Then my phone buzzes on the nightstand.
Of course it does.
The sound slices through the calm like a knife, and I groan under my breath, trying to reach for it without moving too much.
Half-asleep, half-panicking—because yeah, I might be comfortable as hell, but my arm’s numb, my back’s on fire, and I’m ninety percent sure my leg’s dead.
Worth it. Still worth it.
The screen lights up.
[NEW MESSAGE IN GROUPCHAT]
Mac<3:We’re here. Meet in the kitchen?
A second ping follows right after.
Chace:You okay, man?
I glance down at Seraphina—her face soft in the low light, lashes fanned across her cheeks—and exhale.
Still asleep. Peaceful.
Meanwhile, I’m over here startled, uncomfortable, and borderline emotional.
My thumb hovers over the phone before I type back, keeping it simple.
Trey:Yeah. I’ll be right down.
The screendims again, fading into the dark, the hum of the city swallowing the sound.
For a second, I just sit here, phone in hand, her breath steady against me—wondering how the hell a night this quiet can feel louder than a sold-out stadium.
I move slow, careful not to wake her. The pizza box sits cold on the nightstand, half-finished and congealed like every bad life choice I’ve ever made.
For a second, I just stand there, watching her breathe. My chest feels too small for what’s inside it. Then I drag a hand through my hair, straighten myself up, and slip out.
The boarding house is dead quiet when I ease into the hallway.
Dark. By the time I hit the bottom step, the kitchen door creaks open.
Mac’s first through—long coat, messy bun, eyes sharp. She finds me instantly, like she’s been waiting since the second that text went through.
Behind her come the guys—Logan, Chace, and Sam—all serious, all looking like they’ve come for an intervention.
Spoiler…they probably have.
No one says a word. Just the hum of the fridge and rain whispering against the windows.
Then Mac crosses the room, one eyebrow raised.
“Lay it on me, Trey. Am I going to be an auntie, or did you join a cult?”
“Hello, sister dear,” I grin. “And, yes, to both—it’s how I roll.”
There’s a grunt from behind her as Logan pushes past, Sam close behind. Chace hangs back, already regretting showing up.
“Sounded serious,” Sam says. “Logan skipped physio for this.”
