Chapter 44: Sofia

After dinner, I insist on doing the dishes. The guys try to protest, but I give them a pointed look, and they finally relent. “Fine, but we’ll set up a board game while you finish,” Danny says with a grin, already heading toward the stack of games they had in the corner. I smile to myself, enjoying the normalcy of the moment.

As I wash up, I can hear them talking and laughing behind me, teasing each other as they rummage through the games. Once I’m done, I dry my hands and join them at the table. Leo wastes no time pulling me down onto his lap, his arms casually resting around my waist as he leans back in his chair. I can feel his warmth through my clothes, and even though I try not to get too flustered, my heart skips a beat.

The game they’ve chosen is one I’ve never played before, but they explain the rules quickly. It’s a mix of strategy and luck, with each player trying to build the most properties while avoiding debt or losing their assets. It’s oddly fitting, considering their background.

As the game progresses, the competitive spirit in the room rises. Riley is quietly focused, always planning his next move, while Danny is quick to make jokes, trying to distract the others. Nate plays the long game, sitting back and observing, making a move only when necessary. Leo, of course, is more than happy to stir the pot, making bold plays and trying to throw everyone off.

At some point, I can’t stop laughing as Danny loses half his properties in a risky move, and Nate raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. Leo tightens his hold on me, grinning as he wins a round. "Guess we know who the real boss is," he says, his tone playful.

I roll my eyes, shaking my head. “You guys are way too into this.”

As we start cleaning up the game pieces, my fingers find themselves tracing the intricate ink on Nate’s forearm. His tattoos have always fascinated me—dark lines and patterns winding up his arms, like they tell a story I don’t know yet.

“Does it hurt?” I ask, my voice curious, as I lightly brush over the inked skin.

Nate glances down at where I’m touching him, then back at me, his expression softening. “Depends. Some spots hurt more than others,” he says, his voice low.

I tilt my head, still fascinated by the designs. “I’ve always thought about getting one. Something small and meaningful.”

That gets the attention of everyone in the room. Leo, who had been busy packing up the game, leans back in his chair, grinning. “You? With a tattoo? That would be hot,” he teases, his eyes twinkling.

I roll my eyes, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “I didn’t say I’d actually do it. Just that I’ve thought about it.”

Nate, still watching me, asks, “What would you get? If you were serious about it?”

I think for a moment, surprised they’re taking me seriously. “Something small. Simple. But it would have to have meaning, you know? Maybe a word or a symbol.”

Riley, leaning against the kitchen counter, folds his arms. “Freedom,” he says simply. His voice is quiet but certain, and his eyes are on me in that intense way of his.

I blink, taking in his suggestion. “Why freedom?”

“Because you’ve fought for it. You’re still fighting for it,” Riley explains, his voice steady.

That hits me harder than I expected. I swallow, suddenly feeling a bit emotional at how much they seem to understand me.

Danny, ever the energetic one, jumps in. “Or maybe something that ties us together. You know, like a memory we all share or something that means something to all of us.”

I laugh, trying to deflect how warm that idea makes me feel. “You think I should get a tattoo for you guys?”

Leo grins, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “Why not? We’re part of your life now, aren’t we?”

The way he says it, so matter-of-factly, makes me pause. They are part of my life now. A big part.

Before I can say anything more, Danny smirks. “Actually, wait. What if we got tattoos for you?”

I blink, taken aback. “What? No way.”

Leo’s grin widens as he leans closer, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Yeah, think about it. One tattoo for each of us. Something that reminds us of you.”

I shake my head, laughing nervously. “You don’t have to do that.”

“We know,” Nate says quietly, his deep voice grounding me. “But we want to.”

I glance around at their faces, half-expecting them to be joking, but they all look serious—and excited. “What would you even get?” I ask, still in disbelief.

Danny, always the first to speak, grins. “I’d get something that reminds me of the first time we met. That moment when we realized you were different. Special.”

My cheeks heat up at his words, and I look to Leo, who is grinning like a kid with a secret. “I’d get something from that day at the coffee shop,” he says. “You probably don’t know it, but that day stuck with me.”

Riley speaks up next, his voice steady. “Something about strength. You’re one of the strongest people I know.”

My heart flutters at that, and I look to Nate. He’s quieter than the others, but when he finally speaks, his voice is low and sincere. “I’d get something to remind me of how you fought back. You never gave up.”

I’m still sitting in Leo’s lap, but I feel like I’m floating. The idea of them wanting to get tattoos for me... it’s overwhelming, and in a way, it’s beautiful.

“I... I don’t know what to say,” I mumble, feeling my face flush again.

Leo chuckles, nuzzling into my neck. “Just say yes.”

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “You guys are crazy.”

Danny grins. “Crazy about you, Sof. And if we’re gonna have you in our lives, we might as well make it permanent.”

I swallow, feeling my heart swell with a mixture of affection and disbelief. “I can’t believe you’d all do something like that... for me.”

Riley walks over, resting a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to believe it. Just know we’re serious.”

I sit there, looking around at all of them, trying to process what they’re offering. It’s not just tattoos. It’s more than that. It’s a commitment, a declaration that I’m important to them.

“You guys are unbelievable,” I say softly, my voice thick with emotion.

Leo brushes a hand through my hair, his touch gentle. “You better get used to it, babe. We’re not going anywhere.”