Risk & Reward

Twenty-Four

"Tay?" Shi answers the phone surprised by the call.

"You have a problem, Shi. Get in the group chat now!"

"I'm driving! Is that what's making my phone go crazy?"

"Ya, you're boy did something and now the chat is panicking and making up all sorts of conspiracies that are basically the truth but I'm not telling them you're dating Calum you get to do that."

"Wait what?"

"Calum posted a TikTok an hour or so ago now, and the username he used also correlates with a private Instagram account followed by Luke, Sierra, Mali, Ryan—."

"Loose Unit 123..." Shi interrupts her.

"And you." Tay finishes, "And they found that this account also follows you on Instagram."

"Well, I'm about twenty minutes from Calum's so they'll have to wait until I get there. They were going to find out eventually. What about the rest of Twitter? They know my face, anyone else making speculations?"

"Not that I've seen yet. I'll keep you posted, so far just the chat to deal with."

"Tell them you stalked me and I'm driving. Make them be patient. I guess I'm glad I took the time last week to clean up my Twitter account as fully as it would allow. Just in case."

"I'll tell them, but you're going to have to probably come clean to them finally."

"Ya... and give Calum shit for giving us away to my friends before I could." Shi laughs.

"Maybe that too. Good luck."

"Thanks. I'll try to be on as soon as I can."

"Okay. I'll be there for moral support." Tay laughs.

"I might need it."

"You'll have Calum too. And hopefully we can trust that they are going to be your friends and not freak out over this. Calum has been good for you, Shi, and I will assure them of that one hundred percent."

"Thanks, Tay. And thanks for the warning."

"You've been busy, but I knew you had to be driving to have missed all of what's happening right now. And you needed to be made aware."

"I did. Thanks."

"Alright, baby boy needs me. But I'll be in the chat."

"Take care of my favorite baby boy. Love you, Tay."

"Love you, Shi. Bye."

***

"Shi!" Calum grins excitedly as he pulls the front door open, practically dragging her into the house and his arms.

"Hi." She laughs. "You are in trouble."

"Why?" But he kisses her hard before letting her respond.

"Beca—." Another kiss interrupts her words, making her laugh, multiple quick kisses following.

"Okay, am I still in trouble?" Calum asks after another minute of kissing her, when they are both laughing too much to continue.

"Yes, and kisses won't help this one."

"What did I do?" He asks, pulling her into the house further with an arm over her shoulders.

"Gave away your private Instagram account..."

"I did?"

"Your TikTok has the same at."

"Oh, it does. Oops." His eyes are wide as he realizes it.