I place my hands on my hips and sigh. “Don’t tell me he hasn’t cried while I’ve been asleep. He’s supposed to drive you crazy and then be asleep when I’m up.”
“It’s okay, I’ll look after him today,” Milo says placatingly.
“It’s not fair.” I pout, sitting on the couch beside them. “How come you have the magic touch? Even with just a phone call you put him at ease.”
“I think it’s just dumb luck and good timing.”
I look at the screen and frown. “What the heck are you watching?”
“It’s a documentary on the Mayans. I like finding out how ancient civilizations made things work.”
I blow out a breath. “This’ll put me back to sleep.”
Milo laughs and lifts the remote. “Well, what would you be watching?”
Something with a head-over-heels love story. “Nothing,” I say, flicking my hair over my shoulder. “I’d be crushing it on Shadow Quest.”
Milo groans. “Dang. Kai is always playing that game. I’m so over hearing the guard say, ‘You’ll never pass.’ Kai can’t pass that level, and it’s driving me bonkers.”
I steal the remote from Milo and flip to the channel for the gaming console. “What if I pass the level now and then you won’t hear the same game chatter anymore?”
Milo smirks. “Until he gets stuck on the next level for eternity.”
I boot up the game and sit back with the controller. “I’m here for a few days. Maybe I’ll finish the entire game during my stay.”
“While that’d be hilarious because it’d annoy Kai,” Milo replies, “I doubt my mother will let you anywhere near video games. She’s already said she’ll be on you like a hawk for Maddy’s sake.”
“Boo,” I hiss. “Your mom is such a party pooper.”
A knowing smile graces Milo’s lips, and he sets Gandalf in his carrier.
I shrug. “Let’s see how far we get before she gets home.”
Milo’s eyebrow raises. “You want me to stay and watch?”
I bite my lip, suddenly feeling foolish. “I thought you might, but if it’s too boring…”
Milo grins and settles back on the couch. “No, I’m happy to stay.”
I tap the controller through all the menu options. “Maybe I’ll even teach you how to play.”
Milo snorts. “Because teaching me soccer was such a great success?”
I shrug, a teasing smile tugging my lips. “I need a challenge, and even though Kai finds it so hard, this game isn’t it.”
“Burn.”
I look over at him, and something about him appears different. I’ve never really seen him relaxed on this couch before. Usually, he slinks past to hisbedroom, avoiding insults from Kai or the other guys. It’s nice seeing him so chill.
“What?” he asks softly.
I smile and look back at the screen. “Nothing. Just never heard you say burn before.”
“I know, it was weird,” he says jokingly. “But it felt appropriate.”
I nod as the level begins. “Very appropriate.”
My thumbs tap buttons from muscle memory. I’m only good at this game because I waste time playing at Kai’s. We crash on the couch and play video games until we’re comatose. At home, however, I endlessly stream rom-coms to pass time. The boys assume I spend that time still playing, gaining skills, and that’s why I beat them. If they had any idea how little I play outside of this house, they’d be as ragey as Camila.
