Under The Same Roof

Sophie

For the first time since leaving the arena, I feel like I can finally breathe.

Just a few minutes ago, this house felt like it was closing in on me. Now, with Grayson here, the suffocating feeling eases just enough for my lungs to work again.

And it's strange because I don’t like this guy…at all. 

He’s arrogant, cold, and impossible to read. Half the time, I want to roll my eyes whenever he opens his mouth. Yet somehow, just knowing he’s under the same roof makes me feel a little safer.

I don’t understand it. And honestly… I don’t want to. I’m still terrified.

Jake is in the hospital with Mom, and we haven’t heard anything yet. Every minute that passes makes my mind imagine the worst.

Thomas, on the other hand, acts as if none of that matters. Instead of asking how Jake is doing, he’s yelling at me as though I’ve been out partying all night.

If only he knew Grayson and I were stranded in the middle of a storm. Or maybe he wouldn’t care.

“Show him Jake’s room,” Thomas says. I quickly nod, not wanting to argue.

Grayson follows me upstairs without saying a word. I stop outside Jake’s room and push the door open.

“You can stay here tonight,” I say quietly. “If you need anything… just let me know.”

He gives a small nod. “Thanks.”

For a brief second, our eyes meet. Then I look away first and quietly walk down the hallway toward my bedroom.

I close the door behind me and lean against it, letting out a shaky breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

A few minutes later, I take a quick shower, wash away the rain, and change into my pajamas.

The first thing I do is grab my phone and call Mom.

Please answer…

Please tell me Jake is okay.

Mom finally answers my call, and I immediately ask about Jake.

“They’re still monitoring him,” she says. “The doctors won’t know much until they’ve run a few more tests.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“I got stranded with Grayson on the way home,” I tell her. “The storm got so bad that we couldn’t drive.”

“I’m just glad you both made it home safely,” Mom says. “Can you check if Grayson needs anything? Fresh towels, maybe a blanket. He must be freezing.”

“Okay.” After hanging up, I step out of my room.

The hallway is quiet.

I notice Thomas sitting alone in the living room. The lights are off, the television flickers in front of him, and a half-empty bottle of whiskey sits on the coffee table beside a glass.

He’s drinking tonight. The last thing I want is to disturb him.

Keeping my footsteps as quiet as possible, I slip past the living room and head upstairs again.

When I reach Jake’s bedroom, I take a deep breath and knock twice.

No answer. I wait another few seconds before knocking again…still nothing.

Maybe he’s asleep…Or maybe…Did he leave?

The thought alone sends panic rushing through me. Without thinking, I push the door open. The room is empty.

My heart sinks deeper as I take two sharp breaths. 

He left.

A second later, I hear footsteps coming from the bathroom. I turn just as the bathroom door opens.

My eyes widened.

Grayson steps out with nothing but a white towel wrapped around his waist. His dark hair is still dripping with water, and small droplets trail down his chest before disappearing beneath the towel.

My face grows hot almost instantly.

“Ever heard of knocking?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I blink. “I knocked twice.”

“Clearly not loud enough.”

I immediately turn around and cover my eyes. “You could’ve warned me!”

He lets out a quiet chuckle. “It’s my room for the night.”

“It’s my brother’s room,” I shoot back before I can stop myself.

“And I wasn’t exactly expecting company at midnight.”

Heat creeps up my neck. “I wasn’t here to see…” I wave a hand behind me. “…this.”

“Then what were you here for?”

I slowly lower my hand, keeping my eyes firmly on the floor.

“Mom asked me to check if you needed fresh towels or anything.”

A brief silence follows.

“I think I’m covered,” he says.

My lips press into a thin line. “Right…”

I turn toward the door. “Good night.”

“Good night, Sophie.”

The moment I step into the hallway, I quietly close the door behind me and press a hand against my burning cheeks.

Great. 

Now I’m never going to be able to look him in the eye again.

Sleep never really comes.

By the time the sun rises, I’m already dressed and waiting downstairs with Grayson. Neither of us says much during the drive to the hospital. 

As soon as we step into the waiting area, Mom rushes toward us.

“Mom.” I throw my arms around her. “How’s Jake?”

She hugs me tightly before pulling away. “He barely slept.”

“The doctors confirmed this morning that he has a severe shoulder injury. He’ll need surgery.”

“They’re hopeful he’ll recover… but…” Her voice breaks. “They don’t think he’ll be ready for the national championship.”

For a moment, I simply stare at her.

No. That can’t be right.

