Chapter 65 TINY SPACE

Chapter 65 TINY SPACE
RACHEL
“I've texted him at least ten times today,” T complained behind me. “What if something actually happened to him? You know Noah. Every time he starts ignoring my calls, something's usually wrong.”
“I already told you to stop texting him.” I cut her off as I grabbed a bottle of cold water from the fridge. Closing the door, I walked over to the counter, set my glass down, and poured myself a full cup.
“I'm sure he'll call you back once he sees your messages.” I shrugged. “Maybe tomorrow morning. I don't know.” I picked up the glass and took a long drink. “For now, let's focus on your own problem.”
“Or we could focus on yours.” Her eyes shifted toward Jay across the room. “Care to explain what's going on between you two?”
“Oh, God... T.” I shot her a warning look. “He can hear you.”
She sighed.
“Does it matter?” Her gaze drifted back to Jay. “Unless there's something going on between you two, I don't see why he keeps looking at you like that.” Her expression softened. “Tell me you're not hiding something from me, Rachel.”
Of course I'd noticed it too. I'd just chosen not to think about it. Now that Tiara had pointed it out… I couldn't help wondering why I'd even let Jay come inside in the first place.
“Can we not make this about me?” I rested the glass on the counter. “You're the one dealing with a crisis right now.”
“And that doesn't make me blind.” She folded her arms. “My best friend is exchanging weird looks with her boyfriend's sworn enemy.” She tilted her head. “I've got nothing against Jay. But is Thane seriously okay with you inviting him over? For a sleepover?”
Her brows lifted. “What the hell were you thinking, girl?”
Right. She had a point right there. What the hell had I been thinking? But this wasn't about Thane. If I was being honest, almost everything that had gone wrong today somehow had his name written all over it.
And while Jay might've been the last person Thane wanted anywhere near me right now… He was also the one who stayed.
I let out a slow breath. “They fought today,” I admitted quietly. “Thane hit Mum.” The words felt just as horrible saying them out loud. “We had to rush her to the hospital.” I paused to look at her expression. “And then, guess what? Thane disappeared.” I glanced across the room at Jay. “He stayed.”
My eyes returned to Tiara. “So what would've been worse? Throwing him out just because my boyfriend—” A bitter laugh escaped me. “Who isn't even here— doesn't like him?”
“So...” Her face flattened. “Meaning?” She narrowed her eyes. “You guys are taking a break or something?”
“Enough about us, T.”
I turned toward the living room, but she caught my wrist before I could take another step. “Rachel.” Her voice dropped. “I'm serious.” She searched my face for a second. “I think you're trying to convince yourself this isn't because you're mad at Thane.” She gave a small pause. “But you are.”
She squeezed my wrist gently. “We both know you're dying to call him right now.” Her expression softened again. “You're just stopping yourself.”
“That's the point.” The words came out louder than I intended. “I can't—”
My voice echoed across the room. Jay's head immediately turned toward us. I met his eyes for a split second before looking away. Neither of us spoke until he quietly turned back around again.
I let out a slow breath. “I know you guys have been friends forever.” I rubbed my forehead. “Maybe you're just trying to defend him... but trust me, that's all I ever do.” My chest tightened. “I keep making excuses for him.” The confession left a bitter taste in my mouth. “It feels like everything somehow ends up revolving around him.”
I stopped, forced myself to breathe and continued. “I just don't want to deal with boyfriend drama tonight.” My voice was quieter now. “I don't even know where we stand anymore after everything that's been all over the internet.”
“Fine.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “I get it.” She sighed. “And I'm sorry if it sounded like I was taking his side.” A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “But... you've changed him.”
She brushed a hand through her hair. “He disappeared for a long time.” Her eyes met mine again. “It's just nice seeing my friend finally becoming himself again.”
“Well...” I rolled my eyes dramatically. “I'm your friend too.”
That earned a tiny laugh. “Whatever.” She blew out a long breath. “I think I'm calm enough to actually think straight now.” Her gaze drifted toward the staircase. “I'm gonna have to hit the shower... then figure out how to completely ruin David's plans.”
A laugh escaped me. “You're insane, T.”
She grinned. “I'll be back.”
The second Tiara disappeared upstairs, I turned back toward the living room. That was when I caught Jay looking at me. He didn't pretend he hadn't been staring. And for some reason… Neither did I look away. Maybe because I didn't want to make things any more awkward than they already were.
I stopped in front of him. Before I could say anything, he spoke first.
“It's okay if you want me to leave.” A small smile tugged at his lips. “I'd understand.”
I shook my head. “I didn't say that...” A sigh escaped me. “Okay... maybe I did think about it for a second.” I gave a small nod. “But, it's kind of late.” I hesitated. “And... we've still got unfinished business.”
He nodded once. “Fair enough.”
I folded my arms. “So... I'll show you the guest room.” I shrugged. “I'd rather not have someone secretly cursing me for being a terrible host.”
His face brightened immediately. “Really?” He pushed himself to his feet. “I guess today's not completely against me after all.”
His stomach growled dramatically. “Think I'd be pushing my luck if I asked for something to eat too?”
I stopped walking. “Seriously, you're really testing your chances.”
He grinned. “So... you're not throwing me out for that?”
I scrunched my face. “Did I make a mistake letting you stay?”
He stretched both arms dramatically. “Gush! That would be incredibly cruel of you.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled. We reached the guest room just before I pointed toward the door, I said, “That's where you were wrong.” A smile danced at the corner of my lips. “I never claimed to be kind.” Then I pointed at the door now, “You can stay here tonight.”
For one strange moment… Everything almost felt normal. Like we hadn't spent the last hour dancing around uncomfortable conversations. Looking at him now, I wanted to believe this was simply… Jay. The same Jay I'd barely known. Maybe believing that made it easier to ignore how guilty I suddenly felt.
His smile slowly disappeared. Now he was just… Looking at me. Really looking at me. I bit the inside of my cheek.
Why was my heart suddenly beating so fast?
Without warning, he stepped closer. The distance between us disappeared until I could smell the faint mix of rain, sweat, and his cologne. “I forgot to do something earlier,” he murmured.
I blinked. Before I could even ask what he meant… His lips brushed gently against my forehead.
Everything inside me froze. My thoughts. My breathing. My heartbeat. The shock had barely begun to wear off when—The main door swung open.
I instinctively pushed Jay away. Still stunned, I turned toward the doorway.
My eyes landed on golden-brown hair, dark eyes, and thick brows. I remember that face. The girl from the Simon’s party.
Nina.
She froze in the doorway. Before I could even process why she was here, another figure stepped in behind her.
Thane Adams.
His gaze skimmed past Nina before settling on us. It lingered on the tiny space between Jay and me. Then the frown settled over his face.
I didn't need him to say a word. One look was enough. And suddenly… I realized I had far more to explain than I'd thought.