After that, the two feel even closer and their dynamic at home really starts to shift.
random but
i've been craving cinnamon rolls all day
the problem is i don't know any shops here that sell decent ones
so i thought
maybe i'll just try baking some myself 🤨
you?
bake?
yes, me bake
this i have to see 😂
wow, thanks for the vote of confidence
i can follow a recipe, you know
sure
until the kitchen catches fire
rude
anyway
i might need a little help
are you actually asking me for help?
yes
unless you're too busy being skeptical
then i'll just get by on my own
no no
don't back out now
this sounds entertaining
entertaining?? 🙄
i'm aiming for edible
fine 😂
if you can wait a bit
just have to finish these reports
i'll help you out right after
deal
i'll be waiting at home then
but heads up
if these come out like rocks, i'm blaming you
fair enough
but on that same vein
if they turn out amazing
i'm taking all the credit
typical 🙃
They start to hang out often…
heyyy
just checking in
how are things at home?
heyyy
just checking in
how are things at home?
better than i thought they'd be
me and stepdad actually hang out a lot now
whoa really?
i thought you said he was the more quiet, distant type
that's what i thought too
but he's warmer than i gave him credit for
just not great at showing it, especially in person
but remember when i tried making cinnamon rolls?
yeah...
i had no idea what i was doing
but he stepped in and helped
it turned into this whole thing
and it was fun
that's actually really sweet
yeah
didn't expect to feel this comfy around him
he listens
doesn't make me feel dumb
that's a relief tbh
i just thought that as long as he's not like your mom, then thank god
turns out he's way better
amen to that
it's nice having at least one person at home in my corner
you deserve more but yes
anywayyyy
i'm ready for our beach trip this weekend
remember this?
you wore it straight into the water last time, yes
well, i'll be braver this time
you don't mean???
just the bikini
SLAYYYYY
is it too much though?
too much for everyone else, yeah
for you? absolutely fucking not
you're blessed, girl
let them stare
it's their issue, not yours
you always hype me up 🥺
someone has to
especially since your asshole ex wrecked your confidence
still wanna beat his ass tbh
he's not worth it
but thanks, girl
i mean it though
you're gorg
you're smart
and you're FINALLY starting to believe it again
seems like your stepdad's been helping with that too
he has, yeah
in his own way
that's good
now go eat smth before you start getting all sappy on me
hey
you started it
oh shush 😂
…favorable feelings brewing between both of them.
Hey, man
How's everything at home?
not bad, actually
i've been getting alone with Skye
and honestly
i don't understand why Noelle kept me in the dark about her for so long
she's a very sweet, considerate girl
Maybe there's a reason for that
You ever think Skye's got a side you haven't seen?
Something that explains why Noelle would rather keep her at a distance?
i don't know
from what i've seen, it doesn't seem likely
she's just trying to find her footing
she even admitted she feels like her mom hates her and she doesn't understand why
Wait
She told you that herself?
yeah
caught me off guard, honestly
but she said it straight out
Man, that's heavy
But look, I'm not saying don't be kind to her, but be careful
She's young
And when people feel vulnerable, lines can blur fast
Especially for someone as young as her going through as much as she is
i hear you
don't worry though
there's nothing like that
i just want to be there for her while she's figuring life out
Alright, if you say so
Honestly though, it sounds like you're more ready to care for the kid than her own mom
i'll take that as a compliment, haha
It is
Just keep your head clear
i always do
but enough about me
how's your fantasy team doing this season?
Don't even ask, man
I'm already at the bottom of the league
some things never change 😂
Speaking of never changing
How's Noelle been?
Still glued to her office or has there been a miracle?
no miracle here
if she's not at work, she's thinking about work
Stay strong, man ✊ 😔
This goes on, the two continuing to hang out and spend time together, until one night…
hey
are you still awake?
yeah, i’m up
this is gonna sound dumb
try me
i can’t stop thinking about you
like all the time
Skye…
you know what you’re saying, right?
i’m your stepdad
i know
that’s why i’ve been trying not to say it
but it’s been driving me crazy
if you hate me now, just say it
it’s not that
i’ve been trying to remind myself of exactly that
our relationship
but if i’m being honest…
i can’t stop thinking about you either
wait
seriously
yeah
i didn’t want to admit it
figured it’d just complicate things even more
wow
okay
that makes two of us then
we’re dead if Noelle ever finds out
totally
so this stays between us
agreed
can we still
you know
hang out?
like before?
of course
i don’t want that to change
good
cuz i don’t want it to either
cuz i don’t want it to either
about to sleep now that i've got that out of my chest
good night, Skye
good night, Liam 😌
Since then…
so what'd you think of the movie?
before the sudden intermission
😋
i liked it
kinda wish we finished it though
me too
when you heard the garage door, you bolted faster than i've ever seen you run
i just have good survival instincts
mom shows up and finds me curled up next to you on the couch?
it's game over for both of us
especially for me 😬
point taken
still
it was nice...
maybe next time, she'll stay later at her office
maybe
then we can actually get through a whole movie without a mad dash
hopefully 🙏
but next time
no picking something that'll make me wanna lean on you the whole time
haha!
not making any promises 😉
...the atmostphere of their hangouts changes.
gonna do a quick workout in the living room
do you wanna join or are you just gonna spectate from the couch?
spectate?
i may sit at a desk all day
but i can still hold my own
bold words
don’t let the office clothes fool you
so you’re saying you won’t be out of breath in 5 minutes?
not unless you plan on turning it into a marathon
okay 😋
but if i’m still standing when you’re done
i’m never letting you live it down
and if it’s the other way around?
then i’ll just say you’ve had more practice
convenient for you
fair warning btw
if you’re on the floor gasping, i’ll record it
and if you’re the one tapping out?
then i’ll bribe you not to tell anyone
bribe me how exactly?
i’ll figure something out 🤔
sounds like you just admitted you’ll lose 😂
or maybe i just like to keep you guessing~