chapter 18
Chapter 18
Mia was bouncing off the walls. Like literally pacing around her room with the dumbest grin on her face. She barely slept last night. Too busy replaying everything. Every word. Every smile. Every single second with Jamie. Boyfriend. Real boyfriend. Official and all.
She grabbed her phone and jumped straight into the group chat.
Mia: Wake up
Zach: Girl go back to sleep
Kai: Get a grip
Mia: I did it yesterday
Zach: And
Kai: And
Mia: Absolutely yes
Zach & Kai: Enjoy your boyfriend privileges
Mia spun around like she just won a game show. Then flopped face-first on the bed.
Kai: I'm going back to bed
Mia: Zach drank from your wine collection
Kai: Ok
Zach: Wait I did? When? MIAAAAAA
Mia: Ok ok stop jeeez
Kai: Don't worry babe I'll replace the wine. Leave Mia alone. Do you want another one? I'll buy it on my way back
Zach: Oh you spoil me
Kai: As long as you're my princess I won't stop pampering you
Mia: Vomit
Zach: Mia's just jelly
Mia: No I'm not
Kai: Later girl. Enjoy your hot steamy sex everyday buhhhh
Zach: No bun in the oven I don't wanna be an uncle yet
Kai: Me too
Mia: Ok blushing and giggling into my pillow right now
She slapped her phone down and covered her face.
"This is my villain origin story" she mumbled
Meanwhile, across town, Kai was already dressed for work. Halfway into his coffee. Zach was still in bed, wrapped in blankets like a burrito.
Kai walked in. "Get up"
"No"
"You said you'd clean today"
"I lied"
Kai sighed, then leaned down and kissed Zach on the forehead. "Lazy ass"
Zach grinned. "Still your princess though"
"Unfortunately yes. Don't touch anything expensive. And no more wine till I get back"
"Bring tacos"
Kai pointed at him. "You get one taco. Be grateful"
"I want four"
"You'll get two. Final offer"
Zach stuck his tongue out. Kai rolled his eyes and grabbed his bag.
As he left, Zach shouted from the bed. "Love you!"
Kai shouted back. "Love you more!"
The door shut. Peace returned. For five seconds.
Zach grabbed his phone and sent another message.
Zach: Change of plans. I'm getting four tacos whether he likes it or not
Mia: You're insane
Zach: And pretty
Mia: Can't argue that
*Two minutes later*
Zach: kaiiiiiiiii
Kai: what
Zach: i miss you
Kai: you saw me this morning
Zach: yeah and now i'm emotionally starved
Kai: dramatic
Zach: affectionate
Kai: clingy
Zach: YOUR clingy
Kai: i literally have work
Zach: i have feelings
Kai: i have deadlines
Zach: and i have a hole in my heart that only you can fill
Kai: zach
Zach: yes love
Kai: if i send an uber will you shut up and come over after
Zach: 🥹🥹🥹🥹yes
Mia popped back into the chat
Mia: y'all flirting in front of the emotionally single is crazy
Zach: girl didn't you just kiss jamie like an hour ago
Mia: and i'm not emotionally available for this convo
Kai: everyone log off
Jamie: i just got here tf
Mia: bro go back to your gym app or something
Zach: not y'all fighting over my spotlight
Kai: zach i swear to god
Zach: don't swear 😇
Ten minutes later…
Zach: kai?
Kai: what now
Zach: what do you wanna eat tonight
Kai: i dunno
Zach: i'm craving fries and cuddles
Kai: i can do both
Zach: love of my life
Kai: shut up
Zach: 😘
Mia: i'm blocking this chat
Jamie: same
Zach: jealousssss
Kai: mia tell jamie to keep you distracted
Mia: we are literally watching a show
Jamie: she's not even watching she's just texting
Zach: fake
Mia: stfu zach
Zach: love you too 🫶
Then the chat went quiet. For like five minutes. Until:
Kai: zach
Zach: yeah
Kai: bring nuggets
Zach: on it 😌
They moved to the other couch, her legs immediately thrown over his lap like they were on autopilot. Jamie didn't complain. He just picked up the remote and started scrolling through Netflix.
Mia's phone buzzed again.
Group Chat: Chaos Gang
Kai: Is he there?
Mia: Yep. Already claimed the couch.
Zach: Let me guess. White tee and joggers.
Mia: You spying on me??
Zach: I just know that man's aesthetic
Kai: Joggers are a love language
Zach: Facts
Mia: Y'all are weird
Kai: And yet you're still here
Zach: Love us
Mia: I hate everyone
Zach: You spelled "worship" wrong 😌
Mia: 🤡
Jamie raised an eyebrow at her giggling. "What's happening on that chaotic phone of yours?"
"Nothing important" she lied way too fast
He smirked. "So I guess I should stop texting you from the group chat then?"
Her jaw dropped. "YOU'RE IN IT??"
Jamie nodded smug. "Zach added me"
"You traitor" Mia texted Zach instantly
Mia: YOU ADDED JAMIE TO THE GROUP CHAT??
Zach: Of course. He's one of us now
Kai: There's no escape
Zach: He has to witness the madness firsthand
Jamie: I feel so honored 😌
Mia: This is a betrayal of trust
Zach: This is character development
Mia tossed her phone onto the couch dramatically. "I can't believe I'm dating a snitch"
Jamie leaned in. "You kissed the snitch too"
"Shut up" she muttered and kissed him again just to make him stop talking. It worked.
Outside the window, the sky was turning a little orange. Inside the house, her feet were cold but Jamie's hand on her thigh was warm. She'd never admit it out loud, but this felt kinda... nice.
She would absolutely bully Zach for being a clingy baby later though.
Because that's what best friends are for.
Group Chat: Chaos Gang
Mia: Ok I lied. I actually really like him
Kai: Aww you getting soft
Zach: Love looks good on you boo
Mia: Ew
Zach: You said it not me
Jamie: I'm right here
Kai: We know
Zach: We're just letting you know she brags about you in the chat
Mia: SHUT UPPPPP
Zach: She said your arms are "bitable"
Mia: THAT WAS ONE TIME
Jamie: Noted
Mia: I need new friends
Kai: You're stuck with us forever
Zach: Soul-tied babes 😘