Crossing the line
The hum of the fridge filled the silence of the apartment — familiar, steady, too loud for a morning that already felt heavy.
Footsteps shuffled down the hall. Tyler appeared, hoodie half-zipped, backpack slung over his shoulder. His hair stuck up at odd angles — kid looked like he’d wrestled with sleep and lost.
“You’re up early,” I said, reaching for a mug.
“Coach said I could come in before class to help with drills.” He grabbed a protein bar and then spotted my phone lighting up again. “You’re trending. Again.”
“Lucky me.”
He tore open the wrapper, chewing slowly, eyes narrowing. “It’s about her, right? The reporter?”