“I don’t like putting things into little boxes and giving them a name just because that’s what people expect.” She exhales slowly. “But…” She pauses, like she’s trying to find the right words, like she’s trying to make sure I hear her exactly the way she means it. She looks at me, and my chest fucking caves. “I can’t imagine a better person to be in my life the way you are.”

My throat goes tight. I try to swallow past the lump building in my chest, but it’s useless.

She’s saying everything I didn’t even realize I needed to hear.

Her voice drops softer, more certain. “You mean more to me than just some gaming partner, Carter.”

Her fingers press into my comforter, gripping it like she’s grounding herself. “And you always have.”

That’s the moment I know. Whatever the fuck this is, whatever we’re becoming I don’t want to let it go. I need a second to process it. To breathe, to figure out what to say next. To absolutely not fuck this up.

Tate’s voice breaks my thoughts. “Alright, lovebirds. Break it up.”

I close my eyes, inhaling sharply through my nose, already regretting every decision that’s led to me sharing a fucking house with him.

Haven lets out a small laugh, shaking her head as Tate leans against my doorway, arms crossed.

“You really have the worst fucking timing,” I mutter, shooting him a glare.

“I have perfect timing,” he corrects, pushing off the doorframe, strolling into my room like he owns the place. His eyes dart to my desk. “Just came to check on the PC. Looks like we’re making progress.”

I rub a hand down my face, forcing myself to cool the fuck down, because if I don’t, I might actually strangle him.

Tate’s attention shifts to Haven, his smirk widening. “By the way, pretty I hope you know you just burned my entire fucking stream to the ground.”

Haven’s brows shoot up. “Oh?”

“Oh.” Tate nods, crossing his arms again. “Chat’s still losing their shit. People are placing fucking bets on how long you’ll be sticking around.”

I clench my jaw. “Funny.”

Tate grins, clearly enjoying this way too much. “Guess we’ll see if they’re right.”

Haven tilts her head, eyes narrowing just slightly, like she’s deciding whether or not to throw something back at him. I just exhale hard, gripping the edge of my desk, trying to remember that I’m supposed to be the level-headed one.

27

Haven

Carter’s focused on his screen, adjusting settings, setting up his camera, getting everything just right.