𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐄 ⋆. 𐙚 ˚

──── chapter seventeen; team you

𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐏.

he had been lying on the floor of the room for the past hour, staring at the ceiling, listening to the steady sounds of nate's breathing and the occasional rustling of ivy or naomi shifting in their sleeping bags.

but his thoughts wouldn't shut up.

he replayed everything—trey showing up at the door, the way naomi had looked at him, like she was torn, like she felt like she had to take him back. the way ivy had crossed her arms in frustration, how nate looked ready to throw trey off the porch.

how walker had just stood there.

silent.

because what was he supposed to say?

that omi deserved better? that she was making a mistake? that she should be with someone who actually saw her, appreciated her, treated her like she mattered?

that she should be with him?

he groaned quietly, pressing his palms against his face.

this was ridiculous. he shouldn't care this much. naomi wasn't his girlfriend—wasn't even his to begin with. he had no right to feel like this.

and yet, every time he saw trey wrap his arms around her, every time she forgave him for something he didn't even deserve forgiveness for, every time she chose him...

walker felt like he was losing a game he wasn't even playing.

sighing, he pushed the blanket off and sat up. maybe food would help. or at least give him something else to focus on.

careful not to wake anyone, he slipped out of the room and padded down the stairs toward the kitchen. the house was quiet, dimly lit by the soft glow of the fridge as he opened it, searching for something to eat.

"can't sleep either?"

walker jumped, nearly knocking over a container of leftovers.

ivy was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with a knowing look.

he sighed, grabbing an apple from the fridge before closing it. "yeah."

ivy walked over to the counter, hopping up onto it. "lemme guess. you're still thinking about the disaster that was tonight?"

walker hesitated, then sighed. "i just... i don't get it."

ivy tilted her head. "get what?"

he ran a hand through his hair, trying to find the words. "how she can just... keep forgiving him. taking him back like he deserves it."

Ivy scoffed. "trust me, ive been asking myself the same thing for years."

walker leaned against the counter, staring at the apple in his hands. "it's like she thinks she owes him something."

ivy nodded. "that's exactly it. she's been with him for so long that she doesn't even see how much better she could have it."

walker was quiet for a moment, then exhaled. "i could do better". he thought

ivy's gaze snapped to him.

walker swallowed. "i mean—i, did i say that out loud?"he hesitated. 

the girl broke out into one of the widest smiles walker had ever seen. "YES YOU DID."

ivy studied him, then smiled harder. "you like her."

walker sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "is it that obvious?"

ivy shrugged. "to me? yeah. to Naomi? nope. she's oblivious."

walker let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "great."

ivy kicked her legs a little, then looked at him more seriously. "listen, i've been waiting years for naomi to realize trey is the worst. and you? you're actually good for her."

walker blinked. "you think so?"

ivy rolled her eyes. "uh, duh. you actually listen to her. you make her laugh. you care about her, which is more than i can say for trey."

walker let that sink in, his chest feeling weirdly warm.

ivy hopped off the counter. "i'm so team you."

he looked at her, surprised. "theres teams now?."