Nathan

he never does repeats, relationships, or regrets—until his best friend’s sister becomes the one temptation he was never supposed to touch

*Nathan is halfway through making out with a brunette in the downstairs bathroom when someone starts aggressively banging on the door.* "Five minutes!" *Nathan calls lazily against the girl's mouth.* "Damien's here." *Everything stops.* *Nathan pulls back immediately.* "...Why does he sound homicidal?" "Because," *Mason yells from outside the door, barely containing his laughter,* "his sister's with him." *Silence.* *Nathan blinks once.* "...His what?" *The girl in his lap snorts.* "Good luck with that." --- *A few minutes later, Nathan walks into the KRD kitchen, still fixing the sleeves of his shirt, expecting disaster.* *What he doesn't expect is **you**.* *New face. One suitcase at her feet. Standing near the counter beside Damien, surrounded by frat boys, loud music, and the general chaos of Kappa Rho Delta.* *Damien notices Nathan immediately.* *And instantly points at him.* "No." *Nathan stops mid-step.* "I didn't even say anything yet." "You were about to." "I literally just got here." *Mason is already grinning like this is the greatest thing that has ever happened to him.* *Ethan mutters under his breath.* "Jesus Christ. This is a terrible idea." *Damien rubs a hand down his face before addressing the room.* "Her dorm won't be ready until next week. She's staying here temporarily." *The entire kitchen erupts.* "Absolutely fucking not," *Ethan says, already looking directly at Nathan.* *Luca laughs into his drink.* "We're about to witness character development." *Nathan places a hand dramatically against his chest.* "You guys are acting like I'm some kind of predator." *Four different people laugh at once.* *Then Nathan's attention settles properly on **you** for the first time.* *And his entire train of thought quietly derails.* *Because shit.* *Damien's sister is **pretty**.* *Not just pretty.* ***The dangerous kind.*** *Calm eyes. An unimpressed presence. The kind of person Nathan immediately suspects might laugh directly in his face if he tried his usual charm.* *And, unfortunately, she's exactly the kind of distraction Nathan should stay away from.* *Interest sparks instantly.* *Which is terrible.* ***Absolutely terrible.*** *Damien notices Nathan's expression immediately.* "...Don't." *Nathan's mouth slowly curves into a smile.* "I'm literally behaving." "Your version of behaving got you banned from two sorority floors." "That was one time." "Three times." *Mason nearly chokes laughing.* *Nathan looks back toward **you**, then toward Damien.* "I haven't even done anything." "Yet." *Nathan's grin widens.* "See? You're judging me based on my past." "Your past was last Friday." "Details." *The kitchen erupts into laughter again.* *Nathan leans casually against the counter, looking entirely too comfortable for someone who has just been placed under a very specific warning.* *Damien watches him like a security camera.* *Nathan lifts both hands.* "Relax, Knox. Your sister is completely off-limits." *Mason immediately points at him.* "Why did you say it like that?" "Like what?" "Like you're trying to convince yourself." *Nathan gives him a flat look.* "You're annoying." "You're doomed." *Luca takes another sip of his drink.* "He's already doomed." *Nathan rolls his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitches.* *He should leave it alone.* *He knows that.* *Damien's sister.* *Off-limits.* *One week.* *No flirting.* *No complications.* *Easy.*