Best Friend's Brother // Stiles x Male OC

12

The morning sun barely peeked through the blinds as Stiles dragged himself out of bed. He shuffled to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and began his usual routine. Today felt like it could be a good day—until it wasn't.

After grabbing his bag and a quick bite of toast, Stiles headed outside to his beloved Jeep. He climbed in, turned the key, and... nothing. The engine refused to come to life. Frowning, he tried again, but the result was the same—only a weak click greeted him.

"Are you kidding me?" Stiles groaned, hitting the steering wheel with the heel of his hand. "Of all the days, Roscoe, you choose today to betray me?"

He checked his phone, realizing he didn't have much time before school started. Panic bubbled up as he scrolled through his contacts. He considered calling Scott, but then an idea struck him. He quickly texted Matt.

Stiles: My car won't start. I'm officially stranded. Help?

The response was almost immediate.

Matt: I'll be there in 10. Don't stress, okay?

Relief washed over him as he exhaled, leaning back in the driver's seat. But then another thought hit him: Scott. He'd promised to pick Scott up for school today. Groaning, he opened another text thread.

Stiles: Hey, car trouble. Can't pick you up today. Matt's giving me a ride.

It took a moment, but Scott replied.

Scott: Matt? Oh my God, this is serious. He's even doing school drop-offs now? You're practically married, and no problem I guess I will ask my brother to drive me.

Stiles rolled his eyes, typing a quick response.

Stiles: Shut up. It's just a ride. And it's not like I had options.

Scott: Sure, sure. Tell hubby I said hi.

Stiles shook his head, stuffing his phone into his pocket just as Matt's car pulled up to the curb. The sleek vehicle was a stark contrast to Stiles' rugged, well-loved Jeep. Matt rolled down the window, grinning.

"Your chariot awaits," he said.

"Thanks," Stiles muttered, climbing in. "You're a lifesaver."

Matt laughed, pulling away from the curb. "I try. So, what's up with your car?"

"No idea," Stiles said, frustration creeping into his voice. "It's been acting weird for a while, but I didn't think it'd completely give up on me today."

"Want me to take a look at it later?" Matt offered.

Stiles glanced at him, surprised. "You know how to fix cars?"

Matt shrugged. "A little. My uncle's a mechanic. I used to help him out when I was younger."

"Huh," Stiles said, impressed. "Okay, yeah, that'd be great."

The drive to school was easy, filled with casual conversation and Matt's occasional jokes that lightened Stiles' mood. By the time they pulled into the school parking lot, Stiles was feeling significantly less frazzled.

"Thanks for this," Stiles said as he unbuckled his seatbelt. "I owe you one."

"Don't worry about it," Matt replied, leaning over to peck him on the cheek. "See you later?"

Stiles nodded, trying not to grin too widely as he stepped out of the car. As he headed toward the school entrance, his phone buzzed with a text from Scott.

Scott: IM GOING TO BE LATE, IM GOING TO KILL MY BROTHER THEN I AM GOING TO KMS, WHEN I WENT TO ASK HIM TO DRIVE ME HE HAD JUST LEFT TO GO GOD KNOWS WHERE, THEN I LOST THE BUS, NOW I AM WALKING TO SCHOOL. I hate my life!!!!!

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Scott, Allison, and I were crammed into the far corner of the cafeteria, Scott halfway through his third rant of the day.

"I need to get my driver's license, like, yesterday," Scott grumbled, stabbing at his salad like it had personally offended him. "Do you know how embarrassing it is to have to depend on other people? And it's all Mateo's fault today."

Allison raised an eyebrow. "What did he do this time?"

"He left early," Scott huffed, gesturing wildly. "Like, unnecessarily early. Mom had to leave for her shift, and instead of driving me to school like a decent human being, he just left. There was no reason for it! He doesn't even have morning classes!"

I bit into my sandwich, trying to stay out of it. Mateo was always a sore spot for Scott. Complaining about his brother was practically his favorite pastime.

"Maybe he had work," Allison suggested casually.

Scott scoffed. "Work? His job at the coffee shop doesn't start that early. He just does whatever he wants. No consideration for anyone else."

"Maybe he had something important to do," Allison suggested, ever the voice of reason.

Scott scoffed. "Please. The most important thing he's ever done is decide between an iced latte and a cappuccino. He's so full of himself, always acting like he's better than me."

"You sound jealous," I said with a smirk, knowing it would get a rise out of him.

"I'm not jealous!" Scott snapped, pointing his sandwich at me. "I just think it's ridiculous that he can leave whenever he wants and no one calls him out on it. Meanwhile, I have to drag my butt to school, on foot, because apparently, Mateo's schedule is more important than mine."

"Okay, hold on," Allison said, setting her fork down and leaning forward. "Let me get this straight. Stiles got dropped off today by his boyfriend, Matt." She paused, her eyes flicking between me and Scott.

Scott nodded, still grumbling. "Yeah, lucky him."

"And you were late because your brother, Mateo, left early?" she continued, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Exactly!" Scott said, throwing his hands in the air.

The realization hit Allison like a freight train. Her eyes widened, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, clearly trying not to burst out laughing.

"Wait," I said, narrowing my eyes

Scott was oblivious, still lost in his rant. "I swear, if I don't get my license soon, I'm going to lose it. Mateo's been—"

"Hey, uh, Scott," I interrupted, my voice sounding a little too high-pitched. "Where does Mateo work again?"

Scott frowned, like it was an odd question. "The coffee shop downtown. You know, the one you always go to."

Allison's eyes darting to mine in pure, unfiltered amusement.

"The on Matt works?" I asked, my stomach doing somersaults.

Scott shrugged. "Yeah. I wonder if they know each other, they work at the same place, right? Small town and all that."

"Oh, for sure," Allison muttered under her breath, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Scott finally looked up from his sandwich, his gaze flicking between us. "Why are you both acting so weird? Did I say something?"

"Nope," I said quickly, my mind racing.

But internally? I was freaking out. Matt is Mateo. Mateo is Matt. I've been dating Scott's brother this whole time.

Allison gave me a look that clearly said, What are you going to do?

I gave her a look back that said, I have no freaking idea.

Scott, oblivious as ever, went back to complaining about Mateo. "Honestly, the guy gets away with everything. It's so unfair. He's—"

"Really lucky," I finished for him, my voice weak.

Scott nodded emphatically. "Exactly."

Meanwhile, I sat there, my brain short-circuiting as the pieces clicked into place. I was dating my best friend's brother. And Scott, in all his clueless glory, had absolutely no idea.