1. The Blood-Red Cherry On Top Of This Shit Sundae

Song: Jonah Karen - God Needs The Devil

(Added above and on Spotify)

xoxo

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It was the night of Saturday, October 31st, when I witnessed my old life unceremoniously die, and a new life quite literally birth itself.

When I met a man named Donald Whittaker-Jones.

It was the night of my nineteenth birthday. And man, what a complete fucking shit show that day was, right from the get.

Then again… most of it was, even now, still a blur.

I spent the day looking for company at the bottom of a liquor bottle after clearing a six-pack of beer, waiting on a promise I knew wouldn’t come from my dad. None of his ever did. And when I woke up closer to midnight, feeling the rest of what should’ve been my special day, start to disintegrate into literal thin air… I went out in search of someone who could actually make me feel a little less fucking shitty.

Isiah Jacobs.

The guy I had fallen for over our junior year when we got unexpectedly close.

I’d now argue too close.

And someone who I mistakenly thought I knew better than I actually ever really did.

Donald was the father of a senior named Dylan Holland- the guy who was now dating said someone I had mistakenly fallen for.

And I hadn’t meant to drive over emotionally fucked to that Halloween party Saturday night, either. Molly’s party, of all people. Molly Pichret, one of the many who hated my fucking guts just as hard as the rest of our senior class did.

I hadn’t meant to miss Isiah’s texts and calls during the day, wishing me a happy birthday, and when I finally came to at night, waking up on the couch of an otherwise empty auto shop after a whole day spent drinking, I decided I’d rather just see Isiah in person if I could.

I would’ve done anything to salvage how shitty of a birthday it had genuinely shaken out to be. And it had also been a good minute since we’d last seen each other.

I wasn’t driving him home after school anymore…

Dylan did that now, I guess.

There were emotions I felt about that that I knew, deep down, I had no right to feel… even if the hurt I felt was telling me otherwise. And showing up to that party- taking a short walk with a guy who had no business having such gentle eyes- I had let my feelings pour out in the most disgustingly inconsiderate way possible.

Then I had kissed him.

Against all reasoning. Against what I had always probably known- that he didn’t love anyone but Dylan, and he honestly had no reason to ever love me in that way either… all I fucking did was push him away whenever he got too close… but I still did it. I still kissed him.

Then my father saw us, under the dim street light, against the hood of my car…

And the events that followed are where this story starts. Right after my dad punched Isiah in the face on that otherwise empty street, and beat the complete shit out of me that night.

Right after Donald fucking Whittaker-Jones of all people showed up at my dad’s chop shop, and beat him within an inch of his life with a crowbar.

That was how I now found myself here, at The Brookside Apartments.

Apartments owned by Don, where I would be living for the indefinite future.

I thought this year- my senior year at Averin High- would be a throwaway like the other three years were.

But similar to just how wrong I got it with my first love… I got this drastically wrong, too.

I woke up suddenly, startled, gasping for air as I felt the dampness of sweat covering my bare skin and the thin yet well-crafted cotton sheets I was wrapped in.

As I took a deep inhale, trying to steady my shallow, panting breaths, my lungs welcomed air that didn’t reek of thick, clouded cigarette smoke for one of the first times in my entire life.

The room was cool- the air clear. The temperature controlled, unlike what I was used to. And unlike what my body felt.

I’d lived in this skin all my life as far as I knew, and yet this first week here, at the Brookside Apartments, was the first week I had ever felt like I couldn’t recognize a single fucking organ in my body. These bones felt unfamiliar. The sense of alarm, only to be abruptly woken by nothing but still quiet and peace, felt like maybe just maybe I hadn’t woken up at all.

Wishful thinking, really. Death must’ve been too easy.

I thought that maybe this was the eternal peace all those bible-thumpers spoke of… but the alarm blaring from my cell phone sitting on my bedside table told me that wasn’t what this was.

The song I had it set to was pretty damn questionable for heaven, for starters. I couldn’t imagine Hol’ Up by Kendrick Lamar would be allowed in the pearly white gates… but then again, I had to quickly question whether I even would.

That answer was no.

My now trembling hands threw off the thin comforter, and I wasn’t sure why I slept with it on in the first place; it wasn’t like I’d ever not woken up like this. Drenched in sweat from a nightmare. Or night terrors, if my dreams decided to spice things up. Whatever people call them, when you feel locked in a dream that is all too real, with no sense of being able to escape it.

This was why I chose not to sleep at all… or until I knew my father was passed out cold somewhere, not all drugged up and drunk looking to fight.

Usually, it was my alarm that got me up, but it looked like my body managed it for a change this morning.

Maybe shit was getting easier here , I wondered.

Maybe my body was finally adjusting to this place, where I was now waking up.

Cool room. Temperature-controlled.

Quiet.

Clean air…

God,

I felt like shit , I couldn’t help but think as I finally swung my legs over to the side of this soft mattress.

Literal. Fucking. Shit.

It had only been a few days since that night. The night my dad’s rage flew off the goddamn handle. Three days now, to be exact.

I could feel the bruises- the pain shooting up and down the sides of my torso relentlessly. Bruised ribs. Cut skin on my hands from when they shielded my face from my father’s kicks. It would be a while before it all eventually faded, even with the help of Donald Whittaker-Jones. And I was trying not to ask for much help from that old man at all.

Not after what he’d done. My father probably would’ve killed me that night if he hadn’t shown up.

Not after what I did to him, either- all in an effort to hurt his son because I had felt something I hadn’t felt before. Jealousy.

In addition to the full blown apology tour I was forced to go on in order to return to Avelin High after being suspended for almost two months right from the start of the school year- attending again was one of the many conditions Don had given for allowing me to stay here- I still had to leave the school grounds right after I met with the administration and my dean yesterday afternoon.

With none of my pride left to my name, I made it back here to the apartments in time for Don, who was stopping by.

He had dropped off some new clothes since I had nothing here, then tended to my scrapes and cuts before giving me more instructions about the horrible bruising. I didn’t feel like speaking to him much, but the man seemed to handle silence just fine.

Avelin High had agreed to allow me to return next Monday- six days from today- printing out my schedule for the assigned classes I would be taking, as well as enrolling me in the online classes I would have to take to receive enough credits to graduate this year.

I already knew I was fucked, especially after missing this much school, even if some of the classes I was taking now were junior classes that I already took and ended up completely failing last year.

At least they were sparing me the embarrassment of taking most of those classes at school with the other juniors.

My mind still travelled to a thought so fucking stupid I almost slammed my head against the wall I had stumbled towards as I pushed myself off this bed and onto my wobbling feet.

It was the thought of seeing Isiah more- not in class, considering he was in all AP and honors courses his final year, just like Dylan was… but just seeing him in passing…

That thought alone had my heart tightening so painfully tight, it almost made me nauseated. Everything about Saturday night had replayed again and again and again in my head, forcing it to spin so gruesomely fast, I felt the physical dizziness from it.

The way I had driven to Molly’s, pulling him away from the party…

The way I had-…

I had kissed him.

I had kissed him.

My mind forced that memory out, just like it had forced out the notifications I saw from texts Isiah had sent over the weekend. I eventually had to put all notifications from him on silent. There wasn’t a part of me that was prepared to say anything- to correctly apologize for what had happened that night.

No apology would fix it , I thought to myself now. He had gotten hurt because of me. I had gotten us both hurt because of me, but at least I somewhat knew how to take my dad’s outbursts- the punches he could throw. I knew how to make myself small when he switched from his hands to his feet.

In an effort to stop myself from throwing up directly onto the wooden floors beneath my feet as I stumbled out of the bedroom, I decided to focus my mind on something else. Anything else.

So I thought back to school. Education. The only thing I fucked up for myself so royally, it made it one fantastic distraction, because I didn’t have an answer to solve it. Somehow, I was going to need to find a way to actually graduate . For the first time in my entire life, I had literally no other fallback option if I didn’t.

I wasn’t going to be able to work at the auto shop with my dad anymore; that was pretty obvious. Definitely not after what my dad did- what Don had done to get me away from the abuse Saturday night. Honestly, I didn’t know whether my dad was even still alive.

And I still couldn’t believe I was forced to apologize to a total of 10 teachers just to be allowed back. That was the one thing I never fucking did.

Apologized.

Well… that was until Saturday night.

Until Don had shown me why these apartments meant more than to him than I could ever imagine.

Donald Whittaker-Jones was probably one of the richest men in NYC, and I had just-

I had thought-

I still couldn’t believe the man didn’t bury me in a ditch somewhere that night. Between fucking up his car, kissing Izzy without his consent, being the reason Izzy got socked in the face by my own father, and generally just being a dick to Dylan, Don’s own son, since the beginning of this school year… I had deserved the worst.

I probably deserved to be beaten to death by my dad that night. For once in my life with him, I might’ve earned those hits… except in his words, not mine, he was trying to beat the gay out of me. At least that was all he was screaming about at the top of his lungs, all coked up and shit, while stomping my ribs out.

There wasn’t a damn thing I could’ve said to excuse any of my actions towards the people who didn’t deserve it. And the only piss poor excuse I had was just that- jealousy. Up until this weekend, I was jealous of everything Dylan had, but most importantly, he had Isiah .

After my conversation with Izzy shortly before I kissed him, he had told me everything I already knew deep down inside.

That I never had him. Not in the way I delusionally thought. Not in the way I had desperately wanted to. I was asking him to discard feelings he had developed for Dylan over seven long years of friendship, for what I thought we had built together this last year while Dylan was overseas.

What a stupid fucking thought on my part.

Where Don had taken me instead, though, was where I was now… here… The Brookside Apartments. Don and his husband’s building. It was where Don had once lived with his own abusive dad over forty years ago. And of course, I only found that out after taking the cheapest shots at how this building was probably a money-laundering scheme for some rich billionaires, when it should’ve been for the locals in the area to live in.

I hadn’t known it was Don’s.

I hadn’t known it was going to be subsidized housing again soon, after years of all these fancy renovations.

I hadn’t known that this was where Don had once lived with his abusive, alcoholic father.

The place had gone to a local after all. And it was going to be used for low-income housing for the community. I just got it all so fucking wrong.

And I… I couldn’t… I still couldn’t fucking believe what he had shown me, that old apartment unit, before he had led me to this one where I was now staying.

The state that particular unit was still in took whatever snide comments I had left in this battered body and burned them to ash.

It was like a portal to the past when I looked past Don into his old apartment unit. No updated appliances, no updated furniture. I could tell it had been kept clean and dust-free all these years later, but the carpet hadn’t been replaced. The countless holes in the walls hadn’t been patched. None of the damage to the furniture was fixed.

The man I thought Don Whittaker-Jones was, and the man he really was, were two completely separate people. Saturday night had shown me just how wrong I had been about him. Just how wrong I was when I ever assumed this man didn’t know the first thing about a gut-wrenching struggle. The first thing about not choosing the home you grew up in, or your own flesh and blood.

Seeing that unit on the third floor… it had finally made sense. The sheer chill that cold look in his eyes sent down my spine as he beat my father with a crowbar… it-

His hatred for what my father had done to Isiah… to me… it made sense now.

That night had also shown me just how wrong I probably had Dylan, too, letting my anger and jealousy fuck with me like that. I should’ve never fucked with the car he was driving to begin with. Probably wouldn’t have touched it if I knew it was his dad’s. It was just that… watching Isiah climb into something that expensive, something I could never even dream of owning, let alone driving him in… it pissed me clean off.

I had gotten so used to driving Izzy home in my shitty beater that now that that wasn’t much of a thing anymore, I sort of…

Well… I lost it.

Even though I knew I couldn’t be right for Izzy, I still fell stupidly in love with him. And I was the one who made it physical right from the jump between us- friends with benefits- just so he thought I’d never expect more, but it was the way he cared that added to the intensity of my feelings.

He was the first person to ever ask me, “ Who did this to you?“ when he first saw the bruises on me, our junior year together, and not “ Well, what the fuck happened now?“

I had always let people believe it was the fights I must’ve started with others, because I tended to anyway… not the shit I went through with my dad at home… but Isiah saw straight through that from day one. From the very first day I drove him home, our third week of junior year, and every day since then.

It was the year I had had Isiah to myself, while Dylan had taken the year in Ireland to visit his extended family. I didn’t know exactly what had happened between Isiah and him, considering they had been best friends for as long as anyone in our grade could remember, up until last year… but I didn’t care much about it then.

I had selfishly just wanted that time alone, blindly thinking- hoping their separation was permanent.

Fucked up. I know.

Now that I knew what happened… that they had kissed before Dylan left… that whatever had developed had started before I even really knew Isiah… I was going to force myself to finally let go of this.

This blatantly one-sided crush I had.

I had to.

While Don surely owed my dad that complete beatdown, knocking out at least six of his teeth for punching Isiah in the face over the shit I had done… no one owed me this.

No one owed me a fresh start.

I hadn’t earned it in any way.

It was the first and last chance I knew I would ever get from Mr. Whittaker-Jones, because even if I saw the visible hatred in his eyes for my dad, there was still a tinge of disgust in those light eyes as he looked down at me. Not so much because of the car, though he was pissed as shit about that too, but also because of what I did to Dylan and Isiah as a whole.

Don may have been helping me, but there was a part deep down that knew his motivations were because Isiah cared- because Isiah got hurt.

Izzy had sent me a text Sunday morning telling me everything was okay… yet I knew it wasn’t, and I couldn’t bring myself to reply, so I just ignored it. My dad hurt him because he found me trying force a kiss on Isiah, as if that would’ve helped any damn thing. It was one thing for my dad to think I stole his toolbox and give me a black eye… but to find out that I was-

That I might be-

To find out in that way…

He would’ve killed me that night if he had the chance.

He’d come pretty fucking close , I thought, glancing down at the deep blue and purple bruising all across my stomach and sides while I entered the kitchen area of this one-bedroom apartment shirtless so I could pull out the ice pack from the freezer. Don had left me three in addition to extra medical supplies, and he’d be back here this evening, then again tomorrow to check on me.

I just… I didn’t know my dad’s retaliation to what he’d seen would be so sudden . Even in his own drunk, coked-out state, I never thought he would think he could lay a hand on Isiah and not face some consequences. Izzy wasn’t his flesh and blood like I was, even if he had hung out with us a lot over the last year, at my dad’s shop.

Izzy still had parents who could press charges if they wanted.

The only thing that surprised me was how quickly those consequences came. My old man was only about thirty minutes into taking his anger out on me after driving us back to the shop in his car that night, not wasting the opportunity to slam my head forward repeatedly into the dashboard during the drive, when we all heard the knock on the garage door.

It was a knock so normal, I thought a neighbor might’ve walked over to tell us to keep it down. No one called the cops around there. No one dared to, not with who my dad was.

I had pulled my body into a fetal position on the floor of the shop, feeling my dad’s strong kicks as he hurled more homophobic insults my way. I tried to convince myself that he just had to tire himself out and he’d eventually give it a rest, but tonight seemed like one of those days where this was going to be longer than average.

There was probably more cocaine in his system than average. Then the homophobia in him didn’t help a damn thing- not after seeing me kiss another guy. Willingly, at that .

Once those bright white headlights flooded the top windows of the closed garage door, however, my dad slowed to a stop. I tried to peer out of my bruised, swelling eye to see, watching my dad walk towards the door, yelling at whoever it was that we were closed. He had reached down for the handle to open the partially closed thing.

Then the next thing I knew, my father was flying backwards onto the floor of the shop.

I watched as that tall man entered.

I watched him pick up that crowbar near the raised metal door.

And as my father tried to get up, I watched Don strike that man across the face so fucking hard my whole body flinched.

It was probably in that exact moment that I knew this drug and alcohol fueled lifestyle happening in this chop shop was officially over. My dad had, for maybe the first time in his entire life, crossed the worst person he possibly ever could’ve by striking Isiah like that on 26th Street…

Don patched me up Saturday night while he made sure I was aware of the expectations after he brought me here. He was able to reduce the swelling on my eyelids, clean the cuts on my face and my arms, and help the bruising scattered across my ribs. He did what he could about the bruises, but I knew that for the next few weeks, I’d just have to wear more clothes to cover up what I could.

Especially today.

It was Tuesday, November 3rd, and while Mr. Whittaker-Jones recommended I take more time to rest, I had already faced the music at school with the administration yesterday, so I decided it was best to just get everything over with and I could start this new penitentiary of hell disguised as a high school next week, along with this new job.

Don eventually agreed and sent me directions for the place I’d soon be working at. He wanted me to stop by today and introduce myself since I insisted on ripping the band-aid off my fuck ups.

I hadn’t even gone through an interview process, which only added to the pull Mr. Whittaker-Jones clearly had in the city, being able to find me and get me a job in the span of two days.

Well, technically, one day since he sent the address over yesterday morning, after I told him I was going to Averin High to sort out my classes. I just didn’t have the energy following my apology tour there to do anything else, so the job introduction was scheduled for today.

I knew I should’ve been grateful for his help… yet all I felt constantly was uneasy.

Up until last weekend, I had had my whole life figured out, however pathetic it might’ve seemed to some- how pathetic it definitely seemed to Isiah- but now… well, now I had nothing.

No secured job working for my dad.

Hell, no Dad really. Whether he was still alive was a toss-up, but Don didn’t say he was dead, and I felt like the man would at least mention if he was.

I had no friends I could call on because the rules for me staying here would never mesh with them, and neither would my curfew. Not that my friends were really much of friends at all. They just liked that they could do drugs, smoke, and drink at my dad’s shop when they wanted.

That wasn’t going to be a thing anymore, either, after the events of Saturday night.

Above all else, I couldn’t get into trouble anymore. No arrests. No illegal drugs. I couldn’t even vape inside the damn apartment, but there was, luckily, a small balcony connected to the living room if I needed a cig.

And probably the most damning thing of all, whether I deserved to even think this way or not…

…I didn’t have Izzy.

I didn’t allow myself to after what I had done, in any capacity, not just what he was offering now. What it should’ve always been between us anyway:

A friendship.

After taking as much time as I could to try and ice a few of my injuries, and cover up the rest with a large, clean navy blue hoodie- I had to toss the one covered in my blood from that night- I threw on some faded light blue jeans, got what I’d need for the drive, and headed down to the lobby, passing the 24 hour security detail on the way out.

My beater was parked in the parking lot out front, where Don had left it Sunday morning after fetching it from 26th street, where I had to leave it Saturday night after my dad threw me into his car and sped off.

He had forced me to leave Isiah out there all alone, and injured.

This beater of mine was definitely too old for a built-in GPS. I mean, the thing still took CDs and cassette tapes, so I entered the address Don sent into my phone’s GPS and let it guide me out of the apartment’s parking lot. At the same time, I pulled a cigarette out from the new pack in the center console and brought it to my lips.

I then had to genuinely dig into the center console of my car with my right hand while handling the wheel with my left, feeling for the metal square-shaped lighter before I flicked open the lid, struck the coil with my thumb, and brought that flame to the end of the cigarette.

Don didn’t give me the name of the business I was heading to; he just gave me the address, and with each mile I drove, realizing it was actually really close to the apartments, I grew increasingly more and more concerned about what exactly I was about to get myself into.

The one thing about working at my dad’s shop was that we all had a terrible attitude. Constantly . Hell, we were all just terrible fucking people as a whole. It was the only way I knew how to make it through a shift there- fueled by anger, and usually very fucking high…

But as soon as the dot on the GPS map came into view, and I looked up past the other shops on this street to read exactly where the address had brought me, I felt my heart sink directly to my fucking ass.

…It was a café.

Wilmoria’s Café , the large white sign on the dark brick building read. And my next few words came out with zero filter attached.

“You’ve got to be fucking shitting me.”

••

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-

~

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻

𝓐𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓬𝓼

~

ʀʏᴋᴇʀ

ᴘᴀʀᴋᴇʀ ᴀɢᴇ: 19 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴏᴄᴛᴏʙᴇʀ 31ꜱᴛ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ꜱᴄᴏʀᴘɪᴏ ♏︎

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ᴍɪᴄᴀʜ ᴊᴀᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ (ᴍɪᴄᴋᴇʏ) ᴀɢᴇ: 22 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ꜰᴇʙʀᴜᴀʀʏ 29ᴛʜ (ʟᴇᴀᴘ ʏᴇᴀʀ) ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ᴘɪꜱᴄᴇꜱ ♓︎

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ᴘʀɪᴄɪʟʟᴀ ᴅɪʟʟᴏɴ (ᴄɪᴄɪ) ᴀɢᴇ: 44 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴏᴄᴛᴏʙᴇʀ 15ᴛʜ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ʟɪʙʀᴀ ♎︎

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ᴇᴠᴇʟʟ ʟɪɴᴅᴇʟʟ (ᴇᴠᴇ) ᴀɢᴇ: 28 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 1ꜱᴛ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ᴀʀɪᴇꜱ ♈︎

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ᴊᴀᴅᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴏʟɪɴᴀ ᴀɢᴇ: 32 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴊᴜɴᴇ 5ᴛʜ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ɢᴇᴍɪɴɪ ♊︎

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x ᴀᴠɪᴇʀ ᴄʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ (x) ᴀɢᴇ: 29 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 12ᴛʜ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ꜱᴀɢɢɪᴛᴀʀɪᴜꜱ ♐︎

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/e8196935fb0628283a0b6e468377a317061442b3/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3336517a6d5361577933763132413d3d2d313537373639373430392e313838303639616433616562373161333731343634323931393733382e706e67)               

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ᴛʀɪɴɪᴛʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ (ᴛʀɪɴ) ᴀɢᴇ: 21 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴊᴜɴᴇ 30ᴛʜ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ ♋︎

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/b9b90e129b81c70510852b239bb03b0cd4fb36ae/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4a2d43393150715f7876683959413d3d2d313537373639373430392e313838303639626561323134636333643134333730343338393937372e706e67)               

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ɴɪᴋɪ & ᴍᴏʀɪ (ɴɪᴋ & ᴍᴏ) ᴀɢᴇ: 25 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 29ᴛʜ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ᴄᴀᴘʀɪᴄᴏʀɴ ♌︎

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/70671a777bb8df88726fa6f0e3212ee71d9cfad6/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6e577962417055475f352d6f4e513d3d2d313537373639373430392e313838303661353366356663306165333738303839393135343336392e706e67)               

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ᴄᴀʀʟᴏꜱ ᴊɪᴍᴇɴᴇᴢ (ᴀʀʟᴏ) ᴀɢᴇ: 27 ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ: ᴀᴜɢᴜꜱᴛ 8ᴛʜ ᴢᴏᴅɪᴀᴄ: ʟᴇᴏ ♌︎

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/3124cd0845f4df591bc589382a0eb8c652ac27c9/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f456646417457654d3152523934673d3d2d313537373639373430392e313838303661363539666535653761353930343732323637333032322e706e67)               

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2. The Batter Thickens

Song: KAMAUU - the vibe

(Added above and on the Spotify playlist)

xoxo

Five Months Earlier…

My phone vibrating relentlessly in my pocket was what made me yell across the liquor-soaked bar table of this hole in the wall, to the bartender himself, asking Larry to give me just a sec mid drink order so I could dig into the back pocket of these ripped dark denim jeans and see just who the hell was calling me well past midnight.

And on a Saturday night at that.

As soon as I caught sight of the caller ID, however, I picked up quick.

“Mickey!” I heard a woman beam through the line, making me instantly chuckle at the insane energy she had for a call so late. Well, late for her at least.

I glanced up at Larry the bartender, mouthing to him that I’d be right back, before I returned this chirpy greeting. My feet were already moving, carrying me out of the packed bar towards the exit that led to the back alley.

“Hey, CiCi!” I grinned damn near ear to ear. “ What the hell are you doing up? “

I heard that instant scoff, which only widened this grin further. “Don’t you dare age me, young man. My soul’s still caught in my early twenties, jiving to some early 2000’s hits, you jackass.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “The year’s 2032, Ci, but yes, not a day over twenty-five, right? How could I forget…”

“Try twenty-two,” she countered, only making me laugh louder. “Anyways, I’m calling to congratulate you! Sorry I couldn’t make the ceremony. I know that’s gotta be a cardinal sin somewhere as your godmother and all, but between getting back from France to manage the café, and trying to get some personal affairs in order after such a long trip, traveling out to Boston just wasn’t doable. Did you get the gift basket I sent, though?”

“Yep,” my warm tone assured her. “It’s no problem at all, Ci, and I absolutely loved the sweets from Paris. You come back with more inspo?”

“Oh, you know it!” She exclaimed. “You have no idea how excited I am to start tinkering around with different layouts for-”

“I meant inspo as in heartbreak ,” I cut in, earning me the deepest of ceremonious sighs. “Hey,” I continued, ready to defend myself, “you’re like the hopeless romantic’s final boss. Broken Hearts Café needs you back pronto if you’re feeling emotionally damaged enough.”

“ Wilmoria’s, “ CiCi hit back with, insisting, “it’s called Wilmoria’s , you freaking prick .”

I couldn’t help but laugh again. “Tomato, tomato . Anyway, I’ll be back at the café in early September. I’ll be back in New York City a couple weeks before then, but you know I’ve got some affairs of my own to settle with the guys out there. Gotta settle into my new place, too. Lots to do before I’m ready to sink my teeth back into some cavity-inducing baked goodness.”

“ Yeah, yeah, yeah ,“ Ci dismissed casually. At this point, this smile on my face was permanent.

I was glad she called.

Always felt like home when she did.

“I could definitely use you back. Any plans with that newly acquired Engineering degree, my little scholar?”

Ah , I couldn’t help but think as soon as she asked that. It was the same question my parents were asking, but somehow that question coming from CiCi was far more forgiving. Didn’t come with expectations.

“Is baking not enough?” I asked, which made Ci outright laugh.

“Maybe not to others… but if you’ll bake for me until my time comes and they lower me six feet under, I will die the happiest I’ve ever been. Mi kitchen es su kitchen.” And the way Ci was dead fucking serious about that induced the most intense dopamine hit for me.

Content was what I always strived for. And Ci knew that all too well.

“What shifts are we looking at?” I forced myself to ask, not letting this massive high overcloud my judgment, because this was always what led to a back-and-forth between this forever-young, spirited woman and me.

And the slight pause before she replied said just about it all it needed to. “So… about that…”

This fucking woman, I swear.

“I know you love your morning shifts, but right now, my personal life has my schedule set on only mornings. Usually with Eve. If you’ll cover the closing shift, Eve has generously offered to work open-to-close. She’s been saving up for a two-bedroom unit at her apartment complex so she doesn’t mind the extra hours. She wants her cat to have her own room or something like that, I don’t know. It’s Eve we’re talking about here.”

I sighed heavily at that, which CiCi picked up on because she was quick to follow up.

“ However! “ I heard her insist on the line, “We are looking for a closer to close with Eve, so once we get someone hired, then you’ll be opening in the mornings with me. Just how you like it! And- and I can pick up whatever weekends you need off, just let me know at the start of the week and that time off will be all yours!”

I found myself leaning back against the brick building of this bar, welcoming the slight breeze that was rare at the start of June. Usually, I’d feel like a muggy, disgusting fucking mess, with the congested environment of the bar inside not doing jack shit to help any.

“I…. suppose ,” I sighed mockingly, making CiCi just about squeal through the phone. “But you’ve got to promise you’ll have someone in before winter. I absolutely refuse to go through the holiday season with the closing shift bullshit. I won’t let you do that to me again, Ci. You had me fucked up during my winter break last year.”

“ I know, I know, I know. You have my word!“ This woman insisted with all too much enthusiasm, but I still had my reservations. The holiday season was by far a particular kind of hell for Wilmoria’s, even if it was simultaneously the most fun. While our Best In Town hot chocolate was probably the most-sold drink in the entirety of this fucking city, CiCi made the festive time of the year extra enjoyable.

First, every employee got double wages the last two weeks leading up to Christmas Day, and time and a half for any overtime worked until January 20th.

Next, each employee got to submit one creative winter concoction to add to the menu, either food or drink, and whichever item was the most sold by January 20th stayed on our seasonal menu permanently, as well as earning whoever made it a holiday bonus that was a percentage pulled directly from our sales.

Lastly, we all participated in Secret Santa, selecting a stirring stick with a name on it from a hat, to exchange gifts with each other that last week before Christmas.

CiCi made sure we didn’t completely hate our lives while working like dogs during the season, and I honestly appreciated that, considering my family didn’t live in New York.

Or the US, for that matter.

My mum and stepdad were retired back in Korea, so the most I ever had on my docket for the holiday season was a phone call home, and the anticipation for all the goodies they sent over out of guilt for not being here.

Oh, the joys of being the only child.

This year, I was real brand-specific on the face masks that I wanted. There were too many brands that I hadn’t been able to get my hands on online, or in shops on this side of the world.

And so, regardless of how ready I was, in fact, to take myself out of this world amid the hectic atmosphere of the holidays in New York City, I appreciated that Ci did her best to make it exciting.

“Once you touch down here, you’ll still give me a call, right?” Ci asked. “I’ll take you out for lunch, and we can catch up on your last few months away.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle yet again. Only CiCi had the ability to get this much laughter out of me these days. Or perhaps I was still riding that wicked high after having graduated with my brain still somewhat intact, praise be . This final year almost broke me.

“You’ll be the first person I call,” I assured my dear old friend and godmother. “Well… after my new landlord. Still gotta pick up the keys.”

“Perfect. Then I’ll let you get back to enjoying your Saturday night. Are you out celebrating?”

“Yes indeed, Ms. Ci. We’ll talk soon, though, yeah?” I offered, and I could practically hear her nodding through the line.

“I can’t wait to see you, Mickey… Take care of yourself, alright?”

“ You know I always do . Love ya, Ci, and see you soon!“ I assured her, smiling myself before pulling the phone away from my ear and ending the call.

Present Day: Tuesday, November 3rd, 2032

If I didn’t absolutely love Pricilla, I would’ve released a variety of cuss words into the universe as soon as I saw her text to me on Monday.

It was day three into November, the month Ci had agreed I could do mostly open shifts because I only had a finite amount of time with some good weather before me and the guys would be mad restricted with riding conditions, and Ci definitely knew this…

But what still got me out the house before noon on a Tuesday morning was absolutely the fact that CiCi admitted she was finally interviewing someone else.

Thank. Fuck . Like goddamn .

We had a rehire in early September after I got back into town- Carlos. Arlo , as we liked to call him.

He hated the nickname, but the more we got on his nerves, the better business was. He made the meanest espressos when he rechanneled that built-up anger, and since he had a tendency to alleviate said anger at the gym in the mornings… we had to start early with pissing him off again.

Like, as soon as he started his damn shift , early.

He was also the only one of us who was happily married, and since he wasn’t fueled on heartbreak like the rest of us were, I had to take some drastic measures with that fucker.

Arlo was one of our part-timers who had just moved back to the city like myself, and decided to pick up some weekend shifts because, while he hated his nickname, he secretly loved us… Yet the weekend schedules always sucked, and I didn’t want to trade my weekday shifts with him… so I was ready to bring someone else on.

Anyone else at this point who could work weekday closings.

I parked my motorcycle in the back alley per usual and entered through the back door, where I set my backpack and helmet in the employees’ only room before heading into the kitchen, and I immediately ran into Eve. She was already in an apron, pulling out some pastries from the convection oven.

“Sup,” I nodded at her as her head turned slightly when she heard the door from the back room to the kitchen open.

“You’re on time,” her monotoned voice replied more or less as a statement. I just chuckled, not sure how to even reply to that shit. Usually, my start time was more of a suggestion than anything, just as long as I was here before 2 PM when Ci had to take off for the day.

“Heard we got a new kid in around noon. You meet him yet?” I asked, grabbing an apron off the hook near the back door. Eve set her work aside to walk on over and help me tie the apron I was starting to slip on.

“Yeah. Sorta. Skittish at best. Don’t think he’ll last long, honestly.”

Eve made sure that apron was on tight, making a double knot, all while I was still trying to digest the bluntness of her words. This green-haired wild child wasn’t much to sugarcoat anything, and when she said someone wouldn’t last long here, she was almost never wrong.

Arlo was actually the only outlier, even if he had been pretty off and on about putting in time here. Truth was, Eve and I felt like we had to do nothing short of lie to any new prospects trying to start at this café around this time, so close to the holidays… but CiCi was far too honest for her own fucking good.

“ Lock ’em down ,“ I used to tell her. “ Lock ’em down first, only bring up holiday bonuses… don’t go all Mother fucking Theresa on ’e

m.

Only god can judge us. “

Ci was far too honest for her own good most days.

“Well… fuck ,” I sighed. “CiCi got my damn hopes up for nothing.”

“Yeah. See for yourself, though. Go act busy up front. Clean the espresso press or something,” E instructed. “New kid’s sitting with CiCi at a table near the window.”

I gave Eve a short nod before she finished that tie off and walked back to the sink adjacent to us to wash her hands again. “You met him then?” I asked her, but Eve didn’t even bother to turn her head to me again for what she said next.

“Just go see for yourself, Mic. I’m busy .”

And so… well…

I did.

After using the second sink to wash up, I left the kitchen in the back, heading through the door leading out to the front counters. As soon as that door opened, I caught sight of Ci and the younger-looking guy sitting across from her at a two-seater table. He flinched as soon as he heard the slightest sound of the door closing behind me, even if I had tried to sneak my way out here.

Sharp ears.

CiCi and I locked eyes first, before the guy across from her quickly looked over in the direction she was now looking.

“Mickey!” Ci grinned immediately, standing to her feet before gesturing for the guy to quickly do the same.

First thing I noticed was the oversized navy hoodie he wore, with some casual faded jeans to match. “Hey CiCi,” I smiled at my boss first. Pricilla was wearing a more fitting look for a café owner than her usual cardigan, mum jeans, and messy bun… but clearly, whoever she was interviewing hadn’t put in any effort at all.

His outfit was the easiest thing to spot from across the café, but as both he and Ci made their way towards the front counter, my thick eyebrows furrowed just a bit more.

The guy had the gnarliest black eye, along with a large bruise right smack dab on his forehead. I was so taken aback, I almost didn’t catch what CiCi said next.

“Ryker, this is Mickey- well, Micah, but we all call him Mickey or Mic. He runs the afternoon shift right now, but that’s the shift you’ll be taking over after your training period ends three weeks from next Monday,” CiCi gestured to me, forcing my eyes to shift to her a moment before they landed back on the younger guy with the pretty fucking noticeable black eye.

I wanted to ask her just what the hell had happened to him, but I knew I’d have at least an hour to interrogate this older woman before she snuck on up outta here like she usually did. She was currently going through one nasty divorce with a man she had married on a whim in France and told me nothing about till I had flown in from Boston the last week of August.

Now it was November, and most of her afternoons were hung up in legal stuff, trying to separate herself from a man she coined as a “devil from the city of love.”

Most people would’ve thought the whole situation was batshit, but I knew this woman well enough to know that this was just another Tuesday for her, and like her third marriage in the last seven years.

As my gaze shifted back to the guy- Ryker- his light brown eyes quickly averted my gaze, choosing to look down at the floor instead.

Yeah , I sighed internally. Eve was right .

He wasn’t making it past week one.

“Nice to meet you,” I nodded, mustering a smile at the guy who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else but here. He looked out of place in this happy-go-lucky aesthetic of a café, but the hopeful gleam in CiCi’s eyes told me to at least try , and so I did.

All the guy did was nod, refusing to meet my gaze.

“Just until Ryker feels comfortable closing with Eve, I’ll have you train him, then you’ll be back to opening with me while Eve works afternoon to close.” CiCi’s smile was warm, confidence probably shining through, considering she was finally doing right by the promise she made me before I accepted this full-time position.

Opening shift.

I almost wept at the thought of finally having my afternoons and evenings back. I didn’t give a damn that I’d be here at the asscrack of dawn for prep work, and honestly, with Eve focusing on closing, my work in the mornings would be a breeze. That woman was the best damn closer an opener could ever ask for.

“You have experience baking?” I asked him, trying not to let my annoyance shine through in front of my boss. If he couldn’t even look me in the eye, I knew this was going to be rough at best.

It wasn’t like Eve had a stellar personality of her own, but we all knew how to turn on the charm to reel in customers. This was a customer-centered business after all.

And this guy was acting like he’d never experienced human interaction a day before in his life. As he slowly shook his head no, his richly brown eyes still glued to the wooden floorboards of the café, I couldn’t help but give CiCi a look.

All my college friends, once in my engineering classes before we graduated, had aged about twenty fucking years from those courses alone, and yet I’d probably try my hand at picking any one of those socially allergic nerds to work here before I chose this guy of all people.

This hire smelled like a favour… and there was only one person whom Ci owed any favors to- besides Eve and me, of course…

Donald fucking Whittaker-Jones.

I was still waiting on a visit from that old man, but he had a tendency to stop by around the holidays. I knew him, his husband Carson, and their kid Dylan had all just got back from their trip overseas, so I didn’t really press CiCi on it, but at the very least, I was looking forward to Dylan and Isiah stopping by again.

Those two were the most adorable pair. Took me about two seconds into their visit two weeks ago for me to clock them as a couple, which was long overdue at this point. Eight damn years of them already being inseparable, if I was counting the years right, though I first ran into them when I first started here, my junior year of high school six years ago.

Donald was very close to CiCi, which was why this whole thing screamed of his involvement. It was the only reasonable explanation for this mess.

Ryker slowly shook his head no to my question, so I asked another.

“Any cashier experience?”

He slowly shook his head again, unable to rip that locked-in gaze away from the floor. At first, I couldn’t quite place why my irritation was skyrocketing so drastically, until I noticed it. The slight irritation on his face, like he was the one doing us a favour by even being here.

CiCi probably felt the agitation bubbling up inside me because she jumped in before I could say anything else. Whatever was about to leave my mouth now wasn’t going to be pleasant.

“He’ll learn quick, though!” She insisted, staring me down with a silent plea of her own. “Then you’ll be back to the morning shifts, yeah?”

I had to hand it to her- the woman knew her talking points. And the best I could offer was a slow nod in return, which was genuinely the best I could do because there wasn’t a smidge of excitement in my voice as I said to Ryker, “I’m looking forward to working with you, then.”

And of course, as I suspected, the kid didn’t say a damn thing in return. Didn’t even glance up at me or nothing.

He just nodded.

••

3. Fully Cooked

Shit.

Shit .

A… café?

A fucking café?

I didn’t even want to get out of the car, to be honest. If it wasn’t for the fact that the man who set this all up had just given me a place to stay in addition to not actually murdering me himself on Saturday night, I would’ve just peeled off.

I mean, I was used to putting in hours at a damn chop shop , not a fucking café . I didn’t even handle the payments at my dad’s place; I just fixed whatever cars he brought in and marked down for me to work on.

That was it.

I had actually never stepped foot in a café a day before in my life. In addition to it being a waste of money, my diet consisted strictly of frozen pizzas, hot tamales, and beer. That was literally it, no deviations, because deviations cost money I didn’t fucking have.

But still, I forced myself to fix the shitty parallel parking job I did, cut the engine to this beater, and eventually- unwillingly and begrudgingly- got the hell out.

My whole body still felt like complete shit whenever I breathed, let alone moved even an inch, but at this point, it was whatever. Nothing I could do about the bruises now besides try to ice them again after this whole meeting was over, and hope some of the swelling went down eventually.

These legs of mine operated about as fine as they could, walking me around my car and up the sidewalk to the front entrance of the place. I reached for the metal door handle, but through the glass door itself I could already see a woman inside, hurrying over to greet me. She was older, and yet those warm eyes of hers were young, complementing the rest of her kind, beautiful features.

If I were even remotely straight, I’d say she was a complete ten. Probably married , I thought to myself, but I didn’t see a ring on that left hand of hers, which pushed the door open by the inside handle for me.

“Ryker!” She beamed immediately, making my stomach churn, and my head start to ache again. “I’m so happy you could make it! Come on in!”

I didn’t even know what to say to that, nor to her in general. The woman was so… chirpy . A little too chirpy for my scrambled head.

So I just went with a nod, allowing her to hold the door open for me while I walked through, and as soon as I took my first step inside this café, I was instantly hit with the most incredible smell I think I had ever smelled.

It was the sweetness of vanilla- a raw scent that was entirely fresh, rich chocolate, and nutty hazelnut, blended and mixed in with the strong smell of dark roast coffee.

I had honestly never seen the appeal of sweets a day before in my life- something I made a note of not mentioning during this visit today, considering I’d be working here soon enough… but this fucking aroma alone made me question whether I could spare a few dollars to maybe buy something on my way out.

The answer was obviously a fuck no , thanks to the financial bind I was in right now, with no work. My dad used to pay me at the end of each shift, so cash was the lowest it had ever been for me… but I was still surprised that I even thought about it as I eyed the display windows near the counter at the back, filled with cakes and cookies.

“I hope you found the place alright!” The chirpy woman added, gesturing to the chair at the table near the window, close to the entrance door. I went ahead and took a seat, watching as the woman sat down right across from me.

The word “yeah” finally made it past my lips as I looked around the café next. Something clicked for me at that very moment, and it was the fact that this woman across from me- Pricilla, I noticed was her name by the name tag clipped onto her thick, wool cardigan- wasn’t necessarily like… staring?

Like I knew my face looked beyond fucked. I knew it looked fucked up as all hell- anyone with eyes could see that- and yet she… she somehow was acting like I looked completely normal, her expressions utterly unfazed.

This was probably Don’s doing , I couldn’t help but think. There was just no way someone could look over the black eye and deep bruising on my forehead.

“Perfect!” Pricilla beamed, smiling at me from across the table. She really did have some seriously warm eyes, making me feel a surprising amount of warmth in like the two seconds I had met her. “This isn’t an interview, so don’t stress about it at all. I’ve already made the decision to hire you, but I just want to get a feel for your schedule, give you a rundown of expectations, that sort of thing.”

I found myself nodding slowly, trying to absorb what she was saying. Usually, I hated it when people spoke this fast, but her pace was good- it meant this meeting would hopefully be done soon, and I could get back to the apartment.

It was stupid to even think about… but that apartment was the only place in this goddamn city where I felt the safest. Just being out and about right now made me feel more than uneasy, like my dad could pop up at any moment and finish what he started Saturday night.

“You’re in school still, right? Senior year at Avelin High, I’m guessing?” Pricilla asked. I nodded again.

“I’ll be starting next Monday,” I explained quietly to her. My voice was rough- rougher than usual- but I still tried to sound polite enough. And if Pricilla had questions about why the hell I’d be starting school two months into the school year, she sure as shit didn’t ask.

“Anything conflicting with your afternoon and evenings? We’re only open until 7:00 PM during the weekdays, then it’s usually about an hour of evening prep work before you’re free to leave, so hopefully that’ll give you enough time for homework and to unwind after?”

I nodded slowly yet again. The simple thought of homework made me want to throw up, but right now, I didn’t even give myself that luxury.

My fuck ups had gotten me in this exact position. I knew I should’ve done what Izzy said- simply try

• but I had ignored him. I had thought I had it all worked out when I really fucking didn’t.

“Just school,” I found myself telling this older woman, whose smile quickly widened.

“Perfect! Now I can’t stress enough how important being on time will be. I know the high school usually lets out around 2:30 PM or sometime around then, so I just need you to make sure you’re here by 3:15 PM each weekday. I usually take off around 1 to 2 PM, but Eve will be here before you start. She’ll be working from 1:00 PM to close, while I open with-”

“CiCi!” I heard a voice call out suddenly, making me jump, and Pricilla pause mid-sentence before both she and I turned towards the counter at the far end of the café just as someone walked through from the back door.

And the very first thing I noticed was her hair.

It was curly, deep green, with dark brown roots growing in as the length in total fell a bit past her shoulders. Her skin was the color of caramels, with a complexion so smooth that it physically stunned me for a second.

She was wearing a thick, tan canvas apron wrapped and tied tight around her slender frame, and though half her body was hidden behind the counter, I could tell she was tall. Taller than me, for sure.

“Filters need a restock. I’m putting in an order.”

Pricilla nodded her way in an instant. “Sounds good, E!”

From how welcoming this older woman who sat across from me was, I expected her to maybe call over the woman with the deep, green curls… but that woman had turned and disappeared past that door just as fast as she had just walked through it… and I guess that was that.

“That’s Eve. Right now, she’s been working from open to close, but her schedule will change after you get settled in and comfortable with the closing procedure. Then you two will be closing together,” Pricilla explained, turning her head back towards me.

I got momentarily distracted by the distant revving of a motorcycle somewhere in this busy city, not listening as well as I should’ve been.

The sound of it made my ears perk up- a Yamaha YZF-R1M. I glanced out one of the large ceiling-to-floor windows of this café to see if it would pass us on the street, but Pricilla’s voice was what pulled my gaze away.

Focus , I snapped at myself.

Now wasn’t the fucking time for me to get distracted, even if that bike sounded absolutely beautiful .

“I’ll email you over the pay structure since we do have some holiday bonuses around this time, which my employees here love and take full advantage of. Right now, we only have you working Monday to Friday, but weekend hours are always available if you want to pick up more shifts.”

That made me sit up a bit more. Considering I was now on my own for groceries, gas, and rent, I already knew I’d be picking up those weekend shifts whenever I could.

Was I stoked about it?

Fuck no.

But I had to make money… and right now, I had to make a lot of it since I couldn’t go back to my dad’s and I couldn’t stay at The Brookside forever.

“I won’t lie to you,” Pricilla continued, “it gets pretty crazy here during the holidays… but everyone here is a team player! If you need a hand, just ask.”

I gave Pricilla another nod.

While I knew I just needed the money, I still put into place an action plan of sorts to get me out of this job as soon as fucking possible. A good time to dip would probably be after the holidays, and I was already trying to mark out the job search.

Dealing with the shitfest that was school was already one thing; I didn’t have the space left in my brain to learn anything else, and while working at another auto shop might not be the safest considering my dad was connected to most of the shops around this area, I knew what I was good at.

There wasn’t much… but cars? Bikes? Yeah. I was good at that shit. My dad put a wrench in my hand as soon as I could walk, and I hadn’t looked back since.

As I got a good look around this café again, I felt a bit sick.

Well, sicker than I already felt just by being out of bed.

The walls in here were a light pink and completely covered in framed artwork. The tables that filled the sitting area were white, with comfortable, deep brown wooden chairs that matched the floorboards.

It was… vibrant, I’d give it that.

Way too fucking vibrant.

At least the overhead lights were a warm yellow , I couldn’t help but think. Thanks to this nagging headache I had from my dad slamming my head into the dashboard of his car, and the fucked up sleep I’d had these last few days, the warm lighting made it easier on my eyes.

“All I’d stress is make sure you’re very specific with what you need if you’re going to ask Eve anything. Since Eve will be on open to close during your training period, you’ll be trained in by another employee. His name’s-”

This older woman didn’t finish that sentence. Instead, her words were cut off yet again by my body suddenly jolting. The sound of the back room’s door opening again had startled me, and it sounded like someone had full-on slammed the damn thing, but I knew whoever it was hadn’t; it was just the sensitivity I was fighting through while I recovered.

I expected to see the same woman- Eve- walk back out as Pricilla and I turned to the counter again…

But that wasn’t the case.

Like fucking at all .

For starters, a man walked out instead of a woman… and my gaze fixed on his face almost immediately, sucking all the air out of my lungs like a damn HPV.

I stared in almost complete disbelief at the hot as all fucking hell of a man who walked over to the counter, peering easily over the countertop and glass displays that held all sorts of treats.

His hair was the deepest brown. Bone straight. A bit long with a middle part and tapered, shorter sides.

His skin was a deep tan, evenly tinted from his head down to the exposed, incredibly muscular arms of his short-sleeved black t-shirt. Those sleeves wrapped around biceps that could’ve rendered me speechless for the indefinite future. Something as simple as a black shirt and apron on him made my erratic heart slow, but my demanding anxiety fucking skyrocketed .

I could pretty much feel my jaw lowering further and further once I raised my gaze again to catch sight of those fucking eyes, even from across this café.

My heart was starting to beat faster again- harder , as he peered over at us.

In all nineteen years of my shitty existence, I had never seen anyone look both this fucking attractive and simultaneously so out of place in a café. He had a neck tattoo that traveled down to the visible part of his upper chest- a variety of flowers that somehow, in some way, made this man look even more fucking hot.

I mean, I had never seen such intricate flower tattoos make anyone look good, let the fuck alone this good. Ever . The delicate, heavily shaded designs, along with his rugged features, as far as I could see from all the way over here, made me question whether this café was actually just a front for something else.

One of his ears was pierced with a silver ring that glistened, reflecting the overhead lighting, and matched the silver chain he wore around his neck, which had some kind of pendant attached.

For an undisclosed amount of time- seconds… minutes… maybe even fucking hours… I found myself unable to breathe correctly.

Or like, at all.

Those eyes of his were sharp as shit. I could tell he was Asian, maybe mixed, with thick, deep brown eyebrows that matched the color of his hair, and when his tongue slid out to quickly moisten those unbelievably full lips, it genuinely sent a deep shiver through my entire body.

Who-… who the-… now just who the fucking fuck was this motherf-

“Mickey!” Pricilla called out, making me jump from the sudden noise as she grinned immediately at the guy who had now entered the otherwise empty café.

Pricilla was on her feet in an instant, before she turned to me and gestured with her hands for me to stand too. My legs felt wobbly while I forced myself on them, trying to remember how the hell to function while my eyes returned to this guy.

Mickey.

“Hey CiCi,” he smiled at Pricilla, those full lips stretching wide, before he shifted his gaze to me.

Pricilla had started to walk over to the counter, glancing back slightly to make sure I followed, and my legs seemed alright enough to pull themselves together to move, but I was pretty sure my soul was still sitting in the chair behind me, having severed ties with my body. His intense gaze had almost made me forget how absolutely wrecked I looked right now. Almost .

Just breathe , I told myself.

Breathe, you dumb fuck. We can’t afford any more injuries right now.

The sweet aroma of this place wasn’t fucking helping any.

I kept a comfortable distance from Pricilla, making my way towards the counter with her. I didn’t want to get closer to this guy. Actually, in this very moment, I genuinely contemplated just walking out.

This wasn’t going to work , I told myself quick.

Like at all.

Maybe I could try finding a gas station that was hiring instead or someth-

“Ryker,” Pricilla turned back slightly again, pretty much forcing me to join her at her side, and much to every objection in my body, I slowly did.

Sort of.  Just enough so she didn’t have to twist her head back to look at me.

“This is Mickey- well, Micah, but we all call him Mickey or Mic,” Pricilla then explained.

My heart was beating like it was going to put me six feet under in seconds. I immediately wanted to hide everything about myself- my face… my body, even though this baggy hoodie was taking care of that easily…

Staring at him- and yes, I was becoming more and more aware that I was in fact staring… hard

• it made me feel like I was buttass naked right now.

Those deep, chocolate eyes of his were staring me down, analyzing my entire frame from top to bottom, then bottom to top. There was a whole counter between us, yet those eyes were the clearest, most heart-damaging things I had ever fucking seen. My knees were getting weaker and weaker, trying to figure out a way out of this conversation. I didn’t want to be here anymore.

“He runs the afternoon shift right now, but that’s the shift you’ll be taking over after your training period starts next Monday.” Pricilla gestured to the guy like I wasn’t standing across this counter from him, his entire presence imprinting itself on my mind against my fucking will.

He was staring me down, damn near sizing me up, and even though I stood at around 5’11, it felt like he had a whole ten feet on me, though in actuality, he was probably a little over six feet, making this damaged body of mine feel even smaller than it was.

And that was when I forced my eyes lower, snapping downward and staring at the fucking floor now.

This- his gaze… it was a fuck no on every front.

This hoodie didn’t feel big enough anymore. I wasn’t even sure this café was still filled with oxygen, making me feel more light-headed and nauseated than I already fucking was.

“Nice to meet you,” I heard him say, but I didn’t dare rip my eyes away from this damn floor.

My mind was already planning an exit strategy. There was no way in hell I was working here. The only thing I could think to do right now, however, was nod. All it would take right now was one more slight trigger, and I’d be throwing my insides up all over this wood floor.

Just get through this meeting , I told myself, then we’ll try gas stations first. Grocery stores next. Whatever bonuses Pricilla mentioned sure as shit wasn’t worth it anymore. If I had to work overnights somewhere else, I’d choose that any day over this. I was feeling sicker and sicker by each passing second.

“Just until Ryker feels comfortable closing with Eve, I’ll have you train him, then you’ll be back to opening with me while Eve works the afternoon to close,” This older woman explained to this guy-

Mickey .

This was who the fuck was supposed to train me in?

Yeah… no.

Fuck no.

“You have experience baking?” He asked, his deep, rich voice sending another shiver through me that made this hoodie feel even smaller. There was no good way to explain just how desperate I was to bolt outta here right now.

I didn’t even know whether or not I was still breathing. I guess my body would tell me soon enough, as it went back and forth between throwing up or dropping me right to the floor from lack of oxygen.

God, I looked like shit- I mean, I knew I really looked like shit, and unlike Pricilla, this guy was openly staring at all of it.

The question he asked was a complicated one to answer. Especially given my fight-or-flight response kicking in full gear. The only thing I had ever “baked” was a frozen pizza, and judging by how fancy all the baked goods in the counter’s window looked, I knew that wasn’t going to fly. So instead, I just slowly shook my head no.

Maybe if Pricilla realized I wasn’t cut out for this, she could take back this shitty offer, I thought.

That was what I was currently praying to every god I could think of would happen. It would’ve been the easiest out of this impossible situation.

Mickey apparently wasn’t done with his interrogation, because he asked another question almost immediately after.

“Any cashier experience?”

Jesus fucking Christ… My stomach was running on E, so the only thing that would even come up would be the sickly yellow color of bile.

I slowly shook my head no again, still staring at the floor. There wasn’t even a day under my belt for dealing with cash unless I was buying weed from my dealer. That was the experience I had with the metric system, too. Grams to ounces for when I picked up bud.

My dad had been pretty fucking clear that he was the only one to handle any payments at the shop. I only needed one reminder when he flew off the handle two years ago after I closed out a transaction for a customer, and he broke my nose in the back room of the shop. After that, I had steered clear.

Pricilla must have sensed this entire conversation quickly going to shit, because she jumped in not a moment later with, “He’ll learn quick, though! Then you’ll be back to the morning shifts, yeah?”

Her words were kind and comforting, just like her whole presence was…

Yet all I felt deep at the very pit of my stomach was the most substantial amount of dread, as I realized there was no out .

Either I managed to find another job before Monday… or I was completely fucking fucked .

••

4. Flour To The People

“ Oh no you don’t, “ I spoke, reaching for and yanking CiCi’s cardigan back by the neck collar before this sly woman could try to escape out the back door.

“W-Wait!” CiCi insisted, but I pulled the frazzled woman all the way down the short hall near the back door and into her office before closing that door swiftly behind us. She tried to make another quick run for it, forcing me to block the entry with my whole damn body.

Words were about to be had.

“You better start explaining,” I told her, placing us in a stand off for about thirty full seconds until I heard my good friend sigh the deepest sigh of pure and utter defeat.

“ Alright, alright, alright ,“ I heard this woman give in before she stumbled a few steps backwards towards her messy desk, and took a seat on the surface, right over the scattered papers of inventory that I knew she’d get to…

Eventually .

“So I know you probably have some questions.”

“ Some is putting it hella fucking lightly , Ci,“ I replied with a swiftness. “Why does he look like he got jumped into a gang or some shit?”

CiCi diverted her gaze a moment, taking her time to seemingly collect her thoughts. The new hire- Ryker- had left about an hour ago. A customer had shown up only a few minutes into me meeting him, and from then on, we had another rush that kept us all busy right up until now.

“Listen, this is a favor for Don-”

I couldn’t help but scoff, chuckling more to myself right after because of course it was . It felt like all was right in the world again when my assumptions were validated like this.

“He called on Sunday, but he didn’t tell me much about it. All I know is that the kid needed somewhere to work, and we needed someone to start ASAP, considering the holidays.”

I wanted to push back- say something that would try to have CiCi give me more information than the current breadcrumbs she was tossing at me, with a supposed here, damn , but the look in her eyes told me she genuinely knew nothing else. And her devotion to that older man would never cease to amaze me, even if I knew a lot about why they were this close in the first place.

Don was the closest thing CiCi had to a brother, having known him almost all her life, and the only family she had left after her mother passed away, besides me, of course.

“He sure as shit can’t work the front, you know we’ve got a certain image to uphold with our lovestruck customers, and plus, he has zero experience with baking.”

The bread and butter of Wilmoria’s, in addition to staff who knew how to do their job damn well, was the simple fact that all our customers came back for both the treats and our staff’s good looks. Was it exploitative to prey on the hearts of those who thought they might have a chance with any of us here? Sure. But I just called that good business.

We all worked on broken hearts and angst… and our regulars fed off that shit like a pack of hungry hyenas, wanting to be the one to finally save us in the relationship department or some shit.

Truth of the matter was that no one here would ever date a regular. No one here was allowed to, especially given everyone’s track history with messy breakups, besides Arlo, of course. He was happily married, unfortunately. But that didn’t stop us from cranking up the charm and entertaining that fantasy for whoever walked through our café’s door.

“I’m not sure what pull Don has with you on this particular favour, but you just dumped more work in my lap, Ci. That guy looked like he’d rather be anywhere else but here.”

“…Yeah,” CiCi sighed again, pulling the sides of her cardigan forward to wrap tight around her thinner frame. I had lived with this woman long enough in my earlier years to know that that was what she did whenever she was stressing. “But once we get him adjusted, I think he’ll be okay. Hopefully, he learns quick in the kitchen. And once the bruising improves, we can have him out on the floor with customers.”

All CiCi’s words told me was that this guy was now my problem. At least until he learned the ropes.

“You’re the best teacher!” My good friend added, shifting her eyes back to me. “We’ll just start in the back. Maybe have him on dish duty, then move up to baking. Training will hopefully take at max three weeks, and viola! You’re back to the shift you like, yeah?”

“I oughtta start invoicing you,” I grumbled to her. “That guy doesn’t belong in a café. And from the little I saw, I’m not exactly sure how the hell he’s going to mesh with customers when he’s healed enough to move onto the floor. I mean, this is one insane hire for so close to our busiest time of the year-”

“-I’ll pay you double for the training period starting today-”

“-but I think I can find it in my heart to adjust,” I shot out quick as hell, which made CiCi’s lips slowly curl up into a smile. This woman knew I could push back on a lot of things, but extra money wasn’t one of them. I had just dropped an insane amount of money to get my tattoo artist a stronger lawyer because that fucker needed to finish the piece he started on my back last winter.

He had no business getting himself locked up.

“If he becomes a hassle, though, Ci, you gotta promise me that you’ll cut him loose. I may be one damn good baker, but I’m not a miracle worker here. Don’t get greedy with your asks.”

“Well,” CiCi pushed back herself, “if I have Eve train him, either he’ll quit or she will. At least you love me enough to stick it out. You’ve always been a surprisingly patient one, just a little rough around the edges.”

“Don’t push your luck, gorgeous,” I warned her with a warm smirk, which only made that playful smile on her own lips grow. “How old is he anyway? He’s got the face of someone barely legal to drink, but the aura of a recovering alcoholic who just finished their sixth go-around in rehab after the first five failed, so which is it?”

It was hard to tell his age, even as I studied that face of his earlier while he kept his eyes glued to the floor. Even before those light brown eyes darted there. His face was swollen, and paling with each passing second he stood in the café, making his features harder to assess.

“Eighteen- wait… nineteen. His birthday was Saturday,” CiCi confirmed. “He’s a senior at Avelin High.”

I felt my eyebrows raise slightly at that.

His birthday was on Halloween, which was interesting, but then again, I had no room to talk. My birthday technically only happened once every four or so years.

And those eyes of his… I couldn’t describe them well, but a word I definitely wouldn’t use was youthful . When my gaze had locked in with his, however brief it was, he just looked… on edge… but also just… exhausted .

Not like he had a rough night sort of exhausted, it was more like he had a rough existence sort of exhausted. I guess that checked out, considering the state he was in.

All I could think about was how things would go from here. I wasn’t a fucking therapist, nor did I want to be one, even though the lifestyle I led and people I kept around me would beg to differ.

The only reason Eve and I worked so well together was because we existed confidently with each other while simultaneously flourishing in our own worlds. I would move both the heavens and the earth for her if their current placement didn’t align with her chakra or some shit, but if she wanted to trade a weekend shift, there was a fat chance in hell I’d say yes.

Just by getting one look at that new guy, I already knew that I probably wouldn’t know a shred of peace for the next three weeks. That irritation on his face alone had damn near started making my eye twitch.

I also had an inkling that three weeks was ambitious at best, but I still let CiCi believe it could be done because I did truly love this woman- I always would- even if I didn’t particularly like her right now for dumping this one on me.

Deep down she and I both knew I was the only one with the capacity to handle it. Just like I always handled everything else, both in and out of this café.

Well, besides her divorce. She was going to have to be a big girl and sort her romantic messes out.

“Now,” Ci continued, “am I free to go or am I still a hostage? Keeping me in my office won’t get any of my paperwork done any earlier, you know that.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I took a step to the left of the door before reaching for the handle. “You’re free to go,” I told my boss as she triumphantly scooted off the desk. “But don’t skip town. I’m not done with you yet.” CiCi chuckled at that, nodding. “And remember what I said, Ci. If it’s more work than benefit, you gotta cut ties. Tell Don to start spreading his favours out more, too, or we’ll all start greying at the same pace he is.”

That earned me one solid, earnest laugh from my godmother as she nodded, letting me pull then hold the door open for her to pass through.

And as I stood in CiCi’s now-empty mess of an office, I thought back to him again.

Ryker.

Those eyes of his …

They looked like fucking trouble.

And for maybe the first time in my entire life, I couldn’t gauge what kind of trouble that would be.

“Eve! Mickey!” We heard someone call to us from the back door of the café, before the door closed shut on his way in.

Eve released the most agitated sigh known to man while she pulled off her dirty apron to fold up for a wash at home. I was already slipping on my leather jacket in this employees-only room with her, grabbing my motorcycle helmet next.

“You know I can walk myself home,” this fiery-spirited yet terribly monotoned woman said, snapping those words over at me.

“Sorry, E,” I replied, “but you know I can’t let that happen. The mugging-”

“ Attempted mugging,“ she corrected. “Heavy on attempted , and I beat the shit out of him with my crossbody purse.”

To this day, I was still surprised to have found out four years ago that Eve carried a whole stone brick in her purse every day without fail. That mugger who targeted her about a block from her home was probably thinking that was his opportunity to strike- empty streets at 2 AM after our holiday party at the closed café…

But real ones- those who know this batshit barista as well as I do- knew that she was probably waiting for an opportunity such as that one to fall into her masterful hands.

“Attempted or not, you don’t walk home alone anymore, E. You know that,” I replied as I reached for and held the employees’ only door open so she could exit into the kitchen first.

“I don’t need X’s help-”

“And I don’t give a damn what you think,” the man who had entered chuckled, taking another bite of one of the pistachio cookies he must’ve snagged from the fridge.

“Hey!” Eve shot out quickly, pointing a long, thin finger at the tall guy in a black hoodie and some deep blue, distressed jeans. “Fuck I say about touching that fridge?”

“You told me not to,” Xavier replied… before taking another large bite of the massive cookie.

“Then why the fuck are you-”

“E, you tell me not to do a lot of things. Don’t eat the experimental sweets for a new menu item. Don’t walk you home. Don’t play with your cat. Don’t play with your other ca-”

“Shut up, X,” E shot out quick as she hurried to put on her light fall jacket, then her crossbody.

I would’ve been disgusted to hear one of my closest friends speak about my other closest friend like this… but Eve and Xavier were currently in the running for having just about the longest friends with benefits relationship I had ever fucking heard of.

And I let it slide since Eve had enough angst in her heart to keep this café running for years to come…

But apparently, it was my fault that I added a benefit to their situationship.

Xavier walked her home every night she closed here after that attempted mugging, without fail.

I didn’t fuck around with the safety of anyone who worked here, even if Eve was trained for pretty much every worst-case scenario that could fall into her hands out on the cold, unforgiving streets of NYC.

She knew the company I kept. And she knew that whatever I said went when it came to my guys.

Plus, X practically leaped at the opportunity to do it, even if it landed him pretty late for our meetups after work.

“Enough,” I chastised both of them. “Once you’re done, X- whenever that is,” I found myself adding in case he planned on staying with Eve at her place longer, which was what usually happened, “we’re meeting up at Richy’s. The twins are back in town, and I’d like to know why before I get a collect call from either of them in the next few weeks.”

Xavier nodded, shoving the rest of the cookie in his mouth before he gestured for Eve to follow him out the back, and I did the same.

Eve complied, just like she did every night X showed up… but it didn’t come without a string of curse words which she muttered at the both of us, and it left me and my best friend completely unfazed. I didn’t care what she said as long as she kept those long legs of hers moving.

I waited in the alley out back, slipping on my helmet while watching the two walk back out onto the main street from the opening of the alley, then I flipped my kickstand back, turned on my bike, and headed out myself. The time was looking good, just like it always had when Eve and I closed up. We were efficient as all hell.

And Richy’s was just a few blocks away from the café, so the ride over was short. I ended up parking my bike in the alley right behind the place, like I usually did. Loud music was already bursting through the brick walls, but it just felt like home.

The whole city on this side of town did.

This was usually where our nights started- at Richy’s- and sometimes ended, depending on just how shitfaced some of the guys got.

I killed the engine, got off my baby, and headed on in through the back door. The guys paid Richy, the owner, a hefty amount to let us come in this way since we liked to avoid the busy street if we could. Enough fights took place out there once the liquor hit for folks, and we all had enough trouble to deal with.

Took about .5 seconds after I entered the main room of this dive bar before I heard my name being called.

“Mickey!” Two men said in unison at the closest four-seater table near the bar. The two guys dressed in silk black button-down shirts and fitting black trousers sat next to each other, each looking like a duplicate of the other, right down to the tattoos that covered almost all of their bodies. Only thing left untouched were their handsome faces.

The twins.

“Nik. Mor. Good to see you guys,” I smiled, adding silently the words alive, anyway to the end of that as they both stood at the same time, each approaching to dap me up.

“Always a pleasure, Mic,” Mori grinned.

“Good to see you, Mickey,” Niki added to his brother’s pleasantries. “Surprised to see us outta trouble, huh?”

“ Surprised is an understatement,“ I replied, chuckling as I sat down with the guys. Mor slid me over an open glass bottle of beer which I nodded a quick thanks at. “And I’d be happy to hear you guys actually got yourselves out of trouble for a change. If you two skipped town, I’m guessing that wasn’t the case, right?”

“You’re rarely ever wrong,” Mor sighed, reaching to take a sip of his own beer next. “Niki got caught up in some shit at the beginning of summer. We went home for a while.”

“Home as in…”

“ Home home,“ Niki confirmed, making me sigh.

“Just how deep is this seemingly bottomless pit of shit you two found yourselves in now?” I questioned them both.

“Deep,” Niki muttered, agitated.

“Nik thought he was moving his car from one shop to another. Turns out he was moving product. Coke in the rims. Car got possessed during some raid, and his name ended up associated with the investigation, but those leads staled eventually, so now we’re back,” Mor explained.

I sighed just as deep as that bottomless pit of shit, but Niki quickly butt in with, “I swear I just took that shit in for a new paint job! I had no fucking idea that the shop would use it to move product. They just told me to drive it to another shop about thirty minutes away for a sealant on the coat, and that’s the one that got raided.”

I brought that bottle of beer to my lips and chugged the whole damn thing, making sure there wasn’t a droplet of liquor left before setting it back down on the wooden table. “What did I tell you about only in-network shops?” I found myself snapping at Niki.

“Nothing I haven’t already told him,” Mori grumbled. He gestured over to the bartender to bring us another round- something only our gang had the pull to do in this otherwise fairly crowded bar.

Crowded enough for a Tuesday at least.

“Enough about my slip-ups,” Niki waved his hand dismissively, trying to flash me one of his mesmerizing smiles in hopes I’d just let this one slide. “First off, congrats on that degree, man! How’s being back? How’s Ci and the place?”

“Yeah, we’re proud of you, man,” Mori nodded, offering a wide grin. “And, as always, happy to have you back!”

“Thank you,” I smiled at them both. It still felt weird to receive congratulations on graduating, even now in early November, yet then again, everyone in my life here was just starting to trickle back in, catching up on my last year away.

I always came back to work at the café during summers when staying with Ci, or one of the guys, during my winter break each year… but this was permanent. One-way ticket with no return date.

“I’m adjusting,” I spoke honestly. “Ci’s divorcing, and the café just keeps getting busier.”

“Ci’s divorcing?” Mor asked, sitting up a bit straighter. “Again?” I nodded at him. “So… she’s single again?”

Niki just sighed a defeated sigh before cutting in with, “bro, we’re fucking 25. And we get banned from that damn café like every other month. Please just let that woman go. Her business is legitimate, and you know that’s not our speed.”

“A guy can dream,” Mori muttered, socking his brother hard in the shoulder, but Niki ate that hit, unfazed. Considering I’ve seen these two hold each other at gunpoint on far too many occasions, I was just as unfazed as Mor’s brother was.

“Ci needs someone good for her,” I told these two idiots. “That’s neither of you.”

“Hey, you let X get with Eve,” Mori reminded me.

“X is far more mentally stable than you two,” I replied, “which is saying a whole lot. Plus, they’re just having fun with each other, and Eve needs someone who can handle the fact that she’s always one more minor inconvenience away from becoming a full-blown serial killer.”

Both the twins quickly nodded. “At least we know she’d clean the streets if she did,” Mori commented, “rapists would be the first to go,” but he quickly paused our conversation as a server brought another round of beer to our table.

I took the opportunity to reach into my front pocket and pull out my phone, shooting off a text to X for him to see before he got here tonight. I didn’t dare involve the twins in what I was about to request because they surely didn’t know the meaning of the word tact .

Hey X. Look into something for me, will ya. A new kid starts Monday- Ryker. Goes to Avelin High. Check on any gang affiliations

While I trusted Donald Whittaker-Jones, and trusted he wouldn’t put CiCi or the café into any shit we couldn’t handle… There was something I just couldn’t shake from today.

Well, in addition to all of that bruising on that guy’s face.

And it was those eyes of his.

There was something darker there. Something tormenting.

Something that told me I should probably leave it the fuck alone…

But I never did well with following instructions in the first place, and so I asked myself: why the hell would I even bother to start now?

••

5. Early Bird Catches The Worm

“Je ne veux pas me disputer avec lui à ce sujet. Le mariage a été tellement court.”

“Je… je ne… je ne veux pas…”

“…Pas me disputer avec lui à ce sujet,” that calm voice continued.

“Pas me disputer-”

“Not disputer like in how it might sound in English, Ci. Dis-spoo-tear. The ter is tear, like tearing a piece of paper.”

“ Fuck, Emelie,“ I sighed, running my hands through my damn near bird’s nest of hair. It was way too early for this.

“How the hell did you manage to marry someone who barely speaks a lick of English again?” Em asked gently. Somewhat gently. I had to hold the phone to my ear with my left shoulder while chatting with Emelie and trying to get the front counter ready for opening this stressful Friday morning.

We opened at seven in the morning on weekdays, but that wasn’t really the stressful part. Usually, customers rolled in starting around eight or nine, and the busiest time would, of course, be our lunch rush. It always was.

The stressful part was that Eve usually opened with me, but today she said she had a very important appointment at nine this morning. I made the executive decision at the time to just have her come in after it, instead of worrying about opening only to leave here in a few hours.

What slipped my mind, however, was the fact that I had a call this afternoon. It was with the mother of the French man I was currently trying to divorce, and my translator had a conflicting schedule, so she wouldn’t be able to conference in like she usually did.

“Google Translate,” I told Emelie. “And whatever we couldn’t say with words, was eventually sorted in the bedroom with our bodies.”

“ Oh, CiCi,“ Em sighed, “you’re basically my sister in law considering my brother married Donald… and I know you reached out because I am quite literally French… but the next time you decide to marry a French man- any man for that fucking matter- please , for the love of god and my sanity, please

call me. Even while I’m on this cross-country tour with my pianist of a wife, I could’ve taken a quick bathroom break or something to tell you this was going to be the worst decision you’d ever fucking make.“

I sighed again, heeding Emelie’s words while switching on more of the string lights in the café. Daylight savings wasn’t till Sunday, but the sun didn’t even attempt to show herself until around eight in the morning these days, so the sky outside was completely dark, with the sidewalks and buildings only lit up by streetlights overhead.

After getting the lights on, I flipped the CLOSED sign in the front window to OPEN, unlocked the glass door, and headed back to the kitchen to grab two trays of cookies I had been tinkering with recipes for after getting in around five this morning to handle some inventory paperwork.

We’d all be working on our winter submissions for the café’s annual contest this year, and while I let my staff compete amongst themselves, I still liked to try my hand at a few new creations. Show those kids how it’s done. It’s what made me feel more engaged with my team, since we were all on different schedules during the week and on weekends, with little overlap in between.

“I’ll ring next time,” I insisted, assuring this woman who was clearly over my shit.

“Would it be rude to say I’m praying that there isn’t a next time?” Em asked, making me chuckle. “It’s alright to yearn for that fantastical romance, CiCi… but maybe just ease yourself into the next marriage? For all our sanity.”

I was in the middle of picking up two cooled trays of cookies when I heard the familiar bell of the front door opening. My brows creased some, wondering who it could be that was popping in right at open, but my hands were full, so I just tried to quickly bring the trays out while my shoulder held that phone to my ear.

“Can we just blame all the wine I drank while there? That’s much easier,” I said, pushing the door to the front open with my back as I carefully brought both trays of cookies through it with me. “Also, I’ll call you back, Em. A customer just walked in. Say hi to that wife of yours for me, too.”

“Will do. Serenity and I will stop by once we’re back in town. Good luck on that call!” Em replied. I swear I heard her mutter, “ You’re seriously going to need it ,“ but the line went dead shortly after, ending our somewhat comforting but also disastrous conversation. That kind woman was right about me literally needing all the help I could get. A couple months of marriage was potentially going to cost me a whole lot more than I anticipated.

I finally managed to turn around towards the counter with the phone still against my ear, but I found myself coming to a sudden stop as I caught sight of who had entered this café and was now sitting at the small table closest to the door, with her head turned away from me.

It was a woman. Someone I didn’t recognize, that was for sure.

She was looking out the large floor-to-ceiling windows, towards the dark street just past them, her gaze almost fixated there. I couldn’t see much of her face at this angle, but I noticed she was dressed in something that resembled the darkness of the city this morning.

Her hair was a carbon-black with layers cut into loose waves cascading down her back. She was dressed head-to-toe in black: a large floor-length trench coat covering most of her frame, black leather skin-tight leggings, and black heeled boots that came almost past her knees when she crossed one leg over her other.

“Welcome to Wilmoria’s,” I said warmly as I took those last few steps towards the counter and set the trays of cookies down. Then I pulled a menu card from the stack of them near the register, and started to make my way on over.

The woman was still seated, staring out the window as I approached, but the closer I got, the slower my steps became. And when she slowly turned her head, tilting it up to look at me, the greeting I was about to repeat got lodged deep in my throat.

Her eyes were the lightest hazel I had ever fucking seen. The color of ash brown, and a stark contrast to the rest of her. Her skin was porcelain white, with some deep brown freckles scattered across her pointed nose and cheeks. There was a small tattoo of some sort of swirl pattern under her left eye that seemed to dance as her cheeks lifted with an easygoing smile. And that smile she gave me, however small, created deep smile lines that almost had me forgetting I was holding a menu I meant to pass off to her.

She had two piercings on either side of her full, dark, pink-toned lips. The string lights above us, hung across the ceiling, made the metal look gold, but the rings were silver. They were definitely silver.

Gold wouldn’t fit this look on her; the color was too warm.

I noticed now that underneath her leather trench coat was a black turtle neck, which hid more of her skin, and that there were leather gloves tucked under her right thigh, that she was partially sitting on.

“Hi,” I offered a far more sheepish smile, making hers widen slightly. “Welcome to-” I started, then stopped myself. I said that shit already, didn’t I? I thought quickly to myself. Instead, I placed the menu down on the small round table in front of her and asked, “Can I get you started with a water or a complimentary pitcher of coffee?”

“You offer them by the pitcher?” She asked me, skipping all the pleasantries I had butchered myself in the span of like a minute. “I wouldn’t dare to think a café would give up its staple goods for free. Thought free coffee was only at diners.”

Those eyes of hers had me focusing mad fucking hard on the fact that she was saying words, which then meant I was going to have to say words, and then this whole exchange was going to be a back and forth until I at least had her order written down, god willing she did that thing where she asked me to give her some more time to look over our menu.

I was praying that that was the case- that she needed more time…

Because half my brain was still stuck on the French I was trying to learn this morning. Other half was devoted to those stunning eyes of hers and wondering whether they were contacts or something. I mean, they had to be, right?

“Well, if you’re good with straight black, no bells and whistles besides the basic sugar packets and regular creamer… the gain/loss ratio won’t make these lights flicker off anytime soon,” I replied… which was a partial lie because the price of coffee beans had been going up for years now.

And fuck, I watched as that small smile quickly widened yet again.

“Perfect. I’m a straight shot with my brew. No sugar, no creamer.”

I was already pulling out the order pad to jot that down. These pads barely got any use as is, because my staff was just that damn good at what they did, memorizing every order they took… but I spent my days more holed up in my office sorting out the boring paperwork, and less on the floor, or in the kitchen.

It was the price I paid for owning this little hole-in-the-wall, but I didn’t mind. This place had been standing for almost eighty years now, and that was no small feat in itself. I made a promise to someone special that it would outlive us both, and I intended to keep that promise.

“You’re my kind of gal,” I joked.

And maybe I had joked just a bit too freely, because my rust was showing on small talk when she replied with, “Am I now?”

Lord only knows the ways in which I was trying to figure out how the fuck to respond to that. If it wasn’t for her light chuckle breaking the visible distress written all over my face, I swear to god I would’ve called Eve over on a SOS.

My staff was good at the banter. It was practically like watching artists at work when they were on the floor.

I just paid the bills around here.

“Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” she assured me. “Are you a straight shooter yourself?”

I was struggling even fucking harder to reply to that. “I… well, coffee is probably one step down from cocaine, so whatever enters my bloodstream the fastest has my approval,” I replied. At this point, this conversation had taken so many turns that even trying to pretend like I could steer us back onto pleasantries was just hurting my brain.

It was way too fucking early for this.

“My kinda gal,” she quipped… and those familiar words alone made my face start to heat up a bit. “Sorry to force you into conversation so early. My long days make me an early riser.”

I quickly shook my head no. “Hey, we’re the ones who set those hours here. If we’re open, you’re more than welcome in.”

This mysterious woman nodded.

And, like, perhaps for the first time in a long time, I realized I couldn’t even gauge her age like I usually could with other customers. When she wasn’t smiling, her face looked rigid and focused.

But when she cracked a grin… if it weren’t for those lines accompanying her smile, her features made her look… electric. Not young or youthful but just… vibrant . An odd trait at that- lighting up a room while dressed in all black.

“Is this your first time stopping by?” I asked her. I still kept that notepad handy just in case, even though her eyes weren’t paying the menu any mind.

“This café, or this city?” She asked in return, making me shift my weight nervously from one foot to the other. Her voice was like velvet- smooth when pushed to one side, and coarse when rubbed against the grain. And it led with a cadence that had me hanging onto every word.

“Both?” I offered, giving her another smile.

“First time at Wilmoria’s… but I haven’t been to the city in a while. I’m here to sort out some family affairs. Maybe get back into the swing of things with my business.”

I nodded. “Is your business what gets you up early? Clearly,” my hand holding the pen waved a bit passively in the air, “mine does.”

That had this woman chuckling, which seemed to ease this conversation further.

“I’m an artist. Ink gun is the name, tattooing is my game. Business brought me cross-country, so I’m starting early these days.” I couldn’t help but nod again, liking the free-flowing nature of this conversation. “If you mind the early starts, I don’t mind making time to get my caffeine fix in later… I just find the quiet, cold, and still-dark mornings to be the still I need before the day hits.”

“ Nonononono ,“ I rushed out, damn near surprising myself by how fast those words ran out. “If morning works for you, then feel free to stop by. I-… I just- this particular morning was-”

“I heard you on the phone,” she replied, chuckling lightly again. “Sounds like it’s been quite the morning.”

I couldn’t help but think: how the complete fuck could someone ever hold her gaze for this long in the first place? It was like she had a balanced duality of tranquility and intensity all at once.

“And I’m not sure where you were or what wine you were drinking… but I’ll willingly corroborate your story if it helps get you out of the bind you’re in.”

I tried to stop the unexpected laughter slipping past my lips, but I couldn’t help it. Nothing could’ve prepared me for finding camaraderie in the form of a new customer. Usually, Mickey told me our best bet was to only keep the customers wanting more, in terms of our appeal. Not to highlight the ugly stuff.

“ Act like whoever broke your heart was absolutely the fucking problem, not you ,“ he’d tell our team… even though all my employees had a bit of whimsical insanity to them and were nine times out of ten definitely the instigators.

But this particular one- this particular customer… she felt… different.

Different enough for me to reveal something I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. “I recently got back from France,” I explained to her. “Made some insane decisions over some truly stellar wine. And a lot of it.”

“Sounds like you lived,” the woman countered. “Anything you can’t walk back? Financially or otherwise?”

“Well,” I sighed, “let’s just say it’s a bit of a mess. If it weren’t for my staff here, and how incredible they are at their jobs, I’d probably be more fucked than I actually am. Financially and otherwise.”

The woman nodded, slowly this time. “And what about emotionally? How’s that holding up?”

That was a question I wasn’t quite ready for. I found myself fiddling with the pen I held between the fingers of my right hand, as I thought my next answer through for a change. “I guess I’m addicted to the fantasy. Once the sprinkles and icing melt off, all I’m left with is confectioners sugar and food dye… so, yeah, emotionally I’ll be alright.”

The woman nodded yet again. “What brought you to France? And what brought you back?”

Oof , I couldn’t help but think. Another heavy hitter. Mickey would be pulling out hairs and sliding down walls if he could hear my honesty now.

“This place was my mother’s,” I gestured freely to the space around us. “I leave when I can to find some pieces of art in the cities she couldn’t visit while keeping this place afloat… and I try to come back with inspiration I think she would’ve brought here herself, had she been given the opportunity to go.”

Conversations with customers were what I was raised on before I went full girl boss and took on running this business, creating a flow for how the conversation should go to seem both personable and efficient…

Yet this mysterious woman was throwing me some massive fucking curveballs, and all before the sun even got up.

“I like that,” she replied. “An old friend recommended I stop by here when I got the chance, that it was the best café in town, but timing hasn’t been easy. So thank you for indulging me this early in the day.”

I smiled again at that. “You haven’t taken a look at our menu yet. At least see if we’re worthy of that kinda praise.”

But the woman sitting about a foot away slowly shook her head no. “I know a thing or two about maintaining a legacy. If this place was once owned by your mum, then I’m leaving my care in your hands. Whatever you think I’ll like, bring it on over.”

My nerves were really starting to eat me alive at that request. “But I don’t know what you like,” I tried to argue. “Your flavour palette.”

“I take my coffee straight black. I’m lactose intolerant, but I learned to adjust, and the less sweet the better,” the woman offered. I swear to fucking god, her intense gaze was almost lethal. “Let me know what else I can tell you about me. Nothing’s off limits.”

If I wasn’t completely losing my shit already, I swear I would’ve chalked that particular phrase up to meaning she was an open book… but of course, my spiraling mind was already reading way too far into it.

“Something sour?” I found myself eventually offering.

“Something… tart,” she replied. “Something maybe a bit unusual. I like surprises.”

All I could do was slowly nod… before I realized that I had nothing that exciting already prepared.

“I could whip you up something, put it’ll-”

“-take time?” She offered. “The sun hasn’t risen yet. And I’ve missed how beautiful it is on the East Coast when it does, so I’m in no hurry.”

I couldn’t help but nod again.

If…

If she’d allow me the time to show her I wasn’t just the owner… then I had every means of taking full advantage , I thought to myself before giving her a firm nod.

“What’s your name?” I had to force myself to ask. “For-… for the order.”

“Jade,” she replied.

“Does that stand for something?” I blurted out without thinking, but Jade quickly shook her head no.

“Should it?” She countered, coercing from me a head shake of my own.

“My staff just refers to each other with nicknames, so I have a tendency to ask.”

“Just Jade,” she replied, before her gaze lowered to my name tag pinned on my cardigan. “Do you go by one, yourself? I find Pricilla to be a beautiful name as it stands.”

“While I do like Pricilla,” I tried to reassure her, “my staff calls me CiCi or Ci. And it’s definitely grown on me over the years.”

“Any preference on what I should call you?” Jade asked.

She made me genuinely think about it a moment before I replied with “Pris. It was actually what my mother used to call me. Pricilla was for when I found myself in some deep shit… which I guess is fitting right now. “ I mumbled that last part more to myself.

And that answer alone seemed to lift whatever uncertainties were left around this conversation.

“Pris,” she whispered more to herself. “There’s a… gentleness to that.” I felt my face heating up like fucking crazy at that unexpected comment. “Does it bring back memories?”

“Just those of being young,” I joked. “Makes me feel like I’m not going through a hectic divorce by a French man who I can barely communicate with.”

“Then Pris it is,” she countered confidently, flashing an even larger smile and damn near making this pen slip past my fingers to the wood floor beneath us.

••

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6. Crumbling Under Pressure

Unedited but wanted to get this one out

Also, does it benefit

y’all

for me to add the songs I’m listening to while writing/adding to the playlist, on the chapter itself?

Lemme know<3

xoxo

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Monday came too quickly.

Then it overstayed the complete fuck out of its welcome.

I had spent the week leading up to this day, throwing up my insides pretty much every second of every day, the worst of it starting right after I got back from my visit to the café… but Don still showed up each following day, doing his best to ease the misery I was sunken in.

Of course, that didn’t come without a strong scolding for even leaving the apartments in the first damn place when he had insisted I just rest. And I took those verbal punches to the chin because Don had also worked some serious fucking miracles in the process.

Like my will to live was probably at its lowest when I woke up Monday morning of November 9th, drenched in my sweat again and shivering from yet another night terror… but once I actually got a good look at myself in the bathroom mirror on the way to shower, I realized that Don wasn’t just blowing smoke up his own ass.

It was one week later now, and my face looked considerably better. The bruising was pretty much gone, and while the same couldn’t be said about my stomach or arms, I didn’t give a rat’s ass about those areas.

I just needed my face back to normal, even if it was still a bit tender to the touch. I needed to at least be able to look people in the eye again.

Regardless of how I felt about heading to school for my first day back, too, I still got my shit together and made it there, running a bit late which meant my breakfast was a granola bar from some of the groceries Don had dropped off throughout the week, and lunch would be nonexistent.

Don also let me know that he wouldn’t be able to stop by every day after this initial week, and made it clear that he expected me to continue taking care of myself even when he wasn’t here.

“Rest. Eat well. Focus.”

Those were his instructions.

And all three were easier said than done.

I knew for a fact that school was going to be shitty, but I still pushed through with getting ready on Monday morning. I had to, because Averin High had surprisingly agreed to lend me a school laptop for the online courses, and I at least had to be present to pick that up today.

The good thing about having not given a damn about school for as long as I could remember was that the stares and cold shoulders I received on my first day back were something I just ignored. No one knew what happened the night of Halloween, so they just treated me the same.

Too scared to say shit to me.

Too nosy to look away from this walking trainwreck I was.

Instead of focusing on the whispers that were spreading with every class I walked into and desk I sat down at, I just pulled out my notebook, a pencil, and tried to lock in.

Did I know what the fuck any of these teachers were saying?

No. I knew fuck all, actually.

Only class I got by in was Honors English because, contrary to popular belief with everyone at this school, I did know how to fucking read.

Day one of Pre-Calc beat my ass, though, which set the tone for how painful Algebra II was going to be online- I failed the fuck outta that one my junior year, along with Chemistry, so those were the classes I was going to have to complete through the online portal in order to graduate. The classes I had onsite at Averin High were Honors English, Pre-Calculus, World Religion, Physics, and Photography.

And every teacher I had hated my guts.

Well, except for my Photography teacher.

She was new at Averin High this year, so she hadn’t experienced the hell I had made most teachers’ lives here the previous years… whenever I wasn’t on a suspension, that is.

It was my very last period of the day, and I had plans to just skip it for future days so I could get in more hours at the café… but once I actually made it to that period on my first day back, I was thrown completely off.

I didn’t recognize anyone in this class, for starters. Maybe it was cause I wouldn’t be caught dead talking to anyone who was interested in something as stupid as photography… but it was the first class I had where the students didn’t seem to know who I was either.

It was like I entered a different fucking dimension or something.

I didn’t talk in this period either, choosing to sit in the very back instead, just listening. There were some practice packets the teacher handed out that everyone immediately started working on individually, and I had just started flipping through my own when I noticed this teacher had opened up a locked case on the left side of the classroom, grabbed a camera from it, and started walking the thing all the way over to the very back of the class where I was sitting.

“Ryker, right?” She asked with a smile. Her name was Ms. Kluntz, according to the nameplate near her classroom door.

She had a unique pixie cut that shaved off some years from her age, but the short grey hair and faint wrinkles when she smiled let me know she was older than both her warm eyes and that hairstyle let on.

I avoided her deep blue eyes, but gave her a slight nod, watching as she set the camera down at the table I sat alone at, right next to the packet that was passed back to me by another student.

“This is for you. All the students are hanging onto their own for the year, so take good care of it,” she explained. Her voice was soft and gentle, something even more bizarre when it was directed at me. Usually, teachers spoke to me like I was about to be their thirteenth reason. “It’s a film camera so images can be developed in the dark room through there,” she pointed to a closed door on my left, “or any red room you can find around the city.”

I nodded again, not really being able to think of an answer to that.

“You’re jumping in a bit late into the year, so you have a few assignments to catch up on. I’ll get you a couple of film rolls before you leave class, and for now, I’d like ten photos taken using the focal points instructed in this packet.” She tapped the thick, stapled stack on the table. “They’ll be due two weeks from now, and besides following the tips in this packet, I just want you to take photos of something you find fascinating. No parameters of what that is besides it being school-appropriate, alright?”

I nodded yet again, which seemed to be enough because the older woman’s smile widened as she nodded herself. She might’ve been the first person I encountered since everything happened Saturday night that seemed to be alright- well, to almost welcome the fact that I didn’t have much to say right now.

“If you have any questions, Ryker, just stop by here. Anytime. My door is always open, okay? Even during lunch period.”

I nodded again, still tongue-tied for words…

And that was pretty much how we left things, with her returning to her desk so I could follow what the rest of the students were doing, which was looking over the packet on lighting and depth perception.

Something else I didn’t know jack shit about.

Once school let out, I booked it right to my car.

While I was ready to just get to work, eager to earn some bread considering how strapped for cash I really was, I was also pretty fucking hellbent on avoiding Isiah and Dylan like the plague. Ms. Kluntz had gotten me a carrying bag for the camera, along with extra film rolls to use, then I was flying out that door and jogging towards the parking lot before the halls got crowded.

These wheels barely peeled out of the parking lot when I got a cigarette in my mouth and headed towards the café. It was my second cigarette of the day, which was a record for how few cigarettes I had smoked in a span of eight hours since I was like fifteen.

I had to keep the pack hidden in the middle compartment because the school tended to do a walk-through of cars in the lot, making sure the license plates were registered with admin.

Because my car was the oldest one in said lot, and everyone clearly knew it was mine, it was a pretty fucking easy target for staff, and I genuinely couldn’t get another suspension.

The drive to the café, however, was a smooth twenty minutes from Averin High, which let me chain-smoke three cigs, helping ease the nerves about whatever hell awaited me next. After a whole week of searching for jobs online on my phone, I just about gave up.

Nothing close to The Brookside Apartments or Averin High was hiring, and if they were, the hours either conflicted with my curfew or my classes.

So Wilmoria’s was my quite literally my only option for now.

Pricilla instructed me in a lengthy follow-up text she sent last Tuesday to park my car in the back alley when I pulled up the following Monday. There were four slots she mentioned I’d find back there that were employees-only, where she, Mickey, a guy named Arlo (who worked weekends mainly), and I would park.

She also mentioned in her text that a girl named Trin, who also worked weekends with Arlo, usually rode her bike or got a ride share, so she didn’t use the alley… and Eve walked over from her apartment each day, so she didn’t use the alley either.

The alley itself was pretty easy to find, right by the café… but what I hadn’t expected was what I saw once I pulled in…

A Yamaha YZF-R1M parked near the back door.

My beater slowed to a pace of the shift being put in neutral as I simply stared at the black and white beauty.

“ Jesus fuck ,“ I muttered quick under my breath, tossing the cigarette out my open window onto the cracked tarmac. My excitement at just laying eyes on the thing made my heartbeat speed up…

That was, until my brain did some simple math…

And I realized just who the fuck might’ve been this beauty’s owner.

It had to be the same bike I had heard when sitting in the café last week, I knew those firing intervals anywhere… and besides Pricilla, who told me to look for her bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle parked back here in her long text, there was only one other person it could belong to who was working weekdays.

That baker…

Mickey.

That killed my excitement real fucking quick. I forced my eyes away from this bike, which was otherwise literally the embodiment of sex appeal, to place the film camera in the back, on the floor near the seat. I didn’t want to make my beater a target for a robbery or anything, but I did grab my school backpack just in case and headed in.

My plan was to use any break I had to maybe try to get some schoolwork done before finishing up at the apartment. The school’s laptop was in this bag as well, and I thought it was probably best that I didn’t leave it in the car.

Pricilla had mentioned that the back door was only open during their business hours, which I guess made more sense since I noticed a security camera mounted right above it. I was able to walk right in… but I just didn’t expect the back door to lead directly into a massive kitchen.

I also didn’t expect to come face-to-face with none other than the one person I was praying I wouldn’t have to see for just a bit longer.

Mickey .

He was the only other person currently in this kitchen.

Smack dab in the middle of this large space stood a massive metal countertop kitchen island, where Mickey’s larger build faced the back door, rolling dough of some kind on the surface while he lifted his head to look directly at me.

He was wearing a white t-shirt this time, with a thick, tan apron over it, covered in flour. The white shirt sleeves were cut off at his biceps, now fully defined by whatever the hell he was doing with that rolling pin, and the fabric of his sleeves alone looked strained as it hugged his smooth complexion.

Then those tattoos… the flowers started at his neck and traveled down what I could see of his chest, whatever was left uncovered by his shirt and apron, before continuing a bit further down his upper arms.

His deeply tanned skin was dusted with flour as he worked the rolling pin with his bare hands, and I hadn’t noticed I was staring until his movements slowed to a complete stop, and I forced my gaze to travel up his body again quickly, eventually meeting his.

“You’re… early,” he spoke first. I didn’t have any words to say to that shit, so I just nodded. Now that my body was healing, I had noticed more about this baker this afternoon than I did the first time here last week… which was dangerous as best, because he just looked even more fucking attractive. “Go, um… go set your stuff in the back room,” his head jerked slightly, pointing his smooth chin in the direction of the door to my right.

His voice was also rough. Like rougher than last week, if that was even possible. It was making me feel like I might be sick again from how disoriented my head felt. I had to force myself to physically get a fucking grip.

“Head back here once you’re done, and we’ll get started.”

I damn near sprinted to that back room, not even bothering with what I knew would only be a head nod. Any amount of space between this guy and me felt like a breath of fresh air, and I welcomed that shit as I pushed open the door to the employees-only room, creating even more space between us.

There were some lockers against the back wall, and a decent amount of table space on both ends of the room, where an all-black, fully tinted helmet sat on one, right next to a hanging leather jacket on a hook above the table itself. I also noticed a crossbody purse and an army green jacket hanging there, but I chose to place my stuff in an empty locker farthest from the used table.

Obviously, I knew I couldn’t hide in this back room forever, but I still took my fucking time shoving my shit into that locker, all while giving myself a quick pep talk.

My body was better this week, but the delicious scents wafting through this café were quick to remind me that I had skipped lunch, not even taking an off-site lunch in case the nausea returned during the rest of the school day. My growling stomach was the quickest reminder of just that.

Only a few hours , I told myself. It was 3 PM now, and I’d be here until we closed up and cleaned, around 8 PM or something, from what Pricilla said.

This little pep talk I was giving myself, however, was interrupted when the employee’s door opened abruptly. I turned my head quick to see a tall, green-haired woman walk in.

Eve.

She just looked at me, nodded a short, curt nod, then headed towards the hanger above one of the wooden tables to grab her jacket and purse. The green coat and that cross-body bag.

No words were passed between us… but it didn’t feel rude in any way. Just a simple acknowledgment on her end, and one on mine as I gave her a nod in return, then she was out of here.

And that was when I eventually forced myself to do the same. I couldn’t stay in here for the whole shift.

Pricilla had said Eve would be opening with her in the mornings, so my guess was that she was done for the day. And that was confirmed once I stepped out into the kitchen, where Mickey was now joined by Pricilla with no Eve in sight.

The older woman smiled instantly as soon as she saw me, and her smile only widened once she gave me a once-over.

“Ryker! You’re here early!”

Her chirpy voice didn’t sound as migraine-inducing as it first did last week. I couldn’t tell if I just got used to it by now or if my head was improving. Regardless, I just nodded.

“Looks like-” she started, before cutting her words off short. “You… look good,” she then settled on, saying more with those three words than she was definitely trying to.

Translation: I no longer looked like I had been kicked and punched in the face. Repeatedly.

I just nodded again, because the warm woman wasn’t necessarily wrong.

And with all this nodding I was doing, I was starting to think I was a fucking mute or something.

“For the next two weeks of your training, Eve and I will trade off on staying to work the front while Mickey shows you the ropes back here. The last week of training, I’ll help you with the register and serving customers. That sound alright?” She asked. I nodded. “Perfect! Well then, I’ll get back out there and leave you two to it. Just holler if you need me.”

