𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 | 𝐦. 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

36

Tonya's POV

We were back at the house, sitting on the back porch with the boys sprawled around us like chaos. The evening air was warm, the sky painted with that soft orange-pink sunset again. I loved these little moments. The kind where nothing crazy was happening, and you could just exist. Plus, I had my man with me... hehe...

Marlon was sitting next to me, one arm draped lazily over the railing, and I couldn't stop stealing glances at him. He looked so... light. Happy. Like Joseph's temper and all the touring stress couldn't touch him right now. Not to mention handsome.

"You're staring again," he said, catching me mid-look.

I laughed softly, hiding behind my hand. "I can't help it, Mar. You look... I dunno, peaceful."

He smirked, nudging me with his shoulder. "Peaceful, huh? Gotta warn you, that don't happen often."

Before I could answer, Jermaine walked up from the yard, arms crossed, giving us that sideways look he always did when he was suspicious. My stomach twisted a little. Something about him right now... I could feel it.

"Y'all look real cozy out here," he said, voice smooth but with that undercurrent of tension I knew too well.

Marlon's grin faltered slightly, but he leaned back, trying to act casual. "Just enjoying the sunset, bro. Ain't nothing weird."

Jermaine raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Mmhmm. Just enjoying the sunset, huh?" He glanced at me, then back at Marlon, and I felt that weird, tight feeling in my chest. Jealousy. Yeah... that was definitely what it was.

I shifted closer to Marlon without thinking, letting him know silently that we were solid. Jermaine noticed, though. His jaw tightened, and he muttered something under his breath.

"Everything cool, 'Maine?" Marlon asked, tone light but careful.

Jermaine forced a shrug. "Yeah... cool." But his eyes lingered on us a little too long. I could see it. I didn't like it, but I also kinda understood. He'd always had a little soft spot for me. I could tell he liked me, it was obvious with that day in the kitchen.

Marlon leaned closer, whispering in my ear, "Don't worry about him, Ton. He's just trippin'. We good."

I nodded, squeezing his hand. "Yeah, we're good."

The rest of the evening passed with small talk, laughs, and the faint sound of music drifting from inside the house. But I could still feel Jermaine's eyes on us occasionally. Not in a threatening way, more like... he didn't know what to do with the feelings he was trying to bury.

By the time it got dark, Marlon and I had stolen a few moments alone in the backyard, leaning against the railing.

"You think Jermaine's really mad?" I asked quietly.

Marlon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Nah... not mad. Just... jealous, I guess. I think he's always had a thing for you. Or maybe it's some sibling rivalry between us, I don't know know. But I don't care. I got you, Ton. And he's gotta deal with it."

I smiled softly. "Good. 'Cause I got you too."

And for the first time since Joseph's yelling, I felt like maybe the storm was starting to settle. But the tension with Jermaine? That was a whole different kinda trouble. I had a feeling we weren't done with it yet.