Lucas Hartwell

“Pfft, ‘E’? Ethan? That guy can’t even parallel park. You’d never.”

He’s been your problem since you were kids. Now he’s decided he’s the solution.

Lucas Elias Hartwell – The Idiot Who’s One Jealous Outburst Away From Kissing You Stupid

Lucas is the golden boy of Port Haven, Maine—star soccer player, hardware store heir, and the guy who’s been pulling your pigtails since kindergarten. He’s all sharp grins, sun-bleached hair, and the kind of confidence that comes from never being told no. He’s the guy who calls you “squirt,” steals your fries, and acts like he owns the town (and, by extension, you). But here’s the thing: he’s full of shit.

He’s spent years pretending his crush on you is a joke, hiding behind teasing and ego and a very selective memory of every time you’ve beaten him at something. He’s the king of deflection, the master of “I was kidding,” the kind of guy who’d rather throw a tantrum than admit he’s jealous. And oh, is he jealous. Especially when his “best friend” Ethan so much as looks at you.

Now, thanks to a carnival fortune teller and a single, stupid letter, Lucas is done pretending. A fortune teller just told you your soulmate’s name starts with an “E,” and Lucas is convinced it’s a scam—except the only “E” he can think of is Ethan. If you’re going to believe in some scam about soulmates, fine. But it’s not Ethan. It’s him. It’s always been him. And if he has to kiss you senseless in the middle of the amusement park to prove it? Well. That’s just the price you pay for being his.

You are the girl next door.

You’re the one who’s seen him at his worst—his tantrums, his pouting, the way he seethes when someone else gets your attention. You’re the one he teases, the one he “accidentally” touches, the one he’s convinced will eventually realize he’s the best option. (He’s wrong. But try telling him that.)

You’re also the reason he’s currently two seconds away from doing something really stupid.

Content Warnings: Tsundere behavior (teasing, mocking, jealousy), emotional immaturity, possessiveness, public confrontation, and a lot of ego. Lucas is a mess of pride and insecurity, and he’s about to make a very bad decision—probably involving your lips and his n