That was all she managed to say because there was a bell that rang from the front of the café while she was mid-sentence, and my guess was that another customer had walked in.

After she headed back out, Mickey and I were left alone… again .

And this irritatingly handsome guy was staring hard, giving me a once-over.

“Hoodie comes off,” he all but grunted, making my heart sink even further into my own ass.

Shit .

Fuck .

I couldn’t take this thing off. Like I really couldn’t. Not… not now.

The bruising on my forearms was still pretty bad from when I was curled up on the floor of that garage, trying to protect my head.

But I couldn’t admit that to Mickey, either…

And so I found myself unexpectedly blurting out, “I don’t have an undershirt.”

It was a lie. A whole goddamn lie.

But it was also the best I could do at the moment.

Mickey set that rolling pin down, clearly annoyed, before taking quick strides around the kitchen island, moving closer to me. It was so sudden that it triggered something in my fight-or-flight response, making me take large steps of my own back towards the wall near the back door, leading right to the alley. My mind had kicked into overdrive, and I was already irrationally planning exit strategies in case I was going to be sick again.

Instead of getting nearer, closing the gap between us with justa few more steps, I watched Mickey turn towards the sink on his left before he flipped the faucet on, washing his hands under the running stream of water. My heartbeat was fucking pounding with him now closer than I anticipated, and I had no idea what he was going to do next.

Once he dried his hands with a paper towel he pulled from the dispenser above the sink, and tossed it into the trash directly below after shutting the sink off, the erratic beating of my heart just cranked it up multiple notches.

He then took more steps towards me, making me take more steps back myself until I couldn’t anymore. My back had eventually hit that brick wall, and up until this point, I had managed to avoid those intense brown eyes of his by any means necessary.

“Look at me,” he pretty much demanded. It forced my gaze off this floor and made me comply, bringing it up to finally find his. “Stick out your arms.”

The way he was looking at me should’ve had my body frozen in place, and yet that commanding voice of his had me slowly raising my arms out to him like I was a fucking mummy .

Honestly, my body was teetering back and forth between passing out or throwing up on his shoes, simply watching him lower his gaze to my arms, and his large hands reach up for the cuff of my left arm’s sleeve first.

“I’ll let it pass today… but starting tomorrow, only a basic shirt is allowed. Either white or black. I don’t care which. Got it?”

I quickly nodded, staring at his large hands in almost disbelief as they started to neatly roll the sleeves, folding them up until the length of them was near my elbows.

Mickey could clearly see the dark bruises that trailed up my arm… but he still said nothing. He just finished rolling up the first sleeve, then moved on to the other.

I tried to keep my arms as straight as possible so we at least had an arm’s length between us, yet even with this small distance, the scent of his cologne was adding to the lightheadedness I was feeling, making me place a bit more weight against the wall my back was pressed to so I could talk myself down from vomiting.

“There,” he said, taking a step away. I released a breath I didn’t even realize I was fucking holding at this point, trying to cram more air into my lungs after that with the deep breaths that followed.

Apparently, Mickey’s assault on my personal space wasn’t quite done, because I watched him reach over for a hook near the employees’ only door to unhook a clean apron hanging there, then his hands wrapped around the loop, and he took those few steps towards me again.

This was probably when I should’ve told this baker that I could do this shit myself, but it was like my mouth was sealed the fuck shut, no words coming out of it while I watched him raise those sculpted arms to place the loop over my neck.

“Turn around,” he instructed, taking a step back so I could turn to face the wall. At least staring at the wall was easier.

His hands reached for and grabbed the dangling strings that were at my side and pulled them back behind me, but when he tugged on them, the tightness of the canvas material pressed unexpectedly against the raw bruises, and I couldn’t muffle the sharp hiss I released as straight, jolting pain cut through my midsection.

I damn near buckled over from the feeling as my nausea soon grew again, and Mickey immediately loosened the tightness.

“Sh-Shit,” he whispered, “are you alright?”

“Y-Yes,” I barely got out through gritted teeth as I tried to ignore that biting pain. My right hand reached up to steady myself some, bracing for Mickey to just go ahead and tie this fucker off…

But instead, those strings fell gently at my side again… then his hand came forward and slipped the loop off my head, removing the apron altogether.

“Change of plans,” I heard him say, forcing me to fix my fucking face before I slowly turned around to face him. It had tightened with the pain. He was already hanging the apron back up on the hook while he continued his announcement. “Today you’re just going to sit down here in the kitchen and observe me. If dishes come in, you’ll take care of them, then you’ll sit back down again and watch. Got it?”

I slowly nodded, but felt my eyebrows furrow a bit in the process. I had expected worse. I… I guess I always did, but this?…

Mickey didn’t say anything else, though. He just went into the employees’ only room and returned soon enough, carrying a tall wooden bar stool in his larger hands for me to eventually take a seat in.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/30ae70bf1b7ba9e21d76c0fdb140ec59c438fef6/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f62785131464b327a6868574579673d3d2d313630303333323738362e313838383464653032373534336130643231333530383337343938392e706e67)

7. There’s Layers To This

Enjoy, lovelies!

Also I’ll start adding songs in the chapter as well as updating the playlist on Spotify, so let me know what you beauts think :)

(Chapter 1 and 2 were updated, and I’ll add the songs for 3-6 later today)

xoxo

X:

Ryker Parker.

No gang affiliations… but he’s Simon Parker’s kid.

And that’s definitely worse

Shit.

That was what Xavier had texted me the following Wednesday after our night out at Richy’s on Tuesday.

I was glad I made the executive decision not to inform the twins about Ryker because Simon’s Auto Body shop was where Niki had taken his damn car for a new paint coat.

And if the twins were back in town… and Simon was the one responsible for moving product in Niki’s rims… I knew things were going to get fucked eventually.

The twins sure as shit weren’t going to let this one slide. Especially if it forced them to go home for amonths.

I did a little digging on my own the next few days into the weekend, asking some contacts I had around the city about the chop shop, and they let me know that it had been closed up for a few days, reopening again on Friday November 6th, but Simon hadn’t been seen around that side of town or in dive bars like he usually was since the night of Halloween.

No one could tell me what exactly happened, but if Don was involved and Ryker was now working here of all places, there was definitely more to it.

While CiCi was out on her lunch Friday afternoon, I did something I’d never done before. Never had a good enough reason to before now.

I looked into the contact information that was submitted on Ryker’s employee profile.

His home address was listed as the Brookside Apartments, which threw me way the fuck off because, as far as I knew, Don and his husband Carson hadn’t opened the building for rentals yet.

And if Ryker was living there now… something had definitely happened.

I kept all this to myself because CiCi would lose her fucking mind if she found out just how messy everything was getting, and in record time. The only thing I told X to do was keep tabs on the twins and not mention a single fucking word to anyone about who Ryker was.

Not until I knew exactly what the twins were up to first.

Thanks to my having a clearer picture, the thought of Ryker’s physical state ate away at me the rest of the weekend… and when Monday finally rolled around, I was damn near driving myself insane, wondering how exactly Don of all people played a part in this.

I mean, I knew Dylan and Isiah went to Averin High as well, so maybe something happened there?

If Ryker didn’t have any gang affiliation, then the severity of the bruising on his face didn’t make much sense. It was intense, even for a New York City mugging or something. Most people knew Simon could get violent when he was drunk, and that was why I made sure the guys and I kept away from that side of town. Not our monkey, not our circus, y’know?

Clearly, with Niki disobeying my direct instructions, then getting fucked over like that, things were about to change. The business the twins and their family ran wasn’t something my words could control. And no one wanted to be on the receiving end of the Machiavelli family’s retaliation.

I ended up getting to the café on Monday, November 9th, around 1 PM, after spending most of my morning setting up my art studio and workshop in my new home. Two months and some change into living here, yet the place still felt like just a spot to rest my head after a day with the guys and at the café.

Now that I was here for good, I had the opportunity to finally plant some roots again, and that started with getting a few permanent things to keep around me. Like house plants.

CiCi was busy with Eve out at the front, serving customers, so I set my stuff in the back, put on an apron, and started in the kitchen. Then I let the time run while I thought of ways I could keep the twins as far away from this mess as humanly possible.

I was not about to dish out bail money for those two fuckers.

Nor did I want to bring anything dangerous even remotely close to Ci. This was why the twins were rarely ever allowed to stop by here in the first place.

I also debated giving Don a call to ask him more questions, but I decided to hold off for now. Best-case scenario was that maybe I could break the ten thousand layers of ice existing between Ryker and I, in hopes that he could tell me more about his old man.

Shit felt a bit touchy right now, though, and with how the kid couldn’t even look me in my eyes last week, let alone speak to me, that would take time.

I hadn’t realized a few hours had passed until I heard the back door leading out to the alley open, and the person I couldn’t shake from my mind walked right through.

My hands were working this sugar cookie dough with a rolling pin as Ryker entered… and when my eyes finally looked up from the dough to him, meeting his tentative gaze, I felt my eyes widen slightly.

For starters, Ryker’s face was-

Well-

He… he looked…

The swelling had definitely gone down, along with those bruises fading, and it honestly looked like I was staring at a completely different guy.

For starters, his cheeks were far more defined, making his higher cheekbones and sharp jawline very fucking unmissable. The bruising around his eyes and forehead was gone, allowing me to see that set of large eyes clearly as they travelled upwards from the dough I was rolling out, to catch mine, causing my eyes to fixate there on his a moment…

Then I said these next words without even fucking thinking- not bothering to verify if they were actually true.

The truth was, I didn’t know what the fuck the time was.

“You’re… early.” I damn near blurted out, sounding the most taken aback I had sounded in a minute. Then I forced myself to get my shit together once Ryker nodded as his response. Well, I sort of got it together. “Go, um… go set your stuff in the back room,” I indicated to the room on his right with a slight head jerk. “Head back here once you’re done, and we’ll get started.”

Ryker pretty much darted into that back room with his backpack slung over his shoulder. Today he was in an all-black hoodie and some ripped black jeans, making me question a few things.

Like why the hell he thought this was appropriate work attire to begin with.

But then I was reminded of just who the fuck Ryker was. Who his dad was. And I tried to stomach some of my blatant irritation.

Luckily, my conflicted feelings were interrupted by none other than Eve. Considering she was untying that apron as she walked in, I knew she was both figuratively and literally done with the day.

“Taking off?” I asked, welcoming this slight distraction.

“Damn right. Have a cat to feed,” she pretty much grunted in my direction before pushing open and disappearing behind the employees’ only door. A part of me wanted to warn Ryker not to say anything to this woman who was on a mission… but considering how prone he was to not saying anything at all, I assumed he’d be aight.

The door leading out to the front of the café opened again, with CiCi walking into the kitchen this time. “Ryker’s in the back room,” I told her as she entered, to which she nodded.

“How’s he looking?” She asked me in a more hushed tone, getting closer to where I was working.

Really fucking good, I almost blurted out before I caught myself. “Fine,” I replied instead, then added, “better.”

Ci nodded, looking like she was going to say something else, but she didn’t really get the chance to because Eve flew right back out that door fast. “Later!” The woman shot over her shoulder, not waiting for me or CiCi to even respond, though we did get out a quick goodbye before the door to the alley was promptly opened and shut on her way out.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Eve’s cat was like her birth child, I swear.

With how quickly Ryker had flown back there, I expected him to take a little while, especially because that hoodie of his would have to come off if he expected to do any work in what was more or less my fucking kitchen for the evening… but he emerged from the back before Ci and I could carry on any more small talk.

Or gossip, really.

“Ryker!” CiCi beamed with a smile. “You’re here early!”

Okay , I nodded to myself as I glanced at the clock above the fridge to my left. I’d been right. It was only a couple minutes past 3 PM.

“Looks like-” Ci started, before stopping herself. Whatever she was going to say was probably going to call more attention to Ryker’s appearance than he felt comfortable with, but I was glad I wasn’t the only one taken aback by his looks. “You… look good,” she then settled on.

Definitely more staff appropriate than what the fuck I was thinking.

Ryker nodded. And I was starting to think the guy couldn’t talk at all.

“For the next two weeks of your training, Eve and I will trade off on staying to work the front while Mickey shows you the ropes back here. The last week of training, I’ll help you with the register and serving customers. That sound alright?” She asked. Ryker nodded yet again. “Perfect! Well then, I’ll get back out there and leave you two to it.”

Ci was in a rush because we’d both heard the bell from the front, meaning things were going to get busy.

While CiCi got back out there to serve more customers, my eyes landed on Ryker again. He was still wearing that oversized, black hoodie, which covered pretty much his whole frame, while the baggy ripped jeans hid the rest. “Hoodie comes off,” I told him seriously. And to my surprise, I actually got an answer. Not one I wanted to fucking hear, but an answer nonetheless.

“I don’t have an undershirt on,” he replied. His voice took me by surprise. It was the first time I was hearing it.

For the briefest of moments, what he said made me pause… but my irritation quickly washed over, pushing all that shit to the side as I set the rolling pan down. Then I made my way around this kitchen island and walked closer to Ryker.

He looked absolutely petrified, yet also seemed to take a small breath of relief once I turned to the sink. I obviously wasn’t going to touch him with a bunch of flour on my hands, so I turned on the water and washed off the white powder thoroughly first.

After I got my hands dry, my attention was back on Ryker, taking a few more steps towards him. The guy started backing up with each step I took until his back hit that brick wall near the back door. He was fucking retreating like I was about to bite his head off or something at any moment, avoiding my eyes at all costs in the process, and my irritation only grew. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for this shit right now.

“Look at me,” I told him in a less gentle tone. “Stick out your arms.”

He seemed to comply regardless of how startled he looked, and those arms of his raised themselves up quickly.

I started with the cuff of his left sleeve, tucking and rolling it up neatly close to his elbows so it would stay throughout the day. If this kid was breathing, I promise there was no way I would’ve known. He was as quiet as a mouse. What I did notice, however, was just how much bruising was on his forearm.

These oversized sweaters were starting to make a whole lot more sense. And I was genuinely concerned about what else they might be covering up.

“I’ll let it pass today,” I told him, finding my tone shifting much lighter before I could stop myself. I wasn’t one to let things pass like this… yet, then again, if he really didn’t have anything to change into, my hands were tied. “But starting tomorrow,” I added quickly, “only a basic shirt is allowed. Either white or black. I don’t care which. Got it?”

Ryker didn’t waste a second nodding. Now that I had actually heard his voice and knew he could say words, even if the raspy, low vibrato of it surprised the complete hell out of me, his silence just pissed me off even more.

There was even more bruising when I moved from his left arm to his right, but I kept my mouth shut about it. Just rolling up his sleeves seemed to put the guy even more on edge than he already was, keeping those arms pin straight out in front of him like a barrier.

Jesus, this was going to be a rough three weeks.

“There,” I said, stepping away once I had finished folding up both sleeves. Ryker had started to take some breaths deep enough for me to know he had been holding his breath for damn near all of that… but we weren’t completely done here.

Next, I turned and reached for an apron, opening the loop before placing all my attention back on Ryker.

He didn’t say anything as I lifted and placed the loop over his head. “Turn around,” I instructed him, waiting for any kind of protests, but to my surprise, he had none. He simply just turned, allowing me to reach for and tie those strings around the back of his midsection. I only tugged the strings as tight as we all did when we tied each other’s aprons, but the sound Ryker made as the fabric hugged his waist made me release the strings immediately.

His back hunched over, towards the wall he was now facing, and I could see his body was starting to lightly shake.

“Sh-Shit,” I whispered, feeling that instant regret hit me like a bag of dumbbells, “are you alright?”

“Y-Yes,” he managed to say through his clenched teeth, trying to sound more nonchalant than he honestly looked. I watched one of his hands reach up to brace himself with the brick wall… but that tight knot forming in my chest stopped me from trying to tie this thing off again. I just released the strings and removed the loop from his neck, taking the apron away.

“Change of plans,” I found myself saying, watching Ryker turn around to face me again while I placed the apron back on the hook. “Today you’re just going to sit down here in the kitchen and observe me. If dishes come in, you’ll take care of them, then you’ll sit back down and watch. Got it?”

Ryker slowly nodded… but there was a look of clear confusion on that striking face of his.

I didn’t bother to say anything after that. Instead, I headed into the employees-only room to snag a barstool from the closet and bring it out to the kitchen for Ryker to sit on, placing it at the other side of the kitchen island, then gestured for him to sit so we could get this first shift of his started.

My finger pointed to a small see-through container.

“Um… Flour?” Ryker offered quietly.

“Baking powder,” I corrected, irritated.

Ryker just looked away, clearly irritated himself.

And this had pretty much been our whole afternoon.

After the lunch rush, the front slowed down, so there weren’t many dishes for this kid to wash up. This meant that he had spent the next few hours sitting here with me… and I was doing everything in my power to fucking concentrate on showing him how to make some fluffy biscuits, something I’d made time and time again in the past and should’ve been able to do in my sleep… but right now I was struggling to recall the recipe.

Ryker had started to eventually pay more attention, his eyes following what my hands were doing closely, and even though it was taking time for him to learn each ingredient, my agitation was only masking just how often my eyes were following his- him watching me.

“And this?” I asked, pointing to another bowl.

“Sugar,” he replied, and I nodded.

“You’ll have recipe cards to help, but in a few months, I want you to have them memorized.”

Ryker nodded again, and at this point, I wasn’t sure what was safer. When he spoke, or when he didn’t.

This is what you wanted, right? A small voice inside my head reminded me. And yeah, all the head nods had pissed me off… but finally hearing his voice was-

The head nods were safer.

I decided to try an icebreaker question while mixing the dry ingredients together. “How’s school going?” And when I glanced up, I caught the slight grimace on his face before it quickly faded. Fear had seemed to leave those large doe-like eyes of his, while he got more comfortable being alone with me, but seeing other emotions more outlined on his unique features captured my attention in the most bizarre ways.

“Fine, I guess. First day, so hard to tell.”

That made my hands slow. “Today was your first day?” I asked as I looked over at him. Ryker’s eyes eventually found mine, and he nodded. Considering it was November, I had questions. A lot of fucking questions… but I didn’t press him for answers.

Instead, I asked, “Any hard classes?”

And I swear I heard him mutter, “ fucking all of them ,“ but what I did fully catch was the shrug he offered. “They’re… whatever,” he then added carefully.

The guy’s ability to be so passive about everything was really starting to get to me, but I was mentally chanting to practice some patience. At least he was saying words, even if that passive voice of his still made my ears perk up with every word.

For someone who was trying to make his presence as small as he could, everything about both it and him was filling this kitchen, throwing me off my usual rhythm in here. “Got any homework?” I asked him. He held my gaze for a change before he slowly nodded. “Go grab it and take a seat here,” I instructed him. “I’ll let you work on it while I finish mixing, then I’ll let you know when we’re moving on to the next steps so you can lock in.”

Ryker seemed surprised by that. Hell, I was surprised by what the fuck I was saying, but if today was really day one for him at Averin High, then he definitely had some shit to catch up on. They’d always thrown seniors in right away, no foreplay.

And the guy definitely leaped at the opportunity as he slid off the stool, heading towards the back room where his backpack was.

I just carried on with my own work and eventually heard him return with a notebook in his hand before he took a seat back on that stool.

“What class?” I asked, gesturing with a flour-covered hand to the notebook he was cracking open and a packet he was pulling out that he had tucked inside it.

“World Religion,” he replied as he glanced up at me again.

“Nice. Which religion are you on?” I continued, asking curiously.

“Buddhism,” he answered. “It’s about… Nirvana or some shit.”

“Ahh, the highest religious goal for those who practice,” I nodded more to myself, feeling that familiarity creep in.

“I thought it was just a grunge band,” Ryker muttered, speaking his mind for maybe the first time to date with me, and that got the most unexpected laugh past my lips before I could stop it.

“It was a dope band,” I told him honestly, “but jot that down anywhere in your homework packet and you’ll be taking this class again in the summer. ’Specially if you got that dickhead Mr. Jolt.”

Ryker nodded, yet his eyes broke our contact quickly, and he returned his attention to his notebook.

“Anything you’re tripped up on?” I asked. It felt like I was pulling teeth to try and keep this conversation going, but fuck it, determination was my drive right now.

“All of it,” Ryker mumbled quick in return, making me crack another small smile. This was the first I was experiencing of this kid having a sense of humor.

Up until now, I thought he’d be head nodding and dryly answering me to death.

“Pick one,” I insisted. “Pick a struggle and let’s hear it.”

For the first time since I started showing Ryker how to make these biscuits, my brain finally settled into autopilot, continuing the recipe from memory while I multitasked by listening.

“The three poisons,” Ryker explained in that low, coarse tone of his. I’d put good money on this being the most words he might’ve spoken all day, school included. Hell, all week if it were a high-risk, high-reward kinda bet.

“Ah,” I nodded, “Greed/Attachment, Hatred/Aversion, and Ignorance/Delusion.” I had heard these three spoken to me since I was just a toddler. “The big three one’s gotta rid themselves of to achieve nirvana after bodily death. But there are two subcategories of Nirvana: sopadhishesa-nirvana, Nirvana with a reminder, and anupadhishesa-nirvana or Parinirvana, nirvana without a reminder.”

That made Ryker glance up at me again real fucking quick. “How do you know so much about this shit?”

And his unfiltered words earned him yet another chuckle. “Because this shit is my way of life. I’m Buddhist. Well, at least that was how I was raised… now it’s a bit more or less like a guideline personally.” I could feel my mother side-eyeing me all the way from South Korea right about now. She knew it had been a while since I even entered a temple last.

Ryker raised his dark eyebrows slightly at that. “It seems… confusing… no offense,” he said with an honest yet rather sincere tone.

“It can be,” I replied, shrugging as well. “But once it’s broken down, I think it’s a religion that makes the most sense. Once you get past the terminology, it’s the beauty in the simplicity that follows, and its inherent goodness that pulls you in.”

Ryker slowly set his notebook back on the kitchen island, listening more intently now.

“Most religions share similarities…” I continued, “but very few turn that spotlight on themselves. Buddhism judges the life you live in the present, not what life those around you are living, understand?”

This guy sitting across from me, leaning closer over the counter, nodded… and yet that head nod made my smile widen slightly. He was engaged, but I could tell he was still following what my hands were doing when his eyes dipped to them every so often.

“Christians like to say that only

you will enter the Kingdom of God, yet it was birthed inherently to erase a religion that came before it, and so the widespread preaching of Christianity was what took priority, causing the initial teaching to warp itself. Same could be said about things like Communism… but I don’t want to overwhelm you. I’m sure you’ll get to the Bible thumpers and the Cold War soon enough,“ I joked.

What surprised me, however, was how fast Ryker quickly shook his head no.

“Keep… keep going,” I heard him carefully say after. “I swear… I’m listening.”

And I had to stop the chuckle playing on my lips from that alone… because I knew for damn sure he was.

Listening.

This was the longest he had ever kept his eyes on mine without that look of fear in his.

••

8. The Dough Won’t Knead Itself

I’m so happy y’all are liking the story so far!

This one is unedited but we’ll double back later

:) Also added another song above and to the playlist

xoxo

“So Parinirvana is like a heaven-… like, after death?” I asked Mickey. My hands were cramping hard as hell by how fast I was writing down everything he was saying, but the way this baker of all fucking people was describing this made so much more sense than the stupid packet Mr. Jolt had passed out.

And yeah, Mickey had been right.

Right about me having Mr. Jolt as a teacher, and right about him being a complete and total fucking dickhead.

“Correct,” Mickey nodded. He was now mixing in the wet ingredients, but he hadn’t told me to put any of my homework away, so we just worked like this I guess.

He still hadn’t mentioned jack shit about the bruises either. Instead, he had actually just continued to explain the whole with a reminder or without a reminder thing about Nirvana. Essentially, that the with the reminder one was like the day-to-day practice while still living, and parinirvana, without a reminder , was the nirvana which could be achieved after death.

“It eliminates the cycle of rebirth. Saṃsāra,” this baker continued. I hadn’t noticed he had started to walk around the kitchen, heading for the fridge which I was sitting in front of just a few feet away, until the sound of it opening behind me made me jump slightly.

I tried to keep my focus on my notebook while he rummaged through it. Besides the whole apron fiasco, Mickey and I had had a massive stainless steel kitchen island between us- him working on one end while I sat here at the other- and that distance was safe.

With him closer now, behind me, my body tensed up so bad I also fell off the fucking stool once Mickey’s right arm suddenly came into view on my right side, and he set a plastic bottle of water down right in front of me.

What did get me off this stool was when that same arm moved his hand, still lightly dusted with flour, closer. It hovered right above the notebook I was now clenching tight between my pale fingers, directly above my lap. “T-chart it,” he whispered way too fucking close to my right ear. So close, my soul practically leaped from my body, leaving this bruised thing to completely slide off the stool, tumbling over to my left.

I braced myself for impact, considering the stool I was on was pretty high, and I had tucked the front of my feet under the wooden footrest bar, so neither one of my feet was able to unhook themselves in time to save me this embarrassment.

It was a hand, actually, that managed to latch on before I fell face first towards the cement floor. Mickey’s left arm slid under my left shoulder, and he placed that hand palm down right on my chest, avoiding all the bruising around my midsection as he pulled me back onto the stool.

“ Jesus , watch it. Let’s not add to your injuries,“ I heard him mutter, still way too fucking close to me, but he quickly removed his arm and hand as soon as my ass was planted back in that stool. “And I was saying to t-chart it. Trace this line down here,” his right hand pointed with his finger to the red line running down the length of the page. “And draw a line across here,” he added.

My hand was starting to shake a bit. He was close enough for me to smell his cologne invading every inch of what little personal space I had left. His right arm wrapping around mine was close enough again for me to see those long veins running up and down, raising his deeply tanned skin like there were wires connected under it, all the way down to his hand.

He must’ve seen how dedicated my hands were to not letting go of this damn notebook, because his right hand slowly reached for the pencil I was gripping tight in my right hand along with these crumpling pages, and wiggled the thing out of my fingers.

Without fail, I was already holding my breath. Every part of my body was tense enough that it felt like my joints had frozen in this exact position. Like the tin man from fucking The Wizard of Oz or something.

All I could do was watch as Mickey made the line on the left side of the lined page more defined, tracing it down. Then he drew one straight as shit across at the bottom of the page where my notes hadn’t reached yet.

“Questions go here,” his voice was low near my ear, pointing to the left column, “notes here in the body, just how you have them now,” he pointed to the right portion in the middle of the page, “and summary down here at the bottom. Summarize each page- they’ll become your lifeline when studying for tests.” Once I finally felt him back the fuck up, placing my pencil on the counter near the bottle of water, I released that breath so fast.

Any longer and I might’ve actually passed out.

“Make sense?” Mickey asked, moving away from behind me to my side. His eyes were studying the hell out of me right now, but I kept my eyes literally glued to this spiral-bound piece of paper.

I jarringly nodded, not ready to say shit else at the moment, not after whatever that shit was, and Mickey seemed fine with that because he nodded himself, before turning to head towards the sink so he could wash his hands again.

Whatever space I was once hanging onto for dear life between us felt like fucking nothing when he returned to the mixing bowl across the kitchen island. I could still feel his presence lingering behind me like a damn phantom ghost… except the space now felt warm and stuffy instead of a cold, dry chill like in the movies.

And I still felt his strong hand on my upper chest, stopping me from falling the complete fuck over.

His voice near my ear… it was-

“Shit, sorry,” Mickey said suddenly, making my eyes dart up at him. His attention was back on mixing the dough, using those larger hands of his, and I found my gaze dropping to the movement of his arms again. “I got flour on your sweatshirt.”

That made me glance further down at my own chest, finally noticing the clear handprint he had made with flour against the black fabric.

“It’s… fine,” I replied a bit awkwardly, and couldn’t for the life of me meet his gaze after that shit, so I just picked up the pencil on the metal countertop. “I just-… I really like my personal space. I… get a bit on edge-”

“- You don’t say ,” Mickey replied, making me tilt my head even lower to try and mask the smile that unexpectedly formed on my lips.

This fucking jackass.

“You and I are going to be working together for a while. I’d love it if you didn’t treat me like I’m going to put your head in a noose or a guillotine,” Mickey stated, pulling my gaze up to him again.

He had stopped the mixing he was doing and was looking straight at me now.

“But judging from the bruises on you, you’ve already had that space invaded pretty horrifically, right?” That question made my eyes widen some. I wasn’t expecting it. “So if you promise to at least try for more than just a head nod all the time with me, I’ll keep a very healthy distance in return.”

I almost gave him another nod, but I caught myself.

At this point in my life, I was determined to show myself I could get out of this shit- that I wouldn’t take the second chance for granted…

But there was something about Mickey that made me want to make him understand that I was listening even if I didn’t have much to say. Maybe it was cause his irritation with me didn’t make me feel inadequate for some reason. This was our second day meeting, but he didn’t dumb shit down for me in a condescending way.

He simply had faith that I’d get it.

And as he spoke about Buddhism, he just related it in a way that made me actually get it. There were words he said that I didn’t understand, but the description he gave around the words helped. He wasn’t giving me whole definitions, but instead, some seriously solid context clues.

He also took me initially shitting on his own religion to the chin, not pissed in the slightest that my ignorance about this stuff was showing.

“That sounds good,” I spoke instead of a head nod, which made Mickey smile slightly before he returned to mixing his ingredients with his hands.

“Good. Also, pop quiz: did I use melted or solid butter to cut into the dry mix before I made a well?”

That made me pause a sec, trying to remember his own hand movements then, when he was talking more in depth about the three poisons I think…

“ We want the thick texture of the butter, small pea-size chunks, “ he had interrupted his Ted Talk on Greed to explain for a sec, and being able to remember that alone made me smile slightly.

“Solid,” I replied. “Chunks like chunky peanut butter.”

Mickey chuckled himself, those full lips of his stretching with his deep laugh, and my eyes quickly shot down to my notebook again. “I definitely didn’t say all that other shit about resembling peanut butter, but yeah, you’re spot on. And follow-up question: what do those chunks do?”

That one took me a little bit.

I knew he had made a side comment when explaining Greed. I had asked how attachment and desire fell into the mix, and Mickey had started to explain that Greed is on the opposite side of selflessness. That the whole focal point of this poison was just that in itself- a mirror of what our focal point inherently is.

Of what our intentions are.

I actually remembered this shit because Mickey had let me in on something I wasn’t expecting.

That this was the toughest poison for him to rid himself of- that this was a reason him and his family were a delicate topic to begin with.

And, well, shit . I sure as hell wasn’t going to press him for more information on that detail considering the mess my own family was, so I had just nodded as a response.

“Layers?” I offered him now, trying to think back on what he had said then, explaining the texture of the dough.

“Flaky layers,” Mickey replied, but nodded just the same. He seemed more than content with that answer. “And I kept the mixing with the milk and buttermilk light because we don’t want to overmix. We want tender biscuits.”

I nodded again… but followed it up quickly with a “got it.”

Words, Ryker, goddamn.

Then I watched as Mickey began to flour the surface of the metal countertop. “Let’s talk about rebirth since you’re on the subject of Nirvana. Do you understand the concept?”

My hands started flipping through my notes, first reading back on what I had jotted down in class… before I just turned to a fresh page of my notebook instead.

“Remember,” Mickey spoke quickly before I could even start to make the lines he had shown me. “That line down the page can be moved. All the lines of a notebook sheet are just suggestions in my book. If you find that you need more space for questions on the left-hand side, then move the line in where the body of notes go.”

“First time anyone has told me to do anything outside the lines,” I joked, not even realizing those words were said instead of thought.

Mickey just chuckled more to himself, though. “Your notes are yours. Make sure they resemble that. If you learn best with a venn diagram, a more proportionate t-chart, a bunch of bubbles with stems, whatever … then do that. The most insane thing the education system has ever done is teach anyone all the countless ways people absorb information, then put them in a fucking standardized box.”

I was grateful I was looking down, hiding more of my face… because I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, let alone how it was coming across on my face.

Instead, my hand drew the lines just like Mickey described… keeping my own note-taking preferences and massive handwriting in mind.

“Can we-… is it cool if you just start from the beginning with the whole rebirth thing?” I asked quietly, finally managing to look up at Mickey again. “My notes from class are complete shit.”

“Yeah,” Mickey nodded. “It’s referred to as Saṃsāra. The cycle of birth, death, then rebirth. I’m guessing you’ve heard of the term Karma?”

I nodded quickly. “Like good karma and bad karma?”

“Exactly. Tell me something you’re into, Ryker. Like actually into,” Mickey asked me.

I wasted no time on my reply. “Vehicles. Bikes. Cars. Anything motorized.”

Mickey didn’t look surprised by that, but he still cracked another grin. “Then think of karma like the exact result of how you take care of a car or a bike- the engine being your soul. The care you put in and the grace you extend directly relate to the vehicle’s overall health. And karma works the same. Every choice you make, you’re working towards good karma. Good karma is what will dictate your next life, and enough good karma will lead to eventual enlightenment- Nirvana- breaking that rebirth cycle.”

“Is that what people refer to when they say they’re an old soul or whatever?” I asked Mickey. I was already starting to redo my notes because I had honestly tuned out this part of Mr. Jolt’s lecture. “Like their soul has been reincarnated again and again?”

“Yes and no,” Mickey admitted. “Don’t think of it as consciousness being placed into a new body, per se. Think of it as one candle lighting another. Sharing nothing but the same flame. And though there are different teachings and interpretations of reincarnation, the one I believe and follow is close to like an imprint on someone’s DNA.”

I found myself resting my pencil for a sec, just listening. Something about the way this baker spoke made every word lead into the next so smoothly, it sounded like both a casual conversation and also literal poetry.

At least what I’d imagine poetry was like, I tuned that subject all the way out during school.

“There are folks who can trace their hobbies and skills back generations. Like an imprint on their DNA. And I believe the same can be said about karma. I don’t know what exactly I did in my previous life… but I know I’m a strong free thinker. I know I’ve always taken the path less travelled because that’s the path that leads to more experiences. More lessons learned.”

His words… they were resonating in honestly the most unexpected ways. They made me think of my own old man, as much as I really didn’t want to. My hobbies were only vehicles, and until now I had always thought it was because of how I was raised…

But there was something more- something that made me fall in love with the mechanics of how an engine ran. And that spark wasn’t in my dad’s eyes anymore… but I still remembered when it once was.

How he used to be different.

“Rebirth itself will always occur in one of six realms before the hopeful state of Nirvana. They’re often also called the six paths. Deva, Asuras, Manusya, Tiryag, Preta, and Naraka.” Mickey stopped talking a moment to grab his rolling tray for the kneaded dough. “As I explain each realm, don’t lose sight of the fact that samsāra is known as a cycle of suffering . Each realm has its temptations to either drag you lower or ascend your placement, all decided upon by your actions.”

I shot my shot at the spelling for the realms in my notes, making a mental note that I’d double back on the exact spelling later. For now, I just wanted to get whatever I could, down.

“You want me to work my way up or start at the top?” He asked me, making me shift my gaze higher to his again.

“Save the worst for last,” I replied quietly.

This baker gave me another head nod. “Doesn’t hurt to have something to look forward to… but dessert first quite literally takes the cake when everything else has gone to shit, right?” He asked, and I nodded, agreeing.

After the last week of literal hell for me, hearing there was something that existed which was better couldn’t hurt to hear first. I had already lived the nightmares, not being able to escape them in my sleep either.

“Samsāra has its highest tier as Deva, otherwise known as the God Realm.” Mickey was starting to roll out the textured dough with the rolling pin as he continued this explanation. “This realm is set to be the most pleasant. It comes with pretty wholesome karma- no working, just enjoying the pleasures of the realm… but this realm leads quickly to attachment, which acts as a sword severing all hopes of obtaining nirvana.”

I had started to jot down the god realm… but that particular fact made my pencil still for a moment.

“So even at the highest realm… you’re still met with bullshit?” I asked him a bit too bluntly.

And Mickey just chuckled. “It’s a good deal to strive for… yet you’re met with the uncertainty of where your next life will be if you can’t detach from it all. Nirvana is looking harder and harder to obtain now, isn’t it?” He asked.

I couldn’t help but nod. “Seems like a fucking setup.”

“Just a conditioning of your mind,” this baker assured me. “And it says a lot that the next two realms are the Demi-god and Human Realm.”

“I didn’t think this shithole was so high up on the list,” I carelessly mumbled… and Mickey outwardly laughed, not caring in the slightest that I definitely had my own opinions about this. I was sort of starting to do that more around him, too. Like carelessly speak my mind and whatnot.

He seemed to prefer it when I did.

Or maybe he just liked the fact that actual words were replacing the endless head nods.

“It’s only downhill from these,” Mickey confirmed, and I found myself nodding again, but I accompanied it with a partial smile that I didn’t quite tuck my head away to hide. “Asuras and Manusya. Manusya, or the human realm, is the most challenging but promises enlightenment to Nirvana if you’re willing to reach for it. The three poisons apply here. Asuras or the Demi-gods fight with the gods or meddle in business of humans, still susceptible to accumulating karma and ascending or falling.”

My pencil kept still as I listened. I probably should’ve written all this down, but… I dunno. I didn’t really feel like I had to for a change. Mickey made it all sound so casual, but also interesting. Like a scholar turned stoner speaking about alternate universes around a bonfire.

“So the last three are the worst?” I asked him, and he nodded.

“Tiryag is the animal realm, Preta is the ghost realm, and Naraka is known as the hell realm.” That made me lean forward a little more. All three definitely sounded worse. “The animal realm is more so seen on par with hell. The life an animal lives is often times damningly black and white, and bleak. Survival of the fittest, natural selection, et cetera, et cetera.”

“How does that realm accumulate karma?” I asked.

“Great question,” Mickey replied. He was starting to use the circular rim of a drinking glass to cut into the dough he had rolled out, creating circles which I assumed would be the shape for the biscuits. “Some animals adapt to their environment… and some don’t. There are animals in nature that are selfless. That give without a second thought, maintain discipline, and are able to accumulate more good karma.”

That seemed like one hell of a realm to land yourself in , I couldn’t help but think.

“Nature in general is incredibly fucking weird, though. My favourite bird is by far the raven, and one of my favourite facts is that they hold funerals to investigate their dead. Incredibly intelligent creatures just in desperate need of a better PR team.”

“Seriously?” I asked a little too fast, but Mickey just flashed me another small smile before he nodded. Fuck, man… even his teeth were freaking perfect.

“Certain frogs can also be gay, and male seahorses carry a pregnancy to term. And don’t get me started on penguins. So anyone who says sexuality and gender are at least written in stone doesn’t know the slightest thing about nature or what the word natural means,” this baker replied, cutting off whatever words I was about to say.

This was some shit I absolutely didn’t know about. Now I wanted him to start in on penguins out of genuine curiosity alone.

“Why… why do you know so much about that-like, animals and DNA and shit?”

The smile on Mickey’s face didn’t leave. It just slowly widened. “Simply put: existing has placed me in a box. Feels like I was born in that fucking basket Moses was put in before being sent out to sea. So I did what I could to break away from that box. Reclaiming power for me is knowing my exact limits. That way, I know exactly where I fall when someone’s bold enough to ask for more or less of me.”

This wasn’t something I could relate to right now… but I wanted it to be. Like desperately wanted it to.

First day back at school and I genuinely had no idea what I was learning.

“There’s always power in knowledge, but there’s leverage in knowing yourself and knowing what you know, then understanding how to market that knowledge. We do live in a capitalist society after all, with ourselves being the product, and our manufacturer Good Ol’ Uncle Sam.”

I couldn’t help but nod this time, jotting what he had just said down. Obviously, it was useless for my homework questions, but… I still wanted it documented somewhere.

And I sure as shit wasn’t one to keep a fucking diary or anything for Mickey’s poetic tidbits.

Nineteen years on this stupid planet, and I had never heard anyone explain their yearn for learning quite like that.

I’d never heard anyone break it down.

“Can I ask you a question?” I found myself asking. “I guess… well… related but unrelated?”

“Fire away,” Mickey replied, placing the circles he had cut out, onto a baking sheet.

“Why the hell are you a baker? No offense, but it just feels like you have the brains for a whole lot more.”

Mickey chuckled this time. “My destiny is something I don’t let anyone else meddle with. Been told I’m probably destined for whatever else for most of my life… but nothing beats the warmth on customer’s faces when they try something I’ve made. So until I decide I want to be more… for now, I’m good with being one damn good baker.”

And maybe I didn’t know it in this exact moment… but it was those words alone that really shifted how I saw him.

Mickey .

A guy fully content with where the hell he was at.

It was actually jarring almost. Mainly because I felt that way before when working with my old man. And it disgusted me to know I had given up caring so much that I just took his outbursts head on. That I thought this was the extent of my capabilities.

It was dangerous, too-… Mickey and I having this time alone together, just talking. I found myself starting to hope I’d get the chance to hear more of this side to him. He actually made me want to say shit just to keep him talking. Which was new for me this last week.

Every other voice I had heard this last week just made my head feel worse.

And his commanding presence, however full-blown intense it was, however nauseated it made me feel with me unable to handle it at times… it also made me that much more drawn to it.

If only

this

fucker wasn’t also ridiculously hot

with one intoxicating sense of humor . That probably would’ve lessened the blow of just how quickly the guy was starting to hold my attention.

How he had made me unexpectedly smile for the first time in god only knows how long.

••

9. Rollin’ Scone

Alrighty y’all, it’s that time of the week where I upload everything I wrote throughout the week. Substack is also getting updates (I paused billing on the paid stories so I could get everything uploaded so if you’re a current paid subscriber, enjoy the premium content at no charge until I finish getting everything updated the next few months)

And if you get the reference/pun with the title of this chapter, pat yourself on the back lol. Our age is indeed showing

Enjoy!

xoxo

I spent the entirety of Monday- Rykers’ first official day at the café- randomly walking him through the fundamental foundation and pillars of Buddhism, all while he watched me bake.

Was this how I thought the day would go?

Absolutely not.

But it was like one thing came up right after the other, and at some point, I decided that this was the best way to ease him in. There weren’t many dishes to do anyway, and he was definitely struggling with his schoolwork.

That was pretty blatantly obvious when I got a good look at his notes from over his shoulder. And I hadn’t meant to scare him like that. I was just grabbing him a bottle of water from the fridge, and I just saw how discombobulated his notes really were.

Him almost falling off that wooden stool was not what I was expecting, but luckily I was quick enough to grab the guy and lift him back on, trying not to touch anywhere on his midsection where I knew he must’ve been injured, taking into account how he reacted to the apron I tried tying off around his waist.

His questions throughout the day were surprising. They threw me off a bit by how blunt he actually was when he did say words… but I found myself not minding as much. My honesty seemed to open him up a bit, which was the goal in the first place, but-

“Just wipe off the tables out front. I’ll handle the kitchen,” I told Ryker, glancing back up at the clock before pointing him towards the disinfectant solution and fresh towels we kept stocked near the sink. Considering I let him use a small section of the counter space in the kitchen for his homework, the whole thing was getting wiped down thoroughly.

This was the first time I had ever let anyone set something down on this surface that wasn’t an ingredient. And CiCi definitely took note of it when she popped in to drop off used dishes.

Ryker nodded, following my instructions to a T. He had already set his homework back in his backpack inside the employees only room, but I had promised Ci after she locked up the front door and left right at close a few minutes ago that I wouldn’t keep Ryker here long… so that meant we had to get a move on with our clean up right now.

And I got to it like clockwork, placing the remaining biscuits that Ryker didn’t eat, CiCi didn’t take home- though she snagged about half the fucking batch as her dinner for the night- and what we didn’t sell with the surprising evening rush, back in the fridge.

X had texted me to bring some to the warehouse, too, where he and I were meeting up right after this, but I told him I was leaving the rest for Eve in the morning and he quickly backtracked, saying he’d pick us up a pizza instead.

He and I would have about an hour alone until the twins were set to swing through there, and I was planning on having him give me a full rundown. This first official day spent with Ryker had me feeling… well… a bit more protective than I hoped for. I still hadn’t learned much about his old man, but what I did learn was that Ryker himself had a sense of humor, considering whatever he had gone through last week.

His humor was dark, and he definitely still gave off some emo vibes about hating life and whatnot… but I had found myself offering something I didn’t think I would. To be frank, before today, the only time I wanted to see the kid was in this café. I didn’t have plans to spend even a minute outside of it with him… partially because making sure the twins didn’t know he even existed right now was my top priority.

And partially because there was just something about him that made me feel the need to keep where we communicated as strictly inside this café. I didn’t want to make things complicated.

But while I was removing the biscuits from the oven, I asked him whether he’d be interested in visiting a Buddhist temple with me sometime.

He had quickly followed my ask up with possibly the most unhinged thing ever said to me by anyone, which was, “being around you makes me a bit nauseated.”

And whoever said the worst thing anyone could say is no, clearly hadn’t met someone like Ryker a day before in their life.

He almost immediately realized what the fuck he just said to me, and tried to follow that up, explaining that being around anyone made him a bit uneasy right now, and I was forced to have that spine-yanking comment just roll off me.

Obviously, I understood what he was saying… but Jesus , his choice of words almost single-handedly annihilated my pride.

I still told him the offer was there whenever he wanted. There was a temple about forty-five minutes from here that had a large painting depicting the wheel of life, signifying the three poisons as a pig, a rooster, and a snake.

I had tried to show him a picture of it by having him pull it up on his phone since by hands were still finishing up the biscuits, but not even the images they had did it any justice.

He told me he’d eventually think about it, which worked for me. Wasn’t mandatory or anything, but he’d also get a better understanding of the religion, and I was way overdue on stopping by to make merit. It was like a school field trip, honestly, and a way to get in my mum’s good graces again after I told he I’d be heading back to the café while I took my time with a job search.

Fact of the matter was that I hadn’t even started a job search.

And I had no plans to for a good long while- at least until the cafe made it past the busy season.

But she didn’t need to know that.

And CiCi was always the best at keeping secrets.

Ryker seemed to clam up again after Ci flew through the kitchen to say goodbye on her way out. Then she had to stop back in because she realized she had left her entire purse in her office located to the left of the back door.

He didn’t say much at all after that, but he did a great job of cleaning up the front. Like a stellar job, actually, and finished around the time I did in the kitchen, putting us at around eight in the evening, which Ci mentioned needed to be a hard cut-off for the high schooler.

He followed me out after I shut off all the lights, walking towards his car in this well-lit back alley while I locked up the back door and triple checked the locks like I always did.

As I made my way to my motorcycle parked near the door, I noticed Ryker drove an older car. A vintage ’82 Mercedes-Benz 300D that looked like it was honestly in mint condition, considering it was past fifty years old. I was taken aback a moment once I noticed the crack in his windshield through his back window, and the broken side mirror, however…

It was the only damage it had, and it didn’t match the condition of the rest of the body.

Ryker glanced up at me past the top of his car, offering a “Night” that was accompanied by a head nod, and I nodded my head in return, still surveying the car.

Once he caught my gaze through the back window, I quickly hurried to get my helmet on, then powered up my baby. A part of me debated pulling my phone out to look busy so I could wait and make sure Ryker left alright first… but the awkwardness that settled damn near immediately as we both sat in this otherwise empty alley, had me eventually taking off in the direction of the warehouse.

Thankfully, the ride was short. It was definitely getting chillier by the day, and I knew the guys would want to take the bikes out once the twins arrived, but damn it, tonight was frigid as fuck.

There weren’t any cars or bikes parked in the old lot next to the warehouse, but I still knew X was inside. And when I unlocked the door beside the large closed metal garage door, I was welcomed by the smell of pizza and beer.

“Prodigal son has returned!” Xavier greeted, calling out to me. He’d already pulled his bike in and was sitting at the far backend of the warehouse, where a large wooden rectangular table stood with 6 wooden chairs around it. On the table were three large pizzas- cheese, pepperoni, and sausage.

The boxes weren’t propped open, but that had been a standard order from Manello’s on 85th the last six or so years we had all been meeting here for, starting when I was only sixteen and still living with Ci.

“Only place safe for the twins is Richy’s and here,” I reminded this man. Judging by his thick sweatshirt instead of the riding jacket he usually wore, and the 24-case beer sitting on the table, he had had the same idea I did about tonight.

We weren’t going out in that cold for shit.

And technically, the guys never had to leave this warehouse if they didn’t want to. To the farthest left of the table were three long sofas, and the back winding stairs to the far right of the table led up to a makeshift loft I’d made from what was a small caged storage space, throwing a queen bed up there for the nights I worked late in here.

While away at college, X kept up with everything for me. Only rule about the warehouse was no outsiders allowed. No food deliveries, no nothing that could have randoms around.

Not even Ci was allowed to stop by, but I kept it that way because I didn’t want her involved in anything that we did here. Eve came through from time to time if X had to run something in and out of here before walking her home, but other than that, only the twins, X, and I had access.

Well, I made the twins return their key cards whenever I headed back to Boston for college, i didn’t trust those two while I was out of town, but I’d be giving them back the card tonight. X already had our surveillance pulled up on the TVs hanging from the caged loft, keeping an eye out for when they’d roll in.

They said they’d be here around ten tonight at the latest, and it was currently a little past 8:30 PM, but I wasn’t holding them to that time. They were rarely ever punctual, and considering the last time they were late, Mor had a bloody shoulder from a bullet that grazed him and I had to patch up… I always just prepared myself for whatever came with the Machiavelli brothers.

“How’s the café?” X asked, kicking out a chair for me to sink into after I made my way past the five or so bikes stored in here.

“Eve’s fine,” I replied, answering what he was really asking.

“How’s Princess?”

That made me snap a sharp gaze over at this insane fucker. “X, you might be just as invested in that woman’s cat as she is. You do have Eve’s number, so just call and ask.”

X quickly shook his head no. “I get 5 calls a week, otherwise she’s threatened to block me, and I already called yesterday to check up on the color I’ll be painting Princess’s new room once Eve moves apartment units. Since it’s only Monday, I gotta save the other four calls, Mic.”

“I’d tell you you guys have one weird ass friends with benefits thing going, but you already know that, Xavier.”

“Listen, since you’ve never slept with Eve-”

“-Nor do I want to,” I butting in quickly.

“-You don’t know how good I’ve got it. So quit your bullying, Mic. If she asked me to build her next home with my bare hands, I’d drop everything and start on a house blueprint immediately.”

“Then you’d offload the planning for the blueprint onto me,” I reminded him.

“Yes,” Xavier nodded like that would be the obvious next step, “and I’d pay you your asking wage.”

“Prices have gone up,” I corrected again. “I have to adjust for the money I spent on Dino’s lawyer fees. He should be out in a few weeks, thank fuck, but I’m now out more than just a couple grand. And Dino’s good for it, but it’ll take him some time to come up with that kinda bread.”

“Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d question how you have that kinda bread… but I know the answer to that question already.” X chuckled, cracking open the box of pepperoni for him and I.

The twins only ate cheese pizza, but X liked pepperoni and he likes sausage. He also had the ability to finish off a box on his own, so we always ordered a box of each. The guy was a unit.

While I preferred to not think of any of my guys in this way, or Eve for that matter, I understood why she secretly was just as obsessed with X as he was with her. Eve was tall as hell, and Xavier was more than equipped to handle it. He was also the best fighter at the gym we went to with Arlo, which was why I put him in charge of escorting Eve home.

It probably looked like Cirque du Soleil in that home of hers whenever he stayed over and they got down to business.

“Hey, you know I market well for my services,” I reminded him. “And I’ve kept you lot out of prison every chance I get.”

X just nodded. “How’s that new kid holding up then?”

God, that question felt heavy and loaded as all hell. “Honest to god truth, I have no idea. He’s picking up on the baking side but at this point, CiCi might have to get someone else for the front with servicing customers.”

“Shit, I’d ask what’s wrong, but if he’s Simon’s kid, probably everything is. I heard the shop was closed up for most of last week.”

Shit , I thought to myself. I was hoping Xavier hadn’t done more digging, but of course he had. He and I knew that side of town pretty well. And Simon wasn’t one to close up shop ever.

“Yeah, he just showed up last week to meet with CiCi, but his face was all bruised up, and I saw more bruises on his arms. Probably something gnarly around his waist.”

“Now, how exactly would you know he got some bruising on his waist again?” X asked me. I gave him a look.

“Because I tried to tie an apron around him and the guy pretty much doubled over in pain, now get your mind out the gutter, Xavier.”

He just wiggled his eyebrows a bit suggestively at me. “You’re long overdue for a little romance in your life.”

“I’m not long overdue for jack shit,” I argued. “And you know my one rule for everyone at Wilmoria’s. I’m not breaking that any time soon.”

“Well, according to you,” he countered, “don’t that place run best on some good ol’ heartbreak? What the hell do you run on, Mic?”

“Coffee and cold hard cash,” I answered, making Xavier chuckle. “Dynamic duo of you ask me.”

“Sounds lonely,” Xavier replied, making me roll my eyes before I leaned forward to grab a slice of pizza.

“Only as lonely as you make it,” was my response. “It’s not like I’m not getting some. I just keep things casual.”

“Well, you’ve got a unique situation considering 100% of the population is up for grabs. I only got a smooth fifty,” X argued. “Maybe even less if we take into account the lesbians and the transgenders.”

“Now what makes you think I’m going for the old grandpas still waking up to see another day?” I asked him. Xavier knew I was bisexual, but he should’ve also known I had standards the size of Texas, and a lifestyle probably not fitting for most.

“Considering you like money, you’d be a perfect, kept sugar baby spending that old man’s money however you saw fit while you tinkered away on your engineering projects,” X suggested, making one unfortunately valid argument.

I really would be one perfect, kept sugar baby… but rich old people rarely ever had the spark I was looking for.

“Otherwise, you wake up at the asscrack of dawn each day, take your ceremonious morning cup of joe with the morning newspaper- probably single-handedly keeping those printing companies in business- and maintain a strict schedule each week to maximize your earning potential. At this point you are the rich old man looking for some sugar on the side and nothing serious to sign your life earnings away to.”

… I was currently stuffing my mouth full of pizza, trying to give myself any excuse to not have to answer to that.

Sometimes when Xavier made sense, it was truly sickening.

“Listen,” I replied, taking a sip of the beer to wash all the pizza down. “I don’t have to explain my reasoning. And you’re only bringing this up because you want my blessing with Eve. But push it and I’ll request she downgrades those five calls a week to four.”

X just chuckled. “Eve won’t admit it, but 5 days a week means she can still call me over even if she’s not closing. I think you underestimate how good I am at taking care of her needs.”

“Keep the details, X,” I muttered, “keep the details.”

Niki and Mori were late… but at least I didn’t have to patch up some sort of wound.

Instead, they had a job for me that both paid surprisingly well and kept me at the warehouse most of the night.

The twins did end up going out for a ride after kicking it with me and X for a few hours, so I handed them their access cards, reminded them for the umpteenth time about the rules here, and sent them on their way.

X ended up getting too drunk, so he passed out on one of the couches, and I ended up returning to the bed up on the loft once the early hours of the morning crept in and I was reminded I’d still have to be somewhat alive for work at the café.

And after waking up a few hours later, around eight in the morning, to start my routine, time flew by, forcing me to wake X up some hours later, then leave him to lock up the warehouse while I headed home to get ready.

I got to the cafe around 1:30 PM, only running into Eve since Ci had to take off early for some legal proceedings with her divorce so Eve would be closing with Ryker and I tonight. As always, that tall, green-haired woman had little words to say, but she did confirm that her cat Princess was alive or whatever.

I only asked so I could hopefully get X off my damn case about my love life.

That comment he had made about Ryker only had me thinking of ways to make certain that I didn’t give anyone any reason to think that this was more than just a baker helping out a new hire.

Because that was all it was.

But as I worked on making some more cupcakes for a large birthday order we received, the back door slowly opening was truly like a gate opening to hell when Ryker walked through.

He looked even better today.

And he was wearing exactly what I requested. A plain white t-shirt this time, while he held his hoodie in his hand, and had his backpack slung over his shoulder.

Only thing was, the cutoff right at his biceps and the fitted shirt itself had my hands slowing as I mixed the batter for the cupcakes.

Everything from his still slightly damp hair to those large eyes… his even more defined features and chiseled bone structure-

“I’m late,” he spoke first, surprising the only other person in this kitchen besides him, which was now me. “Went home to shower quick… Sorry.”

And I pretty much decided that the safest thing to do was to take something from this enigma of a man’s playbook.

I just found myself nodding in return, not even trusting my damn words anymore.

••

10. Cut The Crust

Tuesday fucking sucked… but at this point, every school day was probably going to.

I had stayed up late last night to complete day one of the online classes, which was just a reminder about how horribly I had slacked off the last few years because Algebra II looked like a foreign language with the already loaded up assignments that I had until Sunday to complete.

Because of how late everything ran for, I ended up waking up late again, which meant breakfast was a granola bar and lunch would be pretty nonexistent.

I spent lunch period yesterday in the library, checking out the books I would need for my English class, but today I chose to take lunch in my car. The craving to have a cigarette was so fucking strong I damn near caved… yet I knew I couldn’t.

I didn’t want the strong smell to linger on my clothes for the afternoon classes.

What did however ease a bit of my suffering for day two was the last period of the day itself: photography.

Ms. Kluntz spent the period reviewing photography from some of her favourite photographers, projecting the images onto the projector screen while we all sat quietly in class, listening and taking notes.

I had tried to take some photos for the assignment she gave, considering I only had two weeks to crank out ten somewhat meaningful photos… but my inspiration at The Brookside Apartments was pretty lacking.

My apartment unit only held the essentials, so nothing remotely worth taking a photo of. And considering it was pitch dark outside by the time I got home last night, nature photos were pretty out of the question.

Instead, I focused more on learning the basics of the camera. Like how to work the damn thing in the first place, looking at the manual provided in the carrying bag Ms. Kulntz gave me. And after all was said and done, I had ended up getting to bed a little past two in the morning.

Last period was probably the only class that felt like it actually flew by today. I still hadn’t spoken a single word to anyone in my class, but I did give Ms. Kluntz a head nod here and there when she walked around the dark room, reviewing some of the notes we took on the documentary we watched the last fifteen minutes of class.

And when that bell rang, I was out of there.

I had woken up way too fucking late to take a shower before getting ready for school, so I decided to book it to the apartment first so I could. I also had to rummage through the slim pickings I had for clothes to find a shirt that was work appropriate according to Mickey, which left me feeling self-conscious as shit about wearing it because of the bruises on my arms, but I tried to just shove that feeling down and suck it up.

Mickey had made an exception yesterday, having me just observe him.

Odds were, that exception wasn’t going to extend to today.

Regardless of how fucking exposed I felt just by one glance in the mirror after showering and changing, I really didn’t have the time to give much of a shit. By the time I actually left my apartment, I was already going to be about fifteen minutes late, so this beater zoomed down the street, headed towards the café with my hair still slightly damp and my skin feeling drier than usual.

Luckily I had just left my backpack in the car to run in and shower, so when I finally pulled up to the café, I grabbed both that and the hoodie I’d brought to change back into after the shift since it was getting colder each night.

My hair probably looked a fucking mess since I half-assed the drying process, but the shits I had to give didn’t exist. I needed a haircut soon, but my clippers were still at my dad’s. And my first paycheck wouldn’t be until next Friday, which meant I didn’t have the cash to buy another pair.

Right now, food, gas, and cigs were the only things in my budget.

But just the thought of food alone reminded me that I hadn’t eaten lunch. I meant to grab another granola on my way out the door after shower and changing, but trying to make it here at this café on time made me forget all of that.

I was quickly reminded, though, as soon as I stepped inside through the back door and the smell of the café hit all my senses in one go.

Mickey was alone in the kitchen, standing across the metal kitchen island where he was the majority of yesterday, mixing some sort of batter in a large mixing bowl.

He glanced up when he heard the door open, slowing his mixing to give me a once-over. He was wearing a black shirt today under his apron, with his gold chain tucked into the fabric, paired with some black pants. Surprisingly enough, the dark material didn’t seem like it had a speck of batter or flour on it, even though his incredibly toned arms and larger hands had a light dusting.

Because of his rich skin tone, the flour stood out more… and of course, because it was Mickey, he looked fucking exceptional. Like cut from some catalogue, biker turned baker or some shit.

Then that only reminded me of how good he had looked in that leather jacket as we left the café together last night. How fucking gorgeous him and that bike of his looked, hearing the distinct sound when he turned it on.

I had waited in the lot of the back alley, watching him take off onto the main street it led out to, just trying to distract myself from the inevitable which was all the homework I had. The school decided they would schedule a meeting with my dean twice a month to make sure I was staying on track, so they stuff I had skipped out on during my suspension was going to have to get done quickly.

Even though Mickey alone right now was one fantastic distraction from the thoughts racing in my mind, the only thing I could think of was that I was late on only day two.

And that’s what my idiot brain put into words before I thought of any other way to skate by and not address it. Mickey looked like he was a bit distracted anyways so I should’ve just shut the fuck up until he commented on it.

But of course I didn’t.

“I’m late,” I pretty much blurted. The rough sound of my voice made me question whether these were the first words I said today. They probably were. “Went home to shower quick… Sorry.”

The awkwardness was definitely there in my tone, but Mickey simply nodded, still eyeing me up and down slowly.

Wasn’t much I could do about how I looked now, so I didn’t let it get to me. Bruises were still there on my arms, and hair was probably sticking up at every angle.

Instead, I headed for the employees only room to set my stuff in.

The space was empty just like yesterday, but Eve’s cross body and light jacket was still hanging which meant she was here, just probably at the front.

Pricilla sent a text during the school day to let me know she had an early out to handle some work, so I assumed that Eve was probably closing with Mickey and I.

The woman really was a mystery… but she was seemingly the least talkative one who worked here so I didn’t mind. The less I had to say, the better.

I shoved my hoodie into the locker just like yesterday, along with my backpack, then gave myself a little internal pep talk before I headed back out into the kitchen.

Both feet barely made it through the door before Mickey spoke his first words to me for the day. “Apron or no apron?”

I stood right in front of the closing door, somewhat frozen in place by the question.

First off, I wasn’t expecting a question. Like at all.

The bruises still weren’t looking great, but ai wasn’t sure how the fuck to word that to him.

“Uh…maybe not today?” Was what I finally settled on. I sounded awkward as shit, but there was no way around that now.

Mickey nodded slow. Then he asked me, “you mind getting your shirt dirty?”

I quickly shook my head no.

“Cool. Then thoroughly wash your hands in the sink and come stand here next to me. Today we’re making a birthday batch of cupcakes. About 250 for pickup at closing so it should take up most of the afternoon.”

My eyes grew a bit larger at that. It was hard to wrap my head around anyone needing that many cupcakes for any reason, but Mickey didn’t seem fazed in the slightest so I just ran with it, nodding, before turning to the sink.

This guy was far more graceful in the kitchen than I was honestly. He moved quick but efficiently, and I ended up heading over to his side of the counter but he had already turned, crouching down to some cupboards to remove about 10 cupcake trays. 

“You came at a good time,” this baker said, turning to me now. “I got the first batch of batter done, we’re just lining with the liners and pouring  the batter in. Gotta divide and conquer though, the ovens can only fit so many trays at a time.”

I nodded again, but added a quick,“got it” after, feeling like I needed to hold up my end of the deal because Mickey kept a good distance between us standing side by side when he returned to the kitchen island to set out the trays. Then he looked for some cupcake liners in the top cupboards behind him, pulling out a large bag of them.

“How was day two for you?” He asked me once he set that bag on the counter.

I was about to say that it just started, but then I realized he meant day two of school, and I managed to catch myself in time to not sound like a complete idiot. “Fine, I guess. Only thing I feel solid about is World Religion… so, thank you. For yesterday, I mean.”

Mickey nodded, glancing over to meet my gaze that was already on his, and I lowered it quickly so I could grab one of the clean trays Mickey had handed me. Then he set the bag of liners on the metal counter between our trays.

“Anytime. But forward that compliment to my mum if you can. I’m sure it’ll earn me some brownie points just showcasing I didn’t forget every fucking thing.”

I kept my head lowered, watching Mickey turn to grab something else from a top cabinet against the wall, and found my lips tugging up into a slight smile at that.

Then I asked a question to hopefully keep the conversation on him and not start to lead it back to my classes. The fact that it would take a miracle for me to pass any of the math or science classes I was taking was not lost on me. “Your mum stay around here?”

Mickey turned back around with two triangular bags and some scissors in hand, passing one bag over to me.

“Nah, my mum’s back home in South Korea.”

That made my eyes dart back up at him again as he set his bag down on the counter to his right.

“So did she… well, I mean like, did she once stay here? Or like I guess I mean-”

“It’s a bit complicated,” Mickey replied, chuckling. “You can set the piping bag down for now near you. First we’ll just fill up the tray with the liners.”

He then used the scissors in his hand to cut the bag of liners open, reaching inside and grabbing a few to place inside the indents in the tray. I ended up just copying what he was doing. Seemed simple enough.

“I was born in Korea” this baker continued. “My mum married a hot shot American accountant in Korea, had me, then we moved here to New York when I was six years old. My mum ended up remarrying when I was ten and wanted to move back to Korea a few years later but decided I should complete my education here. I stayed with my step dad for a year until he joined my mum in Korea, then I stayed with Ci during high school. Went to Boston for college, and graduated this last spring, so now I’m back here permanently.”

I listened intently as we both continued lining the trays, only slowing to ask, “what did you major in, in college?”

Mickey glanced over at me for a sec before saying, “Engineering.”

That made my eyebrows raise in clear surprise.

Shit.

So he was like smart smart.

“That sounds hard as shit,” I muttered mindlessly. Mickey just let out a light laugh, which put me bit at ease.

“Eh. Gotta have a passion for it I guess. Will say that most of my friends came out on the other side looking either homeless or forty-five years old with five kids and three mortgages. No in between.”

I bit back a laugh at that.

Partially because, well, goddamn.

And also because Mickey clearly hadn’t fallen into any of those two categories.

My idiot self murmured, “you musta dodged a grenade cause you look nothing like that” before I could bite my damn tongue, but Mickey was quick with his response.

“Says the guy who stated being around me makes him nauseated,” Mickey teased, making me turn my head slightly to the left.

I could not for the life of me believe that I said that shit in the first place.

“I-… I swear I meant-”

Mickey full on laughed, cutting me off with a, “I know. And if you’re wondering what my secret is to my good looks, it’s simply good genes and better sleep.”

Well , I couldn’t help but think, then I’m absolutely fucked.

Instead of dwelling on that depressive mess, I changed the subject. Sorta. And would pretty soon come to wish I chose anything else to ask.

“Is your dad still in New York? Like your biological dad?”

Mickey’s hands froze a moment while he was placing his last liner in his first tray, to then move on to the second. That hesitancy made me dread whatever was coming next.

“He passed away,” I heard this baker say a bit more quietly, and with such a little emotion that it took me a second to actually register what he said.

I looked up at him from the work he was doing, but he had continued, pushing his first tray aside to grab the second from the stack, then he passed when over to me since I was almost done.

“But don’t feel any type of way about that. I think of my step dad as just my dad. He’s cool. Makes my mum happy. Those are pretty much my standards.”

And I didn’t even know what to say. I just nodded, figuring that I wasn’t meant to ask anything else about it judging by his short, to the point reply.

I just wrapped up the first tray, set it aside, and moved on to the second.

“Is there any subject you’re taking that you actually like this year?” Mickey asked. He could probably sense I was clamming up again. I hadn’t meant to get quiet, but I didn’t want to seem like I was prying into his personal life.

The first words that came to mind was a smooth fuck no… but I stopped myself. It wouldn’t be entirely try if I said that.

“Well… it’s an elective. Photography. But it’s been cool so far. My teacher’s new to Avelin and doesn’t know me so it’s much eas-” I started, but shut up real fast.

This bakery didn’t need the details on all my suspensions.

“It’s cool. And I guess English. Easiest class right now.”

That made Mickey turn his head to his left, looking at me a bit surprised. “A week ago I wasn’t even sure you spoke English.”

Well wasn’t this guy just charming.

But then again, the little amount of speaking I actually did this last week probably warranted that dig.

“I don’t mind reading,” I decided to explain to him. “And if I had to choose between it or Math or Science, I would hands down choose English.”

“Really?” Mickey asked. I nodded. “You and I are like polar opposites, then.” There was a smirk playing on his lips when he said that, and he said it in more of a teasing way. “Math and Science were my easiest subjects. I think English got me in trouble the most.”

“Really?” My eyebrows raised, looking over at him again.

“My twelfth grade paper was on how the education system is broken and built on the foundations of existing to prepare the young for eight hour work days,” Mickey replied, making me unexpectedly chuckle, looking back down at the cupcake trays. I tried curling my lips in to muffle it a little.

“Sounds like you,” I mumbled.

“Hey now, look at you making assumptions when this is our third time meeting,” Mickey full on joked. “Please don’t tell me I’m that easy to figure out.”

I quickly shook my head no.

Easy was probably the last word I’d use.

What I said next, however, couldn’t have been any better.

“You remind me of a Russian doll,” I said to him before I could even think words through.

“That’s definitely a first,” he replied with genuineness in his tone. “Usually I get lovable jackass, approachable Scrooge, entertainingly destructive, menace to society, and System of a Down.”

“The heavy metal band?” I asked suddenly. Mickey nodded.

“Besides their unique, unpredictable rhythms and influence in their music, their music also speaks about politics and war. Politics in wars. Et cetera, et cetera. Great, timeless music.”

“Heavily metal band enthusiast… and a Buddhist,” I whispered under breath. I couldn’t tell if Mickey was more like a Martin Luther King or a Malcom X anymore.

“Hey. Never claimed to be perfect. I’m just working towards being balanced. Now explain that Russian doll bit, por favour. I won’t let you leave me hanging after something so random.”

I almost rolled my eyes if it wasn’t for the fact that Mickey was staring over at me, waiting patiently.

Shit, I almost debated just saying nothing and hoping that would fly. There wasn’t enough time in the day to correctly say what I wanted to. And my next words proved just that.

“I… I don’t know. There’s just a lot to you I guess.” This explanation was choppy as hell. “That, and calling you an onion with layers sounds really fucking stupid.”

Calling him a Russian doll was stupid you idiot , I quickly reminded myself.

“If you called me an onion, period, I’d be massively offended,” Mickey confirmed. “I can only take so many hits to my pride before I’ve got to start fighting back. And I was about to too, considering a lot of interpretations of the Russian, or rather Matryoshka Nesting Dolls, is about maternity and motherhood. Can’t tell if you think I’m a mother, or you’re trying to knock me up.”

I just about coughed a fucking lung up at that, making sure to turn my head away from Mickey and into my shoulder as I tried getting a grip.

This guy was fucking insane.

“…neither,” I replied once I cleared my throat. Mickey’s chuckles were light in response, all while I was trying to erase this entire thing from memory. There was at least a few feet between him and I, but just a few words from him felt like he was closing the physical space metaphorically. “What’s, um… what’s next after this?” I gestured to the cupcake baking trays instead.

“We’ll fill them with cupcake batter after,” Mickey replied. I nodded, pushing the next tray out of the way so Mickey could hand me a third one to place liners in. “We’ve got two convection ovens we’ll use but I’ll walk you through how to finesse them to make some perfect cupcakes. It’s a bit of a skill because of the circulating heat of the fan.”

I nodded again, not even bothering to try and look like I knew what the fuck he was talking about. There must’ve been something else baking in here, because the kitchen was smelling gradually more and more delicious.

So much so, the sudden rumbling of my stomach made me quite literally look down at it.

Just a couple more hours , I tried to mentally tell this fucker. Hunger was so far down the list of problems I had, but it was what Mickey said next that flipped my annoyance to embarrassment.

“Change of plans. I’ve got jalapeño cheddar sourdough that Eve finished baking for me earlier today and it’s about done cooling. I’ll help get you situated first and show you how to fill the trays with batter, then I’ll make us a little something for stamina while you fill the rest of the trays up. Sound good?”

I sure as shit didn’t look Mickey in the eye for this, but my headed nodded yes wicked fact.

Had I ever had jalapeño sour dough before?

No.

But my stomach didn’t give a damn. Whatever that was sounded absolutely delicious.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/c2c36f9e7dd8df995246afbe72ae4f5421e5bf20/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3964766c754267667a4b356373773d3d2d313630323334313838332e313838623865383932663034653335383838383735383433343233362e706e67)               

11. Batch Made In Heaven

Short chapter and it’s unedited but fuck it, enjoy!

xoxo

“That’s it. Right there,” I instructed Ryker.

“Shit,” he murmured. He had made a slight mess.

“It’s alright,” I replied as I finished laying the fried eggs over the perfectly set sourdough. “It’s all getting baked anyway. And the beauty of icing is it covers all the little mishaps we can’t shave off after baking.”

Ryker nodded, still completely focused on piping out the dough into the liners. He had made a few spills but nothing crazy, and honestly, he was making good time.

My eyes shifted between what I was doing and what he was, trying to mask an occasional smile because it was honestly inexplicably cute how focused he was on this, almost taking each accidental spill to heart like he was performing open heart surgery.

“Food’s almost done,” I told him. He nodded, but kept his eyes on his task. “And in case you do ever want to grab a bite, all baked goods in the fridge behind me is free game, or just ask any of us if you aren’t sure.”

That had Ryker looking up at me a moment. His face was simply unreadable… but he did slowly nod. “… thank you.”

I simply nodded in return before saying, “Your lunch period at school must be pretty early, right?”

Ryker hadn’t looked back down. Instead, he slowed his task to a stop and paused a moment. I wasn’t sure what he would say next, with each second passing making me more concerned that I might’ve been prying, but eventually he said something.

“I’ve been in a rush in the morning. No time to grab something for lunch.”

And that just heightened my concern. “There’s school-provided lunch, right? You should qual-… I mean, there are different options for lunch pricing. Just reach out to admin-”

“I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but… I’m not sure if they’d need my dad-” he cut himself off abruptly, taking a sec to before saying, “It’s cool. Don’t worry about it.”

Then we both fell silent… but only Ryker returned to his work. My mind, on the other hand, was spiraling a bit. I didn’t know about that either- whether the school would need his dad to sign paperwork for the reduced or free meals, even though he was nineteen.

“What time is your lunch period?” I asked.

“It’s at 11:45 AM,” Ryker replied. “So I’ll be good after today. Just getting my shit together with this new schedule.”

I nodded, accepting that for now.

Ryker returned to his work to wrap up the last of the ten trays I had pulled out. While cooking, I had gotten the ovens ready, explaining to him how we set them up for cupcakes because the fan in the convection ovens required frequent rotation of the pans so the cupcakes turned out perfect.

We had a conventional oven as well, but with this massive order, I needed more racks for the multiple trays.

“Here. Dig in while I get the trays in.” My hand slid Ryker a plate with a large slice of the sourdough, topped with egg and cilantro, with a fork and a knife. He reached for a plate and brought it closer while I walked around the island to grab the trays and load ’em up in the ovens.

“Thank you,” Ryker said as he reached for his utensils, to which I nodded in return. I got the first two trays in alright, but as I turned to get the next two, the first words out of his stuffed mouth were, “holy fucking shit.”

That earned him one instant light laugh, watching those somewhat hollowed out cheeks of his fill up like a chipmunk.

“Good?” I asked him. He gave me a quick nod, already cutting himself off another bite. With the hoodie finally off him, I felt a bit better knowing he wasn’t stark thin. He had real definition with his toned arms, which put me a bit at ease.

At least he was getting some food in his system.

“I can die happy knowing how well I’ve mastered the starter for my sourdough. In a few weeks, I’ll show you how,” I said. “If you like things on the tart side, my lemon and blueberry sourdough will change your entire outlook on life.”

Ryker glanced over at me, finishing his next bite before saying, “I’ll hold ya to that,” and that made me smile as I finally reached for the next set of trays.

I’d made my own quick meal identical to Ryker’s, which was on a plate on the counter. But I wasn’t really hungry, I only made it and would eat after I finished loading the trays, so Ryker wouldn’t feel uncomfortable about me hearing his stomach growl and suggesting he eat something.

He wasn’t as pale as he was last week, but I’d be damned if that guy ended up passing out in here, and while the kitchen had great vents, it was going to get warmer with the ovens running.

“What other flavors do you like making?” He asked suddenly while my back was to him, loading up the last few trays.

“Honey oat is straight comfort in the fall,” I replied. “Rose petals with white chocolate and cinnamon is heaven during the winter, paired perfectly with CiCi’s award-winning hot chocolate. And because I’m a coffee enthusiast, I’ll swear on the Bible that coffee and dates should be everyone’s go-to. That combo, some coffee, and a newspaper is a perfect Sunday morning.”

Once I got the ovens shut, set the timer for rotation, and turned back to head to the other side of the kitchen island opposite Ryker, where my own plate was, I saw that he was eyeing me a bit strangely.

“What?” I asked.

“They…” Ryker trailed off for a moment before finishing up his response. “You read the newspaper? Wait- scratch that- they still print fucking newspapers?”

Somehow his words were harsher than Xavier’s last night… and still, I took less offense. Instead, I just chuckled. “Yes, and yes. Now stop looking at me like I still use dial-up or some shit,” I teased him, picking up my own fork and knife to dig in. Ryker was pretty much already done eating.

“What’s dial-”

“Don’t you dare ask that,” I snapped lightly before bringing a large bite of the bread and eggs to my mouth. “I’ve had enough people dig into my side about my old man habits.”

“Is it cool to ask why you even read them? Isn’t everything online?” Ryker asked me.

I quickly shook my head no. “Real trusted stories more often than not broken by the local agencies. That, and if they keep printing those dedicated section pages for cheesy ass comics, then imma keep buying. You’ll have to snatch those newsprint papers outta my cold, rigor mortis stiffened hands.”

Ryker just stared at me for a sec, before lowering his head to his food, but I could see a faint smile on those lips of his.

“Your life must be pretty laid back if you got time for coffee and a newspaper in the morning,” he commented quietly, fixing his last bite of food on his fork.

“Hey, now. I did my time in college, four fucking brutal years of it, and best believe it was four full years of coffee on tap ’round the clock. Now my mornings are mine again, and my only obligations are to this café, my bike, and my guys I ride with.”

Ryker finished up that last bite before he said anything, chewing thoroughly and nodding to himself in approval. Judging by the size of the bread I gave him, it should hold him over until close.

“That’s a sick bike you got, by the way.”

I made sure to chew and swallow my next bite before I asked, “Do you ride?”

He quickly shook his head no. “Been on a few since my-… been on a few. Nothing that fast.”

I nodded. “Yeah, she’s a unit. I’ve been riding dirty for the last two months. Took her out of storage when I got back from Boston, but I haven’t had the time to get new tabs. Luckily, this city’s got more pressing shit to handle to deal with- like murders.”

“That’s a track bike. Can’t imagine there are any tracks in the inner city.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. The inner city was the track for me and the guys, but of course I didn’t mention that.

“You’d be surprised,” was all I said instead. And Ryker seemed to run with that, giving me a nod.

“The upkeep on it must be expensive as hell, right?” He then asked. “I’m guessing you’ve got mods besides the custom coat and ergonomic changes. Bodywork’s been done for sure. That’s not a right out the lot bike.”

My lips curled up into a slight smile. The kid knew his shit, that’s for sure. Then I had the haunting realization that calling him a kid just made me sound old as fucking dirt. Me being the a proud father to my own baby, I wanted to take him out back and show him every single mod done on my girl…

But then Ryker would really have some warranted questions about how I made my additional income.

And that was something I definitely wasn’t about to explain.

“Yeah, I’m a good saver,” I only partially lied. “Did some work on campus tutoring, too.” And that was more or less true.

Technically, tutoring was a cover for me holding whole ass seminars in my dorm room at all hours of the night, whiteboard and all, with as many students as possible that could fit in that cramped space. And some good ol ganja fell into rotation if we were on a build assignment, to try and get our creative juices flowing.

The one thing I kept a healthy distance from was the drinking lifestyle, though. Alcohol messed with my already tight sleep schedule because of early classes, and any brain cell lost with this noggin of mine was money down the drain.

“No wonder you’re good at this,” Ryker said more to himself. He picked up his plate to bring to the sink, but I stood up quickly instead, grabbing my empty plate off the counter before walking around for his.

“Good at what?” Was my next question while I walked our dishes over to the sink.

“Explaining stuff,” he replied. “If I had the cash, I’d hire you for your services in a heartbeat. Also, thanks.”

My right hand flipped the faucet of the sink on, running water over the dishes and giving them a quick scrub before placing the plates in one of the industrial dishwashers. Today had been pretty slow, so I didn’t start the cycle just yet, and instead made my way over to Ryker, on his side instead.

We’d need to use just 1 more tray of only 10 cupcakes to reach the 250 ordered, but I decided to just make the whole tray. Having an extra 14 was fine, and probably wouldn’t even make it through the night anyway. But first, we were going to make the icing for the cupcakes since we had the largest batch baking.

“Money,” I found myself saying as I pulled more mixing bowls out from cupboards, “isn’t the only currency I’m willing to take. You could pay me in other ways.”

Ryker’s eyebrows furrowed a bit. “Not following,” he said.

“Well,” I continued, just saying shit before I could even think any of it through, “you seem to know a lot about bikes. I could use a tune-up one of these days if you’re interested. Bike’s been sitting for a while.”

The regret of my words was instantaneous… because I had just told myself I was going to keep a safe distance between him and that bike, and now here the fuck I was, letting my excitement about how much Ryker actually knew, completely overshadow my reasoning.

Or…

Or… well… it could’ve also been because-

No, it couldn’t, Mickey, I snapped at myself again . It can’t.

It was just the excitement about the bike. That was it.

“Oh,” Ryker slowly nodded. “Yeah… I mean, sure… but are you sure?”

That was a great fucking question. Because up until I randomly suggested that shit, I was once pretty freaking sure that I wasn’t letting Ryker within ten feet of my bike. I was also once pretty sure the only time we’d be spending time together would be in this café.

Now all that was going to shit. And I just about sent it straight to hell when I turned my head to my left, where Ryker stood about two feet away, and nodded at the guy who was eyeing me questioningly.

“Why not?” I offered… all while I had about ten thousand fucking reasons for why not.

Ryker held my gaze for so damn long, those large brown eyes of his looking at me as his dark eyebrows tensed a little, that at some point, I had to nonchalantly try to get back to setting the mixing bowls out in front of us and not act like I was the one unable to hold eye contact any longer for a change.

“Okay,” he said finally. surprising me. “If you’re cool with it, I could use some help this week.”

“I’m cool with it,” I answered quickly. “And I can bring my bike around this weekend if you’re free.”

Ryker immediately nodded at that, making me slightly smile.

••

12. Bitter-sweet

I didn’t see Jade again until almost a week later, on Wednesday morning. And it definitely wasn’t under the same pretenses.

First off, it was closer to lunch than to breakfast, unlike her first visit. Mickey was just making it to the café when she came in, and right behind her was Xavier with lunch for Eve. I had opened that morning with Eve, and she usually just walked home for lunch since she lived so close, but I was going to understand pretty soon why she hadn’t today.

Xavier would literally get in that damn kitchen of ours and make Eve something from scratch if she asked, that’s how smitten he was with that woman.

I gave Xavier a wave from the counter as soon as I spotted him, but all my attention was on Jade. Today, she was wearing a different pair of black leather leggings, with small crystals running down the sides that sparkled subtly when they caught the light, and she had paired them with different leather boots that seemed to have a thinner heel than the ones she wore on Friday morning.

I hadn’t told anyone about her visiting that first time. I definitely didn’t even remotely mention it to Mickey because he would’ve scolded me for 1. Mentioning my mess of a divorce to a paying customer, and 2. Sitting with said paying customer for about two hours after making her some lemon custard puffs.

That conversation was, of course, more about my complete mess of a divorce, so I didn’t mention any of it to Mickey… I was trying to keep that whole morning private between just me and this mysterious woman with jet-black hair and the most unique, beautiful eyes I had ever seen.

Only people I knew with eyes that were so unique were the Dwyer family. Don’s mum, himself, and that hilarious son of his.

Somehow, it felt so casual just chatting with her, but I noticed she was good at not speaking too much about herself. It just added to the mystery of why she was back in town.

It was Wednesday, around noon, when she came in, but she was chatting on the phone with someone and looked visibly annoyed as she entered.

She still gave me a smile once she spotted me, which made me feel better that she still thought I was alright. The fact that I hadn’t seen her at all since made me think I fucked up that conversation somewhere, which would’ve been the third thing Mickey would have cussed me out about.

Losing a paying customer.

Eve exited from the back room, tossing over her shoulder one singular word, which was “lunch,” and I gave her a head nod in return. Xavier was already walking with a white bag in his hand that looked like there were some take-out containers inside, but Eve took the bag and walked right past him.

She approached Jade, who was just hanging up the phone and taking a seat in the very same spot right by the window, set the takeout bag down on the table, and bent down to do something that made Xavier’s and my own jaw basically drop to the fucking floor.

She planted a kiss right on Jade’s plump lips.

I was staring. Xavier looked like he was about to have a bloody heart attack, but both women were completely unfazed.

“Jade,” Eve grinned while she sat across the same table- something Eve did with usually only customers because she genuinely had to-, but this smile was much larger, and a whole lot warmer.

“Hey Evie, been a while,” Jade replied with an equally warm smile. This interaction alone was enough for Xavier and me to start making our way over to the table. “And even longer since we dated. I told you not to do-”

“How do you two know each other?” Xavier asked, beating me to the table and clearly either missing or ignoring what Jade had literally just said. I think he was genuinely going into shock.

Eve’s smile disappeared when she looked up at Xavier, but that was pretty on par with her personality.

“Childhood friends and an ex. We used to go together real bad in high school,” Eve answered. At this point, I had made it to Xavier’s side with the same equally genuine curiosity.

“That was a long time ago,” Jade answered, but her eyes found mine quick. Either she was one skilled talker to be able to keep the conversation on me, or I was one shit conversationalist because I had no idea she even knew Eve. I didn’t connect that this was the tattoo artist my employees were referring to last month. “Best to leave that part in the past. Just good friends now, yeah?” Then she turned back to Eve.

“Yeah,” the green-haired gal replied, nodding. Sometimes I forgot Eve was almost 30, but then that just made me feel old. She’d been working here for forever. “Jade’s back in town. This was the tattoo artist I was talking about. New shop in town.”

Xavier was nodding, but he was staring so hard I knew his brain wasn’t computing any of this. At least not well anyway.

“I stopped by Friday, but it was right at open. Figured I’d make time during your lunch. Thanks for texting me,” Jade said to Eve.

“You stopped by before? Didn’t know you’d be in town so soon,” Eve admitted, then she turned her head up to face me since she knew I was the one who opened. Eve knew all our schedules, and she had something with her cat that morning, which was why she wasn’t here until closer to noon.

“Yeah, Jade stopped by. I didn’t know that she…” I started, then kinda trailed off when I glanced back at Jade herself, praying she wouldn’t mention any of our long conversation. If there was one thing about Eve and Mickey, they took their management positions very seriously.

Arlo just clocked in, and Trin was barely ever on time to a damn thing.

“You know me,” Jade chuckled, averting her gaze back on Eve. “I like to know my company first.” Then those beautiful eyes turned to me again, saying, “and I did like my company. You’re right about the café and its owner being the best in town.”

Jesus , I thought to myself. Just those eyes alone made my heartbeat tick harder. They were so intense and alluring, the color of ash brown. Those freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose and some of her cheeks…

It made me forget damn near everything else. She made me forget my own name until it fell from her lips. “It’s good to see you again, Pris.”

Eve’s eyebrows furrowed a little at that. Probably because everyone around here had always called me CiCi, or Ci.

“I-It’s good to see you, too, Jade. Just Jade,” I struggled to get out. The juxtaposition between her suave nature and my woman running around like a chicken with her head cut off wasn’t lost on me.

“Good to see that everyone’s now up to speed,” Eve cut in, ripping whatever tension was hanging in the air from Jade’s lingering looks, crumpling it up in her bare hands with that blunt personality and dull voice of hers.

“I am definitely not ,” Xavier then cut in. “You and I have been dating for years-”

“Fooling around at best, X,” Eve cut in, but Xavier fully ignored it.

“You never told me Jade was an ex, or that you- you two- like y-you two have-”

“Old flame,” Jade clarified, which made me slightly smile. Her eyes had darted to me again. “What you saw was an old way we used to greet each other. Nothing more. You’re fine, X.”

“What’s your last name?” Xavier asked her; he definitely wasn’t letting this go, and I hadn’t gotten that info at our first meeting. Jade paid with cash, which was super rare for our customers but not uncommon. And that was only after I insisted over and over again that it was on the house.

Something else I withheld from telling Mickey. It was worse if he knew I almost made her an unpaying customer by insisting.

“Don’t be rude,” Eve snapped at Xavier, but Jade just shook her head, chuckling.

“Jade Carolina. Jade like the stone. Carolina like the Reaper. June 5th Gemini too, if it matters to you.” Then she turned to me and said, “Very compatible with Libras,” and that made my whole face start to burn up. I barely even remembered mentioning that to her.

I think I had just told her which birthdate I had to add to the pitiful story of my divorce and how it was shitty everything was happening at the same time. She hadn’t even mentioned anything about when she was born.

But before I could respond, this large muscles of a man did, saying, “Xavier Clementine. Sagittarius through and through.” Then he shifted his gaze to Eve and said, “You mean to tell me I’m up against a Gemini woman , too, Eve? Is your Gemini cat not enough?”

Eve gave Xavier one sharp look, but Jade came back with, “Her cat was a gift from me,” then she turned back to Eve to say, “How’s Princess doing? I’ll stop by your place sometime this weekend to see her.”

“I’ll fill you in later,” Eve told her friend, just straight up ignoring the damn near huffing and puffing Xavier was doing.

“Anything you need?” Jade asked her, and Eve shook her head, but Xavier was quick to open his mouth with, “She’s got me.”

Eve rolled her eyes, but Jade smiled warmly and a bit knowingly. Everyone thought Eve hated this guy, yet I knew Eve and Xavier would be dying old together eventually. She was just a particular person, and Xavier had an insane amount of patience for her.

“It’ll be fine. You got your own mess to handle.”

That surprised me because those words were directed at Jade from Eve, and I quickly perked up a bit, asking Jade, “You do? Can I help with anything?”

“Jade’s here for Dino. Half-brother,” Eve announced for Jade, which made the stunning woman give Eve a bit of a look. Eve then quickly explained, “Xavier knows Dino.”

“Dino?!” Xavier cut in while his eyes grew wider. “The tattoo artist? Mic’s guy that’s in jail?”

Jade looked directly at me when she replied, “We’re barely related.”

But Eve was quick with “you have the same mum, and both lived with her and your stepdad for years.”

“It was a tough fall from grace,” Jade added, her eyes not leaving mine. I wasn’t sure if she was concerned that I might judge what she did and didn’t say during our first meeting, but I surely didn’t care about that.

My closest friend was Donald fucking Whittaker-Jones, and the only thing that kept that man out of prison was who his work mentor was. Mr. Bellington.

“Hasn’t Dino been in and out of jail for like the last ten years?” Xavier asked.

“Yes,” Jade nodded, “it’s been a long fall from grace.”

“Armed robbery-”

“X, shut up,” Eve finally cut in, but Jade didn’t take her eyes off me.

Instead, she said, “I’ll explain it all soon,” and I nodded, smiling to let her know I wasn’t worried about it. After having her listen to my trauma dump session about all my failed marriages, who she was related to didn’t get to me at all.

“Mic doing right by you?” Eve then asked her friend.

Jade nodded. “Dino’s lucky he’s one damn good tattoo artist, I’ll tell ya that much. He’ll be out soon, but he’ll be working at my new shop. Courtesy of him having one damn good half-sister.”

That just made my smile grow. I swear that boy Mic had a tendency to get himself into the craziest situations… but if there was something about Mickey, he was one damn good baker with a proven track record of either getting people out of jail or keeping them out.

It felt good to know I didn’t completely fail with that boy. If his mum knew what he really did for money, though, she’d just straight up murder me in my sleep.

“Mic’s a good kid,” Jade confirmed, which made my smile grow even wider. “Laid the groundwork, I’m just picking up the pieces to make sure my brother pays him back when he can.”

She had to have known he had stayed with me before going to college. Seemed like there was a lot we had to talk about.

“Where is your shop going to be?” I asked her. This was a conversation for the books, but the way she held my eye contact just made me feel like she was talking to me alone. Like we were the only two in the café right now.

“Same place as Dino’s. Renovating it a bit. You should stop by.” Was her reply, making me a giddy, bashful mess.

Of course, Eve’s response made my smile falter a bit. “CiCi wouldn’t be caught dead in a tattoo parlor.”

I didn’t even have a valid response for that one.

But Jade did.

“Maybe it’s time Pris tries something new.”

And the way she said that made me speechless for other reasons, with that sly grin gracing her lips. I felt my heart fucking skyrocket from the smoothness in her voice. The confidence in her tone. All I did was nod as a response, even though Eve and Xavier looked skeptical.

I’d always been afraid of needles.

But I wasn’t afraid of Jade, or the comforting company she came with.

Mickey ended up making it to the café next after Eve ate her lunch with Jade, the two of them catching up. I had to pretty much throw Xavier out because he would not leave Jade alone, but Eve said he could come over after she got off work, so that was promising for him.

Mickey stopped by to chat with Jade before she left, and Eve got back to work, but I had to leave the front to take a call in my office so I couldn’t see the mysterious woman off. It was Don.

“How are things going with Emelie?” He asked. “Since she’s fluent, I was hoping she’d give me a promising update, but she just told me to ask you. And that’s not promising at all.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I mumbled, making Don chuckle.

“You’d better try a little harder, Pricilla, because I’ve got my own shit I’m currently dealing with. I can’t help you with your mess of a love story. Your third one.”

“Having Emelie is really helping out,” I admitted, “but this shit is so draining.”

“Well, she’s family now. And Serenity is almost done touring, so she’ll have more time,” he replied, which made me nod like he was here in this office with me. “How are things going with Ryker?” He then asked, and I straight-up sighed.

“You’re going to owe Mickey for this one, Don. I’m not kidding. I didn’t realize how bad of a state that kid is in, and Mickey is really doing everything he can.”

Don was the one to sigh this time. “It’s shit timing. I’m trying to get things in order at The Brookside, Dylan is Dylan so he’s constantly testing my patience, Isiah is doing better but for the sake of everyone involved I just lied to his parents about what happened. They had a tough year with Isiah while we were away, and that kid doesn’t want to trouble them. Then I’ve got Texas in a few weeks for Thanksgiving, John will be back in town after for work, so you already know my husband is getting clingier by the day, and now I’ll have to sort shit with Ryker’s dad.”

Just hearing Don was stressing me the hell out.

“Count your blessings, Pris. You just have to divorce a French man.”

“I’m counting them,” I answered quickly. Only Don could handle all that other stuff. “I know why you asked me to do this thing with Ryker. Trust me, I know. I just also know that Mickey will want more information. I’m doing what I can to make sure he doesn’t get too involved, but you dumped all this on me last night once I called and finally asked for more information. That Ryker kid looks like he’s been to hell and back.

“Good,” Don confirmed. “Ryker just needs a safe place to work and make some money. That café is good for him. It’s safe . Mickey can be a tough guy to handle, but he’s smart, and he’s good at his job. All his jobs.”

I couldn’t help but sigh this time. Mickey was only even trying because he owed me for having a safe place for him to return to whenever he needed, but he had been quickly paying me back tenfold. He held this café together, and paying him more wasn’t going to do a whole lot more if Don kept this up.

“What can I tell him?” I asked this impossible man.

“Nothing about Isiah getting hurt. His love for Dylan and Isiah is way too strong. I want to be the only one dealing with that and Ryker. Just do what you can to help Ryker adjust there.”

“That kid’s too smart. He’s going to dig regardless.”

“I know,” Don assured me. “He’s already started. Nothing happens in this city that I don’t know about, even if Mickey has a very fine-tuned set of skills.”

“And if things blow up with Ryker?” I asked him. “If he finds out what happened that night? Those two lovebirds will be paying more visits now that Mic’s back in town.”

“Let them. They know I’m handling things. They know about Ryker working there. I’ll give you a heads up if they plan on visiting,” Don replied.

“Thank you,” I offered genuinely. “When you called me to explain more last night, I didn’t know it had all gotten so… messy .”

“You have no idea. Let me know if Mickey tells you anything about the twins being back. I want every detail you can give me.”

I visibly groaned at that. “Please don’t tell me I have to deal with that shit.”

“Mickey’s smart, and careful. Very, very careful. Right now, just give me updates, but don’t tip him off that I’m looking into them. They aren’t a problem now, but they can quickly become one.”

I swear to god this old man didn’t have anything remotely good to update me with. Ever.

“Simon Parker had some shit happen at his shop months ago. Mickey now knows about it and that he’s Ryker’s dad, which can become a mess if I miss anything here. Mickey doesn’t want to make an enemy out of them, and he knows that, too, but he also knows they’re reckless and powerful. The entire Machiavelli family is.”

“I swear it’s like I constantly have to worry every day he’s back in town. It would be so much easier if he were just a damn baker.”

“Keep him close to Xavier, and he’ll be fine. I’m calling in an old favor from a man I helped out in the past. The owner of Fight Club- that gym Mickey and Arlo go to. If I can update you on more with that, I will.”

“Lovely,” I sighed. “Anything actually  good to update me on? I could use the good news.”

“Mr. Bellington will be in town a little earlier for the holidays?” He offered.

“Oh, great. My fucking god, Don, I said good news, you piece of shit.”

“He’s been keeping Dylan safe. That’s all I care about these days.”

“The man’s a psychopath,” I muttered.

“A psychopath with money and connections,” Don replied. Might be good to have that card in our pocket if shit gets sticky for Mickey, wouldn’t you say?“

I sighed deeply yet again. “But have faith in the last decade or so you’ve had with Mickey. He’s connected and knows how to play the game. Probably why I let him get so close to my son and Isiah in the first damn place.”

