I'm still super sick but being able to actually write this much again has been amazing. How many updates have I done this week? lmao I've lost count

Cover by: TheBlackHole12

"Cal?"

"Hmm?" I mumble in reply, staring up at the ceiling.

"I'm sorry."

I roll onto my side. Jake lays facing me. I can see the outline of his sharp shoulders and messy hair in the dark. His fingers inch closer to me until they're touching mine.

"For what?" I ask.

"Everything."

"For being a pain in the ass?" I breathe a laugh.

"Pretty much," he exhales, curling his finger around mine. "I don't mean to."

"Right."

"You don't believe me."

"I think you know exactly what you're doing but you're a coward so you're not going to change," I say bluntly, pulling my hand away and rolling onto my back once more.

"Ouch," he mutters.

"Truth hurts."

"So, basically, nothing I say is going to make this better?" he asks after a few moments of heavy silence.

"Actions speak louder than words, J."

He groans. "You're fucking hard work, Callum."

I scoff. "Yeah. I'm the hard work out of us two."

"You are. You're making things complicated."

"I'm really not. I'm not letting you push me around and you don't like it."

He sighs. We both know I'm right. He just hates admitting it.

"You never said you're going to cancel those plans you have," he murmurs.

"Because I'm not."

"Why not?" he bursts out.

"Because of everything I've been saying all night!" I whip back in exasperation. "Unless you prove to me that you're serious and being with me is what you want, I'm going out with him."

"You can't go out with someone else when you're here with me right now."

"I didn't ask you to come here," I point out. "Nor did I ask you to stay."

"Jesus, I need to start wearing a bullet proof vest around you," he snaps back. "Words hurt; you know."

"Of course I know, you're constantly hurting me."

"Am not."

"I think you're slightly delusional, J," I sigh, rubbing my hands roughly over my face.

He finally grows quiet. I focus on breathing in and out normally. I unclench my hands and continue to glare up at the ceiling.

"When I was away, was there anyone else?" he asks.

"What?"

"Have you been with any other guys?" he clarifies.

"No. Only you," I answer. "You?"

He makes a sound mixed between a scoff and a laugh. "No, I'm not gay."

"Right."

"I'm not," he argues. "Only with you."

"I think that still counts..." I trail off with a laugh.

"Doesn't."

"So, you've been with girls, then?"

"Kind of," he shrugs.

"Kind of?"

"I've made out with girls. Done some stuff."

"Done some stuff."

"Are you going to repeat everything I say?" he quips.

I roll my eyes. "So, what are you trying to say?"

"I don't know. I guess I want all my firsts to be with you."

"Oh," I breathe. "That's sweet."

"Yeah, well, I don't like basically anyone but I like you, so, that's got to mean something," he replies casually, as if my heart isn't racing and my body isn't going to combust any second.

Damn it. He's lured me in. Again.

I suddenly roll so that I'm on top of him, straddling his waist. I pin his arms over the top of his head and kiss him. It's one of our fiery, intense kisses that leave me hungry for more.

He tries to flip me but I slam him back down onto the mattress and kiss him harder. He can't stand me being the dominant one.

"That was hot," Jake groans when I move from his mouth. I leave a trail of kisses across his jawline, down his neck, across his collarbones. I can feel his heartbeat hammering underneath his skin. I smile. I love having as much effect on him that he has on me.

"You're hot," I reply, moving down to his chest.

"Your mum is going to be home soon," he says breathlessly as I sink lower.

"Dude, don't talk about my mum right now."

"Right, sorry – holy shit!" he gasps.

This feeling is such a rush. The one being in control. His fingers wrap around my hair. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see his other hand gripping my sheets fiercely.

He begins squirming underneath me and I slam my hand onto his chest to keep him still.

"Arghhh," he groans, before sagging back into the pillows.

I rock back onto my calves and drag my hand across my mouth.

"I swear, I'm not that quick usually," he breathes. "You're just fucking intoxicating."

I flash him a grin. "Thanks."

"Is it possible to feel drunk when you're sober?"

I laugh. "Sure. I guess."

"That's how I'm feeling right now," he's completely breathless, his chest rising and falling quickly. "Come here."

I crawl up to his side and he wraps his arm around me. I lay my head on his chest. He kisses my temple and slides his fingers into my hair.

"I don't want this to change," he whispers.

I close my eyes and lay my hand on his stomach.

"Me either," I reply, but I know by the time the sun comes up, it will.

***

I've been staring at the empty side of my bed for about ten minutes now. I knew things were too good to be true. I sigh, pushing myself out of bed. I splash water on my face and finger my hair, attempting to flatten it. It doesn't work. I head downstairs and run my hands up my arms. I should have grabbed a shirt before I came down here.

