A Touch Of Sin [BxB] - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

"Does this suit make my butt look big?" Jake grins, striking a pose.
"Yes," I tease and when I walk past him, I slap his butt.
Today has been awesome. After breakfast, I thanked Jake in the best way I knew how. Let's just say, Ma should be glad she wasn't home.
Side by side, we jog across the heated, golden sand. The water is like ice as it laps over my feet. I leap over the waves, trying to race Jake in. I flatten myself onto the board and roll under the waves. I've surfed more than Jake, so I'm quicker and handle the waves a bit more efficiently. I'm still impressed he keeps up, though.
"Gorgeous day," a random older guy greets us as he's paddling in.
"Sure is!" I reply.
We reach the back and I drift on my board, skimming my fingers across the water. I love it out here. Me, the waves, clear skies. What makes it even better is having Jake out here with me.
I unzip my size pocket and pull out my GoPro. I take a few photos, before turning to Jake.
"What are you looking at?" he asks and I realise then that I have a big, goofy smile on my face.
"My future," I reply, before taking a photo of him.
"Corny as fuck," he replies. "Hand it over."
"Come here first," I say, beckoning him over.
He paddles toward me and I wrap an arm around him and pull him to my side.
"Are we really taking a selfie?" he huffs.
"Yup."
We take some serious ones, well, we attempt to, before we're laughing and trying to hit each other off our boards. I place my hand to his head and kiss him, taking the photo as I do.
"Here, hand it over," he says, prying the GoPro from my hands.
"Don't drop it," I warn. "You're not going to delete that are you?"
"No. Stand up on the board."
"Why?"
"Just do it."
I roll my eyes, before carefully standing.
"Man, you've got a good ass," he says before he begins to take photos.
I burst out laughing, covering my face. "I can't believe you just said that."
"Just stating a well-known fact," he grins. "Photos look cool."
I slide back down onto the board. I put the GoPro on the mount at the end of my board.
"Okay, let's go," I say, turning and paddling in a bit further.
While I wait for a wave, I tilt my head back and let myself enjoy the sun. Today has been perfect. More than I could have asked for.
A wave begins to form and I ready myself. I begin to paddle and then leap to my feet. Jake is doing the same. Being more confident than he is, I swerve dangerously close.
"Hey!" he yelps.
I lean over and shove him off the board.
"Motherfu–" he starts before the wave swallows him.
A loud laugh bursts from me as I finish surfing the wave right back in. I fall off my board in the end from laughing so hard. I paddle over to the board, wheezing, swallowing a mouthful of water.
"Get back out here you little prick!" Jake bellows.
A mother looks over at us with a frown on her face. I give her an apologetic look before paddling back out.
"Couldn't help myself," I chuckle when I reach him.
"You're gunna' pay for that."
"Yeah, if you can catch me," I scoff, before taking off.
We end up staying out in the water for three hours, which is the longest I've surfed in a while. I can't believe how carefree he is being. It's so refreshing.
We eventually retire back to the shore. I collapse onto my towel, my body feeling exhausted. I peel back my wetsuit to my waist and relish the sun kissing my skin. I cup my hands over my face and turn to look at Jake. He's lying on his stomach, too having folded his suit down.
Freckles are scattered across his shoulders, his skin a light brown. He looks much more of a surfer than me. Ellie and I never had many freckles.
"Proud of you," I whisper.
"Hmm?"
"For making an effort."
"Only for you, shithead."
"Charming," I say dryly, rolling onto my back.
We lay, soaking up the sun for about half an hour or so, before Jake announces he's hungry. We head back to his truck and load our boards into the back of it.
"I'm going to change," I say, grabbing an armful of my clothes.
Jake follows me into the shower cubicle casually.
"Um, hi," I say.
"Hey," he says back, putting his clothes onto the bench.
"Whatcha' doing?"
"Helping you shower."
"I was just going to get dressed," I laugh.
"Yeah, well, now you're not."
"Careful now, we're in public, what if someone walks in?" I ask with a grin.
"I don't care."
"Who the hell are you?" I mutter.
"Just shut up and keep an ear out," he demands as he unzips my wetsuit.
"Okay, if you think you can just talk to me like – oh damn," I breathe, closing my eyes and leaning back on the wall. I reach up and curl my fingers around the shower head and squeeze it.
"You were saying?" Jake mumbles, his mouth full.
"Don't stop."
I literally feel his smirk.
Damn. He's good.
***
Today has been a dream. Honestly, better than I imagined it would be. I feel like Jake and I are an actual couple. Out in the open. Sure, we haven't actually seen anyone we know, but that hardly matters. It's been a great day and I don't want it to end. I don't want being at school and our friends to ruin this. It's been too perfect.
With the windows down, the sun streaming in, the boy I love driving, I realise my life is pretty damn good.
"You're staring," Jake states. "Bit creepy."
"Because I like you."
"That makes it okay then. Stare away," he says sarcastically but smiles nonetheless.
We pull up at Malibu Burgers and I follow him in. He holds the door open and I raise my eyebrows.
"Damn, you been holding out on me all this time?"
"Shut up and take what you get," he mutters and I laugh.
"Hey Cal!" Susie Johns calls as I walk in. She's in our year. She used to be friends with Katryn but there was a falling out. I can't really remember all the details. It drives Kat mad that she's so friendly towards me.
"Hey Sus," I reply.
"Been out surfing?" she asks, throwing two menus down onto the table.
"Yup."
"Don't know how you boys do it," she shakes her head. "It's freezing."
"Not too bad out in the sun," I shrug.
"True," she smiles. "Hi Jake."
He glances at her before looking out the window. She stands there awkwardly for a moment, before leaving.
"Well that was rude."