Jake has spent his entire life chasing that championship. Every early morning practice, every bruise, every sacrifice… all of it was for this season.

A lump rises in my throat before I can stop it.

“No…” I whisper, shaking my head. “There has to be something they can do.”

Mom’s eyes fill with tears. “They’ve done every scan they can, sweetheart.”

The first tear slips down my cheek…then another and before I know it, I’m crying.

“I can’t tell him it’s over,” I choke out. “He’s going to be devastated.”

Mom steps closer and gently cups my face. “Sophie…”

She wipes away one of my tears with her thumb. “I know this is hard. Believe me, my heart is breaking too.”

Her own voice trembles. “But right now…” She takes a slow breath. “Jake needs his little sister.”

The words hit me harder than I expected.

I glance at Grayson. His face loses what little color it had. “I’ll talk to him,” he says quietly.

I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. “He doesn’t need to see you falling apart.”

I nod weakly. “Be strong for him.” 

I quickly wipe away the tears from my cheeks and force myself to stand a little straighter.

Even if my heart is breaking… Jake can’t see that.

Grayson and I walk inside and Mom silently follows us. 

Jake is sitting upright on the hospital bed, his injured arm secured in a sling. His eyes are red, and the untouched breakfast tray sits beside him.

The moment he sees us, his jaw tightens. “They’re lying.”

“They’re telling me I can’t play.”

His voice cracks. “They’re saying the season is over.”

Grayson slowly walks closer. “Buddy…”

“No!” Jake snaps. “Don’t.”

The room falls silent.

“I know what you’re going to say.” Jake laughs bitterly. “Everything happens for a reason? Will I recover? There’ll be another season?”

“There won’t.”

His eyes fill with tears. “This was my season.”

I feel my own eyes sting.

“You don’t understand, Soph.”

“I’ve worked for this since I was six years old.”

He looks at Grayson.

“We were supposed to play that final together.”

Grayson lowers his head. “I’m sorry.”

Jake immediately shakes his head.

“Stop apologizing.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“But it was my pass,” Grayson says quietly.

“It doesn’t matter!” Jake shouts.

“It was an accident!”

The room falls silent again.

I walk over and carefully sit beside Jake on the bed. “You know what I think?” I say softly.

He doesn’t answer.

“I think you’re allowed to be angry.”

His shoulders begin to shake.

“But don’t give up on yourself because of one injury.”

Tears finally spills down his face.

My brother cries.

Without thinking, Grayson steps forward and wraps an arm around his shoulder.

Two Weeks Later

“Can you please use a glass instead of drinking straight from the milk carton?” The words leave my mouth the second I step into the kitchen.

Grayson doesn’t even bother turning around. Standing in front of the open refrigerator, he calmly takes another sip before lowering the carton.

“What difference does it make?”

I stare at him in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

He finally looks over his shoulder. “It all ends up in the same place.”

“Not the point.” I walk into the kitchen, snatch a glass from the cabinet, and place it on the counter with a loud thud.

“This is the point.”

He glances between me and the empty glass. “I’ve been drinking milk like this my whole life.”

“Well, you’re living in my house now.”

He leans against the refrigerator, completely unbothered. “I thought it was Jake’s house.”

“It is.”

“Then why are you making the rules?”

I narrow my eyes. “Because unlike you, the rest of us have basic manners.”

A smirk slowly spreads across his face. “So this is about manners?”

“This is about you acting like you own the place.”

He twists the cap back onto the milk carton. “I’ve been here for two weeks.”

“I know. You’ve reminded me every single day.”

“Because every single day I find you somewhere you’re not supposed to be.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”

That’s the problem. He’s everywhere.

Sometimes I find him in the kitchen. Sometimes he’s sitting by the pool in the middle of the night. His presence annoys me more than I’d like to admit because I’m not used to having a complete stranger wandering around my house as if he belongs here.

Ever since Jake got injured, everything has changed.

Our peaceful routine has been turned upside down, and Grayson moving in feels like another reminder that nothing is normal anymore.

I keep telling myself it’s only temporary.

The sooner Jake recovers… The sooner Grayson leaves.

At least, that’s what I hope.

Rolling my eyes, I turn toward the pantry, muttering under my breath, “I miss it when this house is quiet.”

His laugh follows me through the kitchen. “You’ll get used to me, Sunshine.”

I stop in my tracks and Slowly, I turn back to him.

“Don’t call me Sunshine.”

His grin only widens. “Noted… Sunshine.”