Chapter 11 #2
“This looks cool,” Caleb says, folding and placing it in his pocket as if he’s not bothered at all about being queer. I mean, he is snuggling with another man on the beach, but still—to swing the closet door open and just strut out—I don’t understand how it’s all so easy for him.
Bev bounces on her feet, her grin widening. “Awesome! We’ve been trying to get Whit to come for ages, but he won’t.”
“I’m busy,” I grumble, arching an eyebrow at her.
She simply rolls her eyes and places a hand on her hips, looking at Caleb. “How do you stand him?”
“He grows on you, and it helps that he gives amazing head.”
I let out a disbelieving cough as Caleb laughs.
“Too gross. Don’t need to know that. Anyway, so, you’ll come to a meeting then?” Bev asks, and Caleb shrugs noncommittally.
“Not sure how I identify. Just know that I like this guy’s cock.”
I sigh heavily at his bluntness, and Caleb grins wider.
Bev is at least trying not to smile. I’ll give her that. But I know I’ll hear about it later.
“No problem. No labels needed. Just come and bring your…”
“Boyfriend,” Caleb adds without hesitation.
“Cool,” she says and then waves goodbye, handing a flier to another person as she leaves.
“Seriously?” I ask, unsure what to do about him. Telling people how much he loves sucking my dick?
I swear this guy is rattling my carefully placed cage on purpose.
“You can’t get enough of me. Stop being such a party pooper.”
“No one needs to know how much you love my dick.”
“Ugh, stop saying that word. Makes me hard just thinking about it.”
Despite trying to be annoyed, I can’t help but smile, poking him in the ribs. “You’re ridiculous.”
He tilts his head back, and I can’t help but twist his face so I have access to his mouth. My lips find his, and I feel his smile curve against mine. My hand cups his cheek, leaning in until our kiss deepens and we lose ourselves in it.
Until a shadow looming over us breaks us apart.
“Um, hi, guys,” a voice says, making Caleb slowly rip his mouth from mine. We stare at Magnus, who’s wearing tight, ankle-length jeans, suspenders, and a crop top.
“Hi, Mag. What’s up?” Caleb asks, his voice slightly raspy. I know what that means. He’s horny. But honestly, when is he not?
“Um…Sem, your cousin…” He looks around, and I see Sem on the other side of the fire staring at us. He looks a little like I imagine a serial killer would look. “He’s…well, I think he’s following me around, and I’m not quite sure what to do about it.”
“Warned ya,” Caleb says with a shrug.
Mag huffs a nervous laugh. “You did, but I didn’t think you were serious. He’s like low-key stalking me.”
“He probably has a crush on you. I mean, look at you. You look…very pretty.”
I poke Caleb’s side, and he lets out an amused grunt.
He looks back at me and kisses me softly. “Nah, boo, you know only you do it for me, right? I mean, why else would I have accepted your proposal of marriage?”
“Shut up, Caleb,” I say softly, but it’s too late. Magnus already heard.
“You’re engaged?” Magnus chokes out, his eyes wide.
“That’s what they say,” Caleb replies as Magnus’s eyes move over Caleb and me.
Magnus tears his gaze away from us and looks over his shoulder. Sem’s no longer on the other side of the fire. No, he’s now standing just close enough that he can reach out and finger the end of Magnus’s shirt.
Magnus glowers at him and swats his hand away.
“Leave me alone,” Magnus says, and then turns back to us. “I’m sorry, I’m confused. Whit, I thought you were already…”
I cut him off, my hands tightening against Caleb’s abdomen. “Enough, Magnus. Please.”
I don’t want Caleb to find out here. Not here. Not now.
Magnus must see the desperation in my gaze because he nods just as Sem starts tugging on Magnus’s sleeve.
“Excuse me, Goliath. Do you mind?”
Sem frowns at Magnus’s clipped tone, and Caleb lets out a laugh at the confusion lining his cousin’s face.
“What are you wearing?” Sem asks, and Magnus rolls his eyes.
“Clothes. What are you wearing?”
“You look like a girl.”
“And you look like an ogre. Go back to your swamp.”
“Damn, what happened to the stuttering boy who approached me in the coffee shop?” Caleb asks, sounding proud.
“I’ve decided I’m no longer afraid of you. You’re not as bad as I thought. Mostly harmless. Currently, though, I’m just annoyed with this…beast.”
Sem takes a long swig of his beer and then snaps one of Magnus’s suspenders.
Magnus places his hands on his hips and cocks one. “Seriously. I may be small, but I can still kick your ass.”
Sem chuckles at that and then stands a little taller. He looms over Magnus and is at least twice as wide.
“Like to see you try.”
“Oh, you’re on. Just you wait,” Magnus huffs and then stalks away.
Sem turns and follows him.