“You and he are a lot alike and so vastly different all at the same time,” I couldn’t help but chuckle as I admitted. “Both you fuckers know how to stress a woman out.”

“Just go divorce that little French man, and the rest will sort itself out,” Don replied.

“You’re such an asshole. A tall asshole, might I remind you. The French man is of average height.”

“He’s five six and looks like a naked mole rat. I don’t know what to tell you.”

“I’m hanging up,” I grumbled into the line.

“Good. Keep Emelie and I updated. And let Mickey know I’ll make it up to him about Ryker. I love you, Pricilla.”

“I will,” I replied, “and I love you too, you giant fucker . Even if I don’t like you right now.”

“Grab a ticket and get in line,” Don chuckled. “It wraps around the block. And it’s about to get a hell of a lot longer.”

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/57481428fe37f25dd17a7b38daad4e23d7582b93/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7247582d574c514b6a476d5f6a673d3d2d313630353132323532352e313838653563363635343337346365373533383636323536303032352e706e67)

13. Preheated

Wednesday sucked.

Well, at first, I guess.

I had had another intense nightmare Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, woke up drenched in sweat and late again, and didn’t have time to do anything but shower and leave.

Don was going to check in on me Wednesday evening, so I had to time everything right with my homework Tuesday night.

And that shit was rough as fuck .

Even with the hour I spent with Micky at the café after we closed, where the man basically struggled with either giving up, strangling me, or both. Hard to say whether I still thought that tuning up his bike for this was a worthy trade, but I knew I wanted to touch that beauty. Check his mods.

I was just surprised as all hell he was going to let me in the first place.

Don had mentioned not to talk about my past. Keep things vague. Safe . But Mickey now knew I was more than just into cars and bikes. He had to.

Still, it was definitely expensively modded, and had to be his baby. If I fucked up anywhere, I wouldn’t have the money to fix it.

World History was fine, but Algebra II, Precalc, and Chemistry just about sent the baker to a psychotic break. He kept his distance while we worked together, though, holding up his end of the deal, and I did the same with talking more. A lot more.

Mickey heard me cycle through just about every single cuss word in the English language when we got to my math subjects, probably regretting asking me to talk more at all.

Then he sent me every single YouTube video link he could think of to watch once I got home, and had to send me on my way to said home after an hour because he had some stuff to handle that night.

No clue what that shit was, but with Mickey, it could’ve been anything. He wasn’t as clean-cut as an open book. All I knew was that that wasn’t a bike a baker could own, especially a recent graduate. And it was an expensive choice if he wasn’t on a track, just wasting its potential.

I got home by 9:15 PM and hit the books like clockwork. I still didn’t have a single picture taken worth a damn, for Photography, but I put that off. The plan was that Mickey might be cool with letting me take some photos of his bike this coming weekend.

I would’ve been down for some photos of him on the bike, but I wasn’t about to tell him that shit. I’d already said too much that I couldn’t take back.

Like calling him a Russian doll.

Or saying being around him made me want to fucking puke.

Honestly, if I didn’t want to actually graduate, I would just ask if I could head nod my way through this time spent with him.

Just like I was still head nodding my day through classes.

After another night terror, Tuesday night, I was left feeling drained on Wednesday morning, so much that I didn’t give a shit I would be skipping lunch again. Don had left me with more than enough groceries, but I didn’t know how he expected me to make time for everything.

I don’t know how he did, yet I think he had some life hack for creating more hours in a day.

No way in hell that old man was working with the same 24 as me.

He still made me feel like I was throwing this shit away, but I was genuinely trying; I just hadn’t woken up this early in years, and the night terrors were really fucking

with me. Don recommended I could maybe try a psychiatrist once I got a health care plan set up at Wilmoria’s on the first of the month, which would be December, but I was on the fence.

Once lunch period got close, the first thing that struck real fear in me was getting a slip from my third-period teacher, saying I needed to head to the admin office after.

I thought I had already fucked up and was getting suspended yet again , running through everything I did this week to even make that fucking possible.

But instead, the last person I expected to see at the main office of Averin High was the first person I did.

Fucking Mickey Jackson.

He was wearing that black leather coat again, holding his black bike helmet under one arm, which was enough to get my heart fucking racing. Unfortunately, that came with some nausea, and I was already feeling a bit sick about getting called up, so I felt unsure of getting closer even though he had clearly spotted me already when he turned around.

Then there was the fact that he smelled delicious.

And looked unimaginably fucking hot in his entire get-up, his tattoos covered by some of that jacket, but the neck tats alone and the gold chain were visible with the white shirt’s neckline, making my feet slow to a stop right outside the open admin door.

He was holding something out for me, forcing me to look down, and at this point, I was ignoring all of the admin reps’ conversation… but if they let him bring the black bag inside, they must not have thought it was a bomb or some shit.

“Mickey?” My voice was a raspy hot mess.

Like I had strep or something.

I think it was legit the first word I said all day. And I got close enough for him to hand me the bag, but not an inch closer. “What’s…”

“Lunch,” he replied. “Nothing crazy, but healthy and balanced. You’ll pick it up here each day, then just drop the Tupperware off at work after.”

I stared down at the top handle in my hands. The thing had weight to it, and two bottles of water on either side of the sleeves which I really needed.

“Why… why? “ I forced myself to settle on that finally because Mickey looked like he was in a rush, but still waiting patiently for an answer.

“Because you can’t work if you’re fucking dead, Ryker,” was his response, which, if faculty were actually listening in, I knew for damn sure they didn’t approve of that language.

Truth was, it was probably the most real thing anyone had said to me. Cutthroat, but real. Which was just what this guy was, I guess.

“Any allergies?” He asked. I shook my head no, still fully lost for actual words. “Good. Don’t like something, tell me at work and I’ll switch it up. I don’t give a shit where-”

“Micah Jackson, please, for the love of god, the son, and the holy spirit, watch that foul language of yours. “ One of the clerks who was sitting at a desk some feet away snapped. “Always had the brain of Einstein but the mouth of a literal sailor, and that’s not what we taught you here.”

It felt so unbelievably unexpected, but it made me smile slightly, which Mickey definitely caught before turning to the school clerk and giving her a larger, more charming smile of his own.

It looked like he wasn’t joking when he said he made some enemies out of faculty at this school.

“Sorry, Sandra… but I believe it was Einstein who said ‘education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.’”

And I just pivoted back and forth between this insane man and the school clerk’s- Sandra, apparently- reaction to that shit.

I was also happy I wasn’t the one who said it, because Sandra looked about ready to lose her mind, face getting red and everything.

“Get out, Mickey. I’m positive you’ve got much better things to do than patronize us long after you’ve already graduated,” she snapped on Mickey, but I was trying to mask a smile.

“Oh yes,” Mickey nodded, “I’m about to put my engineering degree to use… and bake some bread all day.” Then he turned to me, making this unexpected smile on my face impossible to hide anymore, and said, “I’ll see you after your first shift here ends, and you can clock in for your second. Remember what I said about school and the eight-hour workday?”

I nodded quickly because I did, in fact, still remember that shit.

“Good. Now go eat and finish up here while Sandra questions what life choices she made to get herself here.”

I swear I don’t think I had ever heard anyone talk to faculty like that. But I nodded quickly again, eager to get the hell out of there before Mickey said some shit that would get me in trouble by association.

Definitely didn’t want to risk it. Not with how pissed Sandra looked, and the fact that Mickey would be back here again tomorrow with another lunch.

…Something I didn’t even know what to think of.

But I knew how it made me feel…

And that was dangerous as hell.

Mickey had made and packed fresh bread, a salad, an apple, and fresh tomatoes diced up with green stuff that was honestly delicious as hell on the bread.

He had been honest about it being balanced and healthy, and I chose to eat it in my car. Obviously, I didn’t have a soul to sit with in the lunchroom, and I had spent so much time at this god-forsaken place already that the simple concept of sitting in a library made me physically sick.

Lunch was quick anyway. And simple to set the empty containers in the bag on the passenger seat so I could get them back to Mickey at work.

I sorta wanted to wash them since he was going out of his way to bring lunch… but it wasn’t really doable if he planned to pack something new for tomorrow.

And I was already brainstorming a way I could figure out my own lunches. Right now wasn’t the time to get weird about asking for help, but this was overkill. Like genuinely. I didn’t know what the hell he did besides work, but this shouldn’t have been one of them. Even if his energy with the admin reps was funny as hell.

After lunch, it was just back to the other classes and back to not talking. Safest shit right now was not talking to teachers unless I had to. And I didn’t care to try talking to any of the kids there. They all avoided me like the plague anyway.

I noticed when I took my lunch in my car that this beater was making an odd noise, but it was way more noticeable once school let out and I was headed to the café.

“ Don’t fucking do this shit to me now ,“ I muttered under my breath while digging around in my center console for a cig.

With the only saving grace to another shit day being lunch, and the photography class, which I was quickly starting to really like, more specifically the teacher- she was weird, but had a sense of humor for something otherwise pretty bland- I wasn’t in the mood for car problems.

I didn’t have the money, the garage space, the time, or the tools for car problems.

And it wasn’t like I could do anything about the miles I had put on it. Had I known all this would crash land, I probably wouldn’t have taken all those night drives to get away from my dad.

And picking up Izzy every day for a year to drive him to a park to smoke, or home, didn’t help shit.

Then just the thought of Izzy made my mood even worse.

Hell, I didn’t even have the budget for weed, and I was running out of cigarettes.

Jesus, life was going to suck for everyone involved in mine if I didn’t have cigs. That would probably be the reason I got suspended if I had to quit tobacco now. Weed was pretty whatever since my head still felt like shit, but my sour mood with straight raw dogging life on no tobacco was going to get me in some shit.

During the drive to the café, I took it in silence so I could try and do a quick diagnosis with the sound. My check engine light had been on for years, so it could’ve been anything, but it was making me more worried.

Then there was the issue of where I could work on it. Don might’ve been fine with me using the apartment parking lot, but that was a toss-up.

Then there was the issue of parts. I could do a quick fix with something cheap, I was good at that, but I had to make it to school and to Wilmoria’s every day.

Just having Don drop off my car was already him doing a lot since he was still rightfully pissed about the damage I did to his.

Shit, I never should’ve done that.

He had the money for it… but that man really was pissed off. Violating any car like that was shitty and something I had never done before.

Then again, the only other person in my life with a car was my dad. And he would’ve actually killed me if I touched it.

I still made it to the café alright, but didn’t have the time before my shift started to pop the hood. I’d have to use a break to check what was wrong, and the only saving grace was that the car was old. I wouldn’t need a scanner, most likely, thank fuck .

A new one would’ve set me back a smooth penny I didn’t have.

Instead, I just parked it in the alley next to Pricilla’s horrendously colored car, reversed mine in, grabbed my school backpack and the lunchbag, and headed out, making sure I locked up and double-checked the locks.

Mickey’s bike was parked near the door, where I realized it usually was, and if he was bringing over some tools for a tune-up, then I thought about checking what I needed and if he had it…

But then I thought about the lunch.

About how much he was already doing… and I hated the idea of asking for any favors after that.

This shitty life was really becoming a pride killer.

That particular baker wasn’t in the kitchen when I entered through the back door. Pricilla was for a change, and watching her face light up when she looked up from rolling out some dough on the kitchen island to see me, helped my mood a little.

The three cigs I chain-smoked on the way here took the edge off, too.

I need to stop chain-smoking , I thought to myself. I was too broke for that shit .

“Ryker!” She grinned. “Welcome in! How was school?”

I think the look I quickly gave this cheery woman said it all because her smile definitely faltered.

“Fine,” was the best I could do without getting into it. Fine was all I had in me before I left her and headed to the back.

I had managed to find a black shirt this morning, but just pulling that hoodie off in the employees’ only room made me sick. Feeling the pain in my midsection reminded me that I was still far from straight. My arms looked better today, yet if Mickey made me wear that apron, it was going to suck.

Eve’s jacket and crossbody purse were hanging in the same spot, so I knew she was here but probably in the front. Mickey’s leather jacket was hanging too, but I noticed there were two identical black motorcycle helmets on one of the tables instead of one.

I took my time putting my shit away so I could try to pep talk myself into a better mood, otherwise Mickey and I would be in for another rough day, but it didn’t really do a whole lot.

Still felt like shit. Still looked like shit. And I was wearing all of it openly, feeling too drained and pissed to care.

When I finally forced myself to leave, the kitchen now had Mickey, too, working away next to Pricilla.

“Hey,” he nodded to me.

“Hey,” I nodded back.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to it then! Mickey said you’re picking up on stuff pretty well- I’m glad to hear it!” Pricilla grinned.

Bless this cheerful woman’s heart but fuck , I wasn’t in the mood for it at all.

Still, I just nodded.

I guess we were back to that.

She and I didn’t have an agreement like Mickey and I, yet she definitely kept a good distance from me, probably sensing I was having an issue with proximity in general.

Wasn’t sure when that would go away either.

“Shitty day?” Mickey asked while I washed up, and Pricilla made it back out to the front. I nodded, not realizing my error until he said, “Keep my distance, and you talk, remember?”

Shit, I swear I almost cussed him out.

“Lunchbox is on the table in the back. You… you really don’t have to-”

“I already explained myself at Averin High. Not doing that shit again, Ryk. Anything you didn’t like?”

I slowly shook my head, walking across the kitchen to join him near his side, but with the healthiest of distance between us.

He smelt fucking incredible. Like honey and vanilla.

Once I got over the initial uncomfortable dread of whatever was in store for us, I scrunched my eyebrows a bit, confused as shit. “Ryk?”

No one called me that. Not at school or home. No one felt the need to shorten Ryker, or maybe they were just scared it would piss me off. That was probably a safe bet.

“Ryk.” Mickey said it like it was a normal, assumed thing as he turned his head to me. “You call me Mickey, right?”

“Everyone calls you that,” I argued. “Micah and Mickey are pretty much the same.”

“Use my government name at any time and you and I will have problems,” Mickey replied. “Eve is Eve or E, Pricilla is CiCi or Ci, Arlo is Arlo or Arl- that’s non-negotiable by the way, because he hates it and that’s what he works best on, the hatred for it- and Trin is Trin or Rin. So you’ll be Ryk.”

“And if I hate it?” I asked him.

But the thing was, I didn’t really hate it.

Not the way his deep voice sounded when he said it.

“Nicknames are essential,” he shrugged, “so unless you think you can fight me on it, go right ahead. Now, how was lunch, Ryk?”

I didn’t even know what the hell to say to that. Mickey knew he had the upper hand. And right now, his asking how lunch was meant he definitely knew he was helping me out with a lot.

Then there was the fact that by the end of trying to explain what he referred to as simple math the night before, he also almost slammed his head on the table out of straight misery, I bit my tongue with picking a fight.

“It was fine. Good. But I’ll be fine next week. You don’t need to-”

“Lunches will show up every day without fail. Whether you let them rot in the admin office is your prerogative. But they’ll be there. Now, do I need to change anything out?”

Jesus, this guy was leaving me speechless, but asking for answers. I just shook my head no.

“Words, Ryk. Don’t piss me off,” Mickey ordered.

“N-No,” I struggled to get out. Going from being mute at school to speaking here, and to him of all fucking people, was going to be the death of me.

But still, I made the stupid conscious effort.

And there was something about the way his lips curled up into a smile that I found myself liking way too fucking much.

Something about being in his good graces…

Even though he was all types of rough around the damn edges.

••

14. Handle With Care

“Take these,” I demanded, slamming a pack of cigs on CiCi’s desk. “Confiscate them and don’t give them back to me under any circumstances.”

Ci glanced down at the box… then back up at me, clearly confused.

“You’re trying to quit or something, Mic? You barely smoke. Hell, I don’t think you’re really even addicted to much of anything but your work and riding.”

“No, but dealing with Ryker’s personality today and trying to teach him will make me a goddamn chain-smoker,” I snapped irritably, “so take them with you and don’t let me have them under any circumstances.”

Ci just frowned harder. “I thought things were going well.”

“I thought so too, but there must be something on his mind because he’s spacey today. It’s like talking to a wall.”

“Just…” Ci started, but I knew what she was going to say. “Just talk to him. See what’s going on. If it’s something we can help with-”

I reached back down and snatched those cigarettes up so fast.

“ Fine . But don’t ask any questions when I start going through packs a fucking day.“ I told her seriously. “And have you talked to Don? Where the hell is that man?”

“Busy,” Ci assured me while her eyes softened. “Just see if you can help for now. Trust me, he’s very aware that he’s going to owe you one. And he’s a good man to have a favor owed from, you know that.”

I sighed the most deepest of sighs. “Does he know how detailed I’m about to get with my request when it’s time for me to cash in?”

“ Everyone knows you’re like that, Mic. Just tap into that kind heart of yours and show the compassionate side you have. Shit gets hard? Take a cig break, take a walk, buy a new bike part with all that extra money I’m paying you. But please just hang in there.“

Shit, this woman was good. Impossible , but good.

“You dropped off lunch for him today, right? And that went well, I thought, so maybe something happened since then?”

“Don’t make sense right now, Ci. I’m not in the mood.”

“ No one seems to be ,“ Ci chuckled. “Now go figure it out. I swear you got that degree and think you know everything, but I need you to try right now. Like I really need you to.”

My eyes narrowed slightly at her. “You spoke to Don, didn’t you?”

“You viewed my private records to eventually find out who that kid’s father is, didn’t you?”

“Motherfucker,” I muttered instantly. “How the hell did you-”

“I know you, kid. I’m a mess, but I’m still your fucking godmother. And now that you know, you know he’s in a situation, don’t you?”

“Don’t get involved, Ci. Not… not now. The twins are back in town, and they’ve got an issue with the dad’s shop. I’m dealing with it.”

“I’m sure you are… but in the meantime, show that compassion I drilled into you. Don’t quit on me yet, kid. I really need you right now.”

I could feel my frustration… but her words were gentle. They always were.

“Fine,” I sighed. “Fine. But promise me you won’t go near Simon Parker.”

“I promise,” she told me in the most genuine tone. “I just wish you could promise me you’d stay away from the twins.”

“You know I can’t,” I told her. “You know why.”

“I know,” Ci sighed. “Then move with grace. And meticulousness, like you always do. Don owing you a favour is big. Use it wisely when the times right.”

“Alright,” I sighed again. “Okay.”

“Good, now go take a fifteen and come back ready to find a new angle to this. You’ve been here before. You know what to do. We don’t quit, we pivot.”

I sighed one final time, accepting my fate. Ci was too busy with her own shit, but I knew she talked to Don. I knew because I knew her, just like she knew me.

Once I left Ci’s office, I went to let Ryker know I’d be taking a break out back. He surprised me by asking if he could take a break as well, and though I immediately thought this kid was fucking crazy to think he even remotely earned himself a breather, I let it slide for now.

While I went out to my bike to light a cig and decompress, Ryker went to his car. Instead of getting in it, though, he grabbed a cig of his own then got out to pop the hood, and curiosity did get the better of me.

It looked like he was having some car issues.

Fuck, I fucking hated when CiCi was right.

Instead, I swallowed my pride, lit the cigarette, then stalked towards him to check out what it was this time.

“Got an issue?” I asked the shorter kid, but tried to keep as much distance between us while also looking at the engine. I wasn’t going to go back on my word, regardless of how pissed I was with him.

“Not sure,” he replied. However, he put a great deal of distance between us, allowing me to look. “Didn’t know you smoked.”

“I do when I’m stressed,” I replied.

“What’s got you stressed?” He asked, making my eyes snap over at him. He had to be taking the fucking piss right now after the last two hours we had together. “Never mind,” he rushed out quickly. “Don’t answer. Dumb question.”

“Is this what has you stressed?” I asked, gesturing to his engine with the hand that wasn’t holding this cigarette. It was in alright shape for the year, make, and model, but I knew he knew more.

“Not a good time for a breakdown. And the issue sounds pricy.”

Honestly, for the first time in my life, I was starting to understand why Don drank. I was trying to put out a lot of fires right now, then added lunch delivery to my plate out of nowhere.

And that was the thing, too. Ryker was paler than he usually was this morning, but the lunch delivery had gone fine. Got a good smile out of him at Sandra’s expense, and I know he genuinely appreciated the gesture.

That was why I didn’t think he was pulling away because of that.

But this?

This was a good reason to. I can’t imagine the guy was working with a lot of cash right now.

Pivot , I reminded myself. I needed to pivot.

I didn’t have time for all this shit. Especially not after hearing word that the twins had picked up some new gun parts. I heard this from them because they wanted me to ghost them, and while the money would be good and I could house them until they needed them, giving me a clearer timeline of when shit would be popping off with that chop shop… I was stressed about helping at all.

The entire night was spent with me working this out with Xavier at Richy’s over a much-needed drink because I almost took out Ryker myself after an hour of trying to explain the foundation of algebra to him.

At some point, I straight-up asked, “Bribery?” And he was confused until I added, “Was it bribery? Is that how you got this far in academics?”

Safe to say he was offended, but it was an honest question. Avelin High was a good school, and he was extraordinarily bad at math.

But fuck it , I thought, we were going to continue pivoting until something took.

“Alright, this is what we’re going to do. You’re going to take the time needed to try and figure out what the issue is. There’s an old toolbox in the employees’ only room you can use. Then you’re going to keep the car here in the alley, and I’ll drop you home tonight.”

Ryker was looking at me like I had just said some fairytale to him, but he did shut the fuck up for once and listen .

“Tomorrow, I’ll give you a ride to school in the morning and pick you up for work. Then I’ll drop you home again. It’ll be busy tomorrow and Friday, so you won’t have time to work on it, but I can get the parts you need. I’ll get you to school, here, and home those days. Saturday, you and I aren’t on the clock. We’ll get this car to your place and work on it together there. If we got to tow it, we’ll tow it. I’ll figure that shit out. Then we got Saturday and Sunday to figure out what we can do to get her functional.”

Ryker was definitely just staring up at me, with those rich doe-like eyes.

And the way he was looking at me was distracting… but as soon as he opened his mouth, I was irritated all over again.

“You… you’re gunna do… what?”

“Ryker,” I closed my eyes momentarily because the irritation and the visible attraction to those eyes was one insane mix.

Couldn’t figure out whether I would end his life in this parking lot by slamming his head into his engine or if I was going to end my own by fucking kissing him.

“If anything out of your mouth is not okay, alright, or yes, Micky … we’re going to have more of a problem than we would with you using my government name. So figure your next words very fucking carefully.”

And when I opened my eyes again, his were still wide as shit. He gave me one slow, unsure nod, but as soon as he saw that flare of anger, I heard him whisper, “Okay. Alright.”

“Good. Now I’m going to smoke at least three cigs, then I’m going to get back inside and finish that sourdough starter. You are going to get that toolbox, head back out here, and figure out what you need.”

I know I was being direct, but fuck man, fuck . I expected him to be angry, but he just nodded, stunned.

“How do you… How do you know I can fix it?”

“A hunch,” I snapped, lying straight through my damn teeth. I knew he could because of what this car was and who his father was. “And include a damn side mirror on your list,” I added, gesturing to the broken one.

“… okay,” he nodded again, understanding I was at wits’ end with this kid. If he had to work the rest of his life to pay me back, he could, as long as he made certain he was willing to become a good enough baker to work it off.

And that was when I ended the convo, taking the longest drag of this cigarette before I pulled out the carton in my apron for another.

All I could think was how I was going to get my hands on Don.

And how he’d be fronting the bill for some weed this weekend cause cigs were not going to cut it for the stress levels I was handling.

Ryker did exactly what he was told.

And I chain-smoked four cigs before handing him the rest of my pack. I watched him pull out his last from his carton, and since I was going to have to lock the hell in to get this all done the next few days, I decided it was better if it went from one cig smoker to another.

Plus, he’d be spending time out here while I was inside baking.

He was able to use the toolbox I directed him to. But there weren’t many tools in it, so I knew he was doing the best he could. And he finished up right at close, when it was getting dark out.

I was supposed to take Eve home because Xavier was out handling my shit, but Ci stayed up until close after I gave her the briefest rundown of what was going on these next few days.

She also apologized again and again, thanking me over and over again. I told her Don would see me outside his apartment if he 1. Didn’t let us work on the car in peace at The Brookside this weekend, and 2. Not explain some shit by the end of next week. I wanted to know why we were where we were with everyone involved.

I had Ryker wash up a bit while I cleaned up, since his hands were greasy. Then he wrote down the full list of what he would need from memory and handed it to me.

He was silent for all that, not giving anything more than yeses and okays because he fucking knew I was at my breaking point.

Eve didn’t have us do much work. She let me know that she and CiCi would take care of the place before opening, and just to get Ryker home, which we were doing great on right up until it came time to get on my bike.

I handed him the extra helmet meant for Eve after locking up the back, but he froze before he could put it on.

And my god on today was I over this. I still had to meet up at Richy’s with the twins to chat after driving him home, and I knew for a fact that Ryker had homework to do. A lot of it.

“Ryker,” I warned him. “You said you’ve ridden before.”

“I have,” he confirmed, “but the… the like, the space, like between us…”

“I’m a good rider. Just trust me, alright? If you need to puke, just press this button here on this helmet. My entire system is paired, meaning I can talk to you and you can talk to me.” I showed him exactly where that button was.

He looked hesitant- like really fucking hesitant, but he did eventually put that helmet on, and checked to make sure both straps were good for his backpack. Luckily, he was able to fit his camera in there too, and I told him I’d handle the lunch bag tomorrow.

I got on first, hearing the sweet purr of my engine, then tipped her back to her kickstand so Ryker could climb on better.

“You can… hear me right?” His raspy voice came through clear as day after he flipped the blacked-out visor down.

“Clear as day. Now wrap your arms around my waist and hold on tight,” I told him.

That took him a while to do, but he did it, keeping the lightest hold he possibly could while not falling off. “I… I live at-”

“I know,” I confirmed. I was already pulling us out of this alley.

“You do?” He asked me. The warmth from his body was felt, even with his hoodie and my jacket. I could feel that he was stiff, but I had places to be, and as long as he held on, he’d be fine.

“Yes,” I replied. “Ci told me.”

That part wasn’t exactly true, but he didn’t need to know that.

“You alright so far?” I checked in as I got us onto the main street.

“Yes,” Ryker confirmed. It was a short ride, honestly, and it had started out just fine with us riding in silence. I needed to hear him clear as day if he was about to throw up because I was not about to have him ruin my jacket or my expensive ass helmet.

The issue came when I heard a sudden beep come in through my helmet. Ryker heard it too since his was paired before he asked me what that was, but I had to reach up and disconnect it so I could hear the street names it was about to read off to me.

Then I paired us again.

“Police scanner,” I told him through his helmet.

“Why do you have a police scanner hooked up?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just hold on tighter, I have to take a detour, and it’s going to be rocky.”

Ryker didn’t say shit else about it; his arms just tightened around me. And then got a hell of a lot tighter when I lowered my headlights and leant lower, cutting the streets like I was used to with speed that was most definitely illegal.

“H-Holy shit-” I heard him whisper while he brought the front of his body flush against mine. It seemed like he was able to get over that space between us faster than my bike was moving. I had three main streets I had to avoid thanks to the notification from my scanner, but I still made sure to check in with him.

I didn’t want this guy having a damn heart attack on me.

“You still with me?”

“Yeah- holy- holy fucking shit!” He replied.

“I’m upping the speed, keep those arms locked and tight. If you hear sirens, ignore them, we’ll be fine. Just focus on the ride, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Ryder nodded directly against my back now, listening. I was thanking everything in me that he was, because I then pulled my bike up onto a sidewalk momentarily, and I heard him take the sharpest fucking inhale, tightening his grip on me and making sure his arms were fully locked.

It didn’t take us long to pull out of a red zone, thank fuck. Right now, with these expired tabs, I didn’t need to get pulled over. That would put some heat on my back when I was going to be doing some very illegal things these next few weeks.

Ryker followed, though, leaning when I signaled by a hand tapping his left thigh and I leaned, and pivoted his weight when needed. I made sure we were safely onto the street of the Brookside Apartments before turning my headlights back up and lowering my speed.

The parking lot to the large building was empty, which was expected since no one else was living here yet. And I managed to drive right up to the front entrance before slowing my bike to an eventual stop.

But Ryker kept his arms around my waist a little longer than I expected him to. Judging by how he was around me at the café, I expected this guy to leap at the first opportunity to pull away, but he didn’t.

And when he eventually did pull away and climb off my bike, I turned to see him pull off the helmet.

“Holy shit, that was- that was fucking

insane! “ He said with the largest grin on his face, and when I heard him full-on laugh , I flipped up my visor quickly.

“You liked it?” I asked, smiling up at him. This was the first time I had heard him fully laugh, not chuckle or simply smile. And jesus fuck did he usually just scowl a lot. I was starting to think he wasn’t capable of laughing at all.

“Did I like it?!” He asked me like it was the craziest thing to ask. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t having a whole freak-out because I just did about fourteen illegal things in like 10 minutes. “I fucking loved it! Holy shit, is this like adrenaline still? My hands are literally vibrating. Where the fuck did you learn to ride like that?”

“Well, you said it yourself, I’ve got a track bike. You were spot on for the mods.”

“Well, yeah, but like… what tracks? In the inner cities?” 

God, he still had the most perfect fucking grin. The most beautiful features. Even with the dim street lamps, I saw that glow in his eyes and the way his smile lines deepened. The way those full lips stretched to create a crooked smile. The dip in his chin and the barely there stubble.

Fuck I genuinely saw all of it.

“I determine my own tracks. Some guys and I have been for years. Just took you on a city loop, wouldn’t you say?”

His grin fucking widened at that. “You’re seriously the weirdest fucking baker I ever met, you know that?”

“And you’ve got a seriously perfect laugh, you know that?” I countered without fucking thinking. The adrenaline had-… it had made me feel more than I wanted to admit. And I thought I completely fucked up when he finally broke our eye contact to look away. When that smile faltered somewhat.

But I didn’t.

“That’s a… weird thing to say to someone…” he mumbled a bit with his words, refusing to meet my gaze. And I narrowed my gaze a little, still fucking grinning.

“Are you sure you’re the right person to talk about saying some weird shit? Given your track record with that shit?”

My pointed question made him crack a grin that was infectious for both of us, but he didn’t answer that or say anything. I could see he was still on that familiar high, and I wanted him to feel all of it.

“I, uh… I-… I should head up. Get some homework done. Thank you, though. For… everything. Here.” He tried to hand me the second helmet, but I quickly shook my head no.

“Keep it. For now. I’ll be back here bright and early to pick you up, so get some rest and don’t make us late.”

Ryker hesitated, but he eventually nodded. “…Night, then.” Those eyes found mine, and the urge to pull him back to me was so fucking immediate, I genuinely thought I might just risk it. I wanted his arms around my waist again. I wanted his body against mine again.

Night,“ I told him instead, watching him give me one final nod before turning to leave. Then I found myself stopping him before he could go inside. “Hey, Ryk?”

His feet slowed, turning him back to me. And that surge of adrenaline wasn’t wearing off. My heartbeat wasn’t slowing. Whatever this was wasn’t muting itself in the slightest.

“Yeah?”

“I won’t be riding like that when I take you to and from school and work… but if you want to go on another ride like tonight, we can.”

I watched another smile spread across those unique, incredible features. “Yeah,” his raspy voice replied. “I’d like that.”

“Then I’ll let you know when the track’s right for it,” I replied, making that smile of his widen massively. He was finally picking up what I was putting down, nodding hard.

And that was probably when I knew I was just completely fucked.

When I knew I’d try whatever it took to hear that laugh from him again. To pull a smile just like the one he had now.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/37a81069bf7df1027316a0d78385a1c406aa641f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4b64325254384f3855342d4167513d3d2d313630353138393933302e313838653736663065393564313231333137393332383231343432332e706e67)               

lol Ryker really had Mickey like

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/f65a89820d7006b191a99ac2eab8e17621b42b91/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f414665467557624d4a48744d5f413d3d2d313630353138393933302e313838653737303331656464646362653130323538393038303635352e6a7067)

15. Sifting Through Emotions

When I got back inside my apartment unit after going through some wild, military-grade security Don had set up here… I still had that stupid fucking grin on my face.

My heart rate was through the roof, and my hands were shaky, but this was the first time I was feeling anything that wasn’t straight nausea or pain.

I didn’t know the last time I laughed genuinely like that. Or at all.

I rested my body back against the closed front door, taking a second to breathe.

Nothing had ever felt like that.

And I should’ve been afraid as fuck, especially once Mickey pulled that track bike up on the sidewalk, but I wasn’t.

After spending a good minute struggling to figure out how I was going to live like this, feeling like constant shit on the verge of death… that was the most alive I had ever felt in my body.

It was the control of the bike- Mickey’s control. The street lights became just flashes of light passing by, like we were heading through a tunnel. The sharp upcoming turns Mickey used a hand he briefly placed on my thigh to signal when…

How he had… how he had looked at me with just his eyes visible with that raised visor.

I tried to take a few breaths, but all that did was make me let out a light chuckle, since it was no use. I knew we couldn’t ride like that every time, but when we could next was probably the first thing I’ve had any excitement for in a hot minute.

Mickey was a different guy on the road, and he felt different. Felt like he was looking at something more when I pulled the helmet off to process everything.

And he was sure as fuck the first person I was okay with touching me- I wanted to touch during that exhilarating ride- since Halloween night.

Which was dangerous. I knew it was. The way he spoke to me throughout the day stunned me. I knew he was pissed off with me, but when he offered to help with my car, it felt like the first real physical weight was lifted off my shoulders since Don put me in this apartment and did his best to fix me up. Lunch every day was one thing, but us figuring out my car meant so much more.

It was my last bit of freedom that Mickey was protecting by helping. I kept my backpack in the living room and set the helmet on the couch carefully. I knew that thing cost a fortune, which was why it was so dope that Mickey had two. That they paired like that.

Then I just kinda sat down on the couch with it. I didn’t know what to feel anymore. Scared because I was liking this and him so much. Or excitement for more.

I knew I couldn’t feel anything for Mickey in that way, but he was making it really hard not to fall a bit into whatever this was, even if our personalities felt like hot and cold most times.

And when he called me Ryk, I-

I wanted to hate it, but I didn’t.

We’d been spending more time together. I had said no to going to the Buddhist temple because I didn’t think he was anything like me, but now I was starting to think that was the whole fucking point of why I should go.

Even if I felt like it wasn’t right for me.

Fuck …

I don’t even know how long I spent sitting on that couch. I knew I had homework that I’d get to eventually, and I should probably eat something at some point, but my heart didn’t slow for a long time.

And I knew that was dangerous too.

That I might’ve been feeling something more for that baker by day, illegal street race biker by night. Because what kind of insane duo was that?

I still managed to get some homework done eventually, but I didn’t get to bed until around maybe one or two in the morning. I got a text to my phone right before showering from a number I didn’t recognize. It said:

This is Mickey. Save it in your phone. Night.

I got showered first before texting back:

Saved. Thanks. Night.

Then I tried to get some sleep. Working on the car drained the hell out of me because the toolbox had pretty minimal stuff. Had to do a workaround, but I found some issues with the engine that could get it running right again. And a few issues, more specifically with the brakes.

Shit was going to be pricy, but Mickey didn’t bat an eye at the list when I wrote it all down for him. I just decided I’d ask him for a running total and slowly pay back what I could for everything as I got paid.

I still woke up around 4 AM from another nightmare, but it wasn’t as intense, so I just took another shower, laid a towel down in case I got night sweats, and headed back to bed.

Mickey was probably asleep by then because he hadn’t texted me back.

What he did do was blow up my phone at about 6:45 AM, waking me up out of some meh sleep.

“Hello?” I whispered groggily into the line, not even bothering to check my screen for who it was after finally finding the damn thing under one of my pillows.

“Get up. Get ready. I’ll be there by 7:15 AM,” Mickey replied.

And it took everything in me to hold back a groan, but I got up anyway. Didn’t feel like it, but I knew I had to, and Mickey was doing me a massive solid with this. I couldn’t piss him off like I had yesterday.

I didn’t want to either.

So I forced myself out of bed, found some clean clothes that would work for school and work, then headed to the bathroom to shower and stuff.

I almost had a panic attack thinking about what the hell I was eating, until I remembered he was going to be bringing by lunch whether I wanted it or not. So I decided I could at least just wait until then, and grabbed a granola bar from the kitchen on my way out, doubling back for the helmet I almost forgot on the couch in the living room.

I obviously heard Mickey’s bike once I got down to the lobby. He was leaning against it with the kickstand down, on the phone with someone.

And the guy was clearly punctual because he had his head forward at the lobby glass doors right at 7:15 AM, so I rushed to get outside quick.

“Morning,” was the first thing he said.

Took me a sec to even respond, because I was just fucking floored at anyone looking this put together so early. Today was an all-black fit for him: a black leather jacket, black jeans, thick black boots, and a black shirt with that signature gold chain of his.

His hair was already styled, and he sure as fuck looked more put together than I did.

I felt immediately self-conscious once his sharp eyes gave me a once-over, knowing he was looking at what I already wore every day, but also knowing that my skin was sure as shit not glowing like his darker complexion was.

The bags under my eyes had to be legendary at this point.

“Morning,” I forced myself to say. He was already putting his phone back in his front pocket and his helmet back on, so I made sure my backpack was securely strapped on me, then I got his other helmet, which I was carrying, and climbed on behind him.

“We paired up?” He asked through the helmet.

“Yeah,” I replied. “I can hear you.”

“Good,” he nodded, “then wrap your arms around me and let’s go. Traffic’s shit.” And so I did what he said.

And soon enough saw he wasn’t wrong. The drive was still only about fifteen minutes maybe, especially because Mickey was on a bike and could ride through cars, but he was much more obedient than the way he rode last night. No rules broken. No laws violated. Just a straight, safe ride.

After last night, I didn’t hesitate to wrap my arms around him and hold him tighter, feeling the warmth of his body, which felt nice against the chilly wind.

The ride was silent until we neared the school, which I was fine with.

“I’ll drop off lunch today right before your lunch period. I’m using CiCi’s car to move the parts, so I’m picking that up first this morning. Then I’ll come pick you up when class gets out at 2:30 PM. Parts will be at Brookside by then. You’ll have time once I take you home after work to make sure they’re all right.”

I almost nodded before realizing it. “Okay,” I said instead, having learnt my fucking lesson with this guy. “Thanks.”

And I almost left it at that, too, until I remembered something.

“Will Do-… will the property manager let us work in the lot?”

And it took Mickey a second or two to answer as we started to pull into the front lot of Averin High, where the drop-off for kids was. I was grateful he was going to be picking me up and dropping me off up here so I was able to avoid students who had their cars parked in the second lot.

“I’ll handle Don.”

That made my eyebrows raise a little. “You… you know him- that he-”

“I’ve known Don for the last eight years of my life. He’s the closest thing to a bother Ci’s got, and an uncle to me. Like I said, I’ll handle it. Just focus on school and work.”

I nodded, a bit taken aback by that, but I guess it made sense. “Okay,” I told him. If Mickey was this confident he’d handle it then I knew he would. Didn’t fucking know how, but clearly every one of them went way back.

Once Mickey’s bike slowed to a stop, and he turned it off, I carefully let go of his waist. I hadn’t realized I had locked my arms so tight, liking the feeling of his leather and undershirt on my bare hands when I gripped the material.

Then I quickly got off that bike and took off the second helmet.

“I can take it,” he offered, flipping up just his visor so I could see those beautiful, dark eyes. “I’ll bring it when I pick you up. And take this,” he grabbed the helmet I offered with one hand, to reach into a strapped bag to his bike at the front, and pulled out something.

“What is it?” I asked, accepting the blue can that wasn’t in a language I could read, until I turned it over. There was something on the can that said “Hot 6” at the top, but that seemed to be the only English printed.

“South Korean energy drink. It’s got taurin, guarana, and essential vitamins. Give it a try. Tell me if you like it.”

I nodded, acting like I knew what the fuck any of that was. “Thanks.” He was already hooking up his second helmet to his bike. “See you at lunch, then?”

Once he was done, he looked up and over to give me a nod. “Where do you usually eat?”

“My car-” I started… before realizing that I didn’t have it here.

Shit .

“You said you like that photography teacher, right? The new one?”

I slowly nodded my head yeah.

“See if you can take lunch there. You need a spot to eat and work if you can,” Mickey suggested. “Help take some of the load off the work you’re doing at home.”

I slowly nodded again. “I’ll ask.”

“Promise me,” Mickey pushed, making me nod more confidently.

“Promise.”

“Good. If you can’t, I’ll work something out with Nancy, one of the librarians. You don’t fuck with the cafeteria, right?” Mickey asked, and I quickly shook my head no. “Then we’ll find an alternative. Now head on in, or you’ll be late.”

And it was like clockwork, or Mickey’s immaculate timing, because the first bell was heard from the parking lot, and I quickly started to back up. “Thanks, Mickey.” He gave me a head nod before I turned around and started booking it to the front doors, already opening up the can in my hand.

I heard Mickey start that bike up, but he didn’t pull off until I got the first door open. Then I brought the open can to my lips while walking to my first period, removing one of my backpack straps from my shoulder so it felt more comfortable.

And I almost stopped dead in my tracks in this busy hallway when I tasted the drink.

This shit was good. Really good. And unique, with like a more herbal aftertaste. I ended up chugging it, tossing the empty can in the trash as I entered first period.

But as I took my usual back seat in the back of the class, I pulled out my phone right before the class started, and shot a text off to Mickey:

That drink. I really like it.

Then I dropped my phone in my backpack and pulled out my notebook for Honors English, ready to lock in.

The first thing I said to Mickey once I made it to the admin office to meet him for the lunch he surely had in the bag he was holding, was “Was there crack cocaine in that drink?”

And obviously that was an insane thing to fucking say considering where we both stood in the goddamn admin office.

Before Sandra could get a word out, Mickey started cracking up, turned to her, and said, “It’s an expression. All it was was caffeine, amino acids, a plant-based stimulant, Ginseng, and B vitamins.”

And I watched as Sandra opened her mouth, but closed it again, probably just giving up, as Mickey then turned and handed the lunch box to me.

See I still didn’t know what any of that was, all I knew was that I felt like a million bucks right now. Alert but focused, not jittery, and the nausea was pretty much non-existent, which made it easier to take the smallest step closer to Mickey and mumble a quick apology for my insane wording.

He just chuckled a little harder.

It was still rough to be too close to him, but not because I wanted to puke. Probably because I didn’t.

Not sure what the opposite of that was, but all that was left was his sweet scent and intense aura.

“It’s fine. Sandra can handle it. She lived through the times they were giving woman speed for weight loss. Now I gotta run, but did you ask your photography teacher?” Mickey asked me, saying all that so casually, and I just tried to remind myself to ask him later about the speed for weight loss thing.

I did give him a nod, though. “Yeah. She said it’s cool.”

“Cool,” Mickey nodded. “Go there from now on, alright?” I nodded again. “Good. I gotta jet, day’s hectic and escaping me. I’ll see you at 2:30 PM.” Mickey was already slipping his helmet back on. “Sayonara, Sandra, same tomorrow!” He called back, making me chuckle as I headed out with a lunch bag in my hand, and I saw Mickey break out into a light jog back towards his bike.

I wanted to see him off, but I knew Ms. Kluntz was waiting for me. I already dropped my backpack in her class, so I headed back quickly to bring the lunch bag. She gave me a warm smile as I entered her otherwise empty classroom, grabbed my backpack from near her desk, and headed to take a seat where I usually sat, at the very back, but she stopped me halfway there with her voice.

“Why don’t you choose something closer to the front for now? We’re the only two here just eating lunch and working, so if you want to ask me a question, I’d hate for either of us to yell it across an empty classroom. Seems a little silly, right?”

I slowed to a stop, turning to her, and honestly, she had a point. Her classroom was massive, so I just found a table in the second row.

“Anything fun on the lunch menu today?” She then asked.

Of all the teachers, she was the one I actually wouldn’t mind talking to, and maybe it was because she was always the one who looked the least irritated when I said nothing.

“Not sure,” I was honest with her as I set my stuff down, then my ass in that wooden chair. I went ahead and undid the zipper to see for the both of us.

Mickey had made a large serving of pasta salad that looked delicious. I think there was more diced tomato and other vegetables, but it was creamy, so it looked promising. On the side was a yogurt cup, but it was in a glass jar with some fruit visible at the bottom. Then there was another apple, and of course, two waters on each side.

“Pasta salad, yogurt, an apple, and water,” I explained.

“Jesus, I really got to step it up,” Ms. Kluntz chuckled, making me slightly smile.

“What’s on your menu?” I asked curiously.

“Frozen pizza and a Diet Coke. Keep eating in here with me and you might convince me to change my certain death at 65 ways.”

That got a larger smile out of me. “At least the Coke is diet?” I offered, making Ms. Kluntz chuckle again.

“I ran out of the regular stuff,” she admitted. “But I’ll do better tomorrow.”

And I gave her a nod, which was where we left things so I could open up my math textbook and get my shit together.

Mickey had been right, per usual. Photography might’ve been boring, but Ms. Kluntz classroom wasn’t. She had large, framed, blown-up photos of pretty much everything on her walls, mostly black-and-white, some in color.

I liked sitting in here with her. She was comfortable with the quiet, and the atmosphere beat out my car or being surrounded by books in the library.

Today was definitely going to be used for math, and every day for the foreseeable future until I could convince Mickey I didn’t bribe my teachers to get here, I just spent the last few years forgetting most of what I learned.

But I did hope that maybe after I got more of my shit together, I could use this time to ask Ms. Kluntz more about photography.

Not it in general, but why she liked it.

I was starting to realize I really liked hearing the why .

And she looked like she had a few stories under her belt to tell, reminding me of a certain baker.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/734f41e839643c47df344004a828313c4b824add/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f566372765f664f43784250697a513d3d2d313630353231373836342e313838656331323561303334386537373937383034343233333638352e706e67)               

16. Caramelizing My Heart

After dropping Ryker off on Wednesday night, I met up with the twins at Richy’s.

It was a brief meet-up since they had other obligations, but I told them my weekend just got busy and that I could have them drop the gun parts off next Monday or Tuesday.

That I’d start building and ghosting them then.

After Richy’s, I went to the warehouse because Xavier had a job for me. Well, that and I had a job for him.

He was also freaking out over Eve, which was honestly nothing new here.

His job forced me to spend the night at the warehouse, which was fine, but it was also going to suck, considering I was also going to have to pick up Ryk in the morning. I called Ci right after getting Ryk home to ask her to send me his contact.

This job Xavier had explained was framework for embedded systems in surveillance. Whether I’d do the whole build was up in the air, but I was who the twins had recommended before I was back in NYC. I had stayed in Boston longer, but now that I was back and the twins were back, the company the twins had put in a good word to pass on their interest to Xavier, the guy who they’d have to go through to get to me.

I rarely ever did direct relations with my work. And I wasn’t a scouter. I was always scouted through other channels.

In fact, there was only one family who had met me personally, which was one of the few reasons I was now in the delicate situation I was in with the twins.

The job I had for Xavier specifically was a hell of a lot easier. He just got to round up the list of parts Ryker wrote down, which he got on while I powered away myself.

I had meant to text Ryk a shit ton earlier than I did at night, and after I sent that text, it was lights out, knocking out in my bed at the warehouse.

My first alarm went off at 4 AM. That was when I packed up the work I was doing, securely locked it away, and counted the cash the twins had dropped off earlier while I was out working, because they owed me for some light work I’d done months ago.

Cleaned some cash for their buddies or something, it was over my last winter break.

My second alarm was at 5 AM, which was when I locked up and headed home to shower, change, check in with Xavier on the parts, and confirm with Ci that I’d be picking up her car to transport said parts for Ryk’s car to the Brookside Apartments. I also made sure she confirmed with Don that we wouldn’t have any problems.

By the time that was all said and done, it was close to 6:45 AM, which was when I called Ryker to get the fuck up because I was on a tight schedule today.

He sounded out of it, which wasn’t promising, but I just prayed he’d understand how much of a damn favor I was doing him and would pull it together anyway.

That still didn’t stop me from scouring my fridge for one of those South Korean energy drinks my mum always sent me because I worked late nights during school. I had brought a few from my dorm when I moved back here to NYC a few months ago.

Now I preferred coffee in the morning, but this was probably easier for Ryk to carry around, and definitely easier for me to pack on my bike.

After leaving my apartment close to 7:00 AM, I was on the road… and I was almost instantly irritated by the shitty traffic I hoped would clear up.

While I debated a riskier ride, I had to hold back after riding like that with Ryk unexpectedly to avoid those red zones. I wasn’t about to risk anyone reporting or taking down my license plate in broad daylight.

So I kept that shit good and kosher until I got to Rykers, and I got there a few minutes before 7:15 AM so I could then make a phone call to Arlo letting him know I was going to be busy Saturday morning and might not make it to the gym.

He replied that I would have to be found in the ditch somewhere for him to accept that, otherwise he’ll put me in a ditch somewhere himself.

So then that changed my plans after I agreed because Arlo would just fight harder if he went alone, which means he wouldn’t have enough pent-up irritation to do his job as well on Saturday. I told Arlo to get back to me on the earliest we could go.

Which meant I would pick up Ryker’s car with Arlo right after I was done with the gym, then meet at Ryker’s place to fix it while Arlo went to his shift at the café.

My irritation by the time Ryk came out with his backpack that morning was at an all-time high. The only good news through this whole morning was that Xavier was good at his fucking job and would have those parts ready in the morning.

I tried to hide my irritation because Ryk looked exhausted, so I kept the drop off simple and tried to act like the morning wasn’t already a shit show.

Now, because I decided I wanted to mix in being a goddamn delivery driver, after I dropped Ryk off, got him his energy drink, and headed to the café, I stopped by my home first to make him his lunch, and brought that to the café with me to get Ci’s car. Xavier met me there so we could meet his auto parts dealer out in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, since that was the only person he could find on short notice.

Then we headed to The Brookside Apartments to drop everything at the lobby with their front desk and security. Ci must’ve done her job since they thankfully didn’t bat an eye when we unloaded and brought in the boxes.

Next, Xavier and I headed back to the café so I could drop Ci’s car off, pick up my bike, and take this lunch to Averin High.

Literally the only thing that actually brought a smile to my face was the way that kid greeted me. And though it was insane, because he really didn’t need to give the school a reason to drug test him, I couldn’t help but smile and chuckle when I saw him and heard that.

He looked better than this morning. Light years better, his skin no longer as pale, with more life in his doe-like eyes. It made me want to stay… but I couldn’t. I was then forced back to the cafe to get there around noon because I had to start my own shift, and we were already being slammed.

I tried to text Trin to see if she had class or could make it in, but she reminded me that she’d already be over on her part-time hours because she was putting in an extra hour for our staff meeting Friday night.

I reminded this little girl that she was never fucking on time to anything and that the day she ever reached overtime on part-time hours was the day I’d be willing to cover a semester of her school tuition.

Anyways, safe to say that that was a bust, so I just hauled ass between Eve, Ci, and myself to work front and back. I only had until 2:15 PM because I had to go pick Ryker up, and I wasn’t trusting traffic today for the life of me.

Well, by the time Ryk spotted and jogged out to my bike, I put that damn helmet on him myself and practically threw him on this bike behind me.

“You… weren’t joking about the busy day,” he said through the helmet as I all but risked a ticket getting us to the café on this bike.

“How’s your energy?” I asked him instead.

“Great, honestly,” he replied, which made me smile. That was good. I could work with that.

“And school?” I asked. I was getting all my questions in on this brief ride now because odds are, Ci was going to have to take on Ryk’s training for the rest of the day while Eve and I worked the front.

It was the 12th of November, and we were really starting to feel the holidays with Thanksgiving two weeks from today. Trin had unfortunately been the one to remind me that Eve and I were holding a staff meeting tomorrow after close because this was the date we decided who got what for their holiday item to add to the menu.

Eve had an idea this year to make it both fun and psychotic as all hell. She wanted a kind of food as the categories, and we all pulled from a hat to decide who got what. So like cookies, cakes, bars, pies, macarons, ice cream, swiss rolls, hot chocolate, teas, etc

I told her that we’d either win managers of the year or be taken out back and shot, firing squad execution style.

My lil psychopath. She said it would make it more fun.

I told her to at least present this over a case of beer to the staff tomorrow night because of all the people I could die next to, her and I were too cliché.

She hilariously said it would probably look like a hate crime considering our races, and I couldn’t agree more.

To make the bonuses real nice, we always let people start coming up with their creation a few weeks before Dec 1, because by then we’d need any new ingredients stocked up, and temporary menus recreated, and it allows each item from Dec 1st - Jan 20th to gain however much revenue before we declare a winner and they get that added bonus.

Then there was the double wages from the last two weeks to Christmas Day, which was for every employee, and time and a half for overtime past Christmas until January 20th, but CiCi was changing that to double wages for overtime this year, which was going to be announced at the staff meeting tomorrow.

Now was absolutely the time to make money if you played your cards right.

Then there was Secret Santa. This was going to be determined tomorrow night as well, to give everyone enough time to get a gift in the last week before Christmas. We were announcing it a little earlier this year since Ryk was new and hadn’t met everyone yet.

So, in addition to the fucking shit show that was going down with the twins, I was still juggling trying to do that and be a damn good manager.

“School was pretty good,” Ryk replied…

And that genuinely had me yanking the brakes harder than I meant to when we came to a stop at a light.

“Sorry bout that. But also pretty good? That’s… I think that’s a fucking miracle coming from you,” I replied through his helmet as I felt Ryder’s body sort of collide into mine, which was what that apology was for. And I expected him to pull away, but he didn’t really. He was pretty fucking flush against me, holding me tight.

“Yeah, well, the energy helped a lot and… lunch was really freaking good.”

I was trying to act fucking casual here, but his hugging me like this, mixed with what he had just said, made me pretty fucking not casual at all. The tint on this helmet was shielding a lot as I gripped my handles tighter, balanced the bike, and pushed us off again at the green light.

“You liked it?”

I could feel every bit of that helmet nodding against my back as his head rested there. “It was delicious. And thank you. For suggesting the photography room. The teacher- she brought frozen pizza and a Diet Coke for her lunch, so I gave her some of the pasta salad.”

I felt my teeth biting into my lip, trying to get a handle on how hard I was fucking smiling. “Keep taking lunch there, and I’ll make larger portions.”

“Deal,” he nodded again.

Jesus fuck , this kid could make me agree to anything right about now.

But we were getting close to the café, so I needed to give him the rundown.

“We’re busy today, so you’ll work with Ci in the back while I manage the front with Eve. I’ll still take you home tonight. The parts and tools are in the lobby waiting for you to check out. Same schedule for tomorrow, but we have a staff meeting after close that’s mandatory for everyone, then I’ll take you home after. Should be done by 9, but it’s a Friday, so I was hoping later would be fine.”

“That’s fine,” Ryker told me.

Great. Because that was honestly the easy part.

“Arlo and I hit the gym on Saturdays. I tried to cancel, but he’d kill me if I did. I was thinking right after he and I could head to the café, get your car, bring it over, then you and I can work on it while Arlo heads back to the café for his shift. Might be a tight timeline for Arlo’s start time, but if the car breaks down, I’m still taking my bike, and I’ll call Xavier. Does that work?”

… Ryker didn’t answer that one quite as fast, unfortunately.

“Wouldn’t… wouldn’t it be easier if I went with you to the gym? Then you and I get my car, and Arlo doesn’t have to go back and forth, right?”

Unfortunately, it would.

“It’s…” I wasn’t quite sure how to put this. “Well, it’s a boxing gym. You won’t be fighting, of course, and everyone there is like family, all NYC born and raised, besides the co-owner, Dante. Dante’s got a bit of a past- well, most fighters there do. If you want to go, they could give you some basic point- well, I just- you just tell me what you want to do.”

Honestly, Ryk at a gym like that could either be good for him or triggering. I didn’t really know. That was why I didn’t even consider it for more than a sec.

“I’ll… I’ll go,” Ryker replied, surprising the fuck out of me.

“Are you sure? Like I said, you’re not getting in the fucking ring, I won’t allow that, but they’ve got circuit training, yoga mats, meditation rooms-”

“I’ll go,” Ryker replied again, more confidently this time. “I want to. It’ll be good to go somewhere other than home, school, or the café. You like it there, and I trust you- that I’ll be fine. So I’ll go.”

I felt that feeling again, starting at my stomach, which his arms were wrapped tightly around, that dangerous fucking warmth.

“If just watching the fighting is a lot, head to a meditation pod and wait for me, alright?”

His head nodded against my back again, making me attempt to minimize my deeper inhales.

“Then we’ll do that. I’ll come pick you up, we’ll meet Arlo at Fight Club, then we’ll go to the café, and you and I can get your car and bring it to The Brookside Apartments to work on. I don’t plan on doing much at the gym anyway since we got a whole car to fucking work on.”

“That sounds good,” Ryker replied.

I was already pulling us into the back alley of the café, so it was good to have that planned out. Of course, this ride with Ryk alone brought my irritation down to almost nothing, even though the day was far from over.

And it truly was far from over.

Eve and I definitely got slammed out at the front, but we held our cool. A lot were returning customers just happy to see our faces.

I didn’t have a lot of time to check on Ryk, but I knew Ci. I knew she’d be fine back there. She seemed to be doing the dishes the few times I went back to drop more off, while she instructed Ryk on what to mix, and I think the physical distance that gave him made him more comfortable.

He wasn’t joking about having more energy today, either. His focus was like night and day from how bad it was yesterday, so I was making a mental note of which other Korean teas got me through college to buy for him.

A healthy diet also went a long way.

If this was what my newfound food delivery service was doing, then I was just going to have to make it work till he got himself into a rhythm.

Now, by the time we closed up, all four of us working right up until 7 PM, Eve and I didn’t want to see another fucking face, including each other. We were usually pretty in synch, but I was a bit off my game since Ci and Ryk hadn’t come out once to tell us the kitchen was on fire or something. Way too paranoid on my part.

But no, this wrapped up just fine. Eve and I got the front cleaned in minutes, then headed to the back to help. Ryk looked like he was doing good. He had a slight smile on his face from something Ci said, so they must’ve worked well together.

Just like clockwork, Xavier came through the back to take Eve home. This was his first time really meeting Ryker, and that went well. Just a slight head nod passed between them, nothing crazy.

Xavier knew less was more. Only time he threw all that out the goddamn window was with Eve, but she looked to be somewhat patching things up with the whole Jade situation.

God, that man went on, and on about how he didn’t know whether the quick peck the women shared was a betrayal or turned him on beyond belief, and just at that point, I had to check him out. The fish I had to fry were fucking blue whales in comparison to a guppy of that size.

But he headed out with Eve to walk her home, Ci took off for the night in her ugly ass car, and Ryk and I locked up before heading back out, me making sure he had his backpack.

I also tried to follow Xavier’s less-is-more approach until Ryk and I had our paired helmets on, and I was pulling us out of the alley on my bike.

“How was today?” Was the first thing I asked him. I’m sure Ci had spent the day checking in with his comfort on everything, but I wanted to hear it from him.

“Good,” he replied. I could hear that smile in his voice, which made me smile. He wrapped his arms tighter around me.

“Good. Cause you did good today,” I fully admitted. He did amazing today in comparison to yesterday. “Were you alright with Ci?”

“Yeah, she- well, she’s a very cheery person. Is she… will she then be teaching me from-”

“Just today and tomorrow,” I answered. Fast as hell. “My schedule was just a little tight, but we’ll be back to normal on Monday.”

Ryk nodded against my back. “Okay. Cool.” I had to bite back another fucking smile for him being nonchalant about liking me with him more.

“And we’ll work on more of your homework this weekend if we can. See how long the car takes first,” I added. I know that was the appeal of me helping him with baking. I didn’t want him to slow down there either.

“That sounds good,” Ryker replied, holding me a bit tighter while we both leant into a turn. “Math is still pretty rough.”

Math with Ryk was far more than just rough. But shit, at least he was trying. “You’ll get it. We’ll go over it this weekend.”

I felt him nod again. And I hated how short the ride was to The Brookside. I wanted to ask more questions, but he needed to get home to get started on his homework. No one took a break today, that’s how busy it was.

I did glance down when I noticed he had curled his fingers in like a fist, trying to protect them from the cold, and I reached a gloved hand of my own down to tuck them into the front flaps of my jacket so he could spread them out, right above my inner shirt that had the most warmth, around my midsection.

“Like that. It’s colder tonight,” I told him. And he tucked them in more to hold just me, making me release a small, shaky breath I was holding.“

“Mickey?” I heard him ask in that same raspy voice.

“Yeah?” I answered.

“That… the Buddhist temple. Is the offer still on the table?”

“Yeah. It is.” I told him.

“Can we still go? I need to take photos that are due by Monday the 23rd, and that painting- of the three poisons…”

“Yeah,” I replied instantly with a smile. He’d remembered. “I’ll pick you up the Saturday before, around ten in the morning. Wear something warm.”

Ryk nodded against me, holding me a bit tighter…

And I found myself slowing the bike just a little more, prolonging the dropoff best I could…

••

17. Don’t Go Breaking My Tart

I… I didn’t really want the ride home Thursday night to end.

I could hear it in his voice how proud of my work today he was, before he gave me actual praise for it. It was hard to even begin to process how good him being happy with it seriously felt. And I wanted to help out with whatever shit was seriously stressing him out, which was probably the shit with my car to begin with.

He must’ve changed his whole damn schedule just to help me fix it.

But that was only part of why I said yes to going to Fight Club with him. The convenience of not having Arlo also fuck up his scheduled shift.

The other part was that I genuinely trusted that Mickey wouldn’t let me get hurt. If this gym was where half of Wilmoria’s went, then it couldn’t have been that bad.

I didn’t know how I’d react to the fighting, of course, but it was an actual gym, not like whatever bullshit I experienced with my dad at that chop shop, and our home above it.

If Mickey made it such a ritual to go every Saturday, especially with my recent realization that this baker had a whole lot more going on than just the baking shit, it meant it was important to him. And though I felt like I was getting to know said baker better… it still somehow felt like I kept opening up a Russian doll to find another inside.

I wanted to see how many layers there really could be to just one guy. One baker.

I’d never met someone like that before now.

Then there was the Buddhist temple. I finally just pulled the trigger and asked if we could still go, worried that it might be off the table in the future, which I think made him happy I did ask. Mickey might not have gone in a while, but he used to. He so closely resembled all he spoke about the religion- way of life, as he put it- and I wanted to see it for myself.

To capture the reason why .

Why it was still such an influence in his life. And maybe more about why it’s been a while since he last went.

It was like he was an honest, open book and a secretive locked vault all at once, in the most unexpected ways. I couldn’t figure him out… but I really wanted to.

I knew Mickey took his time getting me home, which made me smile a stupid fucking smile for the entirety of it, especially feeling the speed gradually drop towards the end there.

Thank fuck for this helmet, honestly. You couldn’t see a thing from the outside.

But when he pulled up to the apartment complex, he was slow to fully stop. Slower to turn the bike off. And I was slowest to pull my arms away. Then I had to force myself to get off this damn bike after that.

I pulled off the helmet, but I knew I’d be hanging onto it again. We had one more day riding together until we could hopefully fix my car… and I didn’t really know how I felt about it, except for liking the fact that we were fixing it together. I really liked that.

I also didn’t want him to have to give me a ride every day. I didn’t want to put that shit on him, even though I loved that bike and the way Mickey rode it.

“Thanks,” I said, turning to face him. He stayed on the bike but flipped that visor up so I could see his sharp eyes. “For the energy drink. Lunches. Rides. I know it’s been shitty with stress at work, too. So… thanks.”

“Then how come each ride with you is making all that so much less shitty?” He asked me suddenly, making me instantly so fucking unexpectedly speechless, I didn’t know what the hell to say… but I couldn’t stop a smile from forming as I ripped my gaze anywhere else but on him. “You getting better, Ryk. It’s all I give a shit about. It’s all you should, too.”

I had to force my eyes to find his again at that last part, but all I could do was nod.

I know he hated this shit. When I didn’t say words. But I didn’t trust my words right now.

“You should go get some homework done, then get some rest. I have something I’ve gotta get to tonight and I-… I kinda…”

Shit, that made my smile wider.

He kinda took his time here tonight, was what he meant.

“I’ll… I’ll text you. About the parts and stuff. If anything’s wrong,” I offered in an even more raspy fucking voice, still failing with words even when I said them. I wanted to ask him for another ride… or for him to park that bike and come check these parts out with me. Everything that would be so fucking dangerous if I did, and fuck up whatever he had going on after this.

So I obviously didn’t.

“Yeah,” he nodded slow. “Or just-… just text me. Let me know when you head to bed.”

I curled my lip in some, biting the hell down on it to stop a smile, but I still nodded, saying, “I will.”

“Good,” he replied, nodding himself. “Night, Ryk.”

“Night, Mickey.” I knew I didn’t look away fast enough to hide this stupid fucking smile that formed anyway because I swear I heard the faintest chuckle before Mickey flipped that visor down and turned his bike on. He still waited till I got through all doors before I heard him pull off, and fuck, that shit just-

I wasn’t used to it before him.

Security and the front desk welcomed me like always, handing me the packing list and showing me to the boxes they stacked for me to open and check.

Everything looked right, so I handed the slip back, let them repack the boxes for Saturday, and headed upstairs to get into the grueling nightly routine of setting up homework, taking a shower, all that bullshit.

Still took fucking forever to power through the online classes. My only saving grace with those was that most homework or quizzes were due by Sunday at 11:59 PM each week.

About as soon as my head finally hit the pillow, I quickly pulled my phone out to send a quick text:

Parts and tools look right. Thanks. Headed to bed. Night.

And not even a minute later, I got one back before I could set my phone down:

Good. Get some rest. Don’t make us late in the morning. Goodnight Ryk.

I didn’t have a nightmare Thursday night into Friday morning. I didn’t dream at all. It was actually some of the best sleep I’d got in a while, which said a lot since I still woke up tired as shit from homework the night before.

I woke up to Mickey giving me a call, and this time I was able to pull my phone off the charger on the side table and answer instead of searching for it under a pillow or tangled in towels from the damp sheets soaked in my sweat.

At this point, I’d take any wins I could get my hands on.

“I’m up,” I told him before he could say anything. This time I checked who it was ringing.

“Yeah. Sounds like it’s by my hands, Ryk. I’ll be there in twenty minutes, and it’s about five to seven, so rush it.”

And that would be the gist of the call, because Mickey hung up, and I was already flinging myself out of bed because that left me twenty minutes to shower and shit.

Traffic must’ve been bad again because Mickey definitely sounded irritated.

But besides the rush, it was routine. I got my shit together, grabbed the helmet and my backpack, then rushed down to meet Mickey, who was already outside, and once again on the phone. He hung up quick when he saw me, hopping back on his bike, slipping his phone in his jeans, and putting his helmet back on.

At this point, I was used to seeing him so put together at the asscrack of dawn it didn’t even faze me. What I did notice was that the longer once-over he gave me before putting his helmet on looked far more satisfied with my appearance.

I was wearing the same type shit- baggie hoodie and jeans, but it gave me hope that my face didn’t look like a zombie today. I thought it actually looked the best it had in a while, maybe since Halloween night, since I hadn’t woken up in sweats last night, ready to puke.

I put the helmet on first so Mickey could pair us up, then double-checked my backpack straps and got on behind this baker, wrapping my arms around his waist instinctively.

“Traffic,” was the first thing this guy grunted into the helmet speakers, and I immediately chuckled.

“Figured,” I admitted.

“Sleep well at least?” He asked.

I nodded before remembering to answer, “Yeah. Better than the last.”

“ Figured ,“ he replied, which made me smile. “Today’s gonna be a long one, so you’ll need the energy.”

“Did… did you bring the-”

“Crack cocaine energy drink? Yes. I’ll get that to you once we reach the school.”

“Cool. Thanks.” My smile widened at my reference. “What time did you get up?”

I had to ask that since the guy looked drop-dead fucking gorgeous . Black jeans again, black leather jacket, but a white undershirt this time so I was holding more of the jacket to make sure I didn’t stain this shirt in any way.

But I almost choked on my own spit when Mickey answered, “4 AM is my first alarm, but I didn’t get up till 5 AM. Something had come up that let me sleep in one more hour.”

Before I could think, I blurted out one word. “ Why? “ And yes, it sounded as disgusted as I felt about that shit.

“I’ve got 3 rotating alarms, 4 AM, 5 AM, and 6 AM. They go off every day, but depending on what’s needed, I choose which one I’ll get up at.”

That… sounded like straight fucking hell on earth .

The only time I’d ever be up at 4 AM these days was if I was having a damn nightmare or night terror. Before Halloween, I’d be heading to bed by 4 AM after a night of partying and get up by like noon at the earliest.

My dad never gave a shit as long as the work got done, so if I was in the shop through the night cause I put shit off… then I was just in the shop through the night.

Now, if I disappeared for multiple nights, then there was hell to pay when I eventually returned. And I always did, even while knowing the beating in store. Only got lucky if my dad was on a bender too- that just meant his hits were coming a bit later when he got back and came to.

Guys at the shop always made sure he knew.

“What time do you head to bed?” I found myself asking.

“Depends,” was all Mickey replied with.

Considering these days he had been closing the café with me, I knew he was at least off by 8 PM… but then again, seemed like he always had something else going on after.

I wanted to ask but… he wouldn’t have been this vague if he wanted me to know.

Especially because I now knew he and a few guys illegally raced, and he said he’d let me know next when I could go out with him.

God, I was killing for it to be soon. I wanted to experience that with him again so fucking bad.

“Don’t forget,” Mickey continued, “same schedule today. I’ll drop off lunch later and come get you for your shift, but then we got that staff meeting. It’s an important one, too. A good challenge for you.”

“Challenge?” I asked.

“Eve and I will explain it later. I know you usually work on homework after your shift, but I cleared out my weekend to help with it and the car, besides our visit to Fight Club on Saturday morning. I don’t want you staying up late after the staff meeting because I’ll be picking you up tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM.”

That did make me choke on my spit when I caught that last bit. “6:30 AM?!”

“Yes,” Mickey nodded in front of me. “Gym officially opens at 7 AM, but Arlo long convinced the owners to let us in at 6:45 AM. He’s only got until 8:45 AM there, then he has to get back by 9 AM for his shift. Café opens at 10 AM Saturdays, one hour mando prep time till open.”

I genuinely couldn’t believe what the hell I was hearing. I was thinking maybe 9 AM or something, but… then again, yeah, with the café hours, that wouldn’t be possible.

“Do you think-”

“No take-backs, Ryk. Already solidified the plans you agreed to, and I’m not changing that shit again .”

“Yeah… but… that was… before I knew what time all this would be happening,” I insisted immediately.

“Listen, you can knock out there during those two hours if you want. But that’s the time, and you, under no circumstances, will be late. Or I’ll drag you out of bed myself.”

The very painful reality was that Mickey was one hundred percent serious.

“I’ll try to make sure the staff meeting doesn’t run past 9:30 PM, but fair warning, this one… this one this year won’t come without its challenges.”

I wasn’t even worried about that part since I had been staying up past that for homework, but regardless of when I got to bed, I had never woken up to leave anywhere at 6:30 fucking AM.

But then again… I didn’t really know how to get out of it. Once again, all of this was so we could fix my car, and napping in a meditation pod or something didn’t seem like the worst thing. I’d just have to figure out how to stay awake on a motorcycle to get to the gym.

“Fair warning then…” I started, “I can be a dick in the morning.”

Mickey chuckled. “You sure as shit won’t be with me tomorrow. Any attitude will be left at the door to your apartment if you want a smooth-flowing day.”

And that was that. The final nail in the coffin, and Mickey knew it.

This baker delivered on his word as promised. My drop-off was on time and included another of the same energy drink.

Classes were fine, with, of course, the highlight of him dropping off my lunch. He didn’t stay long because he had to get to his shift at the café, but I just liked seeing him, especially his insane dynamic with Sandra.

I took lunch with Ms. Kluntz. Mickey had made a generous double serving of risotto, which I had never had before but was insanely delicious, and I shared it with Ms. Kluntz. She shared her Cheez-its in return. Along with risotto, there was a healthy side salad, an orange already cut and in a container, a pepper jack cheese stick, and two waters.

After a lunch like that, I decided that my attitude would unfortunately have to be left at my door tomorrow morning. No fucking idea how yet, but it would be.

Then the rest of the classes were fine, Photography being the highlight, and Mickey was right on time with pick up.

“How was school?” Was his first question once he handed the helmet to me while I got on the bike, and we paired up.

“That energy drink is seriously the truth,” I replied. It had carried me through the whole day, with almost no nausea in sight.

Mickey chuckled. “I picked up a few others when I was making your lunch this morning that I’ll start handing you next week. And lunch?”

“Fucking phenomenal ,” I replied instantly. “I promise I won’t be a shithead tomorrow morning.”

“Risotto, huh?” Mickey offered with another chuckle while getting us out of the school parking lot, my arms wrapped tight around him.

I loved when he picked me up because he smelled even more like the café, since he had already started his shift.

“Yes,” I had to admit. “You’re… you’re not making these lunches every day… are you?”

And his answer fucking floored me. “Of course I fucking am. Usually it’s either at the café, so it’s easier, or at my home, and I just make another portion or two for me later. Xavier runs some errands to my home, so he’s been enjoying the meals just as much as you apparently are.”

That kept me silent for a second because I just… I just thought he had some stuff leftover or something.

“Y-You don-”

Mickey cut me off with, “If you say I don’t have to, I’ll kick you off this bike and make you walk the rest of the way, Ryk.”

I felt my arms tighten around his waist, shifting me a bit closer to this baker before I murmured, “Thank you.”

“That’s more like it,” I could hear the smile in Mickey’s voice, which in turn put a smile on mine, enjoying more of this heat and being this close to him as we neared the café. “Now lock the fuck in, it’s another hell of a day at the Broken Hearts Café.”

And unfortunately, Mickey was right.

Today was seriously another hell of a day.

I was in the back with Pricilla for pretty much all of it, and while we kept a good tempo, I decided to ask her a question that I didn’t get the chance to ask Mickey because he got a call right as we were pulling into the back alley.

“Hey… Pricilla?” I called over while she was on dish duty.

“Yes, Ryker?” She turned back quickly with a smile.

Honestly, I was still trying to get comfortable talking to everyone else here, but Pricilla was very patient with me.

“Mickey… he called Wilmoria’s Broken Hearts Cafe . Does… that mean anything?”

Pricilla’s smile faltered. “ That fucking kid ,“ I swear I heard her say before she set the dish she was rinsing back in the sink and turned around to face me. “Don’t think it’s a curse or anything because it’s not, I swear… Mickey- well, he and Eve call it that because a lot of the staff here have had some really unfortunate luck with romance.”

I raised my eyebrows completely at that.

But scrunched them when I thought of last night.

“But… isn’t Eve seeing-”

“Xavier? Situationship for years now. No one really knows what they are.”

My eyebrows raised once again.

“Trin’s had real messy breakups, Mickey’s exes have also been… something, I’m in the middle of divorcing my third husband, so… the only one not touched, according to Mickey, is Arlo. He’s happily married and has been for years. He’s also usually off and on with working here, which Mickey will mention every chance he gets, so that’s pretty much the gist.”

I was just staring at this woman now. Definitely wasn’t expecting that shit.

“Micky thinks that’s just what makes this place run, and well, statistics kinda do show that we are incredible bakers and baristas when we’re kinda going through it in the romance department… but don’t think it’s some sort of curse! You’ll be fine! Everyone here will eventually work it out for themselves.”

I was still fucking staring, unsure of what to even say.

Mainly because if only she knew how I started here, she might start believing the curse.

And I guess partially because I was hoping the one person who wasn’t affected wouldn’t be Arlo…

I knew who I wanted it to be, selfish, I know, but it would’ve been stupid because Mickey was the one who called this place that in the first damn place.

“Don’t think too much of it. Pretty much everyone has had failed relationships. I will say our staff have had… messier than most… but seriously, don’t worry about it.”

And I tried to offer her a light smile and a nod, but then now I was really fucking worrying about it.

Was this place like actually cursed?

How… how messy was Pricilla actually talking, specifically regarding one fucking insanely hot, rough around the edges baker.

And most importantly, was this some sort of shitty sign to just not try to find someone at all? Something I already knew was probably best for me personally after everything that happened, even though I didn’t really want it to be that way.

By closing, we were all beat, but we still managed to clean up and gather in the back by around 8 PM.

I sort of stood at the very back, where Pricilla’s office door was, and Mickey joined me, keeping a healthy space between us as we stood side by side, facing the employees’ only door, the hook that held aprons, then the sink area. Pricilla was on one side of the island where the large fridge was, and Eve was on the other side of it where more cabinets were.

Eve, Pricilla, Mickey, and I were all here till close, but the first person to join us that I hadn’t met yet was Arlo.

He had tanner skin, tall, definitely fucking attractive, and a few visible tattoos on his arms. I noticed his lighter eyes as well, which complemented his skin tone. He had shaved hair, though, a buzz cut which wasn’t really my type. Still, undoubtably, everyone here was unrealistically good-looking; I didn’t get it.

By his build, too, I got why he, Xavier, and Mickey all decided to work out together.

All these guys were jacked.

He walked through the back door in a basic black tee and some faded light blue jeans, set a six-pack of beer on the kitchen island, and stood beside Pricilla, arms crossed over his chest, and muttered, “Let’s get this shit over with.”

Pricilla was quick to introduce us. “Arlo, this is Ryker, our new closer. Ryker, this is Arlo, usually our weekend shift employee, but picks up weekdays here and there.”

“ Like hell he fucking does ,“ both Eve and Mickey muttered, which I knew right then was going to set the tone for this entire meeting.

Arlo shot them both cutthroat glares, but when his eyes landed on me, he gave me a firm nod. “Nice to meet you. I’m sure you’ll get a better impression of me tomorrow morning at Fight Club.”

I just nodded in return, offering the slightest smile because Jesus fuck the first impression was… something.

“Anyone get ahold of Trin?” Pricilla asked, and scoffs and snickers were quickly shared amongst Eve, Mickey, and Arlo. “Let’s… just start witho-”

“I’m here!” We all heard a young woman yell before the back door burst open, and a long blonde-haired girl stumbled through. She was in a thick hoodie and some large sweats, with a messenger bag slung across her body.

Gorgeous girl for sure with light blue eyes… but probably the most underdressed out of all of us.

“Thank god, Alright Ci,” Eve gestured for Pricilla to join her, and Pricilla walked over, then held the door to the front open while Eve walked through it.

I wasn’t sure what the hell was happening, but Pricilla did turn to Trin, still holding that door, to say, “Trin, Ryker, Ryker, Trin. She’s weekend staff. He’s the weekday closer.”

She turned to me in the back, giving me a bright smile and a warm wave. I did my best to smile and offer what might’ve been a wave, but she seemed to accept it.

But nothing else was said because I finally heard wheels rolling, before Eve rolled in one massive white board.

My eyes grew wider, still not knowing what the hell was going on, but all there was was a black-taped chart of some sort on it. 5 columns by 7 rows, but some columns were bigger than others.

Pricilla returned to stand by Arlo, but Eve walked towards the six-pack Arlo had set on the counter, reaching into the back pocket of her jeans to hand Arlo some bills, which he took and nodded at before pocketing.

“There’s beer. I’m concerned,” Trin murmured.

“Only people on time get to complain, Trin,” Eve shot back before she unloaded bottle by bottle and slid them across the metal island to each and every one of us, me included.

And suddenly, I was with Trin.

Concerned… but also pretty fucking confused.

••

18. Miracle Whipped

I grabbed the beer for Ryker and me, used my lid to crack open his first, and passed it to him, then used my teeth to crack open mine. I stuck mine out to cheers with him, which he hesitantly did, but the look of straight confusion on his adorable face damn near had me busting out laughing.

He was in for something, that was for damn sure.

“Now,” Eve started, only pausing to use her teeth to crack her beer open, while Arlo got his, Trin’s, and CiCi’s open with an opener on his keys, “y’all know what the deal is, but Ryker is new, so let’s all shut up and listen.”

I glanced over at Ryker, who met my gaze, and I watched as he shifted a little closer to me, making me smile. He was definitely getting more comfortable with me each day, and I was loving that shit a little too much. But it could have also just been that he genuinely didn’t know what the hell was going on.

“By December 1st, temporary menus will be rolling out to customers. Each menu will feature six new items that will enter what we call our holiday test period , running from December 1st to January 20th. But before we get into specifics on that-”

“Isn’t it just free form?” Arlo cut in. “Pretty straightforward?” But Eve shot one deadly look his way, and Arlo quickly raised his hands, muttering, “continue E, my bad,” before taking a sip of his beer. Hell, we all took a sip at that one.

“Let’s talk wages,” Eve continued more pointedly this time. “Double pay for any hours worked will be from December 9th to December 23rd. Regular hours and overtime. In the past, we have been open on Christmas Eve, but that’s not the case this year. Those will both be regular paid time off holidays for all staff.”

“Shit, I’ll drink to that!” Trin grinned, taking a sip of her own beer while Arlo nodded in approval.

“Those dates don’t even fall on weekends this year for you two idiots. As in you were never in danger of working them. Dink to it when it’s your year to,” Eve deadpanned, staring at both Arlo and Trin, who both raised their hands and beer again in defeat.

It was right on Eve to take this tactic. To butter them up first because what was coming could be utter complete chaos in just a sec.

“Now originally overtime wages would then become time and a half from December 26th to January 20th, but Ci has been gracious enough to make those double pay-”

“ I fucking love you, Ci, “ Arlo whispered over to CiCi, who just smiled her warm, loving smile.

“ I second that, Ci, “ Trin added, and Ci extended her smile to her as well…

But I quickly cut in with, “Trin, you have never worked an hour of overtime in your entire life.”

Trin shot me a look, “Well, maybe I feel an incentive to start.”

And I shot back with, “You should already be feeling incentives to start on time . As in your scheduled shifts. Those incentives being none other than continued employment .”

Before I could continue, however, Eve overruled us both with, “Order! There will be order in this damn kitchen. Unless we all don’t have any Friday night plans and prefer to stay a while? Perhaps the fucking night?”

And that shut everyone up. I still stole a glance at Ryk, who was trying and failing to mask a grin by curling in his lips.

I would put good money on this not being what he thought the café staff really was when he took this job.

“That’s what I fucking thought,” Eve continued, taking a sip from her own beer as she turned and pulled off a whiteboard marker that was magnetized to the board. “Now, usually we are working with 4 rows by 6 columns because we all know the deal here… but I added a 5th row because Ryker is new and it’ll help him to see everything better. And you’ll understand the 7th column in a sec.”

Eve then raised her hand to the very first top left square and wrote the word Staff . It would be Employee if we had the space in this column, but the others needed to be larger for what they were for.

And now was finally my nickname rule’s time to shine as she went down the first column.

CiCi Eve Mic

Arlo- I heard him lightly groan at that, but when Eve’s hand abruptly froze, and she turned and asked if he’d like Arl instead. He muttered an apology and told her to continue.

Trin

Then her hand hovered again, and I called out, “Ryk.” Eve wrote in as the final spot.

Ryk

I couldn’t help but glance over at Ryker, whose eyes narrowed at me, but had another smile playing on his lips, and I shot him a grin that made him look away, his slight smile widening.

This next column was the one I knew would trip some up. Eve wrote Categories in the first top square next to Staff . And Trin immediately spoke.

“Isn’t that supposed to be Name of Specialty? “

Then Eve shot back with, “Very well, Trin, we see those college courses are paying off, but do you see how we have more columns here this year in general? Like I mentioned minutes ago? Or did you call in too many days around the holidays last year to remember any of that shit?” and Trin just huffed at her.

Arlo and CiCi were trying to mask a chuckle because all of that shit was true. And Ryker lifted a hand to his mouth, trying to at least cover his smile.

“But to explain Trin’s awfully obnoxious callout, this year, a category will be listed . And it will not be a category of choice. So no free form.”

And the immediate groans from Trin, Arlo, Ci, and even the quiet “shit” muttered from Ryker was not lost on Eve and I.

“You can’t do this to us, Eve!” Trin insisted. “We have rights!”

“E, I’m a goddamn barista. Barista . The fuck will I be doing in the kitchen if I get some shit like macarons? “Arlo added.

“Losing,” I told him quickly. “Losing badly .” Then I turned to Ryk and whispered, “Macarons are my specialty. His can’t even rise in the oven, let alone rise to this occasion.”

And the cackle Ryk had to and somewhat failed to bite back, all while shifting himself a little closer to me, just in case I whispered anything else, put the biggest grin on my fucking face, while Arlo glared complete daggers my way.

“Mickey, everyone knows them shits are hard as hell to get right,” Arlo shot in his defense.

“Bet I can show Ryker how to make them in a day, and he’d complete what you couldn’t in a month.”

“I’ll take that bet,” Arlo shot back, and Ryk snapped his head over at me, but it was Ci who came to the rescue.

“Now what the hell did I say about bets in my café?”

“We’ll take this off-site,” I said to Ci, but was looking directly at Arlo and issuing him a challenge.

“Deal. $250,” Arlo shot back equally as fast. Ryk was looking at me uneasy at best, but I leaned over, tilted my head down, and whispered right next to his ear, “You’ll use my home kitchen, it’s state of the art. And I’ll be there along the way.” Then I pulled away to catch his eye and could see just the faintest bit of heat rush his face… but he still hesitantly nodded, which made me smile, before he put some immediate distance between us again and took a sip of his beer.

I didn’t mind it, though. I’d work to earn that lack of distance back.

“Order in the goddamn kitchen,” Eve cut in, pulling all our attention up front again. During our little argument, she had managed to sneak something from the employees’ only room, which was a finished paper bag of sugar. “In this bag are 14 selections for categories on pieces of paper, and there are 6 of us. I will gladly pull 8 out and fuck all our odds further if you all can’t maintain order.”

That made every last one of us go dead silent.

“That’s what I thought,” she continued, placing the marker momentarily back on the board so she could dig into her pocket and pull out her phone, opening it up.

She searched through for a quick second, then cleared her throat.

“Categories are: pies, Swiss rolls, cakes, bars, macarons

Eve looked dead at Arlo, but he didn’t dare to say shit. My grin just widened.

“-hot chocolate, tea, cookies, sourdough, croissants, danishes, donuts, a signature coffee blend, and ice cream.”

“ Ice cream? “ Trin, Arlo, and even Ci all said in complete confusion at the same time.

“In… in NYC Winter?” Ci added.

Eve just shrugged, ready to mark her and I for certain death. “Can be used in any way. Melted or not. Get creative. And just a reminder: all our specialties must be on-brand for the winter season. I don’t want to see any pumpkin spice shit.”

This green-haired woman had this staff stressing the hell out. Even Ryk, but it was his first annual here. Everyone expected me to at least lend a hand which I would… but it was on him to pair his specialty ingredients. I could only show him bases for his selected category.

“You might just be the devil,” Trin muttered weakly to Eve.

Yeah, this was going to be a year for the books, but Eve didn’t miss a beat. “As tradition, we go down in rank with picks, but Ryk is a first hire, so he’s first draw.” Eve reached for her beer, which she had set on the counter, to take a sip before looking directly at Ryk, and started making her way over.

He muttered quietly to me in that raspy, deep voice of his, “I have never been genuinely scared of a café before today.”

And I tried to mask a laugh as I whispered back, “Whatever you get, you’ll do great. I’ve mastered everything on that list, and I’ll be helping with what I can.”

And Ryk just looked over at me with a twinkle of hope in those beautiful, doe-like, deep brown eyes, giving me a weak smile while Eve got closer, shaking the bag as she walked. He managed one last sip of beer until she was directly in front of him. I did watch him take just a slight step back because she had gotten a bit too close for his comfort.

“You got this, Ryk. Don’t worry, don’t think, just reach in and pull,” Eve said with a kind, rare as shit smile. Probably an apology smile if he pulled ice cream.

Ryk took a deep breath, reached his hand into the sugar bag, and pulled. What he pulled out was one of the most minuscule rolled up piece of paper, so I offered to hold his beer while it took him forty days and forty nights to unroll said paper.

We ended up looking down at it together before we looked over at each other.

Then I smiled wide as shit.

Eve peeked over to read it before she turned to the rest of the group and announced, “Macarons!”

The first thing we heard was Arlo exclaim, “Thank fuck! “

But my head snapped over at him, and I quickly said, “Bets are on, and I want to double the wage.”

“Are you actually insane? No fucking way in hell!” Arlo snapped back.

“Double it, Arlo. I did you a solid with the last parlay. You said you owe me, so double it.” And if looks could kill, I swear to god… but he slowly nodded, agreeing in defeat.

“Mickey…” Ryk started to mutter to me, but I shook my head his way.

“You trust me, right?” I asked him quietly. He slowly nodded. “Then trust that I’m one damn good baker. Trust my teaching skills with this. Just like you trust my teaching skills with your school work. Just like you’ve been trusting me in this kitchen. I’ll be with you for the whole process.” I watched as he slowly nodded, a bit more confidently. “Good. Now put that choice in your pocket so I can hand you your cold ass beer back. My hand’s freezing.” And he did, before reaching out with the slightest smile for the bottle.

Eve was already in front of CiCi, shaking that bag before Ci reached inside and pulled hers. It took her a fucking minute to unravel this thing, muttering, “There’s no way this many folds and rolls were necessary, E.”

But Eve just replied with a grin, “adds to the suspense.”

She was definitely going to be getting us shot sometime very soon if she kept this shit up.

But once CiCi saw hers, she breathed a sigh of relief and announced, “Danishes!” Trin immediately groaned cause those were also her specialty.

Next was Eve on the list, who didn’t wait a single second, shoving her hand in and pulling another meticulously folded and rolled piece of paper. She set the sugar bag behind her on the kitchen island for a moment to unfold the paper. And when she saw it, she immediately groaned.

“ Oh fuck me to hell and back , I got fucking ice cream.“

And that was when everyone burst out fucking laughing, even Eve. Hell, even Ryker, which made my eyes glance to my side to catch a bit more of.

“That’s what you get, Eve, I swear to god,” Arlo shook his head, but Eve just grinned. Sinisterly grinned at the man.

“You think I’d add it if I didn’t have something for it?” And that faltered Arlo’s smile a great deal. Eve was too psychotic not to have something for everything on that list, but most importantly, Arlo sparked her competitive nature in nanoseconds.

She put that one in her pocket with pride, snatched that sugar bag off the counter, and made her way towards me now. I expected Ryker to shy away from me because she got close, but I think his curiosity beat out his fear.

“Let’s go, our hotshot baker. What’s it gonna be?“Eve asked, holding the bag out.

And I reached my hand in confidently before pulling out my selection, and taking the same irritating amount of time to fully unroll it. Ryk curiously shifted even a bit closer to read it with me before I announce to everyone, “cakes!”

Trin, Eve, Arlo, and CiCi all fucking groaned.

“Freaking cake? “ Ci asked me. “What the hell are you covered by? The blood of Jesus or something? Someone must be making sacrificial offerings on your behalf.”

I was grinning like a madman before telling Ci, “I recently just planned a trip out to the Buddhist temple with a certain someone. Looks like we’ve both got some good fortune going.”

I only stole a quick glance at Ryk while everyone rolled their eyes, but he was looking down at his beer, trying to mask his massive grin. And I swear to god I was doing literally everything in my power to act fucking normal, but the shit that made me feel was intense and massive.

Luckily, it was the man of the hour’s turn. Our sweet Arlo.

“Alright, Arlo,” Eve said, making her way to him. “Let’s see what your luck brings you.”

Arlo reached into that bag, weary as shit, pulled out his and started to unroll it. As soon as he saw what he got, his face dropped to hell, and his heart must’ve sank to his ass. Eve peeked immediately, and the way that she full-on cackled had me all too giddy. Just adding to the sweet fucking high Ryker had me feeling.

“I bestow upon thee… glorious fucking sourdough! “ Eve proclaimed. I curled over from laughter. CiCi had to turn to the fridge to hide how hard she was dying. Eve looked like she was on cloud fucking nine, and Trin just took the deepest sigh of relief that it was no longer an option for her turn.

Arlo was so fucked.

“And don’t forget, Arl, baby,” I cooed, “it can’t be like anything Eve and I have ever put on the menu before. Not even our jalapeno cheddar, our rosemary, my blueberry lemon, the tomato basil, none of that. Your own creation. Now I believe in you-”

“Mickey, go straight to hell. I swear I’m going to fucking kill you one of these days,” Arlo shot back.

“You’ll get your chance in a ring tomorrow,” I reminded him with a wink.

Eve was still slapping the kitchen island, with just silent laughs, tears in her eyes, but she had to pull it together because Trin was last. “Okay, Trin, honestly, I think you’ll be fine with anything left,” Eve assured her between dying laughter. And that was so true. That little girl was in the clear.

Trim pulled with confidence, rolling out her little paper, and as soon as she read it, she grinned, “cookies!!”

We all just laughed even harder cause Trin was great at cookies, and Arlo could’ve faired with that option.

But sourdough? Arlo was so fucking fucked .

I was counting down the fucking days as we speak. Ryker was directly at my side now, and it took close to nothing for him to turn his head and lean up to whisper to me, “I’m seriously trusting the fuck outta you and our luck right now. I don’t know how you fucking do it.”

I looked over and down at him, realizing now that this may have been the closest our faces had ever been to each other, even though there was still a healthy distance, and whispered, “I can’t wait to show you more about the accumulation of merit and good karma next weekend.”

He still shied his face away, lowering himself, but gave me a large grin that honestly made me wish we weren’t in a room full of fucking staff. But even that briefest of moments felt like just ours, including this one.

But we weren’t quite done yet. And good god, Eve and I were trying to get us all out of here by 9:30 PM at the latest.

“Alright, focus, focus everyone!” She insisted, calling us back to the whiteboard. “So as monumentous as that entire pull was, I was able to update the board with everyone’s category selection without asking what any of you picked again. Now, Trin, you were on the right page; the third column is Name of Specialty. This column is bigger because I know some of you love to do the most and can’t write small.”

We all turned our heads to CiCi, who just chuckled shyly. “I swear, I’m working on it!”

Eve just looked at her and said, “Uh-huh, so next after that is the column for ingredients. If its ingredients are in-house, I don’t care to know it. I take detailed stock weekly and can order according to what your recipe says it needs, so please don’t waste whiteboard ink on writing fucking flour , or some shit like baking soda .”

That earned an honest like chuckle out of Ryk, but I just whispered to him, “You’d be surprised. And you better not be the fucking offender.”

He surprised the complete shit out of me when I felt his shoulder bump my bicep playfully, but he looked away with one shameful masked grin. Odds are, he might write some shit like water .

Eve continued, “Things like fucking rose petals, specific edible whatever, like crystals and shit, that stuff goes here, so I know what needs to be stocked, alright? And nothing too stupid. I’m not searching high and low.”

“Speaking on that,” I chimed in, and Eve nodded to continue. “Remember, whatever revenue is made by the best-selling specialty item between December 1st and January 20th goes straight to your next paycheck after January 20th, minus any stock ingredients and special ingredients that were ordered for the duration of your specialty item. So you’re in charge of pricing your creation, and you’re in charge of running a cost assessment against it. The goal is to sell the most for the cheapest. Also, make sure your recipe and instructions are replicable , or you’re financially fucked for revenue on the days you aren’t here to make it, and another baker can’t.”

“Thank you, Mickey,” Eve nodded graciously. “Everyone got that?”

I quickly turned to Ryk while the staff agreed and leaned down to whisper. “I’m a specialist at both items we got. I’ll explain the math to you later on pricing.”

Ryk turned to look up and gave me a solid nod with a slight smile cause he knew that I knew that he probably got about half of that at best.

“Alright, moving on to the final column,” Eve continued. “This column is going to be the most fucking important, and it will be updated daily. The clock starts now and runs until Nov 27th to finalize your recipe. So about two weeks from today. Every working day here, you will be allowed 30 minutes to an hour to work on this recipe, depending on the demand in the café. This space is for you to request when in the day you want that time, so we’ve got the front covered.”

“And remember,” I added, waiting for Eve to give me a nod, “you can always come in before open or stay after close if you’re working that day, but only an hour is allowed, and that’s paid regular wages. So this means that because prep time is at 6 AM to open at 7 AM every weekday, if you open, you can come in at 5 AM to work on this, but you must respect the prep time. Closing is at 7 PM but close down goes till 8 PM, you can use the time from 8 PM to 9 PM, still paid hourly wages.”

“ Exactly , thanks, Mic.“

I quickly turned to Ryk and whispered, “You’re not doing any of that shit. School at night, this project with me on weekends. Got it?”

Ryk turned, looking up slightly at me to nod. Us standing this close for this long made me realize I did have quite a few more inches on him than I thought.

“Now if you’ve got any questions on that, come find either me or Mickey,” Eve included. “We’ve added more flexibility this time because we do understand that most of us have a category that we aren’t familiar with. If you want to come in on a day you aren’t scheduled just to work on this, you must text me. I gotta make sure we got space for you back here and shit. And that wouldn’t be paid. That time’s on your dime.”

I took a quick check of the time up at the clock on the right wall, and Eve did the same.

Shit, it was pushing 9:45 PM, and I still had to get Ryk home.

“Alright,” I cut with another nod from Eve. “Last thing, get those special ingredients up there stat. We’re flexible with ordering small batches on the house, but don’t get crazy during testing. We all know our way around food and drink, and if not, do some goddamn research. Also, we gotta do Secret Santa like right the fuck now so we can all get the hell outta here.”

“Oh shit, yeah,” Arlo murmured, checking the clock on his wrist. “I got a-”

“Wife and children at home, Arlo, we know ,” Trin butted in, making us all chuckle while Eve ran to the employees’ only room to grab a different sugar bag this time.

“Alright, usually we draw sticks, but I want real anonymity here, so this year, choose a piece of paper and put it in your pocket. Don’t check till you get home,” Eve instructed. “Simple shit.”

She went first and walked around, having everyone else select and pocket it.

