Summers & Starbucks - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Kaiden
"So, you're like a heir?" I ask him.
He's driving and I'm riding shotgun.
"Well yeah. I mean, it's a big company so I have to follow in dad's footsteps. Engineering is something I like, but I'm expected to work in pharmaceuticals so I'll have to get a degree in that field."
Sam showed up at my house and told my mum he was taking me away, said some shit about reducing stress.
My mum didn't even attempt to say no. Of course she wouldn't, she's known Cassie Everton for years. In consequence, she trusts Sam.
So now, here we are, riding down to his beach cabin in his fancy Mercedes. The other four are in Seth's car. Beats me why we can't all go in one SUV but Sam said he prefers having his own transport.
"Oh. You'll be high profile then. I would need to contact your secretary to reach you!" I laugh.
"Nah, for you, I'm always available."
"You want some nachos with that cheese?"
Sam laughs.
"Nah, I'm a pizza guy. Seth's Mexican enough for me."
He reaches out and ruffles my hair, letting his hand stay on my neck. I blush and look out the window. Now I know why he wanted his own car.
"What about you? How's senior year going? I can't wait to get to college already!"
"It's going pretty good aside from the usual bumps. Which college do you wanna attend?"
"Hopkins, UCLA, whichever I get, I'm not picky so I'm applying everywhere."
"Those are some high standards!" I grin. "I hope you get in though. How's your applications coming along?"
"Like shit. I'm pretty lazy so I put off everything until I am in an anxiety induced overdrive and then start working. I find I'm usually more effective like that," He smiles. "Where are you planning on going? Maybe I could follow you there."
My breath hitches. Follow me?! That would mean... Oh damn, I don't wanna think about that. Not yet.
"Uh, New York is my number one. Everything else is, well, unimportant."
"New York huh? That's the other side of the country. Why so far?"
"I was thinking Australia first or Europe. New York is still closer. I am hoping to get into Parsons but it is a very far fetched dream."
"Hey, don't worry Kaiden, I'm sure you'll get whatever you desire."
"And, how's your love life right now? Did you get over that other person? I don't really like competition," He smirks.
I laugh, turning on the radio to avoid his question. Work by Rihanna is playing and I join in. Sam sings the Drake parts. He can rap quite decently.
The whole ride is filled with us singing the randomest songs that cross our minds, including what does the fox say and crazy frog. He's holding his tum, crying laughing.
"How do you literally know the whole thing?! It's a gibberish song!" He laughs.
"It's catchy. I memorized it when I was what, six? Wait, there's a gas station, can we stop? Let's get cigs and I also gotta pee."
He nods, pulling onto the service road. It's a dingy place but surprisingly quite clean. He goes to get snacks and things and I walk to the washroom. I finish my business and step out of the stall.
Sam comes in.
I wash my hands, waiting for him. He steps out of the stall and washes his hands.
Our eyes lock in the dotty mirror.
Next thing I know is that he's pushing me against the wall and kissing me like we're both going to die tomorrow.
His hand grabs my neck. He bites my lip and I open my mouth. His tongue explores mine for a brief second before the door clicks and both of us spring apart immediately.
Sam turns on the faucet.
A guy walks in, thankfully looking into his phone. I adjust my messy hair and pull my askew tshirt straight. Sam sends me a sideways glance and we both walk out. The guy gives us a nod and enters a stall.
I'm pretty sure my face is redder than the gas station sign. Sam has a smug look on his face when we both enter the car.
"Washroom makeouts might be our thing," He chuckles.
Needless to say, it takes us way longer to reach than necessary, making several stops along the way.
Sam is enticing - his scent, his irresistible physique and his half-smile with those unwavering blue eyes.
He's somewhat making me forget Nathan.
Who am I kidding, he's still there, stuck annoyingly in the back of my head.
I don't think I'll ever like Sam as much. He makes me more comfortable about my sexuality but Nathan makes me happy. And crazy but mostly happy.
It's dark when we finally arrive.
He pulls up outside a fucking mansion, built in levels, right on the beach. It is isolated, surrounded by palm trees and mangroves. It's literally all glass and wood and steel, with huge windows giving a perfect view of the ocean.
