The following morning, I decide I need to take control of the situation, because this impasse or whatever we have between us, is not only affecting us, but also the mood of the house too. It’s not fair for the others to feel like they have to pick sides. Even though they promise me it won’t come to that, I’m not naïve enough to think that at least Nolan and Devon’s loyalties will be with Kyler as they’ve known him longer. That, and they’re teammates. Jude is the one who is truly torn between his sister and his best friend. Yet again, I’m in a romance novel and the trope this time is falling for your brother’s best friend.
I open the group chat on my phone and start a new message.
I need your help.
Jude: Everything okay, sis?
Devon: Do you know what time it is? Some of us are trying to sleep.
Nolan: Dude, don’t be rude.
Millie: Uh-oh. Has this got something to do with Mr. Broodypants?
It does and stopping calling him that.
Millie: But you knew who I meant, amiright?
Mills . . .
Jude: How can we help?
I need a grand gesture. Something to win Kyler back.
Devon: Oh shiiiiiit, she’s pulling out the big guns!
Nolan: *fans self* I love a good romantic gesture.
Millie: *rolls eyes* you would . . .
Guys . . .
Nolan: What kind of romantic gesture are you thinking? Like, small, discrete love notes left for him to find? Or the grand all-in-for-the-world-to-see teddy bears and flowers and shit, kind of thing?
Millie: If she knew that, she wouldn’t be asking for our help.
Devon: Yeah, what she said, moron.
*sighs* can we have a house meeting so we can brainstorm ideas?
Devon: Depends. Are you providing food?
Millie: Devon! The girl has a broken heart, and she needs our help to fix it. We should be providing her with food.
I’ll make brunch. Deal?
Devon: Hell yes!!
Nolan: I’m soooo there.
Jude: You don’t have to do that, T.
Devon: Yeah, she does!
Millie: See you in an hour.
I’m piling some bacon onto a plate when Devon and Nolan join me in the kitchen with Jude following shortly after. Despite the fact I tell them it’s polite to wait for Millie before they dig in, they’re halfway through their first plate of food before she arrives. Luckily, I’m now used to their eating habits, and take an extra tray of the breakfast burritos I’ve made out of the oven.
“Hey, no fair!” Devon exclaims through a mouth of half-eaten food, “you kept some of the goods back.”