Chapter 176: Kiss Shock

Chapter 176: Chapter 166 – Kiss Shock

3rd POV

In Apartment 4A, Sheldon watched Taylor finish her song, waving toward the camera. Only… Sheldon didn’t think that wave was meant for the camera at all, but for someone standing just behind it.

And he knew that song was meant for Georgie. Most of the lyrics are meant for him, he can see that and he knows that her fans will make that assumption too.

Did he care for that? Of course not.

“Hm.” Paige, seated next to him, noticed the same thing. A pout tugged at her lips.

“Paige, are you staying here tonight?” Leonard’s voice broke in once the show cut to commercial. His frown deepened as he glanced between her and Sheldon.

“I don’t think so.” Paige’s eyes flicked toward Sheldon, a mischievous glint in them. “If I stay, I’m gonna end up fucked by him.” She said it bluntly, a giggle trailing after.

Sheldon froze, her words sinking in. Her gaze was fixed squarely on him. “You think I’d do that? Do I look like some hippie? Some sex-crazed maniac?” His voice cracked with indignation.

“You mean… like your brother?” Paige grinned, daring him.

“Yes. Like my brother,” Sheldon replied flatly. No hesitation, no filter. He was still Georgie’s little brother….only he could insult him like that.

Paige burst into laughter, but the rest of the group didn’t. Not Leonard, not Howard, not Raj, and certainly not Penny.

They stared at Sheldon like he’d sprouted a second head. Sure, they’d always seen him as odd, alien even—but this was different. This was something new.

Penny, who had only known him for a year or two, was stunned. Sheldon never talked about sex. Never!. Yet here he was, letting it slip so casually, after Paige had claimed she was his first. It baffled her more than anything.

The guys, meanwhile, weren’t exactly buying Paige’s claim, but they were cautious enough not to ignore it either.

“You can stay at my place! I’ve got a guest room!” Howard declared, chest puffed out like he’d just solved rocket fuel to water. He looked far too proud of the suggestion.

Paige shot him a side-eye. “No thanks. I’m thinking hotel is far better now.”

“You don’t need to do that,” Leonard cut in quickly, eager. “You can stay in my room. And for peace of mind—I’ve got a lock.” His tone practically begged her to say yes.

Sheldon sighed. “Leonard, when she says ‘hotel,’ she doesn’t mean some ordinary hotel room.” He turned to him with droopy, disappointed eyes. “She means a penthouse. Or a presidential suite. Why on Earth would she want to sleep in your cramped little room?”

The bluntness landed like a slap and it burned to his cheeks right now.

Leonard shot him a glare. “My room isn’t that different from yours!”

Penny almost spoke up, ready to offer her own apartment as a place Paige could crash, but she bit her tongue. She wasn’t ready to poke at Paige again.

Still, a small part of her wondered what it would be like, sharing a bottle or two and talking about Sheldon and the other Coopers. She was still curious, especially about Sheldon and his so-called sex life.

“No thanks, I think I’m good now,” Paige said, rising to her feet. “Well, boys, not a bad night. But I think I’ll head out.”

Sheldon stood too. “Alright, I’ll walk you to your car.” He marched toward the door, muttering as he went. “I’m sure you’re satisfied with disturbing my life and my work tonight. Please don’t come back—I have a Nobel Prize waiting for me.”

Paige chuckled, trailing after him. “Oh, Shelly,” she teased, brushing her hand along his arm. “…You know I can’t do that, right?” Her voice softened sweetly, which only made Sheldon’s frown deepen.

She waved at the group as she left. The scientists waved back, eager, and then the door shut behind her and Sheldon.

Howard glanced at the others, looking genuinely rattled. “Alright… can someone explain why those two are so close? Is this the end of life as we know it? Or am I the crazy one here?!”

Leonard dismissed him with a flick of his hand. “Relax. They’re just friends. Childhood friends.” He stood, grabbing a drink. “She’s probably just close with Sheldon’s family. She practically treats herself like his sister.”

Penny leaned back in her chair, lips pressed together. She didn’t want to tell them what she’d heard come out of Paige’s mouth. Better to stay quiet right now unless Sheldon himself declared that statement.

“Yeah… I guess you’re right. He’s still Sheldon to me,” Howard said, remembering the sting of Sheldon’s earlier insults.

Penny clapped her hands together and stood. “Alright, boys. I’m calling it a night. I’ve got the early shift tomorrow, so… see you around.”

She headed for the door, but instead of crossing the hall to her own apartment, she started down the stairs.

She really wanted to know the truth about all this and maybe, just maybe, she owed Sheldon an apology.

She tried to catch up with Paige and Sheldon, curiosity pulling her along. She wanted to see them part ways and wanted to know if Sheldon was hiding something, even if she told herself there was nothing there.

Still, she kept moving. Snooping like a cat and she didn’t care.

The cool night air hit her as she stepped outside, only to freeze at the sight before her. Sheldon and Paige, standing beside a sleek luxury car Penny could only assume belonged to Paige.

“…Damn. She’s really loaded.” Penny muttered under her breath.

They were talking, smiling at each other. For a moment, it almost looked… sweet. Penny squinted, ready to dismiss it—until it happened.

She caught it. Just five seconds. Enough to see it clearly.

Her stomach twisted. She spun on her heel, storming back into the building with quick, angry steps, practically running up the stairs to her own apartment.

She had never…never…imagined Sheldon could be sweet like that. Or that he could kiss like that.

“Oh, hey, Penny. What are you doing downstairs?” Howard’s voice broke into her thoughts as she passed him in the stairwell.

Penny ignored him completely, charging past them to head up to the 4th floor.