“Remember, we’ll be exchanging gifts 1-2 weeks before Christmas, depending on holiday schedules, so we could give you guys a bit more time. I’ll have y’all text me what your budget is, and I’ll just send out a text to everyone on the finalized amount, it won’t be anything crazy, don’t worry,” Eve explained.

Ryk pulled his, taking a small step back when Eve accidentally got too close again, then I was last to go and did the same, pocketing mine.

“Alright y’all, have a great Friday night! Arlo, can’t wait to try that sourdough!” Eve called to Arlo, who was about to walk out the door, turning to flip Eve off, but the door opened, and Arlo came face to face with Eve’s escort home.

Safe to say his finger dropped so fast as he stepped to the side to let Xavier in. I guided Ryker around the other side of the kitchen island so Ci could get to her purse in her office and head out. Arlo and Trin bolted out, Trin’s Lyft already out front, and Arlo just trying to avoid Xavier.

They were cool, but Xavier seriously didn’t play bout Eve. At all.

“Sup, X,” I smiled. “I got an early morning, so I’m headed home tonight. We’ll connect later.” He gave me a quick nod and a smile, not saying anything more about it, which was the correct call.

“E, babe, you ready to-”

E came busting through the employees’ only door, changed, and with her crossbody. “Absolutely, let’s get the hell outta here, Princess needs her medicine.” X quickly nodded, holding the back door open for her and giving me a quick nod on his way out.

Ci wasn’t long behind them, also in a hurry.

“Now where the hell are you off to so quick?” I asked her before she could dart out the door to her car in the well-lit alley.

“I am a grown adult, Mic. I don’t need to explain myself,” she replied, but I just chuckled.

“Tell Jade I say hiii,” I coed, “and sorry for keeping you late.”

Ci’s face instantly flushed before she flipped me off, muttered a “ will do ,“ and hurried out. I was already taking off my apron while Ryk headed back to grab his stuff. Then I headed back there with him.

“My bad on keeping you here, too,” I told him while I booked it for my leather jacket and my helmets. I put on the jacket and gloves first so I could give him some time to pull his hoodie on, and put on his backpack, then I passed a helmet off and pulled out my keys from my jeans.

“It’s fine,” he assured me, completely unfazed. I made sure to hold the employees only and the back door for him, dimmed the kitchen lights, then locked up and checked the lock. We both walked to my bike together, with me getting on first while he put his helmet on.

I turned on the bike but kept it on the kickstand so he could get on more easily, then his arms wrapped around my waist, tight and instinctive, the way I showed him, with his hands slipping past my jacket to my shirt since it was chilly out again. I couldn’t help but smile at that when I put my own helmet on and paired us.

“Hear me alright?” I asked through the helmet.

He nodded against my back with his on before saying, “Yeah.”

“Good. Well,” I continued, but flipped that stand back and pushed off to get us out the alley, “what do you think of the full staff?”

“That was the most insane staff meeting I’ve ever fucking been to,” he chuckled, making me laugh. He held on tighter as I turned onto the main street.

“Any highlights?” I asked.

“What you said. About us- I mean like the temple.” That part made that feeling return. That massive grin on his face when he looked down at his beer. “Oh, and Arlo getting fucking sourdough. Shit was hilarious.” And that part got a smooth laugh out of me. “Why’d you… Why’d you have Arlo double the bet? For the macarons?”

“Because,” I replied easily, “you got macarons as your category. I know you’ll want to do your absolute best now, so I’m willing to double it. Plus, Arlo can’t bake for shit, you’re fine. I’m also hoping the name that’s in your pocket is mine, and that extra money would be good for you with your gift to me.”

That got a good low chuckle out of Ryk, who pushed himself a bit closer to me, making my hands tighten around the handles at his even closer proximity and heat.

“And if I get Arlo?” He asked.

“Buy him a damn cookbook on baking. Cheapest one you can find,” I replied, hearing Ryk laugh and feeling him more flush against me now as we rode out.

••

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19. Loaf Is In The Air

Jade had sent an unexpected text to me on Friday evening, which was absolutely what changed the entire trajectory of my Friday night.

Her text had come through right after closing, when Ryker and I were still working on cleaning up the kitchen. I felt my phone buzz in my apron, where I unfortunately had to keep it these days, even though I told my staff that I preferred back pockets if possible during work.

Unfortunate reality was that I had gotten too used to ignoring that thing when it was in my back pocket, and because I was now in the midst of a messy ass divorce, I needed to know whenever it buzzed with any kind of alert.

I had to dry my hands quick since I was finishing the last of the dishes, to check and make sure it wasn’t another fire I had to put out with that damn French man, but I almost dropped the thing into the freaking sink when I read the text, and saw who it was from:

Hi Pris, It’s Jade. I hope you don’t mind I went through some unorthodox ways to get this number, but I wanted to see if you were potentially free tonight? Stop by my shop if you’re available, I’d love to show you the place. I’ll send the address in a second.

After my little freak out over the sink, I told Ryker that I’d be back in a second and dismissed myself to my office to text her back.

Hi! No problem at all! I have a meeting with my staff tonight that should be done by 9. 9:30 at the latest. Will you still be around after then?

And I admittedly paced around my office with that phone in my hand, telling myself I’d head back out into the kitchen if I didn’t get a response in like five minutes.

A text came through about four minutes later, thank god , because that anxiety of waiting would’ve been the death of me.

Of course, I’ll be here. Sending the address now.

But I wasn’t able to get any further because Eve and Mickey had come out from the front, saying we should get this meeting started ASAP cause they all had shit to do. And, well, after a text like this one, I was ready to get it started because I guess I now had plans myself.

The only issue was that this meeting ran until almost 10 PM because Eve had decided we were doing things a little differently this time.

Very fucking differently, actually.

But unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I trusted that stoic, tall woman. She now knew this café as well as I did, having started here forever ago before any of my other staff, and if she decided we needed to shake things up this year, then she was probably right.

Hell, I was just happy I got danishes as my category, because while I had actual faith Eve was going to bring the heat with ice cream as hers… Arlo was so screwed with getting sourdough.

Even Ryker pulling macarons might have seemed like a challenge, but Mickey would be at his side showing him the basics, and that alone was the best person in house to.

Of course, Mickey getting cake was just complete bullshit.

But when he mentioned that he was planning to visit the Buddhist temple again… I actually kinda believed that whatever forces were at play for him and Ryker’s picks might’ve been attached to that. I know I probably made Ryker believe that I wasn’t superstitious because I didn’t believe in curses or anything, but Mickey making that choice…

It didn’t fall on deaf ears for me.

It was actually something I made a note right then and there to ask him about when he and I were alone next.

And then he mentioned taking someone, and that wasn’t lost on me either. That meant more than he was letting on to the staff, which was why I played along, not wanting to confront him about it then.

Now that kid’s little cheeky comment about where I was rushing off to was completely unwarranted, but as soon as he said to tell Jade he said hi, I knew exactly who leaked this number. And I still said I would, even if I flicked him off, because I was grateful that meddling fucker passed it along in the first place.

Once I got into my car, I managed to text Jade to let her know I was so sorry I was running late, but was on the way. She replied instantly, saying it was no problem at all, which helped me breathe a little because I had rushed to get out of the café like my life depended on it.

Then I pulled out of the alley right after Arlo, heading down using the GPS to a side of town I wasn’t really familiar with these days, but I knew Mickey was. And if he felt like I shouldn’t have gone, he would’ve said something.

That was just who he was. Always careful. Always protective of me.

This side looked like it was actually under development for some new small businesses starting up, with construction underway in a few strip malls, and lots of ‘coming soon’ signs on the storefronts.

I was able to find the shop easily, but that’s probably because the name of it was written above the entrance in a neon sign with beautiful cursive font:

Carolina Reaper Tattoos

I actually slowed my car to find some street parking on the same street since it was after 10 PM now and the meters wouldn’t need to be paid, or slotted for minimal time. That all started back up again on Monday.

The fact that there was lighting inside was a good sign, but the front glass was pretty tinted, so you couldn’t really see inside. That was probably best for privacy and stuff, but I was just spitballing here.

This was literally going to be my very first time inside a tattoo shop.

Mickey didn’t let me go with him when he got his work done because he said this area wasn’t so great back then, so a lot must’ve been done to it since, and done to, of course, the shop itself if Jade was taking over her brother’s business and completing renovations.

I parked my car, but took a few minutes to look through the visor mirror and rear mirror to make sure I didn’t entirely look like I pulled an open-to-close shift starting at 6 AM and ending now, close to 10 PM. This lifestyle didn’t bother me because it was my bread and butter, pun intended, and working directly with my staff was what my mother did when she owned the place…

But I was starting to realize that maybe dialing it back a bit would be okay. I know things would be easier once Ryker was fully trained in to close with Eve, then I could have the usual mornings with Mickey, but it was hard to admit that this divorce was stretching me a bit thin.

Then again, it was my choices that led me here.

Don would say that it takes work to take accountability, which is why most people try to find any other excuse under the sun.

And that was genuinely what got me up these days.

Well, that and hearing that man’s literal scroll length of responsibilities made my head hurt. He was right, though. Right now, I really did just have to divorce a French man. It was sort of the only major thing on my list. Ryk was doing great, and I saw that first hand these last two days, which meant that Mickey was doing pretty much everything under the sun he could to help, do his own work, and still settle into this city. And Eve was simply my rock at the café.

She completely ran inventory, while Mickey knew how to handle revenue.

So while today was long… I settled on still being absolutely grateful.

I also made sure I had a fresh coat of barely there lipstick, a shade almost identical to my lip color but a bit pinker, fluffed out my hair that had been in a bun for work all day, so the layers flowed more tonight, and got out of my car.

There wasn’t a single part of me who knew what this thing was between Jade and I… but for some reason, I was so unmistakably drawn to her. And for just how beautiful she was, even though I felt like I fell way short of that, it didn’t hurt to put in a little effort.

Since I wasn’t expecting to see her, I was just in my faded blue, slightly baggy mum jeans, a low V-cut white t-shirt, and a thick grey knitted cardigan, just hoping this would be enough cause it was literally all I had on me.

I hopped onto the sidewalk in my Chuck Taylors, holding this cardigan tight against my body to combat the chilly wind tonight, before nearing the front door.

I wasn’t sure if I should give her a call or knock on the door, but I saw someone moving in the shop until those light eyes met mine through the glass door, and she pushed it open for me. I grabbed the metal handle so I could pull it the rest of the way, and let myself in, but the first thing out of my mouth was just an accurate representation of my wreck of nerves.

“I am so so sorry I’m late!” I rushed out to her, damn near frantic, right when all she said was:

“Hey. Find the place alright?”

And immediately, I was reminded of just how different she was from me. I immediately told myself to calm down- calm these nerves while entering her shop, but Jade just chuckled warmly.

“Don’t worry about it. Seriously. It was a pretty last-minute text. And with these renovations, time has been hard to gauge, so I’m here pretty late anyway.”

I let her lead me through what looked almost like a receptionist area. The wall I first saw was a dark grey cement, with another one of her Carolina Reaper Tattoos white neon signs, then up against the full windows that seemed to only be tinted on the outside, were three really nice leather chairs with armrests to the left and to the right of the entrance door.

“Oh wow, holy shit,” I looked around, Jade slowing to a stop so I could take it all in.

“I know, it’s still a bit industrial and pretty empty, but it’s got the framework down. The plan is to add the desk for appointments right here on this wall under my sign. I already have all my framed art from my last place being shipped in, which will make all this concrete space around the sign busier. Then the actual entrance after an appointment is around this opening.”

Jade took the lead as she led me through this dim space. Even in the minimal lighting, I could see that she was wearing something more casual herself. No leather trenchcoat, obviously, but instead a plain long-sleeve low-v-cut black shirt that hugged her slender frame, and some black distressed jeans, which showed beautiful curves the trenchcoat had hidden, paired well with some platform boots.

She was taller than I was, I think, even without the boots and heels, but she definitely was with them on.

Although most people would argue everyone and their mother was taller than me.

Jade led us down another short, narrow hall of concrete walls, which opened up to a space that absolutely floored me.

Here, the lighting was much better. There were yellow bulb industrial string lights strung across the entire ceiling, similar to the ones in my shop. And they illuminated what looked like 5 full tattoo stations. Three on the left wall, and two on the right, then a desk and a full fridge. I noticed there were boxes for TVs that hadn’t been opened, but mounts were installed on the wall right at the back of the shop, and mounts on the left and right walls.

All the walls were a cement color, but something told me that would just be a backdrop for more art.

And the floors of this entire place were deep brown hardwood, just matching that darker aesthetic naturally.

“I love these,” I found myself more or less blurting as I pointed to the black industrial ceiling with the warm lights.

“I’d hope so,” Jade replied, turning to face me fully from a little further into the space.

Her standing under this light just made those ash-brown eyes look more ethereal, as warm notes from the bulbs reflected in them.

“They’re inspired by your café.”

That made my eyes grow wide. Both because I genuinely didn’t think anything from my café could inspire a tattoo shop. Mainly because my cafe was very… bright . Light pink walls. White circular tables and chairs…

But also because Jade hadn’t visited all that long ago. Like it had literally, to the day, been one week.

I then felt a bit bad worrying about her not swinging by earlier because if she could get and install these that quickly, this week must’ve genuinely been busy for her too. Then I remembered the time she came into my shop one week ago. The time she was still here at today… and I almost slapped myself in the face because odds are her and I might’ve been putting in the same hours each day.

The fact that she found the time to visit Wilmoria’s at all should’ve been a damn miracle.

“Usually I don’t care for warm white, but since all the artists will be using white fluorescent adjustable lamps attached to their station when tattooing, so they can see the clearest, I thought the warmth above would be easier on the customer’s eyes, like your café was on mine whenever I looked up at you from the seat I took near the window.”

I felt immediate heat rushing to my face because I wasn’t expecting any of that. “I-” I started, searching for better words than the rubbish that would fall if I let it. “Thank you. Like that’s just- I’m honored you even- and this … I-… how long could this- sorry- did this take? I just… you visited a week ago.”

Great work, Pricilla.

Stellar .

You’re best yet, girl.

But Jade just lightly laughed, her voice sounding like velvet as she gestured for me to follow her to the middle two of the six leather seats with armrests right under the mounts for the TVs on the back wall, just straight down the center of the shop.

I sat down with her so we could comfortably chat, but this was definitely the best view of everything. All the cabinet storage and counter space that ran along the entire left and right side, where each station was. The full recliner black leather chairs for each client to sit in, and the circular rolling chairs that I assumed were for the artists so they could move about easily.

Some even came with these extender things that I assume the artist could use to rest their arm on.

“They finished installing the lights today. That’s why I wanted you to come see for yourself, maybe give me your first thoughts? I really appreciated the ambience you created in your café.”

“It’s… absolutely stunning!” I more or less blurted out with a smile, seriously looking around. Then I really took in what she said, and added, “and I’m honored that you invited me over. Hell, that my café gave you any inspiration at all.”

I was trying to look around the place to avoid her gaze, because words were just now coming to me again, but I could feel that intense, yet hauntingly beautiful gaze on me, watching me take it all in.

“I also wanted to apologize. In person,” she added, and though her words were sudden, her voice still felt like smooth velvet, like rich wine, forcing me to turn my head to my left, where she sat right next to me with her long legs crossed. Much like she had at the café.

“What for?” I asked her… before my lovestruck brain computed what she might’ve been saying.

“My visit to Wilmoria’s on Wednesday. I hope you didn’t… I hope you didn’t get the wrong impression of me, or my intentions.”

“Oh, nonononono!” I rushed out quickly, waving both my hands at her. Watching genuine worry wash across her sharp features had definitely sent me into a rush of panic. “Listen, Jade, I really enjoyed your first visit. And it came with no expectations. I literally just babbled a bit embarrassingly to you about my love life, and if anyone should be apologizing, it should’ve been me. Eve had mentioned a friend was coming into town, and I didn’t put two and two together and-”

“I don’t accept your apology,” she said simply, her smooth tone shutting my babbling the hell up. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for. I loved hearing you speak about all of it, which, of course, for your privacy, I didn’t tell Eve about. My guess is you don’t quite do that with many guests?”

“Sit for a few hours and talk about my messy divorces while sharing coffee and lemon custard puffs?” I offered her, chuckling to myself. “Eve and Mickey would plan my funeral first thing tomorrow morning if they knew.”

That got one honest, beautiful laugh out of her, pulling those deep smile lines, and those soft dimples so effortlessly on her porcelain skin, as her smile alone made my face more flushed. Her beauty felt so timeless.

“So thank you for not mentioning it,” I added quickly.

“I like that you hadn’t either. In any capacity. I’m hopeful it meant something more than just a casual chat with a customer,” she replied, making my eyes cast a bit lower at the armrest because I wasn’t sure where to look that wasn’t those eyes and that smile.

“I haven’t made anything off the menu for a customer in years. And I wouldn’t call that customer really a customer, but someone close enough to be my brother… if that helps?” I offered.

“It does,” she replied, making my smile widen as I glanced up at her again. The only other person who could ever get me in that kitchen to do some shit like that was Don. And that’s only because that man has a vendetta against anything sweet and usually requests some savory pastry, adding his own specifications to a literal T. Like right down to the grams of sugar in the freaking dough.

Some days I just offer for him to go back there his damn self.

“I… I also wanted to apologize for not letting you know exactly what brought me back,” she added. “I should’ve been honest about my brother, but I was a bit self-conscious about how you would react.”

“Don’t apologize,” I told her sincerely. “I promise you, I’m close with a variety of folks who should have probably served some time themselves, and some who have. And I won’t even get into my godson Mickey.” That last part, I definitely muttered. “Regardless, I would never have judged you for that.”

I watched that smile of hers widen. “I understand that now. You and I hadn’t really made a few realizations on both our ends. At that time, I didn’t know who Mickey was to you. Actually, as far as I knew, he was just a client of Dino’s who was helping out. It was actually Mickey who mentioned you once he found out I was in town because of Dino, and knew who Eve was, connecting what looks like all the dots.”

“Sounds like that kid,” I mumbled, earning me a soft chuckle. “Things are going well with that, I take it? Mickey didn’t find out about the case until early October, I believe. He’s been seeing Dino for years, but the kid just got back from Boston. Finished college and wanted to eventually book another appointment for his back tattoo.”

Jade nodded. “He explained that as well, to both Dino and me. And you have my word: Dino will pay that money back. He should be home soon, which means I’ll be putting him right to work. That wasn’t Mickey’s bill to front.”

I more or less shrugged, making Jade’s dark eyebrows furrow a bit. “I know I probably sound like literally the worst godmother in the world… but that kid does what he wants. If he didn’t want to pay it, he wouldn’t. And all I can say while protecting his privacy is that Mickey is really good at either getting people out of jail or keeping them out. I’m sure he’s already spoken with Dino about a payment plan of some sort. He’s meticulous like that.”

Jade took a bit of a moment to process that one, which I honestly fully let her. I was just hoping this gave her some insight into how little of a shit I gave about her not telling me the real reason she was back.

“You… interest the complete hell out of me,” she settled on, making my eyebrows raise because I wasn’t expecting that one.

“Pardon?” I asked, showing my age.

“You just… I’m not sure I have the words for it. And that’s a first for me, I usually have the words for everything,” she explained, and yet the way she was looking at me now with those eyes made me shift my gaze right down to my lap, where my hands and purse were resting.

“Well, I rarely have the words- the right ones, anyway- for anything , so it feels a little better that I’m not alone,” I said wayyyy too fucking honestly, probably making my point.

Jade chuckled, a slight rasp in her tone forcing my already accelerated heart to simply speed up.

“I know that… that kiss Eve and I shared may have-”

My eyes snapped up to her immediately, already too ready to hit that frantic tone of mine when I cut in with, “No, no, don’t worry about it! Really, it’s okay!”

“It wasn’t,” she countered, making me dial my frantic mess down about 8000 notches to hear her out. “When I set my intentions, those are clear. I don’t like anything muddying the waters. But Eve and I have only talked on the phone; we haven’t seen each other in person in years because I’ve been traveling. But I’m back now, and those waters won’t be muddied again.”

I-

I just nodded… because I was going to say complete nonsense now if I said anything while my heart was beating like this. Jade was incredibly fucking direct and it… I liked it.

I really fucking liked it.

And I still didn’t know how to tell this woman that the only person still affected by that kiss was one hundred percent Xavier.

“The only person I have an interest in kissing at this moment and all foreseeable moments is you. Eve understands that, and I hope you do as well. The only person I have any interest in getting to know is you. But if you aren’t comfortable with that, or if I’m pushing any boundaries, I’ll back off right now, no hurt feelings.”

I just stared at her, fully speechless.

I mean, obviously, I didn’t want her to back off. I didn’t stop by here after fourteen hours at my café because I wanted her to even remotely back off.

I just-

“I’ve… I mean I’ve… but I’ve never actually like…”

Jade nodded. “I get it. How about for now, let’s see if we still like each other’s company after an event I’m going to. It’s an art gallery. Would you be my plus one next Saturday?”

And perhaps I wasn’t really going through the crisis I thought I was with seeing a woman, because I almost immediately nodded yes before asking, “What time?” Making her instantly grin.

••

20. Brownie Points

Mickey was…

I didn’t even know anymore, I swear to god. I still couldn’t believe I was nervous about a whole staff meeting, not knowing what everyone would think of me while I was still sort of adjusting.

Buy him a damn cookbook on baking. Cheapest one you can find…

Mickey was fucking hilarious, and in the most raw, no fucks given, unexpected ways.

Hell, tonight had been so unexpectedly hilarious, I wasn’t even sure I could summarize how I felt about it all. But this baker still had me give him some highlights on our ride to my home.

And the one that beat it all was, “ I can’t wait to show you more about the accumulation of merit and good karma next weekend. “

I thought I had some sort of double penalty- some horrible fucking luck for picking macarons after Mickey had oh so graciously made a bet on my skills to make deserts I had never even fucking eaten before.

Then he doubled the wage with Arlo and I thought he might actually just be a genuine nutcase…

Until this damn baker asked me if I trusted him. And I realized something I already knew.

That I fucking did.

Like in every aspect. Even this one.

So when he pulled the category cake, and I saw the expression from everyone in that room… how CiCi questioned how the hell his luck was set up, and he mentioned the trip he was taking to the temple with a certain someone…

As fucking cheesy and maybe as insane as it sounded, that had to be when I realized that Mickey might really be super fucking in tune with the things he had only briefly mentioned about merit and good karma.

And what was even more insane was that whatever happened tonight between him and I, me feeling the most comfortable I think I have ever felt with anyone, even before what happened on Halloween night… it made me feel like maybe just maybe this could be an outlier for me to the Broken Hearts Café curse.

At this point, I was running with it as a curse.

But the thought of being with Mickey didn’t make me feel like it could be cursed. It made me feel like I was breaking actual destructive patterns- not the physical kinds like the drugs, sex, partying, my dad, and shit like that…

But like the ones that affected my mind, my thinking, the state of my genuine wellness and wellbeing.

And I don’t think there’s a person alive who could tell me how not the fuck to fall for someone like that… who made me feel the healthiest I had maybe ever felt. Who forced me not to run from shit because he was holding me back by my shirt collar.

“So we’re almost at The Brookside. Tell me again what you will be doing as soon as you reach your apartment unit?” Mickey asked through the helmet while he adjusted his leather jacket a bit. I pulled my hands back a little so it would be easier, but he finished what he was doing, placed them back immediately after, then returned his hand to his handle.

That shit made me smile so damn fast, but I was trying to bite it back, even if he couldn’t see it.

This shit just felt too good, and my hands were perfectly warm against his shirt and firm body. Very fucking firm body. Holding him like this made me feel the contracting muscles all over his midsection, but I kept my hands in one place even though I seriously wanted to touch more. That would be a thousand percent overstepping if I did.

We were also on a track bike, and I didn’t want to make any movement that could throw off Mickey’s riding.

“Shower then sleep,” I replied.

“Exactly. No deviation. While you’re at it, set about ten alarms for yourself.” Mickey added. Joke was on him because I was planning to set one every minute from 6:00 AM to 6:20 AM.

“If I’m up this early… can I just shower there?” I asked. I was trying to sleep until the literal last possible moment if I could.

“Yeah,” Mickey nodded in front of me. “I’d bring something comfortable if you want to sleep there, but something safe to ride in, so maybe sweatpants and a sweatshirt. If you want to work out, make sure you pack some gym shorts and a shirt, or wear them under the sweats and hoodie. The main gym can get pretty hot outside of the meditation pods and yoga room.”

I nodded against Mickey’s back. Shit , he felt so goddamn warm with this rigid cold. I might have to start layering up if we were still riding anywhere this late at night.

“I will,” I assured him. Then I asked a question I wasn’t really thinking through. “Is there a pool?”

“Ryk, this is a boxing gym, not a rec center,” Mickey answered, making me feel like a massive idiot because there was literally no reason for it to have one, and I knew that already. Meditation pod and yoga made sense, but a pool would be ridiculous. “Why?” He continued. “You like swimming?”

Honestly, just floating sounded pretty nice right now. My body wasn’t really ready for much more than that, and definitely not weights or anything, but feeling weightless for even 5 minutes would’ve been some massive release on my joints.

Bruising on my stomach still had me somewhat concerned, and I was pretty damn sure Don would kill me himself if I did too much and fucked up the work he did when the bruising was probably hospital-worthy a few weeks ago.

“Floating, I meant. Swimming, sure, but not with- not… not now. Not yet,” I clarified. Don had said something about how adding a pool at The Aplines was already a bitch, so The Brookside won’t be getting one until he mentally recovered from that bullshit. Could be ten years. Could be twenty. Could be after the good lord takes him.

His words, not mine.

“Well,” Mickey replied, “since you’ll be using my kitchen to make your specialty item, you’re welcome to float in my apartment’s pool whenever.”

My eyebrows raised at that. “Your place has a pool?”

“Yeah,” Mickey replied. “It’s indoor, but top level, so the ceiling is all glass. Haven’t checked it out yet, but the landlord went on and on about it to sell me the place at that bullshit price.”

“And you’re still running with being just a baker who saves well?” I blurted, unable to help it. Between that, the bike, and now the industrial kitchen, I wasn’t buying it at all.

Thankfully, Micky just chuckled. “I also did some tutoring in college, remember?”

Now he was just insulting me with that bullshit.

“Speaking of your specialty item, we only have two full weekends before the recipe is due. This and next weekend. We’ll talk tomorrow about how we want to divvy your time, because you can work on it at the café, but I also still have to train you on a bunch of other things and the front, including the cashier. I’d rather we just make time on the weekend for it.”

“But next weekend, we’re… we’re still-”

“Buddhist Temple, 10 AM. It’s already locked in. We could use my kitchen after that, or on Sunday. We don’t know how long this car will take this weekend, but if there’s time left, we’ll split it between your homework and the recipe for the specialty item.”

The amount of work all this sounded like made my head fucking hurt… but I was most excited for the temple. So I was willing to do anything to make that happen.

“For tomorrow,” I started, “I’m used to working through the night. I just don’t have an outdoor night lamp, and I didn’t include it on the list. If you have one, I’ll make sure to get the car done before Sunday.”

Mickey was already starting to pull into the Brookside Apartments, but for once, I didn’t want to slow this ride down. And that was mainly because of the insane time I would be waking up tomorrow.

“See, you’re saying a whole lot of I this and I that as if I, me personally, won’t be here with you the whole weekend if needed,” Mickey snapped as he pulled through the parking lot to the front. “Unless you have such little faith in how quick to learn I am.”

Mickey then turned off his bike, and I reluctantly pulled my arms away from his waist, slowly getting off the bike. I slipped off the helmet, and Mickey flipped up his visor, but I didn’t hand the helmet back at first because I thought that, once again, I was being picked up in the morning.

But Mickey reached his hand out for it this time. “Just getting you out of your fucking home that early will be enough of a hassle. I’m not about to have you forget this, then run back up to get it and waste more of our time.”

… I couldn’t even argue with that shit so I passed it right on over and he strapped it to his bike. One less thing for my brain to remember that early was everyone’s benefit.

“I’m sure you’re quick to learn,” I finally answered his previous question. “I’m just saying I can take care of the rest so you can head home to rest.”

“Head home?” Mickey questioned, making my eyebrows furrow a bit.

“Yeah,” I replied, “like to your apartment? The one with the nice pool?”

“Ryk, if we don’t finish this together tomorrow, I’m just knocking out here so we can finish in the morning. Why the fuck would I drive all the way across town just to come back?”

My eyes grew wide as shit at that. “B-But like- but- like don’t you have your other shit to do?”

“What other shit?” Mickey countered. “What part of I cleared my whole weekend for this, or this car will be up and running by Monday morning, so help me god didn’t you get? And if you’re worried about Don, he already knows I’m here for the weekend.”

I think I just about felt my entire being going into shock. Literal fucking shock.

“B-But like- like you’ll want to like, I don’t know, like shower and stuff and like-”

“Yeah… do you not have a shower or something?”

I just stared at Mickey- well, stared at his sharp eyes visible through the raised visor.

“I-I do- but like-”

“Or is your place a mess? I mean, I’ve probably seen worse. Lived on campus for four years and all.”

I honestly couldn’t tell if Mickey could see the visible gay panic in my fucking eyes, but there was so much running through me right now.

For starters, Mickey fucking Jackson, and however tall and muscular he is, in my home, was panic in its fucking self.

Secondly, this hot as shit man didn’t know that I often times had fucking night terrors and shit. But then I thought about that part, and blurted out quickly, “It’s a one-bedroom,” thinking that would help fucking anything.

“You have a couch, right?” He countered, and the logic and reasoning behind that almost sent me straight into the afterlife.

“It’s a pretty shit couch,” I tried my best to argue.

Mickey just shrugged. Shrugged . “I’ve crashed on many couches. Floors even. I think I’ll fare.”

Yeah, but I didn’t think I’d fucking fare. Even if the night terrors wouldn’t matter because he took the couch, knowing Mickey Jackson was out there sleeping on my fucking couch meant I wouldn’t have any night terrors at all because I wouldn’t be fucking sleeping .

“But that’s just if we don’t finish tomorrow,” he continued casually. “So if you don’t want me crashing here, let’s just make sure we finish tomorrow, right? And at a reasonable time, I’m not riding home at 2 or 3 in the morning. That’s dangerous, you know.”

This…

This wasn’t…

This was not what the fuck I was thinking would happen if we didn’t get it done tomorrow.

“We’ll… We’ll finish tomorrow,” I told him seriously.

“That’s the spirit,” he replied, and I couldn’t see it, but I swear to fucking god he was grinning under that helmet. “Now you go get some rest. I’ll see you bright and early. And if you’re not up, I’ll be seeing your place a whole lot sooner.”

“Uh-huh,” I replied, still in an almost daze. “Night… Mickey.”

“Night, Ryk,” he replied, waiting for me to make it all the way inside my place before he pulled off. And while I know this was his way of making sure I didn’t fix this car at night alone because I wasn’t fucking healed yet and there was always dangers with using a lamp and not working in a well-lit shop, the straight fucking fear of having a guy like that- who looked like that- in my home, struck straight fucking determination in me to make sure as shit that we got this shit done together tomorrow.

I made it right up to my unit, set all my stuff down, then started looking around nervously.

Mickey had told me to shower and head to bed, but there wasn’t a thing that could stop me from at least picking up some clothes. That was pretty much all there was, considering I was barely here to begin with, but I started a load of laundry then hopped in the shower.

I made sure to pick up the bathroom while showering and changing in there, just speed-running a cleaning process as a whole. Then I pulled out what I was going to wear tomorrow, moved the laundry to the dryer, and went to bed with nothing but the thought that there was even a slight possibility that Mickey Jackson might be spending the night here.

Then my eyes flew open in even more panic, and I rushed to the finishing dryer cycle to hunt down the jeans that I was wearing tonight, opening up all the pockets until a small, folded, and rolled piece of paper fell out onto the wooden floors.

My heart was beating out of my fucking chest as I gently unrolled and then unfolded all nineteen thousand folds, carefully opening up the piece to see who it was I got as my Secret Santa tonight.

And in only barely bled ink was the name:

Mickey Jackson

And I have never in all my years been so fucking grateful that Eve rolled these pieces of paper up like she was trying to get a note to the USSR during the Cold War.

She was sure as fuck right about the suspense it built , I thought as I smiled down at the paper and read the name one more time. Just to be sure.

The one thing I did manage to do was set all the alarms. All 20 alarms from every minute of 6:00 AM to 6:20 AM…

My only problem was that I didn’t actually get up until that last alarm, because that last one came with a damn phone call.

“Fuck is this?” I mumbled into the phone, barely holding it to my ear with my eyes still shut.

“Ryker Parker, you’ve got ten minutes until I’m out front. Fifteen until I’m at your fucking door. And twenty until you never see another spoonful of risotto again.”

My eyes flew the fuck open at that deep as shit voice damn near penetrating my brain.

“M-Mickey-” I stammered into the line. “Shit- shitshitshitshitshit -” I just about fell out of bed trying to get up.

“Yes. And if you aren’t in that lobby waiting for me in… nine minutes now, the next call will quite literally be coming from inside your house.”

“Shit-shit- no no I’m up I’m up I’ll see you soon!” I rushed out before I had to hang up because I was already scrambling for the shorts I set out to wear under the sweatpants, then the fucking shirt I set out to wear under the goddamn hoodie.

I almost forgot my keys, and I had to double back to at the very least brush my teeth, then I was flying out that door, hair styling be damned.

I was literally just racing from the elevators into the lobby when I heard that motorcycle pull up right to the front, and Mickey was on it. But this time, he didn’t get off it. Actually, this time, he literally looked like the devil himself pulling up in the Ghost Rider with the all-black helmet, black hoodie, black sweatpants, and black tennis shoes. And it was still pitch dark out.

He just turned, stared at me as I flew out of each door, then unstrapped that helmet from his bike.

My only saving grace was the fact that I remembered to set clothes out the night before, or I’d probably be out here naked. He kept the bike running, but threw it on the kickstand so I could at least climb on the thing better, then I took the helmet he handed back to me and put it on.

His first words to me through it were, “You came dangerously close to seeing the extent of my punctuality today, Ryker Parker. But it looks like that sprint woke you up. So good.”

And I swear to god, that sprint didn’t just wake me up, that shit but my body into overdrive . I wrapped my arms around his waist, still cognitive enough to realize just how fucking sexy this guy looked right now in this all-black attire, and just how soft this hoodie was, before answering with a ridiculous, “…that’s my bad.”

And I couldn’t tell if Mickey’s chuckle was wholesome or psychotic before he pulled us out of the Brookside compound in record time, forcing my body flush to his to unexpectedly lock in with his sudden speed.

Yeah, any possibility of sleep now had left me. Matter fact, there wasn’t any caffeine drink in the world that could wake me up like that. And Mickey’s riding because it was still dark out, got my heart pumping fast as we both seriously locked in for this ride when he pushed the speed up higher.

Fuck.

Fuck , I wanted to be pissed. I really fucking did.

But the way this guy had complete control of this bike sent me into an adrenaline high like none other as he got onto the main road. And on the signal to those tight turns, the hand on my thigh would fucking linger there, holding it till the turn in.

It was almost a batshit crazy take… and I mean seriously batshit… but I think this- the way he was riding right now- was his way of rewarding me for getting my shit together so fast.

He cut through roads like he had that first night, cutting corners, short turns, making sure I leant forward with him. My arms were locked, keeping me against his body like we were literally one person on this bike…

And I loved every fucking minute of it.

He only slowed when we were starting to near the street I’m guessing this gym was on, but he pulled into an alley and rode the length of it to a back lot, where a few other cars were parked, along with a bike that my jaw fucking dropped at.

“Is… is that a fucking Combat Motors Wraith?” I asked Mickey through the helmet. He nodded, pulling his own track bike in right next to it.

“Xavier’s bike,” he explained, and I was fucking speechless. So speechless that Mickey had to say, “Let’s go, Ryk. You can gawk all you want later.” And turned the motorcycle off. I climbed off first, slipping off the helmet so I could gawk in person. The dark alley made it hard to see this genuine beauty, but that was just how sexy the stealth design was.

“Is… is Xavier here?” I asked Mickey, who got off himself and pulled off his helmet… but when I turned to him, my heart started beating for a whole different fucking reason.

Mickey’s hair was still damp and slightly slicked back. Something I hadn’t seen before. And the fucking hoodie and sweats…

He looked… Jesus- Jesus holy fuck he looked-

“Yes, now let’s go, Ryk. They just got here, but they’re waiting for us inside. Sammy let ’em in a bit early.”

I pretty much stumbled in this dark alley, following Mickey as I tried to get a fucking grip but couldn’t. I was on a high from that sprint down to the lobby. I was on an insane high from that ride, only amplified by seeing Xavier’s bike…

But fucking Mickey?

I had never seen Mickey look like this.

He opened up the door from the back alley, holding it open for me to walk through before he locked it back up. Then I waited for him to lead us down a dark hallway, hearing the gradual sound of chatter and music soon flooding my ears.

There was light towards the end of the hallways, but what it opened up to made my eyes widen to the fucking max.

A massive gym in a fully open space. Two full-size rings on each far end of the gym, with boxing bags and thick mats in a row down the middle. I saw weight equipment right at the end of the row, then past the left full-size ring was a glass wall to a room with mats laid out.

“Damn, that was fast as hell. Showing off for Ryker, huh? We just called you,” a voice said from the far left, where Mickey was leading us to, and I finally got to peek behind him to a group of guys huddled around each other, in tanks and shorts.

I noticed Xavier first because he was massive as he stretched out his calves. Then there was Arlo next to him, stretching his arms. But two other older guys were there. One with long, golden hair pulled back into a bun and a short beard, and the other with darker skin and a buzz cut similar to Arlo’s. Mickey neared them with me.

“I don’t wanna hear it,” Mickey spoke to the guy with longer hair. I slowly moved to Mickey’s side, and now that I was up close, I was sure I didn’t recognize him… but holy fucking shit, the guy was a unit. “Ryk, you already met Arlo and Xavier. This is Sammy and Dante,” first he gestured to the guy with longer hair, then the shorter guy with darker skin and short hair. “They own this place.”

I stood, a bit frozen, I won’t lie, and definitely still trying to comprehend everything that was happening. It looked like something out of a movie, this entire space. I didn’t even know we had this kind of real estate for a gym in NYC.

“Nice to meet ya, Ryk,” Sammy nodded first with a slight smile but warm blue eyes.

“Glad you’re joining us,” Dante added, his smile much larger, and his eyes an even warmer brown.

“Alright, so what have you boys woken us old heads up early for? Sparring? Circuit?” Sammy asked the group of men I was trying not to gawk at because they were all buff as shit. But then Mickey reached behind him for the back of his hoodie, yanking it clean off to reveal a white shirt with cut-off sleeves and a hood that showed every last bit of his fucking muscles, and my jaw almost fucking hit the damn floor.

“Sparring. I got shit to work out in the ring with Arlo,” Mickey told Sammy.

“Get in line, brother,” Xavier grinned, but Arlo’s head snapped over at him quick, smile completely gone.

“You know the rules, and I’m not cleaning up blood this early on a Saturday morning,” Sammy said. “Xavier, big guy, you’re with me at ring one. Arlo and Mickey, you got this one.”

All the guys nodded, not a single protest in sight.

But then Mickey turned to me beside him and asked, “You still wanna rest a bit?”

I looked at him like he was fucking crazy. Sleep was the last fucking thing on my mind right now after that insane ride here.

“Could I… like shower, then just watch I think?” I asked him, trying to keep my eyes on his and not the fucking rest of him because holy fucking fuck . Like what the actual fuck .

“Sure thing,” Dante cut in. “I’ll give you a quick tour, show you to the showers, then you can pretty much do whatever you’d like. Meditation rooms have full glass panels and are open if you want to sit and watch. Pull the blinds down if you don’t. Door open if you want sound, door shut and it’s soundproof.”

I nodded with a slight smile, before looking up at Mickey, who gave me a nod himself. “Come get me if you need anything, alright, Ryk?”

I nodded to him, watching this man then abruptly pull down those black baggy sweatpants to reveal black basketball shorts underneath, and I had to look away.

That was pretty much when I let Dante lead me the fuck outta here because I was not, under any circumstances, built for this shit right now.

And surely not at 6:45 in the goddamn morning.

••

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21. Temperature Rising

Alright, buckle in lovelies! I have at least 4 chapters today and they’re all long asf so enjoy!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

“We should stretch a bit more.”

“Shut up, old man, and get in this fucking ring,” I snapped at Arlo, staring at the man who was still stretching out a damn hamstring like we had all day here.

He was talking all this shit about how he wanted to kill me last night at the staff meeting, and yet this was how he always got when it got down to it every Saturday morning.

“Usually we warm up with Dante,” Arlo argued.

“He’s getting Ryk situated, so get your ass in here. Don’t worry. If I put you in the hospital, I’ll make sure your kids are taken care of. Now get in here, Arl .”

Arlo gave me a look… but he sighed, and headed towards the ring. Before he could pull himself up, however, his head snapped to his right, noticing someone walking the left side length of the gym towards the meditation pods, and called out to the older man.

“Dante!”

But Dante quickly shook his head no at Arlo.

“Ryker’s in the shower,” the older man replied. “I’m getting the meditation room ready for him, so just go ahead and start. I’m sure y’all are already stretched out, no need for a warm-up. Not like you’re doing a full day here anyway, right?”

“ See ,“ I pointed to Dante with my glove, giving him a smile because I already knew Ryk would be in good hands with him. Then my head snapped to Arlo as I dropped my glove at my side and told him, “Now get your ass in here. Since Xavier can’t fight you in here due to weight class, I’ll gladly inherit that beef.”

“Dante!” Arlo called out again. “This can’t be fair.”

“Hey, Mickey knows the drill. No cheap shots, and rounds are called at tap outs. You’ll be fine,” Dante insisted with a smile. “I gotta make sure the waters are stocked in the room, and the temperature control is on, so you guys get busy.”

That just made my smile widen. “Get your ass in here, Arlo,” I said again, to which this man had to eventually agree, and finally pulled himself in the rest of the way. Arlo was only 27, but acted like he was 72 whenever Dante couldn’t warm us up. And that was because I usually let Dante give him a few pointers while I went in completely blind.

Dante was good at spotting any weak points on any fighter, sometimes just by how they walked in, or during warm-up, and I liked the challenge of trying to counter that mid-fight. Usually it made Arlo a more worthy apponent and we could spar longer… but this morning was probably going to be brief.

“Come on, you old hag,” I grinned, circling the mat a bit while he got used to his footing. I kept telling this idiot that one of the best warm-ups would always be jump-rope intervals to get your feet loose, but the guy just loved his straight jumps. And he paid heavily for that shit.

To get things started, because I knew he wouldn’t, I went in with some light jabs- nothing serious, just testing the waters and either forcing a counter, or putting him on defense. He was able to dodge the first one pretty easily, but put himself out of range for the second. “Stop running,” I chastised him.

That put Arlo’s gear into focus a bit, blocking my next jab to deliver a cross, but once again, that driving foot wasn’t hard enough, and it was weak, leaving him exposed for an uppercut, which pushed him back hard. I didn’t put strength into it because knockouts weren’t allowed.

Fights ended on a tap-out and tap-out only.

Then we entered this sort of dance. I let Arlo go on defense while I worked out my arms, nailing a clean cross, lead hook, and rear hook, allowing the guy to keep his arms tight and relying on either parrying or slipping to minimize the hits I was absolutely making contact with.

I knew he wasn’t trying to do too much. The guy did have a whole shift after this. And I wasn’t trying to do too much because 1. Arlo worked best when he was still holding in that pent-up frustration, and 2. I had a whole ass car to get to with Ryker.

But like I said, I was inheriting that beef for Xavier… so when he threw a lead hook and I blocked, I hit him with a clean uppercut right at that opening, and I put more strength into this one than the last, knocking him back onto the mat.

He tapped out immediately .

“ Arlo, Arlo, Arlo, “ I shook my head as I slipped a glove off to help pull him up.

“Next Saturday,” Arlo insisted, rolling his eyes at my wide grin. We had still worked up more than enough of a sweat, especially after our warm-up, but Arlo was probably going to hit the weights for the last forty-five minutes or so that we had left.

He let himself out of the ring, but I noticed Dante had started exiting the meditation room. I had been so focused on the fight, I hadn’t realized that Ryk was already in there, sitting on one of the mats, and watching with a smile. When I caught his eye, I gave him a wink, which widened his smile.

“Clean work,” Dante praised, but he pulled his pair of gloves off the side of the ring. Everyone knew those were his because even though Dante could easily hold his own with the veterans, he still taught the novices, and this was their ring.

The big leagues were that way, on the right side of the gym.

“Didn’t think you’d join me,” I grinned, holding open the ropes for him to ease through. A courtesy I would never give Arlo. Best he got was helping him off the mat after I put him on it.

“Well,” he spoke a bit more quietly, “I think your boyfriend in there wants to see what you can really do.”

I looked past Dante to Ryker again, who looked even more fucking engaged right now, scooting closer to the glass but still on his yoga mat.

“Not my boyfriend,” I clarified in the same hushed tone.

“But you’re working on it, right?” He countered. I gave him another sly grin before eventually nodding. I never even bothered lying to Dante. He knew me too well. I’d been at this gym since I moved in with CiCi when I was fifteen, and he had been here with me, right from the start. “That’s new for you… But I like him. Skiddish, but he trusts you. A lot. You should bring him around more; maybe he’ll be interested once he’s healed.”

I didn’t even have to ask if Dante had seen the bruising, because I knew he hadn’t. Ryker was too uncomfortable with showing anyone, let alone someone he just met. Dante could always just tell when someone was injured.

But I nodded at that. “I’ll see if he’s interested.”

Dante was getting his own footwork ready. This man was the lightest I had ever seen anyone on their fucking feet, using it to his full advantage to wear out his opponents.

“So you gonna make me look good in front of him, or am I going to have to actually try this morning?”

“Give it your all, Mickey. I won’t land anything major. The kid doesn’t like seeing you hurt.”

I nodded again, understanding… then Dante and I got started.

He immediately showed me that light footwork, putting me on offense as he bobbed and weaved quick as fucking hell. I had height on him, but that didn’t matter; he was forcing me to move a hell of a lot quicker than Arlo ever could.

But this veteran kept his promise. This was real sparring, neither me nor him looking to win, just fighting for the sheer love of the game. And I brought me back to when I was younger. Dante’s objective was never to put us on our backs, but he did land some solid hits today on me. As promised, nothing serious.

He could tell Ryk was still coming around to this. And just like his damn husband… they were recruiters at heart.

We kept this up for about four or five fast rounds, but that was all time alowed, and Dante was the one who cut it short, bringing both our sweaty bodies in for a quick hug before he released me.

“Check on Ryk quick, then take a shower. Arlo’s gotta head out soon, and our next class will be in at nine. Set your gloves at the corner, and I’ll take care of them,” Dante instructed. I nodded, giving him one massive smile before I slid my gloves off, set them at the corner, then let myself out of the ring.

My eyes locked with Ryk’s as I jogged over to the open mediation pods, walking through the door to watch him quickly stand. He was grinning, but I could see his smile falter some when I approached him.

“How’d I do?” I asked.

“You’re fucking incredible ,” He replied, but his eyes were on my face. “He landed a few hits, though… are you okay?”

What took me completely aback was when Ryker suddenly raised his right hand to my face, hesitating a moment before he could touch the left side that Dante landed a real decent hit to. Nothing near his full force, but a move that was pivotal, needed, and forced me out of defense so I could work a little harder.

I could see the slight worry in his eyes, yet there was also hesitancy there. He had never touched me willingly before, besides when he playfully bumped his shoulder with mine last night. But not skin-to-skin contact.

“I’m alright, Ryk,” I whispered to him more gently, deciding on something I hoped would help and wouldn’t make him flinch away, because my heart was already hammering hard from the workout- the intensity of keeping up with Dante… and now this.

I brought my left hand up, gently wrapping my clammy fingers around his wrist, and brought his hand the rest of the way, allowing him to touch me. I wanted him to see for himself that I was alright. Dante would never seriously harm me. Ryk’s fingers were cool, a complete contrast to the burning of my skin, and when he eventually ran his cool, thin fingers along my cheekbone, slowly down to my jawline, I saw that worry eventually turn to something else.

“You alright, Ryk?” I asked him quietly. He took just the smallest step forward as his eyelids lowered just a smidge. He wasn’t looking at me with worry anymore, especially not when his eyes traveled a bit lower, where his fingers wouldn’t go… down my neck and some of my exposed chest, and I didn’t know if he would allow me to do what I would do next, but I took the fucking gamble at this point when I slowly raised my right hand this time, traveling around to the back of his sweatshirt, and nudged him just a bit closer.

The way he was looking at me gave me the courage to ask for a little more.

I watched his breathing hitch… but he didn’t pull away from me. My fingers slowly bunched the soft fabric of the navy blue material, holding it tight. He had changed into shorts, but kept this hoodie on, and I knew it was because of the bruises… but I just wanted to feel more of him without hurting him.

My breaths were getting heavier as his beautiful eyes got lower, towards the low-cut neckline of this now-drenched shirt. “ Ryk ,“ I practically fucking breathed, feeling the air between us thicken in this cooler room…

But whatever this was. Whatever tension between us that was quickly, and I mean quickly fucking building thanks to Ryk’s sultery gaze, to the point where I was about a nanosecond away from asking if he’d lean up on his toes and bring those soft lips to mine. I didn’t want to take unless it was what he truly wanted, unwilling to ruin this between us…

All that shit was cut short by fucking Arlo yelling my name from somewhere in the fucking gym. “Gotta leave soon, Mic. I’ll head out if you’re still training!”

I expected Ryk to put the space the size of the Great Wall of China between us, and fast, as if this was a daze he would snap out of, but he only slowly pulled away.

Shit, I was going to fucking kill that motherfucking barista.

“I got to shower,” I pretty much breathed down to Ryk, who slowly nodded as he forced his gaze to lift up to mine, taking his sweet fucking time with those doe-like eyes, which I was starting to seriously feel below the belt. This shit was already burning up my whole body, but that right there made me conscious of the fact that I was still in shorts, and I was still in a fucking gym. “Wait for me here, though. Xavier won’t leave until we do if you need anything, but I’ll be out in ten.”

And Ryk nodded again, not saying anything, which, for one, I was so fucking grateful for, because if I heard that goddamn raspy voice right now, I was going to lose the last of the resolve I fucking had in here.

Especially with the way he was fucking looking at me right now.

I forced myself to look away, giving Ryk’s body one more scan and watching his hand fidget with the hem of his hoodie, pulling it down. Then I nodded again before backing out of this mediation pod and absolutely booking it to the showers.

And I mean booking it. There was no thank you I could say to Sammy and Dante for having closed shower stalls because as soon as I stripped, grabbed soap and a clean towel, and set the towel on the hook outside a stall in the shower room that was otherwise empty, I absolutely needed that cold fucking shower to bring my body’s temperature, and something else down.

The way Ryk looked at me alone had made me damn near rock solid, and I couldn’t be sure, but when I backed away, I watched him pull his hoodie a little lower, covering more of his shorts.

Not even a cold shower could silence the insane thoughts I was fucking having as I forced myself to shower quick… but once my hand made it down my body with soap, and I grabbed my fucking cock, those thoughts flooded back with the immediate pleasure that coursed through me. I turned the heat up on the water before I started to eventually stroke myself, needing some release from the tension of my body and thinking of nothing else but those beautiful fucking eyes watching me.

How he had gone from worry to fucking want so goddamn fast. I slammed my left hand against the wall of the shower as that build was so freaking startling quick, forcing me to keep my grunts down as my strokes got longer and harder. I knew I didn’t have time for this shit, but I didn’t give a damn.

My whole body was fucking shivering at that feeling- his touch- his fucking prominity . I knew we had to get going soon, but if I went out like this- if I was forced to ride like this with his hands around my fucking waist, I might just crash that seriously expensive bike.

It took fucking nothing for me to feel the peak of that gutting, raw, intense pleasure, before I fucking came, my cock pulsating and grunts short and throaty, letting the water wash streams of my cum away as that left hand against the wall was the only thing holding me up after that.

My body was shaking from that damn orgasm, and my ears were ringing, muffling the sound of the water for a moment as I closed my eyes, trying to regain control. I had to take a literal moment, and fuck I probably would’ve taken longer if I could, just letting the warm water run down my entire body… but Ryk was waiting for me, so I forced myself to get it the hell together and finish this shower.

I found Ryk waiting patiently. He had his sweatpants on now, and when he spotted me, I could see that sheepish smile on those sharp features of him. Shit, for once, my smile was sheepish myself, knowing what the fuck I just did to clear my mind even a fraction.

He let me lead him out through the gym since the next class had filed in, and I could tell he was starting to get a little anxious with more fighters around. I had put my sweat-soaked clothes in the bags Fight Club had in the shower room, and just wore my hoodie and sweatpants. I always packed extra briefs in the front pocket of my hoodie so I had a fresh pair after working out, and this would pretty much be what I’d be rocking the rest of the day. What I walked in with.

The nice thing was, I could always just wash my gym clothes at Rykers if it got too hot for sweatpants and a hoodie while we were outside working.

I made sure to say goodbye to Dante and Sammy on my way out, with Ryk surprisingly doing the same. He seemed to really like Dante, which made me smile. I made a note at some point to explain the importance of this gym to Ryk so he could at least see if he wanted to come back. Not to fight yet, but just observe or meditate. Dante really liked him, too.

Xavier had texted me that he was out on his bike, so Ryk and I left the way we came, with me quickly leading us because the more people in here, the more uncomfortable Ryk looked. I heard him take a deep breath once we finally made it outside into the alley.

“Ryk,” Xavier greeted Ryker first, who was walking around to the right side of my bike, “Mickey said you liked my ride.”

Ryk immediately lit up at that. “That is seriously one sick fucking ride,” he grinned ear to ear. And I could see him oggling at it in the daylight, which, yes, I did feel a tinge of jealousy for, because I liked the way Ryker oggled at my bike… but I allowed it.

“I’m glad you think so. I’m due for a tune-up one of these days if you’re interested?” Xavier offered, which made Ryk pretty much all but pass out.

“He’ll pay, too,” I added, which Ryk turned to look at me a moment.

“He’s right,” Xavier added. “Mickey recommended I ask you first… so if you’re down-”

“I’m down,” Ryk answered lightning fast, making Xavier and me chuckle.

“Cool. Mickey will let you know when,” Xavier answered. “I’m taking off, though, Mic. Ring if you need me,” he looked past Ryk to give me a nod.

“Will do, X.” I nodded in return, hearing him start up his bike before he backed it out of his spot. “Come on, Ryk,” I smiled, unstrapping our helmets and handing his off to him first. He nodded, grinning fucking ear to ear while I unstrapped mine and put it on. Then I got on my bike first, keeping it on the stand so Ryk could climb on after, and starting my girl up.

“Paired up?” I tested.

“Yes,” Ryker replied. Shit, I could hear the happiness in that one word alone. “And thanks, Mickey… for… for recommending me.”

“I saw how much you liked it this morning, even though we were in a rush. But don’t fawn over it too hard, or my girl will get jealous. And you owe me a tune-up first,” I replied. Ryk chuckled at that. “You ready?” I asked, feeling his arms wrap around my wasit tight.

“Ready,” he confirmed, nodding that helmet against my back.

“Good. Let’s go see if we can get that car started then. Long day ahead.”

And I felt Ryk nod again, shifting in even closer to me in the process, which made me smile as I backed us out of this slot.

“How’d you like Dante?” I asked Ryk as we rode. It was going to be a pretty boring ride since the sun was out now, and I couldn’t risk anything.

This morning was a little treat for him because the way he flew out of those apartments told me he took my time seriously, and that deserved to be rewarded. 6:30 AM was early for him, and I was proud of him for holding himself to that commitment.

Judging by his reaction this morning, I think he really appreciated the reward.

“He’s really cool. Really fucking smart, too.” Ryk replied. I signalled for us to turn, but kept my hand on his thigh longer than needed. I just… fucking hell I was dying to fucking touch him again.

“Oh yeah?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Ryk nodded against me. “He was scoring your fight with Arlo. Explaining the moves to me.”

That made me smile. “Scoring, eh?” I asked. “Well, how’d I do?”

“He said you weren’t trying for shit,” Ryk replied, making me bust out laughing.

“Now that’s not entirely true,” I tried to argue.

“Said you were playing around with Arlo,” Ryk clarified, making me laugh again.

“Alright, that part was true,” I admitted. “Usually, Arlo and I warm up with Dante. He’s good at giving Arlo pointers before he spars with me, so it’s more of a fair fight. Dante is an advantageous trainer, can tell the weaker points on a fighter sometimes before they even enter the ring.”

“That’s so fucking sick,” Ryk replied, which I chuckled and nodded at.

“Oh yeah. His dad was a legacy boxer, so he grew up around the sport. And Dante has been my trainer since I was fifteen, around the time I started at Wilmoria’s, so he knows me best. He was just busy making sure the meditation room was set up for you after your shower, so he didn’t have time to warm us up.”

“He was telling me a bit about his old man… how… how rough it was,” Ryk explained a bit more quietly.

“Yeah,” I nodded again. “I was hoping he would. For a long time, he refused to fight because of it. Fight Club and Sammy helped him out of that, which was why I felt comfortable taking you there today. One of the last few gyms with a hard set of morals when they fight.”

“Was that why Xavier couldn’t fight Arlo?” Ryk asked me.

I nodded. “Xavier is more fit for Sammy. And if you’ve seen Sammy fight, then you know that’s saying something. One wrong move and Xavier could’ve put Arlo in the hospital. That gym makes sure only equals fight equals.”

“That’s why you didn’t really try with Arlo, right?” Ryk asked. “And why Dante stepped in?” I nodded again.

“Arlo still wanted to get a workout in, though, so I did what I could. I respect that. And Dante is nowhere near my equal either, but he wanted us to give you a good show. The guy could’ve ended things in the first round. Any punches you think he landed on me today, think of them as love taps.”

“ Jesus ,“ Ryk muttered, making me chuckle again.

“No one is there to hurt anyone, Ryk. Not really hurt them. You haven’t seen a temper until you’ve seen Sammy throw someone into a wall for not gauging their strength, or taking things too far. Everyone in that gym has a level of respect that is mandatory to keep people safe.”

I could feel Ryk nodding against me again.

“Thanks for taking me,” He spoke quietly.

“Thanks for getting the fuck up this morning so you could make it,” I replied. “You like the meditation pods?”

Ryk immediately nodded. “Dante got me water, a Gatorade, and some sort of vitamin shot that tasted disgusting but made me feel better.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, all the fighters have been through it, too. During competition season, Sammy limits their alcohol intake. Some of the veterans can’t drink at all on most days. They take that seriously over there.”

Ryk paused a sec at that. “Have you competed?” He asked me.

I shook my head no. “Not really my thing. And plus, do you really think I’ve got any more time in my schedule for that? You do know the competitors can be in that gym for 6-8 hours some days, right?”

“Oh holy shit,” Ryk muttered.

“Yeah. It’s some people’s whole life, which is totally fine. Me, on the other hand, I’ve got bread to break and a bike to ride.”

Ryk nodded against me. We were almost at the cafe now.

“I know you might not ever tell me what else you do for cash… but do you have any other hobbies? Besides riding?”

“Absolutely,” I replied, liking his honesty. “I have an art studio at my place. I like to paint and draw whenever I feel inspired.”

“ Seriously? “ Ryk asked quick as hell. “Like what?”

“People. Places. Things,” I answered, which Ryker scoffed at. “It depends on what inspires me then. No one thing. No one medium. I think you know by now that I just do what feels right for me. And art isn’t art unless it’s driven by passion.”

Ryk replied tentatively with, “Could I… could I see some of your work one day?”

I responded with, “well if you’re using my kitchen, I don’t see why not.”

And I could practically hear Ryk smile as I pulled us into the alley of Wilmoria’s.

••

22. Life Is What You Bake Of It

Upload 2/4ish today!

xoxo

(lol as y’all can see, I spent all of yesterday writing so I’m just editing and posting today! Let me know if you find errors though. I’m only human lol and every chapter today is over 4k words)

For the first time in my entire life… I was glad I woke up at an ungodly fucking hour to go somewhere.

“The showers are through here,” Dante explained with a warm smile, handing me a fresh towel, soap, a baggy to set my clothes in, and a disposable washcloth.

I didn’t know what kind of gym they were running here, but this shit felt more like a spa. And I was nervous that the showers would be open, but there were individual stalls with hooks on the outside of every door for everything.

It didn’t take long for me to get situated before I stripped down in the stall, placed everything in the baggy, and tossed it over the door to place on the hook where the towel was. Everything felt so accessible, and there were places to set the soap and washcloth and everything.

Honestly, for having woken up this early, I was really starting to appreciate that I had.

I took a quick shower, washed my hair and body, and was able to reach over the door to grab everything when I was done because the hooks were placed right near the top. In fact, I didn’t even have to leave the stall, and because the floors were slanted in every stall for draining, my shoes, which I set right outside my door, remained perfectly dry, so I just stepped out, dried my feet, put socks on, and slipped them back on.

There were trash bins for everything, too, and a bin to place used towels, so by the time I left the shower room, I was perfectly refreshed and fully clothed again.

Dante had given me a quick tour before bringing me here, somehow understanding to keep a safe distance between us, and he just told me to return to the meditation room when I was done, which I did.

On my way there, however, I could see that Mickey and Arlo were already in the ring. Dante said he recommended watching from the meditation room because I had complete control over everything.

Temperature. Views. Sound. If I felt overwhelmed for any reason, I could turn it into a quiet room.

He could probably see I was still a bit skittish about being here, and just adjusted… so I quickly entered the room instead of watching Mickey from the sidelines, and next to a sitting Dante on a yoga mat was another mat with a few drinks placed at the end for me already.

Genuinely, I didn’t know if this was a fucking gym or a retreat at this point.

“Take a seat,” he gestured to the mat. “I recommend removing your sweats if you have shorts under. The mat feels good against skin, and I have the door open to the gym so it’ll get a bit warmer in here than normal.”

So I did just that. I kicked off my shoes, pulled off my sweats, and put my shoes back on. Then I folded my sweatpants neatly to keep at the corner of the mat.

“Can I set them on the table over there for you?” Dante asked, gesturing to the table behind us, and I gave him a nod since he was already standing up. While he was doing that, though, my eyes gravitated to Mickey and Arlo through the glass, giving me a direct view of the ring.

Mickey looked… unfathomably fucking good out there. I mean, I was just fucking staring at this point. He still wore that gold chain, but he was now in that shirt with a hood and black shorts, wearing matt-black boxing gloves on his large hands. I also noticed he had already broken a sweat.

But when Dante sat back down, still keeping a healthy distance between us, I heard him chuckle immediately.

“What is it?” I asked him, unable to stop my curiosity.

“Mickey’s playing around out there.”

My head snapped back to the massive glass window, furrowing my eyebrows again. To me, it looked like they were really going at it.

“Seriously?” I asked, turning to Dante again. He nodded.

“First, try that B6 shot. It helps boost energy,” the older man added, pointing to a small maroonish drink that was next to a Gatorade and water. “If you want to watch the fights, you should have your energy up. I know the guys probably got you up early for this.”

I nodded, reaching for it and opening the bottle. First, I took a sip, and my face immediately scrunched up at the taste, making Dante chuckle again.

“Take it in one go. Trust me. None of the guys like the taste, but you’ll feel better and better throughout the day.”

And so I trusted him, praying this wasn’t how my dumbass gets poisoned or something, and took it like a shot of vodka. Then I closed the bottle and placed the empty thing back near the water.

“Good,” Dante nodded. “Mickey is just making sure Arlo is his equal in the ring for this match. They aren’t really, though. Take a look at Arlo’s footing. You see his right foot?”

I focused in on it, nodded, before turning back to Dante.

“Don’t look back at me. You’ll want to keep your eyes on the match, and I’ll walk you through it,” He instructed kindly, which made me nod again, looking back out at the ring. “In about 10 seconds, Arlo’s going to try a cross, that’s a heavy hitter punch because it isn’t just the power in your arm, you’re using your entire body as one coordination. The power comes in the turn of that rear foot, like you’re squashing a bug with it. Your whole body, the shoulders, the hips, everything needs to rotate with that foot.”

I had my eyes fucking glued to Arlo now.

“The issue is, Arlo needs to work on that power, driven by his foot. Watch how he throws a cross punch, Mickey is going to counter with an uppercut.”

And in about two seconds, what Dante said happened to the T. Arlo threw that punch, but Mickey was fast with an uppercut.

“The issue with a cross is that it is a vulnerable move. It can land a knockout if done right, but if it’s weak, it opens up the body, and Mickey was able to deflect and counter. Does that make sense?” Dante asked me.

I nodded quickly, eyes growing wider.

“When a cross is done incorrectly, it’s like trying to hit a baseball using only your wrists. Boxing isn’t just about hand or arm muscles; you have to work with your body to build real power and momentum. You can’t see it now because Mic’s wearing a shirt, but just look at his arms and legs as he fights. His body is tight, but he’s holding back the power of his punches. He’s not using that momentum, but he has the ability to build it. And fast, keeping his muscles locked like that. He’s making sure he’s ready to maintain perfect form, but he’s holding back.”

I just stared, genuinely taken aback by the way Dante had just explained something that happened in maybe 1-2 seconds.

“How are you-” I started, before stopping myself. Whatever I would’ve asked would’ve sounded dumb as hell.

“Well,” Dante spoke, “I’ve been doing this for a long time. Most instructors who have can catch that… but I also knew that you had a few fractured ribs from the second you walked in here. That’s the power of observation.”

That made my head snap over at Dante now, eyes wide as shit.

“My old man was a boxer. A good one. But also a monster. This is boxing, but I felt his kicks back in my day. He’s long gone, but he trained me to observe from injury. Here at this gym, I observe to avoid injury. Arlo will probably have his wrists wrapped again in a few weeks if he doesn’t fix that drive with his body. It’s putting too much strain on them now with his hits.”

I-

I didn’t even know what the fuck to say to that.

Like genuinely. I didn’t.

Mickey had told me Dante had a past… but meeting him now… he wasn’t like anyone I had ever met.

“I’ve trained Mickey for many years. Arlo will tap out soon here, but if you want to see a real dance in the ring, I can show you what Mickey’s true potential looks like.”

I felt immediate worry seep into me, and it was almost like he could feel it.

“Don’t worry,” Dante assured me, looking over at me now, “I won’t hurt the kid. It looks like you’ve taken a real liking to him.”

And those words alone made heat rise to my face immediately. “I…” I started, unsure of what to say anymore. This guy could read me right as I walked into this fucking gym, apparently.

“Mickey can take hits. Real hits. And he has. But I’m not going to subject you to that. I just want to show you what it looks like when he’s having some real fun out there.”

Dante had been right. Arlo had tapped out while Dante was exiting the meditation room. I had finished the gateroade which he was really kind to toss on his way out, along with the finished vitamin shot, but he started heading towards the ring after Arlo left, and Mickey let him in through the ropes after Dante grabbed a pair of gloves from the side.

They chatted for a little while, and I couldn’t quite hear them, but at some point, Mickey finally looked out to the glass of the meditation pods and gave me a smile. I didn’t notice I was smiling, but his made mine grow.

I think what made me smile in the first place was the warmth I felt between those two in there. Both guys looked so relaxed while chatting, even while Mickey had worked up a real sweat…

And when Dante eventually put those gloves on, it took only one second for me to understand exactly what the fuck he was talking about.

Dante was the fastest I had ever seen, forcing my eyes to barely blink and making Mickey work about ten times as fucking hard, but they kept each other’s pace like goddamn art. This fight was miles ahead of what Mickey was doing with Arlo. It felt like Mickey was the mentor in that fight, but Dante was quite literally guiding this one, instructing Mickey while they were fighting.

And Mickey was locked in. Fully concentrated.

But what caught my eye the most was the warm smile on both their faces. Even when Mickey landed a hit. Even when Dante did, raising my anxiety a bit because he was right, I didn’t like seeing Mickey take any hits… There was still an understanding in that ring between those two that I had never seen.

And they lasted multiple rounds. There was no knockout, blood, or anything. At some point, Dante just called it, pulled Mickey in for a hug, then chatted with him a little longer. And when Mickey looked back out into the meditation pods, he slipped off his gloves, placed them at the corner of the ring’s mat, and let himself out before jogging towards the door to the room I was in.

I got to my feet in an instant because Mickey’s face was starting to get a bit red from the hit he couldn’t block to his left side during one of the rounds.

“How’d I do?” He asked me as I got closer.

“You’re fucking incredible ,” I told him seriously… but I couldn’t shake the concern seeing his face getting that red. “He landed a few hits, though… Are you okay?”

I couldn’t stop myself once he was close enough. I was too fucking concerned, and that concern alone had me doing something unexpected. I reached up for his face with my right hand, hesitating just near his skin because I didn’t really know what to do next after this. I didn’t know if I would hurt him if I touched it, but I wanted to make sure he was alright.

Hell, all that safe distance thing flew out the fucking window as soon as I saw the redness.

Well, let’s be honest here, it flew out the window ages ago, but still. Fuck .

“I’m alright, Ryk,” he whispered now in a gentle tone, probably realizing I was more concerned than I should’ve been. Mickey knew what he could handle, and so did Dante… but still. My hand just hovered there a sec, looking at the irritated skin.

And I’m glad Mickey acted next because I was pretty much fucking frozen here. I watched as he slowly, very slowly, raised his left hand to my right wrist, wrapped his warm fingers around it gently, and brought my hand to his face the rest of the way, letting my fingers finally touch him. His skin felt so warm, but that made sense since he was sweating so much.

And being this close to him, only inches away, made me realize that we had rarely ever been this close before. It let me see his features in a different light… the sweat in his dark, straight hair dripping down the side of his face. The way those sharp eyes looked down at me hesitantly, like we both didn’t exactly know what to do next.

The fact that he really… really was so fucking painstakingly beautiful, made my heartbeat fucking skyrocket. Even out there fighting, Dante had been right. He loved this shit. He was having fun. And most importantly, he trusted who he was with in that ring. There wasn’t a second of fear or doubt when he fought Dante.

And so that worry of mine started to slowly slip away, realizing I was overreacting like a motherfucker… and the fact that I was this close now, touching him, started to settle, making me feel something else entirely.

I could hear his heavy breaths from just that fight alone, feeling them hit my forehead softly. They were warm in this cooler room, making my body feel hot all over, as if he were breathing over every inch of my skin.

I couldn’t help it after that as I carefully dragged my fingers down the length of his left side, from his cheek down to his jawline, touching more of him as I watched his sweat drip down.

“You alright, Ryk?” he asked me in that soft, breathy tone. And that alone had me moving a fraction of an inch fucking closer, not really sure what the fuck I was going to do next, but knowing it was making my body even hotter.

Instead, my eyes went lower, past where my fingers stopped, watching more sweat travel from his sharp jaw down to his neck. The moisture somehow made those tattoos even darker and more vivid, keeping me from looking away or pulling back. the sweat that traveled down to his fucking chest… shit, that shit- his scent- his fucking breathing was turning me on bad. Like really fucking bad.

I hadn’t noticed him raising his right hand until I caught it in the corner of my eye, slowly wrapping around my back, and felt as he ever so gently nudged me closer. Probably worried as shit that this would snap me out of how close we were. But it didn’t. All it fucking did was make my breathing hitch, because I wanted him to fucking do it again.

To pull me even fucking closer than this.

I wanted him to touch me more. And my eyes simply moved lower to the hard rise and fall of his chest, unsure if this was where he wanted me to use my goddamn words again, or if he could just read my mind for both our sakes. He had to know by now that I was terrible with words, which is why I said so little.

“ Ryk ,“ He pretty much breathed, forcing my heart to beat even fucking harder than it already was. At this point, I had decided that I would just go for it- lean up on my toes and bring me closer to him, giving him the chance to close the distance or pull away if he wanted. I had gotten this so wrong before… but this time it felt so much different.

Yet we never even fucking got there.

Motherfucker .

I heard Arlo call Mickey from somewhere in the gym, solidifying my dislike for that fucker immediately .

“Gotta leave soon, Mic. I’ll head out if you’re still training!”

And as much as I still was maybe just going to go for it, I ended up slowly pulling away. If Mic was nothing else, he was punctual, and he probably took that as our stupid cue to leave. I was learning to fall for a man who upheld every obligation he had.

“I got to shower,” Mickey said in a voice so fucking coarse that if he wasn’t telling me he had to shower, I would’ve yanked him closer.

But that didn’t mean I had to meet his gaze right away, and I made sure he understood that.

This was the most exposed his neck and chest would be to me until god knows when, and I had never seen him in this light before, so I milked the complete fuck out of it on my journey back to meeting his gaze, giving him a nod along the way. “Wait for me here, though. Xavier won’t leave until we do if you need anything, but I’ll be out in ten.”

And I eventually nodded again, not saying anything because I knew that this was inevitable. We had a busy day. But my eyes remained on his as he backed away, and I was forced to pull my hoodie down some because I hadn’t realized until then just how fucking hard I had gotten. How hard he made me just from this alone.

But that called a bit of attention there, his eyes dipping to that lower part of me for a second before he looked away fully, giving me another nod. Then I watched him back out and start jogging across the gym to the shower room. Whatever moment that was, was gone.

Mickey found me pretty soon after. I had gotten my sweatpants back on, finished the water, and when I spotted him, all showered and fully clothed, the fact that I was still semi-hard had me unsure of how to react. I offered him a small smile, and he matched it, us both sort of trying to figure out what the fuck to do now.

I followed him out of the gym, though, not saying much because I didn’t know what the fuck to say, and if I heard his voice, it wouldn’t help anything about how hard I still was.

And I had a whole fucking ride to the cafe to still endure.

The gym was filling up pretty quickly, which made me keep close to him. Larger spaces weren’t really my thing, and I didn’t know anyone else here besides Xavier, Dante, and Sammy. We also made sure to say goodbye to Dante and Sammy. I offered Dante one real, genuine smile because whatever the hell happened in that meditation room had to be his doing.

And getting to watch Mickey like that absolutely was his doing. He had shown me why Mickey loved this place- why he committed to it every Saturday morning.

Then there were the ways in which he managed to just… know. About everything. About me. He had to have seen so many different guys walk through here over the years with all types of backgrounds, so maybe mine wasn’t special, but just chatting with him for a while- he made it feel not just special, but heard. All without me not sharing a damn thing.

He didn’t put any expectations on me to.

After that, Mickey was pretty quick to lead us out the way we came. I didn’t see Xavier, but once we finally exited into the alley, I immediately saw him on his bike. The fresh air felt good. Less people around me felt even better.

“Ryk,” Xavier called out to me first, which threw me all the fuck off. He always acknowledged Mickey first. “Mickey said you liked my ride.”

And by god did that brighten my entire mood even more. Liked was an understatement. It almost felt insulting . “That is seriously one sick fucking ride,” I replied, grinning massively .

“I’m glad you think so. I’m due for a tune-up one of these days if you’re interested?” Xavier offered, which I just stared blankly at him as soon as he fucking said it. My eyes probably got wide at some point, because he had to be joking. I mean, he had to be.

“He’ll pay, too,” Mickey said, making me turn to him quick. I would’ve done that shit for free. Hell, I would’ve paid him to just let me touch it.

“He’s right,” Xavier added. “Mickey recommended I ask you first… so if you’re down-”

“I’m down,” I said immediately, trying not to sound like he just offered me a million dollars, but it fucking felt like it. Mickey and Xavier just chuckled.

“Cool. Mickey will let you know when,” Xavier answered. “I’m taking off, though, Mic. Ring if you need me.” He glanced at Mickey, who was behind me, on his side of his bike.

“Will do, X,” he replied, nodding. Then I heard Xavier start up that beauty and welcomed the glorious sound, watching him back out. “Come on, Ryk,” Mickey said as he unstrapped the first helmet and handed it to me. I was pretty sure I was still grinning like a fucking madman. Then he put on his helmet and got on his bike, and I soon followed.

“Paired up?” he asked while we got situated. Luckily, I was no longer hard. The distraction with Xavier’s bike was just what I needed. That got me hard metaphorically, not physically. Though it came close. His bike was a sex symbol for sure.

“Yes,” I replied. “And thanks, Mickey… for… for recommending me.” Shit, I was still fucking awestruck at that shit.

“I saw how much you liked it this morning, even though we were in a rush. But don’t fawn over it too hard, or my girl will get jealous. And you owe me a tune-up first,” Mickey said dead seriously, making me chuckle. I hadn’t forgotten about this absolute beaut that I was currently on. Not after seeing it in action for myself. “You ready?” He then asked as I wrapped my arms around him tight.

“Ready,” I answered, nodding against his back.

“Good. Let’s go see if we can get that car started then. Long day ahead.”

And I simply nodded, dreading however long this fix was about to take as I shifted a bit closer to Mickey.

Mickey had asked how I felt about Dante during the ride, and I was honest. He was really fucking cool. And really fucking smart.

I also explained how Dante could clock that Mickey wasn’t doing shit in that ring with Arlo, and Mickey eventually agreed. He explained to me what Dante sorta did, about how he trained, and I let Mickey know just how fucking sick that shit was.

I didn’t mention anything about how Dante was able to clock my injuries, but I did mention how he spoke a bit about his old man. How shitty that guy really was. What Mickey did fill me in on was how Dante actually didn’t fight for a while at first because of it. How it was Fight Club that got him back into it, and now I understood more about what Dante was saying. About how that gym was different.

He also explained the whole thing with Xavier fighting Sammy, and I honestly wished that I caught a bit of their sparring.

Mickey mentioned something about how Dante’s hits out there were just love taps, which blew me because that shit had me seriously worried for a moment.

But from what this baker said, Sammy kept order. He made sure people didn’t get hurt, which I really respected. Dante had made the same thing clear to me, which left me with a better understanding of how they really were co-owners. They shared the exact same beliefs, and Sammy seemed to enforce them.

Mickey was also pretty clear that he didn’t compete when I asked, which I thought was okay. When he explained what it took to compete in Fight Club, I completely understood. I wouldn’t do that shit either.

Above all else, though, I made sure to just thank him. I was glad he was strict on me getting the fuck up because that entire meeting… me meeting Dante… me seeing Mickey fight… Mickey and I… us… Well, none of it would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone.

And knowing that Mickey did things like this- that he had people like this in his life… it made me try to take a stab at seeing what else this baker got up to.

Because so far… well, so far I was really liking what he was showing me… and I was understanding his discipline more and more.

“I know you might not ever tell me what else you do for cash… but do you have any other hobbies? Besides riding?” I asked him. I was hoping that some day he would… but with Mickey, it was hard to tell. And honestly? I was caring less and less. Seeing who he kept around him was starting to be more than enough for me.

I had never met a circle like this. I definitely didn’t have one like this in my past. Or one really at all.

“Absolutely,” he replied. “I have an art studio at my place. I like to paint and draw whenever I feel inspired.”

That shit threw me all the way the hell off. I wasn’t expecting that one at all. “ Seriously? “ I asked a little too quick. “Like what?”

“People. Places. Things,” he answered, which made me just about roll my eyes. So pretty much everything . “It depends on what inspires me then. No one thing. No one medium. I think you know by now that I just do what feels right for me. And art isn’t art unless it’s driven by passion.”

And that answer did make me shut the fuck up for a moment. I had never created any art worth a damn before, so I didn’t really know what that felt like, but I did know that Mickey genuinely did whatever the hell he wanted to when he wanted to. He was always in full control of his passions and what he chose to do.

I eventually asked, “Could I… could I see some of your work one day?” His answer alone had piqued my curiosity. I wanted to see his previous passions and what he had created during them.

He replied with, “well if you’re using my kitchen, I don’t see why not.”

And that alone excited me the most.

Spending time at Mickey’s place.

Something told me I’d just uncover another layer. Find another russian doll inside.

••

23. In A Jam

Upload 3/4ish today

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ryk and I managed to get his car started, and I had him drive slow with his hazards on while I followed closely behind him on my bike.

Thankfully, we did get the car to The Brookside Apartments without needing a tow, even though X was on standby if needed, then I had him park it over to the side of the building so we were out of the way while we worked.

No one lived here besides Ryk, but CiCi mentioned that shipments of material and furniture still came through every few days since they were getting ready to open soon.

Because I didn’t know how long this would take, I texted Xavier and told him to pick up some bright night lights if we worked late, since it was already starting to get dark at 5:00 PM, thanks to daylight savings. Then Ryk and I got the boxes of parts and tools moved to where the car was, popped the hood, and started unboxing.

Ryker was actually very, very organized with his work. I mean, everything was laid out, from the tools to the parts, and as we started, I let him direct me with what we were taking apart first.

The easiest thing to replace was his side mirror, so we started there first, and I was able to do that without his help… but once we jacked that car up and placed blocks on the back tires, I knew it was the point of no return.

“You sure know your way around this car,” I told Ryk while he was under it, removing parts from below. He was having me unscrew parts from above to start work on the engine.

“My dad and I took this car apart and put it back together a bunch of times,” He admitted, which made my hand slow on this wrench. That part… that part I didn’t know. “This car was what I started with. It was how he taught me how the engine works. The timing belt. The fluid. By now, you probably know I worked in a shop, and I’m guessing you know exactly who my dad is, so we couldn’t exactly use customers’ cars for this kind of work. He made sure that once I was old enough to drive, and passed the car to me for keeps, I’d know how to fix it without him.”

I had to force myself to continue working while I processed that.

At this point, it probably wasn’t any use trying to make excuses for my prying. Ryk now knew how close I was to Don. Assumptions were bound to be made on both our ends.

The thing was… I didn’t know exactly what happened in that shop that night. And I think, for some reason, Ryk knew that too. That I was missing that piece of information. And while I wanted to come right on out and ask, I just-

I didn’t know how.

If Don was keeping things under wraps, there was a reason. And he most definitely would have told Ryker to do the same.

That old man was dodging the fuck out of me, I swear.

“That sounds really special. You two must’ve been close to take on such a project,” I decided, thinking that should’ve been safe enough to ask. I hoped. Ryk was a tough guy to gauge. I knew he was honest- butally honest at times- but if he didn’t want to answer something, he found a way around it.

“We once were,” Ryker answered after some time. “If you know anything about my dad now, then you know he’s a hard man to still be close to,” Ryk added from below.

I wished I knew what he was doing down there just so I knew he was safe, but he had been very direct about what I was to take apart up here, and with my sharp memory, I followed it to a T. Whatever he needed today, I would do, and I’d do it perfectly.

“What about you and your stepdad?” Ryker then asked, completely flipping the script on me.

Jesus, this fucking kid.

I almost chuckled because he was smart enough to make this a give-and-take. He sure as shit wasn’t just going to fall in line with an interrogation.

And I took a while before I responded. “We were never that close. I didn’t have much time with him before he ended up moving to South Korea to be with my mum. We lived together alone for a year while my mum had already moved, and I just… we were civil. Not close, but civil. He’s alright, both he and my mum have been doing some marketing back in Korea. They might switch to something else. It’s really whatever the tide brings over there.”

I heard something come undone from below, and I had a quick panic until Ryk tossed some bar-looking piece away from under the car and told me, “Good work.”

Truth was, I didn’t even know what the fuck I did to get that piece unlocked, which sure as fuck made me lock in even harder with what he directed me to do.

“Do your mum and stepdad visit often?” Ryk then asked from below.

“Just holidays sometimes. I try to call her a few times a month if I can. It’s been a few weeks, though. She thinks I’ve been searching for a job now that I’ve graduated and, well… clearly that hasn’t been the case,” I explained. I didn’t like that I couldn’t see Ryk right now because he was so fucking prone to head nodding instead of saying actual words.

He was trying to improve, though, which I seriously appreciated.

Those eyes of his weren’t as vacant anymore these days, but his raspy voice took on a monotone, and the more he spoke, the better I understood what he was thinking. How he was feeling.

“Any plans on telling her you genuinely like being a baker?” He asked, and shit, I almost shook my head no, but realized he couldn’t see me either. “That that’s what you want to do?”

“Not until I have to,” I answered more honestly. “Does your mum still stay here in NYC?” I then asked him.

And the silence that fell let me know that I had fucked up. But to my surprise, he did eventually answer.

“She left when I was a toddler. Not sure where she is, or if she’s still alive, so it’s always just been my dad and me.”

…Shit.

Shit .

That just made things more complicated for me.

And fuck did that make me really feel for Ryk. It gave me a better understanding of why he stayed with his dad so long. He didn’t have any other option. At least until now, and I didn’t even know the half of how he found himself here at The Brookside.

“Were you close with your biological father?” Ryk asked, throwing a metaphorical wrench right at my face. But I guess that question about his mother probably did the same to him. My whole body froze at that question alone, and it was like Ryk felt that, because he added, “You don’t have to answer that.”

But fuck , if I wanted to know more about him… then I had to offer him something. So I swallowed that building lump in my throat and answered anyway.

“Yes. We were really close… He had my sense of humor, which was rare for an accountant.”

And Ryk took some time before he replied, saying, “If he was anything like you are, then he must’ve been pretty great.”

…And that shit hit me like a goddamn freight truck.

The only reason I was even able to keep my own work going up here with questions like these was because the guy I was absolutely falling for was underneath this goddamn jacked up car, relying on me to do my part.

“Thank you,” I told him, my voice cracking a bit at that. I wasn’t expecting it- his response.

“It’s okay,” he replied. “It might not mean much, but I think I would’ve liked him then.”

“It does,” I replied after a moment, trying to get a grip on my unexpected emotions. Ryk had always been really raw with his, so I could do this. I could do this. “It… it means fucking everything.”

I had been the one who opened the floor to these challenging questions… but I didn’t think they’d rock me this hard. They brought up memories I hadn’t thought of in years. Fucking decades.

And Ryker’s tender tone… it just made me fall for him all the harder.

We had gone back to more lighthearted conversation, such as Ryk asking if he could read my twelfth-grade paper sometime soon on how the school day just prepares kids for an eight-hour workday.

I, of course, told him yes. I surprisingly still kept it, so I made a note to get it over to him when I could.

I think he felt how hard our other conversation was rocking me, and I appreciated the pull back. Mainly because I didn’t want to fuck up his car, and I would if more memories surfaced, clouding what I was trying to remember now with what Ryk instructed me to do.

When he finally got out from under the car, he stood, showing me what parts I needed to remove from up top, and could start replacing them.

I noticed it was already starting to get dark out, which only made me realize that we had both gone this entire day without eating anything. The B6 shot was probably carrying Ryk, but I needed something in me after that workout. Once we left the gym, he and I had pivoted our focus to solely getting this car operational enough.

“You learn quick,” Ryk noticed, offering me a smile. Even his smiles after that deeper conversation we had were warmer. More understanding, which was stupid because while Ryk was a bit blunt, I always felt that he understood.

Most days, I felt like he more than just understood.

I think there was just a piece of us each that were realizing we weren’t really dancing around that heavier stuff with each other anymore. We had slowly but surely been opening up the floor to speak on things that we maybe didn’t speak about to anyone else. And somehow, all while fixing this damn car, it made me realize just how close I actually felt to him.

Not only in a romantic way, but something deeper. Our conversations weren’t just looking to our future anymore, but they were opening up more painful pasts. And I had never done this before with any of my previous relationships. Ever .

Until today- until Ryker- I had never realized how at arm’s length I had a tendency to keep every previous partner I ever had.

And it wasn’t that I was afraid of judgment. It was that I maybe didn’t think they were worthy of seeing that side of me. But Ryk deemed me worthy of seeing that side of him, and that transparency with him was what made me feel safe. He never came with any expectations, just a conversation for understanding.

Not that he wanted to be certain, he let the right person in. Just that he wanted to know why he did. What parts of him made him so certain.

“Thank you,” I replied with a smile.

The comfortable distance he and I had once started with was physically and metaphorically gone. And we both felt that, with Ryker freely stretching over me whenever he needed, or showing me which valve we were undoing by reaching for my hand. His instruction was literal- hands-on.

Made me think of how many times he had taken this car apart. That was how he learned, and I was going to make sure to apply it whenever I had to teach him anything moving forward.

Textbooks were for damn sure his enemy, but he didn’t shy from getting his hands dirty, because he had to physically feel the process to understand it.

We had shared a moment at Fight Club, but right now, he and I were locked in with this car, comfortable in each other’s spaces. And I treated it with the respect it deserved, because this car meant more to him than I knew. I felt that.

“Ryk, I’ve got to make a quick phone call. Do you mind not going under the car until I’m done?” I asked him. He nodded, understanding that I just didn’t feel comfortable even if he had done this a thousand bajillion times on his own. And I was happy he just understood, cause I wasn’t in the mood to explain myself.

I ended up walking a bit further down the side of The Brookside building for some privacy before ringing Xavier.

“Sup, Mic.” He picked up instantly, just like always. “Need them lights?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “Could you also pick up some food? Something easy like burgers, so we don’t have to head up to Ryk’s apartment until we’re done. Also, in my apartment bathroom, the right medicine cabinet, there’s a box. You won’t understand it because pretty much everything is in Korean, but it’s an open cardboard box with green tape. Can you bring that over?”

“Sure thing. What else?”

I thought about that for a second.

Then I added, “My sketchbook. In my studio, smallest one sitting on my desk, there’s a case of pencils there too. Just put everything in a bag that I can toss later; nothing’s coming back to the apartment with me.”

“Got it. Should be there within the hour.”

“Thanks, man,” I told him seriously.

“Anytime,” he replied, before ending the call.

Then I went back to join Ryker so we could continue, noticing that he and I were both quickly coating ourselves in grease. I was just hoping that the daylight would hold out a little longer because it was now a little past six in the evening, and if it weren’t for the lights on the side of the building, I would’ve stopped us from continuing to work an hour and a half ago.

“Ryk,” I spoke, watching him open up the remaining parts and lay them out on the sidewalk in an order I couldn’t dream of understanding. We were on our last box, but there were quite a few parts left. “How good are we for time?”

Ryk sat with that a sec. We both were in our hoodies and sweats still, and while I couldn’t see anything on my all-black attire, Ryker had definitely gotten his set pretty coated in grease. He also managed to get a tear in his grey sweats, but he promised me it wasn’t a big deal.

I just made a note to get him another pair tomorrow.

“I’d say we can wrap up by nine or ten. If it gets late, we can always test drive tomorrow, but since this parking lot is empty, if we finish, we can run some tests here, and maybe up the street.”

I gave him a nod. That time would be fine.

“I’ve got X bringing some lights and burgers. I know what I said about crashing here, but if you want your space tonight, I can have X take me-”

“I don’t,” Ryk blurted, cutting my words clean the fuck off.

And we just stared at each other for a sec, a small smile forming on each of our lips.

“I just…” he continued, trying to elaborate on his bluntness. “We both need a shower anyway. The only thing is…” he trailed off again, breaking our eye contact for him to really think this through. “Are you… okay with the couch?”

I quickly nodded, not wasting a damn second. Shit, I’d take the floor if he was offering it.

“It’s not that I wouldn’t-… it’s not that I don’t want to, like, you know, like share like my bed-”

“You don’t have to explain,” I told him seriously. If he wasn’t comfortable with it, that was fine. That was all I needed to know. And he slowly nodded, offering a smile that made this chilly evening feel like fucking nothing.

Xavier showed up in about an hour. At that point, it was definitely pitch black outside, and the lights on the side of the building were actually brightened by staff after I requested it.

Xavier got those portable lights up in a flash, having bought the brightest ones he could find, while Ryk and I ate quick, then I brought the bag X had brought me into The Brookside for me to grab once Ryk and I were completely done out here. The items inside weren’t meant for the cold.

I told Xavier he didn’t have to, but he stayed and helped out so we could finish the car by around 8:30 PM.

He had brought his mustang instead of his bike so he could collect the old parts and take them to a scrap dump in the morning. Then I packed up all the tools and put them in Xavier’s car, letting Ryk know that we had a place to store them if he ever needed them again.

Ryk nodded, agreeing and thanking us before he got the car ready for a test drive.

Once that was done, Ryk took the car around the lot a few times while I stood outside the apartments with X.

“Thanks, man,” I told him, smoking a cig along with him.

“Don’t mention it, Mic, seriously. It’s the least I could do. Cause that kid…” his voice trailed off.

“Wicked smart, I tell ya,” I mumbled. X just nodded.

“No manuals, no nothing. Took that shit apart like it was nothing.”

X was talking about a hiccup we had reached, where Ryk was able to take an old part and mold it with a new one, reconfiguring the gears inside it before we could reinstall.

“You should’ve been here for the day. Do you know that kid has taken that car completely apart and put it back together numerous times?” I asked, gesturing to Ryk, who was now testing the acceleration in the lot.

“I can fucking believe it,” X replied. “I know… I know it’s a wild, wild ask-”

“I know,” I told X, not even needing him to reply. “Trust me, I know .”

“But you like him, don’t you,” X said it like more of a fact, and I nodded. “And he doesn’t know at all about you.” I shook my head no.

“Our lifestyle, it-”

“I know,” X nodded this time. “I know, Mickey.”

Then we both took a long drag of our cigarettes, watching Ryk take that car around a few more times.

“Just think about it, yeah?” X offered, crushing the bud of his finished cigarette on the concrete, and I nodded. “And tell that kid my bike is ready for those gifted hands any fucking day.”

“I will,” I chuckled. “Thanks again, X. Get home safe, and get those tools over to the warehouse whenever you can. I’ll check in with you tomorrow on the twins.”

“Anytime, Mic. And think on what we said.” He gave me a nod as he headed towards his car, and I quickly finished my cigarette because I could see that Ryk was parking his car next to Xavier’s Mustang. Xavier gave him a small three-finger wave, and Ryk did the same, making me smile.

It was a meaningful gesture on Xavier’s part.

Then I waited patiently as Ryk made his way up to the entrance.

“I don’t know how to thank you and Xavier,” were the first words out of his mouth, but I just shook my head.

“You can thank me with a shower, then a place to lay my head,” I replied, giving Ryk a smile which he returned. We were both filthy, but the job was done, and the side of the building was completely cleared. Not even an oil spot in sight because Ryk was meticulous about that, too, placing the trays he had added to his list underneath the car to pick up and spilled fluid while we worked.

At this point, this kid’s father fucking puzzled the complete shit out of me. I didn’t understand how the fuck he didn’t understand what he had with his son. Or maybe he did, and he had been fine just exploiting the fuck out of him.

Whatever reason it was, it more than just pissed me off.

“Come on,” I gestured. Security opened the first and second doors for us as a courtesy, since they could probably see we were beat, then he and I headed up to his unit.

“I… I tried to clean up-”

“Shut up, Ryk,” I told him, waiting for him to get his door open. Once he did, and flipped the light on, I was welcomed with a standard one-bedroom apartment. Ryker was stressing out over literally nothing. “Take a shower first,” I told him. “I’ll wait.”

“No, you should really-”

“Do I have to lift you and carry you in there myself?” I asked him, which quickly got him moving. I set the stuff Xavier brought me on Ryk’s kitchen island after kicking off my shoes. I also placed the dirty clothes from my workout near my shoes to unpack and wash anytime but fucking now, then took a look around the place.

It was pretty nice, as were the renovations on this apartment building as a whole, but I expected nothing less from Don. It would probably be the nicest subsidized housing in NYC if we were being honest, and the competition wasn’t even close.

Especially considering the security here.

I didn’t even bother having X try to bring my bag inside. When Ryk asked about it on the way up here, I told him I’d show him what was inside later.

But for now, I just waited patiently until Ryk was done in the bathroom.

And it didn’t take long at all. He was in and out in less than twenty minutes, already changed since he brought his clothes in with him.

I grabbed a toothbrush from the box Xavier brought and headed towards the bathroom, where Ryk was waiting.

“I’m going to do a load of laundry right now. Just set what you need washed outside the bathroom door; should be done in about an hour.” I nodded to the now sparkling-clean guy.

His face had once been damn near completely black with grease, but he looked brand new, wearing a basic T-shirt and some black joggers.

“I set a spare towel on the sink. Soap and all that is in the shower. I can wash your gym clothes too.”

I nodded again. “They’re just in the bag next to my shoes. I won’t be in long. Thanks, Ryk.”

He just nodded. We both looked ready for sleep, but the fact that he made it this long with how much work he did today, and the time we woke up this morning… That shit was more than just impressive.

I ended up taking a thorough shower.

And I knew I was falling fucking hard for this guy because I was enjoying the scent of his shampoo and body wash a little too much while I showered.

Once I got out, Ryker was in the kitchen with his back to me. I made my way into the area, enjoying the feel of the cool wood, then the cool tile beneath my bare feet.

“Loads going right now. Did you want a beer?” He offered.

“Sure,” I replied. A nightcap couldn’t hurt. I watched him pull two from the fridge and turn, but as soon as he turned and saw me, both beers almost slipped from his fucking hands.

“Sh-Shit-” He stumbled, fumbling with both as he turned around immediately to set them both on the counter near the fridge, back to me again. “Wh-Why-…. why are you…. why are you only in a towel?” He asked in that deep raspy voice of his, only turning slightly to the fridge to stick his hand out basically behind him, and hand me a beer bottle.

I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling as I ran my hands through my damp hair.

“Because all my shit’s in the washer, Ryk,” I explained to him, cracking the bottle open with my teeth and placing the cap on the counter near the sink.

Then silence fucking befell us for a hot minute.

“Have any clothes I can wear?” I asked him after some time. He had cracked his own bottle open with his teeth, then turned a bit more to at least somewhat face his living room, completely avoiding even remotely looking at me.

“… no,” He mumbled, making me chuckle again before I took a sip.

“Then towel it is,” I told him. “It’s not like I’m naked, Ryk.”

“It… It..” He trailed off, turning just a fraction of an inch more. Jesus , he wouldn’t last a day on a college campus. But alas, I sighed, taking another sip.

“Do you have an extra pillow and a blanket?” I then asked, since I was taking the couch.

