Rivals Redemption

chapter 24.5 : Louis the advice bank

Tina Diaz

As I stood there, lost in the moment with Tina, the world around us began to fade once again. The music pulsed in the background, but it felt like a distant echo. Just as I leaned in closer to capture her lips again, I heard a familiar voice cutting through the haze.

"Well, well, if it isn't the dynamic duo," Louis said, his tone teasing yet friendly as he approached us. He was holding a drink in one hand, and the look on his face was a mix of amusement and curiosity.

I stepped back from Tina, breaking the moment, and felt a flush creeping up my cheeks. "Thanks for the interruption, Louis," I said, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.

Tina laughed lightly, her cheeks still slightly flushed. "We were just talking," she said, her smile a little too bright, as if trying to mask the momentary embarrassment.

Louis raised an eyebrow, a sly grin forming on his lips. "Talking, huh? Looks more like a makeout session to me."

I shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "What do you want, Louis?"

He shrugged, taking a sip from his drink. "I just wanted to see how you two were doing. Aiden told me about your little display. Impressive, I must say."

I felt my stomach tighten. "Yeah, well, I didn't exactly plan it that way."

Louis studied me, his expression turning serious. "Look, man, if you're going to keep things going with Tina, you might want to think about being more honest with her."

Tina's eyes flicked between us, clearly intrigued. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice curious but cautious.

I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling exposed. "I mean... it's complicated. We're not exactly in a normal situation here."

Louis smirked, shaking his head. "That's a cop-out, Rowan. You're clearly into her. You just kissed her like you wanted to consume her. If you really want this to go somewhere, you need to confess how you feel."

"Confess?" I echoed, heat flooding my cheeks again. "You make it sound like I'm about to write a love letter or something."

"Sometimes a love letter is exactly what you need," Louis said, his tone light but firm. "But seriously, if you don't tell her how you feel, you're going to lose her. You can't keep dancing around it."

I glanced at Tina, who was watching me with those piercing eyes, waiting for my response. The air was thick with unspoken words, and I could feel the weight of her gaze pressing against me. She looked hopeful, and it made my heart race.

"I don't want to lose you, Tina," I admitted, my voice low and sincere. "This is all new territory for me, and I've been confused about what I wanted. But being with you-kissing you-made me realize I want more than just... this." I gestured between us, struggling to find the right words.

Her expression softened, and I could see the flicker of hope igniting in her eyes. "Rowan, I-"

Before she could finish, Louis interjected, a knowing smile on his face. "See? There you go. Just tell her what's in your heart. You've got to be brave, man. It's scary, I know, but sometimes you just have to take that leap."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders. "Okay," I said, my resolve hardening. "I care about you, Tina. More than I thought I would. You challenge me, frustrate me, and make me feel alive in ways I didn't know I could. I don't want to be just friends or whatever this was. I want to be with you."

Tina's face lit up, and I felt a rush of relief and excitement wash over me. "Rowan..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper, but I could see the happiness in her eyes.

Before she could say more, Louis raised his drink in a mock toast. "Well, it looks like we've got ourselves a couple. Here's to brave confessions and passionate makeouts."

I laughed, the tension breaking as I turned back to Tina, the weight of my confession hanging between us. "I guess I'm brave now, huh?"

Tina smiled, her eyes shining with something deeper. "You've always been brave, Rowan. Just needed a little push, I guess."

And in that moment, standing there with the sounds of the party swirling around us, I realized how much I wanted this-her-and how it felt like I was finally stepping into the light after a long time in the dark. With Louis nearby, I could feel the excitement crackling between us, and I knew we were only just beginning.