off."

Ethan tilted his head. "Pisses you off, huh?"

"Yes."

He smirked. "Or maybe she just turns you on."

I shot him a glare, but he didn’t flinch. He leaned forward with that cocky grin I hated. "Come on, Julian. Don’t look at me like that. You know I’m right. The last time I saw you this wound up over a woman was—oh wait, never. Catherine must be a goddess."

I leaned back against the couch, exhaling through my nose. "You’re an idiot."

He chuckled. "An idiot who can tell when his best friend is in denial."

I wanted to argue, but the words didn’t come. Denial? Maybe. Hell, maybe I was. Because for weeks, I’d been convincing myself that everything I felt for her was nothing more than lust and the anger of ruining her, the kind that burned out once you got what you wanted. But every time I looked at her, it got worse. Every damn time.

"I can’t help it," I muttered finally. "She does and says things I am supposed to hate her for but I can’t help it. I can’t even think properly when she’s around. It’s like my brain shuts off."

Ethan laughed so hard he almost fell off the chair. "Oh, this is good. This is really good. The great Julian Vaughn, Mr. Cold Heart, the guy who swore never to fall again, is losing his mind over his stepsister."

"Keep running your mouth and I’ll break your jaw," I said, though a small smirk tugged at my lips.

"Relax. I’m just saying. This could be karma, my friend, for breaking so many hearts."

I ignored him and reached for the bottle of whiskey sitting on his side table. "The only way to get rid of her is to stick with the plan. I’ll go through with it, just not yet."

Ethan frowned. "Wait, why not now?"

"Because the election’s still months away," I said. "If I do it now, Richard will have time to fix the damage before the campaign peaks. I need to hit him where it hurts when it matters most."

Ethan leaned back, rubbing his chin like he was piecing it together. "Makes sense. But it sounds to me like you’re stalling."

I turned my head to look at him sharply. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

He grinned. "It means you’re enjoying this too much. You could’ve pushed her away, scared her off but you didn’t. You’re delaying because you want to be near her."

That earned him a cold stare. "Why are you always trying to get on my nerves?"

He laughed. "If speaking the truth does that, then so be it. You enjoy the thrill of staring at her, of wanting her. You enjoy being with her."

The silence between us stretched for a few seconds, his words stayed in my head longer than I wanted them to. Did I want to be close to her? No. I just wanted control. I wanted her where I needed her to be for my plan. That was it. That had to be it.

Still, a quiet part of me whispered that he wasn’t entirely wrong.

"If you’re done playing therapist, maybe focus on your own disasters," I said finally.

He smirked. "Funny you should say that. I’ve actually found the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with."

I blinked. Then I laughed. "You? The guy who doesn’t even remember half the names of the girls he sleeps with?"

"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want." He lifted his hands in mock surrender. "But I’m serious this time."

I stared at him, still grinning. "Everyone thinks I’m the playboy between us, but you, my friend, you wear that crown proudly."

Ethan chuckled. "Not anymore. This girl is different. She’s got under my skin. Can’t stop thinking about her."

"You’ve said that about every girl you’ve ever slept with."

He shook his head. "Nah. This one’s different. I thought after we hooked up, it would fade... you know, the usual. But it didn’t. It’s like she’s living rent-free in my head."

Something in his tone caught my attention. He wasn’t joking. Not even a little. For once, Ethan sounded serious.

"Who is she?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.

Before he could answer, the doorbell rang.

Ethan’s grin widened. "Speak of the devil."

I arched a brow. "You invited her over?"

"Didn’t think I’d get to introduce you two this soon, but hey, perfect timing."

I watched him walk to the door, curiosity piqued despite myself. He opened it, and the moment the girl stepped in, my brows shot up.

"Wait—" I muttered under my breath.

The girl he fell in love with was none other than Catherine’s friend.

Her eyes darted toward me before quickly looking away.

Ethan greeted her casually, before pulling her in and kissing her the exact way I would kiss Catherine if she were mine.

Fucking hell, man. Focus. Take your mind off that girl.

"Julian, Tessa is the girl who’s stolen my heart."

I shot a hard glare at him but Tessa’s voice broke it off. "Hi Julian."

"Hey." I lifted a hand in a half-hearted wave, then turned to Ethan with an incredulous look.

He caught it immediately. "Don’t even start."

I lowered my voice, leaning closer. "You just had to go for Catherine’s friend?"

He grinned. "Guess we both have a type, huh?"

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the bottle of whiskey again, muttering under my breath, "you are fucking weird. How did we become friends?"

Ethan winked. "Careful, man. Looks like the universe is trying to keep you close to that girl one way or another."

I ignored him, though his words hit deeper than I wanted to admit.

Because the truth was, he might’ve been right. No matter what I did, Catherine seemed to crawl right back into my world, even when I wasn’t looking for her.

And damn it, I was starting to think of being close to her now.