Sara suggested we play some video games to "bond" or whatever, her tone light, almost dismissive, like she wasn't really trying to include me—just setting the stage for something else. The couch wasn't big enough for all four of us, so we ended up on the floor, huddled around the screen, though there was nothing comfortable about it. She picked a casual multiplayer game, the type meant for easy fun, but the atmosphere in the room made it anything but. The tension hummed beneath the surface, unspoken but suffocating, and I could already tell this wasn't about the game at all.
We played a couple of rounds, and, unsurprisingly, Sara and Nate lost both times. Sara pouted dramatically, setting the controller down with an exaggerated sigh. "I suck at this," she said, her voice laced with mock frustration.
Nate laughed, reaching out to brush her arm in a gesture that felt too familiar. "It's okay," he said, his tone gentle. "I can teach you how to play."
Before any of us could react, he repositioned himself behind her, guiding her back into the game. Sara settled herself onto his lap, her smile widening as Nate wrapped his arms around her, his hands over hers on the controller. "See? Just like this," he said softly, leaning in closer to explain the controls.
Kieran, sitting cross-legged nearby, raised an eyebrow at the display. "Well, that's... thorough," he muttered under his breath, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
Sara giggled, not oblivious to the tension her actions were creating. "You're such a good teacher, Nate," she said, glancing back at him briefly before focusing on the screen again. Nate's chuckle was soft, but the way he held her didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room.
I furrowed my brows as I looked at the screen ahead, focusing on the game but acutely aware of the dynamic unfolding. The next thing I knew, Kieran's hands were on my hips, gently guiding me to sit between his legs. I instinctively followed his lead before leaning back slightly, whispering under my breath, "Are you fucking insane?"
Kieran's breath was warm against my ear as he replied quietly, his tone laced with mischief, "What? It's for bonding."
Meanwhile, Sara giggled again, her head tilting back slightly to look at Nate as he whispered something to her. "You're making it so easy," Nate said softly, his hands still over hers as he guided her through the controls. Sara's laugh was light, but the way she leaned further into him felt deliberate.
Kieran's gaze flicked toward them, something unreadable passing through his expression before he leaned in, his voice lowering just for me. "Guess bonding means different things to different people."
His breath on my neck sent a jolt through me, and suddenly, I became acutely aware of my body, heat pooling low in my stomach. The sensation made me shift uncomfortably, my face burning as I tried to focus on the screen. Suddenly, I felt wetness seeping through my underwear, and I cursed under my breath. Amazing, I thought bitterly.
Kieran, oblivious to my inner turmoil, casually tossed his controller aside. "You're not doing it right," he said smoothly before shifting closer. Without hesitation, he put his arms around me, his hands sliding over mine to guide the controller. His chest pressed against my back, and the contact sent another wave of heat through me.
I let out a tiny laugh, trying to defuse the tension. "Are you fucking done?" I whispered, barely able to keep my voice steady.
Kieran chuckled, the sound low and rich in my ear. "Not even close," he replied, his tone dripping with playful arrogance.
At that moment, Nate turned to look at us, his expression darkening as he noticed our position. "What the hell are you doing, Kieran?" he snapped, his tone sharp and accusatory.
Kieran's smirk didn't falter as he glanced over at Nate. "Helping," he said nonchalantly, his arms still loosely draped around me. "Isn't that what we're all doing tonight? Bonding?"
Nate stood abruptly, causing Sara to look up at him in surprise. "That's enough," he said, his voice tight with barely contained anger. "Back off, Kieran."
Kieran tilted his head, his expression calm but his eyes cold. "Relax, Nate. I'm just showing her how to play. Nothing more."
The tension in the room was palpable as the two men stared each other down, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between them. Sara shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two of them before suddenly feigning innocence. She turned to me with wide eyes and a soft voice, her tone dripping with contrived sincerity. "This is all my fault," she said, clutching her hands together. "I didn't mean to get so close to Nate. It's just... he's such a good teacher, and I've been so lost since moving here. Please don't blame him for this."
I blinked at her exaggerated performance, her words sounding more like a bad script than genuine remorse. Before I could respond, Kieran's low chuckle broke through the silence. His smirk was sharp as he leaned forward slightly. "Don't worry, Sara. I think we all understand how irresistibly helpful Nate can be."
Nate shot Kieran a glare, his jaw tightening as he responded defensively. "Kieran, that's enough. There's nothing inappropriate happening here."
Sara quickly chimed in, her voice pitched high with fake humility. "Really, it's just been professional. Nate's been so kind, and I'm incredibly grateful."
Kieran tilted his head, his expression unreadable as he added dryly, "Gratitude looks a little different where I come from, but hey, who am I to judge?"
"That's fine, Sara. I understand," I said, my voice calm but pointed. "Nate, just continue doing what you were doing. Don't worry about Kieran; he's just helping me out."
Kieran raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smirk. "Helping. That's all I'm doing," he said, his tone deliberately light but tinged with something sharper.
Nate exhaled, his frustration barely concealed. "Right. Helping. Just make sure that's all it is, Kieran."
Sara's smile faltered briefly before she turned her attention back to Nate, her tone overly cheerful. "Thank you, Nate. You're such a great teacher. I don't know what I'd do without you."