Flickering Sparks

chapter 8

We make our way through the lobby, and as expected, a small group of fans has already gathered outside the hotel. Their faces light up as soon as they spot Marcus and Martinus, cheers erupting from the group. I can't help but smile at the enthusiasm—they're always so supportive of the boys.

We manage to move through the crowd easily, with Ryan guiding us to the van waiting just beyond the sea of fans. Marcus and Martinus wave and flash their signature smiles, exchanging a few words with those close enough to hear them. The fans seem thrilled just to have caught a glimpse of the boys, and there's a buzz of excitement in the air.

Once we're settled into the van, Marcus leans back with a sigh of relief, glancing over at me. "That was smoother than I thought it'd be," he chuckles, looking genuinely happy.

"Yeah, they were pretty chill today," Martinus adds, scrolling through his phone as we pull away from the hotel.

I glance out the window, watching the city pass by. After a moment, I turn to the boys. "Hey, I've got something to do while we're shopping today," I say, remembering the promise I made to Jack. "I promised I'd buy him a present."

Marcus tilts his head, intrigued. "Jack, huh? What's the occasion?"

"There isn't one," I say with a small smile, glancing out the window as the city blurs by. "We haven't been apart for this long since, well, ever. I just miss him, and I promised I'd bring him something special."

Marcus and Martinus nod in understanding, their expressions softening. The bond between me and Jack is something they've always respected, and it means a lot that they're on board. "Any ideas?" I ask, feeling the weight of the promise I made. I want it to be perfect.

Martinus leans back, thinking for a moment. "At that age, I would've loved a football," he says with a playful grin, clearly remembering his own younger days.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Not really his style. Jack's more into tech and gaming than sports."

Marcus's eyes light up as if a lightbulb just went off in his head. "What about a PlayStation?" he suggests, sounding way too excited for his own good.

I give him a look, though I can't help but laugh at the suggestion. "Definitely out of my price range," I say, though a part of me is amused at the idea. It's the kind of over-the-top gesture Marcus would suggest.

But Marcus doesn't let it go. Instead, he leans forward, his grin growing wider. "We can buy it. And we'll let it be a gift for all the kids at the center," he adds, looking like he's already made up his mind.

I blink in surprise, caught off guard by his generosity. "No, no, you shouldn't," I protest, shaking my head firmly. "That's way too much."

Marcus tilts his head, his expression earnest now. "Why not? It's for a good cause, and it'll make Jack and the other kids happy. Isn't that the point?"

I open my mouth to argue again, but my resolve weakens as I glance between him and Martinus, both of them looking at me with those determined expressions. It's clear they're not taking no for an answer. Martinus leans forward, smirking slightly. "He's got a point, you know."

Before I can respond, Martinus turns toward the front. "Ryan, let's hit up a gaming store," he calls out with a grin, already planning their next move.

Ryan grins back at us in the rearview mirror, clearly entertained by the conversation. "On it," he replies, changing course with a quick turn of the wheel.

I sigh, feeling both touched and slightly overwhelmed by the situation. "You guys really don't have to do this," I say, my voice softening. "It's too much."