A Touch Of Sin [BxB] - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Something warm and rough on my cheek wakes me the next morning. I peek through my eyelid to see two big, brown eyes peering back at me. Sharp whiskers prod my nose and I gently swat Grant's cat away. I hear its paws pad against the ground as it bounds away.
I groan. Sitting up slowly, I rub my eyes.
My head. It's killing me.
"Welcome back to the land of the living," I hear Grant greet me as he wanders into the lounge room that I seem to have passed out in. He claps a pair of tongs at me. "Bacon and eggs?"
I nod, rubbing my stomach. The whirring sensation doesn't feel good, but I'm sure food would make me feel better. Grant offers me his hand. My head spins when I stand.
"Alice George?" he asks with a smirk. "I was surprised."
"Me too," I reply weakly.
Kissing Alice. Katryn storming off. Jake.
What a night.
I follow Grant into his kitchen, where a few of the other boys are, looking in as good of condition as me.
"Callum, you son of a bitch," Jaeden grins. "Alice George? I've been trying to get in there for six months."
"Sorry man."
He waves it off. "Fair game, brother."
I collapse onto the stool and hang my head in my hands. I'm so confused. Katryn is mad at me. Alice is going to think we have a thing. Jake basically owns my soul. I'm screwed.
"I thought you were meant to go home with Katryn last night?" Grant asks as he flips the bacon.
"Yeah I was. We got in a fight."
"Jealousy, no doubt," Grant scoffs, even though we did basically have this conversation last night.
I make a sound of agreement.
"You know that chick is in love with you, right?" Jaeden asks, pulling a shirt over his head.
I rub my hand across my face. "Yeah."
"Cal is smart enough not to go there," Grant says and I bite my tongue.
I hate being in the middle of this Katryn-verse-Grant fued.
The conversation finally moves away from my love life and onto other interesting things that happened last night. I tune in and out, mainly focusing on the breakfast being prepared and my aching stomach.
I get my phone out and begin to write a message to Katryn at least half a dozen times, before I give up. I know I need to go to her in person and apologise.
When the boys begin to get ready to go surfing, I decide it's time to go. The weather is way too cool for me to be out in the water today, regardless of heated wetsuits. Besides, Katryn needs me. Or really, I need her.
Mum's not home when I return. I shower and dress swiftly, before grabbing Charlie's lead. He trots beside me as we head down the street to Katryn's house. She has a ginormous soft spot for my dog. Therefore, there's a much higher chance of her speaking with me when he's around. He could use the walk anyway.
Her mum is in the garden when I walk up the driveway. She waves at me with bright yellow gloves up to her elbows.
"Morning Cal!" she shouts and I wonder if it is still morning.
"Hey there," I reply with a smile.
"Katryn! Cal is here!" she yells like she has so many times before.
Katryn appears at the door moments later, eyes narrowed, her arms folded across her chest.
"Walk with me," I greet her, nodding at Charlie. "I'll buy you a milkshake."
Charlie and milkshake. Two things she loves. Her resolve crumbles instantly. She rolls her eyes, grabs her coat and jogs down the stairs.
"Have fun you kids," Angela calls as we wave at her.
"I hate you."
"No, you don't," I say, wrapping my arm around her. "I'm sorry."
She nestles into my side and huffs. "Yeah whatever."
"I really am."
"Uh huh," she says breezily, crouching down and scratching behind Charlie's ear in the spot he loves. She talks to Charlie for a moment, before standing back up. "So, anything happen after I left?"
I nod. "Yeah..."
I rehash the scene between Jake and I. She listens with her mouth flapped open.
"Holy!"
"I know..." I trail off, rubbing the back of my neck. "Now I'm more confused than ever. He's gay, right? He has to be. He still has a connection to me, right? Or I at least confirmed he does when I didn't protest."
Katryn nods. "Both yes."
"Which is all great in theory, but I can't imagine Jake wanting to have a relationship or anything."
"Well, neither did his brother with your sister and look what happened there," she points out.
"I see your point but pretty different situation," I respond.
"More similar than not, in my opinion."
I exhale. "He has so much power over me and I don't know why."
Katryn shrugs. "You were close with him when he was here. He's the first guy you liked. Of course feelings aren't going to just go away."
My shoes scuff against the pavement. "Yeah."
The conversation somehow steers away from Jake. I try to let myself enjoy the afternoon, but my mind constantly goes back to Jake and last night. Questions tumble around in my mind. What's next? Did it even mean anything to him? Will it be awkward seeing him at school?
After getting our milkshakes, we wander along the North Wall. The waves crash against the rocks. Charlie tugs at my lead, trying to greet every other dog we pass. I let him. He bounds over to them energetically but harmless. I like how people are more friendly when there's a dog involved. People say hey, you have a conversation. When you walk on your own, people barely make eye contact.
When I drop Katryn back to her house, I reach for her hand, slipping my fingers between hers. Her eyes drop and stares out our hands.
"I really am sorry for last night."
"I know," she smiles up at me.
I squeeze her hand. She gives Charlie a pat, before heading inside. I wait until the front door closes behind her, before I continue the short trek home.
"Where have you been?" Mum asks when I walk into the kitchen behind Charlie.
"Walking with Katryn."
I plant a kiss on her cheek in greeting.
"How was last night?"
Jake's eyes. His touch. His hand...
"Alright," I shrug with a forced air of casualty. I notice then that she has her hair in rollers. "What are you up to?"
"I'm going out for dinner and drinks tonight," she replies.
I lean my elbow onto kitchen bench. "Uh huh. Who with?"
"A friend."
"A male friend?"
Her cheeks turn red. "Maybe."
"Good for you, Ma," I say with a smile.
She doesn't know how to respond so she makes an awkward sound and makes herself look busy. I grin at her.
"Ellie's not coming till next weekend now?"
"Yeah, an exam got postponed, she was meant to be finished on Friday but it got rescheduled to next week."
"Bummer."
I head to my room. I collapse onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling. I can't get last night out of my head. I've never felt that way before.
My phone dings. I lazily reach for it.
Alice: Hey you x
I exhale deeply. I don't open the message so it doesn't say read. I don't want to reply because it will only confuse things more, but not replying is rude. My phone dings again and I groan. She's double texting now?
When I look down, I feel my body jerk.
Unknown: Meet me at the end of your driveway tonight. 7.
Callum: Who is this?
Seconds tick by. Seconds turn to minutes. Minutes turn to an hour.
I throw myself back onto my pillows.
While I'm sitting here, waiting for this reply, I wonder if Alice is doing the same. I clutch my phone. My finger hovers over her unopened message. I lock it and sigh.
Mum leaves at 6:30, which is pretty good timing. Once the tail lights disappear around the corner, I throw on a pair of jeans and a long black shirt. I stick my beanie on and nervously begin to pace the kitchen. My fingers drum on the bench. I see headlights appear at 7:02.
I'm nervous.
Casually, I lock the door behind me and walk down the driveway. A black jeep is idling. No one I know drives a black jeep.
The passenger window rolls down. Jake's sitting there, a smirk on his face.
"Get in."