My body comes to an abrupt halt. Jake is in the kitchen, his back to me, cooking.

"Morning," he says, turning around and trotting over to me. He pulls the tea towel from his shoulder and curls it around the back of my neck. He pulls me to him and kisses me. "How'd you sleep?"

I blink at him as he grins, turning around and making his way back to the frypan.

"This feels all too normal right now," I say cautiously, scratching my head. "Who are you and what have you done to Jake Haze?"

"He had a much-needed reality check. How do you like your bacon?"

"Um, crispy," I answer in a daze, collapsing on the bar stool.

"Coffee?"

"I would love a coffee," I raise my eyebrows. "Who knew you were so domesticated."

"Foster mum has taught me a thing or two," he shrugs, flicking the kettle on.

"How is it going with your foster family?" I ask, drumming my fingers on the bench. "You never talk about it."

"It's good. Took a long time to realise they weren't expecting anything from me, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when someone offers you running water, a roof over your head and food, I half expected to have to do something for them. Like do a drug run, go beat the shit out of someone. The usual stuff."

I give him an odd look. "Not exactly usual stuff, but sure, I get what you're saying."

"But they don't expect anything like that. They just ask I clean my room. It's weird."

"Not weird," I laugh, pushing up from my seat and wandering over to him. "Normal, babe. That's just normal."

As he flips the bacon, I wrap my arms around his waist and place my chin on his shoulder.

"Thanks for being here."

He leans his head back. "I'm serious about you, Cal."

"I might be starting to believe you," I say, kissing his cheek.

"Relax, I'll make the coffee."

"But you're making breakfast."

"Sit," he demands, pointing the tongs to my seat.

I raise my head in a peace gesture and sit back down. "You're bossy in the morning."

"I'm bossy always," he grins. "So, what do you want to do today?"

Now this is just getting absurd.

"Wait, so I get you all day?"

He nods. "Yep. Anything you want to do?"

"I want to go for a surf."

"Then we shall go for a surf. Do you have a spare wet suit? I ain't going in the water without one."

"I have a spare," I nod. "And a board."

"Sweet."

He slides my coffee over to me. "Breakfast is almost done."

"Thanks, Chef." I take a sip. "Mm. Good coffee."

"I'm not just a pretty face."

I almost spit it right back out. That's exactly what Rhett said. Rhett. I sigh. I liked him. I feel awful having to cancel.

"Have you seen Ma?" I ask, deciding to not think about Rhett right now.

"Um, I don't think she came home last night."

"What?" I stand so fast I knock the chair over. I quickly right it and look back to Jake. "Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure. Unless she went out early."

I'm on the move before he's finished speaking. I take the stairs two at a time, before I push her door open. Her bed hasn't been slept in. I dart into my room and search for my phone. I can't remember where I last had it. I finally find it in the pocket of my chinos. My heart drops into my stomach when I see I have eight missed calls from her.

"Ma?" I explode when she answers. "I'm so sorry, I didn't have my phone on me."

"It's fine, dear, are you all right?"

"Yes, are you?"

"Fine. I'm sorry if I worried you last night, I tried to call."

"Where are you?"

"I stayed with a friend," she says awkwardly.

I don't realise I'm pacing until I come to a stop. I raise my eyebrows. "A friend?"

"Mmhmm."

"Your male friend?"

"Callum!"

"Innocent question, Ma," I point out with a grin as I head back downstairs. "It's fine. As long as you're okay."

"I am. What are you up to?"

"Uh, Jake is here," I say as I walk back into the kitchen. "He's making breakfast."

"Oh, is he?" I can hear the smile in her voice. "That's nice."

"Yeah. We're going to go surfing soon. Are you coming home any time today?"

"Of course I am. But not until later."

"Okay, doesn't matter if you... have stuff to do. I'm fine here."

"I know, Cal. Thanks. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Will do. Love you."

"Love you more," she replies. "Have fun."

"Don't do anything I wouldn't," I grin, before hanging up.

"All good?" Jake asks, before handing me my plate.

"Everything is good," I smile, before digging in.

--------------------

I am actually so in love with these two. I feel so connected to them. I'm such a freak, if they cry, I cry irl and if they're laughing, I'm laughing irl. I think I'm mental. Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story as much as I am. What are your thoughts on Jake's behaviour? Do you think it'll last?

P.S while being couch-bound I've been watching Animal Kingdom on Netflix and I am obsesseddddd. What are you all watching right now?

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