GAME ON

Chapter 34~ Sure

JASMINE'S POV

Sunday rolls by fast. I'm now Connor's girlfriend. I still feel like I'm dreaming honestly.

Anyways it's currently 10AM and everyone is in the living causing one chaos or the other. For us the Wattersons it's a usual Sunday routine but for any other family..... It's pure chaos.

Jake texts the group chat: _Connor’s swinging by. Need help with calc._ 

I almost drop my phone in the cereal. Connor’s coming over. Not for me. Officially. But the word  'calc' is Jake-code for “I invited my best friend over and Mom will feed him.” which mom is aware of. 

Five brothers. Two parents. Then there's Connor. This is fine. 

The doorbell rings right as Jason and Jaxon  crash through the living room riding a like it’s a pony. Wait! Isn't that from the attic?.

Jayden’s “helping” by calling out directions, and Jeremy  is constructing a fort out of couch cushions that’s definitely violating fire codes. 

Connor steps in wearing that black merino turtleneck and waxed canvas jacket, cocoa carrier in hand like a peace offering. He takes one look at the chaos, then at me. 

His mouth twitches. Barely, but I notice it.

“Hey,” I say, aiming for normal. My voice squeaks. 
“Hey,” he says back, same volume. Only I hear the way it softens. 

"Hey bro." Jake says from behind me and I yelp almost jumping three feet in the air.

"Jake! Why'd you do that?" I turned around glaring at him.

"Do what?. I was talking to Connor" He looked confused as he spoke and I almost felt like stepping on his foot.

Connor walks past us and into the living room closing the door behind him.

“Mr. Watterson, Mrs. Watterson.” Connor nods, all manners. “Jake said you guys might be up for some cocoa casualties. I mean... casual cocoa.” 

Dad grunts from the recliner where he’s “supervising” the fort. “Connor it's been a while you've come around. You the one teaching Jake derivatives now?”

“Yes, sir. When he’s not teaching me how to lose at Mario Kart.” 

Jake appears, claps Connor on the back. “He’s lying. I let him win once. Trauma bonded us.” 

That's actually true. Have I told you guys how Jake and Connor met?

They do that fist-bump-shoulder thing guys do. I roll my eyes, but my stomach flips. Best friends.
That’s why he’s allowed to be here. That’s why no one questions why my pulse jumps when he shrugs off his jacket and the turtleneck fits him like... nope. Subtle, Jas. 

"Would you like a cup of hot cocoa dear?" Mum asks Connor from the kitchen.

"Yes Mrs Wattersons. Thank you" He says politely. He sounds too polite.

"Jasmine" Mum calls and I walk over to the kitchen to collect the mug. Dodging brothers left and right isn't easy as I walk from the kitchen and hand over the mug to Connor. Our fingers brush and a smile crawls it's way to his lips slowly.

Suddenly  Jason “accidentally” beans Connor with a foam football. Jaxon yells “HEADSHOT!” Connor catches the rebound one-handed, no spill, and lobs it back. Both twins stare, then declare him “cool for an old guy.”

He’s just 18. I roll my eyes and walk into the kitchen to help mum out. She's preparing lasagna and the aroma in the kitchen makes my mouth water.

Minutes later, Connor walks in to return the mug with a “thank you ”.