We are not going back

Chapter seventy

Kamala’s arm tightened around my waist as we leaned back on the couch, basking in the comfortable glow of the evening. Tyler and Doug were still on a high from their victory in darts, Tyler taking every opportunity to remind us about it. I smiled at their banter, feeling a lightness in the room that I cherished.

Out of nowhere, Tyler’s eyes lit up with that mischievous glint I had come to know too well. "Hey! Why don’t we stay the night?" He grinned, sitting up straighter. "We can bring two mattresses into the living room, watch a horror movie, and relive our college days."

I felt Kamala shift beside me, her initial reaction a subtle hesitation. She shot me a quick look, one I knew meant she had other plans in mind- plans that definitely didn’t include staying up with Tyler and Doug. She had been hinting all night that she wanted us to have some time alone later, and I wasn’t opposed. But before I could say anything, Tyler was already grinning like he had just solved world peace.

Kamala let out a sigh, feigning reluctance. “I don’t know, Tyler. I was kind of planning on… you know, spending some quality time with Eleonora.” Her hand slid along my waist for emphasis.

Tyler’s eyes widened in mock scandal. "Oh please, Kamala. You can go one night without making love to Eleonora. Let the rest of us enjoy your company for a change." He winked at me, knowing full well what he was interrupting.

Doug laughed softly, nudging Tyler. “You’re impossible.”

I couldn’t help but join in the teasing. “Maybe Tyler’s right, Kam. We can survive one night.”

Kamala shot me a playfully betrayed look but leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Fine,” she said dramatically, “but only because I love you both.”

Tyler grinned in victory. "Great! Let’s get the mattresses and make this a proper sleepover."

Before we could start moving things around, Kamala grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the hallway. "If we’re doing this," she whispered in my ear, her voice low, "we’re at least showering first. And don’t think I’m not sneaking in a little bit of that ‘quality time’ I mentioned earlier."

I laughed softly, following her into the bathroom.

As the warm water cascaded over us, Kamala wasted no time. Her hands slid over my skin, and our lips met in a heated, urgent kiss. I could feel the tension from the evening melting away between us, the shared laughter and playful teasing only adding to the intimacy. It was quick, almost rushed, but no less passionate. I leaned into her touch, savoring every second before reality would pull us back to the living room.

When we stepped out of the shower, I was still catching my breath, our connection lingering in the air as we dried off. Kamala winked at me. “Told you I wasn’t missing out.”

We dressed quickly, slipping into comfortable clothes, and headed back to the living room- only to catch Tyler and Doug in a heated makeout session on the couch. I raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a laugh, while Kamala let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Wow, Tyler,” Kamala said, hands on her hips. “This is cozy?”

Tyler broke the kiss and looked up with a grin, completely unbothered. “Hey, I didn’t think you two would last so quickly.”

Doug, a bit more bashful, pulled away slightly, chuckling under his breath. “We didn’t hear you guys come back.”

Kamala crossed her arms, pretending to be serious. “Alright, you’ve had your fun. Time to set up the mattresses before I change my mind.”

We all laughed, the playful energy returning as we dragged two mattresses from the guest room into the living room, piling blankets and pillows everywhere. The whole thing felt so juvenile, but it was perfect- a night filled with laughter, just like Tyler had wanted.