"Cabin?! Beach cabin?!" I gasp, punching Sam's arm. "Do you know what that word means?"
He chuckles, carrying both of our bags.
"We get the topmost room. That way, we have access to the roof and the couples have their privacy," he says.
There's a lemongrass diffuser somewhere. The interior is like a Balinese villa, with a small courtyard pool and bamboo plants, wooden decks and unfinished concrete benches.
"What the fuck?" I whisper, looking around in awe. "This is a dream house!"
"There's also cameras on this level," He says quietly, warning me in a way. He is still so cautious, even away from the people we know.
"Why are you still closeted?" I ask, walking around. I enter the open plan kitchen which has a deck, overlooking the parking. A cane dining table sits on the deck.
He follows me out of the sliding window after keeping our bags near the staircase.
"It's a complicated story," He sighs. "That's why I can't wait to leave this city and go to college. I'm tired of living like this, secretively."
I nod. I open a kitchen drawer. It even has utensils, all ready to make a meal.
"Are we cooking?" I ask. He shakes his head.
"The caretaker is here. He lives downstairs with his wife. We can tell them what we want to eat. I already told them tonight's menu so we can freshen up and be down in about an hour for dinner."
"Convenient," I nod. "Although I would really like to make breakfast tomorrow. This kitchen is magnificent!"
"You can cook?!"
"Of course, why do you look so surprised?"
"I think I like you more now," He grins, making me blush instantly.
"Oh look who's finally here! We unpacked and took showers! What took you so long?!" Paxton says, walking in, startling us both.
He looks different, than the time I saw him at the game. He dyed his hair blonde and got an eyebrow piercing.
"Hey guys!"
A stunning girl comes in, smiling. She has waist length hair and a face which is both sharp and soft, with eyelashes like a deer.
Holy hell, she's gorgeous!
She kisses Pax on the cheek quickly, making me look away from her. So that's his girlfriend. Goodness, Pax is a lucky guy.
"Kaiden, meet Gabriella," Sam says.
"Hey!" she wiggles her fingers.
"Hi! You're beautiful," I smile. She blushes, looking away. Paxton laughs, nuzzling into her neck.
"Careful Kaiden, she's taken!" He says but his voice holds a playful warning.
"I know, I'm just stating facts," I grin.
Gabriella laughs.
Sam narrows his eyes at me and I shrug.
Seth and Anastasia come in giggling, her riding piggyback. He puts her on the island counter, and stands between her legs. They look adorable together.
"Finally, what took you so long?!" Seth asks, a little out of breath.
Sam says a quick story about a flat tire and I nod along. Seth and Ana give him unconvinced looks. Oh shit, I forgot they know he's gay. But they know about us too?
"Let's go down to the beach? Tide's not turned yet. It's a moonlit night and not too cold."
"The water will be freezing though," Gabriella says. "Maybe we should wait till daytime. We don't want to fall ill and ruin the stay."
Eventually everyone agrees to just take a walk.
"You guys go ahead, me and Kai will catch up," Sam says.
Ana raises a brow at me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. I raise my brows too. She rolls her eyes but smiles.
"Fine, don't take too long!" Pax says.
I pick up my bag and trudge upstairs behind Sam. The room is bigger than my own back home. The bathroom is... interesting. All etched glass. No wall.
Sam pulls off his shirt and opens his bag. He takes out shorts and a dry fit shirt, eyes on me the whole time.
"What?" I ask, taking out my own clothes, conscious under his gaze.
"Nothing," He smiles. He takes out a cig and lights it, sliding the window open.
I walk to the bathroom. I don't feel like a shower so I wash my face, feet and hands and step out.
Sam is gazing out towards the sea, looking straight out of a marble statue museum, his shoulder blades chipped and defined, lean muscles flexing in his back. The spot where his butt curves has two little dimples. He's pale, not one single tattoo or a blemish, in contrast to Nathan's tanned skin.
I wish he was here.
I didn't just think that! Fuck.
Really Kai, you're so stupid. Just accept he's just not into you and enjoy your time with this boy who actually likes you.
