That damn sink.
I’m never cooking again.
“It’s okay,” I say quietly.
He straightens up, wiping his hands on a towel, and finally looks at me. “Well, good thing Ryan could grab you.”
I nod once, not looking at him.
Noah studies my face for a second. “What’s up?”
The words come out before I can stop them. “Ryan and I broke up.”
Silence, his eyes widen, and a tiny frown forms between his brows.
“Whoa—wait, what?” Noah blinks. “I thought you guys were fine. He literally just picked you up—”
“Yes,” I cut in quickly. “He dropped me off. We…uh, we broke up in the car.”
His forehead creases again. “Why?”
I shrug, forcing my shoulders to stay loose. “We just realized we’re better off as friends. It’s fine. Really. We didn’t fight or anything. Nothing happened.”
Noah keeps looking at me like he’s trying to read a language he doesn’t understand. “…Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I say immediately. Way too fast. “I’m totally fine. We’re friends. Nothing’s weird.”
He stares at me with an unreadable expression.
“I’m just gonna go upstairs,” I say quickly. “Night, Noah.”
Before he can ask anything else, I turn and head for the stairs. The second my bedroom door closes behind me, the air leaves my lungs. I fall face-down onto my bed with a muffled groan. There’s still a tight knot in my stomach.
“Ugh,” I whisper into my pillow. “Go away.”
I roll onto my back and grab my phone, thumbs moving before I can think too hard.
ME: hey, just so you guys know
ME: Ryan and I broke up. nothing happened, everything is fine, we’re just better off as friends.
The replies come quickly.
KIARA: WHATTT?!
MEL: oh Mads, I’m so sorry. we’re here if you need anything.
LIAM: sending you love. you know where to find us.
My throat tightens, and I lock my screen before their sympathy can make me cry.
A few minutes later, my door creaks open softly. Dad steps inside, sleeves rolled to his elbows, tired eyes gentle as they find me.
“Noah told me,” he says quietly.
I sit up slowly, crossing my legs and avoiding his gaze. He walks over and sits on the edge of my bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I mumble. “I’m fine.”
