Linger (Camren)

Chapter 33: Listen

{Camila's POV}

"Honey, I'm home!" my voice booms throughout, what appears to be, a solitary home. I allow the warmth to latch onto my body, grateful for it's calming presence after a particularly chilly, unforgiving afternoon.

I santer my way into the living room, ready to collapse on the couch and watch whatever was on tv when the sight of a wild Phoenix startles me slightly, though his company was welcomed.

"Hello, Darling. How was work?" The boy with the disheveled locks questioned jokingly. His dashing attire of a holey-shirt, semi-rimless glasses, and charming washed out boxers, let me know that the bum was probably sleeping and lounging away his afternoon.

"It was rough, sweetie." I joke back easily, though the nickname is not one I use often with the boy, "But obviously not as rough as your day. Clearly you've been working your fingers to the bone." I wave my hands around the mess of blankets and pillows stacked on the couch, partnered with the empty, crumb filled plates on the table.

The hazel eyed boy lays a hand gently against his heart, leaning back in fake offense. "Excuse you. For your information, Alejandro asked me to sort through some important paperwork for the shop, do the grocery shopping, clean up the house and make dinner."

"You see this?" He lifts a solitary finger in the air, "I got a paper cut. All this to put food on the table for you and the kids. Be grateful, woman," the finger now being put to use as he points it towards me, keeping up the facade with a serious face.

"Wow. A paper cut? Life is so hard, isn't it?" My smile follows after a quick eye roll and a toss of a pillow at the young thespian.

The tan skinned boy catches it with ease, his grin bringing him back to reality. "Alright, so in all seriousness, when are we all hanging out? I feel like it's been awhile since we've gotten to chill with each other."

"Aww, do you miss me?" I coo, batting my lashes teasingly.

"Maybeee." The boy says dismissively, though I know he means it, "but c'mon, I know I see you around the house and stuff, but it's been some time since we just got to hang out with one another and go somewhere. Or does Lauren have the leash on too tight?"

The teeny smirk on his face and lilt in his voice makes my response of flipping him off all the more justifiable.

"Cute, but no." I throw back flatly, "And don't even get on my ass about being MIA. Between you and Dinah, I'm beginning to wonder if I have best friends anymore. The two of you are always busy...come to think of it, you're always hanging out with each other! So who's leaving who out here, hmm?" I question genuinely after coming to the realization.

Phoenix ducks his head down momentarily, ruffling his hair for no apparent reason before clearing his throat.

"Yeah... Well, what else are we supposed to do when you spend so much time with your lover, missy?" He replies confidently.

"Ew. This isn't a romantic novel, don't call her my lover." My nose involuntarily scrunches up in discomfort over the phrase. I've never been a fan of that one for some reason.

"Fine. Your boo thang, your girl, your lady, your bae, your sweetiepie sugar dumpling-"

"Alright! I get the point, dork." I let out with faux exasperation, though a giggle does manage to escape my lips.

He lets out an airy laugh of his own before continuing, "The point is, let's all go somewhere tomorrow night."

"What exactly did you have in mind?"

Rummaging through the messy mountain of blankets, the hazel eyed boy retrieves his phone and begins to scroll.

"You remember Tino from high school?" He asks mindlessly, still searching through his device.