“What was that?” I ask, watching as they disappear into the crowd.
“Sem’s intrigued, apparently. Never seen anyone like Magnus before in his life. Probably doesn’t know what to do with him.”
“I didn’t think he was into men.”
“He’s not,” Caleb says and then stops. “I don’t think he is, at least.”
I mull over that a moment before saying, “Well, sexuality is a spectrum, so there’s a chance he could be more on one end than the other.”
“I don’t know, man. All I know is mine slid from one side to the other end when I met you.”
“When we met?”
“Maybe not when we met exactly, but I was a goner when you started holding me. Goodbye, heterosexuality.”
So simple. So easy.
I resent that a little, but then again, I can’t stay mad too long. My chin rests on his shoulder, and I press a kiss to his cheek.
Our eyes settle on the fire raging before us, and Caleb drinks his two beers with me wrapped around him. Both of my hands are up his shirt now, one through his happy trail, the other flicking his nipple ring.
“You getting nervous?” he asks.
I hesitate, wondering why he’d ask that.
“Your fingers are driving me crazy.”
I still them and apologize, but he shakes his head.
“Nah, I don’t mind. I mean, I’ve got a raging boner, but go right on ahead. Never apologize for putting your hands on me. I like you touching me.”
“If you say so,” I say, and then add, “I should’ve brought my Kindle.”
“Can’t live without it, huh? Even I can’t entice you away from it for long.”
“You entice me to do plenty,” I reply and then bite at his neck, unable to keep my lips off him. If anyone sees us, they must think we’re madly in love.
If only…
“Leaving a mark, babe?” he asks when I move my lips up to his ear.
“Perhaps.”
“Perhaps, he says. This guy.”
I smile against his temple, and he sighs happily.
“Just so you know, you’re free to mark me anywhere, anytime.”
“I’m starting to realize that. How about we make our rounds so we can head home? I think there are a few more places I’d like to mark you.”
“Whit,” he groans, shifting between my legs. “We should be social, and you’re making me want to just hide in our apartment all the time.”
“Should being the correct term. There is no need to be social, Caleb.”
“God, that big brain of yours turns me on. Why are you so convincing?”
“I’m part of the debate club for a reason. Do you think I might persuade you to leave now?”
He swallows and then shakes his head. “No, nope. You can’t lure me away. We have to be social for a little longer. Then we can go home, yeah? We need to check up on Sem anyway. Make sure he’s not being too much of a creeper.”
Caleb hops up, adjusting himself as he does, and then holds his hand out to me.
I’m loath to follow along, but I do, letting him drag me around the crowd of people while he chats with everyone. He makes a little small talk, mostly just leaning over to kiss me when he needs my lips on his.
“I’m glad we’re mingling,” I say dryly, and Caleb reaches out and pinches my butt.
“We’re outside, around other humans. It’s important.”
“I get enough socialization in class. I find the longer I’m alive, the less I want to be around…people.”
He rolls his eyes and huffs a laugh. “Then it’s good you have me, babe. I’ll keep you young and less cynical.”
Just as he says that, a couple I don’t recognize bump into me and giggle, and I swear I see body parts I’m not interested in ever seeing again.
“Would you like my analysis of tonight?”
“Sure. Tell me.”
“This bonfire is basically a mating ritual,” I murmur, and Caleb squeezes my hand.
“It working?” he asks and then waggles his eyebrows. “This is making you want to mate with me, huh? Admit it.”
I shift on my feet and feel like I can do nothing but admit the truth. “I’m afraid it is, Caleb.”
His eyebrows rise, and then he’s tugging me toward the car.
“Should head home then.”
I bite back a smile as Caleb rushes to grab the towel before speed walking to our escape.
“Why did you decide on pre-law?” Caleb asks, his naked body sprawled across mine. Since arriving home, I’ve made him come four times.
I’m addicted to him. It’s as simple as that.
Frankly, this isn’t something I want to talk about right after watching him beg for my cock. Still, I answer.
“I’m good at it.”
“That’s all?” he asks as he plays with my nipple. He rolls it between his fingers, tugging it lightly, and I sigh as I think over what I want to tell him. He already knows me more than anyone else. What’s one more bit of information?
I’m already fucked as it is.
“If you must know, my parents decided on it.”
“Your parents are shitheads. Shouldn’t you be the one to decide your future?”
“Yes, but there are…extenuating circumstances that dictate what I can and can’t do.”
“Like what?”
His fingers are tracing over the scars on my arms. He’s obsessed with the long, jagged one that spans from wrist to elbow—a desperate attempt by me to end it all when I was sixteen.
They found me too quickly, though. Not that I’ve told him the reason behind it yet.
I let my fingers twist in his hair as I explain, “Many things will determine whether or not I get my trust fund at twenty-three.”
“Like what?”