I stand beside Sam and take a drag from his cig.
"You wanna join me in the shower?" He asks.
I cough on the smoke, definitely hadn't expected that to leave his mouth. And oh so casually - I mean, hello? Showering together is so damn intimate!
"Wha-what?"
"I'm kidding. I don't wanna make you do anything you don't feel comfortable doing," He smiles.
Even though we've kissed almost the entire way here, when he leans in, I forget to breathe.
This kiss is slow, inviting - nothing like the frenzied makeouts we had earlier. I close my eyes.
My lips part for more when he pulls away.
"Later!" He sings and shuts the door to the bathroom, leaving me a flustered mess. I touch my lips, still tasting the cigarette smoke.
Fuck.
The shower starts.
Sam's faint outline is visible through the etched and fogged up glass wall. I stare, watching his movements.
"Fuck this," I whisper, pulling my clothes off and enter the hot steam filled shower.
Sam is lying shirtless in my lap, a movie playing idly. Two half finished beers from the fridge are beside us, a bowl of doritos between.
We're sitting downstairs in the lounge, enjoying the cool breeze on the leather sofa.
"This is nice, isn't it?" He hums, sitting up.
He kisses me again. I moan softly when he bites the sensitive spot below my ear.
"Sam, cameras," I whisper, pushing him away.
He sighs, falling back into my lap. I run my fingers through his hair as he hums a tune.
This feels like the time I watched Call Me By Your Name with Nathan. I wonder if he had watched such films with his ex. I wonder what happened between them.
"What are you thinking, Kai?" Sam asks.
A beautiful boy is lying in my lap and I'm thinking about the one who is almost fifty miles away. Am I dumb or am I dumb?
"I'm hungry, I hope the others return soon."
"Hm, same. I could eat a horse!" He chuckles. "They're going to be mad at us though. Do you think they're waiting somewhere down on the beach?"
"Well, if somebody hadn't tempted me, we would have reached soon enough!" I laugh.
"If somebody hadn't given in to their temptation.... well, no, I'm glad you did," he chuckles.
I grin, ruffling his hair this time.
"Am... I, your first?" He asks, playing with the rings on my fingers. He slowly entwines his fingers in mine, making little sparks run up my skin.
"First guy? Yeah," I nod.
He sits up straighter.
"Kai, why didn't you tell me that before? Now I have to set a benchmark!" He grins. "No other guy you'll be with should even come close to me."
"You really do hate competition," I laugh.
"Only when it's with someone I like and I really like you."
I hum, feeling shy.
"So, uh, you've done all of that, just with me?" He asks, pulling me on his lap. He rests against the armrest of the sofa. "There's nobody else?"
"Of course not. I mean, I didn't even know I liked guys until the summer," I mutter, running my fingers down his face. His eyes flutter shut.
"The summer? So, uh, I'm not the first guy you like then?"
I shake my head. He pouts. I kiss him quickly and get off his lap.
"You're the first one to hit on me though. I don't get why someone as attractive as you likes me."
"I just do, okay? Don't overthink it," He smiles, patting my head.
He gets up and walks to the kitchen, with the empty bottles and chips.
I can't help but think about his and Nathan's beef again. Why did Nathan say that? Sam seems like a really nice guy.
I unlock my phone. Raven has sent me a text with a photo. It downloads and a picture of her and Nathan pops up. It's a selfie at a pumpkin patch. They're wearing matching bat wings on their heads. They look adorable.
He misses you more than I do tbh. Can't stop asking if you texted - R
Lmao. I am that irresistible ;) - K
Fuck you! :) This was supposed to be a date n you're third wheeling even when you're not here! - R
Did he ask you out? :0 - K
I hold my breath as the typing bubble appears.
No, I did lol. I mean I said friend hangout, not date. I chickened out - R
Lol then don't blame me for being on his mind - K
She doesn't reply. At least he wasn't the one who asked her out but then why is he asking her about me instead of talking to me himself?
"Who got you pouting like that?" Sam asks, raising a brow.
"Just Raven," I shrug.
"Aw man, she's my competitor?!"
He smiles, laying in my lap again. I laugh and shake my head.
If only he knew.