The Decuplets

Reece Romano Era

Ella

Later that day, I was searching the kitchen for something to eat when I felt a hand around my arm spin me towards them. Reece.

I rolled my eyes, but inside I was squealing. "What did I do this time?"

He smirked. "Very funny," he said, scanning the room. "Come with me." Whatever you say!

He released my arm and led me towards his room. My heart was beating like crazy. Chill out, Ella.

He closed the door behind us and we sat down on his couch. I made sure to maintain a safe distance so he couldn't read me. He opened his mouth, evidently unsure what to say, before deciding on "how are you feeling?"

Better now. "I feel alright. Not that upset anymore."

"Okay, good. I just wanted to pull you aside and apologize on his behalf."

"Well it's not your fault, but I appreciate it."

"Did you talk to Zach?" he asked.

I wondered if he realized how strange a conversation this was for us to have right now; it felt like a weird mix of gossip and therapy was substituting our usual quarrels.

"Yeah, I did. There wasn't really a consensus, except maybe that I need more time."

Reece nodded, and I stared at my clasped hands in my lap. "I meant what I said, that there'll be another guy who will care about you," he said, looking at me with such pure sincerity that I thought that I had stumbled into an alternate universe.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

There was a still, comfortable silence between us, just us staring at one another. I knew I was blushing but I really couldn't be helped. I thought he might imply I should leave at this point, but he leaned across the couch and kissed me. It was bittersweet at first, like a consolation for the last couple of days. But then a certain excitement seeped in as I moved closer to him, allowing the fact I was kissing Reece Romano to sink in.

"Wow," I teased, "I thought you hated me!"

He laughed, his hand still on the nape of my neck. "I thought I did, too. Turns out I really care about you."

"So you're that guy," I said quietly, blushing harder.

"I guess so," he smirked, kissing me again. I slowly moved closer to him on the couch, deepening the kiss and shifting onto his lap. Our bodies pressed together, I wondered if he could feel how fast my heart was because oh my God I'm making out with Reece.

After maybe 15 minutes, I realized Scarlett thought I had just been going to get something to eat. I pulled away and said, "Scarlett will be looking for me. I don't want her to be suspicious."

"Might want to go fix your hair then," he laughed, tucking a strand behind my ear. I swatted his arm and headed towards his bathroom mirror.

Sure enough, I looked ridiculous. "Oh!" I giggled, patting down the numerous flyaways. I stood at his door and my head was spinning. Did that really just happen?

"How many cookies are there now?" I smirked.

"Just one?" he asked, kissing me goodbye.

"We'll see," I grinned. I stuck my head into the hallway, double-checking no one was there, then I left.

As I walked back to Scarlett's room, I felt a confusing combination of giddiness and guilt. My heart ached for Zach, whom I couldn't help thinking about. I didn't just hook up with any guy, not even one of his friends—his brother.

But I knew I needed to live for myself, and not for some guy who keeps fucking me over. And if living for myself is to test drive his brother, then so be it.

It wasn't that I was over him, more that I wanted to see if it was possible to move on. And I was certain that Reece was who I was most likely to get over him for.

But I couldn't get too attached, because I knew he definitely did not already consider us exclusive even despite the "one cookie" comment. Besides, I wasn't ready to put my trust into yet another Romano brother.

"What have you been doing?" Scarlett asked expectantly as I entered. She was flopped over her bed, reading a book as if she had been waiting forever.

"Your brother," I joked, and she laughed hard. Oh girl, if only you knew.