Kieran turned up the hot water, letting it burn across his back, every drop a needle stabbing into him. It was grounding, and a bit of the tension gripping his chest finally released.
No shame. A small amount of fear. But more than that, Kieran felt a bloom of comfort spread through him. He leaned his head back, the water searing his face. Someone finally knew about his side gig, and rather than fear of societal norms pushing him to stop, a peace that had always been there finally felt settled into place.
Kieran liked what he did, and he didn’t want to stop. Sammie knowing hadn’t changed that. He was afraid of the unknown, of what she might want to ask him. But the realization that being perceived in this specific way wasn’t world-shattering, that it was something he was confident enough to deal with, that outshone any fear.
He ran a hand down his face, thinking he would need to trim his beard in the next few days, when a thought gave him pause.
What if it was a prank?
Maybe Atticus had taken his sister’s phone. Itdidseem like something he might do. Except that Kieran was pretty sure Atticus was more scared of Sammie than anyone, and she would definitely not react well to a prank of this magnitude.
The knob of the shower squeaked loudly as Kieran turned it, echoing through his small bathroom, piercing his thoughts. He needed to quit stalling. He had a game that required his full attention, not just for his sake, but for that of his team as well. Kieran couldn’t show up late, distracted by this new life development, and risk the win they desperately needed.
As he gathered his things, it became harder and harder to ignore the other feelings building within him. A pressure in his chest, a demanding sort of weight. The fluttering in his stomach that he hadn’t felt in years, which he attributed to truly being seen in full.
Finally.
“Oh my god,” Kai said, eyes wide as he looked between Sammie and her brother. “You’re actually the same person.”
Sammie groaned as Atticus beamed.
“I’m serious,” Kai continued. Words likegiddyor evenexcitedrarely applied to her brother’s boyfriend, but they were the closest things to what Sammie was seeing on his face. “Attie told me he was in love with me in a drunken text. And now…” He waved his hands toward Sammie from where he sat cross-legged in his gaming chair. “This. You’re literally the same person.”
Atticus was cackling, and Sammie tried to push him off the edge of the bed they were both seated on.
“What am I supposed to do?” She flopped back on the bed, covering her face with her hands.
“Unfortunately,” Atticus said, tugging her arm so she was forced to look at him. That teasing glint was still there in his eyes, but it was overshadowed by sympathy. “I think you’ll have to talk to him.”
Sammie squeezed her eyes shut. “What if I walk into traffic instead?”
“Nope.” Atticus poked her in the forehead. “Not an option. Besides, you’re the one who asked him to meet up.”
“But he hasn’t even responded, and I can’t say I blame him. What would you do if your alter ego had been discovered by the girl who’d simped a little too hard when you were kids?”
“I’d be flattered,” from Atticus.
“I’d ignore it,” from Kai.
“Neither of you are useful to me,” from Sammie.
“Have you talked to Ivy yet?” Atticus raised a brow. Sammie shook her head.
“I was trying to not talk toanyoneabout it,” she mumbled. Her brother preened at the implication that when Sammie finally folded under the pressure,hewas the one she turned to first.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Kai’s voice was quiet, unsure.
Sammie frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, you see,” Atticus began, crossing his arms and affecting a know-it-all air. “Kai thinks Ivy has a thing for you.”
Sammie’s mind went blank.
“What?” She gaped, looking back and forth between the two men. Kai nodded. “No.” There was no way it could be true. “What?”
“She’s quiet about it.” Kai shrugged. “It’s just a hunch. Ivy’s different around you.”
“Because we’re friends,” Sammie said slowly.