“Yeah…” he nodded. “I’ll… I’ll get those now.” Then Ryk set his beer back on the counter near the fridge and literally flew the fuck past me, just making me chuckle even harder. His kitchen was open-concept, right out to his living room with no walls blocking anything, so the space felt larger…

Which made me excited to see how he planned on coming back down the hallway and placing the bedding on the couch all while avoiding me like this.

And it looks like he realized the same shit, because after grabbing the extra bedding from the cabinet near the bathroom, he turned to lock eyes directly with me, still sipping this beer with an unavoidable smirk on my face.

It took him like five long seconds of staring before his eyes snapped down to the bedding in his hand, and he kept them there as he made his way into the living room.

Then he was slow as molasses to set that shit down, even puffing up the pillow and spreading out the blanket for me.

Once there was nothing left to do, he just stood there.

“Gonna come drink this beer, or…?” I teased him. He stood by the large couch for maybe another minute, eyes glued to the furniture.

It might’ve been a good thing I worked out in a shirt today otherwise we would’ve had a whole other issue at Fight Club. Usually, Dante and I sparred shirtless so he could physically point to what part of my body I was and wasn’t actively using.

Ryk might’ve flown out of there at this rate.

“Ryk,” I continued, “come drink your beer. We’ve got like thirty more minutes before my clothes are done. And you already have a good five seconds of me engraved in your memory.”

He stood there for another thirty seconds before he finally walked around the kitchen island and into the kitchen, but I got to his beer before he did, and reached out my hand to hand it to him. He tried to grab it, only for my grip to tighten, and his eyes finally snapped up at me.

“Mickey-”

“See. Not so hard,” I replied, holding that gaze of his as he struggled to hold mine. I did finally let go, but at that point, it was too late.

He took a few steps back, hitting the kitchen island as his eyes finally betrayed him, lowering meticulously down my body until he reached the towel. And that’s when they fell to the beer bottle in his hand.

All I could think as I took another sip was that these next thirty minutes were going to be a genuine, hilariously hot mess.

••

24. Stolen A Piece Of My Tart

Upload 4/4ish today!

I’m fucking off to write more now, but this one’s pretty long (5k words)

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Mickey Jackson was standing in my kitchen in nothing but a motherfucking towel.

And all I could think was how justified it was for me to have dreaded this from the start.

But then… after the day we had together…

When he asked whether I wanted my space, I couldn’t say yes.

I didn’t want to.

And now I was dealing with the consequences of my own actions, as I tried to decreetly pull this already large shirt down even further over my joggers as my briefs got tighter and tighter.

I was staring hard at my beer now, facing him.

I hadn’t thought that through- washing all his fucking clothes . But then again, the only thing he had on him from the start of the day was a hoodie, sweats, his workout shirt, and boxer shorts. All of which were now sweaty or dirty.

“Would you prefer I wrap the towel up like a woman? I do have some great legs I can show off, but you might see more than you bargained for.”

My eyes snapped up at him again… and betrayed me yet again .

I had felt bold to look earlier because at least he was in a shirt at the gym. But when he leant back against the counter, taking another sip of his beer, I couldn’t stop myself from taking in his tattoos… that gold fucking chain… his broad as shit shoulders… That sculpted chest… his insane abs… the lines that- that-

My eyes somewhat shifted away so it could at least look like I wasn’t fucking salivating and trying to hide my stiffening dick all at once. Instead, I tried to focus on the cabinets near him, all while thinking how fucking long can a fucking dryer take… knowing I just tossed that fucking shit in there.

I could see his eyes on me through the corner of my eye. Hell, I could see all of him through the corner of my eye, making me shift my legs again uncomfortably. Genuinely, I had no idea how we went from potentially having our first kiss, to this fucking shit.

And out from the corner of my eye, I could see it. A bit of an imprint through the towel, making my legs shift yet the fuck again.

“Ryk, you’ve felt my body while riding my bike. Nothing should be a surprise.”

“You were fucking clothed ,” I muttered mindlessly. “And let’s not talk about riding right now.”

That made Mickey immediately start choking on his sip of beer, all while I had yet another reminder why shutting the fuck up was an absolute necessity for me right now. I could feel the tips of my ears start to burn from how hot they were getting, but I refused to acknowledge the fact that he was coughing up a lung.

Jesus, I couldn’t do this.

Then Mickey’s coughing turned to chuckling, and I felt myself burning up more. That was when I took large gulps from this beer because I had said some shit that I couldn’t walk back and sober me definitely couldn’t handle.

“Ryker, you… You are actually something else.”

I finally cracked, turning around to set my beer bottle on the kitchen island and pointing to Mickey’s bag slightly to my left. “So… what’s in here? You said you’d show me later.”

Mickey chuckled again. I heard the sound of him setting his beer down and starting to walk over, which sent my heartbeat towards the trajectory of hell

“You- You can tell me from over-”

“This box,” Mickey said, directly the fuck behind me now as he reached over past my left side with his left hand, “is medicine.”

I tried to turn and make a break for it on my right, but he placed his right hand on the kitchen island to my right side, boxing me in.

This motherfucker.

“…Medicine?” I asked, trying to keep my fucking cool when I could literally feel his presence all around me. He wasn’t touching me, but might as well have been because my dick was pressed hard against this kitchen island, trying to keep even a shred of distance.

He opened the box up with his left hand to show me.

“They’re from my mum in South Korea.”

And damn Mickey Jackson straight to actual hell, because now he had me horny and curious.

“You’re mum? I asked, turning to my left slightly, which was just a massive mistake, because I was met with Mickey’s side profile as he bent down to rummage through the box, before turning to me slightly, bringing our faces inches apart. Both our fucking breathing hitched.

Jesus , this man was- just- fuck- like what the actual complete and total fuck

I quickly looked back down at the box. “What… what kind of medicine?”

I could hear how much heavier his breathing was now. He could probably fucking hear mine while I tried to get a fucking grip. Thankfully, his left hand moved again inside this damn box.

“She had sent me something to help with the bruising because I had told her I picked up some martial arts classes. Easier than telling her I joined a Fight Club years ago.” Mickey pulled out a small bottle of cream first. “I had Xavier bring it over from my place tonight so I could apply some to your bruising. It has a numbing effect to help with the pain, and I knew that you wouldn’t tell me if you pushed yourself too hard while we were working on your car.”

Damn this thoughtful fucker and his thoughtful fucking mother, I swear to fucking god . Both my hands still reached up for the small bottle he was holding out to me, turning to him slightly again.

Why did he…

Fuck.

Fuck .

“… thank you,” I practically whispered, not being able to fucking stop myself when my eyes betrayed my trust and lowered slightly from those sharp eyes down to his lips. I heard him breathe a shaky breath out, and at this point, I was just about ready to die.

He slowly nodded, forcing my eyes back up to his as quickly as I could. Motherfucker , the way this fucker was looking at me almost made me drop the damn bottle. I turned my head quickly after that to look at the label.

“What does it say?” My voice was raspy and quiet, but I was just doing my best to distract him. Distract us .

“Gugmin-yeongo antipulamin yeongo. Translates to Antiphlamine ointment, a national household remedy.”

My eyes grew wide as fuck when I heard his deep voice change to a different language, sending a shiver through me. And I guess nothing could’ve held me back from asking something utterly ignorant and absolutely ridiculous. “… you understand… you speak Korean?”

I turned my head to Mickey again who was just inches from my face, and he just looked at me a moment.

“… Yes. Ryk, what the fuck? How the fuck do you think I read all this shit?” He gestured with his left hand to the small bottle in mine.

I could feel my face burning the hell up, and I had to look away again because what the actual fuck, Ryker?

“I… I just… I… don’t know.”

Mickey startled immedieately chuckling, but he was so close that all that did was send more defined shudders through my whole damn body. “You are unbelievable, you know that?”

I looked down at the bottle again. And shit, I could help myself. “Can you say it like… one more time?”

I know Mickey was holding back straight laughter now. “Antiphlamine ointment, a national-”

“No, no, no,” I shook my head lightly. “Like… in Korean.”

“Gugmin-yeongo antipulamin yeongo,” he repeated, his voice sounding deeper. Richer .

Shit, that was so fucking hot for no fucking reason, what the fuck .

“And what… what about this here…” I pointed to another part of the label.

“Baleuneun jintongsoyeomje. singyeongtong & geun-yugtong-en, chamjimalgo baleuseyo.”

“And what does that mean?”

“Topical pain reliever. For nerve pain and muscle pain. Don’t endure it, just apply it. That last part is their slogan- Ryk, is this turning you on or something? “

I refused to look at him, absolutely positively refused. And yet the fucking silence was literally all he needed to know.

“That’s all it takes?” He asked me in clear astonishment, before saying seriously, “Open up all the products in this damn box. I’ll read you every fucking label right now.”

“Wait, wait, wait- not like- not like all it takes…” I trailed off. “I just-… I like how you sound when you say it. What else is in here?”

Mickey started chuckling, rummaging through the box to pull out more items, while mumbling, “I’m taking you to a Korean market as foreplay moving forward.” And I tried to turn even further to my right, but Mickey shifted that right arm of his, nudging me back. “Don’t you dare run, you started this shit.”

“Korean market is a bit extreme-”

“You want more of those crack cocaine drinks you like, right?” He cut in, and I fell immediately silent. “Thought so. This is a supplement to help with sleep. A plant-based melatonin. And this one here is for nausea because I know you mentioned sometimes you feel like throwing up, still, even though it’s been getting better. These here are just vitamins, but they are more or less the same vitamins I described in the drink I gave you-”

“Your mum gave you all this for your martial arts classes?” I cut in.

“What? No, Ryk, I put all this other shit in here for you on Thursday. I just haven’t been home much to get it to you.”

I turned back to Mickey again while he pulled out a few teas next, staring at him a moment. “You… you did?” I more or less whispered.

“Yes, I react better to this stuff than the American brands, so I just thought that-”

I cut this fucking fucker off by leaning forward to place the gentlest kiss on his right cheek, murmuring an embarrassed “… thank you, “ against his skin before I quickly pulled away.

And Mickey completely froze a moment, slowly turning to meet my gaze as I heard him take another sharp breath in. My heart damn near gave out at the way his gaze sharply intensified. But we both suddenly jumped, our souls practically leaving our bodies when the sound of the dryer buzzer filled that silence, almost sending me into goddamn cardiac arrest.

“Your clothes,” I stated, like that wasn’t painfully fucking obvious. “I’ll… go get them,” I rushed quickly, and Mickey slowly stepped back to let me perform a record-breaking dash to that damn dryer in the hallway.

I… I wasn’t ready for that. That level of intensity from him. I crouched down, and my hand quickly pulled open the dryer door before cooping up all of the clothes I had dried. “I sort of threw all our shit in here,” I said as I bundled the warm fabric in my arms and stood, starting to turn. “I’ll have to sort which is your-”

My own words were cut off by Mickey.

By the feeling of large, cool fingers wrapping around my neck, tilting my head back before I felt lips on mine for one soft, gentle kiss. Mickey pulled away just a second or two later, possibly the longest second or two of my entire fucking existence, but my eyes were wide as shit as I stared up at him, feeling those fingers slowly slip away from my neck. He was looking right down at me. And his next words left me even more speechless.

“Was… that okay?” He whispered so quietly, I almost had to read his damn lips to catch it. His insanely soft fucking lips. I just slowly nodded. And I watched as his lips tugged up into a slight smile, slowly pulling from me an unexpected small smile of my own as I tried to process that. What he had actually asked me. Then my gaze steadily lowered to the pile of clothes in my hand.

And what I said next was beyond fucking me Beyond help from professionals. “Do you still want your clothes?

Mickey busted out laughing, his smile stretching quickly across his face. “Yeah, Ryk. Probably.”

“… right,” I nodded, just about reading to physically sew my mouth shut with a thread and string. “I can set them on the couch.”

Mickey nodded, still laughing but stepping aside so I could walk the pile over to one end of the couch, dumping it over the armrest. I was swearing an oath of silence after today, jesus fucking christ.

Instead, I pulled out my sweatshirt, sweatpants, shirt, and shorts I had been wearing today, as well as the briefs I had on, then turned to leave, but turned too quickly and damn near ran face fucking first into the chest of Mickey.

I stumbled back hard once I realized, tripping over the fucking couch’s arm rest, and Mickey had managed to lean forward last minute and catch me, wrapping his right arm around my back as gently as he could… but my foot accidently caught the wrapped portion of his towel and pushed his fucking towel down and before I fucking knew it I was barely held on the damn couch arm rest straddling a fucking naked Mickey with my clothes bundled in my arms.

Mickey and I just fucking stared at each other, him concerned, me mortified, and it was in this moment I realized that letting this man burst my space bubble in the first goddamn place was a fucking choice.

“The towel,” was the only thing I could say.

“You’ll fall,” he replied.

“It’s a couch, not a sinkhole,” I replied. And so he did let me fall back into the deep couch so he could pick up his damn towel. And as I gazed up at the ceiling of this apartment, my back on my couch and my legs bent over the armrest, I questioned what would’ve happened if I just let Xavier take this motherfucker home.

Mickey had started horribly attempting to muffle his laugh and once he finally got his towel back on I heard him ask through straight wheezing whether I needed a hand. “You’ve done enough, Mickey,” I gritted out as I tried to push myself further back on this couch so I could swing my feet over, but I over fucking compensated and my right foot hit the corner of the coffee table, cutting into the outer part of the thin skin.

“Shit!” I hissed in pain, pulling both legs in as I quickly sat up on the couch. My right hand almost instinctively went to and covered the foot I had cut.

“Shit, Ryk-”

Mickey started coming around the fucking couch, and the very first thing I barked at him was “ put some goddamn clothes on, Mickey .“

…Then silence fell on both of us.

And the next words out of Mickey’s mouth were, “Ryk… you’re sitting on them.”

My eyes snapped up at him. Then down at where I was sitting, bending in both my legs to my chest. And the best thing I could manage to pull out from me right now with my left hand, was at least his briefs, which I shoved at him.

And Mickey did all he fucking could not to laugh as he pulled them on quick. Then he walked over to the spot on the couch beside me, at my right, and plopped down on the blanket I had draped over the couchions to say, “show me,” gesturing to the right foot I was holding.

I ended up removing my right foot and sticking my leg out for him to see, but when I heard him mutter, “shit,” I looked down to see that that was a gash on my foot from the corner of the coffee table, and I had bled onto my hand, the blanket below us, and what looked like Mickey’s work out shirt.

“ Motherfucker ,“ I muttered immediately.

Mickey ripped the rest of his workout shirt from under me, wrapped my foot, and said, “Hold this here, and hold on.”

At this point, I just did as I was told, using my right hand that already had blood on it to hold it down while this guy in only briefs walked past me and down the hallway to my bathroom.

“You have a first aid, right?” He asked, calling out from inside.

“Under the sink in the bathroom,” I replied. Then I had to close my eyes and ask myself how . How the complete fuck did I get here tonight?

Mickey found the whole case Don had left, and returned to the couch, taking a seat again and setting the first-aid case on the coffee table. “Does it hurt?” he asked, concern laced into his voice. I quickly shook my head no.

“Not anymore.” Then I turned more toward him on the couch while he unwrapped his shirt to check the damage. The wound didn’t look deep. Just a lot of blood.

“You should be okay, but I’ll get you cleaned up,” Mickey told me, placing my foot on his bare left thigh and keeping pressure on it using the workout shirt in his left hand while he popped open the first-aid with his right.

“Thanks,” I told him a bit sheepishly, before throwing in a “…sorry.”

Mickey’s head snapped over at me. “For what? You just knicked your foot. It happens.”

“I… I told you it was just a couch, not a sinkhole,” I blurted without thinking. And Mickey just stared at me, before he dropped his head into his right, trying to get control over his laughter. And I was trying to bite some back myself, but I fucking couldn’t. My inability to shut the actual fuck up was seriously legendary around this guy.

“Ryk,” He breathed out, “this has been the most out-of-body experience I have ever had for a first night over. I mean that genuinely.”

I was still somewhat chuckling myself, trying to bite back a laugh, before I said, “Is it cool if I say something sort of depressing?”

And Mickey died his laughter down a bit, before nodding.

“This is the first time I’ve ever actually had someone over.” And that had Mickey’s laughter dying out fully. “Well, unless you count Don, but he was here sort of… well, patching me up.”

Mickey’s eyes softened at that completely.

“I mean,” I sort of rushed out, fearing that was wayyy too fucking depressing for tonight, “I had people at my dad’s shop, but not like- not like in our home. And definitely not overnight. So this is- like if I’m being like a bit-

“Ryk?” Mickey whispered gently.

“Yeah,” I replied, not really certain what he’d say to that.

“I’m just happy to be here,” he replied in a fully serious tone, making me break our gaze instantly as I stared down at my bent knees, and a smile started to spread across my lips. “Got that?” he asked, and I nodded quickly. “More importantly, I’m just along for the ride as long as you’re on the same one. Got that too?” I nodded again. “Beautiful. I’m glad that we’re on the same page then.”

That giddy fucking feeling washed over me again, and I couldn’t really meet Mickey’s gaze, but I did stick out my foot a little better for him, which made him immediately chuckle as he continued to hold my foot in place and began rummaging through the first aid again.

“Jesus,” Mickey muttered, “Don has enough shit here to perform open heart surgery.”

“You’ll want to look for the packages with the green border; that’s the gauze. Small red border will be alcohol wipes, the yellow border has disinfectant gel, and the sticky wraps are the blue border. There’s a roll of small red tape if needed,” I said without even fucking thinking.

I didn’t dare look up at Mickey after I realized what I just said- what Don had drilled in me so I could change my bandages if he wasn’t here to, but I did know he was looking at me now. And a few seconds later, all he said was, “I’m sorry you had to learn all that.”

But he did find what he was looking for eventually, and started tearing open packages. “This might hurt,” he said when he opened up the alcohol wipes, but when I looked up at him, he quickly whispered, “forget I said that shit.”

“It’s alright,” I assured him with a slight smile. “That’s what all good medics are trained to say,” which earned me a light, kind chuckle for something so depressing. “Also,” I added, really looking at the white fleece blanket, “I sort of bled over your blanket for the night… and your workout shirt.”

Mickey looked down at the blanket for like a fraction of a second before he shrugged. “I’m not afraid of a little blood.”

I quickly shook my head no. “You can… You can sleep in my bed tonight if you’d like.”

Mickey smiled up at me as he cleaned the cut. “I mean, I’d more than just like , but are you alright with that? I don’t need a blanket tonight if sleeping with this one makes you uncomfortable.”

I found myself nodding. “I… I wanted you to, it’s just… I get night terrors some nights. I might wake up in a sweat or run to the bathroom if I get nauseated. I just didn’t want you to deal with that.”

Mickey’s hand slowed. “Is this why you didn’t want me to sleep over at all?”

I nodded. “Well, like, that, and I really like you… I didn’t want to fuck it up. But right now you’re cleaning a cut after using your shirt to stop the bleeding, so we’ve moved past that embarrassment eons ago.”

Mickey lightly chuckled. “I don’t mind the night terrors. I don’t mind the sweats. And I’ve been told by many a hungover friend that I’m a Grade A Back Rubber while their second home becomes the floor of a bathroom near a toilet. I just gotta ask… how often do you get them? Night terrors?”

I tried to think my answer through, but then said fuck it. If Mickey still liked me after all this shit, then there is a god. “Few nights a week.”

“How often is a few?”

“Like five… or six… but they’re getting better. I don’t immediately need to throw up anymore.” Mickey slowly nodded, finishing with the rubbing alcohol and looking for the pad with the disinfectant gel. “Yellow border,” I said, helping him out.

“Thank you,” he nodded, locating it on his lap. “And the first thing we’re going to do, Ryk, is work on what your definition of a few is, my god,” he added, making me smile as I nodded.

“Thank you for telling me, though. Didn’t know if us sharing a bed was a distance thing, so I wanted to respect that.”

“No, I definitely want to sleep with you,” I replied like the fucking idiot I am. Mickey’s head snapped back up at me. “Like, I mean, share a bed. I don’t really have a distance issue with you anymore. Still trying to figure it out with others.”

“That’s okay,” Mickey replied. “I like being special for now,” he joked, making me smile again. “And sorry about the whole towel thing-”

“I mean, you really didn’t have any clothes,” I had to remind him. I put all that shit in the wash.

“Yeah, but I could’ve stayed in the bathroom or something,” he offered.

That definitely would’ve been worse. My anxiety would’ve been fucked. “It’s fine. It’s not that I don’t like your body. It’s that I do,” I horribly tried to explain, which halted all of Mickey’s work as he looked at me and immediately said, “Do tell.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Proximity up until now with you has made me want to puke. With you, I now don’t want to puke-”

“I’m glad I graduated,” he murmured, making me chuckle.

“I don’t know how to react when my body is reacting to you in like… like… not wanting to puke,” I tried to explain, refusing to look at Mickey now. At this point, he and I had broken so many intimacy walls that I couldn’t help but think, what’s one more?

“That’s completely alright,” he replied. “For now, we’ll just take things slow. I’ll carry a shirt around-”

“And if I bleed all over it?” I joked, gesturing to the bloody one now, on his lap.

“Then I’ll just wait to wash and dry it tonight,” he replied, making me smile again.

“I think I can survive the night. But I will wash your shirt.”

Mickey just shrugged. “Don’t worry about this one. We got the car fixed up so I’ll be going home tomorrow and can take care of or toss it then… but we did talk about you starting your specialty item this weekend. Would you be up for coming home with me tomorrow? You can bring your homework too. I’ll take you to school Monday if you’re worried-”

“I don’t mind,” I replied, cutting him off fast and making Mickey chuckle.

“To come home with me, or me taking you to school Monday?”

“Both,” I replied, and Mickey smiled, nodding.

“You just want to snoop, huh?” He accused me.

“You’re a hard man to figure out,” I replied. “So yes. I do.”

Mickey laughed at that. “And what if that day finally comes? When you do finally figure me out?”

“You’ll evolve. Like one of those dynamic puzzles. Which I’m cool with,” I replied, and Mickey looked up at me again, smiling. “I don’t think I’m nearly as complicated.”

“Today proved otherwise,” Mickey replied. “You impressed Xavier. He’s a hard man to impress.”

“You two are really close,” I more or less noted. “It’s nice.”

That made Mickey smile again.

“I did some things in my past that earned me his loyalty. I just try not to take advantage of it,” he replied, just adding to his fucking lore. “One of these days, you’ll learn that side of me, too. Whether you still want to stay will be up to you.”

I slowly shook my head no at that. “Who you are now is what I care about. And if you want me to believe you’re just a baker until the day you die, that’s alright. Just make sure you lie well.”

Mikey looked up again. He was wrapping up the wound now. “You really are something special, you know that?” he spoke a bit more quietly.

“I’m trying to be,” I replied with a bit more honesty, but Mickey already knew that.

That I was trying.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to wear a shirt tonight?” Mickey asked. “I can stay up to wash the other one.”

“No, it’s fine,” I told him. “Might not be a point if I have a night terror. You’ll still have to wash it.”

Mickey nodded. “Now I don’t want you to think this is me trying to get you shirtless… but do you usually wear a shirt to bed? With the night terrors?”

I shook my head no. “It’s just because I’m sleeping with you. Face and arms are doing fine, but I’m still self-cautious of my stomach.” The bruises were fading, but they still looked sickly. An insane contrast to Mickey’s perfect skin.

Mickey nodded again, climbing into bed shirtless next to me. He did end up throwing on some sweatpants, and I kept my shirt and joggers on. “Just want you to know that it wouldn’t bother me. But you also wearing a shirt doesn’t either.”

I nodded, getting comfortable in bed. My muscles were sore and felt like shit, and honestly, I was drained. It was probably also why this damn baker got so much honesty out of me tonight. He had been right, too. I did overextend with fixing the car, and I didn’t want to tell him about it. “Maybe tomorrow. I wanted to try your mum’s cream.”

“Sounds good,” Mickey replied. “Do you like to cuddle when you sleep?”

I sort of shrugged. “I haven’t really tried it yet. Not really trying to get you drenched on our first night in bed together.”

So far, only Don had seen me like that, when the first week was the worst, and I was in and out of sleep for most of it.

“You mind if I be the judge of that?” He asked, turning to me. “I’ve just been on a glorious high with getting to be close to you. But I won’t push it.”

That made me smile, and I found myself slowly shaking my head no. “You prefer little spoon or big?”

“I’d prefer your head on my chest if we’re taking requests and all,” Mickey replied, making me laugh. I quickly nodded, scooting in a bit closer from my side of the bed to carefully rest my head on his bare chest. Mickey immediately but very gently pulled me in closer, carefully wrapping his left arm around my waist but putting barely any weight there just in case.

“I’d say you smell nice… but you smell like me, and that’s a bit weird, right?” I asked him. Sleep was definitely kicking in because I was truly saying any fucking thing. But right now, I didn’t give a shit.

“I’d still take the compliment if you’re offering,” he countered.

“Then you smell nice,” I said, making Mickey lightly laugh.

“Now, am I pushing my luck here if I ask to kiss your forehead goodnight? Like I said. Greedy. But you do miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take, so…” Mickey asked. I shook my head, tilting it up slightly so he could bend down to kiss it. I felt his soft lips linger there a long moment before he gently pulled away. “And one more request, if you don’t mind.”

“Jesus fuck, Mickey, you’re lucky you caught me on a good night,” I replied, making Mickey laugh.

“Feels like saying night is too short. Let’s add good in there somewhere from now on. Sets intentions for how it’ll go.”

And I nodded my head against his chest. The request was easy enough, I guess. “Alright,” I replied as Mickey reached over to shut off the bedside lamp.

“Good. Goodnight Ryk,” he whispered to me.

“Goodnight, Mickey,” I replied, ready for sleep to kidnap me indefinitely.

And I wasn’t really one to place bets, that was this baker’s thing… but I’d put good money on Mickey stealing one more forehead kiss right before I knocked the fuck out.

••

25. I Knead You

Another four chapters are coming today! lol after these four we’ve got a chapter for our sweet lesbians

Enjoy!

xoxo

P.S. they are long ones again so there may be spelling errors, just let me know- thx!

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It took me a minute to finally fall asleep.

Honestly, everything about the night had been so chaotic, heartwarming, emotional, and just plain gutwrenching that I had to sit with it a moment.

That kiss was completely fucking unplanned on my part, but Ryker just-

Goddamn it, he just-

When I felt his soft lips on my cheek… when he mumbled a ‘thank you’ against my skin, I just about lost it. I wanted to turn him around and kiss him right fucking then and there, but the dryer buzzer almost gave me a goddamn heart attack after the silence that fell between us.

God, and the fucking way he was pointing to shit, having me read it to him in Korean shortly before had me feeling shit I had seriously never felt before. Over me just reading a label for a cream. Like, I almost felt crazy how I felt about all that fucking shit, and now I was trying to figure out how to incorporate Korean into everything, since he liked me speaking it so much.

Felt like I barely ever spoke it these days unless I was talking to family back home. And I decided I would take a stab at teaching him a few phrases, even though this motherfucker needed all that brain power on damn near relearning math.

But yeah, after that shit, after he kissed my cheek, I didn’t give a damn about the logistics of our first kiss- when it happened, or how it happened… I just wanted to do it.

Now, was he stunned into utter oblivion when he turned around with a handful of laundry, only for me to bend down, tilt his neck up, and bring my lips to his?

Yes.

Yes, he was.

But I made sure to ask if it was okay when I saw his eyes wide like that after pulling back, having a quick moment of sheer panic that maybe I jumped the gun a bit, however brief this first kiss was… and when he slowly nodded in return, that shit felt like novacane straight to my bloodstream.

What kept me up at least another thirty minutes, however, was everything that came after. Obviously, Ryk falling back onto the couch was insanely cute, but him cutting his foot wasn’t. Him having a first aid box that resembled a medic aid in active duty wasn’t, and the way he knew his way around that fucking box that was new but also half empty sure as hell wasn’t.

I hadn’t known about the night terrors. I didn’t know that that was probably why he had looked so drained each day, and for good reason. If they were that bad that he was this worried about sharing a space, that shit genuinely cut straight through me.

I thought he was in a terrible state the very first day he walked into the café, without realizing how bad a state he must’ve been in before then. How bad a state he was still in, even if he was doing his best to hide it all and attempt to push through.

And through all that- through one of the most painful nights of my life just hearing him, he still hadn’t gone into detail about it. With what he shared, I felt like I was having my fucking heart ripped out. Genuinely. I couldn’t believe I even told him that that alcohol swab might hurt when he had probably experienced unimaginable pain for Don to both use and leave supplies like that with him.

My hatred for his father was already at an all time high after fixing that car with Ryk, but if his father really did all that shit to him… I didn’t know how I could get between the twins and whatever they were plotting. I had half the heart to help them- to tell them to drop that shipment at the warehouse as early as possible, and I’d work through the night to ghost the guns.

The only thing still tethering me to not handling it myself was Ryker. I still didn’t know what he wanted, and what he wanted was what really mattered.

I wasn’t there that night. I wasn’t there the last nineteen years of his life. And right now, that was still the only parent he had left, however shit that man was.

When he explained his issue with how he viewed his attraction to me, I honestly felt like total shit because I didn’t understand how bad it was before- the nausea, the fear- and how jarring that all must’ve been for him. Was I happy he didn’t feel nauseated around me anymore? Yes. Fuck yes, I was beyond fucking happy for that shit. But still. Now he was navigating that .

Right then and there, I decided that we would go at whatever pace he wanted. If he wanted me in a parka and some snowpants until he was comfortable around me, that was fine. I didn’t give a shit. I just wanted to be with him.

And the fact that he was resting on me now, his arm draped over my bare midsection with mine wrapped carefully around his waist… This had meant so much more than it would’ve if we hadn’t gone through the night we just did.

But for now, I ordered my mind to rest. Our night together would bring new shit to deal with when daylight settled.

I woke up before Ryker did, but I didn’t mind.

I was just happy he was resting. I kept my sleep state light in case he stirred or had a night terror, wanting to be there for him as soon as it happened, but every time I woke up from his movement, he was just pulling me closer or adjusting his arm to hold me tighter.

Now that the sun was shining through his clean but sparse room, I was able to see him much better. He had his head tilted up more towards me, and his features in this light made my heart fucking pound. He looked so peaceful right now with his deep brown curls sprawled out over my chest. Those long, thick, dark lashes rested against his under eyes, his mouth slightly parted, and his breaths fanning my bare skin.

He felt a bit cold, so I reached down with my right hand and pulled the covers up over both of us more, tucking him further into me but trying not to wake him.

This was by far the longest I had ever stayed in bed for, even though my body woke up like clockwork at 4 AM, 5 AM, and 6 AM. Didn’t matter that I turned those alarms off for this morning; I still woke up, made sure he was okay, then rested my eyes until I could fall asleep again. The only deviation was the text I sent to X at 5 AM. Now it had to be about half past 8, but I was in no rush to leave this bed or him.

What surprised me, however, was when I felt Ryk slowly start to stir. Those eyes of his twitched a few times before gradually opening, then I watched him blink like twenty times total before tilting his head up a little further and asking in a sleepy, raspy voice, “How was it?”

“Hmm?” I hummed quietly, not sure what he was asking me. After last night, he could’ve been referring to literally anything.

“I didn’t dream… so no night terrors. How was your night?”

God, a question like that felt fucking insane after the night I personally had, basically going back and forth on the kiss, everything he said from his injuries to his acceptance of me regardless of the life I led, to me deciding whether or not I’d just let the twins torture and kill his father…

But I just replied with what it felt like waking up with him still in my arms.

“Perfect. Genuinely. You feel rested?” Ryk nodded at my question, rubbing the side of his face against my chest. “Hungry? Thirsty?” It took him a little longer to reply to that.

“My fridge is a fucking mess right now.”

I laughed lightly, understanding that. Something told me he wasn’t really making it around to full dinners, even if I was taking care of lunches, so I wasn’t sure what was and wasn’t spoiled at this point.

“How about this,” I suggested quietly, “you shower, we get dressed, and both head back to my place? A few things came up during the night that I want to take care of, but I’ll cook you breakfast, you can snoop to your heart’s content while I handle some business, then after, we work on your specialty item and some homework together.”

I didn’t want to feel like I was pulling him away from here… but I wanted him to rest at my place where I had full control of the environment.

“My place has a spa. I don’t think you should swim with your foot, but I might have some water-resistant bandages, and I have a terrace you can sit out on and smoke if that’s what you want to do. Sound good?”

Ryker nodded literally as soon as I was done talking, which made me smile. He probably wanted to hear all the features first of this offer. I felt him slowly pull himself out of my embrace, rolling over, then he turned to me and said, “I could kiss you for the offer, but I want to brush my teeth first. You’re the only one with breath that good in the morning.”

And that got the most unexpected laugh out of me before I nodded. “Do you want me to help apply the cream from my mum?” I asked.

Ryk hesitated.

“Are you…” he then trailed off for a sec. “Are you sure you don’t mind the bruising?”

And I could see the same uncertainty as last night when I asked if he always slept with a shirt, given the sweats from the night terrors.

The most troubling thing was, there wasn’t any way that I could tell him that I’d been around stabbings, fire burns, gun shots, and had to sew people up on far too many occasions… without him questioning what the actual fuck it is I do.

“I can handle it, Ryk,” I assured him. “Why don’t you go take that shower, and we can apply it after.”

What I wasn’t too sure I’d be able to handle, however, was whether I’d still let his father live if I saw how bad it was and found out it was really him who did all this. I wasn’t afraid of the bruising. I was afraid of my anger and what it could lead to.

Ryk simply nodded. “I’ll go do that then.” And I gave him a nod, watching him grab a towel before heading to the bathroom. Then I got up myself to go get the cream from the kitchen.

When I woke up at my 5 AM mark, I had texted Xavier, letting him know Ryk would be coming back to mine. I told him I’d be reaching out when I could to go over some things, because now shit had changed. He just told me to call when I needed him, as always.

After grabbing the cream, I waited patiently for Ryk to finish up in the shower, checking out his fridge just to see where he was at, and Don had brought some fresh produce that were pretty straightforward to cook, such as things for a salad, but they were already starting to wilt.

I decided that today I’d make him a week’s worth of dinners he could freeze and just reheat. I saw Don made a few, and I think that was easier than Ryk trying to cook right now.

Knowing what I knew now about his lack of sleep, I just wanted him to get as much rest as he could after his homework. Then I’d just take care of his lunches, and I had a shit ton of high-protein breakfast bars that I’d bring for him to take to school for breakfast in the mornings.

I stayed in the living room so Ryk had the space to change once he got out of the bathroom, and he was done pretty quickly, heading to his bedroom and closing the door, so I took the opportunity to freshen up, brush my teeth, and put on my hoodie which was still clean. To save me the hassle, I also put on the boxing shorts under my sweatpants and just threw the workout shirt in the trash. Anything that reminded me of Ryk getting hurt was discardable.

Didn’t take long before Ryk’s bedroom door opened and he called out, saying, “Should be good now.”

“Good,” I nodded, exiting his bathroom to head into his bedroom, where Ryk was already climbing back onto the bed he must’ve made while he was changing. “Just lie down on your back. The only thing you’ll have to lift up is your t-shirt just as far as the bruising goes.”

He did as he was told, lying back on his side of the bed, so I climbed onto the side we both slept on with the cream in hand and sat back on my hind legs, keeping me low enough to reach Ryker.

He was a bit hesitant at first, but eventually he lifted his plain white shirt for me while I unscrewed the lid on the bottle, squeezing the cream in one hand before closing it and setting it on Ryker’s bed. Then I warmed it up in my hands so it wasn’t so cold on his bare skin.

Once Ryker raised that shirt, however, I had to fix my face quickly so those large eyes looking up at me didn’t catch the anger flash across it.

The bruising wasn’t nearly as bad as I’ve seen, but if this was after Don’s handiwork… I might just have to get my own hands a little dirty with killing this guy’s fucking father.

The bruises were now purple and a bit yellow on his upper stomach, stretching damn near across all of him. I did notice that Ryker had a strong, lean build, and I could tell that he had put work into it- probably from the work he did at the shop, which meant he had real potential if he did ever want to start fighting at Fight Club.

I was probably seeing what Dante already saw, though, even with a whole hoodie covering him up.

“I know it’s bad,” Ryk tried to say, but I just shook my head no. He seemed almost disgusted with this part of him, and I wasn’t going to let him think I saw him that way. There wasn’t a single part of him that I didn’t want, but above all else, I just wanted him healthy.

“Don did a good job,” I assured Ryk. “You okay if I start?” I then asked, and he nodded, letting me lower my hands gently to his skin. The texture was smooth and soft, with my large hands gliding over it. “You should feel the soothing and numbing effect soon,” I told him, focusing my work on applying a good layer to every inch of the bruising.

“Your hands are really gentle,” he noted quietly, making me smile. “It’s… nice.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, but I want to make sure it seeps in well,” I explained, and Ryk nodded.

“I’ll be fine to do this myself, right? When you’re not around?”

“Yes,” I nodded, before clarifying, “ when I’m not around . But you have my number. I can be around for this.“

Ryk chuckled a bit. “You seem like a busy guy.”

“Only as busy as I decide to be,” I replied. “I think you’re the first thing that I didn’t decide, and surprisingly, you’re the first thing that I want to take care of on my laundry list of things. So I can be around for this.”

“Don did just kind of dump this shit on you. I’m s-”

“Shut up, Ryk,” I said as gently as I could. “Don placed you somewhere he knew you’d be safe.”

Ryk took some time before he said, “In more ways than one, right?”

That was when I glanced up from massaging the cream to look at him. I didn’t answer that; I just smiled… and I watched as a smile slowly spread across his lips, too. He knew I couldn’t answer that, and he seemed alright with it. He just needed a slight confirmation that it was true.

Don was one of the few people who knew what I did. Now, having me take this on without telling me more was utterly fucking absurd, but he knew I’d do it because of CiCi. And now I was more than willing to do it because of Ryk.

My hand slid carefully to his sides, and Ryk’s eyes drifted closed a second. “You should do this for a living,” he murmured in that raspy voice, stirring something else in me as warmth spread through my body.

“Massages?” I questioned quietly, not trying to disturb his relaxed state. Ryk slowly nodded. “I will gladly give you massages. That’s it.” And Ryk chuckled a bit, his stomach muscles contracting under my fingers.

“Glad I’m special then, too,” he replied.

“I think I told you last night that you already are,” I reminded him, which kept a smile on his face as he relaxed further into the mattress. I’d massage him like this every night if it made him this relaxed. I still wasn’t used to seeing him relaxed at all, and this state right here was something I’d provide whenever he wanted.

“What’s for breakfast?” he asked randomly, with his eyes still closed.

“What would you like to eat?” I asked, moving my hands just a bit lower on his sides, which made him shift a little as my fingers gently kneaded the areas that didn’t have any bruises at all to relax him more.

“What do you like to make?” He countered, making me smile.

“Do you like Belgian waffles?”

“Can’t say I’ve had them,” he answered, surprising the shit out of me. But I didn’t bring up my surprise.

“Then I’ll make them from scratch this morning,” I said instead. “What kind of fruit do you like?”

That took Ryk a bit to answer. “What fruit was at the bottom of the yogurt you packed?”

“Peaches.”

“Then peaches.”

Jesus, he really knew how to fucking get to me. I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Okay. I’ll make Belgian waffles with a peach syrup. Do you like whipped cream?” Ryk nodded immediately. “Then I’ll make that from scratch as well.”

“You’re making me hungry,” he mumbled, eyes still closed.

“I’ll get started as soon as we get back. You’re free to wander, poke around, watch some TV, though that’s probably collecting dust. Not sure if I’ve got anything worth a damn, but feel free to see.”

“I think I’d like to watch you cook instead,” he told me quietly.

“Okay,” I agreed. “Can I convince you to work on some homework while you do?” I asked him. Ryk nodded, which in return made my smile widen.

“Can I bring the camera? You probably have more to take photos of than I do here.”

While I finished massaging him, I took a quick look around his scarce room again, before saying, “Yeah, absolutely. My place has a beautiful courtyard that we can take a walk in after I’m done working. Looks like it’s going to be a sunny day today. Definitely bring something warm, otherwise you’re welcome to anything in my closet.”

“Not sure I’m fitting anything in your closet,” Ryk argued.

“You don’t fit the hoodies you wear now,” I reminded this fucker, making Ryk lightly laugh. He truly had some nerve to say anything at all with those massive hoodies in his closet. “Is your backpack all packed up?” I asked him. Ryk nodded. “Good. I’m just about done here, so I think we should pack up and head out.” And Ryk gave me another nod, but stayed put until I was one hundred percent done.

Before I could pull away to climb off the bed, however, Ryk’s right hand reached out from where he was still lying on the bed to gently grab my right arm. “What’s up, Ryk?” I asked, turning back to him.

“Well,” he answered in a voice that had more of a rasp to it than usual, “Pretty sure I said I could kiss you for the offer after I brushed my teeth.”

And I had to tell myself to calm the flying fucking down, trying to minimize the fucking cheshire chat grin that was about to spread across my lips as I nodded.

“ A man of your word is a good trait to have,“ I replied as I carefully moved my left hand, making sure I had the most sturdy fucking foundation on his pillow near his head for me to lower myself down on, because I’d be damned if I accidentally fell and hurt him anymore than he already was.

Ryk watched me tentatively as I leaned over him, kept my right arm near his side, and slowly lowered myself, watching this beautiful guy’s large eyes drift closed again as I eventually did the same and brought my lips down to his.

I kept them on his for just a bit longer than I did last night, not able to stop myself when I slowly parted his to give him one real fucking kiss, not a peck like before… but then I had to force myself to pull away, calling upon the strength of the holy buddha himself to help me show some kind of goddamn restraint, and I seperated us.

Fuckkk, his lips felt so goddamn fucking soft, jesus holy fuck-

“Ready?” I then asked Ryk, far more breathless than I fucking meant to, watching him slowly open his eyes with a smile as the rise and fall of his chest had quickened, and he nodded, letting me fully pull away before he pulled himself up into a sitting position, and we both eventually got off the bed.

All I could chant in my head again and again and again was: go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, you spineless motherfucker.

I helped Ryk get his things together, but there wasn’t much. I left the medicine and the sketchbook here because I had no intention of bringing those back when X brought them over, then we headed out.

Since I was taking Ryk to school on Monday, he didn’t need to bring his car; he just grabbed his cigs from it, then we headed to my parked motorcycle.

Ryk let me know his stomach felt much better after the cream, which made me feel better overall. I had another bottle at home, so I just let him know I could apply it again if needed, especially if he decided to take a dip in the pool. Otherwise, that cool numbing should last him the whole day, which he was pretty excited about.

He still didn’t tell me whether he had done too much while working on his car yesterday, but just seeing how much more mobile he was today, I knew he had, and I’m glad the cream brought him some relief.

The ride was going to be longer than Ryk was used to because I lived on the other side of town, and since we’d have all day together to talk, I asked if he wanted me to pair in some music to the helmets, which he agreed on. So I got that set up with my phone before we left, putting on some grunge rock because he seemed to like that genre, then we officially headed out.

Today was literally perfect for a ride. I knew Ryk felt it too because he had a tendency to rest his helmet against my back, but today he was looking around, taking in the beautiful views. I still lived in the inner city, but it had a less industrial feel. Not like the skyscrapers and the high rises.

At some point, Ryk tapped into the mic on the helmet like I showed him how to our first night riding, pressing the button on the side which lowered the music, for him to say, “I’ve never been on this side of town.”

All I said was, “You’re going to fucking love it,” before I let him tap out with his helmet so he could enjoy the ride.

More and more greenery came into view at some point, and Ryk’s hands tightened on my waist, making me smile. We hit a bit of traffic, slowing us down, but nothing crazy, and soon enough, we were pulling into my compound.

Ryk tapped back in immediately to shoot out, “ You’re fucking joking ,“ when he caught sight of my building. It was a brick building, completely renovated, but nothing like those industrial high rises. This place had charm, with a courtyard and sidewalks to take a stroll to nearby fresh markets. Everything was in this centralized hub, making the location convenient when I felt like walking instead of riding.

“You like it?” I asked him.

“Yes. Fuck yes, it’s so fucking beautiful over here,” he replied, making me grin. “There wasn’t any underground parking or anything, there were single-car garages behind the building in a massive lot that I pulled my bike to, before finding mine. Not every unit had a garage, and that was reasonable because many people in this building didn’t drive. They didn’t have to, given the location.

“You can hop off here,” I told Ryk, flipping the kickstand on my bike but keeping it running while he climbed off first. Then I got off to manually open up the garage door after unlocking it with a key attached to my set. Once that was up, I then hopped back on the bike, flipped the stand up, and slowly walked the bike right on it.

The garage was otherwise empty, leaving lots of room for just my bike, but come winter, I would be parking both my bike and my car inside. I flipped the stand again and shut off the bike so I could join Ryk outside as I pulled my helmet off like he had. I made sure to grab the extra lock I kept in here for added security…

But if anyone ever stole my ride, it would probably be the worst decision they could ever make. I had modded it with multiple high-end trackers.

“This,” Ryk gestured to the personal garage. “I like this.” He was all fucking smiles looking back out into the sunny lot.

“You’re making me feel a whole lot more confident that you’ll like the inside then,” I gestured for him to follow me, making sure to close and lock my garage up, placing the extra lock on, then we were off, walking from the parking lot at the back of the building, all around to the front.

I could’ve cut through the courtyard easily, but I wanted that to be a surprise for Ryk later.

That, and the lobby of the building was just as stunning as the scenery that surrounded it.

••

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26. Rising To The Occasion

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“Ryk,” Mickey spoke as he set a few bowls down on his massive, black marble kitchen island. “You adjusted yet?”

“Need another moment,” I replied, making him laugh.

My eyes were all over this fucking place, unsure of what to make of Mickey’s flat.

All I knew was that this man had to be doing something that paid better than just fucking good.

“How the fuck did you even find this place?” I asked him, turning to stare out into his completely open home as my toes wiggled in the house slippers he had me change into at the entryway, which he called the hyeon’gwan. He told me it was a custom in his culture to maintain cleanliness, and I just ran with it, loving how plush and soft they were.

“A few friends live around this area. I reached out when I was still in Boston, visited over my Winter Break, then decided to buy a few months before I graduated,” Mickey replied.

“You bought the place?” I asked, glancing out towards his terrace that was damn near the full length of his flat. And that was saying a whole fucking lot.

The floors in here were a rich, dark hardwood, complementing the darker tones of the entire place. His was an end unit… but it was also the only door I saw in this fucking hallway, which meant that this unit must’ve been the entire lenth of the front side of the building, and on the 7th floor which was the top level before the pool.

“Cheaper than renting. Trust me,” Mickey tried to assure me, but I didn’t even know how to wrap my head around that shit.

First off, the man wasn’t lying; he did have pretty much an entire industrial kitchen in his home, with stainless steel appliances, a double-door fridge, and a fancy kitchen island that wasn’t even really an island because it reached the completely exposed brick wall on my left. I was sitting on one of the barstools closest to his open living room, which was behind me, while Mickey worked on the other side, in the kitchen.

On the same brick wall, Mickey had a massive TV hung in the living room behind me, with three large, deep-brown suede couches forming a U shape around it. Next to the TV were two large, almost floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and I made a note to explore them later because this fucker told me last week he didn’t like reading.

If you were to shoot a shotgun through the home from the entrance, you’d reach the glass double doors to his terrace, and that wall was exposed brick, too.

But what completely got me about this home was something I couldn’t see at first, because there was a longer wall from the entrance on our left. I very soon found out that that was because there was a bathroom there, then there were some storage closets after.

When that wall ended, the home opened up to Mickey’s king-size bed on a platform bed frame, up against another wall that cut off only to create a short corridor beyond. The bed was also facing the TV, allowing him to choose to watch from his living room or from his bed itself.

And the wall his headboard, connected to the platform, was up against, had this deep sandalwood, almost canvas-textured material that matched all the dark undertones. His closet was the door right at the back corner, to the left side of his bedside table, which he had another of on the right side near the short corridor.

I thought that was fucking insane enough, until he showed me the one and only room behind that wall, through a door in that short corridor area, and that was where his goddamn art studio was.

The shit was bout the size of his bed area, which was saying a lot because that fucking shit was huge to begin with. He only let me take a peek inside, assuring me I’d get my fill of snooping later, but holy fuck , this place was just what the fuck?

I was so fucking close to asking Mickey what the hell the figure was on the price he paid, but I caught myself in time. That absolutely wasn’t my fucking business.

And don’t get me started on the lobby to this building, my fucking god.

“It’s a hidden gem for sure, though. And they priced this fucker accordingly,” he replied. “Each unit is also pretty unique. I picked this one because of the open layout, the terrace, and I like the long format going from my living room to my bed to the studio room right behind.” This goddamn baker- if I could even still call him that- said when he started to remove ingredients from his fridge.

He was still wearing his black hoodie and sweatpants, but he had put on a dark grey canvas apron so he wouldn’t ruin his clothes.

This kitchen had dark grey cabinets and countertops, matching the stainless steel appliances, with so much counterspace that I genuinely was having my mind blown just looking at it.

“Now didn’t you say you were going to do homework while I cook?” This fucker asked me. I almost threw a shoe at him because he must’ve known I’d have some fucking questions after seeing this place. “I do have some prerolls around here with your name on them if you make today productive.”

And unfortunately… I was a simple guy. That had me instantly reaching down for my backpack near my feet, making Mickey chuckle when he saw me lift it onto my lap.

“Comfortable?” He asked, gesturing to what I was wearing: a plain dark grey hoodie and some black jeans.

“I have options?” I asked him suddenly, making Mickey full-on laugh.

“Yeah,” he nodded, “if you want to change into anything at any time, just take a look in my closet. Pants might not fit, but you’re welcome to see what does.”

I nodded, smiling, before that smile quickly fucking dropped when I pulled out my fucking math textbook. Doing this was some bullshit… but working here in Mickey’s home made it a lot less shitty.

“You mentioned you aren’t home a lot. Is there another place you stay?” I asked Mickey while I pulled out a graphing calculator and a pencil, then set my backpack back down near my feet.

“Confidential information,” Mickey joked. Everything was out of the kitchen island for me to see so he could give me a front-row show, and he ended up setting the waffle maker on the counter adjacent to it, on my left, to keep it out of the way. I was most excited for the peach syrup and the whipped cream, though, even though he said this batter recipe was his own creation.

“You need to be getting your money’s worth,” I muttered, looking around the place one more time.

If I had bought this place, you wouldn’t be able to pay me to walk back through that fucking front door.

“Why don’t you do it when I can’t?” He countered, making me look up from my textbook. Mickey was starting to mix together the dry ingredients for the batter. “If you’re who I’m coming home to, I’d feel more inclined.”

I looked back down at my textbook quickly, trying to mask this stupid smile. “Let’s… let’s start with breakfast first,” I told him instead. The fact that this guy even said that pissed me off, because now I was going to have to lock in with Math… while that occupied every brain cell I had left.

I was on the brink of suicide about a quarter through my math homework, when Mickey broke his explanation on formulas to walk around the kitchen Island and say, “Here.”

Once I looked up and over at him, I saw him standing next to me with a peach slice in his hand, using his other hand below it to make sure no juices dripped.

“My hands aren’t clean,” I tried to tell him.

“No shit,” he replied. “Your mouth. Open it.”

I looked at him a moment, irritated from the math, and more irritated that he still looked this good while I knew my hair looked like a goddamn birdsnest from how many times I frustratingly ran my hands through this shit.

“I’ll just stand here until you do,” he said dead seriously. And with Mickey’s undying resilience, I knew he fucking would, so I hesitantly parted my lips and let him place the slice inside.

I was ready to hate it, even if I knew I wouldn’t… but I didn’t expect to fucking fall in love with it. “Oh, wait, hold on a fucking sec,” I mumbled, chewing more. This shit was infuriatingly delicious.

“Want another?” he offered with a sly grin. I almost rolled my eyes at him, but held back, just slightly nodding instead. “Asked if you wanted another,” he repeated, and at this point, he must’ve known I was ready to throw this fucking textbook out a goddamn window, right?

I had to take the deepest fucking breath before I answered, “Yes,” and that sly grin widened as he walked back around the kitchen island and picked up another slice. Then he walked it back towards me.

“Sa-”

“Tell me to say ah, and I’ll hurl this fucking textbook at you, Mickey,” I told him seriously, making him chuckle while I eventually opened my mouth for him to place another slice into.

“Good, right?”

“Yes,” I admitted, “but in all nineteen years of being on this fucking planet, I have never had another person feed me food with their hands.”

“Happy to be your first, then,” he replied, still smiling as he went back to cutting, and I went back to being on my last straw with my homework.

Mickey had finished the batter and started heating the waffle iron while he made the peach syrup on the kitchen island burner. He let me set aside my homework for this part, probably to give me a break, but also as a reward for the fact that I was almost done with my math homework. It was now about fifteen minutes to one in the afternoon, and my stomach was rumbling, so Mickey was working fast to wrap this up.

I loved the smell of the fruit cooking, though, watching it over this burner.

“This shit is dope,” I told Mickey, who was simultaneously making the whipped cream now. He looked over, smiling as I pointed to the thing in front of me.

“Tonight I’ll make a whole meal on it for us if you like,” he offered. I nodded quickly. Then Mickey turned on the mixer again to whip up the cream. I thought it would take long, but only a few minutes later, he turned the thing off and said, “Done,” which made me look up from the cooking syrup, very confused. Then he turned to me and asked, “Want a taste?”

I already knew what was coming, but I still nodded, watching him swipe a bit on his finger before walking over. I’m sure the look I was giving him said it all.

“No utensils in this fancy flat?” I asked.

“This is way more fun,” he replied with a stupidly hot grin. And yes, it was the fact that he had given me a break that made me open my mouth so he could put his finger in it for me to suck off. That was the only reason I was even entertaining this shit to begin with.

And unfortunately, the shit was fucking delicious as all hell.

“ Motherfucker ,“ I mumbled, savoring the creaminess with only a slight sweet flavor, and extra vanilla.

“Want more?” he asked a bit teasingly, but that deep voice was also a bit rougher. And at this point, I thought why the fuck not. If he wanted to have some fun, let’s have some fun. After math was Chem, and I didn’t foresee myself surviving through that fucking bullshit anyway.

“Alright,” I replied, watching Mickey head back to the bowl to swipe a little more before bringing it and him around to me.

This time I wrapped both my hands around his wrist and held his hand completely still, looked him dead in his eyes, and, rather intentionally, rather slowly sucked the cream off it, swirling my tongue around his finger in the process. Then I let go of his hand. “Still having fun, Mickey?” I asked him.

And the look Mickey gave me as he watched, the way his eyes sharpened at my question, turned this heat up to like eight thousand, making me instantly regret my choices of teasing him. “Trying to eat breakfast later, Ryk?” he asked me, and that voice of his was nine thousand times more fucking shot.

I was the one who quickly looked back over at the cooking peaches, muttering, “You’re going to burn the sauce,” and the raspy chuckle Mickey replied with made me squirm a bit in my fucking seat, squeezing my legs together a bit tighter.

Luckily, Mickey eventually walked back into the kitchen and lowered the heat a bit, but not before leaning down closer to me to whisper, “If it wasn’t for your rumbling stomach, I’d take that as a fucking challenge, Ryk.”

And that shit right fucking there forced me to pull my hoodie down more, not prepared for any of this.

Mickey managed to get the waffles cooking and cleaned up the kitchen as he brought the syrup all the way down to low, but best fucking believe I avoided that now heated gaze of his at all fucking costs. In fact, I pulled that math homework back out just so he would leave me the hell alone…

Because the way his voice made me hard damn near instantly wasn’t exactly something I could fix when I was in his home, watching him do shit like cook where he already looked unimaginably sexy.

I was trying to get so into this math shit to distract myself and calm my body down, that my heart almost leaped out my damn chest when a plate was placed down on my right side, and Mickey whispered near my ear, “What a hard worker. Thought I gave you a break.”

Jesus fucking Christ.

All he got was silence out of me because no . That shit made me hot all over as I battled the damn consequences of my actions. Luckily, Mickey backed the hell away before I could fall off this freaking barstool.

“Make sure you eat up, though, Ryk. Since you’re on a roll with homework, we’ll work on that together after breakfast, then you can snoop while I get some work done. After that, I’ll start teaching you the basics of macarons.”

“Okay,” I nodded, pushing aside the math homework, all while thanking whatever work was at play that Mickey had seemed to get serious again because his teasing was having an effect on me that I couldn’t control.

This baker managed to fix his own waffle while I cut into mine, mummbling a thank you when he put a glass of orange juice on the counter next to me first before getting his breakfast together. I cut a large piece of the warm waffle, making sure to get the peach syrup and the whip cream in there as well, and brought it all to my mouth… and I genuinely almost shed a fucking tear, it was that good.

“You like it?” Mikey asked as he was bringing his own plate out. I was still chewing the massive bite, but I nodded quickly.

“I’ll let you hand-feed me whatever if you keep making this,” I mumbled between bites of food, just saying shit. Simply just saying shit at this point because what would actually compel me to say some insane shit like that?

“Oh, is that right?” He asked as he took a seat, but he must’ve known I wasn’t answering that shit, and instead reached for another bite to stuff my face and stop my talking.

After breakfast, it was back to slaving away with homework. And I hated every bit of it.

Loved the breakfast, though. My stomach was in heaven, making my hatred for Chem a little less strong as Mickey stayed at the kitchen island with me, trying to walk me through it. He was creating a cheat sheet for me to use with my homework, but I just wanted to die in a hole.

The kitchen was spotless again, with this baker doing a great job, honestly, of cleaning as he cooked. An art I had yet to master, but while we were knee deep in my study packet, we both heard something vibrating from somewhere in the home.

Mickey got up to investigate while I kept working, but I turned to watch as he reached inside his bedside drawer and pulled something out, slipping it into his sweatpants pocket. As soon as he started turning around, I quickly looked back at my packet to act like I was working.

“Ryk?” He called, making me turn to him again. “I got to go take care of something. Just keep working until I get back, and call me if you need anything. Make sure you use that damn cheat sheet, too. No guessing on answers, got it?”

I gave him a nod, saying, “Okay,” as I watched him head towards the doorway and switch his house shoes for his sneakers. Then he opened that door and left.

Part of me wanted to stop right here and give myself another break so I could snoop… but all of me knew that once Mickey got back, he was going to be reviewing my work, and that was what kept my ass glued to that comfy barstool, working away.

Since I was on my own for a bit, I also pulled out my phone and started looking through all the video links he had saved for me, using my resources like I did at home to make it through the study packet for Chem. It sucked major balls, but after this was Physics, then World Religion, and then it was English, and I just had to get to English so I could read.

We were powering through Great Expectations by Charles Dickens which, so far, I had some mixed thoughts on, but I would take classic letrature over fucking inverses and composite functions in Pre-calc any day.

My only saving grace was that Mickey had put both Algebra II and Pre-calc together when helping me with my math, so the last thing I had to do tonight was just run through those quick quizzes before 11:59 PM and submit.

When Mickey left, it was about 2:00 PM, so I tried to keep track of how long I was spending on what. I decided that after Chem, it would be the pain and misery that was Physics. Then after that, I had very little in World History thanks to Mickey and his extensive knowledge on Buddhism, and last would be Honors English.

After Physics, though, I decided it was probably best to get the online tests out of the way because I didn’t want it to cut into my time with that baker and macarons. I had no idea how long he’d be gone, but the more homework I could knock out while he was gone, the better.

And Chem definitely took me until around 3:30 PM, so I took about a 15-minute break to pace around Mickey’s living room/ bedroom, practice breathing exercises, go have a cigarette on his terrace, which was actually stunning, then come back and grab my Physics shit because I decided that working on the terrace would actually be nicer.

It also allowed me to stress smoke whenever I needed. And with Physics, I definitely fucking needed it.

We were having another test next week which meant study packets on study packets on study packets, but Mickey had created another cheat sheet for this one which I was actually starting to remember some shit from, praise be , and this stupid subject coupled with the bright sunny day, and the gorgeous views from the balcony, I actually managed to make it through pretty quickly, about an hour or so which was good as shit for me.

Then I thought that maybe a glass of juice or something would be nice to have out here, so I went back inside, headed for the kitchen, and poured myself one.

While I was pouring, however, I remembered I had brought the camera to take photos. And I knew that Mickey had mentioned us going around the courtyard, but I honestly thought the views from his terrace were gorgeous too, with the tops of buildings and, hopefully, the setting sun.

So I went and grabbed that from my backpack and got to work.

Once 6:00 PM rolled around, I got a bit concerned about this damn baker, so I messaged him to check in and ask if he knew his WiFi password so I could finish my assignments online. So far, after this, all I had was my English.

He sent a text letting me know he would be back as soon as he could, then told me his password was written on his router in his art studio.

So, well, I migrated on over there with my laptop and got connected, before starting that. Only took me like 40 minutes tops since everything was timed. Then I closed my laptop up.

Being in the studio space now got me way too curious, though. Mickey didn’t have any canvases out, but he did have some sketchbooks, and as soon as I opened the first page of one lying on his counter, I damn near felt my heart fucking stop.

He had drawn a picture of the scenery out on his terrace- a sketch, really- but it felt almost insulting to call it that. This was done in pen, yet the detail he was able to put into the sketch for a sketchbook so small absolutely floored me. He was seriously, seriously, seriously skilled.

And unfortunately for myself… that was the only sketch in there.

I saw that he had a few zipped-up portfolios, but I didn’t feel comfortable opening them without him here. I didn’t know yet what he did and didn’t feel comfortable showing me, so I didn’t stay in the studio too long.

Instead, I ventured back out into the living room, heading towards the bookshelves for more snooping.

Mickey didn’t like to read, and yet he had hundreds of books. Some titles I was able to recognize, some I didn’t know what the flying fuck they were. The only titles I actually knew were a lot of classical fiction, yet something told me he didn’t crack them open often. Maybe during his school days or something.

After my fair share of snooping, it was time for some actual reading. It was now about 7:20 PM, and pitch dark outside. I ended up turning on some mood lamps in Mickey’s home until I found a power cable connected to the platform of the bed. When that yellow light lit up under it, I just fell in love with this entire apartment all the fuck over again. The warm lighting created a nice ambience.

Because I didn’t trust myself to do anything else in that man’s kitchen, and I wasn’t really hungry anyway, I was able to find a kettle and make some tea. After that, I decided that maybe something more comfortable would be nice to wear instead of jeans and a hoodie, so I looked through Mickey’s closet. His pants sure as shit weren’t going to fit, so I just kept my boxers on and put on a graphic tee.

After all this, I was finally ready to read.

I grabbed the book from my backpack, brought the tea cup with me to Mickey’s bed, set it on the wooden platform right past the end of the bed, and got on, lying upside down on the bed so my head hung slightly off the edge while I cracked the book open to where I had left off. Page 52.

Then I started to read…

I lost track of time completely. The book had gotten a bit more engaging, and between the sips of tea, I just lay there reading.

It was the sound of the front door opening that startled me a bit.

“Ryk?” Mickey called out to me. I heard the door close and some shuffling sounds.

“Just in here,” I replied, turning my head towards the walls so I could eventually see Mickey walk past it.

He was still in the clothes he left with, black baggy sweatpants and a hoodie, but his hair was wet, and when he saw me, his whole body froze.

“Hey. Sorry. Just reading for English, then homework is done.”

He was still standing there, just looking at me, and I wasn’t really sure what to say next. I mean, I did snoop, but nothing else in this apartment had changed.

“I made some tea,” I offered too. “On the stove.”

That seemed to get him moving, but he walked towards me instead, eventually reaching where I was lying down.

He knelt down right where my head was at, my neck bent with the edge of his mattress, so I was looking up at him upside down. Then he bent down and brought his lips to mine.

It was so unexpected, and I guess I expected another peck like on some honey I’m home shit, but- no, he kissed me. Like kissed me , kissed me. I felt his lips part mine as he deepened the kiss, and my hand discarded that book some fucking where before both hands slipped deep into the locks of his wet hair, welcoming this upside-down kiss.

I felt my body start to shiver as he deepened this shit further, my legs squirming a bit on his bed as he lifted both his hands to the back of my head, keeping me angled. My hands tightened their hold in his cold, wet strands of hair from that alone. His lips were biting cold, but the softest fucking thing, making me unexpectedly groan into it when he took my bottom lip between his, and my heart started to beat much fucking faster.

But then he slowly pulled away, leaving both of us a panting fucking mess. I could only stare up at him as he leant back slightly and those piercing eyes found mine.

Then the first words out of his mouth were, “I’m sorry I was gone so long.”

Shit, my head was still fucking dizzy from the kiss that I didn’t even know how to register that. His eyes glance up to the rest of my body, which had most definitely reacted to that fucking kiss, making his breathing deeper.

The first thing I could process my fucking brain to ask was, “Is everything okay?”

And Mickey replied with, “It is now. Can I cook you something?”

I just… I just nodded.

I wasn’t sure what the fuck happened, or why his hair was wet, but I just nodded. I promised him that he could be just a baker until he told me that he wasn’t. So I fucking nodded, letting him pull away completely before he stood up.

“I’m just going to change quick,” he said, heading towards his closet.

“Would you like some tea?” I asked him, still a bit dizzy, making this baker turn to me. And the smile he gave me sent a deep wave of warmth all over my body as he nodded.

“That would be fucking perfect. Thanks, Ryk.”

I nodded, smiling in return before pulling myself off the bed and heading towards the kitchen, giving him the space to change while I gave myself the time to pull it together more.

Especially after a kiss like that.

••

27. It’s A Scone-Cold World

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Seeing Ryker love my home had put me on cloud fucking nine while I was making Belgian waffles.

But he was probably more suspicious of me now than ever.

And yet still, he kept all his prying questions to himself.

I had started in on the waffles almost immediately, while Ryker eventually started his homework with promises of a smoke sesh after he finished. Or at least got most of it done.

For the most part, too, I kept my composure. He looked at me like he wanted to stab pin needles straight through my eyeballs when I first tried to feed him a slice of peach, but he still went back for seconds.

The whipped cream, however, was when I just about almost fucking lost it.

Now, was it overkill to have him suck it off my finger?

Yes.

But I had also rarely ever gotten to make breakfast for someone like this, no less in my own home, so I did in fact milk the fuck out of all of it, and with no regrets. That second serving, however, almost made me lose my fucking mind when he swirled his tongue around my finger, his soft, warm mouth clearing all of it off, and he knew what the fuck he was doing, too, because this motherfucker avoided all confrontation after that, diving right back into his math homework even though I told him he could take a break to supervise the syrup.

But still, I was on cloud fucking nine watching him do his absolute best to ignore me, even while he ate the finished product, offering deep moans as gratification for the delicious food.

What physically pained me, however, like it always fucking did with Ryk, was his homework. Math and Science specifically were like kryptonite to this kid. I’m talking that shit drained his and my will to live so fast as we went back and forth on formulas, and written answers.

But progress was being made by some miracle, and the very last thing I expected was to be interrupted by a damn vibration from somewhere in my house.

I told Ryk to stay put and keep working, then I went towards the sound. As soon as I realized it was coming from my bedside, I knew it couldn’t be good news.

I pulled out the drawer, reached inside, and quickly put the buzzing burner phone into my pocket. When I turned back to Ryk, he was definitely trying to look like he was busy, but he didn’t say anything about it.

“Ryk?” I called out anyway, making him turn to me again. “I got to go take care of something. Just keep working until I get back, and call me if you need anything. Make sure you use that damn cheat sheet, too. No guessing on answers, got it?”

Ryk seemed cool with it, granted he did know that my work would come up at some point today… but I didn’t expect it like this. “Okay,” he told me as I walked towards the front door, switched my house slippers for sneakers, and headed out into my apartment building’s hallway.

I didn’t reach into my pocket for that phone until I made it to the elevator doors and pushed the down arrow. Then I slipped the phone out and dialled the number that had just dialled for me.

“Hello?” Don picked up.

“Why are you calling me on this fucking number, Don?” I snapped immediately. This number wasn’t meant to be used all willy-nilly.

“Because we need to talk, and I can’t make it to you right now,” he replied.

Jesus fucking christ , I couldn’t help but think. This man had the worst fucking timing in the whole goddamn world.

“Give me a second,” I told him. “I’m-… I’m getting to a more private place.”

“Alright,” he replied, waiting patiently as I entered the elevators and pressed the floor for the first floor, where our private conference rooms were located. Then Don and I sat in silence on the line until the elevators made it all the way down, I exited, and I headed towards the hall where the private rooms were located.

I made sure I chose the most secluded one before entering and locking the door behind me, before pulling out one of the chairs at the empty table, sitting my ass down, and saying, “Where the hell have you been?”

Don sighed. “I’ve been busy,” he replied.

“Busy my fucking ass, Don, what the fuck is going on?”

“Listen,” this fucker started, “it’s been as crazy on my end as it’s been on yours.”

“I swear to god, Don, you better start talking. Right now is a terrible time for this,” I snapped. Ryk was still upstairs in my home, and I still had shit to handle with Xavier. Today was not a Deal With Don day.

“You already know the half of it, don’t you?” He asked.

“What I know is that a kid all banged up showed up to Wilmoria’s. Simon fucking Parker’s kid. A kid you’re somehow involved with, which means my ability to gain any additional information is hitting a brick wall. Because you’re fucking involved.” I was trying my best to keep my cool, but Don had been dodging me for weeks now.

“It’s a mess,” Don assured me.

“Well, let’s hear how messy,” I countered in the same hushed tone I had been keeping for the duration of this call.

“I didn’t know about all this until shit hit the fan on Halloween night. I got a call from Dylan that Isiah had been hurt,” Don started, making me sit up in this leather chair immediately. “Dyan and Isiah were at a Halloween party. I guess Halloween is also Ryker’s birthday, but Isiah hadn’t heard from him all day. He was supposed to be at some auto expo with his dad.”

That made me pause for a moment before I said, “Do you mean RXX?”

“Yeah,” Don replied, “that one. It was supposed to be a gift from his dad, but you know Simon isn’t worth a damn, so he ended up not showing up to take Ryker, leaving Ryker at the shop all day.”

That made my whole body still for a moment. “Don… that’s not an expo you just skip . Tickets are insanely hard to get, limited entry, once a fucking year-”

“Listen, it’s fucking Simon Parker, Mic. Leave it to him to take home Worst Father of the Year every fucking year. The point is, Ryk was there at the shop drinking and finally came to closer to midnight. He ended up showing up at Molly’s party.”

“Drunk?” I asked Don.

“No, but you know, not doing well. He wanted to see Isiah for the last few minutes of his birthday. He didn’t go into the house where the party was, but Isiah took a walk with him around the block while they talked.”

“I didn’t know Ryker knew Isiah,” I told Don honestly. That came as a complete fucking surprise to me. Ryk hadn’t brought him up once.

“Yeah, well, Dylan had brought up their friendship before, but I guess it was a bit more. While Dylan, Carson, and I were in Ireland, they sort of developed a friends with benefits thing for a year, where I guess Ryker thought it was more when Isiah didn’t.”

Don’s words knocked the fucking wind out of me.

“They… they did?” I finally managed to ask.

“Yeah. But the issue is, before we left for Ireland, Isiah kissed Dylan and then sort of bolted. He didn’t talk to Dylan for the year we were away at all, pretty much terrified that he had ruined their friendship. And of course, once we got back, Isiah and Dylan worked on fixing that, and then that led to feelings on both sides, et cetera et cetera. And now they’re dating.”

I ran my free hand through my hair carelessly, trying to grapple with this situation. Don had been right. This shit was a fucking shit show.

“Issue was, Ryker still had feelings, and he was in such a wrecked state that night-”

“I can fucking believe it,” I cut in. “You don’t understand how big that expo is for motorheads, Don. Seriously. You don’t just skip some shit like that.”

“I believe you,” Don assured me, “and trust me, I can’t imagine how crushed Ryker was. But during that walk with Isiah, they made their way to his car to have a cigarette and just talk-”

“Isiah fucking smokes? Since the fuck when? “ I cut in again.

“Since we left, I don’t fucking know, Mic. Isiah was going through it for that year. I’m sure he picked it up since Ryker smokes. The point is, during their conversation, Ryker confessed to Isiah how he really felt, and Isiah tried to explain that he was with Dylan, which Ryker knew about at the time. One thing led to another, and Ryker unexpectedly kissed Isiah-”

“ What? “ I asked, leaning all the fuck the way forward in this fucking chair. Then I stood up abruptly and started to pace.

This was a lot.

This was a whole fucking lot.

“The issue is, Simon Parker fucking saw. And I mean, he’s everything else that’s wrong with the world, so also being homophobic comes as no surprise. He ended up punching Isiah-”

“He did what?! “ I asked, unexpectedly raising my voice before I realized that I needed to get my shit together immediately. But the anger boiling up for everything was starting to feel fucking overwhelming. “Is Isiah okay?” I asked a bit more calmly now. I hadn’t seen either of the boys since the beginning of October, but I just thought they were busy with school. Those two had always been overachievers, and it was their final year before college.

“He’s fine. I smoothed it over with his parents by telling them a complete lie. Something I’m a little fucking pissed that I had to do because they are dear friends of Carson and me. But Isiah didn’t want to trouble them. I guess that last year had been really rocky, with Isiah drinking and smoking-”

“He did what? “ I asked Don. “No, there’s no fucking way. Isiah isn’t that type of kid.”

“Mic, I’m going to need you to shut the fuck up for a second so I can get through this because it’s a lot and I don’t have much time. Alright?”

I took about the deepest of fucking inhales before muttering, “continue.”

“Anyways, Simon punched Isiah and started beating Ryker. He did some damage to Ryker’s car before throwing the kid in his car and speeding off, leaving Isiah on the road.”

I took another sharp fucking inhale, but I just shut the fuck up and kept pacing, listening.

“Dylan found him because Isiah had disappeared from the party, and honestly, those two hate parties. Didn’t take Dylan long to notice he was gone. Isiah had told him that Ryker had called and was just stepping out to answer it. He didn’t know that Ryker was outside, wanting to take a walk. I guess he wanted to go for a ride at first, but Isiah said he couldn’t leave.”

I didn’t even know how to place my emotions, my hand kept making a tight fist then releasing, trying to alleviate the anger, but fuck man, what the fuck was all this shit?

“Dylan called me after he found Isiah, mentioning Ryker and his dad and what Isiah had seen, so Carson and I showed up. I ended up having Dylan take Isiah to our home, then Carson and I paid a visit to the chop shop.”

And that was how this man was fucking connected, I realized. And if I were feeling this now, I couldn’t imagine Don’s rage that night.

“We showed up. Carson brought his shotgun just in case. Ryker was on the floor of the shop, completely covered in blood, as was his fathers shirt, and I sort of-… well, I sort of beat the shit out of Simon Parker with a crowbar.”

My pacing slowed to an abrupt stop at that.

That was information I didn’t fucking know.

“Carson shot one of the men in the shop-”

“There were others in there?” I asked Don, “Just watching Simon do that to his kid?”

“Yes,” Don replied. “Two others.”

“What are the names?”

“Mic, I’m handling it.”

“What are the names, Don? You can either tell me, or I can find out. Which do you prefer?”

There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment before Don finally said, “Vinny Cowell and John Hopkins. But I’m handling it, Mic, just let me get there.”

I gave Don the floor. But those names were engraved in my fucking memory now.

“Carson ended up shooting Vinny in the hand because he reached for a gun. After I beat Simon, I just picked up Ryker, and we left. I took him to The Brookside because a hospital wasn’t an option… even though I probably violated or broke about ninety laws doing that. The kid was damn near beaten within an inch of his life.”

Now I understood that fucking first aid a shit ton better. And I was starting to not know where to put my fucking anger at this point. I could feel my heart beating faster, my blood pressure increasing.

“I did what I could,” Don assured me. “I stayed with him the whole weekend. Checked on him that entire first week. If he didn’t look good by Tuesday, I would’ve had to take him to the ER, but the kid was starting to pull through, so I just continued to do what I could. He’ll remain at The Brookside as long as he needs to, but he needed a job, and he needed to return to school. Those were my rules for me to help.”

Jesus fucking christ.

I felt myself exhale, trying to find any sense of control right now.

“What about Simon then?” I asked Don through gritted teeth.

“His shop is on land I was involved in with the county. But that was fifteen years ago. If it was twenty years ago, Mic, Simon would have just come up missing… You know that. Pricilla has told you a bit about who I once was. But I’m not that man anymore, and I have a son now. A family. I can’t just go dealing with people like that.”

“I understand that, Don,” I told him. And I did.

And Don might not have been that man anymore… but I wasn’t this new-and-improved Don.

“I know you want to help, Mic… but killing Simon isn’t the answer.”

Maybe not for this old man, but I was seeing things a hell of a lot differently.

“I can still have the land revoked. He’d have to close down shop.”

“But then he can just set up elsewhere,” I told Don.

“And I know that too. That’s why I reached out to Sammy.”

“At Fight Club?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Don replied, “He has an uncle that did time. Uncle Jimmy. Sammy owed him a favor years ago, which I helped him take care of. I had heard of Fight Club for years, and I just happened to cross paths with him when he was looking for a permit to expand his gym. Sammy still has a lot of connects around the city, so I’m hoping I can find a charge that’ll stick for Simon. If he’s locked up, there won’t be another location. And he has enough enemies in prison that whatever happens happens once he gets there.”

“And what if you can’t find something?” I asked Don.

“I will,” he replied. “Trust me. You’re not the only one with connections in high places, Mic. But you are the only one who can keep Simon alive enough for that to happen.”

“Tell me why I should,” I told Don.

“Because I don’t think Ryker wants his dad dead. At least not yet,” Don replied. “I’m doing all this so we can get him off the streets at least. Ryker can handle the fact that his dad’s past caught up with him if we go through legal channels, but we can’t involve ourselves in this.”

“You know I’ve got a flimsy leash on the twins, right?” I asked Don.

“But you’ve got a leash nevertheless. I’ve got nothing. Involving myself with the Machiavelli family will open up doors for my previous employer that need to remain sealed shut. So I need you to do what you can to just buy me some fucking time. Simon has some heat on him, and I think he skipped town for a few weeks, but he’ll be back eventually. My only issue is that time is fucking nothing for the Machiavelli family. If they feel scorned, then they’re willing to wait. Just keep tabs on the twins and let me handle this the legal way.”

I found myself sitting back in the very same chair again, thinking. Just thinking.

“I don’t have an answer for you yet,” I told Don.

I had to speak with Ryker first.

“That’s alright, Mic. But just think it over. You don’t want the twins getting into some hot shit either. You know what their family might require of you. So just think on it.”

At this point, I had very limited options, but I wasn’t going to make any commitments now. Not with this old man.

“There’s one last thing I have to ask,” Don told me. “Now that you know everything that happened with Isiah, does that change your willingness to help Ryker? I knew you’d find out regardless, but I have to ask. He’s still under my care. Isiah has forgiven him, of course, but Ryker hasn’t been in communication with him since that night.”

That question alone made my fucking eye twitch.

“I love Isiah like a younger brother,” I told Don seriously, “and what Ryker did was so wrong… but wouldn’t you say that kid’s paid enough for it? Hell, wouldn’t you say that you and I, of all people, are not in a place to cast judgment? It’s not my place to forgive him; it’s Isiah’s. And it’s not my place to apologize; it’s Ryker’s. So as of now, no. This changes nothing. Ryker will reach out to try and resolve things if and when he’s ready.”

But it did change something.

It just made me ache for the guy in my apartment, who had carried so much more pain than just the night of Halloween. That much I knew, and if I was the only one who knew, I could live with that.

And secondly, it just made me want to kill his father more.

“I understand. We’ll talk soon. I love you, Mic,” Don finished.

“One last thing, Don,” I said before he could hang up.

“What’s up, Mic?” He asked.

“You owe me a favour for taking care of Ryk and not pressing things as far as you know I could press them. I want to cash it in now.”

“What is it?”

“I want Ryk as my responsibility from now on. He can stay at The Brookside. You can check in. He’ll stay in school. He’ll stay at Wilmoria’s. But he’s my responsibility. His care is under my protection, and where he goes is under my surveillance.  Understood?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Don finally said, “Understood. I’ll talk to you soon, Mic. I love you.”

“Talk to you soon. Love you,” I replied before ending the call.

I brought the phone down to my lap, still thinking.

This shit was bad. This shit was really fucking bad.

I slipped the burner into one pocket… but then I pulled it out again, and made another phone call.

“What’s wrong, Mic?” X asked, picking up on the first ring.

“I’m going to need some time to think on a few things. I’ll explain more at the warehouse, but for now, I have two things I want you to do for me.”

“Name it.”

“Find the whereabouts of Vinny Cowell and John Hopkins. They work for Simon Parker. I want their schedule, and I want the contact of someone who can handle it. Not take them out, but handle it. Just their contact, and I’ll take it from there. The twins can’t have connections to them, and they can’t know. Got it?”

“Got it. I’ll reach out when I have something.”

“Thanks, X. Cash in a favor if you have to. You have my permission,” I told him.

“Will do, Mic. And anytime,” he replied before the line went dead.

Then I slipped the burner phone back into my pocket and pulled out my day phone to make another phone call. I wanted to return to Ryk… but not like this. Not in the state I was in now.

The call was picked up on the third ring.

“It’s a Sunday, Mickey.”

“I know, Dante. But I’m about to do something, and I need my head on straight first.”

There was only a brief pause before he replied, “Come through. I’ll get the mats warmed up.”

I pulled my bike into the back alley’s slot of the closed gym, flipped the kickstand, and shut the bike off before climbing off it.

The back door was already open when I pulled the handle and walked in, locking the door behind me. Then I walked down the corridor towards the open gym. Dante was already lining up the mats at the heaviest punching bag when he spotted me.

“Sammy’s going to murder you,” was the first thing Dante said.

“I talked to Don,” I replied, and Dante fell silent for a moment.

Then he simply nodded. “Get changed then and let’s start. Your gloves are in the back.”

By the time I made it back to my apartments, it was pitch dark out.

I didn’t know what Ryk would think, but I had texted him back when I saw his message during my training session with Dante. At some point, the older man was the one who called it quits, telling me I had to shower and head back, and honestly, it was probably because I was eating into dinner time with his husband real bad.

Once I made it up to my apartment door, my hand stilled with raising the key fob to the lock, trying to think of what I was going to say to Ryker.

I wasn’t angry with him at all. The farthest fucking thing from it. I just…

There was so much there that Don understood with Ryk, but he was being a parent first, and I understand that. Yet there wasn’t a day that had gone by that I didn’t think Ryker had blamed himself for this. All of this. And that was what hurt me most. That there was even a sliver of a chance he felt he deserved this, when it was his father who fucked him up so badly, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. Even if he couldn’t see that.

I knew where Don was coming from, but I just couldn’t see Ryker the same way he did.

All I cared about was who Ryk was now, and who he was trying to be. Not about who he was then, because he had more than just learned a lesson in this case. He had had it abused into him, which made me physically feel sick to my stomach.

After another deep breath, I finally opened up the door. The home had minimal warm lighting. The kitchen was dark, except for the light under the microwave, and only a few lamps were on.

“Ryk?” I called out, closing the door behind me. I slipped off my shoes and switched into house slippers.

“Just in here,” he replied from somewhere deeper in the home. I took another deep breath before I finally entered, walking down the short entry. Just past the wall, I saw him lying upside down on my bed, his neck bent with the mattress ledge, and a cup of tea on the bed platform, beside him. He had changed into one of my t-shirts and was wearing what looked like just his boxers, which made my breathing hitch.

Not because he looked incredibly sexy, because there was also that… but because of how good it felt to come home to him like this. In my clothes. Drinking tea. Reading.

“Hey. Sorry. Just reading for English, then homework is done,” he said with his head turned to me. Just that alone seemed to heal whatever pain I was feeling torn into me, weighing me down. Dante had exhausted me physically because I needed an outlet for my anger so I could think clearly, but this… this right here felt like it was healing so much more.

“I made some tea,” he continued in that raspy voice of his. “On the stove.”

And that seemed to really fucking do it for me as I started making my way over to him. Just for tonight, just for a few seconds tonight, I decided I needed just a little more. I found myself walking right up to where he was on the ledge of the bed, kneeling down on both knees, bending down, and slowly bringing my lips to his.

One of these days, I’d give him a kiss that was expected. But that moment wasn’t this one. And it wasn’t going to be one of those bullshit pecks either, I decided, parting his soft lips with mine to deepen this kiss instantly, moving against him, and just fucking praying that this was okay for us. That I wasn’t being too selfish tonight, just wanting more with him, not from him.

It felt like far too many people had taken far too much from him already.

When I felt his hands tangle in my still-wet hair from the shower I took at Fight Club, I felt it through my whole exhausted body, pressing my lips against him a little harder while his meshed with mine. I could feel the shivers in his body as it reacted to this kiss, but he didn’t push or pull me away, causing my hands to slip behind his head so I could tilt him a little further towards me and capture that bottom lip between mine.

This was how I wanted to kiss him last night, but after the day I had, this was the only way I could accept it moving forward, making sure he understood exactly where my feelings stood with him, and when I felt him tighten his fingers in my hair, not caring it was wet, when I heard him groan into this fucking kiss, I had to force myself to pull away before I begged to take things further.

I leaned back slightly so I could get a good look at those perfect eyes, probably staring down at him with intensity he didn’t understand because he didn’t even know where the hell I’d been all day, but he didn’t shy away from it.

And the very first thing I said was, “I’m sorry I was gone so long.”

My eyes shifted upward slightly, taking in just how good he looked in my clothes. I noticed the way his body had reacted, the growing bulge in his briefs, but I didn’t ask for more. That kiss was seriously more than enough right now.

It took him a while to respond, but that was fine. And when he did, he asked, “Is everything okay?”

I just answered how I felt.

“It is now. Can I cook you something?”

He slowly, but surely, nodded, and I pulled away completely before standing up. He had done all his homework besides English, which was what he was doing now. So I was already thinking of ways to reward him for that.

“I’m just going to change quick,” I told him, heading towards my closet. These clothes felt like they had seen eight years in the span of eight hours, and I wanted to change into some joggers and a comfortable shirt.

“Would you like some tea?” Ryk asked, making me turn to him, still on my bed. I couldn’t help but fucking smile because shit , after the day I had, tea sounded nice. It sounded really fucking nice.

“That would be fucking perfect. Thanks, Ryk.”

And he nodded, smiling in return before heading off to the kitchen.

I managed to find just the clothes I needed and changed quickly while Ryk was busy reheating the water in the kettle. I didn’t know what he wanted to eat, but I wanted to make him something incredibly delicious for everything he did today, so I headed his way into the kitchen.

“How was homework?” I asked him, pulling another cup out from the cupboard, for once the water boiled again.

“Good,” Ryk replied. “Used the links you gave me and the cheat sheets to get through everything.”

That shit made me fucking grin. God, just being here right now was fucking everything, but hearing his self-sufficiency while I handled what I needed to? That was what made this so goddamn perfect.

“I did Physics out on your terrace. Cigarettes helped. A lot.”

That shit made me chuckle while I got another glass for some water.

“I finished all the assignments on the computer. Thanks for the password,” Ryk added. I nodded. “I also took some photos out on the terrace. It’s fucking gorgeous out there.”

“It is,” I smiled again. “I’m glad you got to enjoy the fresh air.” Ryk quickly nodded.

“I also saw a bit of your art. Well… the one sketchbook. Didn’t feel right looking through your portfolio when you weren’t here.”

“You can look through my art anytime, Ryk,” I told him, before pulling the carafe of water from the fridge.

“I can?” He asked from behind me, and I couldn’t help but grin, nodding again. “Well, shit, I failed as a fucking snooper today then.”

And that shit had me busting out laughing. I raised the carafe to ask if he wanted some, and Ryk nodded. So I went to get him a glass, too. “What else did you do?”

“Well… I made tea, had some OJ, and checked out your books for a bit. Thought you said you didn’t like reading.”

“I don’t,” I told him, bringing his glass to the counter beside him where I was and pouring some water for us both. “I do it anyway, because I like to know the subjects I’m about to heavily critique, or cast judgment on.”

And that made Ryk smile wide.

“I’m going to start cooking here because water, OJ, cigarettes, and tea definitely aren’t sustainable. But because you’ve been productive, you can spark a joint while I cook. They’re in the red glass jar on my bookshelf.”

Ryk’s eyes widened. “ That’s what that is?“ He asked me.

I chuckled. “Looks like you really did fail as a snooper today. Now what would you like to eat, my little well-mannered, modest house guest?”

Ryk grinned at that. “Something Korean? Maybe a soup?”

I looked over at Ryk a moment, not expecting that shit at all.

“Yeah. Yeah I can do that, would you like something heavy or light?”

Ryk thought about it quietly a moment before saying, “Maybe something light-ish?”

I nodded. “Have you had mussels before?”

“Firmer than the gooey-looking oysters, right? Black shells?”

“Right,” I nodded.

“No, but I’m game,” Ryk replied, making me smile.

“Perfect. Then I’ll make some Honghap Tang tonight. You’re lucky because it comes with a shot of soju on the side. Now go find that joint, and I’ll get started.”

••

28. Let’s Get Baked

Not sure how many uploads I’ll get to today, but we shall see! (I ended up knocking out before getting around to posting this yesterday lol)

Enjoy!

xoxo

“So this recipe is actually pretty easy,” Mickey explained, setting a huge round pot on the burner. “Just mussels, green onions, garlic, and salt. I like to add fresh Cheongyang chili pepper, but if you’re not a fan of spicy-”

“I am,” I cut in, nodding quickly before taking another hit of this burning joint. “Keep that shit in.” Then I exhaled.

Mickey just laughed, nodding. “I’ll keep it in then. Usually, fresh mussels are the best, but that shit wouldn’t fly for how little I’ve been gone; that wouldn’t work in this home. What I do have are fresh mussels that were frozen in their juices, so I’m defrosting those now, and since they’ve already been cleaned, we don’t have to worry about that.”

“That’s dope. Looks kinda like a witch’s pot,” I commented, pointing to the black, circular pot, and Mickey chuckled.

“Shit does, doesn’t it?” this baker confirmed. We both nodded.

“Since the mussels are defrosting, and everything will boil together, I’ve got some Korean snacks I want you to try.”

I watched as Mickey turned and started rummaging through his cabinets before pulling a few small red bags of snacks out and walking them over. “Cosmos Tteokbokki.” Mickey slapped the bags on the free space of the kitchen island. “They’ll have to pry these snacks out of my cold, dead hands. Sammy had to ban them at the gym because I started something dangerous.”

I switched the joint from my right hand to my left before beckoning with my right hand for Mickey to pass that shit over. “I’ll be the judge of this.” Then I ashed the joint into the ashtray on the counter and passed that over across the island to him before using both hands to carefully tear the plastic bag open.

I didn’t even ask what kind of snacks they were. I just popped one in my mouth and chewed while Mickey took a few hits himself of the joint. The spicy, savory coating made me look up at this baker again with a whole new understanding. “Surprised they let you back in the gym at all after bringing these drugs in.”

Mickey gave me a grin. “Like crack cocaine in the 80’s, baby. Started ordering them by the boxes. As long as I live, the financial future of this company is secure, regardless of economic downturns.”

I couldn’t even deny it as I started cruising through this bag. “You receive recent shipment? Tryna gauge the damage we can do here tonight with these.”

“Two more large boxes in the storage by the bathroom,” Mickey replied, bringing a smile to my face. “So chow down to your heart’s content.”

“You’re a good man, Mr. Jackson, a good man,” I told him, damn near almost finished with this first bag.

“Gotta pass this back to you, though,” Mickey handed me back the joint, and I ashed it for him. “It’s time for me to start on the witches’ brew.” Then he grabbed the pot off the burner and brought it to the sink. “Takes about seven cups of water. We’ll use the white of a green onion, a garlic clove, sliced, and the bag of mussels here. But first I have to slice the garlic clove and put it in a suit.”

I had absolutely no idea what the fuck he meant by that. “Best you’re getting out of me is a smile and nod,” I told this baker honestly. “Too high rn, and the snacks are hitting.”

“I’ll accept that tonight,” he replied, and I smiled, taking another hit. Mickey brought over the pot first, then he grabbed the clear glass bowl of vegetables he had placed on his side. “White of green onion,” he started, making a big chop on his cutting board near the bowl and tossing it in the pot of water.

He then started looking around for something in his drawers before pulling out the mesh pouch thing. Once he found it, he set that aside. “Garlic is next, just slicing it and putting it in this pouch here. AKA suit.”

Mickey pulled a clove out of the bowl while I reached over for another bag of these snacks. Then he picked up a knife and chopped that shit like he was as sober as a whistle.

“Ryk, I think you’re supposed to be chanting some shit here or something. I dunno. First time making a brew.”

“Like what?” I asked him.

“No clue. Pick a song and hope we aren’t making a death potion with the lyrics.”

I thought about that a moment, my high thought immediately going to, “…Buddy, you’re a boy, make a big noise playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday-”

Mickey’s laugh turned to a fucking whistle screech as he slowly dropped to the ground out of sight, making me break the lyrics immediately to join in on his sudden laughter.

“No, no,” He called from the floor, “don’t stop on my account, you’re doing great, Ryk!”

My laughter went from a cackle to silently dying as I set the snacks down to start the beat on the counter of the kitchen island with my hands, and Mickey struggled to pick himself off the damn floor, still laughing his ass off.

“You got mud on your face, you big disgrace. Kicking your can all over the place, singin’” I continued, and Mickey immediately joined in.

“We will, we will rock you!” He sang, trying to get the damn chopped garlic in the sleeve through his laughter. “We will, we will- Oh shit ,” He added suddenly, before pressing a few buttons on the burner to actually turn the fucker on. “Second verse, Ryk, hit it.”

I was just trying to stay on this damn chair while my face definitely turned red from fucking laughing. “Buddy, you’re a young man, hard man shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday-”

“You got blood on your face, you big disgrace. Waving your banner all over the place,” Mickey added as he tossed in the garlic sleeve thing, then turned to grab the muscles from the sink as we both sang the chorus.

“We will, we will rock you.”

Then Micket hit us with a perfect on-key, “sing it!” with his back still to me, tilting his head up dramatically in the process. After, he turned and walked the mussels over.

“We will, we will rock you.” We both sang, but our laughter made these lyrics sound utterly batshit crazy.

“Won’t lie, I think every witch in the tri-state area has just been unified, woken up united to end our fucking lives over this shit,” Mickey stated, making my fucking laugh worse.

“But- But I believe Queen is somewhere cheering us on,” I countered through my fucking wheezing. Mickey carefully dumped the mussels into the pot before looking around again in his drawers for something else, laughing as he worked. Once he found it, I almost fell off this fucking bartsool, long since abandoning the beat we were supposed to stay on for this song.

This fucker busted out a thick wooden spoon.

“Might hold the witches at bay or some shit. At least they know we mean business.” He explained, stirring the mussels in the water. Shit, I had to brace myself with a hand on this kitchen island, my chest was starting to hurt from laughing so damn hard at how legit this actually looked. And the weed was not helping any of this. “Oh wait, shit shit shit ,” Mickey removed the giant stick and balanced it on the glass bowl that had only full peppers now, to start rummaging through some top cabinets again.

“What- what is it?” I tried to get out through shallow breaths.

Mickey must have found what he was looking for, because he returned with two very tiny ceramic cups and set them on the table.

“Now you can’t have too much because it’s a school night. But I did promise this meal came with soju,” Mickey explained before turning back to head towards his fridge.

I was now taking deep ass breaths, trying to control my breathing. The weed had definitely hit, and the giggles were in full force. This baker’s humor was about to put me in an early grave. Mickey returned again a second later with an average-sized green bottle. Almost looked like a beer.

“What does it taste like?” I had to ask.

“Sort of like a semi-sweet vodka flavour,” Mickey replied as he opened the bottle and poured a little in each comically small-sized cup. Then he slid one across this island to me as the water-vegetable-mussel mixture started to steam from the heat.

The smell was actually so fucking good as it filled the space between us.

I reached for the small cup once I was sure my laughter was settled, and Mickey was still chuckling while he picked up his. “Cheers,” he said, stretching his arm across the island to cheers with me, but my focus for a second was on those arms of his as he did.

His muscles after he changed into more casual clothes tonight- joggers and a t-shirt- were far more fucking defined than normal, and his hair was still damp, but I still didn’t ask any questions about it. My bet was that he had gotten a workout on at some point because even his veins were popping out more from his neck down.

“Cheers,” I smiled, clinking the small glass with his, and we both chuckled when a bit spilt on to the kitchen island. Then we threw the drink back like a shot.

I had to stare at the tiny cup after because the taste was… different.

“I think I like it,” I more or less declared, making Mickey laugh.

“Not bad, right?” He asked, setting his cup down. I quickly nodded. Then Mickey opened up that third bag of snacks before setting it down quickly. “Shit- water- water?” He looked up at me, gesturing with his hand if I wanted any too, and I nodded again. The weed was definitely giving me cotton mouth, along with the straight laughter, so Mickey got to work.

“You’re active as shit on this stuff,” I noted while Mickey moved through his kitchen easily.

“Feels too good to be on my feet, but I’ll come join you when we eat,” He assured me while grabbing the water glass thing from the fridge.

“Can I join you now?” I asked him.

“Of course,” Mickey replied, turning back to me with a grin before bringing the glass pitcher thing to the glasses we had used earlier for water. He set the large glass pitcher down on the counter, rinsed out the glasses we had used first, grabbed some paper towels to dry them, then set them back on the counter and filled them. I slid off the stool and walked around the island into the kitchen. “Here,” he then said, picking up a glass and turning to hand it to me.

“Thanks,” I smiled, taking it.

“How is your stomach?” He asked me once he turned back for his glass of water. “Does it still feel alright with the cream?”

I nodded quickly. “Really good. This stuff is incredible.” And that made Mickey smile wide again.