Howard glanced at Raj, who only shrugged. Poor guy hadn’t said a single word all night.

——–

3rd POV

After their night at the ice rink, Georgie, Missy, Sheldon, James, and Kayla made their way back to the hotel—mostly because Sheldon insisted. He was done with that death activity. Why? Because no matter how hard he tried, he kept falling on the ice. And Georgie’s endless encouragement only made him feel worse.

Fed up and grumbling, he nagged everyone until they finally gave in.

Missy pouted, stomping her feet. “You ruined the night!” she snapped at him.

“How could I ruin the night? The night is simply the night. It exists independent of me and it’s a natural phenomenon,” Sheldon argued matter-of-factly, missing her point entirely.

“It’s a metaphor, Shelly,” Georgie said, stifling a laugh as he pushed open the door to the twins’ hotel room. “Honestly, I’m wiped out too. I think I’m calling it early tonight.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to sleep early!” Missy whined, marching into her room. “Mom and the others aren’t even back from their night out!”

“Even so, I know you’re tired, Princess,” Georgie said, ruffling her hair. “And you need sleep if you want to grow into a beautiful young woman.”

Missy gave him a side-eye. “…You can’t fool me, Brother. I’m already beautiful.”

Her sass made Georgie laugh out loud. Sheldon rolled his eyes, unimpressed.

“Alright, smarty. Off to bed,” Georgie said warmly. It should’ve been their parents’ job, but he knew they were still out having fun and Georgie didn’t want to ruin it for them.

Missy still pouted, but she did as Georgie said. “Brother, when are you coming back home?” she asked, climbing onto her bed.

Sheldon slipped into the bathroom for his nightly routine while Georgie sat down at the edge of Missy’s bed. “I guess I’ll be here a few more days,” he said. “I’ve got some gigs lined up.”

“Alright…” Missy replied, though her voice carried a faint sadness.

“It’s okay, Princess. I’ll be back in just a few days,” Georgie reassured her. He stood, giving her a gentle smile. “We can have breakfast together tomorrow, you know? Maybe even a little fun before you head to the airport.”

Missy’s eyes lit up. “Can we go to a restaurant or maybe a fancy cafe?!”

“Sure,” Georgie chuckled. “Alright. Good night, Princess.”

She nodded, watching him leave her room. A few minutes later, Sheldon emerged from the bathroom in his pajamas.

“How am I supposed to sleep without Mom tucking me in?!” he huffed. Then, with a dramatic sigh, “Fine. Tonight, I’ll be a man and tuck myself in.”

Missy rolled her eyes hearing that. Mary usually tucked them in and kissed them both goodnight before bed, but tonight they had no idea if she’d be back in time.

“Where are you going?” Sheldon asked when he saw Missy climb off the bed and head for the door.

“I’m gonna have fun in the hotel!” she announced, pulling the door open. “Do you want to come?”

Sheldon clenched his jaw. Bedtime was bedtime. How could anyone just… wander around? like a hobo and hippie. “No thank you. And you’re supposed to be asleep right now!”

Missy only shrugged, smirking as she stepped into the hall. “Alright, go to sleep, baby.”

Normally, her teasing didn’t get to him. Normally.

“Ugh!” Sheldon groaned, stomping after her.

Missy grinned to herself as she crept down the hotel corridor, plotting her next little adventure. Maybe some of the band members were still awake. Maybe they were having their own kind of fun.

While she is looking for some ‘fun’ night, she freezes when looking at two people chatting to each other in front of Kayla’s room.

She had thought about sneaking into Kayla’s room for gossip, like the sleepovers she’d seen on TV, but now she ducked back, watching instead.

Georgie was talking to Kayla, just the two of them. Missy already knew Kayla liked her brother, though Georgie had never encouraged it. But what she saw next made her jaw drop.

Kayla leaned closer and closer.

And then…

She kissed him.

Missy’s eyes went wide, her curiosity spiking looking at it.

When Kayla pulled back, Georgie just stared at her. For a heartbeat, it seemed like he wasn’t going to react. Then, suddenly, he grabbed her and kissed her back, pressing her against her door before the two of them slipped inside.

“Ugh, Brother!” Missy groaned, spinning away—only to nearly bump into Sheldon coming down the hall.

“We need to go! It’s bedtime!” Sheldon scolded, still grumbling.

“Relax, Sheldon. The night is still young,” Missy said, parroting a line she’d picked up from TV as she marched ahead.

Sheldon kept trying to pull her back, lecturing the whole way, but Missy brushed him off. “Go back yourself,” she muttered, determined to keep her fun going.

Of course, her “fun” didn’t last long.

“What are you two doing out here? Shelly, why aren’t you in bed? Did Georgie leave you two alone?!” Mary’s voice cut sharp through the hallway, making Missy stiffen.

“Yes! We were looking for Georgie!” Missy blurted without hesitation.

Of course it was Missy.

Between the twins, she was always the mischievous one.

“Ugh, that boy,” Mary muttered. But she couldn’t bring herself to be too angry at Georgie. He was already worn out from everything today, and yet he still volunteered to watch Missy and Sheldon while the adults enjoyed their night out.

Mary let out a tired sigh before guiding the twins back to their room. “Alright, let’s get you two to bed. I’m not leaving until you’re both asleep,” she said firmly.

She had come back to the hotel alone, guilty for leaving the kids behind while the adults stayed out late even though Georgie said to them to have some fun.

But now she’s back and with the night well past Sheldon’s bedtime, she wasn’t about to let Missy’s mischief continue any longer.

Sheldon nodded, visibly relieved. His mother was here at last and with her around, Missy’s antics didn’t stand a chance.

—————–

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