chapter twenty-four: chit chat

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Adora had promised Tatum that she would go over to Stu's house later to talk about, well, what the blonde had told her this morning. 

She was kind of nervous about it since Tatum had told her, but was it bad of her to say that she had seen this sort of coming? At least since the three of them has skipped school to watch a movie at Stu's house.

She remembered sitting next to Stu and Billy on the couch, the way Stu's knee would press against hers when he moved, the way Billy's arm had stretched behind her—not quite touching, but close enough that she could feel the warmth of him. She remembered the way they had looked at her when they thought she wasn't paying attention. And now, knowing what she knew... It all made a little bit more sense.

But just because she saw it coming didn't mean she knew what to do about it.

Her fingers drummed anxiously against the steering wheel as she pulled up in front of the Macher house. Stu's car was parked haphazardly in the driveway, like he had just pulled in without much thought. That was very typical for him.

She sat there for a second, gripping the wheel, taking a deep breath. It's just Stu, she reminded herself. You've known him forever. You've been here a million times before.

So why did it feel different?

With a sigh, she stepped out of the car and made her way up to the front door, knocking twice before pushing it open. The Macher house was always unlocked even when a killer was on the lose apparently. 

"Yo, is that you, Adora?" Stu's voice called from the living room.

"Yeah." She answered, closing the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes, glancing around. The house was quiet except for the distant hum of the TV that Stu was watching.

Stu was sprawled across the couch, remote in hand, flipping lazily through channels. His legs were stretched out, crossed at the ankles, and he barely glanced up when she walked in. "Took you long enough."

Adora rolled her eyes, walking further into the room. "I was debating whether or not to show up."

That got his attention. He turned his head, raising an eyebrow. "Damn. That's cold even for you, Adora."

She crossed her arms, shifting her weight. "Tatum told me what you guys talked about this morning and about you guys breaking up."

Stu sat up a little, his lazy grin faltering just slightly. "Oh yeah?"

Adora nodded, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Yeah."

Silence.

For once, Stu didn't have a quick comeback. He just watched her, waiting. She could tell he wasn't sure how to play this—if he should joke, if he should be serious. It wasn't often that Stu Macher hesitated.

Adora took a breath, deciding to just say it. "Did you ever plan on telling me?"

Stu exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face before finally sitting up properly, elbows resting on his knees. "I mean... yeah, probably. Eventually." He looked up at her with an almost sheepish expression. "I just didn't know how."

Adora let out a breath of laughter, shaking her head. "That's a first. You not knowing how to say something."

"Hey, I'm full of surprises, babe," he shot back, smirking now, though there was something softer underneath it. Something real.

Adora felt her heart kick in her chest, but she ignored it, sitting down on the couch beside him. "So... what now?"

Stu leaned back, tilting his head at her. "That's up to you, Adora." His voice was lighter, teasing, but his eyes were serious.

Adora swallowed, glancing down at her hands. Did she still have feelings for him? Maybe. Probably. But everything was so complicated right now. Could she even handle this on top of everything else?

"I don't know." She admitted finally, looking up at him. "I just... I think I need some time to figure it out."

Stu nodded, and to her surprise, he didn't push. "Fair enough."

They sat there for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Then, Stu nudged her knee with his. "But just so you know... I'm not going anywhere."

Adora rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Yeah, I figured."

Before Stu could say anything else, the front door swung open.

Billy.

His footsteps were heavy as he walked in, his expression unreadable. He didn't even seem surprised to see Adora sitting there next to Stu. Instead, he just let out a sharp exhale and ran a hand through his hair.

"Sid broke up with me," he said flatly, dropping down onto the armchair across from them.

Stu let out a low whistle, tossing the remote onto the coffee table. "Damn, man. Rough."

Billy shrugged. "Not really."

Adora narrowed her eyes, studying him. He really didn't seem bothered. Then again, she had seen the cracks forming in their relationship for a few weeks now. It was bound to happen. Sidney thought Billy was the killer—how do you come back from that?

Still, hearing it confirmed made something twist in her chest. Because if Billy wasn't upset about the breakup, then... what did that mean?

Stu smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. "Well, now you can finally tell her too."

Adora blinked. "Tell me what?"

Billy's gaze flickered to Stu for a second before settling on her. And for the first time tonight, Adora felt truly off-balance.

Billy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His dark eyes never left hers, and for a second, Adora felt like she couldn't breathe.

Stu was grinning now, like he was watching his favorite movie play out in real-time. "C'mon, man," he drawled, elbowing Billy. "She's already halfway there. Just say it."

Adora's stomach twisted. "Say what?" Her voice came out sharper than she meant it to, but the air in the room had changed. It wasn't just tension—it was something heavier, something electric.

Billy sighed, dragging a hand down his face before locking eyes with her again. "You really don't see it, do you?"

She swallowed hard. "See what?"

Stu let out an exaggerated groan, throwing himself back against the couch. "Jesus, babe, connect the dots!" He gestured wildly between the three of them. "This. Us. Me. Him. You."

Adora felt her pulse hammering in her ears. "What about us?"

Billy's lips pressed into a thin line. "Stu and I both like you."

Silence.

Adora's brain short-circuited. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Opened it again. Nothing came out.

Stu laughed, shaking his head. "Told you she'd need a second."

She shot him a glare before turning back to Billy, her heart still racing. "You're joking."

Billy didn't blink. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

And no, he didn't. That was the problem.

Her eyes darted to Stu, searching for some sign that this was one of his ridiculous pranks, but his grin—while still present—was softer now. Real.

"You both—?" She couldn't even finish the sentence.

Stu shrugged, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table like they hadn't just turned her entire world upside down. "What can I say, sweetheart? You're kinda hard not to like."

Adora shook her head, still trying to process. "But—Billy, you were with Sidney—"

Billy cut her off. "And now I'm not."

Her stomach twisted again. "Because she thought you were the killer."

Billy's expression didn't change. "She was looking for a reason to leave me. I just gave her one."

Adora didn't know what to say to that.

Stu, however, was clearly enjoying this way too much. He draped an arm over the back of the couch, fingers barely brushing her shoulder. "C'mon, babe, don't look so freaked out. It's not like we planned this." He smirked. "Not exactly, anyway."

Adora finally found her voice. "What does that even mean?"

Billy exhaled, sitting back. "It means we both want you, Adora. And we figured it was time you knew."

Her mind was spinning. "And?"

Stu grinned wider, tilting his head. "And now we wanna know what you want."

Adora stared at them, her chest tightening. She had no idea how to answer that.

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GUYS ITS HAPPENING!!!!

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love Katherine 

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WORDS: 1394

POSTED: WEDNESDAY APRIL 03, 2025

WRITTEN: WEDNESDAY APRIL 03, 2025