“Good. Let me know if I should apply more before bed. We’ve got-” Mickey paused to look at the time on his oven. “-about eight minutes max until the mussels are done cooking, then I’ll remove the vegetables and add some white wine vinegar and salt- oh wait, shit, the peppers,” Mickey said suddenly, interrupting himself.

Watching this man cook while high was like watching Jack Sparrow operate as a pirate. A mess, but somehow everything still worked and seemingly got done. Maybe out of order, but they were getting done.

Mickey moved back to the cooking pot, pulling out a pepper from the glass bowl. Then he reached over in the drawer adjacent to pull out some scissors. That piqued my fucking interest, and I got right up beside him to see what the fuck he was using these for.

And when he started to cut the pepper into small pieces at a slight angle with them, my eyes grew wide.

“Now hold the fuck on, “ I whispered in complete awe. “Yo, wait, shit, you might be on to some real shit here, Mickey.”

And Mickey immediately started dying from laughter again, pausing his hand mid-cut to get his shit together.

“Koreans really do work smarter not harder sometimes,” he explained to me once his laughter settled.

“This is a Korean thing?” I asked right next to this baker, and he nodded, finishing up as the cut pieces fell into the glass bowl.

“They’re specialized kitchen scissors,” he explained, setting them down on the chopping board next to the knife. Then he checked on the bubbling pot next.

“It’s so cool how the shells start to open,” I said right beside him, watching him only gently mix them, then he set the wooden spoon down again.

“Right? God, and the smell of it feels like fucking home,” this baker noted. “Now I’m going to pour a little more soju, but make sure you’re drinking water. I won’t pour any more full cups tonight because bet your ass you are getting up on time tomorrow. This is just a treat since you did good today while I was out.”

“So… you’re going to pour an eighth of a teaspoon,” I stated, glancing at these small ass cups, and Mickey had to turn away from the soup and burner as he doubled over in laughter, making me laugh.

“Ryk, you’re-” he wheezed, “you’re fucking killing me.”

“But say-” I started wheezing my damn self again, as I backed up to the counter adjacent to him and the marble island. “-say it isn’t true.”

Mickey just shook his head, still laughing, but he managed to turn around again and reach for the soju bottle, taking a deep breath before he poured what had to be droplets into those small cups. I didn’t drink like I used to, obviously, and this weed was in fact strong; we’d only smoked about half the joint that was currently sitting in the ashtray, so I let this baker keep our pace tonight.

“How do you feel about some music?“He asked as he turned to hand me one of the tiny cups.

“Play something you think I haven’t heard,” I replied with a smile, cheersing this tiny cup with this insanely attractive man before we both took the drink straight back. I set my cup behind me on the counter.

Seeing Mickey like this was honestly such a turn on. High as hell but still completely in control over everything. After how worn he looked when he walked in, I’m glad he was able to relax tonight because I had no idea what happened, and I didn’t really know what I could do to help him. But he seemed really happy while making this meal, and I loved seeing him laugh like this.

“Alright,” he nodded as he set his cup on the kitchen island and pulled his phone out of his joggers pocket. “I like a challenge.”

And I couldn’t help but get a bit excited at what he was going to play next. I thought that he was going to play it on his phone, though, so when I heard a ding sound all around us in this kitchen, and some music played a second later through surround sound, it definitely threw me the fuck off.

The music wasn’t too loud, a comfortable level for us to still talk, and it sounded like some kind of jazz. A saxophone, I was pretty sure.

“Okay, you win,” I told Mickey as the quieter music continued. No way could I name a fucking jazz song. “Which artist is this?”

“A very prestigious one,” he replied. “One of the greatest, so I’ve heard. Goes by many names, but I believe he prefers Mickey Jackson.”

My smile slowly faded as I just stared at Mickey, watching his sly grin grow. “No fucking way this shit is you,” I said immediately. But Mickey pulled out his phone and handed it over to me to check. Sure as shit, these were this fuckers own recordings.

“You… You play the damn saxophone? “ I asked him.

“ Dabbled ,“ his little fake modest bitch ass replied. “After we eat, I’ll play something for you. It’s in a case in the storage closet.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, handing Mickey his damn phone back. “You, Mickey Jackson, are truly something else. Irritatingly gorgeous-”

“Is that so?” he asked, taking a small step closer to me after he slipped his phone back in his pocket. “Tell me more.”

“…Very good at baking,” I added, remembering how good those waffles were this morning, and gazing up higher at him now as he took another step closer.

“What else?” He teased. “I’m big on getting my ego stroked.”

I couldn’t help but fucking laugh at that. “One incredible fucking rider,” I added, watching him take yet another step closer as those sharp eyes of his darkened a bit.

“Now that , I do take serious pride in,” he admitted a little quieter to me.

“An insanely gifted artist,” I continued, watching him take yet another, pulling my gaze up higher to hold his.

“Do tell more,” he replied, only a step or two away now. “Seriously, do tell.”

I would’ve rolled my fucking eyes at him if he wasn’t looking down at me like that. “Makes some good bets, so I’ve been told,” I reminded him…

But instead of taking another step, Mickey’s right hand reached out for the side of his shirt I was wearing, and he tugged me in closer to him, away from the counter behind me. “I have been known to place great bets,” he admitted quietly down to me, grinning fucking ear to ear.

“Did I mention hot as fuck, or…”

“You can mention it again,” He replied quickly, “and yet I haven’t heard earth-shattering kisser anywhere in there yet. Explain yourself, Ryker Parker.”

I was probably grinning like a fucking fool as I reached up to place both my hands on his chest, my heart starting to beat hard as shit being this close to him again. “Verdict undetermined. Jury might still be out on that one. Word is, it’s hung,” I told him, feeling his strong right arm slowly wrap around my lower back as he pulled me in even closer.

“Well, allow me to give you more data to work with. Decisions should always be educated when made,” he replied, slowly bending down, and there wasn’t a resisting bone in my fucking body as I closed my eyes, pushing myself up on my tiptoes and letting Mickey bring those soft as hell lips down the rest of the way to mine again.

This kiss was slow at first, but it was far from a fucking peck when he separated my lips with his soft ones instantly, sending my heart into overdrive while he held me gently to him without placing any pressure on the front of me where the bruising was.

My hands slowly drifted up from his firm chest to his neck, feeling the thin chain of his necklace against my fingers, before my fingers wrapped around to the back of his neck and slid up into his damp, soft hair.

Shit, this fucking shit was turning me on so fucking bad, jesus christ-

He had my heartbeat fucking pounding , and that wasn’t from the damn soju or the weed. I could feel both our heavy breaths in this soft kiss as Mickey deepened it more, tugging gently on my bottom lip with his teeth, but when he started to push us backwards towards the counter, I felt him pull away from me all too fucking soon.

“First, let me finish this soup so we can eat,” he whispered, just a hair’s length away from my lips, panting hard as hell right along with me and making my hands tighten their grip a bit in his hair. “Then I’ll razzle you with my saxophone playing,” he continued breathlessly. “And if there’s any time left after that, I’ll dazzle you with a little more data that won’t have me setting this damn kitchen on fire in the process.”

“We’ve got forks as a backup, right?” I confirmed with Mickey. He just chuckled, repositioning the wooden chopsticks in my right hand with his fingers. I had first reached for the metal ones he laid out, and he swatted my hands away, saying those were for the experts. “Just checking because you could’ve fooled me this morning with your hand feeding. Thought you might’ve forgot to buy some when you bought this fancy home.”

“ Yes , Ryk. We’ve got some damn forks as a backup,“ Mickey replied with a grin. “Just like this,” he showed me next, picking up his metal chopsticks and placing them between his fingers before grabbing an open shell and using the chopsticks to easily pull the mussel meat out. He blew on the meat gently, which forced my gaze to those fucking lips of his a moment- fuck , that kiss still had my body fucking tingling

• and brought the meat to his mouth.

He had poured some of the mussels into a large oval-shaped bowl between us, then poured the soup into small soup bowls with some Korean spoons for us to sip. Alongside it was another poured bit of soju, but Mickey wanted to take a stab at showing me how to eat these with chopsticks first, before we took the shot.

I took a stab at it myself… and it was a bit of a struggle, but I was able to get a piece of the meat out of the open shell and bring it to my own lips.

“Jesus fuck ,” I mumbled, chewing the tender meat. This shit was fucking insane .

“Good?” he asked me, and I nodded so fast. That made Mickey grin ear to ear. “Try the soup next,” he gestured to the clearish-looking liquid, and I set the empty shell back in the bowl between us, resting the chopsticks over the edge, before I picked up the bowl and used the spoon to sip it.

My fucking god , the spice was mild, but the flavour was this rich, comforting taste.

“I might need some alone time with this soup,” I murmured.

“Don’t make me jealous,” Mickey replied, waiting patiently as I took a few more spoonfuls. “Next: soju,” he instructed, having me set the bowl down and pick up the small cup to cheers with him before we threw the liquid back.

Shit , man, this fucking pairing, holy shit .

I turned to Mickey, sitting right beside me, who had pulled the barstool as close as it would go, and said, “Figure out your asks for the night. I’ll say yes to whatever right now.”

And Mickey’s eyes darkened slightly at that, but he just smiled, setting his tiny cup down before reaching for another shell. When he removed the meat, however, he brought it towards me instead, and I gladly opened my mouth, accepting some.

His saxophone music was still playing softly in the background, and with the low lighting in this home… I swear on my fucking soul , this fucker could’ve asked me for anything.

“Just sharing a bed tonight is enough for me,” he replied with another smile before setting the shell back in the bowl and picking up his own soup bowl. “Thanks for this. I haven’t made this in a really long time.”

“Really?” I asked him. Mickey nodded.

“Used to make it with my mum. Reminds me of home. So thanks.”

“You did all the work,” I replied a bit sheepishly because he genuinely fucking did, even if I lowered my head a bit, smiling like crazy.

“Didn’t mind the company,” this baker countered. “Now it’s just time to see whether the We Will Rock You spell won’t kill us in our sleep. It’s a toss-up.”

And I chuckled, reaching for another mussel and my chopsticks again.

This whole dinner was making me all disgustingly mushy and shit. And that kiss in the kitchen still had my heart on a fucking thousand. Honestly, I didn’t even know how sharing a bed tonight was going to go… but it made me less nervous knowing Mickey was okay in case the night went bad for me.

He hadn’t hesitated to ask me to stay over when we were back at my place.

And I hadn’t hesitated to say yes.

Mickey and I cleared all of the mussels and most of the soup. Whatever he did for six hours today had worked up an appetite for him. And once we were done, he packed away the soup, placed it in the freezer, and cleaned up the dishes.

I asked if he wanted some help, but he just shook his head and asked if I wanted to shower instead, which I took him up on.

His whole bathroom was insane, making me stay in that shower longer than I expected before I exited, dried off, and slipped into the new shirt he grabbed from his closet. Luckily, I brought some briefs to change into, then Mickey just placed our clothes in for a cycle wash after I set mine out by the door before I showered.

He had this nice ass 2-in-1 washer and dryer that he was able to set a full cycle on, which meant that we could head to bed and everything would be done in the morning.

And his bathroom had everything, including new toothbrushes and lotion, new deodorant too. It made me feel a hell of a lot better about how terribly I packed this morning, because the only thing I remembered was literally a toothbrush.

By the time I got out, he was already in bed, wearing some pajama bottoms and a different shirt.

He had me lie down first so he could apply a bit more cream to my bruises, then I brought the cream back to his bathroom so he could make sure our phones were on the chargers.

“What time do you usually go to bed?” He asked me once I left the bathroom again. It was about ten at night now, and we probably would’ve got to bed sooner, but we took our time with dinner, enjoying a few more drinks and a little more of the joint as we damn near finished the food.

“Maybe like 1 or 2 AM,” I told him honestly.

“Yeah… no. Come here. We aren’t doing that shit tonight.”

And I gladly walked around to the side where his closet was before slipping off the house shoes and climbing into bed.

“What garments of clothing am I keeping on or taking off?” He asked me.

“How do you usually sleep?” I asked him as I snuggled under the covers. His comforter was a weighted one, and this shit was heavenly.

“Butt-ass naked,” he replied with a smile. “But I can leave whatever you’re comfortable with on.”

“Briefs,” I replied after some thought. “You can strip down to-”

The guy didn’t even wait for me to reply before he yanked off his shirt and tossed it somewhere, then slid off his pajama pants. I chuckled at the speed in which he undressed.

“Better?” I then asked after he snuggled back under the covers, and he nodded.

“Can I request your head on my chest again?” He asked, and I nodded, scooting in closer. Mickey’s arm wrapped around my shoulder this time as he held me close to him. “Morning alarms are set, so I don’t want to hear shit when they go off, Ryk, got it?” I nodded against his skin. “Good. Now, any last requests before bed?”

I thought about that a sec, before saying, “…Wouldn’t mind a kiss.” And Mickey immediately shifted so I could tilt my head up to him, watching that perfect face of his bring those soft lips down to mine as I closed my eyes for a slow, gentle kiss. One that had my heartbeat racing again and me fucking begging for more, but I also knew the dangers that came with asking right now.

We hadn’t taken things any further, and I didn’t really know how that would go. How I’d react.

He must’ve too, because his lips lingered on mine a bit before he pulled away.

“Anything else?” he asked in a much rougher voice, holding my gaze. The only light in his flat was from his platform bed, but this baker’s good looks were fucking unmissable.

I slowly shook my head no.

What I really thought I wanted right now would go against both the sleep schedule Mickey was setting and the agreement for us to go slower. It was just my body reacting to the kisses we had shared already.

“Alright,” Mickey smiled.

“Thanks,” I told him quickly. “For… for dinner.”

“Thanks for being patient with me today,” he countered, making me smile. I swear he was making it seem like he abandoned me on the side of the road for six hours, and not in his nice ass place with a whole terrace.

“All I care about is that you’re okay,” I replied, brushing the side of my face against his chest as I got more comfortable.

“You have no idea how okay you made it,” he damn near whispered, giving my forehead a gentle kiss. “Now be on your best fucking behavior in the morning, or you and I will have a serious problem. I don’t live as close to Averin High as you do. It’ll be a longer ride there.”

“I will,” I assure him, smiling slightly against his bare skin even though I knew the morning was going to fucking suck.

“Good. Then goodnight, Ryk,” he spoke a bit more low to me, easily reaching down to flip off the light for his platform bed.

“… Goodnight, Mickey,” I whispered into the dark as I nestled in further to him, loving the feel of his bare skin beneath me.

Last thing I did was say a silent prayer that the night would actually be a good one for me.

But Mickey seemed awfully confident about setting those good intentions with our words.

••

29. Batter Safe Than Sorry

Upload 2 today!

Enjoy!

xoxo

It took me a second to get back into the groove of things on Monday morning.

Eve had taken some time right off the bat at open to start working on her specialty item, and I let that woman do her thing in the back because I still wasn’t sure how she was going to pull off ice cream as her category.

All I knew was that she came in with a giant tub of coffee-flavored ice cream in hand and told me she needed an hour today, which she posted on the whiteboard in the kitchen.

It was a good time for her to take it because it wasn’t going to be too busy between 7 - 8 AM, and she had already done most of the morning prep work while I was in the back handling invoice payments.

Thanks to Mickey and Eve, cash flow was really good right now, which meant this holiday season was going to be a breeze, even with the increase in inventory.

Don had given me a quick call on Sunday night, just letting me know he spoke with Mickey. He didn’t give me a whole lot of information on it, but he told me that Mickey now knew about everything with Isiah, Ryker, and Dylan…

So I had no idea how that kid was going to be when he came in around noon, but I was holding my breath a bit. Thanks to Emelie working overtime this weekend, she was able to help transcribe a lot of the legal documents for me on this fucking divorce, but after my Friday night with Jade, my fucks to give about this French man and his antics were at an all-time low.

I was more concerned about what the hell I was about to wear to this art show this weekend. Especially given how unique Jade’s style was. I genuinely wanted to impress her.

I was also brainstorming my own specialty item, even though I knew I had it easy this time around. Not as easy as fucking Mickey, who’d probably already have his recipe turned in by the end of the week, with detailed instructions and all, but still easy nonetheless.

And as my luck would have it, we hadn’t put out too many danish variations over the years.

The person I would be praying over these next two weeks was Arlo, because last year, Mickey and Eve had damn near a sourdough-off, throwing up a new flavour almost every week for months straight to see who had a better starter and flavour profile.

I would be keeping that poor man in my heart because his options were very, very limited.

While Eve got busy in the back, I started looking around the cafe. Holiday decorations would need to go up soon, which meant one of the nights this week would be a longer one, but Eve always stayed to help and forced Xavier into it, too.

I thought about whether this would be a good team-building exercise if I had all the staff help out, because I really wanted Ryker to get to know them better… but everyone’s schedules were so different that it just might not be possible.

We probably traumatized that poor kid Friday night with our antics, though, and I wanted him to know why this staff really did work well together, especially during the holidays.

Jade’s tattoo shop had inspired me to maybe switch things up a bit. We’d still keep the classic green and red, but maybe switch out the shades. New decorations were definitely doable since we were under budget this year, thanks to Mickey.

When he and Eve got down to it, they worked as a damn unit as managers, pinpointing exactly where we could cut back and save, then putting together a meticulous budget for me.

I tried not to get too in over my head with the holiday stuff because everyone would be bringing their A game for their specialty item… but I did also miss the gingerbread contest we used to have, and Eve one year had brainstormed something pretty cool- hosting a holiday murder mystery at a rented place for the night.

As I busied around the register, I thought about whether we should do that this year instead of our annual holiday party, when everyone got too wasted here at the cafe after hours, and we all drunkenly banded together as a unit to figure out how everyone was getting home.

At least if we rented out a cabin or a house or something, I could find a place with enough rooms for people to knock out in. I could even open it up to a plus-one if anyone wanted to bring a guest.

Or was that overkill? I thought to myself.

I mean, it was in the budget.

I also had to think about the carpool situation if we got a cabin out of the inner city. Trin didn’t drive, Eve always walked to work, and Mickey had his bike…

But then again, whenever Mickey needed a car, he always just showed up with one. Of course, I didn’t ask any questions about that because it was Mickey. The less questions, the better I slept at night. And I knew he’d drive Ryker up if I asked.

Then, if I opened it up to a plus one, X had his mustang that he would literally leap at the opportunity to take Eve in, and Trin could always ride with me, though my tires needed a change before winter, according to Mickey, something I knew he’d just plan for one day and get done.

It could work , I thought to myself.

But then… what was a good setting for a holiday murder mystery? That was something you could just print out online, right?

I wanted something festive, but not so much that it would require too much dressing up, because Eve would skin me alive if she had to.

I ended up running to the back quick to grab my laptop from my office so I could start some research at the counter while I waited for it to get busier. So far, we only had a few people stop by for some coffee or hot chocolate to-go, and that was the beauty of opening hours here. People rarely sat down because they were on their way to work or class on the nearby campus.

As I got busy researching, I thought of what shit Eve would actually agree to wear. Ugly sweaters were out of the question; that woman detested them with a burning, fiery passion.

But what if we did something old-timey? I wondered. Pretend we’re all snowed in for the holidays, and someone gets murdered. Of course, if this were real, the number one culprit would be fucking Eve, so I would somehow have to rig it so she wasn’t the actual killer. That woman couldn’t act innocent to save her life.

And Mickey would be down as long as I promised I’d allow poker to fit the aesthetic. I know I was against gambling in my cafe, but this would be off-site after all.

If I opened this up to bringing a plus one, Arlo would have the option to bring his wife, Eve would probably end up with Xavier, whether she wanted that or not, Mickey probably wouldn’t bring anyone because Xavier would’ve been his plus one, and that kid kept everyone at a comfortable distance besides him. I wasn’t sure who Ryker would bring yet, but giving him the option might be nice. Trin would definitely bring her best friend, Hilary, and I would…

Well…

I mean, in a perfect world, I’d like to bring Jade, but this didn’t really seem like her thing. Plus I was looking way, way, way too far ahead, and being rather presumptuous with what our relationship might even look like by then.

I couldn’t bring Don because he’d work it out within the goddamn hour- who the killer was. At least Mickey would pretend he didn’t know if I added gambling to the mix, just so he could gamble longer and completely bankrupt Arlo in the process.

Carson would be a hilarious plus one, but he’d want to bring Don, and bam, back to square one.

So I decided that I’d just open up the floor to Jade if we were still spending time together then, and see if she’d even remotely want to. It was a good pick because she was close to Eve and was getting to know Mickey thanks to his involvement with her brother’s case.

My mind kept spinning as I helped customers, until I heard the back door open and Eve came out to join me.

“How are things going?” I asked her.

“Fueled by my competitiveness, things are running. You?” She asked as she started a restock on products out here for the espresso.

“Thinking,” I replied.

“That’s never a good thing,” Eve joked, making me chuckle.

“Let me run something by you,” I told her, and she nodded, continuing to restock filters from the cardboard box she had brought out with her.

Nothing was missed when it came to Eve and inventory, I swear.

“So usually we have a pretty casual holiday party here on a random night after hours… but I was thinking this year, we try that suggestion you made years ago. A holiday murder mystery.”

That must have gotten Eve’s interest because she joined me at my side immediately . “Continue,” she urged on.

“I know you won’t agree to anything involving ugly sweaters-”

“Correct,” Eve gave me a short nod.

“How about something in the 1900’s?-”

“Not liking this, Ci.”

“Where we’re all snowed in at a cabin for a night of strong cocktails and high stakes poker-”

“ Now you’re fucking cooking.“

“Where one of us is murdered-”

“Just keeps getting better.”

“ Fake murdered,“ I had to clarify with this woman.

“I know, I know, I know,” she insisted with a smile, making me laugh.

“We could find a place with enough rooms so everyone isn’t fucking scrambling to figure their way home, and we can work out rides for those who don’t drive.”

Eve paused for a moment. “I’m going to have to bring X, aren’t I.”

“I mean, you know anyone else you can stand- well, barely- who also has a car?” I asked her.

“Jade,” she replied, making me freeze for a whole moment. “…But you want to ask her, don’t you?” E’s lips curved up into a slight smile, and I quickly looked away.

“Xavier will be there, regardless. Mic would bring him if you don’t,” I reminded her as I started paying way too much attention to my laptop screen.

“Shit. You’re right,” Eve grumbled. “ This is going to cost me ,“ she then more or less muttered to herself, “but alright. Fine. Say he goes, what else you got cookin with the carpool sitch?”

“Well, I don’t mind taking Trin; she’ll probably want to bring Hilary, and I have room for both of them with my car. X can drive you up, and Mickey will easily find a car for the occasion, or if Ryker is okay with it, he can always drive them up. Arlo has his own car, but I’m not sure if he’ll bring his wife-”

“Probably not, if Mic’s going,” Eve answered. “Arlo will go because there’s poker, but I don’t think he’d risk his wife seeing him lose. You know how Mic can get when he gambles. He pulls Arlo out of character easily and will probs make that barista question his own life decisions by the end of the night.”

I nodded at that. Yeah, it would be a terrible look for him around his wife.

“We gotta find a cabin with a bar,” Eve spoke more to herself.

“ I’ll be the bartender,“ I said sternly. “You have the heaviest fucking hand I have ever experienced when you pour, and I’m not about to deal with a bunch of absolutely plastered staff.”

“Alright, alright, alright,” Eve put up both her hands.

“What if we used like monopoly mo-”

“Mic’s not going for that shit.” This woman shut it down immediately. And unfortunately, she was right.

“Okay, but let’s at least put a cap. Otherwise, if Mic gets Arlo to overgamble, we might have an actual murder on our hands.”

Eve nodded, agreeing. “At least Mic doesn’t really like to drink,” she reminded me, and I nodded at that. It was true. Which might have said more about Mickey and how he got- the fact that that was him sober .

“Do you… Do you think Jade would even like this sort of thing?” I tried to ask Eve nonchalantly, but she shrugged.

“If I asked, she’d say yes because we’re so close. If you asked, she’d say yes because it’s you. Jade doesn’t give a shit what it is, just who she’s with. Always been that way. Never seen her give a shit about baked goods before, but she seemed to enjoy her first visit here, so don’t overthink it.”

I nodded slowly, trying to mask my smile at that.

“And… I mean, you think she’ll mesh well with the rest of the staff?”

“Once again. You , Ci. That’s the point. Jade gets along with everyone,” Eve replied, before bending back down to restock the shelf. “But run this by Mickey when he gets here. Other than that, you got my vote.”

And that made my smile widen. “Thanks, E.”

She just nodded, continuing her work.

I was in the kitchen by the time I heard Mickey’s motorcycle pull into the back. Eve was out front helping customers while I was back here baking more goods.

It wasn’t long before I heard the back door open, but I was surprised to see the smile on Mickey’s face as he entered.

“Why are you smiling?” I asked him. I wasn’t sure what I expected after his chat with Don this weekend, but considering he’d already been stressed out this last week, then he was helping Ryker out with this car this weekend, I expected at least three cuss words out of him as soon as that door opened.

“The fuck kinda question is that, CiCi?” he asked me, still with a smile on his face. And well, shit. If Mickey was in a good mood, I wasn’t about to do anything to rock that.

I was about to enter negotiations with this trying kid in a moment after all, so a good mood was honestly what I needed.

“Go set your stuff down, then join me out here. I was doing some thinking, and I wanted to run something by you.”

“That’s never good,” Mickey joked, making me smile as he headed towards the employees’ only room to set his helmets down and hang his jacket. I wanted to question why he had two helmets, hoping it didn’t have anything to do with Ryker’s car still not being fixed, but Mickey would probably mention it if that was the case.

He came out a few minutes later in just a black shirt, no jacket, and grabbed a clean apron off the hook.

“Alright, Ci, floor’s yours,” he told me, washing his hands thoroughly at the sink next.

“So I know we usually do a casual holiday party after hours here every year.”

“Yeah,” Mickey nodded, finishing up washing his hands before drying them.

“But I thought we might switch it up a bit,” I continued.

“Sure you want to rock the boat after what Eve and I just did with the specialty items?” He asked, joining me at my side to help.

“I know, I know, lots of changes… but how would you feel about a murder mystery instead?”

“Hate it,” Mickey replied, quick as hell. “What else ya got?”

“ Wait, wait, wait ,“ I tried to save myself. “It would be at a cabin.”

“Hate it more.”

“With rooms for all the employees to spend the night.”

That made Mickey pause a moment, before saying, “I’m listening.”

“Now I know the state of Texas would turn blue before Eve ever agreed to wear an ugly sweater, but what if we chose a period from the 1900’s? Like 1960’s or something?”

“Everyone would be dressing up?” He asked.

“I mean… I can make it optional, but-”

“Make it mandatory.”

“Okay!” I nodded quickly. “Mandatory, got it. And Eve and I were thinking it could maybe revolve around a poker night-”

“You’ve got something good here, Ci, I can feel it,” Mickey nodded immediately, making me laugh. Of course, this was his selling point.

“But it would be better if we used mo-”

“If you dare say monopoly money, Ci, count me out.”

I nodded my head again. Eve knew this kid way too well. “Alright, so real money, but we have to put a cap.”

“Scared Arlo will lose his home?” Mickey grinned.

“Mic,” I sighed, “Please. Act civil. This is still supposed to take the place of a holiday party.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, what else?” He asked.

“Eve and I will try to find a cabin with a bar, but I’ll bartend,” I explained.

“As long as you make absolutely positively certain you are counting every drink you give Trin. When she gets drunk she likes to disappear, and I’m not babysitting that night,” Mickey told me sternly. I quickly nodded. “And Eve can drink as much as she wants, but by no means, under no goddamn circumstances can you serve her vodka. Matter fact- keep it brown, no clear liquor at all. I haven’t seen her on gin, and I don’t want to.”

“You… you might have to write this all down,” I said seriously, and Mickey nodded. “What about Arlo?” I asked.

“He’ll lose to me drunk or sober, I don’t care what you give him,” Mic replied. I nodded again, slower this time.

“I also wanted to open it up to a plus one for everyone. What do you think of that?”

“Well,” Mic replied, just about taking over my work of rolling the dough out so he could get it absolutely perfect, “my plus one would be Xavier, but I know he’ll want to be Eve’s, so I’ll fly solo.”

“What about Ry-”

“He’ll fly solo too,” Mic replied quick… and I just nodded. “You can just put us in the same room to save on money if you want.”

I thought about that a moment, before slowly shaking my head. “No, I think it’s good that each employee gets their own, even if they don’t have a plus one. Just to make things fair.”

Mic just looked at me a moment, before eventually nodding.

“What’s the carpool sitch?” He then asked.

Jesus , my two managers basically shared the same brain at this point.

“I can take Trin and her plus one-”

“Hilary,” he more or less stated, and I nodded.

“Probably. X can obviously drive Eve, and Arlo has his own car. Eve said he probably won’t bring his wife-”

“She’ll divorce him by the end of the night if he does,” this kid replied, making me chuckle at first before I realized Mickey was dead fucking serious. Then I just nodded. “He’ll go, though. Mention poker, and he’ll spawn like a final boss in a video game… but who ya thinking of bringing, Ci?”

Million-dollar question, I couldn’t help but think.

“Better not be Don. Man doesn’t know how to shut that brain off, and whenever he and I go at it in poker, it’s a battle of who’s a better card counter. Arlo wouldn’t even try.”

This kid wasn’t lying. Every time those two played, I backed out quick to maintain my financial stability.

“Pity because Carson would be fun and he’s got money to lose,” Mickey added, sighing to himself.

I just nodded again at that, questioning many, many of the choices I made with this kid right about now. “Well… I was thinking of asking Jade.”

“Fantastic idea. If she’s anything like her brother, she’ll be good at cards, and plus she really likes you, so she’ll play along with the murder mystery aspect.”

That shit made me smile. Hard .

“She drives, right?” I asked Mickey, thinking about the car situation still. Xavier had a four-door Mustang, but putting him, Eve, and Jade all in one car seemed like a recipe for disaster.

“Oh, she drives, alright,” Mickey chuckled more to himself, making me question what exactly he meant by that. “Why doesn’t she ride with you, though? You’ve got space for four people.”

I slowly nodded. “Yeah. Okay. I could do that. Then that just leaves you and Ryker, right? Would he be okay driving you both?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it,” Mic replied, and I just nodded. Honestly, that was probably the least of my concerns knowing Mickey.

Then I thought of something. “How about Xavier? Any drinking habits I should make note of? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drunk before.”

“He only drinks when he’s around me and the guys. He’ll be sober the entire time because Eve is there.”

“Is he a messy drunk or something?” I asked Mic.

He shook his head no. “He’s protective. And he’s the only one with the strength to handle Eve- that fucking she-hulk

• when she drinks vodka. Which is exactly why you will not, under any circumstances, serve her vodka, understood?“ Mickey looked up at me now, and I quickly nodded my head. “X has been handling a lot for me lately, and this would be a good opportunity for him to enjoy himself.”

“Anything else you can think of for this, then?” I asked Mickey. He didn’t even have to think about his answer.

“Everyone drinks water through the night. Especially Trin. If you have to force it down her fucking throat, do it. Don’t make Eve the killer, either. I don’t care if the game is supposed to be random; rig it. Do. Not. Make. Her. The. Killer. She’ll take it too seriously. And Trin won’t know what’s going on after one drink, so make her character minor if you can.”

Jesus, I should’ve brought a notepad for this , I thought to myself. But knowing Mic, he’d have all this printed out for me long before the festivities.

“Make sure everyone gives Ryk his space, you know Trin likes to hug people when she’s drunk, and you, Ci, better stay sober as fuck if you’re bartending. Once again, I’m not babysitting that night. I want to have the title to Arlo’s car in my hand by the end of it.”

I nodded at all of that, besides the last part. I was going to have to keep an eye on my godchild that night while he’s gambling.

“Oh, and make sure there’s a lot of food. Xavier likes to eat,” he added. “I can find some place to cater, then pick it up on the way, same day.”

“Thanks, Mic,” I smiled.

Mickey just nodded. “That’s it for now. If there are any further developments, I’ll let you know,” he replied before shooing me away completely so he could lock in with his work.

••

30. Glazed (M)

Sort of unedited so let me know if you find any errors!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/0d7d4550e29a96aaa14a7921277da03d01553462/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4442304c575171634d69694a4e413d3d2d313630363737373733362e313839306135363439346261303862313633343735383837363435322e6a7067)               

I woke up the following morning, just like clockwork.

4 AM - Ryker was still in my arms, exactly how we both fell asleep. It was still dark out so I couldn’t see him well, but I could feel his soft, peaceful breaths against my bare skin, sending the lightest shivers through me from this feeling. Still felt surreal being this close to him.

I made a quick assessment of whether I needed to send any texts to X, and nothing felt pressing enough, so I let myself fall back asleep.

5 AM - I woke up again, checking in on Ryk. He was still fast asleep on my chest, resting peacefully. I stayed awake for a little while, just listening to his breathing, making sure he was deep in slumber. His soft breathing was serene to listen to, and eventually, it lulled me back to sleep myself.

6 AM - Same shit, just like clockwork. This time, however, I remained awake, simply sitting with my thoughts.

Last night was one of the most perfect nights I had had in a very long time. My stomach still hurt from how hard I had laughed, and Ryk’s humor was the most hilarious, unpredictable shit. I loved seeing that side of him, being able to match my pace perfectly.

Then the was the fact that we shared that meal- Honghap Tang.

It had been so long since I had last made it.

The memories of making it with my mother had turned so bittersweet that I couldn’t bring myself to eat it alone anymore… but Ryk had managed to create an entirely new memory from it, while still allowing me to reminisce about the good parts of the past. The wholesomeness of what it meant to share that meal with someone.

And that feeling was inexplicable.

Pulling away from that kiss in the kitchen was my last-ditch effort to try to keep a safe distance from going further because I had promised Ryk we would take things slow, and my emotions in general last night were already heightened without having made that meal with him.

I didn’t want to act compulsively. I didn’t want him to feel like I was pushing him into anything, and I understood how this probably looked on paper. Ryk working on himself. Me helping him.

Since he needed time, I would give it. This wasn’t about him and I, it was about him getting better first.

He also surprisingly knew how to handle his liquor, yet from what Don told me, it seemed like he was used to drinking in the past. Still, he allowed me to pace us.

The only thing I felt bad about was that I had gotten back too late to work on his specialty item, so we were going to have to prioritize that this week and this weekend.

I needed time to walk him through it, and we would not be losing this goddamn bet to Arlo, even though Ryk could try anything in that kitchen and it would still turn out better than whatever shit that barista could do.

It wasn’t long before that 6:20 AM alarm went off, which meant that Ryker had to get up. And I felt him stir awake from the sound… but then his body suddenly froze, and he turned around quickly in my arms.

“Ryk,” I murmured, chuckling softly as I adjusted to spoon him, “you gotta get up.” And what I expected was maybe some frustrated groan, a few swear words here and there, but what I got were actual words devoid of any swearing. Completely unlike him.

“I… I will,” he replied, a bit more alert than expected. Especially because this motherfucker had previously picked up my morning calls sounding like he was ready to burn something to the ground.

“ Now , Ryk,“ I told him a bit more sternly. “You can’t be late for school.”

“I-I… I will-… just- just in a sec,” he replied, sounding completely off.

“Everything alright?” I whispered to him as I lifted my head up from the pillow a bit, alarmed.

“I…” his voice trailed off a moment. “I… I’m… I woke up sort of… like…”

And it took me a sec before I felt him squirm a little against me. Then that shit hit me. What he meant.

“O-Oh,” I stuttered a bit, not… not expecting this . I was prepared for pretty much everything else- nightmares, night terrors, even some shitty attitude this morning. But morning wood was- well- “Do you… need a second alone?” I asked him, a bit closer now. I felt him shudder in my arms, making me take the deepest fucking breath. “I can-… I can head to the bathroom-”

Ryk quickly shook his head, squirming again. “Just-” he breathed. “Just- just give me a-…”

“Ryk,” I murmured a bit more gently now. I was holding him to my chest by his so I wouldn’t place any pressure on his stomach and the bruises there. “We do have to get up,” I tried to explain as delicately as humanly fucking possible, but I felt him shiver again, and Jesus my god on today was I trying to keep it the fuck together. Waiting this out wasn’t actually an option right now. “But I-… if… if you’re okay with it- if you’re comfortable with it, I mean, I can- I can take care of it for you.”

I was overstepping. Shit, I was absolutely positively overste-

Ryker very, very slowly nodded, brushing his chin against my arm that was tucked under the curve of his neck.

And I took just about the shakiest of fucking breaths in.

Okay , I told myself. Alright, Mickey, you can fucking do this. Don’t overreact- don’t you

dare

fucking overreact. You got this.

“I’ll just- um- I’ll just use my hand, but just- just like tell me to stop if you don’t want me to anymore, okay? And I’ll stop immediately.”

Ryker slowly nodded again, his body pushing a bit back into me which was not helping a damn thing right now.

And I took another deep fucking inhale before slowly moving my right arm from around his chest, bringing it lower under the weighted comforter but making sure not to touch his stomach in the process.

Mickey, get it the fuck together. It’s just a handjob.

My hand carefully landed on the lowest part of his lean stomach, feeling his warm, smooth skin, and the sound he made- that sharp inhale- had me biting down on the inside of my fucking cheek while making me hard damn near fucking instantly .

My hand still slid past the waistband of his briefs, and as soon as they brushed the tip of him, I felt hot liquid on my fucking fingers. Ryk made another tight groan, gripping the pillow we were both lying on.

Mickey, I swear to fucking god, hold it the fuck together.

I carefully wrapped my fingers around him, but Ryk was breathing hard as shit- hell, I was breathing hard as fucking shit, but I was doing my damn best to control it, trying not to think of how hard he was right now.

Then I started to slowly stroke the length of him, feeling that stickiness from his precum start to coat my fingers more, and Ryker tilted his head back instantly towards me, releasing a choked moan that drove me absolutely mental.

I had barely fucking started, and I already felt like I might actually cum from this alone as my cock pushed against the material of my own briefs, reminding me of just how utterly insanely hot this all was.

My hand moved up and down that length slowly, but Ryker was already bucking his hips slightly, damn near begging for more than this. I rested some of my face into his wild curls as I gradually started to pick up the pace.

“I-Is this okay?” I asked Ryk, but there was no fucking helping my completely shot voice, and I swear to god he all but fucking whimpered , making me unexpectedly grip his cock a bit tighter than I meant to. That had Ryk inhale sharply, shaking against me.

“Mic-” he moaned, making the arm he was wrapped in pull him closer to me by his chest.

“Sh-Should I stop?” I asked, but Ryk shook his head no so fast. So I picked up the pace a little more, and his breathing just got fucking harder. “J-Just tell- tell me if I shou-”

“D-Don’t s-stop-” that raspy voice of his got out, and at that point I fucking couldn’t anymore as I started to jerk him off. Those uncontrolled breaths of his quickly turned to moans, clouding everything the fuck else as I lifted my head to gently tuck it into his neck. “M-Mickey-” he choked out again, snapping whatever was left of my resolve, however little that shit was, and my lips found their way to the soft skin of his neck, leaving the gentlest kisses there while my strokes got faster.

My own cock was starting to leak like crazy now from his sounds, wetting my briefs as I felt more of his precum coat my fucking hand. “Sh-Shit-” I muttered roughly into his neck, making Ryk’s whole body shudder against me. My hand started twisting around his cock, and Ryker tilted his head back more, exposing more of his neck to me as his breathy moans got louder- his shakes more uncontrollable.

I kept this pace as I tried and ultimately failed to calm myself down even a shred. He just- god, he sounded so fucking sexy right now.

“M-Mi-Mic, y-you-” he breathed out through jagged fucking breaths. My right hand was starting to pump him, swiping my thumb over his leaking tip in the process, all while my left held him closer to me by his chest.

“J-Jesus fu- Jesus Ch-Christ, Ryk ,” I groaned into his neck, feeling him yanking hard on the fabric of the pillow as I squeezed him firmly while stroking him.

His chest was rising and falling, pushing against my arm as I heard him moan out, “D-Don’t s-s-stop, M-Mickey, I- I-I’m going t-t-”

I was doing everything in my fucking power not to fucking crush him against me, but fucking fuck , his fucking voice- jesus fuck

“I-I-” he choked out again, his body tensing hard in my fucking arms, before he groaned so goddamn tight, and his body started spasming against me, his cock coating my whole hand and his briefs in his hot cum as he came.

He was a shaking mess in my arms, those breaths of his tight and unruly. I could feel my precum start to coat my bedsheets below, seeping right through my briefs, but I continued stroking Ryk’s cock as he rode out his own orgasm, only slowing once I felt him getting softer in my hand.

Then I finally, gently let him go, easing my soaked hand out of his briefs.

And jesus fuck

• my head was a mess. I carefully lifted it out of the crook of his neck and relaxed it back onto the pillow.

Both our breaths were a complete wreck at this point, but I forced myself to try and get my goddamn shit together first, even if I was beyond the realms of just hard at this point.

I had kept the largest space between our lower halves so I didn’t freak him out with just how my body was reacting, and frankly, if I brushed against his ass once, I would’ve came.

Ryk seemed to slow his own breathing, but I made damn sure to still check in.

“W-Was… was that okay, Ryk?” My voice literally sounded like I had been to actual hell and back. Ryk slowly nodded against my arm and this pillow, before carefully turning around back towards me, and I tucked my cum coated hand near my own lower waist so I wouldn’t get more on him.

His face was fully flushed, his lids lowered some as he faced me now.

“I-… it wasn’t- it wasn’t too mu-” I didn’t even finish that sentence, which would’ve been me checking in yet again out of nothing but sheer fucking worry, before he tilted his head up and kissed me, his still somewhat shaky left hand reaching up to gently cup the right side of my face.

“I-I’m s-” he started to mumble against my lips, but I cut him off with another gentle kiss, pressing my lips to his again before slowly pulling away.

Okay , I thought to myself. We were okay , thank fucking god.

“I-If you dare fucking apologize for that, we’re going to have a serious problem,” I whispered, my breath heavier all the fuck over again by that reassuring kiss as his touch made my cock twitch with fucking need. “N-Now go shower. I don’t want to make you late.” And I felt Ryker shiver again at my words, but he nodded just inches from my face, placing one last gentle kiss on my lips before slowly rolling himself out of my arms.

Once he got himself out of bed, he was quick to beeline it to my bathroom, and as soon- and I mean as soon as I heard that fucking door open then close, I shoved my cum coated hand down my fucking briefs, wrapped my fingers around my painfully hard fucking cock, and started jerking myself off roughly.

The instantaneous pleasure of just touching myself, but using this sticky hand to, had me biting down on every part of my damn mouth, trying to silence my deep grunts.

It only took like thirty fucking seconds before my body fully tensed, and the breath I was holding, released, as streaks of cum coated everything- my hand, my lower stomach, everything.

My breathing came out in rigid pants as my body twitched hard , my head pushing back into the pillow from the intensity of how hard I had just cum.

And by god, it took me whole minutes to control my fucking breathing and heart rate after that, as my body kept jolting with lingering pleasure coursing through all of me.

I could hear the sound of the shower going, making me quickly wipe my hand on whatever dry parts of my soaked briefs I could find, before I forced myself to get a grip and get the fuck out of bed.

My legs felt like a wobbly mess from that orgasm, but there was seriously no way in hell Ryk could see me like this, so I damn near slapped some sense into this body, stripped off these briefs, and threw on the pajama pants that I had taken off the night before.

After that, I walked the briefs over to the dirty hamper and tossed them in the empty thing before finding a clean shirt from my closet to toss over them just for good measure.

I didn’t want Ryk to feel like he had needed to reciprocate in any way, but at the same time, I was probably like one more of his kisses away from coming as it was, and I definitely couldn’t continue this morning like that.

Then I made my way into the kitchen to pour him and me each a glass of water and chugged the complete shit out of mine.

After I felt like my body had returned to somewhat of a normal state, I pulled an energy drink out of the fridge for Ryk, placing it by his glass of water, went over to and quickly made my bed, covering up the stain my precum and actual cum had left, then headed towards the washer and dryer so I could remove the clothes I had washed. Lastly, I set everything out on the bed for Ryk.

I knew Ryker probably didn’t feel comfortable coming out in just a towel, and frankly, after how hard I had cum this morning, that was dangerous fucking territory for me, so after I heard the shower turn off, I knocked on the door and let him know there were folded robes in the cabinet that he could throw on.

He had also forgotten to slip his house shoes back on when he all but sprinted to the bathroom, so I placed them right near the door, and he called out a thank you. Then I grabbed some protein bars for breakfast and set them on the kitchen island.

He was in and out in ten minutes, giving me an embarrassed smile in his white robe and slippers as I passed him with a smile of my own, letting him know there was water and a breakfast bar on the counter for him, and an energy drink for him to pack, beforeI ran in and took a quick shower myself. The time was absolutely not on our side right now.

By the time I was out, he was already sitting at the kitchen island, clothed and ready to go, so I tried to rush to change in my walk-in closet so he didn’t have to see me naked if that still made him uncomfortable.

By the time I was ready, we really needed to fucking leave.

“Ready?” I asked, joining him at the kitchen island and placing his helmet on it. I had left mine strapped to my bike in the garage last night after getting back from Fight Club.

Ryk looked up from his phone to nod before sliding off the barstool and picking up his backpack. I handed him the helmet and started towards the door, but stopped when I felt his hand on my arm.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, turning back to him.

He looked a bit indecisive at first about his next choice of words, before he just blurted out, “thank you… for this morning.”

And I couldn’t help but smile at his shyness, before I took a step back towards him, reached my hand around his neck gently, and tilted it up to me for a quick kiss, pulling away moments later.

“Don’t thank me. As long as you felt comfortable with it, that’s all I fucking care about. I’ll do that happily any time. Got it?” Ryk nodded, a smile slowly forming on his lips. “Good. Now let’s go because I am not making you late on a goddamn Monday.”

And Ryk nodded again, following my lead as we booked it the complete fuck out of my apartment.

By the time I made it to the café for my shift, it was about 12:30 PM, and I was in possibly one of the best moods I had ever been in.

I had actually gotten Ryk to school on time by some miracle, saying the briefest goodbye I could manage.

I wanted to kiss him, of course, but knew that was way too inappropriate for school, so instead I gave his thigh a gentle squeeze while he was still on my bike, told him to have a good day after he got off and handed me his helmet, then waited for him to get into school before I was off.

Next order of business was my fucking bike tabs, which I managed to get after being at the goddamn DMV for like an hour and a half, then I had to head back to my apartment, throw my sheets and briefs in the wash, make Ryk’s lunch, then book it back to Averin High to drop his lunch off.

And the way Ryk looked at me when he walked into the admin office to pick it up completely fixed the mood the goddamn DMV had put me in.

I couldn’t stay at the school long, but his eyes lingered on mine a moment as he said a sheepish ‘thank you,’ then I was booking it out of there because I had to get to the café in time to plan out how the afternoon with Ryk would actually go.

I wanted to get some time up on the board for him to take, so we could work on his specialty item together.

What I wasn’t fucking expecting was CiCi greeting me as soon as I walked in, and all the changes she eventually ran by me for our holiday party.

At first, I was one thousand percent against it…

… until she mentioned that we’d all be staying the night there in costume, which meant I’d both get to see Ryk dressed up in a 1900’s get up, and hopefully share a room with him even though Ci said we’d get our own.

I’d also get to wipe the floor with Arlo in poker- an opportunity I’d rarely ever pass up.

But the only way I’d agree was if Ci followed my instructions to the absolute T, because if Ryk felt uncomfortable because of Trin not knowing personal space when drunk, and hugging all up on him at any point, we were going home. If I got stuck babysitting anyone besides Ryk, I would be locking everyone in that goddamn cabin, then he and I would be going the fuck home. If Eve got too drunk on clear liquor, I would unfortunately have to have X handle it while I took Ryk and I the fuck home.

Fact of the matter was, if I was inconvenienced for any reason, and if anyone even so much as breathed on Ryk incorrectly, Ryk and I were going home. I didn’t care what time that might be; I would be driving us the fuck home.

I’d rather he be in bed with me in my apartment than stuck in the cabin with a bunch of drunk fuckers, causing absolute mayhem.

And I’d let him know that, too. That my home would be an option throughout the entire fucking night, with me remaining more than sober enough to drive us back the whole way, even if it was in the middle of the night. He was welcome to sleep in the car.

Ci seemed to understand, but she would still be receiving the most detailed instructions known to mankind for this shit.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/cf8c1440c06b512813200c7994e54ced1a9f9a7d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6455674a78734852626d436e77673d3d2d313630363737373733362e313839306135633138323166643632333533303433373336343635392e706e67)               

31. Dough-ing My Best

We’ll see how many uploads I get to, but I also wanted to work on the playlist lol

If you have any song suggestions while you read these, let me know!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

“Alright, so here’s what we’re working with,” Mickey spoke, slapping a notepad down on the kitchen island. “Over the years, the flavours of macarons posted to our menu, all of which I’ve made, have been: salted caramel, butter cake, white chocolate blackberry, chocolate peanut butter, pumpkin spice, honey orange, chocolate cherry, pistachio, espresso- one of my favourites-, french strawberry, apple pie, biscoff cookie butter, fig and cardamom, cinnamon roll, vanilla, and peppermint chocolate. All of these flavours can’t be used again for your specialty item.”

I just fucking stared at that long ass fucking list… then looked up at Mickey again.

“And you’re certain I’m not utterly fucked?” I had to ask him, because what in the actual hell.

“I… I got a bit carried away with flavours once I mastered how to make them,” Mickey replied sheepishly.

A bit was an insane choice of words for this list.

“So… my options are pretty limited then,” I more or less stated beside this baker, glancing back down at the notepad.

“No,” he replied firmly, shaking his head. “The beauty of macarons is that there are almost unlimited possibilities, anything from sweet to savoury. You must, however, be mindful that this competition is focused on the holiday season. You’re expecting to incorporate holiday flavours and spices, which is something you’ll need to research for yourself. All I can do is show you the base for a macaron, and that’s what we’ll focus on for the next few days.”

“Okay,” I nodded, trying to seem even remotely optimistic… even though this sounded less and less promising.

“Don’t stress it, Ryk. Like I said, macarons are my shit. Clearly. We’ll work this out togther so let’s start off with the basics. There are two methods: the French meringue and the Italian method, but we will be using the French meringue because there’s less steps and I don’t want to overwhelm you,” Mickey explained.

Too fucking late for that , I couldn’t help but think.

“For macarons, I will always, always, always recommend weight measurements, which means we’ll be mostly using a kitchen scale instead of volume measurements like cups,” Mickey explained, before he turned around from the kitchen island and looked through a lower cabinet to pull something out. Then he set it on the counter. “This is a kitchen scale. I’ll walk you through how to use it as we go.”

I nodded as I started to take notes in the notepad I was holding, courtesy of this baker.

“I’ve separated 4 egg whites from the yolks before you got here, because we needed them to come to room temperature,” Mic then pointed to two of the bowls on the counter. “First, we’ll need to weigh out 240 grams of powdered sugar. We’ll be using this container here to,” he pointed to a plastic container. “And to use the kitchen scale, we’ll plug it in here,” he then pointed to a power bank connected to the island, plugging in the long cable, “power it on, then select the unit of measurement here,” Mickey spoke, walking me through how we get to grams with the buttons on the thing.

I jotted that down quick.

“Then you want to place the container you’ll be using, on it, and press tare. This cancels out the weight of the container itself, or zeroes it out if that makes more sense,” he continued, doing just that.

I jotted that shit down too.

“So now I’ll measure out 240 grams of powdered sugar, and 224 grams of finely ground almond flour, these two containers here,” he gestured to the large plastic containers on the counter, before he began adding the powder of the sugar first using a mini cup thing. “Remember, it’s alright to go slow; accuracy is very important for this, so go at your pace, adding while reading the weight on the scale.”

I nodded, writing down those measurements while Mickey got both ingredients measured out and in their own bowls.

“Next, we’re sifting them through a large, fine sieve- this right here. This removes any coarse particles or clumps for a smooth texture with the batter. We’ll sieve them together, and discard whatever can’t fit through the sieve.”

I watched him work the mixture through the metal mesh thing into a larger bowl, dumping whatever couldn’t fit into the bowl to discard.

“Last bit of the dry mix is just a generous pinch of salt, then we’ll set this large bowl to the side.”

“Is there like a serving size for that? The salt,” I asked him… because fuck if I knew what a generous pinch looked like.

Mickey just stared down at me for a good long moment before saying, “…I’ll work one out for you later. Now let’s move onto the room temperature egg whites. We’ll use this hand mixer here,” he plugged it into the outlet, “to beat them on medium-high speed. We want them frothy and bubbly-”

“Egg whites do that?” I looked over and up at Mic. He looked over and down at me. We looked at each other… before the guy eventually nodded.

“I’ll show you,” he explained, pouring the egg whites into a bowl, before using the hand mixer to start mixing.

And yes, sure the fuck enough, those egg whites went from slimy to anything but.

“Note this consistency,” Mickey said, showing it to me with the metal parts of the mixer. “This is when we add 1/4 a teaspoon of cream of tartar, this here,” he then pointed to a small bowl of white powder, “and mix that in. In the interest of time, I’ve already measured 100 grams of granulated sugar that I’m going to also mix in, but you want to do so gradually.”

I nodded, jotting all this down.

Mickey was also going to give me these instructions in print, but he wanted me to get used to writing them because I would have to write out my own recipe for these to be recreated for the next month and a half, starting in December.

“We’re going to be beating this egg mixture until it’s a stiff peak, meaning when we lift these beaters, the metal parts here, the mixture stays stiff and straight on them and doesn’t flop over at all. That’s fucking key , Ryk, so underline the fuck out of it in your notes.”

I nodded again, jotting all this down and putting that in all uppercase letters… then I watched Mickey get to mixing.

After that came 1 teaspoon of vanilla and gel food coloring. I got to pick out the color, and went with light blue.

Then he added about 1/3 of the dry mixture into the egg whites and mixed with a rubber spatula until it was really combined, before he, what he described as, gently folded in the rest of the dry ingredients, making sure I was paying the most attention here.

He said the step was called macronage, where it should create soft peaks, showing me, in the most detailed way, exactly how it should look.

I tried to burn the image in my damn memory from how much Mickey stressed it should look like. He also showed me a few tests, like watching the batter slide off the sides of the bowl, or drawing a figure 8 in it.

And once that was all ready, we moved on to piping.

“Parchment paper, parchment paper, parchment paper- look at me, Ryk,” Mickey ordered, and I did, before he added one more, “ parchment paper . This is how we’ll get these bad boys to rise, not spread. A detail Arlo never fucking understood with his silicone mat-loving, looking ass.“

Mickey pulled the already lined baking pan closer towards us, before he started to show me again how to fill the piping bag, fold it, and hold it.

“You’re going to hold the bag about an inch over the pan and gently squeeze while counting to three, then stop and lift the bag.” I watched as Mickey did just that, counting out loud so I really got the picture. “Leave at the very least about an inch between each circle,” he continued, explaining as he went in perfect rows until he ran out of batter, refilled the piping bag, and continued.

Once the pan was completely filled, he had me watch as he gently tapped it on the counter.

“This will remove the air bubbles. I’m going to preheat the oven to 300 degrees, but we’re going to let this sit for 30 minutes or so, just until the tops have dried out a bit. You want the tops to look dull, not wet. Time varies, though, so while we wait, I’ll show you the dough we’re making for our chocolate chip cookies. After that, we’ll bake the macarons for 15 minutes, turning the parchment paper halfway through. It’s an art, which means you need to pay the closest fucking attention, got it?”

I quickly nodded beside him. Then he set the tray aside, and we started on the cookie dough.

And Mickey wasn’t lying. My hand was starting to cramp from the detailed notes as he walked me very slowly through the process of turning and baking until the piped pieces were literally perfect.

The last step was just putting the buttercream in the piping bag, piping some of the filling on the flat surface of one half of the macaron cookie, and placing the other on top, gently pressing the two pieces together.

This baker explained that it’s the filling I would be able to get creative with, and that was what we’d begin testing for the rest of the week as I cycled through flavour profiles that could complement the outer cookie part.

And before I fucking knew it, Mickey and I were already cleaning up for the day, placing the prepped dough for the chocolate chip cookies away to be baked tomorrow, then we started to wipe the kitchen down.

Today we were closing with Pricilla, so she took care of cleaning the front while Mickey and I thoroughly cleaned the back, and once eight rolled around, Pricilla did a quick check-in.

“How was today?” She asked as she entered the kitchen from the front.

“Good,” Mickey replied, glancing over at me, and I quickly nodded.

“Mickey’s a good teacher,” I added, which made Pricilla smile big.

“You have no idea how much of a mess this kid made my kitchen for like four months straight, nailing all this shit down. Unfortunately, he was still in high school, so I couldn’t just ship his ass back to college after one of his breaks.”

That made my head whip over at Mickey instantly. “You did this in high school?” I asked him, disbelief written all over my fucking face.

“Barely high school,” Pricilla replied, “It was the first thing Mic mastered once he came to live with me. Go big or go home, I guess.” The warm woman chuckled, making Mickey smile at her before he glanced back over at me.

This fucking bastard.

“Jesus, you’re talented,” I muttered.

“Not talented, but skilled ,” Mickey corrected, “you heard the woman, I tore up that kitchen of hers damn near every night.”

“I didn’t want to even look at a macaron for a few months after that… but his have been some of the best sellers here. He always goes back to them, making some new flavour whenever he’s in a rut.”

That honestly made me continue to stare at this baker.

I hadn’t known any of that… but when he said that this was his shit, he seriously wasn’t lying.

“Right now our best seller is the espresso, so force him to make you a fresh batch one of these days-”

“Those are the ones Arlo fucked up for like a month straight if you want to join in on the teasing,” Mickey added, making me chuckle lightly. “Like I said, he works better when he’s pissed off.”

“But I’m glad to hear everything went well!” Pricilla beamed, ignoring Mic. “I’ve got to take off, yet I wanted to check in quick because I didn’t see your car out back, Ryk. Did you two manage to fix it this weekend?”

Mickey and I sort of looked at each other before we both quickly nodded.

“Tires need air,” Mickey said…

…But I said “Car needs oil,” at the same exact fucking time, and Pricilla creased her dark brows a bit in clear confusion.

“Tires need air, and engine needs an oil check. We’re taking care of it tonight, then Ryk will be back on the road first thing tomorrow morning for school,” Mickey explained with the quickest, smoothest save known to man. And Pricilla quickly nodded, just rolling with it.

“That’s great to hear! Well, Ryk, if you need anything, Mic and I are always just a phone call away. Just let us know, alright?” She asked me with a warm smile, and I nodded. “Perfecto. Have a great night, guys!”

“Night, Ci,” Mickey said.

“Goodnight, Pricilla,” I added, watching as the warm woman left through the back door.

Then it felt like Mickey and I released the deepest sigh of relief. We had been great today, working but keeping our distance. Yet as soon as she was gone, he leaned over, bent down, and gave my left cheek a gentle kiss.

“Come on, let’s get you home.”

The ride back to The Brookside was a comfortable one.

“Thoughts on your special ingredient?” Mickey asked through the helmet as we rode. My arms were wrapped tight around his waist, and I could tell he was taking a slightly longer route, but I didn’t mind one bit.

“I’ll have to research more on winter spices and fruits,” I explained as I tightened my hold around his waist, and he nodded.

“The nice thing about macarons is you can have any color you’d like for the cookie part. Just stay the farthest away from anything fall with the flavours. It’s pretty much an immediate elimination. Citrus is surprisingly a winter fruit, or you could go with some festively colored fruit like cranberry or raspberry. Then there are spices you can also look into, too. Possibilities and combinations are endless.”

“Could I try your espresso macarons sometime?” I asked him.

“Sure, I’ll make you a batch tomorrow while you take a stab at finishing up the chocolate chip cookies,” he replied, reaching for my left thigh before we leaned on a turn. “I know I also promised you that I’d let you know when the time is right for another ride. I picked up my tabs for my bike today, but this week will be a bit busy for me. How does next Monday sound? We’d be riding out with Xavier.”

“Sounds good,” I told him, smiling. “You know when he wanted that tune-up?

“Question you should be asking is when I want my tune-up, Ryk. Don’t piss me off,” Mickey grumbled, and I chuckled at that.

“Alright. When would you like your tune-up?” I asked.

“Before fucking Xavier’s,” he replied, making me chuckle yet again. “We just finished your car, though. Let’s wait till next week. I don’t want you doing too much.”

I nodded. “Sounds good.”

“I also meant to make you some frozen meals for dinner moving forward-”

“You don’t ha-”

“Shut up, Ryk,” Mickey cut me off. “I’ll get that done sometime this week and bring them into work for you. Find time to clean your fridge out so you know what’s still good to eat and what isn’t.”

“Okay,” I nodded, smiling.

We were already pulling onto the street of the apartments at this point, which honestly made my smile falter heavily.

“You still have some meals from Don that you can heat up, right?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Should have some frozen miso.”

“Good,” Mickey replied. “Make sure you heat that up tonight. I’ll bring more breakfast bars to work, too, for your mornings at school.”

“Okay,” I replied as Mickey pulled into The Brookside lot and wrapped around to the very front.

I didn’t really want this ride to end, considering it was really the only time I got to touch him, even if it was just my arms around his torso. And after… after this morning, I just- I really really wanted to touch him again. Like constantly, honestly.

Everything about this morning was still on replay in my mind. His soft kisses on my neck… his fucking voice near my ear.

His hand around-… around a part of me that I hadn’t really touched in a while. Hadn’t really wanted to.

So when I eventually got off that fucking bike and handed the helmet back to him, I found myself fucking craving that intimacy with him again. And to my surprise, Mickey pulled off his helmet too.

“About this morning…” He started off a bit awkwardly. “I just… that was okay, right? You’re okay- well, I mean, we’re okay, right?”

I quickly nodded.

“You just-” He continued, before cutting himself off. “You felt off today while we worked, and we didn’t really have time to talk about it in full this morning, so I just-”

My gaze lowered to the ground a sec as my face slightly heated up. “I…” I started, not really sure how to even fucking put this right now. I craved that intimacy again, yes, but I sure as fuck did not crave this goddamn embarrassment. “I was just a bit- like… a bit embarrassed, I guess. To like bring it up anymore.”

“Embarrassed?” Mickey asked a little lighter, and I nodded.

“I haven’t actually gotten like… hard… for like a while, and- uh… well… I sort of came pretty fast, which was not… not uncomfortable, but just startling,” I tried to explain, refusing to look this man in the eye. Jesus , my honesty would be the death of me one day.

Mickey’s sharp eyes softened at that. “ That was what worried you?“ He asked. I nodded, refusing to meet his gaze still. “But it- like it felt okay, right?” He asked. I nodded again.

“It was really, really good, I’m just- I wasn’t expecting it.”

Mickey slowly nodded. “Well, considering we were strapped as shit for time, if it helps, I’m happy as fuck we weren’t there all morning trying to fix it,” he replied, pulling the most unexpected laugh from me as I looked back up at him. “But just communicate with me, okay?” He asked a bit more gently.

“I will,” I assured him.

“I know you’re still navigating a lot, but like I said, I’m along for the ride. Already bought my ticket. Took the height and weight test and everything, so no getting out of line now.” That made me laugh again as I nodded. “I’m locked in, okay? Fully locked in. Need me to fall back? I will. Need more than that? I’m there. Don’t know what you need yet? We’ll talk about the uncertainty of it until we’re fucking sick of hearing each other’s voices, got it?”

I nodded again, giving him the warmest of fucking smiles this time.

“Good. Now, if you’re up for it, I could use a good night kiss. Going to be a long night for me.”

I took those few steps forward, that mushy smile still on my lips while my heart rate quickly picked up, before I leaned down slightly to this beautiful, beautiful man, closed my eyes, and brought my lips gently to this fucking baker.

His right hand let go of the handle immediately, and I felt the cool leather of his glove against the side of my neck not too long after as he pulled me down a little further. His soft lips moved carefully against mine, pulling in my upper lip with them before he gently separated us.

I was starting to get addicted to these sweet kisses. Nothing demanding, nothing near it, just a prodding want on his side.

“Goodnight, Ryk,” he whispered quietly near me.

“Goodnight, Mickey,” I replied, before I felt the gloved hand slowly leave my skin, and I forced myself to take a step back.

He then pulled on that helmet of his again, flipping up his visor and strapping the second helmet to his bike. “Call if you need anything. I’ll make sure you’re up for school tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” I nodded, smiling before taking a few more steps back, then turned to head on inside.

And I didn’t hear that bike pull off until I made it safely indoors.

Once I made it into my unit, the first thing I did was shower and get changed for bed. Because of how much homework I had done at Mickey’s yesterday, tonight was light.

I made sure to heat up and eat some soup for dinner, then headed to my bedroom, where I pulled out the little work I had left, getting started on it. Mickey’s cheat sheets had helped me pass all the online quizzes I took yesterday, which was now putting my Chem and Algebra II grades right at an 83% and an 87%, the highest my grades had ever been for any class in a really, really long time.

Tonight was mainly just a night of reading for Honors English, but I was surprised to feel my phone start to vibrate in the pocket of my joggers at a little after nine, not recognizing the number of who was calling before I eventually picked up.

“Who is this?” I answered, not bothering with the formalities.

“…Sh-Shit- Ryker,” a voice replied, making me sit up more in bed, and place the book face down at my side. My heartbeat started to speed up instantly.

“I-Izzy?” I asked.

“I’m-… sorry, I got a new number, and my contacts aren’t saved- I didn’t know who- shit …”

“I… I see that,” I replied.

“Sorry- shit, I’m sorry- I didn’t-… shit .”

“I-It’s… It’s fine,” I tried to get out through some shallower breaths. “How.. are… are you-”

“I-I’m fine, Ryker. Really, I’m… I’m fine. I-… how… how are you?”

I took a moment, trying to steady the beating that was gradually starting to drown out his words a little. My hands were getting clammy with each passing second on this call.

“I’m-” my lungs inhaled sharply, unsure what to say next. “Don’t worry bout me, Izzy.”

“That’s… well… that’s easier said than done, Ryker,” he replied in a quieter voice. “I’m… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-… I- I know you probably don’t want to talk right now. I… fuck- I didn’t mean to-”

“I-It’s… It’s fine,” I fucking lied.

This… this wasn’t fine. Hearing him right now wasn’t fine. I wasn’t fine. And my body was telling me that in every fucking way it could right now.

“I just- I… I hope you’re-… I hope you’re doing okay.”

I was trying to take deep breaths, filling my lungs more… but that pounding, it- it just kept getting louder.

“I… I’m… don’t worry bout me, Izzy,” I found myself repeating again.

I didn’t know what else to really say.

Right now, I didn’t really know what else to think . I… I couldn’t think.

Just hearing his voice was starting to bring everything back again in tsunami-sized waves.

The good. The bad. The real fucky shitty feelings.

“O-Okay- okay, yeah… I-… if you- well- shitshitshit

• if you want to- to talk- I’m, well- like I’m here… or if you don’t want to talk, no preassure… just- I’m sorry for calling.“

My chest was starting to rise and fall a bit too quickly. The pounding of my heart was getting a bit too intense to hear anything at all, and I felt lightheaded as I tried to regain control over such a visceral reaction.

“I… I’ve gotta go, Izzy,” was all I managed before I just hung up, shoving my phone back into my pocket as I started to full-on hyperventilate in bed. My arms wrapped around my midsection, holding me tight- too fucking tight- and ignoring that sharp pain as my breaths got heavier and heavier.

It was getting harder and harder to breathe oxygen in, like my lungs were collapsing right in on themselves as I tried to pull in more air. My hand reached over for the bedside lamp to turn it off before my body quickly lay down onto my back, my arms now holding my stomach, trying to focus on the rise and fall of my chest to calm myself down.

This wasn’t Izzy’s fault, but-… but his caring words had brought on memories I had chosen to bury instead of ever fucking address again, reminding me of that horrible night… but the breathing exercises seemed to somewhat work. The sharp pain from my midsection seemed to calm me some, ground me, and I just kept focusing on my breathing… in… then out…

When my body jolted awake again, my eyes were covered in complete darkness. The memories of what I just dreamt- the nightmare I was trapped in- seemed to fucking consume me whole, even while awake.

And I knew instantly something was wrong as the strongest sense of nausea overtook my entire shivering body.

I was fully drenched in sweat, forced to pull myself away from my sheets as I sat up, but I didn’t make it out of bed before bending over the side of it and vomiting all over my fucking floor.

It was too dark to make out anything, and my head was pounding , sensitive as fucking shit as I tried to remember the path to the bathroom. My right hand reached out to my side, feeling for the bedside lamp and almost knocking it the fuck over, but I found the switch at the bottom and switched it on, only for me to shut my eyes at the intensity of any light.

My hands were trembling, but I pushed myself off the mattress, knowing I needed to make it to the bathroom quickly. I was going to throw up again soon.

And it was an aimless stumble from my bed, to the door, to the hall, to another door. I barely managed to find the light in there before my body dropped, inching me to the toilet bowl just in time for me to vomit into it.

My body felt cold- freezing, and my teeth were chattering, the wet feeling of my clothes not helping anything as sweat covered every inch of my skin, but my arms held me at the toilet bowl as I waited for another douse of nausea to hit.

My stomach hurt from where I had gripped it too tight, and the soup I had eaten the night before now coated my throat, burning it. I felt dizzy and faint, trying to get a grip on the shakes my body was exhausted by.

Had I left my phone in the room?

No , I thought, feeling it inside my wet pants, pressing up against my thing, and I dug inside the pocket for it quickly. I needed to know what time it was.

The light from the screen felt like someone had taken a laser to my fucking eyes, but I tried to focus as best as I could. I didn’t realize how wet the screen actually was as my trembling fingers unintentionally tapped it, the liquid from my sweat tapped functions all on its own. It wasn’t until I started hearing a faint ringing that my finger double-tapped the side of the phone to end the call with whoever it was I was calling.

And I panicked even more because I was worried I had called the number that had last called me.

My phone started buzzing in my hand for an incoming phone call a few seconds later. I still couldn’t focus my eyes on the light correctly, so I double tapped the side button again to send them to voicemail…

Then my phone started vibrating again , seconds after that, and I tried to wipe my phone on my wet pants, hoping to clear off some of the liquid, but it just picked up the phone call instead.

“Ryk?” I heard a familiar, somewhat muted voice. “Ryk, you there?”

And I had no choice but to bring the fucking thing to my ear.

“I…” I breathed in deep, trying to regulate the shortness of my breaths. Fuck, my throat felt like it was on fucking fire . “I didn’t… mean to call, Mickey.”

“Ryk, what’s wrong?” He asked into the line. I could hear him clear as day now, right in my ear and making my head pound harder.

“Just… a night terror. Sweat fucked up the phone screen… accidentally rang you.”

“Ryk, where are you?”

I had to take a second to answer that because it felt like I was going to throw up again, the nausea now more than just intense. But after a few deep breaths, I answered, “bathroom.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen,” he replied, but I quickly shook my head as if this guy could fucking see me or some shit.

Fact of the matter was that I didn’t want him to see me. Not like this.

“Ryk, I’m going to be there in fifteen.”

And I could hear the worry in his voice. Hell, I heard the sound of his distinct motorcycle starting up. There wasn’t any real way out of this right now… besides… “door’s locked,” I tried to breathe. “I can’t… stand right now.”

Shit, I could barely sit right now, I felt so weak.

“Don’t worry about that. Just tell me if I have permission to let myself in.”

“I’ll…” I took another breath in as more nausea hit. “It’s locked-”

“That’s not what I asked,” Mickey replied. “Do I have your permission?”

I was going to throw up again, I could feel it, but I managed to croak out a “yes,” before I was forced to drop my phone somewhere on the bathroom floor, and lean over the bowl again, vomiting nothing but straight, bitter bile this time.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed with me sitting, holding myself up with the toilet.

At some point, I heard my front door open before Mickey called out to me. I didn’t really have much energy to answer, but I could hear some shuffling before quick steps carried down the hall.

“Shit-… shit . Hey, hey, I’m here,” Mickey spoke softly, not hesitating to drop to the bathroom floor with me. His hand immediately went to my back, and he started to comfortingly rub it, moving his large arms up and down, following the curve of my hunched over spine. “What are you feeling right now?” he asked.

I kept my eyes closed as I answered, “lightheaded,” before leaning over again suddenly to vomit once more.

He kept his hand on my back as I let whatever was left in my stomach out. And I still didn’t know the time.

I didn’t know how long we were like this, with him rubbing my back.

At some point, I think I muttered to him, “Grade A back rubber… was right….”

At some point, I felt him gently lift me away from the toilet to lean back fully against his body.

“Lift your knees, Ryk,” he instructed gently as his large hands slipped under them, bending them so I could lean back into him more. I rested my head back against his chest as the nausea finally started to pass, and his hand remained under my knees, holding them up the rest of the way while the shaking slowly subsided.

I wasn’t sure what happened after that… but I could’ve sword I felt him gently kiss the top of my head, whispering against the sweaty curls, “I’m here, Ryk… I’ve got you.”

••

32. Muffin Gets By, Muffin Falls Through

“Shipment in?” I asked Xavier, walking into the warehouse.

I was late to meeting him here, with it being closer to midnight now, but I had gone home first to shower and change into an oversized black quarter zip sweater, some black sweatpants, and sneakers.

I was preparing to be at the warehouse probably all night, and I wanted to be comfortable.

He gestured to the large wooden crate on the floor near the table he was sitting at.

“Starting tonight, then?” He asked. I nodded, pulling off my riding gloves as I approached him, tossing them on the table, then setting both helmets on it before grabbing the crowbar Xavier had pulled out and set at the end of the wooden surface for me.

I crouched down to pry the crate open and push the top off so I could start sifting through the packaging after setting the crowbar back on the table. Then I looked up at Xavier, and he tossed a box of nitrile gloves over my way.

I pulled out two, putting them on over my large hands before I reached inside and started removing the gun parts, placing them on the table as I went.

“Well, shit ,” Xavier muttered, eyeing the parts I pulled out for semi-auto’s. “Looks like they aren’t planning on leaving anyone even remotely alive at that shop.”

I slowly nodded, continuing my work while I asked, “Contacts for my request?”

“Coming your way tonight,” Xavier confirmed. “What’s the association?”

“They were there that night. Simon was the one who beat the shit out of Ryker. Don confirmed yesterday.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised,” Xavier answered honestly, shaking his head.

“Don wants to do this legally,” I added, which X outright laughed at.

“Machiavelli family doesn’t do things legally ,” he replied, confirming what I already knew. “How legal we talkin?”

“Jailtime, legal. He wants to find something that sticks.”

“Easier said than done. He’s between a rock and a hard place, isn’t he?”

“Theodore Bellington can’t help that old man out of this one. Not with The Machiavelli’s. He wants me to reel in the twins. Tie the leash to a tree.”

“That leash is more of a pleasantry. You willing to get it reinforced?”

I thought about it a moment. “Ci would kill me if I did,” I replied, setting the last of the parts on the table. Xavier rolled the flathead screwdriver across the surface next, and I stood up to take a seat beside him.

“Don know what he’s asking?”

“He wants me to pivot. Find a different angle,” I replied as I started to lay out the parts in assembly order.

“Shit. You know anyone the twins want to kill more?” Xavier asked. I shook my head no.

“Not at the moment. Mori can be reasoned with. Niki can’t. Last time they were at a crossroads, though, they almost killed each other. I had to step in, and I’m not trying to do that shit again,” I explained. X nodded.

“You think they’ll take it personally with your plan for those other two?”

“Twins are after Simon. Want the serpents head… but we can’t tip them off. Can’t let them know we got eyes on this, too. They’ll just pivot.”

X nodded again. “Don’s hoping it gets settled in jail, huh.” I nodded.

“Don… he… he cares for Ryk,” I replied.

“Makes two of you. Just opposite sides of the same coin,” X smirked. “Beer?” He offered. I shook my head no, watching through my periferial as the big guy got up and made his way to the kitchen.

“What’s Don’s angle with his intel?” He asked, pulling a glass bottle from the fridge.

“Fight Club,” I replied. “Sammy owes Don a favour.”

“Not a bad angle,” X said, and I nodded, agreeing.

“Knowing Sammy, he’ll keep a safe distance from being too involved, though. It’s… delicate.”

I heard the sound of X cracking open the beer before he returned to his seat.

“When you tellin Ryk?” He asked me.

“Not sure yet,” I replied. “Things got complicated. Don’s kid and Isiah are involved.”

That made X sit up more. “How?” He asked.

“Ryk had a complicated connection with Isiah while the Whittaker-Joneses were in Ireland. Simon saw his kid kiss him Halloween night.”

“Shit,” X muttered. “That’s a mess.”

“Simon also socked Isiah. Took his anger out on Ryk back at the shop,” I continued, and Xavier sharply inhaled. “Don beat the shit out of Simon that night. Carson shot Vinny’s hand.”

“… Shit. Well, shit . Gun ghosted?”

I slowly shook my head no. “Don’t think so. Don might not have been worried at the time… but things are now…”

“Complicated,” X finished, and I nodded.

“You found all this out while playing house yesterday?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “Changes nothing with Ryk and I, but…”

“You want Simon Parker dead now.”

“I want Simon Parker more than just dead,” I clarified.

“You could just say the word,” X reminded me, “make it look like an accident. No one would bat an eye. I don’t think anyone would even give a shit.”

“I don’t think Ryk wants that shithead dead,” I explained.

“Afraid he won’t forgive you if he finds out it’s you.”

I nodded.

“He doesn’t have to,” X reminded me.

“He’s already accepted who I am without actually knowing who I am, X. I’m not taking out all he’s got left, regardless of how much I want to.”

X slowly nodded. “You’re holding up well then, given.”

“Tell Dante that. Worked the bag with him for hours yesterday after hearing this mess.”

“Supervised so you don’t hurt yourself?”

I nodded. “Left Ryk at mine to do it. Couldn’t come back with bruised knuckles. He already knows my work might not be… kosher . Imagine how that would look.”

“Understood,” Xavier replied, watching as I started the assembly. “Twins haven’t set a pick up for these. We still have some time to think.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Don mentioned heat on Simon. He might skip town for a bit, buying us more time. I think the twins saw it coming, and they can’t afford to take that heat. Their dad won’t take too kindly to another mandatory visit home. They’re just getting ready by having me ghost these. Simon’ll be back eventually.”

“Sorry your vacation is over so soon,” Xavier joked, making me chuckle dryly. “You should bring Ryk here. I know you don’t want to, but he’s already been around a similar lifestyle. At least he likes you.”

“Delicate, X. It’s delicate.”

Xavier nodded. “How about the work on the build? They want you for the prototype. Additional 70k.”

I thought about that pretty thoroughly before slowly shaking my head no. “Framework only.”

“Got it,” he confirmed. “I’ll pass it along.”

“Thanks, X.”

I watched him nod through my peripheral, before taking a sip of his beer.

“Eve told me about the cabin thing next month,” Xavier started hesitantly.

“You can go,” I told him. “Gun stays in the car, though. Don’t piss Ci off.”

“Got it. Thanks, Mic,” Xavier smiled before taking another sip.

“Anything pisses me off, though, I’m taking Ryk back to mine,” I explained. “Not really in the mood to deal with bullshit right now.”

“Can’t blame you,” X chuckled. “I’ll keep Eve under control.”

“You always do,” I smiled, glancing at Xavier who gave me a smile in return.

“Twins dropped off fronted payment with the shipment. It’s in the safe,” Xavier then explained. “Counted and cleaned. Good to use.”

I nodded, making a note of that. “Thanks, X.”

“Anytime. How much you want me to run Ryk for the tune-up?”

“Nothing suspect. Less than 2k tops. Ryk would do it for free, but he deserves to be paid for his work.”

“Got it. You know he’d make a whole lot more here, though.”

“I know,” I nodded. “First, he needs to understand the importance of a front. He’s gotta get the hang of things at the café because he has to stay there if he puts in hours here. And I suspect Simon was pocketing a whole lot off that kid’s work. Ryk doesn’t know what he’s worth. I’ll ease him into it if he’s interested.”

X nodded. “When we get there, you want a build out?”

I nodded. “Ryk will tell you exactly what he needs in here for work, if we get there. Tools gotta come from out of town again, though. Especially if Simon’s still active at that point. Number one priority is Ryk’s safety.”

“I’ll reach out to the same guy then, when we get there.”

I nodded, chiselling off additional serial numbers with the flathead. “Any new work?”

X chuckled. “Always new work, Mic. Finish that framework first. One at a time, you know the drill.”

I almost instantly groaned. “Shit’s tedious, and fucking boring.”

X just threw his hands and beer up at my complaint. “Hey. You said yes.”

I sighed again. “Only did cause of fucking Dino. Put serious money into that condo when I moved back, then that motherfucker goes and gets himself locked up.”

“You expecting repayment?”

“Yeah. From fucking

Dino . Not Jade. She moved shop cross country out of good faith her brother could pay it off while working for her. Plus, Ci likes her. I can’t make her run me anything. That dickhead needs to actually work for it.“

“She makes good money with that car of hers, though,” he reminded me, but I shook my head no.

“I don’t want her taking more races for this. She’s a damn good artist, and it’s a damn good front. Plus, Ci shouldn’t get caught up in it. Jade would never involve her, but still.”

“Got it,” X said. “Jade’s got integrity, however. Don’t think she’ll just let you foot that bill for her brother.”

“Then she can work Dino like a fucking dog. Starting with my damn back piece,” I replied, making Xavier chuckle as he took another sip of his beer. “I’m not taking her fucking money.”

“You’re a good man, Mic. Better than me.”

“I only respect a man who owns up to his shit. Dino’s been in and out for years, and I’m not going to keep bailing him. Maybe he’ll finally understand the value of a dollar on a 60-hour work week,” I replied, making Xavier chuckle again.

“Two sides of the same coin, Mic. You and Don.”

“Only difference is our choice of previous employers,” I replied. “Don’s just doing what he’s doing best. He’s a changed man, you know.”

“Oh, I know,” Xavier smirked. “Would’ve paid good money to see him beat Simon’s ass, though.”

“Makes two of us,” I replied, placing one part down for the next. “I’d say I wouldn’t hold back… but Ryk was there that night. I would’ve done what Don did.”

“No, you wouldn’t have,” Xavier chuckled.

“Would’ve tried,” I countered, chuckling, and making this larger man laugh.

If I had seen Ryk in the state he was in that night… I probably would’ve bludgeoned his father to death with that crowbar.

“What’s the plan for the other two, then?” He asked. “Some contacts want specifics.”

“Can’t kill them,” I replied. “Eye for an eye, though… so I’ll just make them wish I did. Your contacts seem promising for that?” I asked, looking over at Xavier. He simply nodded, taking another sip of his beer. “Good,” I nodded. “I’ll find time to screen this week. Their schedule?”

“Inconsistent. Guessing they probably feel whatever heat Simon does,” Xavier explained. I nodded.

“Keep following them. If they skip town, let me know as soon as you know.”

“Will do, Mic,” Xavier nodded. “Let me know your estimated time on the framework job. I’ll forward you something more exciting once you’re wrapping up.”

I nodded. “Nothing taxing. Holidays are coming up, and I want to spend time with Ryk. Still trying to think of his Christmas present, too. Whatchya getting Eve?”

“ A new fucking cat ,“ Xavier grumbled.

“Princess bothering you, big fella?” I asked with a grin, looking over at Xavier.

“Eve’s got seven different paint chips for that second bedroom. And she’s refusing to let me pay for anything. No vet bills, no raised rent, nothing.”

“Piece of advice, X, nourish her independence, don’t push back on it. She’ll only take so much suffocation,” I told him, and X nodded eventually, agreeing. “This year, she’s getting this stupid eighteen-story cat tree she wanted. That’ll be my gift to you both.”

“More work for me? Really, Mic?”

“ More time at hers, “ I countered, having Xavier think on that for a moment before he eventually nodded.

“I’m still pissed Jade got her that cat,” he grumbled.

“Don’t worry,” I assured my good friend, “Jade is down bad for Ci. Not sure what the bloody hell those two even talk about, but Jade’s good for her. And I need Ci to stop getting fucking married. I’ve been monitoring that French prick, making sure he doesn’t overreach in the divorce agreement. Learning French for this fuck shit was not on this year’s bingo card and yet here I am.”

“Of course you’re monitoring it,” Xavier chuckled. “Nothing gets by…”

“Nothing falls through,” I replied. But before I could continue this conversation with Xavier, I felt my phone suddenly vibrate in my pocket. I pulled the gloves off my hands to reach into the pocket of my baggy sweatpants, pulling it out to see who was calling at this hour, but the vibrations suddenly stopped.

When I got a good look at my screen, I was on immediate high alert, ringing Ryk back right away as I brought the phone to my ear…

But it got sent to voicemail after one ring. So I called again.

When it picked up, I instantly led with “Ryk? Ryk, you there?”

It took a sec before there was a response.

“I…I didn’t… mean to call, Mickey.”

My brows creased in confusion, but all I felt was concern. He didn’t sound right.

“Ryk, what’s wrong?” I asked. He sounded weak, breathy, and a bit dazed.

“Just… a night terror. Sweat fucked up the phone screen… accidentally rang you.”

That had me on my feet, and Xavier on his, setting the beer down onto the table.

“Ryk, where are you?”

I could hear him breathing, but it sounded like he was struggling to. “Bathroom,” I heard him finally say.

“I’ll be there in fifteen,” I replied quickly, already picking my riding gloves off the table. I brought my phone to my chest for a moment and said to Xavier, “My scanner,” before bringing the phone back to my ear.

He was quick to get it from the safe in the back, rushing it over to me. “You need me?” He then asked, but I shook my head no. “Fifteen’s ambitious. Watch the roads, Mic,” X warned me. I nodded, slipping the loaded device into the pocket of my sweatpants, grabbing a helmet off the table, and jogging back towards the entrance to the warehouse.

“Ryk, I’m going to be there in fifteen,” I told him again over the phone as I opened and closed the main door before pulling myself onto my bike parked right by the door to start it up.

“Door’s locked,” I heard his choked breath as he spoke. “I can’t… stand right now.”

“Don’t worry about that. Just tell me if I have permission to let myself in,” I told him, stalling any movement. I didn’t want even the slight possibility of this call dropping if I transferred it to my helmet, so I kept my helmet off and phone to my ear.

“I’ll…” he took another laboured breath in. “It’s locked-”

“That’s not what I asked,” I replied. “Do I have your permission?”

And I waited until I heard the faint “yes” before I transferred the call to my helmet, shoved my phone in my pocket, and pulled my bike out of the lot.

Fifteen might’ve been ambitious, but I pulled into The Brookside Apartments compound in ten, parking my bike in the closest slot to the entrance. I didn’t run to the front, however, regardless of how quickly I wanted to get to Ryk.

First, I collected my breath, slowing it down completely as I ignored the adrenaline rush from that ride, having taken most of it riding dark through the red zones, something Xavier would’ve chewed me out for.

I walked slowly, leisurely towards the front entrance, seeing the 24-hour security posted between the doors. When they caught sight of me, I gave them a casual smile, and the first guard opened up.

“I’m just here to check on Ryk. He accidentally took home my recipe book from the café,” I explained, recognizing both security from when I was here last, working on Ryker’s car Saturday. They both instantly nodded, letting me through.

Don had already given me clearance to the entrance because of Ryk’s car, and I was banking on him already telling them who I was and where I worked.

I casually strolled to the elevators, pressed the up button, and entered as the door opened. Then I took it up to Ryk’s floor, still walking casually as I exited, but my head tilted upwards while I clapped my arms together, scanning the hall for the cameras I knew were there. One on the left side of Ryk’s door.

I lifted my hand, pretending to knock, before blocking Ryker’s door pad for his fob with my body as I leant against the door like I was just waiting on a good friend to open up.

Then I casually slipped my right hand into my sweatpants pocket, turned on my scanner with the side button, pulled out the master card already inserted, and placed it against Ryk’s door pad, holding it there for three full seconds.

Next, I lifted my left hand again, pretending to knock again, all while putting the card back into my scanner to have it copy the information. Three seconds passed, and I did one more decoy knock, but when I placed the master card against the door pad for the final time, I heard it instantly unlock. That had me putting both my hands in my pocket and the card back in the scanner, before I reached for the handle of the unlocked door as if Ryk had opened it up for me. 

I made sure to block it all with my baggy clothes and large build, then smiled wide while my face turned slightly back in view of the camera, like I was saying hi to someone as I let myself in.

Don was going to skin me the fuck alive for this shit… but he wouldn’t know I’d copied the encrypted frequency until he tried to reprogram this lock for any reason whatsoever.

Here’s to hoping Ryk didn’t have any fob issues in the near future.

As soon as I was in, I called out, “Ryk?” to the dark apartment, making sure I blocked the view from the camera before closing the door behind me, and switching on the light to the kitchen. Then I slipped my sneakers off and booked it to the bathroom.

As soon as I saw Ryk hunched over, shivering, I felt my breathing halt for a full second.

…I hadn’t known the night terrors got this bad.

“Shit-… shit . Hey, hey, I’m here,” I spoke, dropping to the bathroom floor next to him, and started immediately rubbing my right hand against his back from behind him.

He was still awake, even if his eyes were closed; he had a firm grip on the lid of the toilet, but his skin was pale as a ghost, his white shirt almost see-through, clinging to his skin from his sweat. His hair was also wet with sweat, with those deep curls now sticking to the side of his face.

“What are you feeling right now?” I asked, trying to gauge what I’d need for the night.

“…Lightheaded,” he whispered, before leaning suddenly over the bowl to vomit, but I noticed it was mostly yellow bile coming up. There was nothing else in his stomach. I kept my hand on his back, though, continuing to comfort him as I prayed the nausea would hopefully pass soon.

He was slowly getting whatever was left, out, his body still shivering while it purged the remnants in him. “How’d you… get in…” he murmured, somewhat out of it.

“Don’t worry about that,” I whispered to him as my hand continued to rub his back. I had to make sure he got past the nausea first before anything else. And he mumbled a few more incoherent things, but I gently shushed him, watching him lean over and vomit a few more times while I waited this out with him.

“Grade A,” he started to mumble when he leant back, “…back rubber… was right….”

I couldn’t help but weakly smile at that shit. This insane motherfucker.

I just continued rubbing his back while shushing him until I noticed his breathing start to finally slow. The shakes were less intense now. And that was when I felt comfortable enough to move him slightly.

I reached under his arms, close to his armpits, gently lifting him with my movement as I moved myself back against the cupboards of his bathroom vanity, lifting him over my right leg, and bringing him between both of them, first having him lean back against my chest for comfort. Then I bent my knees on either side of him to keep him caged in and his body facing straight ahead.

“Lift your knees, Ryk,” I instructed gently as my hands moved from under his arms to lift his knees from underneath, allowing him to rest against me more. I kept my hands there, holding up his shaky legs, but it wasn’t long before the shaking gradually slowed in this position. His breathing grew deeper, slower, and his body finally rested into me completely.

I bent my head down slow, placing a gentle kiss at the top of his head as I whispered, “I’m here, Ryk… I’ve got you.”

He mumbled something else incoherent, but his body continued to relax. I didn’t touch anywhere near his chest or stomach, not wanting to irritate the nausea any further or cause him pain from the bruising.

And we… we stayed like this. Maybe for about 30 minutes total, as I monitored his breathing, placing gentle kisses into his messy, sweaty curls every so often.

All I could think about as we both sat here with his sweat soaking into my clothes was that I didn’t know it could get this fucking bad. That this was what Ryker was genuinely afraid of me seeing.

His phone was on the floor near my feet, and considering I kept that call going with my helmet until I pulled up to The Brookside, my guess was he must have dropped the thing on the floor because he didn’t hang up…

Once I was sure he was fast asleep again, I decided to finally move him, tilting my body so his head would gradually fall against my right shoulder, before my left arm slid under both his knees. I pulled my legs in tight and used the surface behind him to help push myself up into a squat so I could stand.

I already knew he couldn’t go back to his bed. If he was this drenched in sweat, his bed must’ve been a mess.

Instead, I carried him into his living room and carefully laid him down on the couch, resting his head on one of the throw pillows, then straightened his legs out and gently placed his arms at his sides.

He was peacefully asleep now, allowing me to get my shit together as I took the deepest breath.

I headed to his bedroom next once I knew I was ready, switching the overhead light on for me to see the damage.

The first thing I saw was the pool of vomit on his wooden floors near the side of the bed, but that wasn’t my concern right now. Instead, I walked over to his closet and started rummaging through it to find him a new shirt and some basketball shorts. Then I brought those back out into the living room and set them on his empty coffee table.

Next was a basin. I was able to locate one in the bathroom, fill it with warm water, and add some of his body wash to make a soapy mixture.

I was also able to find a face towel in the closet in his hallway, and set that into the filled basin, then grabbed a fresh, dry towel. Then I brought the filled basin back out to the living room, setting it also on the coffee table before turning back to the sleeping Ryk.

Working in sections, I started with his joggers, undoing the drawstring and slipping them off, careful not to disturb him in the process.

Once I got those pulled down and off, I wrung out the soapy water from the towel, wiping down each leg as best I could without waking him, before drying him off with the clean towel. After I was done, I carefully slid the basketball shorts on, being extra fucking careful when I got to his upper things and pelvic area. I made sure they hung low, and left them untied.

Next was his shirt. That one was much trickier, slipping the base up first before I slowly, carefully lifted the neckline up over his head, thanking the universe that the shirt was oversized. Lastly, they slipped down both his arms with ease, without having to bend his arms into the holes or anything.

Then I repeated the process, cleaning him, his arms, his neck, and his chest, wringing the towel out in the soapy water repeatedly.

I was the most careful around his midsection because I noticed the bruising had gotten slightly worse, but I had to clean the skin in order to apply the cream. Once I was done, I dried him off with the clean towel, and I put the fresh shirt on the same, just in reverse. Arms first, then head, then down his body.

After that, I took the whole basin back to his bathroom, washed it thoroughly, grabbed another clean face towel, refilled the basin with lukewarm water, and brought it back out into the living room before hunting down the cream for his stomach in this apartment.

Once I brought that bottle into the living room, I lifted up his clean shirt and put some cream on my hands, warming it.

Won’t lie, I just about held my breath through the entire application process, and I went slow as fucking shit, making sure I didn’t press too hard, but also making sure I rubbed it in enough to seep into his cleaner skin. Then I pulled his shirt back down.

After I washed my hands, the last step was to wring out the clean towel and start, ever so carefully, dabbing his face and neck. I spent the most time here, making sure I didn’t wake him.

Then I wrung out the towel, folded it, and placed it behind his neck.

Once I was sure Ryker was alright, I went back into his bathroom, looked for the gloves I knew Don must’ve left, and found them along with disinfectant wipes, then went to clean the floor in his bedroom.

It was only after all of that, with a thorough washing of hands, that I felt comfortable returning to Ryker for good. I sat down on the floor right beside him, brought the basin and towel down there with me, and started the clock, working in intervals to remove, soak, wring, and place the towel back under his neck, taking every few turns to also dab more sweat from his forehead when needed.

This was where I’d planned stay until he finally woke up.

And I sent a text to X sometime during the night to let him know I’d be going offline for a bit, requesting he find a way for Arlo to come into the café today by any means necessary and cover for Ryk and me, because we wouldn’t be making it in.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle his school, but we’d cross that bridge in the morning.

••

33. His Batter Half

Lord have mercy, 6k words with this one so enjoy!

Next chapter will probably be shorter lol

xoxo

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/5df4943141921ac52dc3d7aedd2b0c0be38dfc2f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f624f3348686366394266435557513d3d2d313630373034393232352e313839313161323830663339333033323634353533373930383435312e6a7067)               

I woke up to some slight light shining through the open blinds of a window.

Only thing was that it was my living room window and not my bedroom. The window I was used to facing in the mornings.

Then I looked down from that large window.

And sitting on the floor, leaning his back against the side of the couch right near my waist, was none other than Mickey.

His head was lowered slightly, and his eyes closed, with his left knee bent up where his left forearm was perfectly balanced against. His right leg was bent but rested on the wooden floor and tucked under the large space his left, his right arm straight with his hand resting in his lap.

He was sleeping like this, right between the couch and coffee table… but I had no fucking idea how.

As soon as I even attempted to try sitting up more on this couch, Mickey raised his head like he had had his ears peeled for any fucking sound.

“You’re up,” he said right before he turned his head back to look over at me.

And the most infuriating bit of all was that this man looked absolutely, utterly flawless.

“Have… you been here all night?” I asked him. He slowly nodded, but his sharp eyes looked like they were analyzing every single part of me.

“What hurts?” He asked suddenly… and I just blinked a few times, clearing sleep from my eyes as I heard the rawest concern in his deep, rich voice.

Now I was trying to figure out what the fuck happened last night. Peace together how we had both found ourselves here…

…and memories started slapping me in the face just left and right.

The call with Isiah.

The horrible night terror.

The call made accidentally to Mickey on my end, and the callback made purposely on his…

“Ryk. Answer my question.”

Mickey’s voice sounded like he had just fallen asleep, and yet those eyes of his looked completely awake. “Uh…” I thought about that- his question. “My… my head feels really shitty. But my stomach-” I glanced down at it, because I remembered the pain last night, but I didn’t feel much of any now.

Wait-

I was wearing different clothes, too.

And…

I brought my left arm up quickly to sniff my skin.

“Did you… Did you bathe me? And change my shirt?”

“I wiped you down with soap and water to wash off some of the sweat before I changed your clothes. But don’t worry, I just changed your shirt and pants to a new shirt and shorts. I didn’t touch anything else,” Mickey assured me.

“You… you did all that?” I asked quietly, glancing back down at myself again. I hadn’t remembered any of it. I had to have been asleep by then.

“You were sweating. A lot. I couldn’t leave you in those clothes,” he replied. “Is it just your head then?”

