Steph stormed inside, the slam of the front door echoing through the house.
Her cheer bag dropped to the floor, her heart racing.
She paced the living room, anger mixing with hurt.
Three girls.
Laughing with him.
My Randy.
My 19.
She sat on the couch, arms folded tight, staring at the blank TV screen.
The sound of Randy’s footsteps on the porch made her pulse quicken.
Randy entered quietly, laptop tucked under his arm, cup in his hand.
He set them down gently, like he knew the weight of the moment.
“It wasn’t what it looked like.”
Steph’s eyes flashed.
“You were laughing. Having a good time. With them.”
Her voice cracked, jealousy spilling out.
“Do you even see me anymore?”
Fixing It
Randy stepped closer, his voice steady but full of emotion.
“Steph, listen. They asked about Raider Nation. That’s all. I was explaining it, showing them what we’re building. But none of that matters compared to you.”
He knelt in front of her, taking her hands even as she tried to pull away.
“You’re my 19. You’re the reason I’m here. You’re the reason Raider Nation even means something. Those girls? They’re just curious. You’re my heart.”
Steph’s eyes softened, tears forming.
The jealousy melted into relief.
Randy leaned in, whispering:
“I don’t want anyone else. Just you.”
Steph finally let her guard down.
She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his.
“I just… I don’t want to lose you.”
Randy kissed her gently, sealing the moment.
“You won’t. Not now. Not ever.”
The tension broke.
The slammed door became a closed chapter.
And in its place, love grew stronger — tested, but unshaken.