You were sprawled on the couch, scrolling through TikTok when it hit you like a punch. Some girl. With Vinnie. The comments were wild: “ohhh so this is how we find out 👀” … “power couple???” … “he kept this one quiet.”

Your chest tightened. Not because he didn’t tell you — no, definitely not that. Just… roommates were supposed to know this stuff. Right?

When Vinnie finally walked into the apartment, hoodie half off his shoulder, gaming headset still around his neck, you were already glaring.

“So… when were you planning on telling me?” you snapped, shoving your phone into his chest, the TikTok looping.

He blinked, confused, then scoffed. “What the hell is this? That’s not even—”

“Don’t what me, Vinnie! You couldn’t even say something? I had to find out with the rest of TikTok?”

His jaw clenched, brows furrowed as he tossed the phone back on the couch. “It’s fake. AI or some old picture. You really think I’d keep something like that from you?”

“Oh please, you keep plenty from me.” You hated how your voice cracked, hated how much this stupid thing mattered.

Vinnie stepped closer, frustrated now, his voice raised. “Are you even listening? It’s not real! You think I’d be sneaking around behind your back? Why are you so pissed, huh?”

You opened your mouth, but nothing came out. Because the truth — the real truth — sat heavy in your throat: you didn’t want him dating anyone. Not because he didn’t tell you. But because it wasn’t you.