Chapter 76: 76
The kitchen was filled with the hum of laughter and the faint scent of seafood simmering in the pan. Andrea sat perched awkwardly atop one of the kitchen cupboards, trying to stay out of the way but still wanting to be part of the celebration. The room was cozy but cramped, and the energy was a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Suddenly, the peace shattered. Jack’s voice cut sharply through the air. “Are you guys crazy?” he shouted, eyes wide and incredulous as he looked at Andrea and Rick.
The two froze, caught off guard. Andrea’s heart jumped. She didn’t know whether to feel embarrassed or angry. She scrambled down from the cupboard as if to escape Jack’s judgment.
Jack shook his head, half amused but mostly exasperated. “I mean, seriously—what the hell is going on here?” His voice had that edge of disbelief only a close friend could afford to use without causing permanent damage.
Andrea, cheeks flushed, stood up straighter, trying to appear composed. But Jack wasn’t done.
“So, this is how far it’s come?” Jack said, voice dropping to a teasing tone. “Both of you not even bothering to do this in your own rooms anymore?” He turned to Rick with a smirk, then back to Andrea. “Let’s just say… both of you are in love with each other—boy and boy—and I don’t even know when this started. But hey, at least you have a room, right?”
Neither Andrea nor Rick responded. The silence hung thick between them.
Jack shrugged and moved over to the stove where the seafood was bubbling loudly. He grabbed a spoon and stirred the pot with mock seriousness. “Oh my goodness. Are you guys nuts? Why is there so much seafood in this? You’re practically cooking a whole ocean in here.”
Andrea rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. “Jack, please. Can you just go easy on us? Why don’t you just overlook it? Let us have this one moment.”
Jack threw his hands up, surrendering to the moment, but with a grin that betrayed his fondness for the chaos. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with. Let’s slide in the candle for the cake, so Jaxon can blow it out.”
Rick nodded eagerly and brought out the cake from the fridge. Jack, reluctantly playing along, lit the candle and set it in the center.
Jaxon’s face lit up in a genuine smile as the group started singing “Happy Birthday” for the third time that evening. Their voices were a little off-key but full of warmth and affection.
Andrea watched him closely, memorizing every detail of his face—the way his eyes crinkled with happiness, the small dimple that appeared on his cheek, the subtle nervous energy that always came with being the center of attention.
When the last note faded, Jaxon leaned forward and blew out the candle in one breath. “Make a wish,” Andrea and Rick chorused.
Jaxon’s smile softened, and a flicker of something deeper crossed his eyes. He shook his head lightly. “I’m not supposed to say,” he murmured, almost to himself.
Rick elbowed him gently, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “Come on, man, it’s not good to keep people hanging.”
The room waited, the air thick with anticipation.
Jaxon took a breath and said quietly, “My wish was that I get to celebrate my birthday with you all… unlike every other year.”
The room erupted in applause and cheers, but Andrea’s mind was elsewhere. She felt a sudden weight settle in her chest—something she couldn’t easily explain.
As the clapping died down, she thought, You don’t have to worry, Jaxon. I’ll make sure you get to experience this kind of birthday every year. I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen.
They all began to dig into the cake, savoring the sweet distraction. Andrea forced a smile, but then her phone vibrated sharply in her pocket.
She glanced at the screen and saw the name that made her heart skip a beat—Elizabeth.
Without a word, she excused herself from the table, her footsteps light but hurried as she left the room.
Once out of earshot, Andrea pulled the phone to her ear, trying to keep her voice steady even though her heart was pounding.
“Hey,” she said quietly.
Elizabeth’s voice came through, bright but laced with urgency. “Hey, girl. How are things going? I’m missing you already. You’re supposed to be done with the mission and back by now. I miss how we used to do things.”
Andrea swallowed hard. Elizabeth’s words brought a flood of memories—of their laughter, their shared secrets, and the bond they once had.
“I need to talk to you,” Andrea said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “I want us to meet up.”
There was a pause on the other end, then Elizabeth replied, “Okay. I hope you have some good information before we meet.”
Andrea didn’t answer. She ended the call, pressing the phone against her chest as if to hold herself together.
She closed her eyes, fighting back the tide of conflicting emotions swirling inside her.
I can’t hurt the three of them, she thought fiercely. They’re good people.
But the truth was, Andrea felt more torn than ever. The mission she had set out on was supposed to be clear—black and white—but the lines were blurring fast.
Jaxon, Rick, Jack… each one had become a part of her world, and the weight of her secret felt heavier by the day.
As she slipped the phone back into her pocket and rejoined the others, Andrea’s smile felt fragile, a carefully crafted mask to hide the storm brewing beneath.