“You guys look so cute,” I say as Zay paddles closer to us, with Ez sitting behind him as far away as he can with his legs crossed.
They both shake their heads. “Thanks a lot, guys,” Zay says.
“Babe, it’s just bromance,” I say.
Rya giggles.
Things feel a lot better between us all. Rya still hasn’t come to me and told me about losing her job. I only found out earlier this week and I’ve kept my promise to Ez that I wouldn’t say anything. Rya seems a lot happier now that she got that off her chest, even though she only told Ez. It must have been something she was holding on to that was causing more damage than she knew. First with her shopping addiction, then the distance she built between her and Ez because of her keeping everything to herself.
Ez seems more relaxed too. They must have had a nice talk, and I hope they found a solution. Ez is always one to listen and give advice when needed, but never steps over anyone. He and Rya are total opposites, and they said opposites attract. Is that why they work out so well?
As we remain silent, enjoying the calm, the quiet splashing of paddles in the water surrounds us. The warmth of the sun, the chirps of the birds, and conversations linger in the background.
“This is peaceful,” I say as Rya glides us forward and Zay—right next to us—glides himself and Ez through the lake.
“It is peaceful,” Ez agrees.
Zay looks over his shoulder. “So, you’re enjoying this bromance?” He chuckles along with Rya and me.
“I’m tolerating it.” Ez shakes his head.
Rya grins back at me. The calmness must be easing her stress away because I haven’t seen her this happy in a while.
Rya stops paddling, bringing the paddleboard to a stop. Zay follows as I skim my fingers in the water. The water is still cold but tolerable if we did get all the way in.
Rya leans back on her hands, hangs her head back, eyes closed, and sighs. “This is what I needed.”
Ezra and I share knowing grins.
“Yeah, this is nice,” I say, leaning back so the sunbeams hit my face.
With all the tension that had been brewing between us, it’s nice to relax together with no drama. Even Zayn and Ezra, who were on edge not long ago, seem to be fine now. I’m not sure if they spoke more about what happened or not. They’re guys; they probably just dropped it.
“Hey, we should all go see Rufus Du Sol in concert?” Rya asks with her eyes still closed, her face tilted toward the sun.
“Since when do you listen to them?” I ask. Rya has never been one to listen to that kind of music.
She sways her head back and forth. “I’ve been listening to them recently.”
“What! How and why?” I ask, confused.
She sits up and turns her head toward me. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been trying to get you to listen to that kind of music forever and you always hated it,” I say with my brows raised.
She turns and looks over at the boys. “I don’t know. I started listening to them recently and actually like them.”
Zayn avoids eye contact with us while Ez’s brows are furrowed in the same confusion as mine.
“I’ve never heard you listening to them,” Ez says.
Zayn shifts in his seat, making the paddleboard sway. Ez grabs onto the side to keep himself from falling. “Hey, fucker, don’t tip it.”
“Chill. I’m not,” Zay says with his back toward us.
“Why are you guys surprised I started liking them? I always listen to them when I’m around you guys,” Rya says, shifting her gaze between the three of us.
“No, you don’t,” both Ez and I say.
