CHAPTER 226: NEXT TIME, I’LL LEAVE A PLAYLIST

That’s when we heard another voice. That cocky voice.

"Who’s the reason my girl’s blushing this hard?"

Ian.

He leaned against the railing, with his sleepy eyes. He was barefoot and shirtless. "At least can I grab coffee first?"

Dominic grinned. "Oh look, the man of the hour."

June spun around, pointing at him. "Don’t you say a word."

Ian smirked. "Wasn’t planning to, princess. But if we’re already talking about last night..."

"I swear to God, Ian.."

He walked down, teasing. "Relax, I’m just saying..." he leaned close enough that only she could hear the next part, "if they think that was loud, imagine if we actually had sex."

Her entire face turned red. She grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at him. "You’re so full of yourself."

Dominic snorted. "He’s not wrong though."

"Shut up!" June yelled, covering her face again. "I’m never showing my face downstairs again."

I just smiled, grabbing a cup of water. "Yeah, sure you won’t. Till tonight, when you start another concert."

"ASH!"

I winked. "Hey, I’m proud of you, babe. You’ve officially joined the club."

June groaned, muttered something about "needing new friends," and stormed back upstairs, swinging her ponytail dramatically.

Ian watched her go, chewing on an apple. Then he picked another one from the bag, polished it against his shirt, and said, "This one’s for Juney. She deserves the world after last night."

I squinted at him. "You do realize how that sounded, right?"

Ian just smirked. "What? I’m appreciating her... stamina."

I nearly spat my drink. "Appreciating her what..."

Dominic groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Nope. We’re done here."

Just then, footsteps echoed on the stairs...Jasper walked in first, with his bedhead and that stupid grin that meant chaos was coming.

Ren followed behind, quietly, like the balance the group didn’t deserve.

Jasper stretched his legs on the table, like he owned the place. "Morning, sinners. We heard the concert last night."

Dominic groaned. "Please don’t talk ab...."

"Nah, bro, I’m serious," Jasper went on. "I thought a cat was dying, then I realized it was Ian’s stroke tempo."

Ian didn’t even flinch. "You were listening long enough to recognize it?"

Jasper grinned. "Research purposes."

Ren sat down beside me. "It was... melodic," he said softly. "Like heartbreak over a bassline."

I choked on my water. "Not you turning Ian’s sex life into slam poetry.."

Ren shrugged. "Art comes from pain."

Dominic laughed, shaking his head. "You people are insane."

"Oh, no, no, no," Jasper said, pointing at Ian’s back. "That one’s insane. Dude had the audacity to ruin my cycle. I was dreaming of peace... next thing, I’m awake."

Ian leaned on the counter. "Don’t be mad at me because I’m efficient."

Jasper’s jaw dropped. "Efficient? Bro, you lasted only..."

Ian cut in, smirking. "Don’t finish that sentence unless you want the full video."

"Yooo," I said, covering my face. "Why are y’all like this?"

Ian smirked, completely calm. "It’s not my fault they didn’t get laid."

The whole kitchen went silent for a second.

Then Jasper exploded first....literally dropped his mug laughing. "That’s foul."

"Facts," I added. "But he’s not wrong."

Ren turned to me. "Some of us believe in emotional intimacy first."

Jasper nudged him. "Yeah, keep preaching while you’re writing emo sonnets about it."

Ian was already walking upstairs, tossing the apple core into the bin.

He called back without turning.

"Next time, I’ll leave a playlist. You can sync to the rhythm."

Dominic shouted after him, "Leave a warning sign, you menace!"

——-

After Ian left and the others drifted back upstairs, the kitchen finally quieted.

I stood at the sink, rinsing my hands.

"I’m heading out soon," I said over my shoulder. "Gotta pick Alia up from her sleepover."

Dominic turned from where he was leaning on the counter. "Why? It’s the weekend. Stay a bit longer."

He gave me those puppy eyes

I smiled, shaking my head. "I want to. But I promised to take her to the hospital. Her friend Henry..."

He raised an eyebrow. "Who’s Henry?"

I looked back at him. "Chip guy? Ring a bell?"

Recognition flickered. "Ohhh. The guy with the thick eyebrows and the nice granny."

"Exactly," I said.

Dominic nodded slowly. "Yeah, I know them. What about them?"

"Yeah." My voice cracked just a little. "They’re leaving today. Getting discharged."

"That’s great, though," he said softly.

I shook my head, setting the towel down. "No. Not really."

He straightened up. "What do you mean?"

"The grandfather’s cancer got worse," I said quietly. "He told the doctors he doesn’t want more treatment. He just wants to go home... spend the rest of his days with his family."

I forced a smile, but it didn’t hold. "He said hospitals make him feel like he’s already gone. He wants to feel the sun, eat his wife’s home made foods one last time, hear his grandkids fighting in the living room..."

My voice trailed off, and for a second, I couldn’t keep the sadness out of it.

Dominic didn’t say anything at first. He just walked closer, slowly, like he didn’t want to startle me, then wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me against his chest.

His warmth hit me instantly, steadying but breaking me at the same time.

"I’m gonna miss them," I sniffled, my hands gripped the back of his shirt. "Granny Jennings makes the best puddings, and she’s so nice to me. They feel like family, you know? I hate goodbyes."

He pressed his chin to my head. "Hey... I know."

We stayed like that for a while...just breathing.

The kind of silence that holds everything words can’t.

Then he murmured, "I should go with you. I’ll head to see my dad from there."

I looked up. "You’d really do that?"

He smiled a little, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "Of course. Is there anything I wouldn’t do for you? If it’s that serious, I’d lay down my life for you."

"Don’t joke like that," I said quietly, my chest aches a little.

"Who’s joking?" He said, holding my face.

"You’ve got such a big heart, Ash. You care so deeply it hurts. I don’t ever want to see you break over someone else’s pain alone."

That was the line that made my throat burn and my eyes sting.

I didn’t say anything. I just hugged him tighter, burying my face in his shoulder