chapter 16

Chapter 16

Mia's phone buzzed and the smile she tried to fight off immediately bloomed like a flower in spring. Her fingers moved fast her whole face lit up with that ridiculous soft grin that only one person could pull out of her.

Kai gave her a look from across the table. "Jamie again?"

She didn't even try to deny it. "Obviously."

She tapped on the message. It was a photo of Jamie's face half-asleep in bed hair all over the place and a caption that read Thinking about you even in my dreams. She clutched the phone to her chest with a dramatic sigh.

Kai rolled his eyes but the smile playing at the corners of his lips said he wasn't annoyed just amused. He went back to stirring the coffee in front of him until his phone buzzed too.

He glanced down casual as ever but then sat straighter. The message was from Zach. Simple short but enough to hit like a brick.

Zach: Kai what was yesterday about

Kai blinked. His stomach flipped. He read it again just to be sure.

Kai: What do you think

No response.

He watched the screen for a few seconds then another bubble popped up.

Zach: Kai I'm serious no jokes

Kai's fingers hovered over the screen. His heart was racing but his face gave nothing away. Mia peeked up from her phone finally noticing his sudden stillness.

"You okay?"

He didn't answer right away. Another message came through.

Zach: What I want to say will have to wait I need to tell you to your face will you come over

Mia raised a brow. "Zach?"

Kai nodded once eyes still fixed on the message.

Kai: Ok am on my way

The bubble came back almost instantly.

Zach: Bring ice cream

Kai smirked.

Kai: Ok

Mia leaned forward both elbows on the table like a nosy bestie should. "What was that?"

Kai finally looked up like he remembered she was sitting there. "Zach wants to talk. He said it needs to be face to face."

Mia's mouth fell open just a little. "Like serious talk?"

Kai nodded and stood grabbing his phone and bag. "Yeah. He's not joking."

Mia grinned like she knew a secret. "Okay okay go run to your man with ice cream."

Kai shot her a look but she just giggled. He couldn't help but smile as he walked away already planning the flavors. He knew Zach loved mint chocolate chip even though he always complained about how it "tastes like toothpaste but in a good way."

His heart thudded hard with every step out the door.

As soon as Kai stepped into the house, the familiar scent of vanilla and leftover takeout hit him. Zach was already perched on the kitchen counter like a menace, swinging his socked feet and eating a single fry he must've fished out from a forgotten bag. Where he found it was a mystery. Why he was eating it like a victory snack was just classic Zach.

Kai smiled and stepped closer, already feeling lighter. "You're here."

"Yeah. Came as fast as I could," Kai said, slipping the grocery bag onto the counter.

Zach's eyes lit up. "Did you bring the ice cream?"

"Yes I did. Mint flavor," Kai said, pulling it out like it was a peace offering and not a portal to chaos.

"Hehehe. Okay. Let's grab a spoon and dig in," Zach grinned, hopping off the counter to rummage through a drawer.

"Sure," Kai replied, already pulling off the lid.

The next few minutes were quiet. Easy. Their heads were bent together over the tub of ice cream, spoons clinking gently as they traded bites. Zach was back on the counter, knees brushing Kai's chest. Kai stood in front of him, his fingers occasionally brushing Zach's when they reached for another scoop at the same time.

The silence stretched, warm and charged.

Then Kai blurted, "I like you."

Zach didn't even flinch. He just popped another spoonful into his mouth and said around it, "I thought as much. That kiss was definitely intense."

He swallowed, locked eyes with Kai, and smirked.

"Speaking of intense… think we can reenact that kiss? I want to check something."

Kai chuckled under his breath, heart thudding like it was about to drum out of his chest. He didn't hesitate. He stepped in closer and claimed Zach's mouth with a kiss that made the air vanish.

Zach's hands found Kai's hair tugging him deeper. Kai's fingers slipped under the hem of Zach's hoodie as their kiss grew hungrier. Zach's legs wrapped around Kai's waist pulling him impossibly close,

Zach had already unzipped Kai's shorts, his hoodie abandoned somewhere on the floor, His bare chest pressed against Kai's, warm and reckless, as their kiss deepened and turned messy. Kai's breath hitched brain foggy, hands gripping hips, their bodies grinding like fire meeting gasoline.

Before he knew it, Kai had Zach pinned to the wall, lips still on his, one hand sliding up the back of Zach's thigh. The room was spinning in the best way until

He stopped.

Zach opened his eyes, lips kiss-swollen, hair a disaster, neck already showing signs of war.

"Why'd you stop?" he asked, voice hoarse, completely flushed. He looked like every wet dream Kai had ever repressed.

Kai rested his forehead against Zach's, trying to breathe. "I don't want to rush things between us."

Zach stared at him, blinking slowly. "Seriously? I'm not even complaining."

"I know," Kai said, gently brushing his thumb along Zach's jaw. "But you deserve more than just a wall fuck."

Zach blinked again, then let out a low laugh. "You're unbelievable."

"I'm trying to be," Kai grinned, then leaned in, brushing his lips against Zach's slowly. "How about you and me… a Jacuzzi instead? Doesn't that sound more fun?"

Zach smirked, pupils blown. "As long as you're the one."

Kai chuckled, low and dark. "Always."

He lifted Zach effortlessly, making Zach wrap his legs around his waist again. They kissed all the way to the bedroom clothes half on, hair mussed, breathless and buzzing. The bedroom door slammed shut behind them.