The clinking of utensils and quiet conversation filled the room as dinner went on. Chris had mostly kept his head down, listening but not really engaging.

Then the front door opened.

Susan glanced up with a welcoming smile. “Oh, there they are.” Chris lifted his head, his gaze drawn toward the entrance.

Greg walked in first, dressed in a crisp button-up, his presence effortlessly commanding. Right behind him was- Ash.

He was tall- easily over six feet- his black hair cut into sharp taper fade-clean on the sides, but longer and a bit wild on top, looking effortlessly messy yet still somehow neat. His brown eyes, deep and sharp, flickered over the room as if assessing it before settling into something more neutral. He wasn’t overly buff, but his build was strong, toned enough that it showed beneath the fitted sleeves of his black t-shirt.

Lorraine smiled at them. “Took you two long enough.”

Greg chuckled, setting a hand on Ash’s shoulder as they stepped in.

“Got caught up with some last-minute work. Hope we are not too late.”

Not late enough, Chris thought, his grip tightening around his fork before he forced himself to relax.

Ash barely reacted to the conversation, his expression unreadable as he pulled out a chair and sat down across from Chris.

Chris swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of everything-the way the air shifted, the sound of his own heartbeat, the way Ash’s presence filled the space like he belonged there.

Nick, oblivious, nudged Chris with his elbow. “Dude, you good?” Chris blinked, realizing he had been staring. Shit.

He quickly looked down at his plate, shoving a bite of food into his mouth.

But even as the conversation continued around the table, Chris found himself stealing glances at Ash. Every now and then, he’d sneak a look- watching the way Ash lazily pushed his food around his plate, the way his fingers curled slightly around his fork, the way his jaw tensed and relaxed whenever he chewed.

A couple times, Ash glanced up, and Chris quickly looked away, heat creeping up his neck. Get a grip.

By the time everyone was done eating, Chris had barely registered what the actual meal tasted like. His mind had been too preoccupied with the fact that, for some reason, he just couldn’t stop looking at Ash.

And worse-he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

The dishes had been cleared, and everyone settled into a more relaxed rhythm. Ash leaning against the kitchen counter, laughing softly at what Susan said. Chris couldn’t stop sneaking glances, the warmth in his chest growing every time Ash smiled.

As the evening wound down, Chris felt a quiet dread settle in. He didn’t want to leave. Not yet. The thought of going and lying in bed, replaying every stolen glance and awkward moment, felt unbearable. 

Nick stretched dramatically, yawning. “Ugh I’m so full. You wanna head out?” 

Chris hesitated, glancing toward the living room where Ash had flopped onto the couch, strolling through his phone. His heart thudded. 

“Actually… I was thinking I might just sleep over. If that’s cool?” He tried to sound casual, but his voice came out a little too fast.

 Nick raised a brow. “Didn’t you tell your mum you were heading back?” 

Chris scratched the back of his neck, avoiding nick’s eyes. “I’ll text her. It’s no big deal.”

Before nick could respond, Lorraine clapped her hands lightly, pushing herself up from the armchair. “Well, I think it’s time we head home. Thanks so much Susan for dinner.”

Greg also stood up with a groan, stretching. “ Yeah, thanks for having us Susan.”

Ash slid off the couch lazily, slipping his phone into his back pocket. As Lorraine and Greg gathered their things, Chris’ gaze flicked toward them, feeling a strange sense of urgency. He wasn’t ready for the night to end – at least, not his time near ash.

The front door opened, letting in a cool breeze. Ash lingered behind his parents for a moment, catching Chris’ eyes.

“Enjoy your sleepover.” Ash gave him a small, teasing grin before stepping out onto the porch.

Chris stood frozen, watching Ash’s silhouette disappear into the night. Nick nudged him with an amused look. “Dude… you’re staring, do you find sienna that attractive. Never knew you were gonna be down so bad.”

Chris tore his gaze away, face heating up. He pulled out is phone, fumbling to text his mom.

“Yeah… whatever.” His heart raced. 

Without too much overthinking, Chris sent a quick text to his mom.

Chris: Hey, I’m gonna sleep over at Nick’s tonight. I’ll be home tomorrow.

He hesitated for a second, then sent it before he could second-guess himself.

Nick raised a brow at him. ‘You’re really staying?” 

Chris locked his phone. “Yeah. Just texted my mom.”

Nick smirked. “Cool. That means we’re gaming all night.”

Chris let out a small laugh, shaking his head. But as he leaned back into his chair, his eyes flickered toward the window-toward the house next door.

He had barely spoken a word to Ash tonight. But somehow, that didn’t stop his mind from lingering on him.

Chris flopped onto Nick’s bed with a sigh, stretching his arms above his head. “I swear, I’m so full I might actually die.”

Nick snorted from his spot on the floor, where he was setting up his console. “You say that, but if my mom walked in here with a plate of leftovers, you’d eat again.”

Chris scoffed. “That’s slander.”

Nick tossed a pillow at him. “That’s facts.”

Chris barely dodged it, laughing. He propped himself up on his elbows, watching as Nick booted up a game. The familiar sounds of the menu music filled the room, the glow of the screen casting soft shadows on the walls.

Nick handed him a controller. “You down for a couple rounds?”

Chris grabbed it, nodding, “Obviously.”

For the next hour, they played, trading insults and victories like second nature. But every so often, Chris found himself zoning out-not really focused on the game, but on something else. Or rather, someone else.

Ash.

It wasn’t even like they had a conversation, just a few glances across the dinner table. But for some reason, Chris kept picturing the way Ash carried himself, the quiet confidence, the way his brown eyes flickered in the warm light.

Chris clicked his tongue in annoyance and leaned forward, gripping the controller tighter. Why the hell am I even thinking about him?

Nick side-eyed him. “Yo, you good? You just lost hard.”

Chris blinked at the Game Over screen. “Shit”

Nick raised a brow, smirking. “Something on your mind?”

Chris scoffed, leaning back into the pillows. “Nah. Just tired.”

Nick didn’t look convinced but didn’t push it. He yawned, tossing his controller aside. “Same. Let’s call it.”

Chris nodded, but as he lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling, his mind betrayed him again-drifting back to Ash’s face, his voice, the way he barely spoke but somehow made an impression anyway. He closed his eyes, forcing the thoughts away. I need to sleep.