Glass Hearts [BL]
Chapter 69: Zeke the Germinator

Chapter 69: Zeke the Germinator

"Yes," I said, turning toward the voice.

It was Diane, walking down the stairs behind me with a smile.

Her gold earrings glinted under the porch light.

"How do you know my name?" I asked.

She just shrugged as we fell into step." I have my ways."

We stepped off the last stair together, her pace kept matching mine like we were in sync....and also, very much not.

She smirked a little. "So... are you and Dominic dating?"

I nearly tripped. "Oh, no. No no no," I said quickly, waving my hands, nearly laughing out of panic. . "It’s nothing like that."

"Oh," she said, but her eyes twinkled like she didn’t believe me one bit. "I see."

We stepped outside, it was already late. The street light flickered.

She glanced sideways at me as we walked. "Just a heads up though," she said gently. "Be careful around Dom. Especially when Nari’s around."

I raised my head. "Why?"

She sighed. "Nari’s... territorial. And manipulative, when she wants to be. Especially when it comes to Dom. And she doesn’t exactly like... competition"

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to. The ache in my chest was doing all the talking.

"She’s been like that since forever. They’re not together or anything, but she hates losing things she thinks belong to her."

"Oh," I said again. And then, after a second. "Thanks."

We reached the gate. Diane paused, holding the handle.

She looked at me again, this time softer. Like she was deciding whether or not to say the next thing.

"I just wanted to say thanks," she said finally. "For taking care of him. He seems...comfortable around you. Happy, even."

I gave a small, awkward smile, not knowing what to say. But she wasn’t finished.

"I haven’t seen him smile like that since..."

She sighed. "Since what happened to Liam."

The smile dropped from my face

I froze. "Liam?"

She nodded. "He cried all weekend. Last week. It was bad. I honestly didn’t know if he was gonna be okay."

"I didn’t know he was hurting that much," I said, as she opened the gate.

She gave a small nod and stepped through.

"He doesn’t talk about it much. But he’s been hurting," she said quietly. "So... whatever you did, or however you make him feel, just know it matters."

I stood there, stunned.

"Thanks again Ash," Diane turned and headed back, gave a soft smile before the shutting the gate behind her.

And just like that, she was gone....back into the house, leaving me standing there alone on the sidewalk.

I walked out of the private road, toward the bus station slowly, my hands were in my hoodie pocket, it was already late. My mind kept drifting to what Diane said.

He cried...?

I didn’t know Dom was this hurt.

Was I that oblivious? I was with him all week. Laughing. Making jokes. Sharing food. Sleeping on the same bed... and I didn’t know?

I kicked a stone off the sidewalk and shoved my hands deeper into my pockets.

Of course he was grieving. Liam wasn’t just anyone. That was his best friend.

The guilt started coiling in my chest.

Why was I feeling this guilty?

Liam wasn’t even dead.

Of course Dom got sick. Bottling up grief like that... it eats you alive

The bus finally screeched to a stop. I climbed in, tapping my card and spotted an empty seat.

I sat near the back and pulled my phone from my pocket, curling my fingers tight around it.

9PM

Dominic’s chat was open.

Still no new message.

I refreshed it. Again.

Nothing.

My thumb hovered over the keyboard.

Should I text him? Should I ask if he’s okay? Would that make me seem clingy?

I hated this.

The bus rumbled forward, streetlights sliding past the window. But all I could see was Dominic’s face.

The bus rocked gently as it rolled through traffic.

I was still staring at Dominic’s chat screen when the bus stopped again.

A woman stepped in, carrying a sleepy-eyed toddler who looked about four. He had sticky fingers, wild curls, and a juice box that was already half-empty and dripping.

She scanned the seats and smiled when she spotted the space beside me.

"Come on, baby. Sit here."

They sat right beside me.

Oh no.

The little boy plopped down beside me. I shifted slightly, trying to make room for them to seat.

Then...sneeze.

"Achoo!"

Right on my Arm.

"What the?!" I looked down, disgusted.

The kid stared at me like I was the problem.

His mom didn’t even blink, just kept scrolling through her TikTok like this was his normal behavior.

Then came the kicking.

"Hey...."

"Sorry!" the woman said, adjusting her bag and glancing down briefly. "He’s just a little restless. Aren’t you, Zeke?"

Zeke gave me a look like yeah, I did that. And then kicked again.

This time I clenched my jaw.

He’s four. He’s four. Breathe, Ash. You’ve survived worse.

You got this.

I exhaled slowly and gave him a soft smile.

He sneezed again.

This time on my other sleeve.

Okay. He was testing my limits.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the chocolate bar I got earlier for Alia. She wouldn’t mind anyway. It was still sealed. I held it out to him.

"Here," I said, pretending I wasn’t about to flare up. "You want chocolate?"

His eyes lit up.

"Fank you," he said. Then, after a pause, "Sowwy I sneezed on you."

"It’s okay," I said, patting his head. "Just keep the germs to yourself next time, buddy."

He nodded and immediately started peeling the wrapper like it was a race.

My phone buzzed.

Ding!

I snatched it up so fast the kid flinched.

Dominic?

Nope. Group chat.

GenZ baddies 💅🫦

The name still made me cringe every time. We told June to change it. At least fifty times.

But June was June.

Juney💖🌸:

Ughhh I’m so pissed off right now.

I just had a shit job, I’m almost home.

I need you guys tomorrow. I’m free and I need my emotional support before I go crazy 😭

I smiled.

Me:

I also do 😩

I’ll be free tomorrow.

How bout we meet up at the hospital in the morning?

A few seconds later:

Marcus😎:

Ughh I was gonna finish my comic tomorrow but anyways I’ll be there by 10.

Then:

Juney:

Yessss 💅💀🫶 Emotional Support Council Assemble!

(she sticker of a chubby duck in sunglasses dancing)

I chuckled.

Zeke leaned over and looked at my screen. "Is that a duck?"

"Yeah."

"I like ducks."

"Same," I said.

I chuckled, putting my phone away, my mood just a little lighter.

Zeke munched happily now, like he hadn’t just violated all my personal space and immune system.

Still... the silence in my notifications hit different.

The bus kept moving, but my mind still drifted back to Dom.

Just as I leaned back with a sigh, Zeke looked up at me again, chocolate smeared on his cheek.

"You look sad," he said.

I blinked, caught off guard.

He just nodded to himself, like he understood something I didn’t, then went back to his chocolate.

I turned my face toward the window again.