"I don't like people," he says, before grabbing the menu. "What are you getting?"
"I think you should be nicer to people. You'd be surprised at the friends you make."
"I don't need friends, I have you."
"As nice as that is, you should try. Because I have friends and you're expected to get along with them, if you're going to, er, be with me."
"I've tried to like other people but I only like you, so, deal with it."
I roll my eyes. "Right."
"What are you getting?"
I shake my head at him, before glancing to the menu.
"Look what we've got here," a voice interrupts and I internally face-palm. "Look who's on a little date."
"Fuck off," Jake replies without even looking up.
"Seriously, Jake," Guy says, leaning onto the table. "What are you doing here, with him?"
I snort. "You sound like a jealous boyfriend."
"Fuck you," he spits at me.
"No, fuck you," Jake snaps at him, finally looking up. "Get out of here."
He scoffs, looking down at him. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Jake growls, leaning back onto his arm, a cocky smirk on his face. He inclines his head towards the door. "Run along, be a good boy."
"Fuck you, Haze," he shakes his head, taking a few steps back. He mutters under his breath as he bangs the door open.
"Wow," I comment, sinking back into my seat. "Intense."
"He's an idiot."
"Thought he was your idiot."
"Don't make me vomit," Jake exhales. "And I am not asking you a third time what you're damn eating."
"I'll have the Surfs Up meal, if you must know," I reply, closing the menu.
"Okay." He gets to his feet and I go to follow, but he holds his hand out. "I got it."
"No, I'll pay."
"I said I got it," he insists, snagging my menu from my hand and walking to the counter.
I blow out a breath. He's adorable but fucking stubborn.
While he orders, I take a moment to check him out. He's tall and packed with muscle, not like me who is leaner. But for someone as fit as him, he's still thin and a little bony. He has broad shoulders and messy, dark hair. His tattoos look hot against his black shirt and jeans. He looks good, without any effort. I love that.
"Thanks," I say when he returns.
"I said 'have a good one' to your friend," he states with a head shake. "Happy?"
"Yes," I grin. "I've had a really good day with you."
"Yeah, I'm good company."
I laugh. "Right."
His smirk disappears. "I've had a good day with you, too."
His hands are playing with the packet of salt in front of me. I want to reach out to him, so badly. Fuck it. I run my fingers over his hand, my thumb softly caressing his.
His eyes flick up to mine. Red colour his cheeks. I see his Adam's apple bob up and down. He's extremely uncomfortable but he hasn't pulled away.
"Jake!" a voice squeals.
Jake yanks his hand back so hard I'm surprised he doesn't pull a muscle. Jacinta struts over to us and slides into the booth, planting a sloppy kiss on the corner of his mouth. Please excuse me while I puke up my breakfast.
"Hey Cal!"
Are you kidding me?
I look up to see Alice standing there with a big smile on her face. Since when do these two hang out? This has got to be the shittiest timing ever.
Alice sits beside me and wraps her fingers around my bicep.
"What's up?" she asks.
"Not a lot," I say uneasily. I look over to Jake. The way her body is leaning into him and the fact that I can't see her hands, only means one thing. "You?"
"Just been to the beach," she says, which is obvious, when I actually look at her. She's only dressed in shorts and a bikini top. Her skin is covered in goose bumps because it's not hot enough to be dressed like that.
"Yeah same, went for a surf," I try to keep my voice normal.
"What are you boys doing tonight?" Jacinta asks, moving her hand from under the table, to play with Jake's hair. I'm at risk of cracking a tooth, my jaw is clenched that tight.
"Don't know," I say in a tone that's probably considered rude.
"Jacinta is having a get-together at hers. You boys should come," Alice smiles.
"Yeah maybe," I say flatly, with zero intention of going.
"I'll go," Jake nods with a smile.
"Great! See you there," she plants another kiss on Jake's lips and I can't help but glare at her. "You really should come, Callum. It'll be fun."
"Uh huh," I deadpan.
She gives me a weird look for a second, before shrugging it off and getting to her feet. Alice gives me another smile, before they go to the counter.
"You're not actually going, right?" I ask him.
"I'll swing by. It'll be fun."
I give him a disbelieving look. "You know what her intentions are, right?"
He shrugs.
He shrugs.
My mouth is literally hanging open as I stare at him. A man I don't recognise delivers the burgers to our table. I barely utter a thanks because I'm feeling speechless.
"That doesn't really work for me," I say bluntly.
"What doesn't?"
"You going and meeting up with her!" I hiss, my fists clenching.
"But it's not another guy, what's the problem?"
I blink a few times, trying to process his words.
"You're not being serious?"
"I am?"
"So, you're going to her house tonight."
"Yes."
"You're going to kiss her?"
"Probably."
I can't even.
"You don't see a problem with that?"
"No."
"Well, it is a big fucking problem, Jake," I snap at him, leaning over and pointing my finger into his face. "It's disrespectful, rude and plain fucking mean, after everything you've said and done today. It's like you don't listen or even realise how dumb you're being. You can't have the best of both worlds. If you want me, you just get me. I'm not sharing your attention."
"Okay, jeeze, calm down," he shrugs. "Didn't think it would be a big deal."
I can't even explain how frustrated I am right now. And I've lost my damn appetite.
"Thanks for ruining everything, like you always do."
"Come on, Cal. Don't be an idiot," he exhales.
"Trust me, I'm not the one being the idiot, here," I snap.
I clutch my bag, thankful that the guy handed them to us in the take-away bags. I storm out of the burger shack and pull my phone from my pocket. The text from Rhett I received this morning is still sitting unread. I open it.
Rhett: We still on for tomorrow night? X
Callum: Definitely. See you then x
Two can play this game.