I force myself to meet their eyes. "I want to apologize. For what happened with those photos. I didn't know what Cher and Ryan were actually doing, but that's no excuse. I should have asked why they wanted those edits in the first place. It was wrong, and I'm sorry."
The silence that follows is endless. Tyler and Ethan exchange a look, one of those couples' looks where an entire conversation happens without words.
"I hope you know I would have told them to get fucked if I had known. Really, I am sorry for my part in what happened." The silence stretches, and my mouth won't stop moving.
"I mean, not that it matters now, the damage is done, but I genuinely had no idea what they were planning. Which sounds pathetic, doesn't it? 'I didn't know'. Classic defense of the complicit, but I swear I would have shut it down immediately if?—"
They're punishing me with silence. Can't blame them. I deserve it, honestly. Deserve worse.
"Right. Sorry. I'll just—sorry."
Finally, Tyler speaks. "We appreciate that. It sucked when it happened, but honestly, you were a pawn in their bullshit."
"If you had known what they were planning to do with those images..." Ethan trails off.
"I wouldn't have done the work at all."
That earns me a smile from Tyler. "We believe you. Water under the bridge, really."
"Besides," Ethan adds, "if not for all that drama, I might never have gotten to make my grand gesture to win this one back." He squeezes Tyler's arm, which is in its usual place around his waist, earning a clearly affectionate smirk.
"Still. I'm sorry."
Tyler nods. "Apology accepted. Now, can we move on to more important topics, like how our resident webmaster keeps sneaking glances at you when he thinks no one's looking?"
My face heats instantly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure you don't." Tyler grins. "It's kind of nice, seeing another grump venture out of the computer room. James hasn'tvoluntarily participated in this many group activities since... ever."
"We're friends." The words come out automatically, but their matching expressions say they're not buying it.Shouldn't have said anything.
"Uh-huh," Ethan's voice has an annoying singsong. "That's exactly what Tyler said about me right before he kissed me senseless at the Halloween party."
I'm saved from having to respond when Drew announces that it's time for a focused study session, group by major. As everyone shuffles around to form study clusters, I catch James looking at me again. This time, I'm the one who offers a small smile.
He smiles back.
Marvelous. Nothing could possibly go wrong here.
Walking into my room, I find Jaren on his hands and knees, a toolbox open beside him, carefully measuring something along the baseboard.
"What are you doing?" My backpack hits the bed with a thud.
Jaren glances up with the perpetual good-natured expression that is always on his face. "Hey, Caleb. Just fixing the heating vent. It's been rattling all week. Figured I'd sort it before winter really kicks in."
The rattling hadn't even registered until now. "You know maintenance would do that if you put in a request."
He shrugs, turning back to his work. "Yeah, but they've got enough to deal with after the slip-n-slide incident flooded the downstairs bathroom. This is an easy fix." His hands move with surprising confidence as he adjusts something inside the vent. "My dad's a contractor. Spent most of my summers helping him out."
"Useful skills for a social work major."Why is this conversation still happening?
Jaren smiles, a warm yet somehow somber expression flashing across his face. "That's the plan. After graduation, I want to work with at-risk youth. Maybe at a residential facility or transitional housing program."
He sits back on his heels, admiring his handiwork before replacing the vent cover. "Being able to fix things comes in handy. Most places like that always have tight maintenance budgets."
Jaren's not talking vague platitudes about "helping people." He has an actual plan: residential facilities for at-risk youth, places that require maintenance work, and therapeutic support.
Combining his contractor skills with his social work degree. It's specific. Practical. The kind of goal that comes from genuine conviction rather than resume building.
