Bayleigh: Yes.
The corner of my mouth pulls up again, helpless. I lean my head back against the headrest and let out a laugh that’s half breath, half disbelieving sound.
“Holy shit,” I mutter to myself.
My thumb hovers a second, then I flip over to the group chat with Milton and Korbin. The one that’s usually memes, game clips, bitching about Wallace.
Me: I asked Bayleigh out and she said yes. Holy shit, holy shit!
Three dots pop up under it almost immediately, then vanish. Reappear. Vanish.
Milton reacts first with a thumbs-up, then sends:
Milton: Proud of you, Romeo
I snort.
Korbin’s typing bubble shows up next, hangs there longer. Of course it does.
Korbin: Don’t get cute. She’s still Lennox’s sister.
Milton: And she still said yes tho (wide-eyes & emoji fire emoji)
I shake my head, grinning like an idiot. My pulse hasn’t really settled since she agreed. It’s like my chest is full of static, and thinking about her keeps turning the voltage up.
My fingers move before I can overthink it.
Me: I know who she is, Korb. I’m not confused.
Korbin: You sure? Because every time you smile at your phone I start questioning your sanity.
Milton: Man’s allowed to be happy. She’s cute as hell, I’d be smiling too if she said yes to me.
There it is—the edge under Milton’s joke. Not sharp or bitter, just… honest.
Before I can respond, he adds another:
Milton: But seriously, don’t fuck it up. She deserves soft.
That hits somewhere deep.
Korbin’s bubble pops up again.
Korbin: Whatever. Just remember she’s been through shit. Don’t be an idiot.
Short. Blunt. But not cutting. More like… warning me. Protecting her, even. And that’s new.
I stare at the screen, at the two people who should be giving me hell but instead sound almost?—
No. Not that. Don’t label it yet.
Me: You’re both annoying.
Me: But yeah. I’m serious about her.
The message is sent. No take-backs.
Milton reacts instantly.