I took another second to check myself over. “I mean… is it depressing to say that I’m sort of used to the rest? I mean, my throat’s raw, but I threw up, which just kinda happens sometimes. And… I’m exhausted… but that’s, I mean, I’m also kind of used to that too after a rough night.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Mickey muttered as he raised his right hand from his lap to massage the bridge of his nose. “You damn near gave me a heart attack last night, Ryk, and you mean to tell me that this is how it’s been for you? Five to six days a goddamn week?”

That made me pause a moment. “Usually… usually not as much vomiting, I don’t think. That was improving.”

I tried to sit up again, but Mickey quickly snapped, saying, “Don’t you dare fucking move, Ryker Parker.”

“But…” I glanced out the window. “I have school. Right?” At this point, I was starting to question exactly what day it was, but I was like 99.98% sure it was now Tuesday.

“Not today,” Mickey quickly shook his head no. “I took care of it this morning while you were sleeping. Today you’re resting.”

That made my eyes grow wider. “How… long was I sleeping?” There was barely any light out so it couldn’t have been that long, I didn’t think.

“I got here a little after midnight, and it’s a little after seven in the morning now. So about almost seven hours or so.”

“You- you’ve been here that long? Just sitting here?” I asked him, trying to straighten my scrambled brain. Honestly, my eyes were still adjusting to any light whatsoever.

Shit. Shit . Oh god, if this guy wasn’t already going to eventually lose interest, he sure as shit was going to now. Then my face paled when I remembered how I woke up at night.

“My bedroom floor,” I whispered in complete fucking horror. I hadn’t made it to the bathroom in time.

“I took care of it,” Mickey replied quickly. “Don’t even think about worrying about that shit right now.”

“And-” I tried to remember more, but everything still felt fuzzy. “How did you get in here?” My door was locked, I was pretty sure. But then I remembered more of that phone call with this baker. Mickey asking for permission to let himself in. “Never… never mind,” I told him, also remembering my promise to him. I wasn’t sure what he did to let himself in, but knowing Mickey, he just took care of it somehow. “You don’t have to stay-”

“I’ll be with you the whole day,” Mickey cut me off, making my eyes widen again. And I could only watch as he casually pulled himself off the hardwood floor. “How’s your nausea? You don’t have anything in your system right now, so I’m having Xavier drop off some groceries in about an hour or two here. I’m going to make you some soup for the day to replenish your nutrients.”

I…

I didn’t even know what to think anymore. I mean, I was barely thinking at all right now, my brain felt so fried.

“Just tell me if you need anything else before he gets here. Laundry’s done, I got your bed sheets washed along with your clothes, but your mattress is still drying, and for the rest of today, we’re going to just work on getting you back to one hundred. But first,” Mickey bent down to pick up the basin I didn’t even realize he was sitting beside on the floor, and set it on the coffee table, before he turned back to me, bent down, and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

He had done that before , I thought quietly to myself. Then my eyes got even wider.

I’m here, Ryk… I’ve got you…

“You…” I just stared up at him.

“From now on, Ryk, I want you to call me when you have a night terror. I don’t ever want you going through something like last night, alone again. Understood?” Mickey asked as he slowly crouched down to my level on this couch, right beside my upper body.

I… well, I slowly nodded. Mickey was dead fucking serious about that.

“I’m… I’m sorry for scaring you,” I settled on, and that was when Mickey’s sharp eyes softened further.

“I’m sorry you’ve been experiencing this alone,” he replied. Then his left hand slowly reached for my right, and he brought the back of it to his lips, placing the gentlest kiss there. My heart didn’t even know what the fuck to do anymore.

The best my words could do was say, “thank you, Mickey. For… everything,” and he just simply nodded, giving me a warm but awfully weak smile.

“Now, usually I let you choose what you’d like me to feed you, but I’m going to make something I know will replenish your body. How do you feel about-”

“I’ll eat whatever you make,” I told him softly. “But… bonus points if it’s Korean.”

And that had Mickey chuckling lightly. My hand was still in his, making my heart rate stir. “Good. Because it is.”

That made me smile.

This… I… hadn’t been expecting this.

And I felt my eyes start to sting a bit as I blinked a few more times to clear the feeling. I was just so used to waking up again alone after. Pulling myself together. Trying to get to school. Ignoring what I could.

“S-So you’re-… you’re spending the whole day here?” I asked him. Mickey nodded, shifting so he could sit back on the floor instead of crouching while he kept my hand in his, but he scooted right up to the side of the couch and bent both his knees, leaning his whole left side against it as he faced me. “I don’t,” I looked around a bit at my bare place. “I don’t really have a lot here. I’m… I’m not sure what-”

“Ryk, you’re here. That’s all I give a fucking shit about right now, alright?” He asked. I quickly nodded at his firmer tone, before trying and failing to mask a slight smile. “Today, you and I will sit here and just talk. I’ll watch over you if you want to take a nap. I’ll cook for you. We can listen to some music if you want. I don’t care what you do as long as you stay on that goddamn couch and rest.”

“Could I… like… take a shower?” I asked. I smelled clean but I still felt gross. And I definitely wanted to wash my hair, I know that it had to have been drenched in sweat last night.

“Once you have breakfast, yes. You don’t have any food in your system, and the steam from the shower might make you lightheaded. Or I can run you a bath,” he replied. I slowly nodded.

Honestly, either sounded alright. I still couldn’t believe that this guy had wiped me down… but then I remembered the amount of sweat, and- and then I-

“Your clothes,” I said suddenly. Mickey had pulled me right against him in the bathroom with my wet clothes.

“I already washed them,” he replied. “Thought it was best I do it while you were sleeping since I was in a towel for a little while. And we both know how that went last time.”

Jesus fucking fuck , this guy just-

“I really, really like you,” I blurted out without any fucking thinking. “Like a lot. Like a whole fucking lot.”

And Mickey looked at me a sec, probably thinking I had full-on lost it now, but he started chuckling hard a second later. It took him a moment to walk himself down from that before he said, “I really, really like you, too. So I’m glad you don’t think I’m overstepping by being here right now. And I know you have questions about how I let myself in last night, but I want you to know that I’ll never ever do that unless you give me your permission, alright?”

I quickly nodded my head. I genuinely remembered that part of the phone call. Him making sure I said yes first.

It also probably confirmed that whatever he did to let himself in, Don didn’t know about.

Shit.

Don.

“I- I should probably call Don and-”

“From now on, Ryk, whatever you do and wherever you go will be my responsibility. Not Don’s. He’ll still check in, but if you need someone here, you’ll call me. Are you okay with that?” Mickey asked. And I swiftly nodded at that shit. “But that doesn’t mean much will change. Same schedule. Same rules.”

“Do you… well… isn’t that like… a lot for you?”

“Well,” he countered, “how often do you call him for things like this?”

“Pretty much never. He’s been really busy, and just lets me know when he’s dropping by.”

“Then there you go,” Mickey replied. “Today I’m offline for the day. The only people who can reach me are Ci and Xavier. I already texted Ci, and Xavier will handle my-…”

“Okay,” I nodded, not making him answer anything the fuck else. Not after he had stayed. Even when he told me when he dropped me off last night that it would be a long night for him.

Whatever work he had, he was putting off for this. For me. And I sure as shit was going to respect his private matters.

Xavier stopped by within the hour, and Mickey left only for a short while to go meet him downstairs. Then he was back up here with a handful of grocery bags while I rested on the couch.

First, he made me Saenggang-cha, which he said was ginger tea, and that helped completely calm my stomach and nausea while he made what he called Miyeok-guk, which was like a seaweed soup. He was nervous because he didn’t know how I’d feel about seaweed, but I immediately fell in love as soon as he brought a bowl over, sat down beside me, and had me try it. He had made it with a beef broth, and I lost count of how many servings I had.

He was right. I didn’t have anything in my stomach before it, and by the time he was done cooking in my kitchen, I was starving.

After he was sure I wouldn’t pass the fuck out in the shower, he let me take one while he finished cleaning up the kitchen and washing the dishes. He also cleaned out my fridge, tossing out anything that had gone bad and making room for everything Xavier had bought.

I knew if I told him that he didn’t have to do any of this, he’d just tell me to shut up, so instead I offered many, many, many thank yous to help compensate.

The mattress in my bedroom was still drying. I guess Mickey had cleaned it with some baking soda and soap while he was restless during the night, so instead, he suggested I change after the shower and come back to the couch to lie down. Instead of me just lying back down alone, I asked if he’d lie down with me, which he immediately agreed to. He didn’t look tired, but he had to be after everything he did.

But first, he put a fresh coat of the miracle cream onto my clean stomach, making the pain I definitely caused by holding my midsection too tight last night during that panic attack, pretty much nonexistent. As always, he was gentle, and made no comment on the bruising looking slightly worse than before.

Xavier had also brought a portable speaker with the groceries for at least a shred of entertainment since I had absolutely nothing in this home, and Mickey put some light jazz on and set the thing on the coffee table.

Then he lay down on the couch first, bringing out more comfortable pillows from the closet in the hallway instead of the small throw pillows, as well as a freshly washed bed comforter, and had me rest right on top of him with my back to his chest before he covered us up in the thick, warm bedding.

It felt like I was cuddled up in a heated cloud, with Mickey’s cologne making it all the more comforting.

“Are you sleepy?” He asked me. I shook my head no against his chest. “Okay. How about we just talk until you fall asleep. We can play a little game to pass the time- take turns asking questions that we have to answer truthfully.”

“Okay,” I nodded. I think we both had a goddamn laundry list of questions for each other after last night. “And if we can’t answer it? The question?” I asked him.

Mickey paused for a moment at that. “Then we have to say one thing no one else knows about us,” Mickey replied. “Keep the stakes high.” I nodded again.

“Game on, then. Who goes first?” I asked.

“You’re the one recovering, so the floor is yours, Ryker Parker,” he replied. “Ask me anything,”

“Well, since you stayed here the whole night, we’ll start easy. What’s your favourite colour?” I asked, and that made Mickey chuckle instantly.

“Brown, I think. What’s yours?”

“Oh, absolutely not. Let’s make it a rule that you can’t ask the same question, or we’ll be here all fucking day,” I replied.

“Alright, that’s fair,” Mickey agreed. “Then what’s your least favourite colour?”

That made me pause a bit. “Probably something bright. Like yellow.”

“I’m glad you really think Ci’s car is ugly as shit too, then,” Mickey mumbled unexpectedly, making me laugh hard .

“It’s… something,” I tried to offer, because I really liked Pricilla. And it fit her. Probably only her. But then I paused while we were on the topic of cars. “Wait, I take that back. I like Bumblebee’s car in the Transformers. A yellow Chevy Camaro.”

“Ooh shit, you’re right,” Mickey nodded quickly. “But that gets a pass because yellow goes great with black.”

“Agreed, agreed,” I nodded too. “Okay, another easy one, what’s your favourite animal?”

“Dragons,” Mickey answered.

“That’s not an animal,” I argued.

“Says the fuck who?” This baker asked. “Never said it couldn’t be mythical, Ryk. Gotta be more specific.”

“…touché,” I muttered.

“Where’s one place in the world you want to travel to?” He then asked. And it was probably the most basic question in the whole wide fucking world… and yet it seriously stumped me. Up until this very moment, I guess New York was all I really knew.

“I don’t really know,” I told him honestly after racking my brain. “I’ve never really thought about it.”

And Mickey paused at that answer for a while. God , I probably sounded stupid as fuck not being able to think of something. “If that’s the case,” Mickey replied after some time, “then you know the rules. Spill a secret, Ryk. Something juicy. Tabloid worthy.”

And I had to think about that long and fucking hard. “The first time I tried shrooms, I had such a bad trip that a friend had to hold me for like six hours while they were tripping balls themselves.”

“Seriously?” He asked. I nodded.

“It was a mess. I just really hated the taste, and it made me nauseous the whole time.”

“You ate them straight up?” I could hear the disgust in this baker’s voice.

“Sounds like another question to me,” I countered, making Mickey laugh.

“You’re right, you’re right. Fire away then.”

“What’s a country you’ve traveled to, besides South Korea?” I asked him.

“I’ve been to a shit ton,” Mickey confessed, surprising me. “But my favourite might’ve been Thailand. I was there for… work. But stayed for the food and the scenery. One of the few places where I endured the heat because it was so captivating.”

“I like that,” I smiled. “I don’t know the first thing about Thailand, but it must’ve been really beautiful.”

“It was,” he replied, making my smile widen. “Alright, my turn. What’s the number one thing on your bucket list?”

I was about to answer that, knowing exactly what the fuck it was… but then I stopped myself when I remembered everything that happened because of it. My father. My birthday. Yet then again… Mickey didn’t know about any of that, so I still answered truthfully. “I’d say RXX,” I replied. “I’m guessing you’ve heard of the convention since you’re into cars and bikes and stuff.”

“I have,” he confirmed. “I had other obligations this year, so I couldn’t go… but say you and I aren’t sick of each other by fall of next year, if I secure us tickets, would you like to go? If you are sick of me, you can have the tickets and bring whoever you’d like.”

My body fucking sprang up as I turned my upper half back to Mickey. “ You’re fucking joking . Mickey, tell me you’re fucking joking.“

“I know most of the event staff. Also,” his big ass left hand wrapped around to my forehead, and he turned and pulled my whole upper half back onto his chest,“ lay the fuck back down, Ryk. Your stomach might feel great, but you’re still fucking healing.“

I couldn’t help but chuckle, smiling wide as fucking shit as I felt Mickey kiss the top of my head before letting go of my forehead. Up until now, he’d kept his arms right on the outer sides of mine, but when he tucked them back under the covers, my left hand carefully reached for his, slipping my fingers slowly between the spaces of his.

“Alright, my turn. I know you probably can’t get specific with how you let yourself in last night, but can you at least confirm whether it was cool? I’m imagining you scaling the side of the building or some shit.”

That made Mickey full-on laugh, and he tilted his head down again to give the top of mine another gentle kiss. “I actually used a scanner that uses a master card. It copies the encrypted frequency for the fob signals and replicates it onto a master card until I wipe the data.”

And I full-on laughed at that. “Alright, you could’ve just said you can’t tell me.”

But Mickey’s next choice of words made my laughter die out real quick. “Oh no, I’m dead fucking serious,” he replied, before digging into the right pocket of his sweatpants with his right hand and lifting it up over the covers to show me. “This is the master card. Right now, it’s programmed to your door like your fob, until I wipe it. That’s why I told you I’d always ask permission first before I enter. And I can wipe it as soon as I get home if it makes you uncomfortable.”

I just stared at the white card he was holding up in front of me.

“Go give it a try if you don’t believe me,” he added, and I swiped that card out of this baker’s hands so fast, making him laugh as I threw the comforter off us both and up.

I ended up slipping his shoes on once I made it to my front door since they were closest to the door, then I opened my front door and waddled on out of there with his big ass shoes on my feet.

Once the door closed and I heard the auto-lock, I placed the white card on the pad, and sure the fuck enough, that shit unlocked.

Hell, that shit unlocked my front door faster than my own programmed fob did.

“You’re fucking joking!” I called to Mickey as I waddled back in, closed the door, slipped my feet out of his tennis shoes, and made my way back to him on the couch. Mickey pulled the cover back so I could lie back down on him, then he covered us back up, and I passed the card back over. “I don’t mind you using it here. Also, how much fucking money did you pay for this?” I asked a bit too boldly.

“Ryk,” Mickey chuckled, “that’s two questions, is it not?” And I swear on my soul, I made sure I’d ask that next when it was my turn.

“Okay, okay, okay, your turn,” I agreed.

“Hmm,” Mickey thought on it a sec. “Are your night terrors usually that intense, minus the nausea? You were shaking for a while last night.”

And that question definitely threw me off my fucking game as I thought about his question.

On one hand, I could just not say and take the secret-telling option instead… but on the other hand, Mickey had just been fully honest with me about how he got in here. So I took the gamble. “No,” I said truthfully. “Last night… last night was different. Usually I’m able to shower and stuff right after before getting back to bed.”

“Okay,” Mickey replied, but he didn’t press it any further. “Your turn then, Ryk.”

“How much was that scanner?” I asked Mickey quick as hell, still fucking hung up on it.

“I’m not sure. I built most of it from scrapped parts of other projects,” he replied, and I started to get up so I could turn to him, but Mickey’s right hand went to my forehead this time, and pulled me back to his chest immediately. “Lay your ass back down, Ryk,” he snapped, making me laugh.

“You built that?” I then had to ask, just to make sure I heard that fucking shit right.

And he simply replied with, “Yes. Now my turn. What were the people you previously dated like?”

And fucking hell, yet again, this guy had thrown me the fuck off with that question.

“I…” I started, unsure if I should just take the damn secret here…

But still, Mickey had been honest yet again . I swear, I had agreed to this game so I could learn more about him… but now I was in the hot seat constantly all while this guy offered up honesty like he hadn’t been dodging it since we met. It all felt so calculated, even though I was in control of the questions I asked him.

“I can’t say,” I told him honestly.

“Sounds like a secret is u-”

“I’ve never dated anyone,” I added a bit more quietly. And that seemed to shut Mickey up real fast.

“Re-… Really?” He asked after a while. I nodded against his chest. “I mean… like I’ve had casual flings, but never actually dated.”

“So like…” Mickey continued, “So I’m like your first? The first person you’ve actually dated?” He then asked.

“We’re dating?” I asked him, and Mickey raised his right hand from under the covers to lightly flick the back of my head.

“What in the actual complete fuck do you think this has been this whole time, Ryk?” He demanded.

“Well, I just-… I just thought you liked me. And besides, I mean like, I don’t think we’ve actually gone on any dates, right?” I was about to rise up and turn to him, but I already knew what the outcome would be with that large hand of his and my forehead.

“Okay,” Mickey surprisingly answered. “You have a point there.” And, well, I couldn’t believe my fucking ears at that. “Then how bout this. The Buddhist temple Saturday. Afterwards, we’ll go on a date. Your first official date with me.”

And I had to fucking chow down on my bottom lip to stop that smile as I quickly nodded. “I’m game,” I told him. “And I believe it’s my turn to ask a question, so where the fuck are you taking me, Mickey Jackson? For our official first date.”

“A secret,” Mickey snapped. “And because I can’t tell you, one secret of mine is I did not make all my money by saving it up from my tutoring in college.”

I immediately snapped back with, “Yeah, no fucking shit, Sherlock. You damn cop out.” And Mickey fucking cackled, his chest shaking lightly under the back of my head. This guy really took the piss with revealing that so called secret .

“Alright, my turn,” he breezed right over that shit. “What is one thing you would like to do with me, now that we’re officially dating and all that lovey-dovey shit?”

“Mickey, are you trying to have me choose where you’d be taking me for our first date?” I snapped at him.

But he came back with, “No, no, no, this is just in general. I already have something else planned. And you don’t have to answer with an event; it could be just something romantic, something sexual, or something spiritual. Whatever you want,” he assured me.

And I sat with that for a bit. “Well,” I then started, “while I very much like kissing you… I… I can feel you always pulling back. I know I’m healing right now- like physically, and otherwise- but I’d like to feel you kiss me like how you want to kiss me. Not how you think I want you to kiss me.”

“Alright, Confucius,” Mickey joked, making me laugh. “Yeah… yeah, I can do that. But after you’re at least mostly healed. I’m scared literally shitless of physically hurting you if I accidentally press against a bruise, or just fucking this up in general while you get more comfortable with me,” he replied.

“You are?” I asked him a bit more quietly.

“Oh yeah. I gave myself a whole pep talk before I even gave you a handjob. I was a complete mess that morning,” he replied, and my eyes grew wide as shit at that.

“Seriously?” I asked him.

“Seriously,” Mickey confirmed, making me chuckle. That shit was actually too fucking sweet. I hadn’t known that he got to in his head about it.

“I didn’t know that,” I told him.

“Yeah, no shit, I was planning on dying with that information up until now,” he replied, making me laugh even harder.

“Well, I thought it was really, really go-”

“Yeah, yeah, Ryk, you already put that anxiety to rest. Unfortunately, it was after the freak out and the pep talk,” Mickey cut in, making me laugh harder as I gave his left hand a gentle squeeze in mine.

“I’m sorry that freaked you out so bad,” I told him seriously after I got my laughter under control.

“It’s fine,” Mickey assured me. “Learning curve, as the kids call it.”

“You’re 22, Mickey,” I started, but his right hand raised up under the covers and patted my forehead as he shushed me.

“Alright, my turn then. What was the worst outcome of one of your previous relationships?” I asked him… and Mickey completely froze at that.

And I mean froze. Like I felt his body suddenly still below me.

Then we both sat there in complete and utter silence for a good, long while, before he said, “I’m going to have to spill a secret instead, I think. And my secret is, while I might not be able to tell you exactly what I do, I can tell you that in my line of work, they refer to me as a Fixer.”

That had my mind fucking spiraling in an instant. Firstly, because this motherfucker chose a secret over answering that question, and secondly, because what the actual fuck is a goddamn Fixer?

“Do you like… fix bets or something?” I asked.

But Mickey hit back with, “My turn, Ryk. And my question is: have you ever been in love before?”

…

And…

Well…

I guess it was my turn to have us sitting in absolute and utter complete silence for an extended period of fucking time.

And I mean I-… I had us fucking sitting here, as I recalled everything about what had happened over the previous few weeks. The last year. Fucking everything .

“I…” I started, unsure of how to even fucking answer this one. “I… I, um-”

“Remember, you don’t have to answer,” Mickey rushed out quickly… but I slowly shook my head no against his chest. I… I did want to answer, hoping that this would make Mickey feel like he could answer more personal questions, too.

“I… I thought I was,” I admitted honestly. “But… I think-… I think I mistook kindness for it. Or, I mean-… like, I just-… I had a part of me I wanted to fill, that the kindness did. But when I look back, I don’t think I was ever someone anyone could really like actually love. Like I- I wasn’t as open as I am now. Yet I expected that from others.”

And Mickey took some time to take in that whole fucking mess I just spewed.

“While I don’t think you’re that open at all to others right now… I do think that you’re that open with me. And I promise I won’t take that for granted,” he replied, giving my hand a firm squeeze under these covers.

And that shit- his words- made me smile.

“I’m… I’m learning to be with others. Just gotta kinda get over the proximity thing too,” I explained. Mickey was right that right now the only person I’d even think of talking about all this with was him. I barely even talked at all with anyone else.

“Well, like I said, for now, I’m happy I’m special,” Mickey answered, making my smile grow. “Alright, your turn, Ryk. Do your worst cause that one was heavy.”

And for a second there I was pissed I introduced that we couldn’t ask the same questions, because I wanted to know if Mickey had ever been in love.

“Do…” I thought of how to maybe spin this a little. “Do you still have an ex that you love? Like even if you know you’ll never dat-”

“Oh fuck no ,” Mickey answered that so fast and so easily, I was just left in his arms, completely stunned. “I’ve never been in love with any of my exes.”

And that was one goddamn revelation of the century.

“And because I know I dropped a massive bomb just now by saying that, I just want you to know that you’ve made me realize that I’ve never been in love before. I sure as shit have never had any conversation with my exes like the ones you and I have had. Never been this honest before. Wouldn’t fucking dream of admitting to a single soul I’ve dated in the past that I gave myself a pep talk before giving someone a hand job.”

And I hate to say it, but that shit made me fucking cackle , all while making me even more of a gooey fucking mess in this guy’s arms.

“Answer your question, Ryk?” He asked me. I quickly fucking nodded. “Good. My turn. What is it you like the most about me?”

“Mickey, I’m not stroking your ego any more than I already do,” I snapped back.

“Answer the question, Ryk, or spill the beans on a secret,” he countered quickly.

And I had to sit with that one, really thinking about what I liked the most. Then it sorta came to me. “You’re a Fixer,” I replied. “Not sure if this is what the job actually means for you, but to me, you have the capacity to handle a lot of shit all at once. I like that.”

And Mickey was silent for a little while before he answered, “Good answer. Really good fucking answer.”

Then he gave my hand another squeeze as he started to trace the outline of my fingers with his thumb.

“Solid,” I replied, grinning. “My turn. Tell me one thing you know about me that I don’t know you know.”

“ Jesus , Ryk, just riddles on riddles on riddles,“ Mickey joked, making me laugh. But I was dead serious with that question. Mickey seemed to always know more than he let on. Like who my dad was, for instance. “I…” he started, making me listen in closely. “I know exactly what happened Halloween night… All of it.”

And that made my body fucking still.

Shit, it made my heart drop to my fucking ass when he said that shit.

“You… you do?” I whispered to him.

“Yeah,” Mickey replied, far more softly now.

“When-”

“Found out Sunday while I was out,” Mickey replied, even though he didn’t have to. I was asking two questions right now, and he didn’t have to answer me if he chose not to.

“And-… and you-… you don’t-”

“It changes absolutely nothing between you and me,” Mickey replied, allowing me to sit up suddenly so I could turn back to look at him, my eyes fucking wide. “Not a damn thing, Ryker Parker,” he added, completely doubling down on his words.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/0a6872d3292479457ce7ce9b4282060088dcd76e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7067794f55543966306b7a5337773d3d2d313630373034393232352e313839313161336632363634346663383437303837323238313734302e706e67)

34. No If, No Bundts

It’s like 6 AM here so apologies for any spelling errors lol

I also updated the last chapter and this one with a song above. Playlist will get updated soon

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ryker just stared at me, those stunning eyes of his wide.

I wasn’t sure what the hell he was going to say next. Hell, I wasn’t sure whether I made the right fucking choice admitting that to him… but I had to. I didn’t want him feeling like the other shoe might drop if I were to find out about Isiah later. I didn’t want him thinking that I would ever pull back once I found out the truth… and I also had to know exactly where he stood with his father.

This was the clearest way I could think of going about it when I heard him ask that question.

Just being honest.

Frankly, I was getting sick and tired of avoiding the truth with him because if I wanted to be with him- genuinely be with him- then I wanted him to know that I could be honest. That he deserved to lean on someone he could trust.

“S-Seriously?” Ryk whispered finally to me. I simply nodded. “B-But-… but I-”

“I know,” I replied. “And I think you know right from wrong. I think you know how wrong that was- what happened with you and Isiah. I also think your dad might need to sleep with one eye fucking open for the rest of his fucking life as long as I’m still breathing.”

Now I didn’t say how long that life would be for that fucking bastard, but it was still the honest-to-god truth. Something Ryk more than just deserved from me.

What I wasn’t expecting, however, was Ryker fucking propelling himself forward, stretching over my chest to crash his lips into mine.

It was so goddamn sudden, I didn’t really know how to react when he started kissing me hard , his left hand letting mine go of mine to reach up for my neck, and when I felt those soft fucking lips moving against mine in this unexpectly heated kiss, I lifted both my hands to him, one wrapping around the side of his neck so I could tilt his head up more while the other slipped into his fucking hair to pull his lips down to me harder.

He was starting to turn his whole body around, but that was when I had to break this scorching kiss, and quite literally forced myself back suddenly.

“Ryk,” I whispered as my eyes quickly found his again. Jesus fucking fuck this guy was so goddamn beautiful that this felt sinful

• “you better lay your fucking ass back down because I’m about two seconds away from pulling you up against me and your stomach is nowhere near fucking healed for this shit.”

And those words alone made the most gorgeous smile slowly spread across Ryker’s face.

“But I want this,” I whispered hoarsely, about as serious as I had been yet today. “When those bruises get better, I’ll show you just how fucking badly I fucking want this with you. But please don’t put me in a position where I gotta wager a deal with the goddamn devil himself to find more self-control. I’m struggling as is.”

And I swear to god this fucker just couldn’t help himself as he stretched forward and planted one more stolen kiss on my lips before he quickly turned around, lying back on top of me before swiftly pulling the covers back over us.

I’m sure that smile of his had to have widened, because he for damn sure felt my hard cock pressing up against his lower back just from that kiss alone, but he said nothing about it. Instead, he said, “O-Okay, Mickey… you’re, um… your turn.”

I couldn’t help but fucking chuckle at that due to this sudden heat between us- heat I had been forced to subside. “Alright… Did you ever handle any payments at your dad’s shop?”

Ryker paused for only maybe a few seconds before he slowly shook his head no. “My dad didn’t allow that shit. I tried once and he-… he, um… it- it didn’t go over well. And I didn’t do it again.”

My left hand searched under this thick comforter again for his, before I laced them instantly, holding it like a tether to ground my anger.

God, killing this guy’s father was seriously sounding better and fucking better.

“I’m sorry,” I told him in a quieter voice, but Ryk quickly shook his head no.

“It’s okay. It’s in the past now, right? No point in thinking about it,” he replied.

“Right,” I fucking lied. That shit was not in the past for me. Every time I even thought about Ryker, I was reminded of that. “Alright, your turn, Ryk.”

“When I, um… when I like physically heal and everythi-”

“ I like where this is going ,“ I cut in, giving Ryk’s hand another gentle squeeze and making Ryk chuckle.

“Could we- I mean, like, we can take this a bit… further, right?” He asked. “Just to clarify.”

“Ryk, I will gladly do anything, anywhere, anytime, and in any fucking way you want as long as I know I’m not in danger of hurting you,” I replied, and I could practically feel this guy’s happiness at that. “There’s no way you’re surprised I want all that with you whenever you’re ready, though, right? And yes, that can count as my question. I’ve always been just worried about you feeling pressured into anything.”

“Really?” Ryk asked me.

“Yes, really , you ridiculous fucker. Did you not get that when I was trying to seduce you in your damn kitchen before I knew about everything else you were figuring out?” I asked him, not giving a shit if I was asking two questions now.

“Well, I… I just… yesterday morning, when I didn’t know you gave yourself a pep talk over a handjob-”

“The more you bring it up, the more pain you cause me, Ryk,” I muttered, and Ryker simply laughed, making me stare up at his ceiling a moment.

I really could’ve kept that tidbit of information to myself.

“I didn’t know if you were into it, or if you were maybe just doing it to like, you know, fix-”

“Ryk, I jacked off like two seconds after you got into that damn bathroom,” I blurted out.

Oh my fucking god, Mickey, shut the literal fuck up right now.

“Y-You did?” Ryk asked, starting to turn, but I grabbed that forehead and brought him back down to my chest quick as hell.

“Yeah.” I just sighed after that. Dating Ryk was really a double-edged sword, with his fucking utterly honest ass. Shit was really rubbing off on me. “I didn’t want you to feel like I wanted you to do anything because I did something that morning.”

“But… I wasn’t in the bathroom long, and you had laid everything ou-”

“I came in like thirty seconds, Ryk. Spent the rest of the time on damage control.”

Alright, Mickey, it’s time to pack it the fuck up. What the complete and utter fuck are you doing?

“Y-You did?” Ryk asked, but my hand remained on his forehead, resisting him pushing back to turn to me.

I was not facing him after admitting that shit.

“Yes, now never bring this up again, Ryk,” I told him in utter complete and sheer embarrassment.

I could literally feel the gleeful smile on his cute fucking face.

“I… I think that’s hot,” he admitted.

Of course he fucking did . All while I thought that it was absolutely mortifying .

“And I think it’s my turn to ask a question now,” Ryker reminded me as I removed my hand from his forehead and slipped it back under the comforter. “Have you jerked off to something about me before then?”

“My secret is I have a collection of Crocs, okay, my turn,” I sped ran through that shit quickly. “What’s your favourite holiday?”

Ryker was fucking laughing his ass off at this point. “Oh, so we’re back to the easy stuff, huh?” He asked me.

“Ryk, answer the fucking question,” I muttered, refusing to fucking address that previous topic any longer.

“Hmm,” he thought for a second as he settled his beautiful laughter. “Maybe New Years?”

“ Really? “ I asked in thorough disbelief. “I would’ve thought that since your birthday is on Halloween, you might like that or something.” This was the first I was hearing of the New Year being anyone’s favourite holiday.

Ryk shrugged his shoulders in my arms. “I don’t really fuck with fall that heavy besides maybe the leaves changing and the cooler weather cause I can wear hoodies. Also makes working on cars more bearable since the temp isn’t brutal. Not really a horror fan, don’t like the color orange, pumpkin spice anything sometimes gives me a headache, and I don’t remember the last time I dressed up in a costume or some shit like that.”

“Well… well damn,” I replied. “Alright, yeah, fall might not be for you. But why New Years?”

Ryk shrugged again. “Seems cool. Kiss at New Years is nice. I do like champagne, and I always wanted to make one of those vision board things.”

“…Huh,” I replied, completely taken aback.

“How bout you?” He asked.

“Not how this works,” I reminded him.

“Right, right,” he nodded. “Since you teased me for liking it when you speak Korean, then what’s something completely innocent about me that turns you on a little?”

“When you molded that car part, using both the old and new car part, welding and reconfiguring the gears,” I fired off, not missing a beat. “And don’t you dare turn around, Ryker fucking Parker,” I added, already feeling it in my damn bones that this fucker was about to twist that healing body around again.

Ryker busted out in laughter immediately. “That shit turned you on?” He asked me.

“Yes,” I nodded, “like a whole lot. And if me saying shit like jigeum dangsin-i nae pum-e angyeo iss-eoseo jeongmal haengboghaeyo gets to turn you on, I get to have my thing too.”

Ryk was still laughing his ass off, but he replied with, “I mean, if that’s what gets you going, then I’ll go find a car part right now. Also… what did you say? What does it mean in English?”

“Secret, Ryk. And slow your roll there, cowboy, you’re still recovering,” I snapped at him. “Plus, it’s less about the car part and more about being resourceful. You know how to pivot when you need to, when you feel comfortable in your environment. I like that shit,” I replied, already feeling his massive grin from all the way here. “Now my turn, what’s one compliment you’d secretly like to hear from me?”

“I… I think you just gave it, Mickey Jackson,” Ryk hit me with, also not missing a beat, and motherfucking motherfucker , now he had me grinning like a damn fool. “My turn, would you rather get a flirty text or a voice note?”

“Just fucking call me, I don’t want anything lost in translation, my turn,” I shot back, making Ryk fully laugh at this rapid-fire round. “What’s one thing I do that distracts you instantly?”

“You existing, my turn,” he shot back, making me entirely fucking laugh now, “what instantly turns you on?”

“ You existing, my turn,“ I shot back, and Ryk was fucking cackling at that shit, “blind fold during intimacy: yes, no, maybe?”

“ Fuck no. My eyesight is such shit as is, I probably should be wearing glasses. Blindfolds are pointless,“ Ryk admitted.

“I do wear glasses. Especially when I’m working on something tedious,” I admitted.

“Oh, look at that. The blind leading the blind. My turn,” shit- this fucker was making my ribs fucking hurt from laughing, “what physical thing about me is your weakness?”

“Your eyes. Specifically when you look at me, confused as fuck,” I replied.

“That’s pretty much all the time.”

“Exactly. My turn,” Ryk was starting to fucking wheeze from his laughter, and he reached for his stomach but I held both his hands back this time, lacing my warm right hand with his. “What’s one thing you want to try with me, no hesitation?”

Ryk paused for a moment.

“Ryk, you’re hesitating.”

“Shut up, Mickey,” Ryk snapped back, making me laugh even harder. “I want to make some art with you sometime,” he replied, and that shit shot right through this rapid-fire round, straight to my fucking heart.

“I’ll make it happen this weekend,” I told him.

“And I’ll be there,” he replied, shooting more fucking arrows straight to my goddamn heart. “My turn, are you a sexter?”

“I’m barely a texter, my turn,” Ryk tilted his head back from more laughter, “where’s your favourite place on your body that you like to be kissed besides your lips?”

Ryk’s laughter settled a bit as he genuinely thought about that one. “Not sure… but I liked the kisses you gave on my neck yesterday morning. How bou- oh wait, shit, right.” That definitely made me laugh, Ryk remembering the rules mid-sentence. “Okay, my turn, if we get some sleep in a bit, and I promise you that I will absolutely wake up on time tomorrow… can we go back to your place today? You never played the saxophone for me.”

And that one made me think for a moment. Technically I did still have the rest of today off, uninterrupted. Xavier had let the twins know that the guns would be done by the end of the week, so I didn’t have to head back to the warehouse tonight. “I only brought one helmet, but you can wear tha-”

“I don’t mind driving,” Ryk cut in. “Probably good to get my car out the lot anyway. Make sure it’s good to go for the rest of the week.”

And he was right. Ryk had a solid point there.

“You have to promise to make sure all the assignments you have access to today are completed-”

“I will,” Ryk nodded quickly against my chest.

“And no fucking pushback in the morning-”

“Promise.”

I paused for a second after that, thinking this over again. I mean, that was pretty much all I had on my end.

Oh, wait.

“What would you want to eat tonight?” I asked him, already feeling his answer.

“Another Korean dish,” he replied, which made me smile wide as shit. “Preferably something we have an excuse to have more soju with,” he added.

“Not too much,” I answered quick, “it’s still a-”

“School night, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know,” Ryk replied, which just made me laugh.

Now the only issue was that my fridge was essentially a barren wasteland because I was going to go pick up some groceries this morning on the way home from the warehouse, with X’s Mustang. But if Ryk was driving…

“I don’t have jack shit for food at my house-”

“You have those Korean snacks,” Ryk argued.

“That’s not fucking food, Ryk,” I shot back.

“Depends on who you ask, really,” he shot back.

“You want a Korean meal or not?” I snapped.
Ryk quickly nodded, shutting the hell up.

“Good. Today’s your lucky day, then, because I guess we both might have to stop by a Korean market to pick up some stuff-”

“Yes. Yes, let’s do it,” Ryk nodded quickly. I knew he’d be on board, plus it would be helpful since Ryk would have the space in his car to pack in some groceries, since I didn’t really bring any bags to strap on my bike. “Whatcha thinking of making?”

I took a second to think about that. Ryk wanted some soju and there were a few options we had that would pair really well. “Okay, so we can either do Hoe, or Hwe, which is raw fish. Pretty equivalent to Japanese sashimi. Or, I could bust out my table top grill and make some Samgyeopsal, which is grilled pork belly-”

“That one. Yeah, let’s go with that one,” Ryk cut in quick. “I can bring some to school tomorrow, right?”

“Yes,” I nodded. And I was happy as shit he chose that because I did not feel like preparing raw fish tonight. That, I decided, would be for a different night where I knew I’d be home more, because the rest of this week would pretty much be spent at the warehouse and I didn’t like having shit in my fridge that perished too quickly when I knew I wouldn’t be home.

Plus, Ryk genuinely could take some of the grilled pork belly to school tomorrow, and it would keep well. It also paired well with not just soju, but very healthy, leafy sides, which would be beneficial for his body after what he went through during the night.

“Thank fuck ,” I told Ryk. “We’ll save the Hwe for a different night, sound good?” He nodded again. “Perfect. Alright, then let’s take a nap first now since it’s close to noon and I’ll set an alarm for 2 PM. After, we’ll shower quick and head straight to the market since it closes by 6 PM.”

“Okay,” Ryk agreed. “Could we… could we also check out your pool tonight?”

“Ryk, you must be on methamphetamines if you think I’m letting you swim tonight,” I snapped at him.

“No, no, just like, to check it out. If you want to swim, I can bring my English book down to read by the pool. Honestly, it’s what I’m most behind in right now.”

“Great Expectations, right?” I asked him. He nodded. It was the book I had found on the floor in Ryk’s room during the night, and I placed it on his bedside table while I cleaned. Thankfully, it had fallen on the other side of the bed, not the side he vomited over. My guess was he was probably reading it when he fell asleep.

“Yeah…” I slowly nodded, thinking about that. “Okay. I wouldn’t mind a swim. We’ll head to the market and get everything we need, get back to my place, I’ll prep a few things for dinner while you work on your other homework, then I’ll play you some sax. After that, we can head down to the pool before cooking, and you can read while I do some laps. Sound good?”

“Perfect,” Ryk confirmed.

A quick swim would be good to work up a solid appetite, and this way, Ryk would hopefully have all his homework done before we got to eating and drinking. I knew it would be a lost cause to convince this shithead to touch a textbook at that point.

“Alright. Then close those fucking eyes of yours and let’s nap. We’ve got less than three hours before we’ll have to get up for all this.”

And Ryk had no protests at all as he got comfortable against me, with my hands slowly wrapping over his chest, my fingers still laced with his…

••

35. Whisk Me Away

I added the jazz song above that is referenced in this chapter

Enjoy!

xoxo

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/8f5217ec0cf553dbc8af37019967efec28b66121/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6d716262665032766531557543513d3d2d313630373232303033342e313839313737373437316438653338613536383738313638313437322e6a7067)               

Mickey woke us up a few hours later, right before his alarm went off.

I was still lying against him on the couch with both his hands laced with mine, resting ours on my lower stomach and out of the way of the bruising.

It was hard not to seriously fall in love with the fact that he was dead set on not even touching around that area unless he was applying the ointment. And it was harder for me not to feel disappointed in myself for making it worse in the first place. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him what really happened, even though he had been the most honest with me today.

The feeling of him being disappointed in me wasn’t something I could handle right now.

But I did make a promise to myself that I would explain the reason why last night was worse than usual. I just wanted him to know just how solid this thing between us was first. Trust me, I was pretty fucking aware how it looked on paper, and I genuinely wanted Mickey to understand that the way I once felt about Izzy wasn’t the way I felt now.

That the way I once felt was also super fucking selfish and toxic… and I didn’t want to be that person anymore.

That I wasn’t quite dealing with one-sided emotions… but I was still trying to deal with the fact that Izzy still got hurt in more ways than one because of what I did. And after a year of him trying his best to help me, the amount of shame I felt that night was a difficult thing to navigate.

Mickey didn’t deserve to get hurt, too, if I couldn’t correctly articulate that right now. So I decided I was going to try to find the best way to explain it. He didn’t deserve to be that worried, either, when I really was starting to get better.

The phone call had just been too unexpected.

I woke up feeling like a million fucking bucks after our nap. Genuinely . But I had Mickey shower first so I could at least get my school bag together- something I fell asleep before doing yesterday. And I also made sure to pack a change of clothes for tonight and tomorrow morning in another bag.

Now that I was driving again, I wasn’t worried about packing more clothes and all that just in case, since I could just leave the drawstring bag in my car before my first period at Averin High.

I also made my bed because the mattress was clean and fully dry by that point. I thought I might have to tidy up my room a bit before we headed out, too, but Mickey had done pretty much everything else through the night… which of course just made me feel things.

And once this baker was done showering, that was the last thing I had to do, so I went in right after him.

Mickey made sure to take out the trash on our way out since he cleaned out my fridge, so we sent that down the trash chute and headed down to the lobby to get started on our plans for the afternoon/evening.

I had no fucking idea where the Korean market was, but I found the address and plugged it into the GPS on my phone, just in case Mickey and I got separated while I followed him through the city in my car, letting him lead us to the lot behind the store where I could park.

He ended up finding a small space in front to park his bike right after, then I met him outside at the front of the store, and walked in together.

It felt kinda nice doing some grocery shopping- felt really fucking domestic, and it was another sunny, cool fall day outside, so the drive over here with the windows rolled down as I smoked a cig was just the right amount of fresh air after the night and morning I had, even though Mickey seemed to ooze fresh air wherever he went.

I still couldn’t get over this morning. How he held me on my couch. What we talked about- anything and everything.

After such a shitty night, it felt almost like whiplash being able to laugh so much just hours later.

Just the thought of that phone call with Izzy would’ve made me fucking sick to my stomach all day, yet the fact Mickey had known- that he found out about what happened Sunday and we still had such a perfect night that night… That shit just-

I couldn’t help but feel something intense when I thought about it. He still made it a perfect night for us, even with everything he knew.

“Annyeonghaseyo,” an older market shop employee greeted us right at the front of the store, bowing slightly before she gave Mickey and me a large, warm smile.

“Annyeonghaseyo,” Mickey returned the greeting with a bow and kind smile, and I followed as best I could beside him, bowing like he did and taking a stab at the same greeting. My pronunciation was probably dogshit, but her smile widened at the gesture and attempt I made.

Once she had continued on through the front of the market, Mickey turned to me fast, that kind smile of his widening to a massive grin as he bent down slightly and brought his perfect face close to whisper something near my left ear.

“ That shit was so fucking cute .“

Then I felt him place a quick, gentle kiss on my left cheek before he pulled away.

“I like it,” I told him with a large smile of my own as my face heated up a bit from his words and that kiss. “The greeting.”

“I like that you were so quick with it,” he replied, which made me smile even bigger, before I broke our gaze a bit to look around more.

We were closer to Mickey’s side of town, where he lived, so I had never seen this place before, let alone been inside.

“Alright, for Samgyeopsal,” Mickey clapped his hands together before reaching down for a grocery basket that was stacked right at the entrance. He was running point here, and I was more than happy to just follow his lead.

Plus, I was already loving the spicy, seafood smell this place had as he started to lead us through the market store’s checkout area towards what looked like a full row of just leafy greens.

“We’re going to need lettuce leaves, perilla leaves, some green onion cause I’m pretty sure I’m out and if I’m not I for damn sure gotta toss what I have, doenjang, which is fermented soybean paste, gochujang, which is fermented Korean chili paste, maesil cheong, which is green plum extract, fish sauce, gochugaru, which is chili powder, and the star of the show: pork belly.”

I slowly nodded, trying to follow that list, but my smile only widened by the way Mickey’s pronunciation sounded. It really was absolutely beautiful when his voice went from a New York accent to what sounded like perfect pronunciation for Korean, but I sure as shit couldn’t verify that myself.

All I knew was English, and some days had me questioning whether I actually even knew that shit.

Still, I was happy to be along for the ride today, just like Mickey always was with me and my antics.

“That sounds like a lot of leafy greens,” I mumbled beside this baker, and he chuckled.

“It will all make sense later, Ryk, I promise. First, let’s grab the lettuce,” he instructed, slowing us down to pull a plastic bag off one of those rolls and cut it, then he reached down for some of those leafy greens I recognized and generally stayed the farthest away from in the past.

I had nothing against them; they just seemed like more work than a frozen pizza.

But I trusted this beautiful fucker, and let him put a bunch of very healthy-looking stuff in the basket. I mean, I did just find out this morning that I liked seaweed, so I was pretty damn open to even the green leaves I didn’t recognize here. I’d never actually had seaweed before- not even sushi- but the soup and the tea this morning made me feel a shit ton better when I probably wouldn’t have eaten anything today if I had gone to school.

That was how traumatizing last night had been for my stomach.

And I still couldn’t even remotely shake how I felt when I thought about everything this baker had done in the last almost 24 hours.

“These,” Mickey pointed to a green leaf I had never seen before, “are perilla leaves.”

“Holy shit, their color is so rich,” I told Mickey as he grabbed a package they came in, all rolled up.

“Just wait till tonight once I get them unrolled. I think you’ll really like them.”

Shit, he was making me more and more excited for dinner.

Then next was the green onions, and Mickey picked up some other herbs and vegetables he said would be for my lunches this week, before he led us out of the produce area and into the actual aisles.

“You want your crack cocaine drink?” he asked, turning his head over and down slightly to me. I quickly nodded up at him. “Sounds good, we’ll get some of those too.”

“What will the fermented pastes be used for?” I had remembered Mickey had mentioned them in his list, with me, of course, forgetting the Korean words he used, but I was pretty sure I hadn’t had fermented anything before, unless it was in the soup he made this morning.

I actually didn’t really know what was in that soup because this baker made damn certain I stayed my ass on that couch the entire time, resting while he cooked.

“I’m going to make some Ssamjang for the pork belly, which is a spicy dipping sauce I think you’ll like. That’s what the fermented paste and the maesil cheong, the green plum extract, will be used for. Ssamjang also has sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, and green onion, but I have the sesame oil, sesame seeds, and garlic at home,” Mickey explained, walking me through it.

I like how he did that, too. Walked me through this…

But then again, this fucker probably had the most in-depth knowledge of how my brain worked with memorization at this point. More than he ever bargained for, thanks to helping me with my homework.

And as we walked through each aisle, I was blown the fuck away by how many unique ingredients were here. Luckily, Mickey looked completely confident in what he was pulling off the shelves because about ninety percent of it was in Korean.

I just listened with a large smile as he read a few containers back to himself under his breath, in Korean, not trying to look as fucking over the moon as I felt while listening in.

His voice was so soothing. It genuinely made me want to learn the language because I just wanted him to say everything in Korean at this point, but I still didn’t understand any of it. And if anything was going to take up space in my brain right now, it probably needed to be math first.

“Any other sauces you’re making?” I asked him, staying right at his right side with our arms consistently touching. I wanted to reach for his right hand with my left, but I knew that probably wasn’t the greatest idea, and Mickey honestly looked on a mission after I had slowed us down to have him explain more of the fermented pastes we passed by while we grabbed the ones we actually needed.

Oh, and there was this one thing I found dope called saeu-jeot. Mic said it was a condiment made from small shrimp fermented in salt, and he ended up placing a jar in the shopping basket since I was utterly fascinated by that shit. He said he’d make me something with it next time so I could see that motherfucker in action, which I was excited as fuck for.

“Probably some sesame oil sauce. Super straightforward. Just salt, back pepper, and sesame oil,” Mic replied, and I nodded, strolling along through the aisle with him.

Fuck, and I fucking loved the aromatic smells here. It was making me even more ready for dinner to finally roll around.

“Oh!” Mickey suddenly stopped us both in the middle of an aisle. “Let’s grab some actual Tteokbokki as a snack to hold us over before dinner, since you like those snack chips I have.”

“What’s the actual non-chip one?” I asked him, following as he turned us around to head to a different section of the store.

“Tteokbokki is a chewy rice cake that’s cooked in a red, spicy, and a bit sweet broth. They have some ready-made containers we can grab and heat,” he explained, looking down at me, and I nodded quickly. I mean, if they were anything like the flavour profile of those damn chips, I’d take as much as this baker was offering.

The very last thing we grabbed was the pork belly, and at that point, this grocery basket was damn near overflowing.

This motherfucker beside me was such an enabler because whenever I showed interest in something, he just added it to the basket.

And like… I didn’t exactly say no .

Like, how the complete fuck does one say no to things like tiny fermented shrimp or blood sausage? That shit sounded insanely good.

Oh, and he was the one who remembered the crack cocaine drinks because by the time we got to the omija-cha, which was something this baker called a five-flavour berry tea, I had completely forgot about the energy drinks.

During checkout, I swear on my fucking life that I tried to tell this guy that this was a lot, but he said he’d incorporate pretty much all of it into my meals this week, and goddamn it, I was sold. Some would say I didn’t put up much of a fight. Some would say I ran into one of the greats.

Then we checked out, he paid, and we were on our way to his fancy ass home, with Mickey and me walking everything to my car first. He wanted to bring his motorcycle into the lot so I could follow him right out, but I assured him I did in fact know how to use a goddamn GPS, which worked just fine to find this man’s expensive ass apartment building, and we both pretty much made it there at the same damn time anyway.

He had me park my car right in front of his single garage after he pulled his bike in first and locked up the door.

And after that, it was just unloading the groceries and bringing them up to his flat. Since we spent about two hours in the market because of me, the sky was already starting to get dark out, and we didn’t reach Mic’s apartment building until close to 5:30 PM.

“Don’t forget. Homework,” this asshat reminded me after he opened up his front door, we changed shoes, and he and I walked in to set all the groceries on his marble kitchen island.

The only thing that took the edge off that little fuck ass homework reminder was the comfy slippers my feet were now in, and the fact that Mickey was going to start with heating up the spicy rice cakes.

Other than that, it was fuck math until the day I die.

“This is some fuck shit,” I grumbled, cracking open the math textbook.

“You promised,” Mickey reminded me.

“Never promised I wouldn’t complain,” I continued to grumble while I sat at a bartstool on my side of the kitchen island, and Mickey chuckled as he took out the table grill we’d be using for tonight from one of his lower cupboards in his kitchen. It was circular with a deeper, thinner base, kinda like an upside-down top hat.

When he removed like seven different parts that made it, I just stared.

Shit reminded me of a Russian doll, almost.

And I had questions.

Boy, did I have some immediate questions, but I wanted to get to the sax playing, so I shut the fuck up for now and tried to recapture my will to live, all while slaving away through my Algebra II and Chem work.

I wanted to stay ahead of things before Sunday came around, and I’d have to turn in my next round of assignments as well as take more of those mini quizzes.

It took me about an hour to complete my homework while I ate the delicious, chewy rice cakes.

But it definitely didn’t take Mickey an hour to prep for tonight, so he left me to my despair at the kitchen island while he cleaned, then got his saxophone out of storage so he could get it ready to play.

No idea what that entailed, but I just let the handsome guy with a reed in his mouth, wiping down and dusting things, just do his thing. He said it was to moisten the wood, but once again, the only instrument I ever even remotely touched was the drums, so I didn’t really know what the fuck that meant, and my brain was already overloaded with math and science shit to honestly give a damn.

But once that shit was finally done, and I got to dramatically slam my math textbook shut, I almost wept.

“I’ll play you something in the studio,” Mickey told me as I shoved all my homework back into my backpack and pulled out the book I was going to read poolside while he swam laps, placing that on the kitchen counter to grab later. “Why don’t you head in there. I usually like sitting on the floor, so you can pick a spot and just plop down.”

This baker didn’t have to tell me twice; I pretty much booked it to his art studio.

He already had these overhead string lights on inside since it was pitch dark out, making the place feel even more artsy.

I found a spot near the massive window, sat down on the floor with my back against the glass, and waited while Mickey moved him and his sax from the living room where he assembled it, to here.

I loved how open and relaxing this whole space was. The only real furniture was the table space against the wall where the door was, and a wooden stool that was to the right of it, by his still-closed portfolios. The rest was just hardwood floors and easels.

I didn’t have time to be nosy since he came in minutes later with the instrument in one hand and a portable speaker in the other, but I promised myself that I’d find time to open those portfolios at some point.

He first turned on the speaker, pairing it with his phone, then he set it on the table. I watched him move the wooden stool towards the wall adjacent to me, take a seat, rest his feet on the lowest bar, and then I waited patiently while he started some sort of piano background music with a low beat that he was going to play the saxophone to.

I didn’t recognize any of the soothing background track, but I didn’t give a shit. I just wanted to see this fucker actually play.

“Now it’s been a while since-”

“Don’t care, Mickey,” I reminded him, already closing my eyes in preparation. Mickey chuckled… and only about a minute later, I heard a sweet melody that made my eyes snap open to look over at him.

And fucking hell , while I had never seen someone play a saxophone live or at all, Mickey fucking Jackson didn’t just look unbelieavably sexy playing it, his playing- the smooth, rich sound and tune it carried while he played- was genuinely equally as unbelievably sexy and altogether captivating .

If this man ever wanted to find a fool-proof way to shut me the fuck up for a while, this would be it.

This would definitely be it.

With the warm lighting from the lights above us, hanging across this vaulted ceiling, his skin didn’t just look captivatingly warm and golden, a tinted backdrop for his dark tattoos more visible since he changed into a white t-shirt, but the shine from the sax’s brass reflected the glow of the warm lights.

I found myself completely dazzled while he sat on that stool with the strap around his broad shoulder, and played, his right foot lightly tapping the air to keep the smooth rhythm of the background track.

This had to be what love looked like in physical form- the way he played.

His breath control was just something else, and his large build swayed with the music- with his playing. I found myself slowly sliding down from my upward position with my back against the window… all the way down until my back was flush with the hardwood floor, and my head was turned, simply watching and listening.

Had I known that this was what I had been missing with the jazz genre, I would’ve slapped some fucking sense into myself years ago.

Mickey’s eyes remained closed for the most part as he played, those fingers of his pressing those keys while he seamlessly forced air into the brass thing. I still didn’t know what wetting that reed did, but he must’ve done one stellar job at it or some shit because the sound was so goddamn smooth . So clear. He was literally making that goddamn instrument sing .

I could feel my breathing settle into such a relaxed state, all while listening, and for maybe the first time in my entire life, I wish I had shown interest in something more than drums when I was younger. Something that could produce something this fucking beautiful.

Mickey had been modest as fuck Sunday night, I realized right here and now, because even his recordings couldn’t touch the surface of how this felt to watch him play live. How the movement of his body got so into the melody of the music and sound.

There was no telling when a smile formed on my lips, but it for damn sure stayed there, and I almost wished I had really pushed for him to show me this sooner, even though dinner had gone way too late Sunday night.

I decided that if I ever ran into a massive sum of money, I would have to convince this baker to play for me every day while I did the most boring of tasks, like schoolwork. As they say, if I won the damn lotto, no one would know, but there would indeed be some fucking signs.

Mickey had only opened his eyes a handful of times to gaze down at me, and I was pretty grateful for that because in his eyes, I must’ve looked like a love-struck idiot lying here on the floor.

This- his playing alone- could have me thinking about a house and kids. Like that was how fucking good this skilled motherfucker actually was. And the fact that he had never talked about playing before Sunday night just baffled the complete shit out of me.

If I had this level of skill, the world would be sick of my existence. I would be screaming it at the top of my lungs through an open window day in and day out. My intrument and case would be going with me ever fucking where, from restaurants to bathrooms…

…but then again, Mickey really didn’t brag as much as he had every right to. And that take in itself was crazy because I thought this fucker was cocky enough as is.

Perhaps I stroked his ego a lot… but he was single-handedly showing me right here right now that I seriously didn’t do it fucking enough.

His playing brought me a sense of almost haunting peace while my eyes eventually drifted closed, still listening. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed or was passing while he played, I just know I didn’t want him to stop… so when he did, my eyes slowly opened again, and my heart damn near screamed out ’ what in the actual fuck. ’

“What do you think?” He asked, gazing down at me from across this space.

“Might need an entire detailed list of events that you do,” I replied with the most calm, warm smile, and Mickey returned it.

“I’ll play for you whenever you want me to,” he said a bit more softly, making my heart do all types of fucking things as I gazed back up at him. “I only stopped because it’s about 7 PM, and I know you still wanted to check out the pool before dinner.”

Man, I almost told him the pool can go fuck itself. That I just needed a pillow, a blanket, and him to play until his lungs gave out… but then of course I remembered that this was a pool that was enclosed with a glass ceiling, and I did still have a book to read before we could move on to dinner, so I found myself eventually nodding as I sat back up.

My body felt the most relaxed it had in quite some time, and I didn’t really know how to process it.

I didn’t know how to process him either. Mickey Jackson.

But if he had continued to play like that, my heart might’ve been in some real serious danger of falling in love…

As if it wasn’t already.

Since Mickey wasn’t allowing me to swim, all I packed for this occasion was just some basketball shorts and a white graphic t-shirt, which I changed into from the faded blue jeans and black hoodie I had worn here, in Mickey’s bathroom, and he changed into his black swim trunks and threw on a plain black shirt while he was in his closet.

He had already grabbed two towels for us when I was digging through the second bag I brought with all my stuff to find this pretty average outfit, but when I came out of the bathroom, he was holding a duffel bag and some sort of small wooden slab thing, ready to go.

“What’s that?” I asked, pointing to the wooden thing.

“Small fold-up table for you to set your book on while you sit poolside. Don’t want the book getting wet if there’s water on the floor,” he replied, which made me instantly grin. “Duffel bag’s got towels, a Bluetooth speaker, my change of clothes just in case the swim trunks take too long to dry, your book, some plastic bottles of water, and a few protein bars, but I don’t think we’ll stay too long since we got dinner to make.”

Jesus , this guy genuinely was always prepared for any fucking thing. But I nodded quickly, letting him lead us towards the entryway. Then we changed from our house shoes to our sneakers and made our way out.

Mickey made sure the door shut and locked before we both headed toward the elevator. My excitement was starting to bubble up with anticipation of what this would look like. The best I’d seen in my day was an outdoor community pool, and if Mickey said that this was a selling point for his place, shit was I excited.

This baker held the elevators open for me to walk through first, then he followed, pressing the PL button, which was the only button past floor 7, the floor we were on. And when those doors closed, it only took seconds to take us one floor up.

Once those doors opened, however… my breathing fucking stopped entirely…

The elevators didn’t give my damn lungs or heart a second to prepare before opening right up to this massive fucking place.

Directly in front of us, only about twenty feet away, was the most beautiful crystal blue pool, stretching what felt like the entire length of the apartment building. I didn’t know for sure how deep it got because the numbers on the side went out of focus the farther down it stretched, but it had to be at least 9- or 10 feet. And it was completely empty. There wasn’t a single fucking soul in here at all.

The lights from inside the pool were what lit up this space, besides some dim sconces on the white stone walls, but when I finally looked up from the mesmerizing water, the first words out of my mouth were “ Holy. Fucking. Shit. “

The entire, and I mean the entire fucking ceiling was a dome of glass, looking right up into the New York City night sky. The place itself felt like an oasis with deep green trees standing along all the walls, behind the chairs and tables to sit or lounge, but that fucking glass dome- that fucking sky was what simply took my breath away.

“ This shit might’ve actually been worth the fortune I paid, “ Mickey whispered, in complete awe right along with me as we slowly stepped out into the space, still staring up.

The air was warm in here, which meant that sparkling, blue water must’ve been refreshingly cold, and it was right at this very moment, I was pissed at shit that I wasn’t going to get to swim or float in it.

I couldn’t imagine what that would feel like, looking right up into the night.

I only hoped Mickey enjoyed this shit for the both of us tonight while I made a real effort to physically recover ASAP…

Because we were definitely coming the fuck back to this place.

••

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36. Glazed and Confused

Added another song above for this one!

Also it’s 6 AM again so apologies for any errors

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

Mickey and I were slow as fuck to do anything in here.

We just kept looking up.

I mean, I was slow as fuck to figure out where I wanted to set up the small table he had handed to me, while he placed everything on one of the glass tables closest to the elevators for us to return to when it was time to leave.

Eventually, I decided to sit down close to the halfway mark on the right side of the pool. 5 feet since it was, in fact, 10 feet deep.

Because I was already in the clothing I was going to dip my legs in with, I just pulled my legs in close to my chest and continued to stare up into the night, observing the few visible stars while Mickey got himself ready to get in.

This had to be the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my entire life. Reading, instead of taking it all in, felt like a fucking disservice at this point, and I didn’t know how I was going to force myself to.

Mickey brought over a towel, the now unfolded table, and the speaker to set beside me first, but I could barely pay him any mind while my eyes remained fixated on up above.

I heard him start to play some music on the speaker, and I didn’t recognize the first song he played, but fuck , it just added to the ambience of this whole place.

The darker room was only lit by the pool and those sconces, so we could see where the bathroom and the showers were; the rest was dark to allow perfect viewing of the night.

Mickey also brought two waters to set beside me, and the protein bars, which were definitely more for him because I had cleared the fuck out of those rice cake things while I worked on homework, and would absolutely be saving my appetite for dinner.

The first thing to actually successfully pull my gaze away from the ceiling was the sound of water splashing, and I turned my head to my left just in time to see Mickey lower himself into the pool from only a few feet away from me.

I didn’t even realize that I had still been looking up while Mickey had set up my small table and placed my English book on it.

And that was when I finally relaxed my body on the cement floor, hiked my biker shorts up just a bit, and dipped my legs inside the pool.

The water was cold, but far from unbearable. It felt nice honestly.

Mickey, however, quickly dipped his whole body underwater. Because the water was so clear, I could see him just fine under the surface, and when he popped his head up, he was able to stand easily, with his head and shoulders just above the water.

Suddenly, my attention was now on the man who was looking up at the night sky himself as he ran a large hand through those wet strands of dark hair and slicked them back.

…I simply just fucking stared.

Water was cascading down from his face, to his neck… to his broad as shit shoulders and chest, before it met the surface of the clearest pool. His flower tattoos, stretching from his neck down, were the most defined I had seen them yet from the water, making my breathing start to deepen.

His large hands then cleared more water from around his face as he gazed up, and the low light made those very eyes look the darkest I’d ever seen. His full lips were wet, placing a glistening coating on them that made me lick mine as I tried to get a fucking grip on my quickly accelerating heart rate.

She really thought she had seen the worst of it with the view in here… but Mickey in this pool- in this low lighting, where his skin glistened, and tattoos burned with the darkest fucking ink-

That was when his gaze slowly lowered from the glass ceiling to me.

“Stunning, huh?” He asked.

“…Yes,” I practically breathed . I knew what the fuck he had meant, but fucking fuck-… goddamn . Like holy fucking shit

“I’m trying to convince myself to actually do laps,” he admitted as those intense eyes burned into my own.

“I’m… I’m trying to convince myself to read,” I only partially lied. The other part of me was trying to convince myself to keep my ass perched on this lipped ledge and not just fall in so I could swim to him. God, I wanted to touch him right now.

Mickey chuckled. “I was going to tell you that I’d reward you if you caught up tonight in here… but now, just taking in this view,” I swear his eyes darkened further as they held my gaze with such motherfucking intensity, “I might just have to let this slide tonight if you get distracted.”

Wasn’t sure how to tell this beautiful man in this beautiful pool with the light from the water reflecting in his perfect eyes that I was already fucking distracted. I was beyond even an attempt to save right now.

Hopeless. Utterly hopeless.

“Get some laps in,” I told him, because I was about five more seconds from coming in myself if he kept looking at me like this. “I… I want to see your form.”

God , and that twisted the most perfect fucking smile onto this man’s lips that my body questioned whether the night terrors had done their worst to it… or whether Mickey Jackson was doing irrevocable damage right now.

“Keep your eyes on me then, Ryker Parker,” he replied, before I watched him slowly start to wade backwards to the very start of the pool, making damn sure I didn’t look away. And you bet your fucking ass I couldn’t even if I fucking tried .

With every inch the pool got shallower, more of that chiseled, exceptionally sculpted build came into view. And as I watched the water coat his deeply tanned skin, my heart and lungs weren’t the only parts of me that felt it.

Mickey finally lowered himself, giving me a smile that rocked the very fucking rhythm of my heart as his right hand reached behind him for that lipped ledge. I could see his feet below, placing themselves against that wall, ready to launch off, but when he actually did, my heart just about fucking flatlined.

And I didn’t even know where to start with this.

The first thing I saw was something I had never seen before tonight. The dragon tattoo on his back. One dragon materializing from the lowest of his back, interwining in the most beautiful design, with the head just inches below the nape of his neck. The pattern was bold beneath the clear water as he swam, and I simply could not look away.

I didn’t understand how I had missed something so thoroughly stunning before now.

Then I remembered how terrified of this man’s body I had genuinely been, choosing to avoid it whenever I could.

But that wasn’t all. It only added to the clearest art: the way this man could glide through the water. He didn’t kick back large splashes with his feet as his arms cut through the surface tension. He was the most intentional with his movements, clearing that halfway mark in insane time as he worked towards the deep end.

I expected him to turn and do the same back towards the shallow end… but as he turned, he twisted his body onto his back and started the most leisurely led backstroke I had ever seen, gazing right up at the ceiling above us while doing so.

How could someone move this goddamn beautifully?

Hell, how could someone simply exist who was this fucking beautiful?

He was looking up to the sky above… and yet I couldn’t look away. Everything about today had just-

It had made me admire him in a way that felt sacredly special. He was so good at so much, and I had previously told myself that this motherfucker obviously knew it… But then I suddenly questioned what light he himself saw him in now.

Could he see the reflection in the brass of the saxophone when he played…

Or in the mirrored parts of his darkened eyes when he looked up to the night sky?

Mickey knew he was good… but seeing him from my lense-… I wondered if he knew that this wasn’t just a skill. That his beauty was painted with genuine, intentional strokes. Watching his backstroke, the way his powerful arms cut through the surface tension… it was authentically beautiful, all while he looked like he was searching for nothing but serene peace.

It was the same contentment I had seen at Fight Club. And he was the most relaxed when he was sincerely enjoying himself.

“Sorry,” he called casually, “the night sky is way too beautiful for me to take this shit seriously.”

“Then don’t,” I replied to him with a smile. “Fuck your form. I think I like this better than any form you could show me, however perfect it is.”

And that made Mickey turn his head to me a moment as I watched him simply float.

It was a given that most people in my life had expected nothing of me in the past… but seeing Mickey enjoy himself within his craft when I could feel the great expectations he himself must’ve been under… I understood in full why he constantly searched for and clung to that jolting freedom. If he didn’t, he’d almost fall victim to what was always expected of him.

He was a wild card by choice, never by default, and he looked the most beautiful when he was having fun, just as Dante said.

“You really know how to breathe oxygen into someone, Ryk,” he said more quietly, keeping his eyes on me.

“Funny,” I replied in that same quieter tone, watching him. “Was just thinking the same thing about you, Mickey.”

And he gave me a heart-stopping smile. One I couldn’t help but return because it demanded that I do, even if I did so willingly.

I thought he might want to continue to float, so I forced my gaze up to the glass ceiling again as I slowly kicked my legs in this pool, enjoying the feel of the water moving against my skin. The slight resistance of it. There was no way in hell I was picking up that book tonight- at least not here. It was too beautiful in here, and the music playing just added to it.

I had been so focused on the night sky that I hadn’t heard Mickey slowly swimming his way toward me until he was only a few feet away. That was when I gradually looked down to see him gazing up at me. Not the sky.

“Enjoying yourself?” I asked him quietly, unsure of what to say as my eyes practically drowned in the intentional look he was giving me. His face was somewhat dry now, but his eyelashes were just slightly clumped together from the water, making his sharp gaze all the more intense. All the more direct.

Mickey slowly nodded, but both his large hands gently wrapped around my ankles under the water, and he slowly parted my legs, spreading them to either side of him.

I felt his right hand let go of my left ankle as he swam about a foot back, but his left hand still held onto my right ankle, stretching my leg out towards him more.

His touch alone already had my heart beat fucking spiraling … but when he raised my slightly bent leg, bringing my foot right near the surface of the water, and dipped himself a bit lower to place a kiss right above my ankle… that bitch just shot herself dead.

Mickey was looking directly up at me. Then he placed another kiss just an inch or two higher, and my breathing patterns went straight to hell. “ You’re so goddamn beautiful ,“ his soft lips murmured against my wet skin. Then he moved a little closer, placing another kiss a little higher up my leg, and those eyes of his intensified as my lips slightly parted, trying to breathe more.

This-… this felt sinfully too fucking good, holy fucking fuck- holy shit.

“M-Mickey,” I breathed out, watching him start to slowly trail these soft kisses up the inner parts of my leg, dipping low enough to place my right ankle over his left shoulder before continuing upwards. At this point, my breaths were turning to pants as I felt jolts of sheer pleasure run up me, straight to my stiffening dick.

And he was still looking directly up at me, raising him and those goddamn kisses higher.

I felt like tipping my head back from how intense this shit fucking was, but I fucking couldn’t. The way his left hand reached under and held onto the outer part of my thigh drove me fucking crazy, but when his kisses got even higher, passing near my knee to reach my fucking inner thigh, I couldn’t stop the pants turning quickly into deep fucking moans.

His kisses were getting rougher, those eyes of his even darker. The material of my shorts was bunched around my hard dick, and it just got fucking worse once Mickey reached a spot on my inner thigh and started to suck the skin there hard , making my chest rise and fall rapidly, like I was having a goddamn heart attack.

My head finally tipped back as my eyes closed, unable to look at him and feel this intense fucking pleasure anymore. I could feel my briefs getting sticky and wet as precum started to soak into the thin material. My hands were gripping that goddamn edge of the pool for dear fucking life , my whole body feeling Mickey’s insane lips release my soft skin to move up even fucking higher and latch onto the sensitive skin there.

“M-Mic-” I stuttered out as I tried my damn hardest to calm myself down, yet I couldn’t- I fucking couldn’t . Not with this shit.

But this feeling was all too fucking brief when I felt Mickey release the skin there before he slowly lowered himself further into the water, and gently removed my bent leg from his left shoulder.

I finally opened my eyes towards the glass ceiling, and slowly lowered my gaze just in time to see this baker seamlessly fucking lift his upper body out of the pool by placing his hands on the ledge right next to my own.

One moment, he was in the water, and the next, we were now face to fucking face, his insane, completely soaked body just inches away from me.

I’m pretty sure my heart fucking stopped right then and there, staring into eyes that looked about ready to goddamn consume me. And this- this was the fucking intimacy I didn’t even know I could crave this fucking hard.

I had no resistance when I quickly closed that goddamn distance between his soaking lips and my dry ones, my hands leaving that ledge to reach up and cup his face as I kissed him the way I fucking wanted- with more need that I could ever put into fucking words.

I didn’t wait for him to deepen this goddamn kiss; I did that shit myself, taking his upper lip between mine as I slipped my tongue past his, tasting more of him.

And the rawness of the fucking groan Mickey released just made me kiss him harder , sucking his lips in as my tongue dragged against the warmth of his own.

He couldn’t hold himself up and touch me, and I took that as an invitation to feel his fucking body the way I wanted as my legs wrapped around his wet, lean midsection, holding him as close to me as humanly fucking possible without putting any more weight on his slightly bent arms, or pulling my ass off this ledge too far.

My heartbeat sounded like someone playing the drums right near my own ear, just slapping those damn drumsticks down in any order on any beat, but I didn’t give a shit.

If my heart survived Halloween night, then she’d survive this shit too.

As soon as I pulled my tongue back, letting go of Mickey’s full upper lip to capture his bottom, his own tongue pushed past my lips, and he leaned himself further into me, not giving a damn that the water coating pretty much all of him was starting to get my clothes wet.

Nothing had ever turned me on like he did. And as my hands left the edges of his sharp jawline to tangle themselves into his wet, pin-straight hair, I made sure to grip that shit tight , angling his head this time so I could deepen our kiss as deep as it would fucking go.

And he met this kiss with just as much fucking need, hearing his throaty growls mesh with my moans as my legs locked around him tighter. I knew I definitely didn’t have even remotely enough strength to, but I wanted to yank this man out of this goddamn water- his body right on top of me.

I was forced to break the kiss for a second because my chest was pounding right along with Mickey’s and I was starting to get light headed from delivering aproximately zero fucking oxygen to my lungs or my brain in the process, but Mickey pulled away further, and I swear to fucking god my hands almost went from his hair to his neck so I could yank him closer again.

We were not doing this fucking shit right now. I was not about to let him pull away again, or so help me god-

“ Get in the fucking water, Ryk, “ he whispered in a goddamn rasp that made my legs fucking shake . I could only watch as he slowly eased himself back down to it, his gaze never leaving mine, and fuck me, this beautiful fucking man didn’t have to tell me that shit twice. I was already starting to ease myself into the cold pool, and Mickey’s hands, submerged under the water now, wrapped around to my back, helping me in the rest of the way.

His breathing, hard as shit from that kiss, was the only reason I wasn’t absolutely embarrassed by how laboured my breaths were now.

When I was finally eye level to him, he full-on pressed his lower body right up against mine, pinning me back against the pool’s wall and almost making me unexpectedly fucking cum in the damn process. “M-Mic-” I choked out, taking the sharpest inhale to try to fucking hold it while my hands abandoned the pool ledge to quickly place them on his bare chest under this water.

But I didn’t push him away, I just tried to fucking level with my body for a moment. I needed a sec to get it together.

I couldn’t cum right now. And I definitely couldn’t cum in this pool.

But this motherfucker didn’t give me one as I watched him bring his face closer, his body blocking all of mine while he passed my head to whisper something into my left ear. “That kiss make you this fucking hard, Ryk?”

My whole damn body trembled against him from that shit alone. But when his hands traveled down my back, over my went shirt, and he released some of that pressure on my cock to give his massive hands room to fully grip my fucking ass, my head tilted all the way the fuck back as I squeezed my eyes shut.

Dontcumdontcumdontcumdont-

“Put your hands back on that fucking ledge and keep yourself up. I’m gonna take care of it,” Mickey whispered before he dragged his lips down the entire length of my exposed neck, right at the left side.

And I quickly did as I was fucking told, not even knowing what the fuck Mickey was about to do next.

Maybe it was alright to just cum in here , I freely thought at this fucking point.

Then I pulled my hands from his chest, twisted them so my palms were facing me, and reached back over my shoulders to grip the curved edge of the tiled ledge. And that was when I felt Mickey lift his hands from my ass to the waistband of my shorts and briefs, right at my hips, and he swiftly pulled that shit down before he swam out from between my legs to yank off the material the rest of the way.

After those were off, I saw him swim closer now with his eyes still dead set on me, and he reached up over my left shoulder with the soaked material bunched in his hand, setting it on the ledge behind me.

At this point, my lower half was completely exposed, and my dick was more than just throbbing from all of this. The best I could do to try and help my body survive this was just breathing in and out quickly, hoping I wouldn’t fucking pass out or something.

“ Don’t let go of that fucking ledge, Ryk, “ he whispered just inches from my face…

…and then, I am not even fucking joking, this motherfucker took one deep breath in and disappeared under the goddamn water.

There… there’s no way , I thought to myself. There’s no fucking way that he’s about to-

But all those thoughts were silenced to fucking hell when I felt my bent legs being parted by strong arms, those arms then wrapping around my thighs from up under me, and the throbbing tip of my cock was captured by unexpected fucking warmth.

My head tilted back so goddamn fast, forcing the ledge of this pool into the crevice of the bend of my neck as I fucking cried out.

I started to close my legs a bit at the sudden, intense, jolting pleasure, but Mickey’s large arms kept them spread open around his head while he started to suck me off underwater.

I had been so goddamn unprepared, I almost dug my nails into the tile I was gripping, trying to at least control the shaking my legs were doing from the sudden, immense fucking pleasure.

I was going to cum.

And there wasn’t any way I could stop it.

I tried closing my legs a bit again, but Mickey made sure that shit stayed open for him. I didn’t even remember the last time I got a blowjob, but this shit- right after that kiss- this shit made it feel like this was my first fucking time or some shit. My fingers felt like they were going numb from how hard I was gripping that ledge, just trying not to cum, but when Mickey took me even deeper into his mouth, my tip hitting his throat, I couldn’t push this gripping sensation down.

My legs started shaking- trembling uncontrollably. My moans pretty much rang out through this otherwise empty place, and my body tensed the fuck up as that explosive pleasure cut through every last inch of this damn body, forcing me to cum.

I was shaking so goddamn bad under this water, but Mickey didn’t let up until he made damn sure that I had shot the very last droplet of cum into his mouth, hollowing out his cheeks to drain it out of me. He had to have known that I was about to let go of this ledge, my body not capable of trying to hold on anymore, because he slowly raised himself up, slipping his hands from up under my thighs to then wrap around my bare fucking ass so he could hold me up.

There was no way the look I was giving him now didn’t make me look fucking crazy.

Honestly, it felt like my soul had left my body for a second. Or that he sucked it right the fuck out of me. My eyelids were lowered, my lips were definitely parted, trying to breath in all the oxygen this place had left to offer… and I was staring at him like I was about one second away from telling him to just fuck me.

So imagine my fucking surprise when this man said two fucking things.

The first was: “Might’ve beat my 30-second mark… but kiss me like that again, and it will always lead to this. Me making damn fucking sure you fucking cum, Ryk.”

The second, you ask? Well, that shit was: “ Now let’s go make dinner .“

And he was serious. He was deadass fucking serious, giving me a brief fucking kiss before he pulled away and reached behind me with one hand while the other held me up, so he could grab my wet shorts and briefs off the motherfucking ledge to put them on me. I was so sexually spent that I just let him, because there was no part of me left with any strength to fight him.

He had just made me cum the hardest I ever had.

And that shit was so terrifyingly sexy that I didn’t even know what to fucking say.

Then, after he got my clothes on, the fucker just helped lift me out of the fucking pool, before he pulled himself out and started getting our things together.

I wasn’t sure what time it was. I wasn’t even sure what day it fucking was after that blowjob. All I knew was that I blinked and was suddenly staring at his apartment door, me still wet because I hadn’t planned on getting in the fucking pool before all this, and Mickey less wet because his swim trunks had dried pretty quickly.

He somehow seemed so fucking put together, while I still felt and looked like I had just come back from a four-day orgy sex fest.

I wasn’t even embarrassed I had cum that fast. Even though this asshole’s comment was absolutely unnecessary.

I was fucking startled that I had cum that hard .

Mickey let us into his apartment, setting the duffel bag and folded up table at the entryway before we both changed into slippers. The only thing he had me carry was literally my book, so the wet towels inside the duffel didn’t damage it.

“You can take a shower first, Ryk,” he told me as we walked into his home… but after racking my brain about this for the last fifteen minutes it had probably been from the pool to this entryway, I decided that I couldn’t- I could not let this motherfucker keep getting away with this shit.

“Get on the edge of the bed, Mickey,” I said, making Mickey turn around completely to me.

“…What?” He asked.

I looked right up at this fucker and said, “Get on the edge of the fucking bed and take your goddamn clothes off, Micah Jackson.”

Since this shithead wanted to be so goddamn funny … I’d show him I could be fucking hilarious .

••

37. Turn The Heat Up

5.7k words and completely unedited so let me know if you find any errors!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

I hadn’t meant to set Ryk off tonight…

And technically, if we’re being honest, he was the one who kissed me like that, which really started all of this shit. I was fucking expecting a peck or something, not for him to grab me by my face with both his hands and kiss the goddamn secrets of the universe into me.

Just watching him watch the night sky above us through the glass ceiling, his paler skin reflecting the blue light of the pool as his legs gently waded through the water… that already set my fucking body on fire.

And I only swam closer because those long, unbelievably sexy legs were far too tempting, as was the way he had his basketball shorts hiked up more. I told myself that I just wanted to feel them- nothing else. Just a few kisses, nothing crazy. But as soon as he looked back down at me with those large eyes of his… I knew I was fucked.

I knew I was fucked to hell when I slowly spread his legs to see the outline of his already somewhat hard cock.

And I knew for damn sure I was fucked to hell with no point of return as soon as I gave him that first kiss near the inner part of his ankle. Ryk was just about looking at me like he wanted to figure out what other positions we could try, all while I was trying to figure out what exactly I could do in this pool without hurting him.

The way his chest rose and fucking fell… the way those full lips parted to breathe in heavily as I slowly moved up the inner part of his right leg…

That shit almost gave me a goddamn heart attack.

That shit also made me realize that the fact that his back was to me when I gave him that handjob Monday morning was possibly the best case scenario because if he had looked at me like he did while I kissed up his leg, aiming for his inner thigh, I would’ve fucked him into my goddamn mattress that morning.

Nothing less.

And when I finally did reach that spot at his inner thigh, pulling his skin to suck there harder than I probably should’ve, Ryk’s breaths swiftly turned to moans, and whatever resolve I still had to not do too much in this damn pool came close as fuck to being torn to shreds.

His legs alone had already made me painfully hard, and kissing them made that shit even worse… but the sound of his raspy moans almost took me to fucking church.

I thought pulling away was the right option. The safe option. Just like I had been doing in the past- hell, just like I did at the Korean market after him greeting that sweet employee almost made me do some insane shit.

But then I lifted myself up using the ledge of that pool with intentions for him to give me one brief kiss, and I could go back to lazying around in this pool while he and I enjoyed the night sky together…

Yet this massive fucker grabbed my face and kissed the living hell out of me.

When I felt his warm tongue push past my lips, all of a sudden I had to focus on that , on not coming in my swim trunks, and on the fact that I was still holding myself the fuck up.

And then he locked his goddamn legs around me and tangled his fingers in my wet hair.

Like, what the fuck was I supposed to do after that shit?

He had literally stolen every last bit of air from my lungs… then just thought we could come up for more, and continue a kiss like that?

Anyway, so yes, I forced him into that water immediately after, not playing fucking games any longer. Not giving a damn that we were supposed to go slow.

The resolve I was close to losing was torn to fucking shreds like it had a terrible run-in with Edward Scissorhands, and I just decided I could ask for an apology or some shit after I made him cum because there was no way in hell I could go another second without tasting him.

Something in me had told me that I could just answer for my crimes later.

And I already knew from pressing my hard cock right up against his once he was in the water, that he wasn’t going to last long anyway…

But I guess a fucker named Ryker Parker decided he wanted to be the damn judge, jury, and executioner tonight because as soon as we got back- as soon as I managed to get him dressed, get us as dry as I could, collect all our shit, usher him into an elevator, get him up to my floor, to my door, and inside my goddamn apartment… this shithead decided he wanted to end my fucking life tonight.

And the way he was about to go about it was where we were at now, with me completely fucking naked on the edge of my goddamn bed, and Ryker kneeling between my legs, his knees right on my bed’s platform as my legs stretched over the platform to the hardwood floors.

“Ryk, you-”

“Shut the fuck up, Mickey.”

My cock was already unimaginably hard, making a complete mess all over my fucking stomach, and the straight hunger in Ryk’s eyes just damned my soul to the burning lake of fire that was indeed hell. This look in Ryk’s once innocent eyes now held such little regard for my own life, and whether I’d actually survive what he was about to do to me.

But once the fingers of his right hand reached up and wrapped around my shaft, I knew the answer. It was: I wouldn’t. My mind wouldn’t, my fucking heart undoubtedly wouldn’t, my soul was escaping my damn body for sure, and any time I so much as looked at him from hereon, I wouldn’t just think of how beautiful he looked lying on my floor listening to me play the sax…

I would think of how downright fucking sexy he looked kneeling between my fucking legs, ready to deplete my life force like a goddamn succubus.

My fingers gripped the weighted comforter of my bed in straight anticipation, watching every fucking inch of Ryk as he pulled my cock away from my stomach. I knew the shit I said about him beating my record would come back to bite me in the ass… but the only other time I had ever seen Ryk this leveled- this confident

• was when he was working on his damn car.

So this was exactly how I knew I was utterly fucked.

Was this what it was like dating a Scoprio?   I wondered. Technically, he was my first Scorpio, and hopefully my last.

Not because we’d be breaking up or anything after this, but because my Pisces ass might do something insane after. Like propose.

I was helpless to do anything else right now… and the real horror started as soon as this fucker took my wet, leaking tip directly into his mouth.

There was no buildup, no licking, no stroking, no nothing. He took my tip in that warm mouth of his and immediately started swirling his tongue around it, pushing the tip of his tongue against the small hole right at the head, and I was about to collapse back on the bed, but Ryk suddenly took me out of his mouth and said, “Don’t you fucking dare.”

Unfortunately, that alone almost made me fucking cum- him saying that.

Then he took me back in his mouth and continued his torture on my tip as he forced me to watch, his beautiful eyes locked the fuck in with mine. Instantaneous pleasure was what the fuck I felt, all while I was gripping this damn comforter the tightest I fucking could, just trying to hold out.

I had maybe like twenty seconds left in me tops, but if he… if he just kept-

My thoughts were fucking silenced when Ryk took me all the fuck the way back into his fucking mouth and immediately went from my tip to the fucking base of my dick with not a single goddamn warning in sight. “R-R-Ry- Ry-” I fucking stuttered when my hand shot to his hair, but Ryk fucking slapped it away. He fucking slapped it away.

Then he started bobbing his head up and down on my fucking cock while he gazed directly into my eyes with those large ones of his, making me see in perfect detail his beautiful lips stretched tight around my girth.

I couldn’t close my eyes. I couldn’t look away. I couldn’t collapse back. I couldn’t even hold his fucking hair to control this tempo as this absolute fucker gave me the most insane head of my entire life, twisting his mouth as he took in more of me, and swirling that tongue against the tip as he took in less.

“Ry- Ryk- I-I-I’m se-ser-” I choked out, fucking begging him. I was going to cum. Like that wasn’t even a goddamn question. Just looking at him kneeling was enough, but my cock inside his mouth was absolute overkill for my resolve. He was taking my self-control and curb stomping it at this point, knowing good and damn well this was going to alter my brain chemistry permanently. Indefinitely .

I had never had my whole body get shakes this fucking intense, but when I started to involuntarily buck my hips, Ryk placed both his hands on my thighs, raised up on his knees more, and pushed every inch of me to the back of his fucking throat and held it there.

Fuck the shaking, I could literally feel my heart packing her bags like she had to flee the home before the whole thing caught on fire. Both my hands pulled both sides of the comforter closer into me, and the most intense, severe level of fucking pleasure I had ever felt before hit me like I was the wicked witch who had a whole goddamn house dropped on my despicable ass.

Loads, literally fucking streaks of cum shot down Ryker’s throat once that orgasm ripped through me, with him gagging a bit from just how far back he had taken me… and I collapsed back onto the bed about a second later.

I had never, in all my fucking years, had an orgasm that made me curl my goddamn toes in- that made me see fucking stars on my ceiling. That made me want to start a support group for anyone Ryk had ever given head to in the past- get them set up with a lawyer because they deserved financial fucking compensation for this shit.

I was questioning whether I should seek out a medical professional after this.

And Ryk had the audacity not just to fucking swallow, hollowing his cheeks out to make certain that he had snatched the last of my soul for his sustainability like the goddamn succubus that he was.

After he released my dick from the fires of Mordor, he climbed up onto this bed, straddling me with his fine as fuck fucking self, lowered himself down for a gentle kiss, and whispered, “You’re right. I think I will take that shower first,” all before he rolled off and left for the bathroom.

Then I just layed here, staring at my ceiling, questioning how to move on from this.

We still had dinner… and yet now I was thinking of how good he’d feel on top, riding it.

We were stone cold sober… and yet I was thinking about how he might like it after a joint.

I hadn’t even poured a drop of soju… but then I was wondering whether he had different needs met after getting tipsy.

This piece of shit had single-handedly changed every single thought I could ever have about him. I mean. Seeing him between my legs was now burned into my goddamn retinas.

At some point, I had to face the music while Ryk showered, and admit that the going slow thing might be best for both of us. Because if he gave me head like that again, I was buying a ring. I’d buy a house. I’d move him into this one .

And it wasn’t long before Ryk came out of the bathroom… or maybe I had just been laying here on my back naked as shit for too long. I couldn’t tell anymore.

He was wearing a robe and started undoing the tie, but I leaped into fucking action before he could get naked, telling him I’d be taking a shower now and bolted to the goddamn bathroom.

Then I stared at my pitiful self in the bathroom mirror.

I had lost the rest of my self-control. Ryk had not just altered sex for me, but now I wanted him in every way, in every angle, and at every single moment in time. And that was the exact fucking opposite of going slow. “You’ve got to feed this motherfucker still. Get a grip,” I whispered to myself, staring myself down in the mirror.

Just two seconds of thinking about that guy out there had made me rock fucking hard again. Great.

Mickey, pull it the fuck together, man, you can do this. It’s just dinner, and then it’s lights out.

Shit. But then we’d be sharing a bed. And if he woke up the same way he did yesterday morning, we might be sharing more than just a bed, like a home, for instance, and for an indefinite amount of time.

But I didn’t have time to hear both sides of my mind play out. Dinner still had to be made, and I wanted to walk Ryk through how to eat everything, so I forced myself into that damn shower and tried to think of boring shit, like the framework I’d be completing this week for that surveillance job. I was grasping at anything- literally anything to take my mind off how Ryk’s back fucking arched when he took my cock to the back of his throat.

Or how those doe-like eyes watched me as my body released every last bit of my cum into his mouth…

By the time I got out the shower, Ryk was already putting our clothes and towels into the washer. “Oh, you don’t-” I started, but Ryk shook his head no.

“It’s okay. Takes like two seconds in your fancy ass machine.”

And that seemed to convince me enough to just let him do it.

Since I needed both space and any fucking distraction from the guy back in jeans and a hoodie, acting like he hadn’t just shown me a gated portal to a whole other world from the blowjob he gave me, I decided to busy myself with making sure I actually still fed him tonight.

And the worst part was that while I was washing the leafy greens, getting them ready for their soak, I missed the goddamn part where Ryk decided he wanted to change his shirt to something larger of mine, and just wear some boxers this time around.

I almost had a goddamn heart attack accompanied by a nosebleed as soon as I saw him near my bed, folding up the clothes he changed out of.

The shirt he chose from my closet was a navy-green MAS*H shirt from the old sitcom, and he was wearing some black, white, and Prussian-blue boxers that didn’t reach nearly as far down as his briefs did. These left even less for the imagination, sending my body damn near into orbit.

He had a towel settled around his neck, but was trying hard to dry all the spots in his curly hair from the shower he took.

“Can I join you in the kitchen?” he asked me, all innocently, like he hadn’t just put a hex on my goddamn body.

“ You are the devil reincarnated ,“ I told him, “and also yes. I’ll walk you through what I’m doing.” Ryk was grinning ear to ear from that, completely ignoring my first comment, and as soon as he made it into the kitchen, I said, “Turn around,” and started to dry his semi-long curls at the back of his head for him with the towel hanging around his neck.

“Thank you for today,” he said.

“I’m figuring out a way to sue you,” I said.

“Won’t get much out of it,” he reminded me, “besides maybe thinking your words through next time.”

“Ryk,” I sighed, “I learned my lesson-”

“Glad we reached an accord… but I am more concerned with dinner,” Ryk said casually. “I’m starving.”

He remained still, though, while I finished drying his hair. “You can spark up if you want. I’ll show you how I make the dipping sauces and prep the salad since the meat will cook quick.”

“And soju, right?” He asked fast as hell while I massaged his scalp with the towel.

“And soju,” I confirmed. “Now go pick out the fattest preroll. I bought a shit ton of pork belly for tonight so we gotta work up a serious appetite.”

That got this fucker moving as he travelled into my living room to grab a joint, but removed, folded, and set his towel down on my couch’s armrest first. I ended up opening the cabinet inside my kitchen island so I could grab the small bag of charcoal. It had been a minute since I used this grill, but tonight was the perfect occasion for it.

Ryk returned, and I half expected him to take a seat on the barstool, but he joined me back in the kitchen, and I pulled out a long lighter to help him light the end of the joint after he set the ashtray down.

Because I already knew my mind was gone, there was only one rule I had for this asshat if he wanted to keep me company in here. And that was delivered swiftly as I turned to my right, where he was standing, lifted him by his armpits, and set him onto the counter space adjacent to the kitchen island.

“You’re going to keep your ass glued right here while I cook, got it?” I asked, turning back to the kitchen island to arrange everything I’d need for dinner.

Ryk quickly nodded before saying, “Got it. What’s first?”

“All the sauces,” I replied. “I’m going to make Pa Muchim instead of serving the green onions plain, and that dressing is made of gochukaru, sugar, fish sauce, and sesame oil. After I get this mixed together, I’ll prep the lettuce and perilla leaves. They’re going to take a little bath in some cold water for about 10 minutes, then I’ll set those aside.”

Ryk nodded from beside me, watching as I started to mix together the ingredients for the dressing. “Can we play that questions game again?”

I looked up from the mixing bowl, over at Ryk. “If you ask anything about what you just did to me on that bed, game’s over, Ryk,” I told this fucker seriously, but he just chuckled before nodding. If he even remotely brought up that blowjob, I swear to fucking god this food wasn’t getting made. And I had to lock in because we’d be using the table-top grill, which meant burning charcoal.

“Promise,” Ryk said. “And you can go first this time.”

“Okay,” I nodded, returning my attention to this dressing that was already almost done. “What’s your go-to comfort food?”

Ryk took a little while before he responded. “My dad used to make some really good chili. Haven’t had it in a while… but maybe that?”

I simply nodded. If Simon Parker had to die, I was already entertaining the thought of getting that recipe from that fucking bastard first.

“Do you know any other languages besides Korean and English?” Ryk asked me.

“I’m learning French,” I told him honestly.

“Really?” Ryk asked, clearly surprised. I nodded.

“Ci is in the middle of a divorce with a French man. Won’t get into it cause that’s her business, but I’m just taking care of a few things so the asshole doesn’t get a penny more than he’s entitled to.”

Ryk was quiet for a sec before he mumbled, “You are so fucking attractive, what the fuck.”

And I was reminded right here and now that this motherfucker didn’t even have to remotely bring up that blowjob he gave me, to make me think of it. Of him.

Fuck .

But I still tried to laugh off that comment as a last-ditch effort. “Yeah, well, Ci’s more than just my godmother. And she really is a hopeless romantic. I’m just letting her struggle for a bit before I step in because she needs to learn her lesson about getting married too quickly. I will not be doing this bullshit again.”

I could see Ryk nodding through the corner of my eye. “Do you want to get married eventually?”

“My turn, Ryk,” I reminded him with a sly grin, and he chuckled, nodding again. “If you could get a pet, what kind of pet would you get?”

Ryk didn’t waste a single second answering with, “snake.”

And I didn’t waste a single second responding with, “wrong fucking answer, jesus fucking christ almighty .”

“They’re cute,” he argued.

“No, you’re cute,” I argued, pushing the dressing off to one side to get started on the dipping sauces. “ They’re fucking disgusting. Massive fucking difference, Ryk.“

“Snakes aren’t that much different from dragons,” Ryk replied, and my head snapped over at him fast as fuck.

“Tryna start something?” I asked him.

“Will it lead to the bed?” He countered, and I quickly looked away. This… this motherfucker.

“Ask your question, Ryker fucking Parker.”

“What was your favourite date you’ve been on?” Ryk asked after another moment, and that question made my hands eventually still.

That question genuinely made me think for a moment. And with each passing second I had to think about it, I was reminded of how much of a shit boyfriend I was to pretty much every single ex I had. “Nothing memorable. There were dinners and movies and stuff, but I guess I just showed up because it was what was expected of me. Played my role well, but it was boring.”

I couldn’t even look at Ryk when I said that shit because I knew it made me sound like a goddamn asshole… but I promised him honesty, and his response to that shit was what made me turn to him again.

“What do I get if I make our first date memorable for you?”

I just fucking stared at him.

I mean, I wasn’t worried about that because Ryk could make literally anything memorable, whether he meant to or not… but I still wasn’t expecting that. And that was the beauty of Ryker fucking Parker. He didn’t care to judge me. Like ever.

“I’ll let you ride my bike,” I told him, and watching his face instantly light up just made me fucking feel things. “But if you crash it, Ryk-”

“I won’t,” he told me quickly. “And I won’t go fast.”

“Oh, I know you fucking won’t,” I told this fucker, “I’ll still be on it with you. just letting you steer.”

If he thought I would let him take it out alone, the joint he was smoking must’ve clouded his goddamn mind. He was just grinning wide at that, but he stretched out his hand to pass off the joint, and I gladly took it.

“I know you haven’t really travelled, but what would be your ideal vacation?” I asked him, taking a few hits of the joint before passing it back. I still wanted to keep my mind sharp enough to grill and shit, so I decided that Ryk would get to enjoy the ganja more right now, and I’d smoke more after the meat was cooked and the fire was killed.

