I leaned against the counter. Watching them. Kei was the only one who didn't make me feel like I was taking up space. He cracked jokes. Asked Eli about trains. Didn't look at me like I was a problem.
"You okay?" he asked quiet. When Eli was distracted by his tablet.
I shrugged. "Terrified."
He nodded. "I get it."
"I'm afraid of LA. Afraid of what happens next. Afraid of him."
Kei reached over. Squeezed my hand once. "I'll be there. Always. You're not alone."
Eli slurped a noodle. "Kei's funny."
"Yeah," I said. "He is."
Kei leaned toward Eli. "Tell your sister she's safe with me. Always."
Eli looked at me. "You're safe.
I pulled my hand back. Gentle. "You say that. But you all take Sydney's side. Every time."
He looked down. "Sydney's... like a sister to us."
I laughed. Hollow. "Do siblings fuck?"
He went still.
I regretted it instantly. "I'm sorry. That was out of line."
He exhaled slow. "No. You're right to ask Sydney’s a complicated situation. Always has been. We've all... crossed lines. More than once. But she's family. We protect her."
"I get it."
He met my eyes. "But you're family now too. Whether they see it yet or not."
I didn't answer.
The door opened.
Cal walked in. Shirtless. Sweatpants low on his hips. Hair messy like he'd just woken up from a nap. Chest bare. Tattoos crawling up his ribs. Abs tight. V-line disappearing into the waistband. He looked like trouble. Like the kind of guy who broke hearts for sport.
He looked between us. Jaw clenched so hard I saw the muscle jump.
Then he smiled.
Slow. Fake.
Walked straight to me.
Wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. Possessive. Tight. Chin on my shoulder.
"Hey, babe," he murmured. Loud enough for Kei to hear. "Missed you."
I froze.
He kissed my neck. Soft. Then my cheek. Lingered.
Kei stood up slow.
