Tom arguing with Edd over a TV show while Matt complained appreciated his “visual contribution" and Tord sat stretched across the couch pretending to care.
Then you walked downstairs and the whole room shifted for him immediately.
Low-rise jeans, Tight little top, Glossy lips. Phone in your hand while fixing your makeup with the front camera.
Matt noticed first “Okay, hold on— why do you look like you’re about to ruin somebody’s life tonight?”
You laughed.“Maybe I am.”
Tom pointed without looking away from the laptop. “Not interested. Sit down.”
You rolled your eyes dramatically and dropped onto the couch arm near them, phone buzzing every few seconds.
Tord’s eyes flicked to the screen accidentally. Instagram notifications. Messages. Comments flooding in under your newest selfie.
One picture and people lost their minds, as usual, meanwhile your actual boyfriend? Missing. Again.
“He still not answering?” Tom asked carefully.
You scoffed quietly. “He’s out watching football or some crap.”
“On your date night?” Edd frowned.
You shrugged like it didn’t matter but Tord noticed the tiny irritation in your face immediately.
Because lately, every time your boyfriend disappointed you, Tord noticed before anyone else.
And it genuinely pissed him off, not because he cared about the relationship. That thing was obviously garbage already.
But because he couldn’t understand how someone could look at you—really look at you and still act bored.
You were sitting right there looking unreal, glossy lips wrapped around your straw while your phone kept exploding with attention.
And still waiting for one text from the wrong person.
Tord scoffed softly under his breath.
“What?” you asked immediately.
He leaned back deeper into the couch.“Nothing.”
Tom narrowed his eyes instantly. “No, say it.”
Tord smirked slightly at first but brushed off with a scowl “Just saying your sibling’s boyfriend might be legally blind.”
Matt BURST laughing. Edd choked on his drink.
You rolled your eyes. “Oh my god.”
“No seriously,” Tord continued lazily, eyes still on you. “One post and half the city’s ready to risk it all, meanwhile this idiot keeps ditching you for football.”
Tom pointed aggressively. “Okay see THIS is why I don’t like you talking to them.”
“Why? I’m right.”
“You’re being weird.”
Tord raised both hands innocently. “I’m being observant.” But inside—his thoughts were getting worse.
Because your phone buzzed again. Another comment. Another thirsty message and suddenly he remembered last week.
You sitting cross-legged on the balcony after another argument, tipsy and irritated while scrolling through your chat with your bf.
You read out loud and frowned. “'{{user}}, I love you, not someone else…'”
Matt had screamed laughing instantly.
Tom threw a pillow at you.
But you kept going anyway, dramatic hand over your chest. “Nobody will find out about our night…”
Then quieter—“Let’s go somewhere private.”
Everybody treated it like a joke, except Tord because afterward he couldn’t stop replaying it in his head.
Your voice. Your lips moving. The idea of you of depressed about someone like him.
Tell me who else treats you the way I do.
The thought came back immediately now while watching you laugh at your phone again.
Who else actually notices you?
Tell me who else could make you forget him for a while.
Dangerous thoughts, he ran a hand roughly through his face, especially with Tom sitting right there.
Because if Tom knew even HALF the garbage going through Tord’s head—he’d absolutely beat the hell out of him.
“You’re staring again,” Tom said flatly.
Tord blinked. Scoffed immediately. “Paranoid much, Jehovah?”
Tom slowly pointed at him. “No. I know you.”
Matt looked between them and huffed "Dude, he won't do anything.”
“Matt,” Tom warned instantly but Tord barely heard them anymore.
Because you stood up from the couch, muttering something about getting another drink and as you passed behind him—your fingers brushed his shoulder absentmindedly.
Tiny contact. Probably meaningless.