By the time Aiden checked the clock for the fifth time, it was only 6:17 p.m.
It felt like midnight.
His shoulders ached from hunching over his desk all day, nodding through meetings he barely listened to and laughing at jokes that weren't funny. The office buzzed with after-work energy,chairs rolling back, people stretching, someone suggesting drinks.
Aiden, you're coming, right?" Melissa called from across the room. "It's Friday!"
He forced a tired smile ,I might pass today Long week.
That wasn't entirely a lie,It had been a long week
But not because of work
Because of Jamal.
Every free second he'd had that day, he'd checked his phone,Waiting,Hoping,Overanalyzing.
Jamal had texted that morning a simple "Good luck with your presentation today." Nothing more. No heart emoji like usual No teasing comment
Aiden had typed and erased at least six replies before settling on something casual.
He hated that he cared this much
Finally, 6:42 p.m
He grabbed his bag before anyone else could rope him into plans.
Rain check he called as he slipped out.
The cool evening air hit his face and he exhaled. Freedom.
This was the part of the day he liked walking home, earbuds in, replaying conversations with Jamal in his head Planning what he'd text him. Maybe he'd call tonight. Maybe Jamal would pick up on the first ring like he usually did.
Maybe he'd finally ask what they were
His phone buzzed in his hand
His heart jumped
Not Jamal
Just a group chat notification
He tried not to feel ridiculous about the disappointment
As he turned the corner toward his street, he slowed down automatically. There was a small café at the end of the block warm lights glowing through the windows, the soft hum of evening chatter spilling outside.
And then he saw him.
Jamal
There was no mistaking that laugh the slight tilt of his head when he smiled the way his hands moved when he talked
Aiden stopped walking.
Jamal was standing outside the café
With him.
The same guy Jamal had brushed off weeks ago
"You don't have to worry about him, Aiden. He's just a friend."
The words echoed in his head like they were being replayed on a broken speaker
They weren't just talking
They were close.
Too close.
The other guy leaned in, saying something that made Jamal grin that soft, private grin Aiden thought was reserved for him
Aiden's grip tightened around his phone
He should walk away
He should pretend he never saw.
Instead, he stood there, rooted to the pavement, watching as Jamal's hand brushed the other guy's arm.
It was small,casual
But it wasn't nothing
And suddenly, the exhaustion from work didn't matter anymore.
All he could think was
"You said I didn't have to worry"
His phone buzzed again in his hand
This time, it was Jamal.
Jamal: "What are you up to?"
Aiden stared at the screen, then back at the scene in front of him.
Jamal laughed at something the other guy said .His chest tightened.
He typed,deletedTyped again
His fingers trembled slightly as he finally sent
"Just heading home."
He looked up once more
And for a split second Jamal's eyes lifted
Their gazes met
And Jamal's smile disappeared.