24. Chapter 24
The past two weeks have flown by and it’s finally the day before Halloween.
Cassie’s parents left a few days ago back to Scotland, which we both felt sad about because they were such a huge help looking after him.
He was thankful to have his own space again, but I could tell if they had decided to stay longer, he’d have warmly welcomed them back.
They’re amazing people and he’s so lucky to have them as parents.
Secretly I think he wanted to get rid of them so that his mum would stop letting herself into his room, especially when we were snuggled in bed.
He was trying his best to get me to give in and touch him.
The doctors said no activities that could strain, stress or deplete his energy whilst he healed, so therefore my dick is under lock and key.
Neither mine or his have got that message, constantly poking at each other which gets Cass excited.
I woke up a few times because he was grinding back into me in his sleep, which was fucking hot, but one look at the red skin and stitches stopped me.
It was a neat scar, hidden mostly by his hair and luckily the curls on top hid where they’d shaved the wound to stitch up.
He still hasn’t looked at it, not even when he’s alone in the bathroom.
It must be traumatising, because when I’ve asked if he wanted me to hold up a mirror, he always turns a little pale and sometimes a headache starts.
I don’t want to stress him out further so I stopped asking, sure it’s something he needs to do on his own.
Before his parents left he went back to the hospital for a check up and the stitches are starting to dissolve which is great, meaning he's recovering fantastically. He’s on medication for the pain in his shoulder, but already his grazes are fading and the bruises on his face.
He’s lucky to be alive, and I’ll never take for granted how close I came to losing him.
The whole idea of feeling sorry for myself on his porch whilst he wanted to see me as much as I wanted to see him, feels ridiculous now.
Miscommunication is annoying. It’s my least favourite trope in romance, so I refuse to let it happen in my actual romantic life.
Cassie is my fucking boyfriend! A role I’m taking very seriously, meaning I’m currently the sane one, forcing space between us for his wellbeing.
I swear if I hear ‘I’m fine’ whilst he humps my leg one more time, I know I’ll crack and give in to what he wants.
I miss being that close with him so badly, but the doctor still said he shouldn’t do any form of physical activity for at least another few weeks.
That's why I’m holed up in the library at university, finishing my paper on the use of lore in gothic literature.
A fairly open topic, maybe even a little too broad, but I plan to hone in on certain topics for my dissertation.
I’ve already got my first appointment with the tutor I picked as my adviser, and I’m pretty stoked that I got who I wanted.
It’s been hard to really focus back on my assignments after what happened to Cass, but he understands that I usually find studying at home or with someone else too distracting.
I need my movie score playlists, the library, a coffee shop or when it’s warm I love writing outside.
My own novel is paused whilst I focus on my dissertation.
Rubbing my thumbs against my eye sockets, I sigh, finally done with my draft.
I’ll return back to it tomorrow to edit, add more points over one certain author I need to solidify for my argument, then submit it to my tutor.
Logging out of the library Mac, I throw my books into my backpack and quietly make my way out of the building.
We’ve hit the jackpot this Halloween with zero rain predicted, a light breeze that is mild for October and everything is a gorgeous crisp quality.
I could kick my feet like a giddy child.
Orange and brown leaves litter the cobbles as I leave university grounds.
Everything crunches under my boots and I slide on my sunglasses from the sun that permanently seems to sit just above the quaint narrow buildings on the high street opposite campus.
I love this city, it's my home and why I never wanted to go far to study. Cass will return to Scotland after graduation though, and the fact doesn’t scare me as much as I thought it would.
If he doesn't ask me to join him, I might just buy the train ticket and embrace farm life whether he wants me there or not. I think he would, but I won’t bring up the subject.
Not yet. There's another more pressing matter that we need to talk about, but I also can’t bring myself to tell him I’m his masked stalker either.
He hasn’t called me that in a while, but he might whilst he smashes my face when I tell him. Ugh.
It takes me twenty minutes to walk home because I’m soaking in the quality autumn day.
I hip-check the garden gate and glide up the path, stopping when I see a hamper basket filled to the brim with what looks like Halloween goodies.
