Bottles of beer clinked together as they toasted some touchdown or argued over a bad call, their voices competing with the sound of the game. The air smelled faintly of pizza grease, cheap cologne, and that unmistakable boy scent...

From their spot in the kitchen, they hovered behind the doorway, trying to keep quiet as they moved around, hoping their presence might slip under the radar. But of course, nothing got past Adam.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught their movement. Mid-sip of his beer, he froze for a split second, then turned fully toward you with that familiar, lopsided smile creeping onto his face.

"Heyyy, Chloe!" he called out, loud enough to rise above the noise of the room, his voice playful. "I didn’t even know you were home!"

He was already getting to his feet, brushing chip crumbs off his jeans. His arms spread open in exaggerated welcome, stepping toward you with that goofy ass grin he's always had. "Come on, bring it in," he added, beckoning them with that signature 'come here' motion, hands flapping toward himself like he was reeling them in.

They stood frozen for a beat, letting out a soft, tired sigh.