Be still, my heart

Chapter 6: Between two men and a secret

She didn’t know how it happened, but here she was—sandwiched between the two men who had been on her mind lately.

Tommy was talking to Carl, one of Sky’s former students, chattering excitedly about their earlier game.

The moment Sky stepped into the game room, the boys erupted into cheers. It made her smile, made her feel welcome—but the uneasiness crept back the second she sat down.

Felix wasn’t far.

He sat directly across from her, close enough that every time she glanced up, she found him already looking.

Watching.

Sky took a sip of her beer, more for something to do with her hands than anything else.

Tommy suddenly leaned toward her, excited, and draped an arm over her shoulder.

“By the way, how did the meeting go?” he asked, smiling.

Sky blushed. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Felix watching them closely. She couldn’t help but glance back. Their eyes met—and held for just a second too long.

She quickly looked away and turned to Tommy.

“U-um, it went okay. A little weird, but okay. I got the project,” she said quietly.

“Sky, that’s great!” Tommy pulled her into a quick hug. “This calls for another celebration!”

Sky turned fully to him and smiled shyly. “Thanks, Tommy. I was really nervous earlier,” she admitted.

“I told you you’d get it. See?” Tommy grinned.

Felix cut in.

“Why did you say it was weird?” he asked bluntly.

Sky turned to him, surprised. “What?”

“You said it was weird,” Felix repeated, his gaze steady. “Why?”

Tommy waved a hand dismissively. “Who cares? She got the job!” he said, clinking his glass against hers.

Felix frowned slightly but didn’t push further.

Sky noticed.

Why is he even listening to our conversation?

Tommy pulled her into another hug, keeping his arm around her shoulders longer this time. He seemed a little drunk—more touchy than usual.

He’s really clingy today, Sky thought.

The air suddenly felt too tight. Too heavy.

“I—I’ll just go to the bathroom for a bit,” Sky said, slipping out of his hold.

Inside, she didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until she let out a long sigh.

She leaned against the sink, closing her eyes for a moment before splashing cold water onto her face. The chill helped—just a little.

Grabbing a towel from under the sink, she patted her face dry and looked up at her reflection.

“This is going to be a looong night,” she muttered.

“So, Tommy… is Sky dating anyone?” Felix asked casually, dropping onto the seat beside him.

Tommy shot him a look. “No,” he said flatly. “But stay away from her. You have no chance.”

Felix raised a brow, amused. “Whoa. Do I detect a hint of jealousy there?”

“I’m not jealous,” Tommy scoffed. “I just know you, dude.”

But even as he said it, something twisted in his chest.

Sky had always been just a friend.

They hung out all the time—alone, even—but it never turned into anything. Not that he wasn’t attracted to her. Of course he was.

It was just… safer this way.

At least, that’s what he had always told himself.

Now, watching Felix—looking at Sky like that—

Something shifted.

Something uncomfortable.

“Hmm,” Felix hummed, leaning back. “You sure about that?”

It didn’t sound like a question.

Tommy didn’t answer. His gaze drifted toward the bathroom door, his thoughts suddenly far from steady.

When Sky returned, Tommy stood up immediately.

“Hey,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Can we talk privately? Just the two of us?”

Sky hesitated.

This was something she had wanted before—but now, she didn’t know what to feel. She was painfully aware of Felix watching them. She could practically feel his gaze on her back.

“Sure, Tommy,” she said softly. Anything to get out of here for a bit, she thought to herself.

Tommy took her hand and led her toward the door. “We’re stepping out for a bit, guys! Be back soon!” he called.

Sky followed him outside, still feeling that lingering stare behind her.

Tommy led her to the shared balcony and guided her to the bench near her apartment window.

Sky’s eyes drifted to her plants, and for a moment, her mind went blank.

Tommy cleared his throat.

She snapped back to attention.

“Hey… so, um,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. “I wanted to talk to you alone.”

Sky looked at him properly.

Tommy—the always easygoing, carefree Tommy—looked different.

Serious.

Nervous.

And somehow… vulnerable.

Her chest tightened.

On any other day, Sky would have been over the moon to be alone with him like this. They spent so much time together already, but it had always felt casual. Comfortable.

Safe.

But tonight—

Everything felt different.

He felt different.

And for the first time, Sky wasn’t sure what was about to happen next.

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