I immediately know it’s from Cassie, I don’t think either of my housemates are even talking to a man right now.
Teddy has a confusing work-relationship balance, where his current…
commitment doesn’t want him dating, but he also doesn’t ask to meet him.
Micah…he’s been quieter than usual, but each time I’ve tried to find out if he’s ok, he assures me he is, but his smile is always sad.
I noticed him being a little detached on our trip to Whitby, but I don’t remember anything particularly unusual happening.
I might just be worrying because it’s what I do best, especially with how keeping my secret identity from Cass is starting to spike my anxiety.
I’m more on edge, distracted, forgetful; all my traits I hate and can’t manage to control once they flare.
Now I feel guilty looking at the gift basket.
Kneeling down, I pick up the tiny card attached and bark a laugh–it’s from Cass’s mum.
She’s taken full credit for the basket, to which he has written a side note, that it was completely his idea, she may have just hijacked the shopping trip and bought it all.
These fucking Campbells. His entire family is adorable.
Picking up the hamper I unlock the door and head inside, placing it on the little dining table we have in the kitchen whilst I rip into the plastic wrapping holding everything in.
The theme is immediate and a spike of panic hits my heart, because I know he doesn’t know I’m Yourghostboy, but all the ghost related decor pieces makes me feel sick.
There's a ghost plushie saying boo, a blanket with more ghosts on, a mug with marshmallows nestled inside, fairy lights in the shape of ghosts and even more goodies. I can’t believe all the things they’ve managed to find, even little Casper the friendly ghost socks!
Surely he got a laugh out of that one and I’m sure I should call him Casper, my friendly boyfriend the next time I see him.
Resting amongst the decor is another envelope and inside are two tickets to the outdoor cinema in the art gallery gardens.
They’re hosting a showing of Beetlejuice tonight.
There's a food festival there too, and later for the adults a silent disco. God, this fucking man. I think I’m in love with him.
No.
I know I’m in love with him.
“Fuccccck.” I groan, dropping my face into my hands.
I’m in love with a man who doesn’t know I’m the one who stalked him, wore a mask and broke into his house, somehow challenged him into making a masktok account and brought his soul out of his body with orgasms. He’s in a relationship with the unknown man he’s been fooling around with and I can’t see how this isn’t going to implode in my face.
There's surely no other way this could end.
If I’d of been given some warning I could have gotten Teddy to cosplay me as Beetlejuice himself, but dragging myself upstairs to my room with my gift basket, I gently lay it on my desk and hunt for my t-shirt with the movie on. It’s one of my favourites. The boy has done good.
My brain runs on a constant loop of the worst outcomes of telling him, so I get dressed a little numb, pulling on a forest green checked flannel jacket. Finding a beanie that matches, I sit on the end of my bed. Taking a photo of the basket, I send it to Cass and thank him for the gifts.
Me: You’re ridiculous. This is amazing, thank you for my very first boo basket.
Cassie: Your first boo basket!?
Wait.
No.
I’m very happy I’m the first person to make you one. You’re very welcome, my love.
Pick you up soon.
Me: Don’t you dare drive!
Cassie: Walking promise xoxo
As always at this time of year, the sun rapidly dips, making it the perfect shade of purple outside when I get a knock on my front door.
Throwing myself at it, on my porch stands Cassie looking utterly gorgeous as always, smiling so wide, he pops two dimples out.
His curls are wild and flop over one eye.
On instinct I reach out and push it back, receiving a kiss on my wrist.
“Hi Miley. Ready for our last spooky date?”
I drink the rest of him in, laughing at his woolen flannel jacket, also in green.
We’re matching without planning, but unlike me he looks like a wall of delicious muscle.
Like a lumberjack, just without the beard.
He has let a little stubble come through, which may be because I said I liked how it burnt when he rubbed his face against my jaw.
It’d feel euphoric between my thighs too, but I’ve been on the path of not getting us excited, remember.
“You look so fucking sexy.” I blurt, laughing as he does too.
“Thank you. Does that mean you’ll let us go back to sucking dicks now?”