Chapter 4

The kiss had barely ended when the door creaked open.

Ruben walked in, phone to his ear, clearly mid-call and unaware of the storm he had just stepped into. His eyes brushed over us close, perhaps too close but he didn’t linger. We’d always been like that. Best friends. Practically family. Nothing suspicious. Nothing worth a second glance.

“Hey,” he said casually, offering a small smile. “What are you guys up to?”

Ken’s voice turned sharp. “Why are you here?”

Ruben paused, lowered his phone, and looked at him. “Can’t I come chill with my friends?” he asked, that careless smirk playing on his lips.

Neither of us responded. Ken was already heading upstairs. I followed, feeling my chest squeeze as I moved. Every step was a war my mind pulling one way, my heart another.

I hated that even now, Ruben’s presence made me melt. That just the sound of his voice made me forget how badly he hurt me.

The beach house had this wide, stunning balcony that overlooked the ocean. The entire place was glass and open a forgotten piece of luxury that felt more like freedom than property. No parents ever came here. No rules. Just us.

Daph and Jayson returned with bags of food and laughter. We all dug in, sitting on the balcony floor with plates in our laps and sun in our eyes. I glanced down. Ruben was still in the living room, laptop open, fingers typing away. Even when he wasn’t looking at me, I felt him.

Ken reached for my hand and held it, gently, grounding me. But I was floating somewhere between the boy who was finally seeing me and the man who never really did.

“I wonder why he came,” Daph said softly beside me. She looked at me knowingly. “Anyway. Let’s play a game!”

“Never have I ever!” Jayson grinned, already reaching for a drink.

Ken went first. He picked up his cup, lifted it slightly, and said, “Never have I ever fallen for someone… so deeply it scares me.”

He took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving mine. The world stilled. Then he leaned in, brushing my cheek with his fingertips and kissed me. It wasn’t a question it was an answer. An answer to every silent ache I’d carried alone.

And from across the balcony, Daph’s voice rang out with her usual mischief, “Yessssss! Go Ken!”

I laughed until I saw him.

Ruben.

He stood just beyond the doorway, no longer on the phone, no longer oblivious. Just watching. Silent. And the way his jaw clenched made something in me twist.

Later that night, the ride home was quiet.

When I laid in bed, I wasn’t sure how to feel. Ken made me feel seen. Safe. Wanted. But my entire soul was still tangled in Ruben’s name.

Then came the knock.

I opened the door, and there he was Ruben, standing under the pale porch light like a shadow from my past. His face unreadable. His presence undeniable.

“Ruben?” I breathed, my voice a whisper.

“Can we talk?” he asked, eyes heavy.

I hesitated. My body screamed yes. My mind begged no.

“Please.”

I nodded slowly.

He didn’t say a word as we walked to his car. The air was thick with unsaid things. The drive felt long, yet not a single moment was wasted. We pulled up to an apartment I’d never seen before. Minimalist. Cold. Very him.

He led me in, offered water. I didn’t take it.

“You disappeared,” he finally said. “After your birthday. I thought we were... I didn’t know things were that bad.”

I scoffed. “You didn’t know?”

He looked at me, really looked. “I’m bad with feelings. But I’m not blind.”

“You made me feel like I was nothing. That night... you didn’t even try, Ruben.”

“I know.” His voice broke, and I looked up, startled.

“I know,” he said again, softer this time. “I messed up. I didn’t show up when it mattered most. I thought... if I kept my distance, you’d stop looking at me like I was your world. Because you’ve always been mine. But I didn’t think I deserved that.”

Silence.

He stepped closer. “I love you, Lia.”

Everything in me shattered.

“I tried to stop,” he whispered. “I tried to be cold, to keep things casual. But I can’t. I love you. I’m sorry it took pain for me to realize how much.”

I didn’t speak. I just stared.

Because for the first time… he wasn’t running. He was standing still. For me.

And I stepped into his arms.

There, in the quiet of that unfamiliar apartment, something shifted. The pain didn’t vanish, but it paused just long enough for his lips to find mine. This time, the kiss wasn’t uncertain.

It was desperate, real, deep. ‘Hands tracing, not as toned as kens, no no why am i thinking of ken, fuck’.

When he carried me to the bedroom, my heart beat like it had found its way home. Every touch was slow. Every breath intentional. He undressed me like he was rediscovering something sacred, immediately hes hands reached for my panties, i panicked.

‘No no pls i muttered’, he didn't hear and he was already half way pulling it when i got up, 'pls no ruben', I said instantly, he was calm didn't complain, didn't say anything he just paused, then removed he's shirt, and came closer to me.

What’s wrong? He looked directly in my eyes, not tonight i bluntly said to him.

Then he hugged me, 'okay it's late let's just spend the night here and we'll head home tomorrow', I agreed, he gave me a glass of juice, I wore his shirt and I was finally sleeping right next to the man of my dreams.

Then the thought of ken hoped right into my head, i nudged it and held ruben even tighter, he was my world.

He slept off even before i did, i just stayed there awake, looking at he's face, keeping the moment, feeling he's skin so close to mine but when i woke up i was already dressed, i didn't ask, It didn't matter he had seen it all last night what more was there to hide.

We headed home very early.