Chapter 6 A small win.

Alan's POV.

I glanced at her through the rearview mirror as I pulled the car onto the road, just as her phone buzzed.

She didn't even check. "Daxton," she muttered.

Sammy leaned forward slightly. "He's probably wondering why we haven't called yet."

Milie let her head fall back against the seat. "Fuck… what am I even supposed to say?"

A beat of silence passed, then she continued quietly. "If he finds out I'm out of the championship… he'll leave his match without thinking twice."

My grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel, something twisting in my heart. 

Sammy sighed. "Yeah… he would."

She turned toward the window. "And if I talk to him now, he’ll know something’s wrong. He always does."

"Then don’t," Sammy said gently. "Let him finish his game. We’ll tell him later."

"He's still gonna kill me," he added with a half-smile. "For not telling him about your leg."

Milie huffed softly. "Not my problem."

Sammy laughed and ruffled her hair. "Anything for you, angel."

I watched them through the mirror. The ease, the closeness, the way they just understood each other without even trying. It wasn't forced. It wasn't complicated. It was… HOME.

And for a second, something unfamiliar settled in my chest. Not the kind of jealousy that wanted to break them apart—but the kind where I could, too, have something like that, someone who stayed.

I looked away. "Don't be stupid, Alan. They had years together. Memories I could never be part of. Even if they let me in… I'd always be the outsider."

The thought sat heavily, and my eyes drifted back to her.

She wasn't the same girl from this morning. This version was softer, quieter, and real.

Like she had two sides—and only a few people got to see this one. And somehow…I liked this version even more.

"Hey," Sammy said, snapping me out of my trance. "Thanks for today. Seriously."

I shrugged. "It’s nothing."

"It's not nothing," he insisted. 

"Yeah, well," Milie mumbled, "he could've said sorry first for embarrassing me in front of everyone."

Sammy elbowed her. "Shhh... Ignore her, dude."

I smirked. "Embarrassing? I thought I uplifted your status. The whole campus saw the hottest guy carrying you like a princess."

She turned instantly. "Hottest guy? Haha… Do you always brag like this, or is it just today?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "It's all your effect." I winked at her through the mirror. Sammy chuckled, and Milie pushed him away. 

Sammy groaned. "Bro, please don't mind her." 

I chuckled. "Nah, I get it. She talks like this when she's hungry."

Her head snapped toward me. "Excuse me?"

"Her mother enlightened me yesterday." I ignored her. "So, what are we getting? I’m starving."

"Me too. Chips and Coke?" Sammy said.

"Done."

"Milie?" he asked.

"I don't want anything," she said with a grumpy face. 

"She likes sour cream and onion," Sammy added.

I glanced at her, smirking and pulled over near a convenience store. "Be right back."

As I stepped out, I couldn't help but smile. She was switching back to the morning version again. And for some reason… I liked watching that shift.

When I got back, they were arguing like kids, pushing each other.

I opened the door and dropped the bag into Sammy's lap. "Peace offering."

"What all did you get?" he asked, already digging in.

"Everything." I popped open a Coke can for myself and handed the rest over.

"Milie, there’s sour cream and onion, too," Sammy said.

"You eat it," she shot back. I watched her for a second. Arms crossed, jaw tight, and eyes fixed outside.

She was still mad, still stubborn, and still her. I picked up the last bag and held it out to her. 

"This is for you." She finally looked at me. I placed it gently in her lap, our fingers brushing for half a second. She stilled. So did I.

"Chocolate," I added. "Didn’t know what you like, so I grabbed a bunch. I'm sure chocolate will melt your anger." She held my gaze a second longer than expected, and there it was, that tiny softness. 

Her lips almost curved, then pressed flat again. I didn't miss it.

I leaned forward and lightly knocked my knuckles against her head.

"Relax, Miss Mils. Keep that little head cool," I said. "And yeah… I'll make up for earlier."

I started the car again. And a few seconds later, I could hear the rustling sound of packets being opened, and chips crunched in their mouths. 

"I hope you guys have the courtesy to offer the person who is driving you home," I said, my tone pretentiously sincere.

Silence covered the backseat. I glanced back. Both of them had their mouths full of chips, frozen mid-bite as if someone had caught them stealing.

They stared at me with guilty faces. I laughed and shook my head.

"You know what you two look like? Kids who just got caught by a teacher."

Milie leaned forward and nudged my shoulder. "Shut up."

But she was laughing now. And for some reason, that felt like a win.