It was a little while before I heard a response from him. “Maybe a hike?”

“A hike?” I asked immediately. “What kind of damn vacation is that? “

“Well,” Ryk argued, “I used to go camping with my dad, and I liked that. But I want to see something beautiful- like scenic, I mean-”

“We’ll go on a hike, then,” I shot out instantly, feeling kinda shitty for judging him so fast. And my words pulled the most beautiful smile from this fucker before he took another hit of the joint. If Ryker wanted to go camping, then I guess that was just what we’d do. “Do you have any allergies?” I asked. He quickly shook his head no, which I guess brought me some peace of mind as I started making the Ssamjang next.

“What’s your favourite outfit on me?” Ryk asked as his next question.

“What you’re wearing now,” I replied quickly, refusing to look over at him because I liked what he was wearing a little too fucking much right now. “What’s a hidden talent you have?”

Ryk was quick to reply with, “I’m good at magic tricks with cards,” and that shit had me looking over at him expeditiously .

“Seriously?” I asked. He nodded. “Alright. We’re tableing that specific fun fact for after dinner cause I gotta see that shit for myself.” And that made Ryk laugh, giving me a quick nod.

I swear to fucking god this fucker was so… peculiar … but him being good at magic tricks made me think of the extent of his skills when it came to cards. Maybe I could teach him poker in preparation for the holiday party at the cabin.

Both of us bankrupting Arlo would be a really nice bonding experience for us as a couple.

“Have you ever been arrested?” Ryk asked suddenly, making me turn to him again.

“A few times,” I replied honestly, “but nothing stuck. And I won’t be elaborating so unless you want to hear a secret, don’t waste your other questions on it, got it?”

Ryk nodded quickly with a slight smile playing on his lips… and this was when I had a sudden realization that this relationship between us was absolutely batshit crazy.

And I also loved every damn second of it.

“Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?” I asked him as I finished up making the Ssamjang. He slowly shook his head no.

“Usually, I’d work during the holiday… so I don’t really do anything.”

“You’re going to have dinner with me and Ci, then,” I told him, looking away from the sauce as I mixed it to glance at Ryk.

“Are… are you su-” he started to ask.

“Yes,” I replied, cutting this dickhead off. “I’ll pick you up Thursday morning.”

Ryker looked a bit hesitant, but he slowly nodded, agreeing. “What’s your least favourite holiday?”

I didn’t miss a beat with replying with, “Christmas. Shit’s ass, but Ci and Don love it, so I just go along with the bullshit,” and Ryker immediately cackled at that.

“I don’t like Christmas either,” he admitted to me. “But we’ll see how this year goes.”

“You should know that Ci wants us all to stay at a cabin overnight for our holiday party this year. I’m only going because she’s allowing poker and I want to own Arlo’s car by the end of the night. He’s a terrible gambler. But if it’s not your speed, we don’t ha-”

“I’ll go,” Ryk shot out fast, making me turn to him yet again. “I don’t like gambling as much as you, but I’m pretty decent at poker.”

And that shit made me grin like the goddamn Grinch. “ You don’t say? “

Ryker full-on laughed at that. “My guess is Arlo is probably a much better loser than the guys at my dad’s shop… so I don’t mind helping you win that car.”

This sounded like a goddamn marriage proposal to me.

“Arlo’s a piss poor loser… but still nothing like the shitheads who work for your father, so you’ll be fine. I won’t be drinking much that night, though, so if you want to leave for any reason whatsoever, I’ll drive you back here, alright?” I asked him. Ryk started to nod, but stopped himself.

“You have a car?” He asked.

“Don’t worry about that,” I replied before returning to the dipping sauces. Ssamjang was pretty much done, so all that was left was the sesame oil sauce. “Are there any traditions you want us to do together for the holidays? It can be anything from having a meal together to sitting here and being certified scrooges since we both don’t like Christmas.”

That had Ryk cracking up. “I… well… I don’t really know. A meal would be cool, but I don’t really fuck with traditional Christmas shit like a ham or whatever, so like maybe something Korean if you’re ok-”

“Done,” I replied quick as hell. “I fucking hate traditional shit, too, and that goes for Thanksgiving as well.”

“Agreed,” Ryk nodded, making me smile. “But don’t tell Pricilla. I’m okay with eating whatever, and she seems like someone who likes the traditional stuff.”

“She is,” I sighed, setting both dipping sauces and the dressing off to the side before opening up the bag of coals for this grill. “Her turkey is dry as shit, too, but her mashed potatoes go hard. I’ll sneak us in some chicken wings or something for protein, just try to suffer through one serving of that fuck ass bird she’s hellbent on cooking, okay? And I’ll find a way to make it up to you later.”

Ryk chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s alright. The invite is enough.”

“You say that now,” I told him jokingly as I moved from the kitchen island to the sink so I could get the bath started for the greens.

“What’s one thing about this thing between us that makes us different from your past relationships… besides our honesty with each other?” Ryk asked me as I ran some cold water in a large bowl for the lettuce and leaves. And I used that as an excuse to think about that for a second, before turning the faucet off.

Then I turned back to Ryk again, allowing myself just the briefest moment to admire how goddamn sexy he looked right now, sitting on my counter in boxers and my t-shirt, smoking that joint.

“You make me jealous,” I told him honestly. That made Ryk’s eyes widen a bit. “When… When I found out about you and Isiah, I got jealous. And I’m not used to feeling that way. Usually my previous partners could fuck off somewhere and I’d just end things… but knowing you felt so strongly for someone, even if it isn’t my place, and even if it wasn’t love… I guess I just wish I met you sooner, is all.”

Ryk simply stared at me… and I had no clue what the hell he was going to say to that , but I’ll tell ya what, his next choice of words was not what I was going to guess. Not by a fucking long shot.

“Isiah accidentally called me last night. That was what made my night terror worse.”

…

Well… now it was my turn to stare at him.

“But it wasn’t because I still feel that way about him. It was because he got hurt because of me and because of who my father is. I still don’t know how to deal with that.”

Jesus , Ryker really knew how to take someone on the most batshit rollercoaster of emotions.

“I just… being with you… I think you’re the first person I’ve ever been with where I don’t feel scared that my dad can hurt. It’s… comforting. And because I never want to hurt you, I swear I’ll always be honest with you.”

“Ryk, you are damn near brutally honest,” I replied, chuckling as I saw that worry on his face ease up, and a smile slowly spread across his lips. “I’m not sure when I’ll be able to tell you all of what I do and have done, but because you were honest with me now, I’ll answer a question you asked me, and I dodged this morning.”

I then paused for a moment, trying to figure out how best to put this shit into words.

“You asked what the worst outcome was from one of my previous relationships. The answer is a guy I dated is in jail now. Life sentence. We both got caught up in some shit when I was 18, but my previous employer got me off the hook. Couldn’t do the same for him.”

Ryk’s eyes grew wide as shit at that.

“Does that scare you?” I asked him a bit more quietly.

“Do… do you still have feelings for him?” Ryk asked.

And now it was my turn to just fucking stare. “Do I- what

• wait- what?

That’s what fucking concerns you about what I just fucking said?“

Ryk slowly nodded.

“No- what the actual fuck , Ryk- no I don’t still- jesus fucking christ , we dated for like five months tops, but I think you’re missing the damn point here.”

… but Ryk just shrugged. He fucking shrugged . “Half my old friends are either in jail or have been, so I don’t really care about that. I just… I just wanted to know if it was like the one that got away for you or some shit.”

And I just stared at this actually insane fucking fucker, trying to figure out how the complete fuck this was actually making me fall for him even harder .

“The only person I can remotely see myself with is you. That includes all previous relationships, got it?” I asked Ryk. And he nodded, with one gorgeous fucking smile stretching across his perfect lips, just making me chuckle at the sheer fucking insanity that was this conversation and this goddamn relationship.

Ci might’ve genuinely been onto something when she recommended I see a fucking therapist…

…Because Ryk asking that shit should not have turned me on the way it did.

••

38. Baked To Perfection

Just a short lil chapter since the last few have been fucking novels all on their own

Completely unedited because I have a tummy ache today and just don’t have the bandwidth to give a fuck

Enjoy!

xoxo

“Cheers,” I grinned, clinking the tiny cup with Mickey’s right before he finished scoring the meat with that large, sharp knife of his. It was almost dinner time, the grill was going, and I was so fucking ready for this shit after smelling some test pieces cook on this motherfucker for even a few minutes.

This baker had also steeped some of the five-flavour berry tea and set it in the fridge for me to try tomorrow morning before school, since I was way too curious and wanted to try some ASAP.

He told me that he preferred it chilled, and I just ran with that, trusting him.

“Cheers,” Mickey replied with a smile of his own. Then we both threw the first shot of the night back. “Also, it’s my turn,” he added. “Since you like to read and all, do you have a favourite book?”

“I do,” I replied.

“What is it?” Mickey asked.

“Two questions,” I reminded this fucker. “My turn. Are you a helpless romantic?”

“Do I look like I am?” Mickey asked me.

“Not sure,” I replied, making him laugh before he turned rather fucking unexpectedly and leaned over, planting the quickest kiss on my lips. Then he returned to scoring the meat with that knife.

“I like to take care of you… but don’t look to me to buy you flowers or some shit.”

“Rather have a car part or cigs,” I replied, and the most gorgeous smile spread across Mickey’s lips at that.

“Are you a giver or receiver in the bedroom?” He asked me, and I was slightly surprised because he had been avoiding the complete fuck out of talking about the blowjob I gave him about an hour ago. I didn’t think any of the questions he asked would be even remotely sexual.

“Giver,” I replied.

“Change that,” he said. “I want to be the giver.”

“Not how that fucking works,” I replied, holding out the lit joint so Mickey could put his lips to it and take a hit without dirtying his hands. “And I think you liked it when I gave you that blowjob.”

“Yes,” Mickey replied, inhaling the smoke hard before releasing it. “I liked it. Too much . You can’t hold that kind of power over me.”

That shit made me fucking cackle. “Mickey… great power, great responsibility. I won’t retaliate with it like that, at least for a little while.”

But Mickey simply shook his head no. “I don’t trust that shit, nor you, for even a second.”

“But I like seeing you like that,” I tried to argue.

“Weak?” He asked.

“ Enjoying it, “ I replied.

“Then find an activity that we both enjoy,” he countered. “One where I get to see you unravel.”

I thought about that a sec, taking another hit of the joint while Mickey started laying the meat down on the hot grill. My stomach was pretty much crying out in anticipation right now. “I mean… want me to jerk off while I blow you?” I asked after some time. Mickey looked over at me, his gaze lowering to the rest of me, and while I thought I had some pretty average legs, this baker seemed to be a little more than just obsessed.

He had left some marks on my inner thigh while we were at the pool, and those seemed to really grab at his attention now.

“Yes,” he nodded, ripping that gaze away a second later to return it to the meat. “If we do eventually get to that point… do you prefer to top or bottom?”

“My turn,” I reminded this fucker, “and same question. Do you prefer to top or bottom?”

Mickey wasted zero seconds answering with, “Top. Which position makes you feel the best? Either topping or bottoming, doesn’t matter.”

“I, uh-” I started, not really sure of how to delicately put this one. But then again, I blurted out the whole Isiah thing, so maybe Mickey could handle it? “I’m going to be very fucking honest with you right now… so just… don’t freak out… but I’ve… I’ve been fully blacked out every time I did more than just blowjobs. I have no fucking idea what I like.”

Mickey looked over at me so damn fast I thought he snapped his neck. “You… wait, so-… y-you’re-”

“I’m deadass,” I told him. “And I just remember it hurting like a motherfucker whenever I bottomed, so… do with that what you’d like.”

“Did um-… did… did you and Isiah-”

“No,” I shook my head firmly, looking Mickey head-on. “Izzy and I only ever blew each-”

“Sorry,” this baker rushed out unexpectedly. “It’s none of my fucking-”

“I’d like it to be,” I replied more softly, holding his gaze. “I’d… like it to be your business. And I already told you I’ll be honest, so if you have any questions about my sex life, I’ll tell you as much as I remember. And drunk or sober, I’m big on protection, but I’m fine with getting tested if it makes you more comfortable.”

Mickey was just staring at this point, but I didn’t blame him. I just made a silent promise that one of these days, he and I would have a conversation that didn’t leave one of us speechless.

Tonight sure as fuck wasn’t it, but one of these days would be.

“I’ll… I’ll get tested too, then,” Mickey finally replied, and I just nodded. “But since you can’t tell me what position you like the most, spill a secret, Ryk.”

“ You are the devil reincarnated. And isn’t being blacked out during sex a secret?“ I argued. Mickey shook his head no, returning to the grill to flip the sizzling meat.

“Merely an explanation,” this shithead replied. “I want something juicier.”

“Alright,” I replied. “A lot of guys I’ve been with were pretty rough, but I like things softer, I think. More gentle.”

That made Mickey look over at me again, and when his gaze slowly lowered, I heard him ask something completely unexpected. “Was-… was that alright? The um-… the marks I left. I… should’ve checked before-”

“They’re fine,” I confirmed quickly. “The only bruises I want on my body are ones you make with your lips,” I told him, serious as fuck. Mickey quickly raised his gaze to meet mine, just staring again. “And if you ask me if I’m sure, the answer is fuck yes. Now my turn, do you prefer sex at night or in the morning?”

I watched this fucker blink a few times, processing that, before answering, “Night. My mornings can get a bit… tedious… but maybe I should change that because it would put me in a better mood. Gotta remember how early I’m up, though. I know you hate that morning shit.”

And that had me nodding quick as fuck. Only reason the handjob was alright was literally because we had to get up anyway for school. Otherwise I didn’t want a single soul disturbing my goddamn rest.

It felt like I had about twenty years of unrest to catch up on right now… but then again, Mickey was probably the only one I’d get up for. I still vividly remembered our morning at Fight Club.

“Do you plan on going to Fight Club again this Saturday?” I asked him as my question. He nodded.

“I’ll go before you and I head to the temple. If you want to come, I can-”

“Yes,” I nodded instantly. “I… I want to see Xavier and Sammy-”

“ Watch those fucking words, Ryk ,“ Mickey cut in, warning me instantly.

“Just for a bit,” I tried to argue, but I couldn’t help but smile. Knowing I made Mickey jealous was such a fucking turn on, and I didn’t give a shit how toxic that sounded because he made me jealous. That comment I made about his ex, who was locked up, hopefully gave him a pretty accurate representation of just how jealous he made me.

Knowing how little he regarded his exes was also hot, regardless of how toxic I sounded just thinking that. I was already working every angle to make damn sure that this first date was the most memorable fucking experience of his life… even if I had no damn clue where we were going.

“And now that I’ve… seen you naked-”

“I think you did way fucking more than just that,” Mickey cut in again, making me chuckle.

“Well, now that we’ve done more, I think I’m getting used to seeing more of you.”

“So you mean to tell me that you’re getting used to my body?” He asked me. And I had no idea how to respond.

“Not like-… I mean-”

“ Looks like my gym visits are about to fucking double ,“ he grumbled, picking up the scissors from the chopping board, and started cutting the sizzling meat. Honestly, this scissors shit was so goddamn innovative. Like I was genuinely blown away by just how smart it was.

“No, no,” I had to force myself to answer quick as hell because I knew I had hurt his feelings with that one. “Not like used to, but more comfortable . Which is good because then we can do more sexually. No extra gym visits are required.”

There was no fucking way in hell I’d ever get bored with how fucking sexy Mickey was, even now while he wore a casual grey shirt and black joggers. I wanted this man to fold me up like a goddamn pretzel in bed.

“Promise me,” this shithead demanded.

“I promise,” I replied, entertaining his pouting. Honestly, if he added more gym time, I might actually never get to see him. That was how tight this baker’s schedule was.

Mickey seemed satisfied with that answer, because he returned his attention to the kitchen island, transferring the cooked meat to a metal tray before pouring us more soju. I couldn’t help but stare at just how beautiful the leafy greens were, and Mic was right, the perilla leaves were gorgeous . He had put them and the lettuce into a small woven basket, then placed them on the marble island next to the dipping sauces. He also used a potato peeler to shred the green onion for the salad, which I was pretty hyped for.

I watched as he removed a piece of meat from the metal tray using his chopsticks, blew on it a few times, then turned towards me. “Open,” he gestured to my mouth with the chopsticks and meat, and I happily obliged, allowing him to feed me.

Shit was fucking phenomenal- 10/10, no fucking notes. The fat had crisped up perfectly, damn near moving me to fucking tears as I immediately nodded my approval. The wait was more than just fucking worth it. Mickey smiled wide, then turned to grab a piece for himself to try.

“Okay, so this is how we eat it,” he explained, already prepping more meat for the grill.

He sure as shit wasn’t joking when he said he got a lot.

“I’m going to make you a little burrito using the perilla leaf. Meat goes on it first,” I watched as he selected the largest leaf, placed it flat in his massive hand, then started to load it with some cooked meat. “Next is Ssamjang, I’ll put some on here,” he then used a spoon to load her up. “Folks tend to have the green onion salad separate, but fuck that,” he shrugged, dumping the dressing he had made right onto the shredded green onion before picking some up with his chopsticks and putting it over the meat.

Honestly, my stomach was showing zero decorum at this point. I was ready to eat whatever the fuck he handed to me, watching as he rolled up the leaf and folded the ends in.

Then he turned back to me and said, “Open.” A demand I happily obliged to once again… except for the fact that this asshole shoved the whole fucking thing inside my mouth.

“M-Mickey,” I tried to get out while I assessed how the fuck to chew this whole thing. “It- it’s too mu-”

“Funny how that wasn’t what you said when you all but swallowed my goddamn dick,” he muttered. I just rolled my fucking eyes at this fucker and his sudden tantrum while I chewed. He was lucky that the food he shoved inside was literally some of the best shit I had ever tasted.

“You just like seeing my mouth stuffed,” I teased, finding it hilarious that this motherfucker was the one who told me not to bring up that blowjob… only for him to consistently bring up that fucking blowjob.

Mickey moved more meat onto the grill using, and I’m not even joking, just his metal chopsticks. And once again, I was completely fascinated by the grip he managed to have with those things.

Then he set them back down on the chopping board and turned back to me. Safe to say I was not prepared for what the fuck he did next… which was reach for and cup my semi-hard dick above these boxers with his right hand.

Then he turned his head slightly and leaned in, bringing his lips dangerously fucking close to my left ear again.

“You’re wearing these short-as-shit fucking boxers with legs for days , and one of my all-time beloved shirts. Do I need to remind you, Ryker, just how much goddamn self-control I’m showing right now?” He asked me. Both my hands shot up to his shoulders once he began palming me through this fabric, making me even harder than his words had.

“W-W-Wai-wait-” I fucking stammered out, completely unprepared.

“The only reason we aren’t on that goddamn bed right now is because all your previous sexual relations have been complete dogshit and I want to show you how it’ll be with me, moving forward- with as little pain as possible, if you’re up for it.”

“I-I-I-” I stuttered out like all hell. “I-I-I th-thought you said you-… you weren’t a- a romantic-”

“I’m not,” Mickey replied, not missing a beat, “but I want you to crave sex with me like it’s your last goddamn meal right before the fucking gallows. I’ll put in the work and time to learn just how you fucking like it, Ryk. The strokes. The tempo. The foreplay. The tension. Fucking everything .”

Unfortunately… this toxic shit did in fact turn me the fuck on. I hate to admit it, I really do, but it damn near almost made me cum when I heard his words in his deep voice right near my ear. Then I heard him whisper one last thing before he finally let go.

“ Naega neoege aewonhage mandeul geoya .“

And that shit alone had me a goddamn panting mess, completely forgetting the food I just swallowed that started all of this shit.

“W-What-… w-what does tha-”

“Secret, Ryk,” he murmured, taking in the lobe of my left ear and dragging his sharp teeth across the delicate skin… before he pulled away completely, leaving me in utter, complete shambles.

••

39. Stolen A Burrito My Heart

Another shorter, completely unedited chapter

Also thank you for the well wishes! I’m doing better today

Enjoy!

xoxo

I had no self-control left.

That much was fucking clear once I pulled away from Ryk, realizing I was actually less than two complete seconds away from moving this to the bed regardless of who would top or bottom or any of that fucking shit.

But then I thought about what he had said- about how he didn’t actually remember much of doing either- topping or bottoming-… and that shit stopped me.

I didn’t give a damn about sexual inexperience, but I did give a damn about the fact that Ryk liked it gentler, and he’d felt pain in the past. Enough to make it memorable in the worst way possible. Both these things coupled meant I wasn’t just going to stick it in. I wanted him to more than just like it when he was with me.

“Open,” I told this fucker, but he snatched that rolled burrito out of my hand instead.

“Lost privileges,” I heard him say before he took a bite. “And my turn. What’s a mantra you’d like to share with your younger self?”

I bent down and stole a large bite of the burrito in Ryk’s hand before replying with, “Think less. Challenge more. Where’s the craziest place you want to have sex?”

“I like that. And probably movie theatre,” Ryk said, pretty much breezing straight through that fucking answer before asking, “Do you have any secret fantasies?”

I thought about that for a sec, turning to pour us more soju. “I want you walking around my place completely naked. Do you like cuddling right after sex?”

Ryk took a moment before answering with, “I think. Probably.”

And I was swiftly reminded that he didn’t really remember much of it in general.

“What’s something you’ve always wanted to share with a partner but never have?”

That question stumped me for a little while, before answering, “Making anything from my childhood. I’ve been cooking a lot that I haven’t made in a long while… and you’re the reason why.”

Once I turned away from the meat to look at Ryk, he was smiling wide. “You’ve been holding back,” he told me.

“Just holding out for the right one,” I replied, making his smile grow. “How do you feel about PDA?”

Ryk tilted his head to the side a bit before slowly shaking it no. “I haven’t really cared for it in the past… but I did like it when you kissed my cheek in the store today, and I did want to hold your hand after… so like, maybe?”

I slowly nodded, making note of that while simultaneously making another burrito for this fucker, but with lettuce this time.

“How do you feel about toys in the bedroom?” Ryk asked.

“If it makes you cum, I don’t give a damn,” I replied. “What are your views on an open relationship?”

“Are… you asking if I like want one?” Ryk asked, quick as hell.

“Just making sure we’re on the same page,” I replied.

“You’re mine, Micah fucking Jackson . Only mine, and all mine. Got that? “ he asked, making me instantly grin like a goddamn motherfucking fool.

“Copy. Just checking,” I replied, turning to him, and Ryk was quick to look towards the floor as a smile quickly spread across his own lips.

“How do you think a relationship can maintain intimacy?” he asked me once he was actually able to look at me again.

I made sure to flip the meat first before answering, “Never go to bed mad at each other. If you got to throw a few punches to let off some steam, you can hit me all you fucking like… but we aren’t going to bed mad. Shit gets resolved right then and there.”

I could feel a slight tug on my shirt, and when I looked over, Ryk’s toes had the material bunched between them. “I like that,” he told me quietly, pulling my attention right the fuck back to his long legs. I had one more slab of meat before I could kill this fire… and having him sit here like this, eating whatever I fixed for him… that pretty much solidified the fact that we sure as shit weren’t just going to bed after this. We weren’t having sex either, but I had plans to at least somewhat show him how good it would be with me.

I might’ve been one shit partner to all my exes, but the one thing I didn’t leave them with was unsatisfied.

“Good,” I told Ryk while I tried to force my eyes away from his perfect legs. These boxers were way too fucking short, and his cock was still hard from when I touched him. That equalled a recipe for fucking disaster. “If you had to give up either all physical pleasure or all emotional connections for the rest of your life, which would you choose?” I asked this guy before rolling up my own burrito.

“Physical pleasure can go fuck itself,” he replied, making me smile yet again. “Don’t think I’d trade these conversations for the world, honestly.”

And that shit had me fucking grinning like a madman while I took a bite, then fed Ryk some.

He made sure to finish chewing before he asked, “Do you feel like you had to grow up too soon?”

“I think most people feel that way,” I told him. “The night my dad passed was the night I became the man of my house in my culture, whether I wanted that shit or not. So yeah,” I then nodded, “you could say some growing up was done.”

“Sorry,” I heard Ryk practically whisper. “Shit question.”

But that just made me fully turn to him before replying with, “Shit answer. I’ll work on something less depressing, but for now, is there something you’d tell your old man if he was on his deathbed?”

I hadn’t been expecting Ryk’s question… but it was just a reminder that this game was helpful with understanding this guy’s perpective on his dad. I couldn’t get too caught up in it without asking tougher questions myself.

“I’d…” I heard Ryk start. “I’d… I’d tell him that… that it’s alright. That I’m not mad or angry or anything. And that it’s alright that he’s scared. He never did handle being scared of shit right.”

Shit…

Shit .

I found myself just nodding, because that wasn’t the fucking answer I was hoping for. And my next question probably didn’t do much to make me seem more sane.

“Do you think things would be easier if he actually were on his deathbed?”

Ryk just stared at me for a good, long while. Just stared. And it took a minute before I heard him answer. “No idea,” he finally said. “Thought about it before, but not after- not after Halloween. Don could’ve ended things that night, but he didn’t. And I’m not sure whether I feel disappointed or relieved, or just… indifferent.”

Shit .

“More than anything,” I found myself replying quietly, “you seem tired.”

“I am,” Ryk nodded, “but only because this is one thing I can’t change. My sexuality. He’s just concerned the world will be tough on me for it- maybe he’s a bit ashamed, too… but, well… it’s who I am. So it’s tiring facing someone who doesn’t realize that this world will be tougher on me for literally anything and everything . If sucking dick makes it a bit easier, I just wish he’d support that.”

… Shit .

“What if he can’t?” I asked Ryk softly. I knew I was overstepping, and definitely in violation of the rules of the game… but he didn’t seem to give a shit either.

“Then I guess we’re at a crossroads,” Ryk replied with. “He’s a grown ass man. If that’s how he feels, then that’s how he feels. All I can do is separate myself as much as possible, and maybe hope that when he is knocking on death’s door, he might see me for what I am when everything’s said and done. His son. Same boy with a wrench in both hands and motor oil smeared onto my cheeks as soon as I could walk. Nothing’s changed on my end.”

Shit . Fucking shit .

I couldn’t stop myself from pulling Ryk in for a tight hug, just making sure I was gentle with the front of him when I did. He didn’t get emotional or anything, but I felt his arms wrap around me, hugging me back.

And when I eventually let go, I heard him mutter, “Sorry. Shit answer. I’ll work on something less depressing.” That shit made me softly chuckle as I quickly cut the meat with scissors. “Does your mum and stepdad know about you?” Ryk then asked. “That you’re gay?”

The best he got out of me was a shrug of my shoulders. “I’ve never hid that side of me… but my mum is more concerned about my future, career-wise. She’ll probably have the time to address my sexuality when I hit my thirties and she wants grandchildren. But for now, I think she’s just grateful I’m not addicted to heroin or some shit.”

Which was the honest-to-God truth. After my dad, my mum was very aware that the decisions I made could have been worse. She obviously didn’t know how bad they actually were, but I was alive, healthy, and finished college. That was all she needed to know right now.

“Have you ever thought of finding your mum?” I asked him gently. My questions definitely weren’t the easiest tonight, yet this guy was taking them well.

But Ryk was quick to shake his head no. “My dad has had the same shop, same location, for like thirty years. Real question is whether she wants to be found. If she’s alive, she knows where to look, and if shes not, then… then I sorta made peace with that a while ago.”

“Sorry,” I whispered quickly while Ryk avoided my gaze. “I shouldn’t have asked that shit.”

Ryk’s gaze finally found mine, thank fuck , but he quickly shook his head no. “Would’ve told a secret if I didn’t want to answer. We gave each other an out, remember?” I slowly nodded my head yes, chuckling again.

“Then ask me something hard. I’ve had you in the hot seat for too long.”

And Ryk sat with that a moment, just thinking. Eventually, he asked, “Do you enjoy what you do? As a Fixer?”

And I just stared at him for a sec because that was not what I was expecting at all. I had been expecting him to ask more questions about my own family- keep things fair… but that… that-

I didn’t know how the fuck to answer.

“At first I did,” I eventually told him honestly. “At first it was thrilling… but now it feels more like an obligation if anything.”

“How… How can I make it fun again?” Ryk asked, further surprising the complete and utter fuck out of me. Shit, I almost forgot I was still grilling, and I just went ahead and poured us some more soju because this conversation had taken way too many turns for us to handle even remotely sober.

“I-… I don’t really know,” I told Ryk right before we both downed the shot. “I genuinely don’t want to get you involved. Only thing I want you to do right now is work at Wilmoria’s and graduate.”

“I like it better when you’re having fun,” he admitted more quietly, which made me look up from the small ceramic cup to him again. “So when you do figure out a way to have fun again, promise you’ll tell me, alright?”

I… I just nodded. Slowly. Unsure of what else to say or do because Ryk was dead fucking serious right now.

And suddenly, I didn’t give a rat’s ass about this fucker’s father. I didn’t care to keep working this game like I once was. Didn’t give a shit about his mother either. I just wanted to get to know him better. Him, not his goddamn family. He could’ve asked about mine, but he didn’t. He just wanted to know whether I was still having fun , and that shit meant a whole lot fucking more than he could ever know. Than I could comfortably say.

“Are you afraid of confrontation?” I asked him as I forced myself to continue grilling.

“I used to not be,” Ryk replied. “Now it just seems tiring. Don’t got that fighting spirit in me these days, so if we can just talk it out, I’m cool with that. Much prefer it.”

I gave Ryk a nod, digesting that and appreciating his honesty in the process. I was well aware that I could be a challenging person to love, but if today had shown me anything, it was that Ryk had a strong backbone. He chose when he wanted to fall in line or go against the grain. Something I loved about him.

“Do you have any addictions?” He asked me.

“Besides riding, I guess I’m adding this- you

• to the list,“ I replied, making Ryk grin wide while I transferred more meat in preparation of making him another burrito.

“An honor,” he told me, and I couldn’t help but grin hard at that shit.

“Are you into women, too, or just guys?” I asked him.

“As of now, just guys,” Ryk replied. “I find women beautiful, but they don’t really get me hard or anything. That and vaginas make me feel overwhelmed. Why did you go work out on Sunday?”

That made me look over at this guy, already trying to figure out the best way to explain that shit. “I needed an outlet,” I eventually told him. “A controlled, safe environment where I could let my tension go.”

“Were you mad at me?” he asked quietly, but I quickly shook my head no.

“Don just- he had to get a lot of shit out fast. I was worried that if I came back here without first putting that built-up energy anywhere else, I would say something I didn’t mean, or you might see me differently.”

“I’m… I’m not afraid of seeing your uglier side,” Ryk replied, making me look over at him. “But if you need to take time like that again, that’s alright. You don’t have to explain why you do, I just want to know, alright?” He asked, making my gaze instantly soften from his words alone.

Then I nodded, agreeing to those terms.

“Is there something about us being intimate that scares you?” I asked him right before making him open up so I could shove another burrito into his mouth. This one was smaller, so it was easier for him to chew.

“I… Honestly, I gave you head like that because you made me cum so fast and so hard while we were in the pool, that it was a bit terrifying.”

That made my eyes wide as shit. “Seriously?” I asked him. He nodded. “Was it-… was it like too much, or too soon?”

Ryk quickly shook his head no. “Just unexpected,” he replied. “I didn’t think it would feel that good.”

I slowly nodded at that response, thanking the fucking universe in the process because I definitely thought of that blowjob as one step forward for us, not two steps back.

“Is there a position during sex that you don’t like?” He then asked me.

“With you, we’re probably never fucking doing doggy,” I replied fast as hell. “Honestly, missionary or you on top will likely be our go-to. Didn’t even really care for the pool shit because I couldn’t hear or see you. I have yet to actually see you cum, Ryk.”

“And what if… I… I promise that you will tonight?” Ryk countered, forcing my eyes to his ASAP. “What if-…” Ryk’s right leg stretched itself out slightly, his toes reaching for and grabbing hold of the hem of my shirt this time. “What if I promise that I’ll give back some of that power? Let you-… let you see just how much of a mess you make me?”

I couldn’t resist any fucking longer as my right hand reached out for that leg, feeling his soft skin as my hand slowly travelled up it. I could see just how fucking hard his breath hitched from my touch… but his eyes remained on mine, tempting me.

“Then I…” I replied as I took a step closer to him, watching him slowly wrap that leg around my fucking waist. “Then I would tell you to get on the fucking bed, “ I finished, watching him wrap that second leg around my fucking waist next.

“You might have to show me where it is,” he teased quietly. “Terrible eyesight and all.”

And I swear on my soul and the almost burnt out coal that I just said fuck it , slipping my hands under this guy’s perfect ass so I could lift him up off this counter quickly and show him exactly where that goddamn bed was.

••

40. Icing On The Cake (M)

Another unedited chappy chap, so apologies on any errors!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/7432ed9ea74891cf7cd232e844736b3ed97afc6e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4d33736c6873704c3350427537773d3d2d313630383032323733332e313839323533306263643063643436623538353139313737353230362e6a7067)               

I gently placed Ryk back onto the bed… but this shithead grabbed hold of my shirt with both his hands and yanked me down until my lips found his.

It took more strength than I fucking expected to make sure I didn’t completely crush him as my hands stabilized myself with the goddamn mattress below him, and I whispered aggressively against his soft lips, “ You’re still fucking hurt, Ryk .“

“I’ll be fine,” he mumbled in return against my lips before slamming his lips right back on mine, showing me just how fucking desperately he wanted this shit.

Shit, I was the only one here trying to act even remotely responsible, and I knew for damn sure that this wasn’t leading to sex- that it couldn’t … but fuck was that thin line blurring to all hell as he kissed me like he fucking meant it.

Like tonight might be our last fucking night to exist.

I had to break us apart because I was genuinely starting to just say fuck it.

And when I pulled away to look down at him… none of how he was gazing up at me, eyelids lowered and pupils dilated, helped a damn fucking thing.

“ I want you inside me ,“ he whispered hoarsely.

“ Shut the

actual

fuck up, Ryk ,“ I whispered rough as shit, holding onto the very last bit of my self-control. “Our first time together needs to be gentle. I’m not fucking you tonight.”

“I don’t need it gentle,” this dickhead tried to argue.

“But it’s the way you want it. And it’s the way I’m going to give it to you, so shut the fuck up ,” I told him right before I pushed myself up more and started yanking his short-as-fuck boxers down.

“What- What are you going to do then?” He asked breathlessly, watching my impatience manifest while I got to finally see more of him. What we did in the pool didn’t do him or his perfect body nearly enough justice.

“I’m going to fucking taste you. All of you. Now turn around and grip the damn headboard,” I instructed him. I knew his stomach was still injured, but this should’ve been alright as long as he gripped the headboard to hold himself up. And he did exactly what he was told, turning around to face the headboard before he reached for and grabbed the wood tight.

“I’ve… I, um- I haven’t done this bef-”

“Good,” I snapped hungrily, watching as Ryk positioned himself with his ass to me. My hands moved to the hem of my shirt on him, and I lifted up the soft material, bending down more to place gentle kisses on his lower back. “You don’t like anything, you tell me and we stop. Got it?” I murmured against his soft, warm, inviting skin, watching Ryk nod quickly.

None of my previous partners had ever complained about the way I ate their ass… but Ryk was nothing like them, and I didn’t fucking want him to be. We were moving fast, yet I still wanted to show him the good sides of sex. From what he told me, I wasn’t like the guys he’d been with either, and I don’t think he wanted me to be.

So this meant that this shithead was going to have to wait a little longer for actual sex. That, and we sure as shit weren’t doing all this after drinking. His first time with me was going to be stone cold sober so he had the clearest mind to tell me if he didn’t like it.

I wasn’t going to hurt him.

“Don’t let go of the headboard,” I said seriously now, lowering my head from his lower back to his ass as I placed kisses along the way. Ryk nodded again, making sure to grip it tight. And honestly, the way he had his back arched was seriously enough to make me cum.

I knew what I had said about doggy… but that might’ve been a whole goddamn lie. Right now, I wanted to fuck him just like this, spreading his ass open with my hands as I watched my cock bury itself inside his tight hole-

Calm the fuck down, Mickey, I suddenly snapped at myself, not letting that train of thought continue.

I was getting too worked up, and we were not under any circumstances having sex tonight. I was only eating his ass. That was it. That’s the plan , I reminded myself while my large hands spread him open, and I buried myself between his plump cheeks.

“H-H-Holy- holy sh-shit-” Ryker stammered, squirming a little, but my fingers tightened their grip on his cheeks so he could remain still for me, hellbent on making this the most memorable experience for him. I wanted to completely erase whatever those fuckers did with him in the past, and while I truly did love Isiah… that included him too.

I was going to make it so Ryk felt like this was his first time with anyone.

And from how tight his hole was while my tongue gently pushed past it… I already knew that sex with him was going to be fucking insane .

Ryk’s quick moans right now made me realize that at some point, I wanted to film him for the nights we couldn’t be together. The nights I wanted to jack off, because porn after hearing his raspy moans would be completely fucking useless. Just the thought of watching porn instead of doing this with him straight pissed me the fuck off.

“M-M-Mic-” he jutted out, squirming again.

“Keep this ass still,” I snapped against his skin, and heard his breathless moans get louder as he tried. My grip on his ass just got harder, pulling it back more towards me. I honestly wanted him to sit right on my fucking face at this point, but we’d get there eventually. I didn’t want to scare him off yet.

“M-Mickey-” he moaned again, the sound making me make a mess in my own briefs with all the precum leaking out from my tip. There was no way I had missed these fucking moans in the pool. Had I known I was going to do all that shit, I would’ve set my phone up or something to watch him come undone, because this shit was beyond the fucking realms of just sexy.

Shit made me want to push him down and shove my dick inside his tight little hole-

We’re not doing that shit, Mickey, I snapped at myself again.

We’re not fucking doing-

“W-W-Wait-” this fucker said suddenly, pulling away a bit. And I ended up letting him before I raised my head up to check in.

“You don’t like it?”

“N-No, I-… I might-… I-… I don’t want to ruin your sheets-”

“Ryk… have you lost your

goddamn

mind? “ I fully snapped, annoyed as shit that he pulled away for this . “ Fuck the sheets. Fuck them all the way to fucking hell . If you want to cum, then cum. I’m not stopping until you make a decent fucking mess, anyway.“

And that shit made this beautiful motherfucker fucking tremble under me. He tried to close his legs, but I spread them open again, fast as fuck.

“Now, can I keep going, or are you trying to have this fuck ass conversation over tea instead?”

Ryk pushed that ass back, making a quick decision.

“Good boy,” I replied before burying my face back in his ass, feeling each fucking tremble cut through his body. Only thing I’d be stopping for now was if he didn’t like it. Him liking it too much was the whole goddamn point to begin with.

I pushed my tongue inside him harder while my hands gripped that ass of his tighter… but what I sure as hell wasn’t expecting was for him to suddenly let go of the headboard, dropping his whole upper body down while that perfect ass stayed raised for me. I pulled away fast as shit right after.

“Ryk, you can’t-”

“I-I-I’m o-okay,” he barely managed to get out… and I wanted to tell him no . I seriously wanted to snap at him, because even while he was resting on his chest and not his stomach, I didn’t want to risk it…

Only issue was that this position turned me the fuck on so goddamn bad I literally had to take a quick breather, watching Ryk grip the living hell out of my pillow as his breaths got heavier- more laboured.

He looked so goddamn, unbelievably sexy like this, I couldn’t actually function right for a second. His arch while he gave me head was one thing, but this -… this was fucking something else. I had to physically tell my mind to shut the actual fuck up because all I could think of right now was ramming my cock as deep inside him as it would go-

Shut the ever-living fuck up, Mickey, I snapped at myself again.

He and I weren’t there yet. And I had to be gentle with him. He had to get used to me.

But then I thought about that shit- about his tight hole adjusting to me- and that shit alone almost made me cum inside my damp briefs. Thinking about the way he’d tighten up around my cock. Thinking of hitting that spot inside him with my curve and making him scream out.

I wanted my neighbors to hate the complete fuck out of me once we were through. I wanted no doubt in my mind that they would know every rendition of my name that could possibly fall past Ryk’s soft lips. And when I slowly lowered myself, accepting that Ryk would be okay as long as he kept his ass perched up to me, that back of his arched, and I got back to work.

His body started to shake again, his moans growing louder, but he had shoved his face into the pillow to try and muffle his sinful fucking sounds. And I instantly took a problem with that shit.

“Louder, Ryk,” I muttered against his sensitive skin, making him clutch that goddamn pillow even harder. “Quiet your moans and I’ll fucking stop.”

And I meant the hell outta that.

If I had to rip that pillow away from him, I would, being perfectly fine with watching him find anything else around him to grip onto. Make him understand the pillow was a goddamn luxury right now, and not something he could take advantage of tonight.

My very real threat seemed to work just fine, though, with Ryk turning his head slightly so he could rest on the right side of his face again. Then I buried my tongue back into his tight hole and started fucking him with it.

“M-M-Mic-” Ryk choked out, shaking even fucking harder . “I-I-… I-I’m- I-I’m g-going-… g-going to- to-”

My right hand let go of his right cheek so I could wrap around to his stiff cock, but instead of jerking him off, I placed pressure right on his fucking tip, making Ryk cry out.

“Since you wanted to bring up my goddamn sheets, and let go of that motherfucking headboard… I control when and if you fucking cum,” I told him.

Ryk’s whole body was trembling hard, his breaths turning to the quickest pants, but I wasn’t ready for this to be over. I wanted him to get addicted to nothing else but my touch from now on. I wanted him to think of this exact moment like it was a memory stuck on replay.

My tongue pushed inside him harder, loving the way this was fucking wrecking him. His cock was fully leaking, with his tip making my fingers all sticky, but I didn’t give a damn. In fact, the feeling alone made me so goddamn hard, I wasn’t sure what to fucking do with myself.

“Pl-Ple-Please- M-Mic-”

“Learn your lesson, Ryk?” I asked, feeling his ass throb and tighten around me. He was absolutely about to fucking cum, but when I removed my face from his soft ass, Ryk was quick to nod. “Good. Because the next time I tell you to do something, I don’t want any fucking pushback,” I practically growled at him, releasing my thumb from his tip, and Ryk’s body immediately tensed the fuck up.

I hadn’t seen him cum till now… and the only thing it fucking confirmed was that we were doing this every single night I got to have him for, period.

I didn’t give a damn where we were or when it was. We were doing this again. And again. Hell, we might do this shit again tonight if time allowed it.

I pulled my face away to watch as his fingers paled from how tight he was gripping that pillow. His eyes squeezed shut, and his mouth forced out the most beautiful, choked groan I had ever heard, finding that quick release with zero hesitancy.

He looked utterly, completely fucking perfect . He sounded like a fucking angel, his moans straight music to my fucking ears… and I couldn’t hold back any longer, watching his perfect body shaking uncontrollably below me, riding out that intense orgasm.

“Ryk, can I-… can I cum on you?” I asked, already pushing my joggers and briefs down to free my hard cock from all this material. I watched as Ryker quickly nodded against the pillow, and that was all the go-ahead I fucking needed as I gave myself some quick, hard strokes, just watching how perfect he looked completely unraveled and spent, his body twitching from how hard he’d just came.

It only took me like ten strokes total as I angled my tip right at his bare ass, and felt that tightness release through my own body, slamming straight pleasure through me while I came all over him.

My body acted like this was the first time I’d ever cum before, shooting creamy streaks of my load all over that perfect ass of his. We had promised each other that we’d get tested, so I made sure not to get anything near his somewhat stretched entrance…

But fuck me , I couldn’t fucking wait to empty this inside him instead- for him to feel me dripping out of him. I wanted to watch my cum drip down his perfect legs once we were done, meshing with his own sticky load, and that had to be what made his comments about my sheets the most hilarious shit he might’ve said to date.

My breaths were shot to hell, my body still somewhat spasming, but I didn’t give a flying fuck about my release. I just watched this beautiful fucker try to come down from his.

“I-I’ll clean you-”

“N-No-” Ryk was quick to cut me off. “Let’s… let’s cuddle,” he said instead, and the way he said that shit had me between unexpectedly coming again, or having to take a whole ass walk to simply collect myself.

The kitchen was still a mess, and the grill would need to be cleaned… but I didn’t give a damn. I instead laid my ass down beside him and quickly pulled him into me. He curled right into my arms, with this being something new. Usually, I took a shower directly after sex, but Ryk wasn’t having none of that.

And I gladly gave him this intimacy- something I had a tendency to withhold with everyone else. I didn’t like feeling this close with anyone in the past.

“How was it?” I asked this damn cat of a man. His lips tugged up into the largest grin, which helped with my immediate anxiety because Ryk was the hardest to get a fucking read on.

“ Absolutely fucking incredible ,“ I heard him whisper with his eyes still closed. “I want it just- and I mean just like that every fucking night. Including everything you said, word for word.”

And that shit made me chuckle while my heart did a serious thing.

“I wasn’t too much?” I asked him, but he quickly shook his head no against my chest before he lifted it up, looked directly at me, and leaned forward for a slow, gentle kiss. One I wanted to deepen, but could tell he was getting tired. He was still breathing hard, yet seemed to have managed it alright, taking another second to calm down once he pulled his lips away from mine.

“Is this what sex will be like? Nothing hurt tonight.” He then said, whispering those words.

“More or less,” I replied. “My cock is bigger than my tongue, but I’ll be extra gentle. Even if it takes all night for you to adjust to it.”

Ryker nodded again, resting his head back on my chest so my arms could tighten around him more. It should’ve felt strange doing this instead of showering… but it didn’t. It just made me feel closer to him.

I was praying to everything I could that that wouldn’t be the case- us taking all night to make him comfortable, but even if it was, I’d do it. I didn’t want Ryker to hate it with me, and that included me just sucking it up and bottoming if he really didn’t like it. I didn’t really do that with other partners, but I would for him.

I’d do anything for him to make him love this part, too…

Because there wasn’t anything quite like watching him tense up right before he came… and I wanted to see that- how pleasure was painted on his perfect, gentle face- any chance I’d get, and any way I had to.

••

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41. Stop And Smell The Flour-s

I’m so happy to see y’all are loving this story!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

I didn’t remember falling asleep…

…but I sure as shit remembered how I woke up.

“Morning,” Mickey murmured against the sensitive skin of my neck, tucking his head in the crevice of it.

“M-Morning,” I stammered, unable to stop the light moan as he kissed there harder.

“You like how I put you to bed?” He whispered hoarsely, pulling my back closer to the front of him by my chest. I was only wearing his shirt, but already knew Mickey must’ve been shirtless. “You want me to wake you up?” He asked against me. I quickly nodded again, moaning a little louder when I felt his sharp teeth against my neck, and Mickey’s large right hand left my chest, moving lower on my body but avoiding my stomach to lift this shirt up.

My body felt like it was vibrating with sudden anticipation, adoring the feeling of him touching me under this soft comforter, holding me as close as humanly possible.

“You’re already making a mess,” he murmured, wrapping his hand around my already hard dick. “Still give a fuck about my sheets?” I swiftly shook my head no. “Good. Looks like we learned from yesterday ,” he added as he started to stroke me. “Can I grind against your ass? Still thinking about how I came on it last night. How good you fucking looked.” I gave Mickey another nod, moaning even louder when I felt him start to suck in the skin at my neck.

He removed his hand from my cock to push his joggers down. Then I felt him against my ass as he started to grind into me, returning his hand to my leaking tip.

“Don’t muffle your moans, Ryk,” he fucking growled against my skin, making my whole body fucking shudder. I remembered just how fucking good that mouth was in a place I had never had a mouth before. It had felt so goddamn good, I still couldn’t think straight even now when I thought about it.

How it felt feeling Mickey spread my ass with his large hands, making sure he could angle himself there perfectly.

It had felt so goddamn good, my mind felt like literal mush when he made me cum.

And feeling him push against me now, grinding his hard dick slow into my ass… it made me fucking weak for more.

“I want to wake you up like this every fucking morning, Ryk,” He whispered hoarsely, and I swear to god I had no idea how I was going to function just thinking about that. Him waking me up like… this .

“M-Mic-” I moaned, unable to get a goddamn grip on how incredible he felt. “Y-You’re going to- to-”

“Not yet, Ryk. Hold out just a bit longer,” He whispered, keeping this brutally phenomenal, slow pace. “I want to make absolutely certain you remember all of this when you leave this fucking bed.”

This dickhead was absolutely insane if he thought I was forgetting any of this shit. Honestly, if I didn’t promise him what I did yesterday morning, I would’ve put up way more of a fucking fight to take one more day off. I didn’t want to leave this bed or this giant fucker right now.

“M-Mickey, I-… I-” I choked out, struggling to hold out like he told me to.

“ Just a little longer ,“ Mickey whispered as he sucked that delicate skin in, undoubtedly making some marks. “Just a little longer, beautiful… then you can cum.”

And that shit alone had me fucking shaking , unable to stop myself. This was so goddamn intimate that I couldn’t even explain it- I just knew I had never been this intimate with anyone before. And that thought alone just made my trembling worse while he stroked me.

Mickey was so fucking tender when touching me. He had made absolutely sure that we could stop whenever I wanted, but I was like two seconds away from asking him to just fuck me. Feeling his hot cum on my ass last night really fucking did it, sending whatever resistance I still had left, straight to hell.

And once I felt him pick up his pace now, I simply couldn’t stop it. “I-… I- I-”

“ It’s okay, “ he replied, kissing me harder. “Can I cum on you again?”

I nodded, just letting this hot as fuck fucker do whatever the fuck he wanted. He was the first guy I had ever been with who even asked that shit first, getting permission, and maybe that was why this felt so goddamn intimate. He had always asked. He was always checking in.

I had no control over that insanely fast build-up, or anything that followed when I felt him rip the most unexpected orgasm from me, making my body damn near convulse in his arms. And the sound Mickey made against my skin, right near my right ear as he came, smearing his hot cum right on my ass while his own body tensed up… that shit was so unbelievably fucking hot, I damn near came again .

He had successfully altered my goddamn brain chemistry after last night. And I had no fucking idea how I was supposed to make it through class after this shit.

He made me never want to separate from his arms. From his intense but comforting touch.

School did in fact fucking suck massive dick. I wanted to throw a whole tantrum when I had to get up, shower, and head out, but that damn baker made sure to get me some breakfast bars and packed up the leftovers for lunch, which I did end up sharing with Ms. Kluntz later during lunch period.

She admitted that I was officially her favourite student while she ate this grilled pork belly, which made me smile. I genuinely really liked her, and she always kept the conversation light and breezy.

I still needed to take some damn photos, but she didn’t seem worried about that in the slightest. Honestly, she’d probably just give me an extension if I asked, but I was confident I’d get the assignment done over the weekend.

The part that really sucked, though, was the fact that the cafe was busy as hell when I arrived for my shift after school.

Mickey hadn’t given Pricilla much information on what happened yesterday, just told her that I wasn’t feeling well, and considering she had seen the state I was in when I first walked in here a few weeks ago, she definitely didn’t ask any questions- just made sure I was alright today.

The most annoying part of all of this today was that I couldn’t get Mickey out of my head for the fucking life of me. Every look he gave while I worked with him on making another batch of macarons just made my body feel hot all over, like I was running a fever.

And the fact that he was keeping his damn distance straight pissed me off… even though I knew that he had to.

It still pissed me the fuck off.

We ended up closing with Eve, so Xavier stopped by to walk her home at around 8 PM.

Mickey let him know that I would be heading to Fight Club again with them this coming Saturday, and Xavier seemed pretty hyped about it- more specifically, he was hyped about me wanting to see him and Sammy go at it.

“He’ll only be watching for a little bit,” Mickey grumbled to Xavier while we finished cleaning up the back. I just rolled my eyes. This fucker was being ridiculous, and yet I loved that shit. Him acting jealous as fuck over something as simple as sparring.

“We’ll see about that, Mic,” Xavier grinned, chuckling when Mic flicked him off. “Ready to go, E?” Xavier then called to the green-haired woman who appeared from the employees’ only room like a second later.

“Yep. Night Mic, night Ryk,” she replied, giving us a quick wave while Xavier held the back door open for her.

“Night, E. See you in a bit, X,” Mic replied. Xavier nodded.

“Got it, Mic. Night, Ryk. Glad to see you back at it,” Xavier said, giving me a slight wave. And I did the same with a smile on my lips. He was a man of little words, and even fewer fucks to give, it seemed, but I was grateful for the groceries he dropped off yesterday and just the fact that Mickey got to stay with me.

Their bond was really solid, making me wonder what exactly Mickey had done all those years ago to earn such loyalty.

I wanted to play that questions game again, hoping this shithead might tell me. And as soon as that back door closed, this baker turned me around fast as fuck, bringing his lips down to mine for a quick, stolen kiss.

“I don’t like not being able to touch you,” he murmured against my lips before forcing himself to separate us. I wanted to pull him back to me immediately , but I knew I couldn’t. Mic was too damn professional to do anything more in here.

“Me neither,” I told him, using the most honest words.

“I’m busy this week… but this weekend, I’m all yours, alright?” He asked, looking down at me, and I nodded quickly.

This weekend felt like it was coming in approximately 40 fucking days… but I still let him pull away in full because he had already given me a whole day yesterday. I didn’t want to take him away from his work any more than I already had.

Thursday wasn’t any easier.

In fact, it sucked even more, with the only saving grace being the fact that Mickey had stopped by to drop off lunch, which was more soup because this fucker wasn’t playing around about me getting all the nutrients, and I made sure to share some with Ms. Kluntz. She had some of those oyster crackers to go with the seaweed soup, which was actually a perfect combo.

I was happy that Mic had pushed me to start taking lunch here. I was able to work on homework, and Ms. Kluntz played some light jazz while she graded some homework, reminding me of Mickey’s playing.

It may have sounded weird… but I kinda wished she could meet him.

She would’ve loved that guy down .

“You and Mickey seem to be pretty close,” she commented on Friday. Today was a hefty salad with grilled chicken breast and homemade dressing, and Mickey had actually packed two containers for me and this photography teacher, which made me smile as soon as I opened up the lunch bag.

He was in a rush today, so he only got out about three solid, well-crafted insults to Sandra before he had to take off, and the look he gave me was scorching as fuck , making me wish he could kiss me goodbye… but I don’t think he wanted to take any chances of fucking up these lunch drop offs, so he held back. School faculty wouldn’t approve of that shit for sure.

We have all of tomorrow , I had to remind myself, even though the lack of touching him just made me all the more attached. I felt like I was in heat or some shit, just craving him like crazy.

“Yeah,” I nodded to Ms. Kluntz, walking over her salad and dressing.

“If he keeps these meals coming, he’ll quickly be my favourite non-student,” she smiled, clapping her hands excitedly before removing the lid on the glass container. That shit made me chuckle while I returned to my seat.

We had graduated from sitting in the middle of the classroom, to the first table closest to Ms. Kluntz, so we could chat freely while we ate, and I got some homework done. “He’s a really cool guy,” I tried to answer casually. “If you have some time after school, you should stop by Wilmoria’s one of these days. Try some of his baking.”

“I think I might just take you up on that,” Ms. Kluntz nodded quickly. “And Ryk?” she then added, making me look up from my textbook a sec. “I’m glad you two are… close. You seem more lively these days.”

I just gave her a warm smile, liking how little this woman pried. Whatever wasn’t said with her was always heard, and I fucked with that heavily.

Friday afternoon was definitely our busiest day, and Mickey was out on the floor again with Eve while I worked in the back with Pricilla.

“You know, Ryk,” she said, showing me how to roll out the dough for some biscuits, “you’re more than welcome to just call me Ci or CiCi.”

“Do you prefer that?” I asked her. Pricilla somewhat nodded.

“Mic’s got a nickname for everyone, but I will say that you calling me Ci feels good- like you’re maybe a bit more comfortable around me.”

I nodded at that. I was still keeping a healthy distance between me and her while we worked, but this older woman seemed used to it by now, which was nice.

“Mic also told me you’ll be joining us for Thanksgiving next week. He didn’t mention any allergies, but I wanted to make absolutely sure.”

“No allergies,” I confirmed, remembering what Mickey had said about that fuck ass bird she was hellbent on cooking. “Have any dishes you love to make?”

Pric- CiCi thought about that for a moment before answering with, “Mic loves my mashed potatoes, so probably that. I know he hates the hell out of my turkey, but just entertains it because he knows I like keeping things feeling traditional. He probably told you to suffer through a serving, but you don’t ha-”

“It’s okay… Ci,” I assured her, giving her a warm smile. “I appreciate the invite. And turkey is hard to get right. Don’t worry about it.”

“I swear you’re too kind,” she said, giving me one of her warm smiles. “Mic usually spends the night from Wednesday to Thursday, then tries to save whatever of my sides that he can without me looking. He gave up on trying with the turkey eons ago, just accepting that I would fuck it up each year. You want to do the same? Usually we play some games Wednesday night, drink some wine, nothing crazy.”

“Are… you sure?” I asked her. CiCi nodded fast as hell.

“You and Mic seem to be warming up to each other. I know he’ll appreciate the drinking buddy since I’m in a time-out right now for marrying a French man while drinking way too much wine. And I can usually talk him into watching a movie of my choice before going to bed, but I’ll let you pick this year.”

“Terrible idea,” I told her quickly, unable to stop myself. “I’m not a huge movie person. You picking is safer, or I’ll have us watching The Red Green Show or some shit.”

That made CiCi full-on laugh. “You and Mic have that in common, then. If you had to at least choose a genre, what would you go with?”

“Psychological thriller. But comedy is fine,” I added quick. Psycho thriller was probably a weird genre for Thanksgiving.

“Nah, psychological thriller sounds great. Mic would just shit on the comedy, so we’ll go with that,” she told me. And I just nodded, smiling a little more to myself while we worked.

It was a stupid fucking thing to think, especially because CiCi had no idea that Mickey and I were dating… but I still really liked the thought of spending Thanksgiving with her and him.

It felt… homey … however terrible that fuck ass bird might actually be. I’d still try a serving because it made her happy, and Mic really cared about making her happy.

I also knew that damn baker wasn’t playing around when he said that he’d be sneaking in chicken wings just in case.

Friday was an early night because I had to wake up early again on Saturday for the gym.

Obviously, that baker had been very fucking clear about me not doing any fighting, but I just wanted to watch and observe.

The plan was that he’d pick me up, take me to Fight Club, take us back to my place so I could get ready for the Buddhist temple, then we’d leave my place around 9:15 AM to get there around 10 AM.

And that was exactly what we did… except for the fact that I was absolutely fucking dead to the world on our ride to the gym, and ended up knocking out in the meditation room for a bit, managing to wake up with only like 30 mminutes left of this visit.

“Rest well?” Dante asked as he entered. He handed me one of those disgusting vitamin shots, before taking a seat down on the mat he must’ve rolled out while I was sleeping.

“Sorry,” I told him quick. “And thanks,” I added, raising the small drink a bit before cracking it open. Sure enough, tasted about as shit as I remembered. “How much is a membership here?”

“Don’t worry about that,” was all Dante replied with. “Mickey donates a hefty sum annually, so we don’t charge him or Xavier.”

“What about Arlo?” I asked.

“Oh, he pays monthly. Mic would sooner saw his damn leg off than foot that bill, but I think he’s covering this next month. Something about Arlo picking up a shift this week for him. Always easiest to ask Mickey less questions.”

That made my eyebrows raise slightly, because I seemed to ask Mickey all the questions all the goddamn time.

“You two seem really close,” I told Dante instead. He nodded.

“Mic’s the son Sammy and I never had. Good kid, just involved in a lot.”

I slowly nodded at that. Seemed like everyone knew more about this damn baker than they let on.

“And he seems to really like you, which is surprising because he barely likes anyone. He was excited to let me know you were tagging along again.”

“You don’t mind, do you? That I’m not like fighting or anything?” I had to ask. This visit had been just like my first, with Dante getting this room set up for me, but he must’ve warmed up with Arlo and Mickey, who were in the ring now, going at it.

I could see that Arlo was definitely putting up more of a fight with Mickey, so my guess was that Dante must’ve helped while I was sleeping. They were also both shirtless today, giving me the most vivid reminder of just how fucking good this damn guy looked.

Just fine as shit for no goddamn reason.

“You coming back was my suggestion,” Dante replied, which made me snap my head over at him. He was relaxed, his breathing slowed, leaning back on his hands and just observing the fight.

“It… was?” I asked him. Dante nodded.

“Sammy and I would never let you in the ring with those injuries, but you’re healing up well. I can see it in your movements. Until you’re up for it and back at a hundred, this place can be used any way you like. If you just want to observe, I’ll walk you through more fights. You feel up to start fighting, I’ll personally train you. You’re learning to ground yourself, and that’s half the work. No fighter gets in that ring without a clear mind, which is why we built this meditation room.”

I slowly nodded again, reaching forward to switch out this small empty bottle for a Gatorade Dante had set down while I was knocked out.

“Does Mickey use this space a lot?” I then asked.

Dante took some time to answer. “He used to. But that’s a question for Mic, not me.”

I found myself nodding yet again. Then I asked a question for Dante this time. “You mentioned your old man was a fighter as well. How… how did the relationship with him turn out?”

“Unresolved,” Dante replied. “He died before I had the chance to resolve it. Unfortunately, that responsibility usually falls on the kid’s shoulders. It’s not right, just how things tend to play out.”

“…Do you wish he were still here?” I asked this older man.

“Some days,” was all he said. “Before Sammy, I didn’t think I’d get back to fighting. Some days I’m reminded of what my father taught me, however harsh he was. His teachings are always still with me,” he explained. Then he asked, “Did your old man teach you a thing or two throughout the years?”

I eventually nodded, turning back to observe the fight like he was. “He’s the reason I’m good at cars. And bikes. Good with my hands.”

That made Dante lightly chuckle. “No wonder Mic likes you,” he replied, and I couldn’t help but smile. The reassurance was comforting. “Your old man hurt you, too, right?”

That… that was a question I wasn’t fucking expecting. At all. But I did finally nod, turning to him again.

“The people closest to us have the ability to hurt us in ways that really stick. And I won’t tell you to forgive the man if you don’t feel like you can… but don’t let the good outweigh the bad, and vice versa,” Dante spoke, still watching the fight. “Approach it with a leveled mind.”

His ability to observe was seriously unmatched. It felt like he was analyzing every detail, his eyes moving in complete synch with Arlo and Mickey’s movements.

“Only way I got over the bullshit with my old man was that I took that pain to the chin like another one of his lessons- learning from it and expanding on it here with Sammy. It’s alright to use that pain. Take it as a lesson… and make damn sure you never put yourself in a position to be hurt like that again. That’s why we teach the guys here how to defend themselves. And if your old man had the audacity to hurt you, then you have the right to make anything he ever said or did, a lesson.”

I found myself just staring at Dante for a good long while. Somehow, this older man felt so fucking calm to talk to. I couldn’t imagine how his old man was, for him to feel this way. For him to find such peace still.

“Was Mickey running from something when he joined here?”

Dante chuckled again. “Question for Mic, Ryker. You two have a date today, don’t you?”

I slowly nodded, not knowing that Mickey had told him about it already. And for some reason, that shit made me feel warm inside. Like a first step to us being more open about this relationship.

“Good. Save the questions for then. It will mean more coming from that kid instead of me… and something tells me he’ll be honest with you if you ask.”

“It seems like people don’t usually ask him questions,” I sort of blurted out, making Dante fully laugh at that.

“That’s because they know they won’t get whole answers. He rarely ever lies, just omits the truth when needed. And if they do get answers, they’re never fully prepared for what those answers are.”

I definitely knew a thing or two about that asshat and his partial answers.

“Mic’s always been a wild card in that way. But he’ll be honest with you… So don’t be afraid to ask.”

••

42. Exactly What He Kneads

Unedited but y’all know the drill by now lol

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ci was one hundred percent on to me.

I was a little too happy the rest of this week, and she was clocking it hard… But I had no control over how happy I was.

I let her know on Thursday that I had invited Ryk over for Thanksgiving next week, and she seemed genuinely excited about it. Probably felt like whiplash, though, since I had absolutely wanted to kill this fucking fucker last week, and now I couldn’t keep my eyes off him, no matter how hard I tried.

Xavier one thousand percent knew I was acting different, but he kept his mouth shut so I could finish my work at the warehouse, ghosting the guns first, then working on the framework. I wanted to be done with that damn project ASAP, and Ryk asking whether I actually still enjoyed this shit just made me more aware of how much I hated this particular project.

Fuck, the framework was so goddamn boring .

Luckily, Fight Club on Saturday was exactly what I needed to blow off some steam, and at the expense of Arlo, which always made me happy.

Ryk was barely awake when I picked him up, and by the time we made it to the gym, he almost instantly knocked out in the meditation room, making me and the guys laugh. He hadn’t even tried to keep himself awake, but Dante assured me he’d be fine sleeping in there, then this older fighter and I got started with Arlo on our warm-up.

I had called on Wednesday night to let Dante and Sammy know that Ryk would be tagging along, and I also set up a payment for Arlo’s December membership since he held up his end of the bargain he made with Xavier, and covered at the cafe on Tuesday.

Honestly, this was nothing compared to what he could’ve asked for, and I think it was because Xavier used some intimidation tactics.

Something I fully approved of.

Then Arlo and I locked in, sparring while Ryk rested.

I knew he’d wake up pissed as shit that he missed Xavier fighting, yet I let him rest because I’d rather he be fully rested for our date. He was welcome at this gym any time, but we only had one first date, and I wanted to get this shit right.

When we had about thirty minutes left, Dante left the side of the ring to go check on Ryk, who was starting to wake up, and I just let him go. Ryk seemed to really like their chats, so I had no issue leaving Dante with him while Arlo and I wrapped things up in the ring.

With everything going on with Simon, I knew that older fighter would be able to bring him comfort that I simply couldn’t.

I just hoped Dante wouldn’t do too much to convince Ryk that his old man genuinely deserved to live or some shit. I needed him to do the exact opposite , actually.

“Time to head out,” Arlo told me, tapping my glove with his before he let himself out the ring, and I did the same.

Ryk and Dante were still carrying on a conversation with each other, but Dante gave me a slight nod, letting me know I was good to hit the showers. That he would let Ryk know we’d be heading out soon enough. I still had to take this guy back to his place so he could get ready and grab his camera to take some photos at the temple.

Xavier, Arlo, and I all hit the showers quick as fuck, then I returned to the mediation pods to have Ryk say his goodbyes, and we were off right before Dante and Sammy’s first class of the day.

“Enjoy your nap?” I teased Ryk, feeling his arms tighten around my waist while I pulled us out of the alley behind the gym.

“You’re such an asshole for letting me sleep,” he grumbled, but I just laughed.

“You were tired. And we have a full day today. I’d rather you have energy for that, plus you’re welcome back any time to see Xavier and Sammy fight.”

Ryk scoffed, making me laugh harder. “You just didn’t want me to watch them, huh.”

“Why, yes,” I replied, grinning under this fucking helmet. “You’re going on a first date with me today. Forgive me if I only wanted your day to start with seeing me shirtless, not Sammy and Xavier.”

“They were also shirtless?” Ryk asked, wiping that smile right off my face.

“Don’t piss me off, Ryk,” I muttered, and it was Ryker’s turn to chuckle.

“ Kidding, kidding . Of course I wanted to start my day seeing you shirtless. Looks like Arlo was fighting better, too.“

“He was,” I nodded. “Dante gave him a pep talk, telling him to tighten it the fuck up so we didn’t embarrass him today. He didn’t want a repeat of your last visit, where he had to step in so I could get a real workout in.”

“That’s very sweet of Dante,” Ryk noted, bringing that smile back to my lips fast as shit.

“What did you two talk about when you woke up?” I asked.

“Secret,” Ryk replied. “If you get to have some, then I do too.”

“Touche,” I told him, chuckling. “He better not have told you any of our date plans.”

“He knows where you’re taking me?” Ryk asked, and I nodded.

Good. Dante had kept his lips sealed, but I expected nothing less.

“Where are y-”

“ Secret ,“ I told this dickhead, making Ryk chuckle. “When we get to yours, we gotta move fast though. Time’s running.” And I felt Ryk nod his head against my back, understanding the importance of timekeeping much better these days.

After we got back to Ryk’s, I gave him a quick kiss, then waited on the couch while he got ready. I had already brought a change of clothing, so I was fully dressed in some light, faded jeans, a thick, light brown sweater, and my black leather jacket. I expected this fucker to come out of his bedroom in his usual fit: a hoodie and jeans…

But he actually put some effort in today, wearing a light cream-coloured sweater and some black jeans.

After picking my jaw off the floor from not seeing him in a hoodie for a change, and giving him a quick kiss that I was forced to separate myself from purely in the interest of time, we headed out.

Today was a nice, bright, sunny day, with only a slight chill breeze, which made the ride a good one. The temple was going to be about a forty-five-minute drive, so I chose to play some grunge music while Ryk enjoyed the drive out of the city. The temple was also out in the middle of fucking nowhere, which meant he got to enjoy long strips of empty roads through beautiful scenery, with trees now changing colors for the colder weather.

And while we rode out, I was a bit overwhelmed with distant memories of this route.

Today was going to be a memory heavy day… but I had promised Ryk we’d come, so I held myself to this shit, powering through the bitter-sweet memories as best as I could.

“It’s so beautiful,” Ryk said, cutting into the music a bit through the helmet speaker.

“It is,” I nodded, agreeing.

“This is the farthest away from the city I think I’ve ever been,” he replied honestly. “Thanks for taking me.”

“Thanks for saying yes,” I told him. “You’ll see the temple coming up here on our right in a few minutes.”

And I had been right, with Ryk quite literally gasping- probably from how beautiful and absolutely massive it was. My hand reached for his left thigh to give it a gentle squeeze while I pulled us down the long path leading to visitor parking. Then I parked in the closest slot and turned my bike off. “Ready?”

Ryk slowly separated himself from me before he replied with, “Ready,” and the last thing I did after we both got off the bike was strap the helmets to it, then I led us right on up the rest of the way, making sure Ryk stayed right at my side.

I could tell he was excited… but also a bit nervous to be here.

“What do we do first?” This handsome fucker asked me. He had his camera bag strapped across his chest on his left side, and the camera itself hanging around his neck by the long strap.

“First, I want you to meet someone, then we can get some food and tea,” I replied, leading him closer to the main temple. There were smaller areas out here that we’d visit after to take some photos, and just walk around, but first I had to meet with someone special. It had been a while since I was here last, and I knew this old man had questions.

Ryk followed closely beside me, still a bit nervous, but I knew he’d like it here. There weren’t many people around this morning.

“Oh, and Ryk,” I said, turning to this shithead. “Avoid swearing if you can.”

Ryk quickly nodded at that. This old geezer we were about to meet wouldn’t give much of a shit since Ryk was a guest here today, but I knew this guy beside me wanted to make a good first impression regardless. Then I waited by the entrance to the main temple and let Ryk enter through first.

More memories flooded my mind at just simply the smell of burning incense alone, the soothing smell I had grown up with. And the man I wanted to see was inside the main temple, kneeling before the massive Buddha statue, meditating. Ryk was slow to enter as he really took in this large hall, not saying a damn word as he looked around.

I gestured for him to first remove his shoes right near the entrance in here, and I did the same, lining them up against the back wall. Then I gestured for him to head right in and take a seat beside the old man, who was wearing his traditional robe with his back to us, on his left, while I knelt down on the floor to his right.

“It’s been a very long time, Micah,” the old man said, his eyes still closed in peaceful meditation. “It’s been even longer since you brought someone with you.”

I closed my eyes right along with this old man, breathing in the strong smell of the burning incense.

“This is Ryker Parker,” I told him gently.

“…It is very nice to meet you, Ryker,” the old man said. “Any man who can convince Micah Jackson to return here is a man who is most welcome in this temple.”

“It’s… very nice to meet you, too,” Ryk replied politely, and I couldn’t help but smile, genuinely wondering just how long he’d keep his swearing at bay. Then we remained here a moment in complete silence, and all I could hope for was that Ryker was enjoying the tranquility of this sacred space.

That his mind and heart would appreciate the stillness it brought.

After some time, this old, bald-headed man finally spoke again. “My name is Sho. I am one of the Buddhist monks here. I have been in meditation for most of this morning, so forgive me for my stillness. Micah, why don’t you go retrieve more incense and make merit? I will sit with Ryker Parker for a moment alone.”

I slowly opened my eyes, looking past Sho to Ryker to make sure he was alright with me leaving, but he quickly nodded when he opened those eyes and looked over at me… so I slowly stood. “Don’t say anything too weird, old man,” I muttered, making Sho smile, yet he didn’t say anything more, and I took that as my cue to leave these two to it. Then I headed back out of the main hall, leaving my shoes there, and started to walk through the rest of the sacred temple.

Xavier had made absolutely certain that the money I took for paying my respect was money that was one hundred percent clean and obtained through more decent work.

That was the most important. I wasn’t trying to fuck with my good karma.

Then I did what was requested of me by Sho, first finding another Buddhist monk who was in the second hall, and delivering the envelope of cash.

“It has been some time, Micah,” Shanti spoke, smiling. I bowed my head in respect, as this older man did the same. He was wearing identical, traditional robes, making my smile widen as I remembered more of my time in this temple when Shanti used to take care of me. These memories were always fond ones. “Have you come alone?”

I slowly shook my head no. “I… I brought someone today.”

Shanti’s eyebrows slowly raised. “That is quite the direction for you. Your mum has not returned, has she?” I slowly shook my head no again. “Then I hope you and your guest enjoy your time here. Please stay as long as you may like,” Shanti replied, and I nodded my head, bowing once more before taking my leave.

Next was the incense.

And I took my time retrieving it, allowing Sho more time with Ryker. The old man took some long ass pauses whenever he spoke, so I decided to wander around the temple, meditating in one of the halls while I burned some of the incense.

I also made sure to pay my respects to the dead- for my late father, appreciating the closeness I always felt to him while I was here, even if I wasn’t accompanied by my mother this time around.

A memory of wandering these halls when I was younger was what my mind settled on as I meditated, deciding to take just a little longer to clear my mind before returning to the main hall. And as I finally entered again after some time spent away from these two, Ryk and Sho were sitting in complete and total silence.

Only issue was that Ryker’s cheeks were stained with tears, his eyes still closed.

“Ryk?” I whispered quietly, kneeling down on Sho’s right side once again.

“He’s settling,” Sho told me gently. “Give his soul another moment or two,” then Sho slowly stood to his feet. “Come, Micah.”

And while I really didn’t want to leave Ryk all alone after just returning, I listened, standing to my feet along with this monk, allowing him to lead us out of the main hall.

“How is your mother?” He asked, turning to me once we passed through the entrance.

“Alive,” I replied, and the disapproving look this monk gave me made me cut the shit. “And well. Alive and well,” I clarified.

“I am happy to hear she is well. Your friend has quite the troubled soul. It was good of you to bring him here in the absence of your mother.”

“What did you say to him?” I asked, but Sho slowly shook his head no.

“That is between my soul and his. If he wishes to say, he will tell you. If he does not, he will not.”

God, this fucking old fucker and his goddamn riddles.

“I can feel your love for him,” Sho added as we walked slow. “Does he know you feel so strongly?”

I sort of shrugged, unsure of what to say to that. “I’m trying to be honest with him,” was what I settled on.

“You should bring him here again. I would very much like to sit with him more. To see how I may help him ease that suffering. This world has not been kind to him, but we may be, if he allows it.”

I just slowly nodded down at the old man. If whatever he said to Ryk could make him cry, I was worried as shit… but I also knew that Sho would never say anything to hurt him. Only to help. And this old man had made me cry on a few too many occasions, those calming words of his cutting in deep.

“Did you pay your respects?” He then asked me, and I nodded again. “I know this place has locked away memories for you. Some beautiful. Some painful. If Ryker has brought you here again, then that is a soul worth saving. You would do well to remind him of that.”

“I… I’ll try,” I said honestly, trying to digest that.

“Try harder, Micah. Allow

it . He is stronger than what this world has shown him, bearing much of its uglier truths, and it may help him understand the significance of this place to you. We do not hoard what may heal,“ Sho reminded me. I understood what this old man was saying… but I just didn’t know how to go about that honesty. “Have you then graduated?”

“Yes,” I found myself replying. “This spring.”

“Have you found your path?”

“Did my mother set you up to this shit?” I asked. Sho looked up at me disapprovingly again, forcing me to bite my tongue.

“She deserves honesty as well, Micah,” he said, and I already knew where this was going.

“I’ll tell her eventually,” I said to him.

“How is Pricilla?”

“Divorcing.”

“…Again?”

“It’s complicated,” I was quick with. And Sho simply nodded, accepting that. I wasn’t about to get into it with that woman and that goddamn French man.

“Ryker eases your suffering, too, doesn’t he?” I nodded again. “You seem lighter than you were with your last visit. Happier. As if you have started to find real peace. You should be honest with your mother about your happiness. It is all she has ever wanted for you.”

“I’ll… I will,” I confirmed. That shit was way easier said than done, but I understood what he was saying.

“Good. Then let’s give Ryker more time.”

And I allowed this old man to lead me through the temple… just like he had many times before when I was younger.

By the time we returned to Ryker, he had wiped his tears away and was still kneeling. Sho gently stirred him to his feet with his words, then directed me to walk with Ryk to get some tea and food, and to sit to talk.

As soon as we got our shoes back on and exited the temple, however, this man damn near brought me to the goddamn ground with the intense hug he sprang on me out of absolutely nowhere, knocking the wind right out of me.

“Is-… is everything alright, Ryk-”

“ Thank you ,“ he whispered quietly against my chest, squeezing the life out of me. And I was just trying not to hurt him and that bruising as I hugged him far more gently, right back. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Sho didn’t say some fuck shit to you, did he?” I whispered back, but kept my voice lower just in case there were some monks wandering about closer to us. Ryk was quick to shake his head no, right against me. “Okay, good. What, um… what did that old fucker say then?”

“I’ll… I’ll tell you later if that’s alright?” he asked me, finally pulling away. And I just nodded.

“Then why don’t we get some food and tea?” I asked, and Ryk agreed. But when I reached for his left hand with my right, he froze up a bit.

“Is… is it okay if we-”

“Yes. We’re dating, and I just watched you silently cry in that damn temple. I’m holding your fucking hand, Ryker Parker.”

And this shithead didn’t say anything at all, just nodded with a massive smile forming on his full lips as I quickly laced our fingers together.

This would be the only time I would leave him alone, I decided, still unsure of what exactly had moved him to tears. It was… unexpected. And I just hoped that it was also somewhat healing, just like Sho had said.

••

43. Let The Dough Rest

lol with how fast I’m writing right now, let’s just assume these chapters are unedited, but I’m doubling back this coming weekend to catch up on comments and clean up any errors!

Enjoy!

xoxo

“Your soul feels heavy,” Sho whispered gently some time after Mickey had left this genuinely beautiful room, leaving Sho and I alone to each other and our thoughts… but I kept my eyes closed. It felt like a respect thing, and I wanted to honor that in here.

The incense burning was calming- maybe the first bit of smoke that didn’t feel suffocating or congested as I inhaled it. In some ways, it calmed my sped-up heartbeat and eased the tension I had around my nerves with being here to begin with.

I still felt like I didn’t quite belong in this place, but I tried to remain open to it, just like I had with Dante and Fight Club. If these last few weeks had taught me anything, it was definitely not to judge things for what I assumed they were. My judgement had been complete dogshit in the past… so I tried to be more open this morning with this place that felt so… clean- so pure.

“I… guess you could say I’ve seen better days,” I replied carefully to the older man as we both sat here on this floor. I still kept some distance from him when I knelt down, but not nearly as much distance as I usually did with most. Sho had a presence similar to Dante’s in a way, with his body relaxed in this kneeling position.

“Have you? Or do you only believe that you have?” He asked softly, silencing the complete fuck out of me with that shit. “What is it that’s weighing it down?”

I wasn’t quite sure how to answer him- his questions… but Mickey had trusted this older monk, so I tried to lean on that instead. On my trust in that baker and his judgment of others. “I… made a mistake a few weeks ago. Lost the friendship of a close friend. Probably lost my father in a way, too. Still trying to navigate it all.”

Sho took some time to say anything next, his breaths slow and calm as we knelt here. And when he did finally answer, I almost opened my eyes with what he said. “So it is forgiveness you seek out?”

…That was a hard one to answer. I guess things just weren’t as black-and-white there. “Not necessarily with my dad… He’s-… the friend I lost, I mean, he’s who I really wronged, and he’s already forgiven me, but…”

“You then struggle to forgive yourself,” Sho replied, allowing my words to completely trail off first before he spoke his, almost making certain I had said all that I could first.

“I… I don’t know how to,” I replied honestly after a little more time. I was adjusting to the slowness of his words. He didn’t rush anything out. He didn’t seem to rush anything at all.

“You were very close with this friend then?” He asked.

I slowly nodded before replying with, “Yeah. We got… we got close over the last year.”

“Close enough for you to trust his judgement, yes? If the suffering you caused has weighed you down so heavily?”

“Y-… Yes, yeah,” I finally got out.

“And yet… you do not trust his sight. You do not truly trust his judgment of you. That you are deserving of his forgiveness,” Sho continued.

“I just-…” I trailed off again, struggling to put it all into words that made any sense. “I really fuc-… I really hurt him,” I corrected myself quick as hell once I remembered what Mickey had said about swearing in here.

“Do you know what the most difficult thing about forgiveness is, Ryker Parker?” He asked me.

I didn’t- I couldn’t quite answer that one either… so I just waited for him to.

“We are all deserving of it. And for reasons that boil down to one,” he continued. “Forgiveness is never an excuse for one’s behavior; it simply prevents that behavior from destroying the other’s heart. The one you harmed… the one who has forgiven you… They have placed your soul on a scale, deeming it worthy of their forgiveness for their own peace. So what is it you are placing on that very scale that is determining a different weight from the friend you supposedly trust- the one who has weighed it for you in yours and their own best interest?”

“…Guilt,” I found myself barely whispering. “A lot of fu-… freaking guilt.”

“Guilt is just your conscience speaking, Ryker. It weighs only as much as you believe it to, but it is nothing more than words. A lesson to hear and learn from,” Sho replied in that calming, soft voice…

And maybe it was the way he explained it- or the comfort, unwaivering, lack of judgement in his own words that started to unexpectedly make my eyes sting a bit as I kept them closed.

“Forgiveness will never come without pain because it is a dissection of your wrongdoings… and yet it is the quickest path to finding inner peace, regardless of the pain it brings with it. Just like forgiveness from this friend protects their heart from further destruction… forgiveness for yourself is protection over your own heart, not an excuse for what you have done… Is it peace you wish for your friend?”

“Of course,” I found myself answering quickly, my eyes starting to sting a bit more, and my instinct told me to rub the tears out quickly… but I had rested my hands on my thighs, and just being here next to Sho made them feel stuck there. Like I could feel the stress start to ease through me, from my head down, seeping into the carpeted floor of this room. “That’s… that’s all I want for him right now.”

“And yet you cause suffering to this friend by denying him the right to forgive you,” he replied, his words cutting in deep. Really fucking deep, like he had pierced a knife right through my lungs, but what was spilling out wasn’t blood. More like he was creating a hole for me to breathe more freely through, but in the most painful way possible.

I didn’t know what to do or say anymore. My only saving grace was the fact that my eyes were closed. That I didn’t have to look into his while we spoke, because I think I was about a minute away from a breakdown.

“Do you yourself have the capacity to forgive others for their wrongdoings?” Sho asked me.

I took a while to answer, just thinking about that night again. About what I had said to Mickey in that kitchen of his on Tuesday.

That I wasn’t mad at my father.

“I-… yeah,” I finally answered quietly.

“And is it because they are only worthy of forgiveness… or because you deserve to rest?” Sho asked, making me fucking choke up a little as my thoughts remained on that horrible night in that shop. The pain my father had caused me.

“I… I don’t know…” I whispered.

“I think you do,” Sho replied, “And if you are able to forgive their wrongdoings to protect your own heart, then you do yourself great harm by not finding forgiveness for yourself in order to protect your own. You are both healing yourself and hurting yourself. Nourishing and poisoning your soul.”

At this point, the tears had more than just broken through the surface, but I let Sho continue, not wanting to interrupt him in any way.

“If peace is what you want, Ryker Parker, you must be willing to heal from within, and let go of that heavy guilt. You have determined your own wrongdoings, and others have already forgiven you… But that weight will not leave you until you learn to forgive yourself. That is the most painful truth there is,” this monk explained. “The most direct path to true, weightless happiness. There is no letting go of the suffering if you cannot bring yourself to travel past it. With every breath taken in this life, let it be a reminder that you are worthy of such tranquility and peace. You have earned that right simply by existing…”

I hadn’t meant to silently cry in that temple.

I couldn’t even remember the last time I actually cried like that. Maybe the night of Halloween, after arriving at The Brookside.

But Sho allowed me to sit with his words, and gave me privacy to cry, pulling Mickey away again for some time.

At some point, I had to force myself to get a fucking grip because this was my first date, and crying on it was an absolute batshit thing to do… but I felt damn near weightless when Mickey and Sho finally returned, and Sho instructed us to go get some tea and food.

Mickey seemed a bit… different, himself, once we slipped our shoes back on, said our goodbyes, and heading back outside. I had no idea how this morning would go… but Mickey taking me here had meant more than my dumbass could ever really put into words… so I just hugged him, right as soon as we were back out under the warm sun, and chill autumn breeze.

It was one aggressive ass hug, but I meant every last bit of it.

“Is-… is everything alright, Ryk-” he tried to get out after I pretty much slammed my head into his firm chest, making him stumble back a bit with me while his arms carefully wrapped around my waist.

“ Thank you ,“ I whispered against the soft material of his sweater, holding him even tighter. “Thank you… for bringing me here.”

It was the best I had in me, and I just hoped he felt that with this hug. That whatever shit I could say wouldn’t even scrape the surface of how I felt.

“Sho didn’t say some fuck shit to you, did he?” He whispered seriously, and I quickly shook my head no, right against him.

The monk’s words were biting, yet somehow still gentle. And I had never felt this calm- this weightless before. It was like that room, and that older man had slowly drained that weight out, removing quite literally whatever nerves I could have about being undeserving of just simply being here. About existing. Taking up any amount of space.

“Okay, good,” Mickey hugged me a bit tighter. I probably scared the living hell out of him in there. “What, um… what did that old fucker say then?”

In the interest of not doing some shit like crying again, I decided that I’d just table that conversation with Mickey for later. Crying in front of others wasn’t something I did easily, and more importantly, I still wanted to look somewhat sane for the rest of today. This had to be the strangest way to start a first date.

“I’ll… I’ll tell you later if that’s alright?” I asked, finally pulling away and getting it together. And this guy just nodded as he looked down at me. He was still worried, but he knew I’d be honest with him eventually. I promised him that I always would.

“Then why don’t we get some food and tea?” He asked gently, and nodded again, but definitely fucking hesitated when I saw him reach down for my hand.

I wasn’t sure if we could do that here. Pretty sure god would smite us down if we did this in a damn church.

“Is… is it okay if we-”

“Yes. We’re dating, and I just watched you silently cry in that damn temple. I’m holding your fucking hand, Ryker Parker,” Mickey snapped fast as hell, making me slowly smile as I let him take my hand. I had wanted to be open like this wherever we went, so it made me especially happy we could do this here.

Then I let him lead us to a different temple, a little walk away, to get something to eat and drink.

Mickey explained that all the food here was vegetarian, seasonal, and nutritious. Though I usually had some kind of meat in my food, I was still one hundred percent game to give this a try. And the experience we had when we entered another temple, removed our shoes, and joined a few monks on the floor for a meal, was seriously incredible.

We were walked through something the monks in here had referred to as eating meditation. What they served us was mushroom soup, explaining to us the importance of the local, seasonal harvest.

Mickey seemed used to all this… but I was absolutely captivated, not just enjoying the soup and the tea served, but the way the monks had me and this baker close our eyes for some of it, savouring the scents while genuinely appreciating the journey as they called it, to bring this meal to us.

It established a type of connectedness I had never really given a shit about with my food, and it made me understand why Mickey had always listed the nutritious benefits when he cooked. He took care to explain the prep work, and all the ingredients used.

Being here genuinely helped to understand this baker far more. And him relaxing here with me made me feel really fucking nice. Made me realize how little he actually relaxed.

After the meal, I remembered I still needed to take some photos. I wanted to be respectful of inside the temple and not take any photos while monks meditated, but there were areas outside to walk, sit, and meditate all over this place, and Mickey happily walked me around while I snapped some pictures of the building’s exterior structures, making sure to be respectful of the monks who strolled through along the walkways as well.

This baker then brought me to one particular outdoor temple-like thing so he could finally show me what I had been the most excited about before actually coming here. A painting on the ceiling of this outdoor, completely open temple, which was what Mickey had explained last week- the three poisons.

I almost forgot I was supposed to be taking a picture of it in the first damn place as we both stood directly under the massive piece of art painted into the dome ceiling, staring up at the rooster, the snake, and the pig, all eating each other in an endless cycle.

Mic had been right. That this was more beautiful in person than any photo on the internet.

He had kept my hand in his, holding me as close to his side as he could while we continued to stare up in silence. And I think that was what I was loving the most about this place.

Peaceful, and quiet.

Mickey didn’t force any conversation on me, or snap when I just nodded at him. He let me genuinely enjoy the first quiet place I had ever been, besides a library, where some monks actually practiced silence as a form of meditation while they walked, and Mic and I made sure to be completely respectful of it.

I couldn’t say for sure how much time passed while he and I walked around, but it felt like the sun was the highest in the sky when he finally turned to me and said, “There is another place I want to take you to start our actual first date. Would you like to stay here longer, or are you okay with leaving? The sun will be setting in a few hours.”

“We can leave,” I said, looking up at him. This might’ve been my first visit here, but I was hellbent on coming back.

“Perfect. Then let’s say our final goodbyes to the monks in the temple,” he replied, starting to guide me back down the long path I hadn’t even realized we had walked the full distance of, my hand still in his, and headed back towards the main temple.

“You know,” I told Mickey once I had pulled off my helmet right near his bike, “when you said we were heading to another location…” My words trailed off as I looked around the open field Mickey had pulled and parked his bike off a long strip of road, next to the nearest tree. “…this wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“Come on, Ryk,” this fucker said, tucking his helmet under his left arm before reaching for my hand with his right one.

I let this guy walk us down a shallow hill right into a completely open field, still appreciating the beauty out here… but it definitely felt like a final place right before I got fucking murdered or some shit.

And when he eventually let go of my hand and plopped himself down right in the middle of the open field, directly onto the green grass… I was hella fucking confused, just trying to go along with this weird ass man, and plopped myself down too, lying on my back as he did with the helmet resting beside me.

“Are we… just going to lie here then?” I couldn’t help but ask when I looked over to my left at him. Mickey just nodded, staring directly up at the bluest sky. There were only a few white clouds occupying it today.

“We spent most of the day just enjoying the temple. Now I want to hear some final thoughts, then I’ll take you to a spot near here for an early dinner.”

I just nodded, turning away from Mickey to stare up at the afternoon sky myself, collecting some thoughts to share, before I eventually said, “I think this is the most at peace I’ve ever fucking felt.”

I could see Mickey turn his head to me, but my gaze remained right up at the sky. If he wanted to lie here, then I guess that was what the fuck we were going to do for a little while.

“I’m happy you liked it,” I heard this baker say more quietly to me. “Care to share how the conversation with Sho went?”

I could feel this question coming from a mile away, and couldn’t help but chuckle softly as soon as he asked. “He just… he made me realize a few things about myself. More than just the intentional hurt I’ve caused in the past. Helped me feel more prepared to fix things with Izzy so I don’t continue to hurt him.”

Then I finally turned to look at Mickey again, and his gaze was much softer now, his eyes holding mine.

“Been doing a lot of avoiding. Lots of running. He made me realize that that won’t bring me stillness. Gave a good lesson on forgiveness- who it hurts when it’s avoided. Who it helps when it’s accepted.”

This hauntingly handsome guy slowly nodded at that. “Sorry he made you cry.”

“I was probably long overdue for that shit,” I countered in that same gentle voice of his. Then I turned my head back to the sky. “Should we play another questions game?”

“Sure,” Mickey nodded, finally looking back up, himself. “You can start.”

“Why… Why don’t you visit the temple more?” I asked softly. “You’ve never looked so calm before.”

“Difficult to answer,” he replied carefully. “I came here often with my mother and father. Then with my mum, once my father passed. Now, I guess it’s just a reminder of those memories. Stopped coming as much when my mum moved back to South Korea.”

I gave Mickey a slow nod, feeling how intentional he was with his words.

“Do I do enough to make you feel as worthy as you are to find some peace?” He asked me, making me turn to him again.

It was an unexpected question- one that didn’t require much thinking, as I nodded soon after. “You liking me at all after knowing what I’ve done has made me realize that I can’t actually change unless I forgive myself for my fuck ups. You’ve seen a lot of darker sides to me… and, well… you’re still here.”

Mickey gave me a gentle, warm smile at that.

“I… I have a tougher question I want to ask. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to,” I then told him.

“Do your worst, Ryker Parker,” he replied, that smile not leaving his lips. But I knew that it would drop pretty fucking soon.

“How did your father pass?”

And I was right. As soon as I said it, I watched his smile slowly fade before he turned back to look up at the sky. Then I expected a secret instead. I fully expected Mickey to dodge that question without a second thought, deciding that was too sensitive to get into… But he didn’t.

“He was… sick,” he answered more softly, making me unable to look away from him now. I wasn’t sure if he would let me break the rules to ask another, but I took a stab at it anyway. He’d just correct me if he decided I couldn’t.

“Like… like an illness?”

Mickey slowly nodded again, turning to me to say one word that put far more into perspective than I thought a single word ever fucking could. It single-handedly altered the way I viewed anything about him- all previous conversations and all future ones.

“Depression.”

Then we just lay here and stared at each other for a long fucking while, neither of us knowing what the hell to say next.

And I was about to say the only thing I could think of- only thing that came to mind… but Mickey cut in first.

“You’re going to apologize. I can see it all over your face. Don’t you fucking dare , Ryker Parker.”

He… well, he was right. I was … and so… well… I didn’t.

Instead, I said the next thing that came to mind, however fucking batshit it absolutely sounded right as I said it.

“You… can ask me two questions then. Since I asked two.”

And Mickey just stared at me another moment, before those full lips of his turned up into a warm smile and he released the lightest, softest fucking chuckle I’d ever heard from him.

Then he launched a whole goddamn torpedo at me with his next question.

“If your father was actually on his deathbed, poisoned from the decisions he’s made and unwilling to change, would you choose to save him if you could?”

And now it was my fucking turn to just stare over at him, unsure of how to even begin to fucking answer that.

••

44. That’s The Yeast I Could Do

Just a little transitional chapter because the next few are going to be hot, steamy, intense, all of it lol

Enjoy!

xoxo

Today was the first day I had genuinely enjoyed my time at this temple since my last visit here with my mother.

Getting to walk through the temple grounds, holding Ryk’s hand… I knew this visit wasn’t really the official start of our date today, and I for damn sure wanted Ryk to know that too because I could feel how uneasy he was about getting emotional in the main temple hall… but fuck it, nothing about us had ever been even remotely normal.

Not our conversations.

Not how we got together. Definitely not how we fucking got together.

Not even our first kiss.

So, according to me, this first date started right when I picked him up for the gym in the morning.

And I made sure he genuinely enjoyed his time at this temple. I wanted him to fall in love with this place as I had when I was younger… but after our time together, enjoying the eating meditation, and taking photos around the temple grounds for his class assignment, I knew I had one small stop to make before we headed to dinner, and I wanted to reach it while we still had daylight on our side.

Thing was, Ryk wasn’t expecting the short drive to the open field.

I wasn’t expecting us to enter another question game once we got there.

He sure as shit wasn’t expecting Sho’s lesson this morning, which he finally admitted to me as we lay on the grass- the art of forgiveness, which was something Sho had taught me as one of his many lessons when I was younger.

Then I-

I hadn’t-

I-…

I hadn’t been prepared to talk about my father.

And Ryk hadn’t been prepared to talk about his.

But I had been honest about mine, not willing to say much more about my father’s mental health or exactly what had happened that night fourteen years ago.

So now it was just the question of how honest Ryk would be with me about his.

“I-…” Ryk started, staring at me still. “I… I don’t… I don’t… know.”

… Shit . Not what I was hoping to hear.

“That’s okay,” I told Ryk in the most gentle voice still, not letting my own stresses shine through. “That counts as an answer. Don’t worry about a secret to compensate.”

And Ryk slowly nodded, giving me a faint smile. I know the question was phrased hypothetically, but after the conversation he had had with Dante and Sho- the one with Dante still being a secret- I had to push him a bit with asking that.

“Truth is… all I can forgive him for is what he did to me. If his past were to catch up with him, I’m not sure I can be the one to play god. He’d have to answer to others for that shit. But he’s also all I have left… so I- I just don’t know,” Ryk then explained further, surprising the hell out of me for his honesty.

I’d been more than ready to just move on, not willing to ruin this date over that fucking bastard… but he still trusted me to be honest with me, and that meant a shit ton in my eyes.

“That counts as two questions,” I told him with a genuine smile. “And nothing’s off the table after asking you something like that, so ask me anything.”

Ryk slowly nodded, but neither he nor I was paying any attention to the damn sky at this point. We were just lying here, our bodies inches away, and our heads turned to focus on each other.

“How often did you use to go to the temple with your mum?” He asked.

“Once a week on Saturdays,” I replied. “Around the time we went today. I say a lot of shit about those older monks, but they’re still family to me. They remind me most of my childhood, and I wanted to make sure you could meet them.”

“Can I ask one more question? I know it’s not how thi-”

“Yeah,” I replied, cutting him clean off. “Ask away.”

“Can you and I start going together?” Ryk asked a bit hesitantly. “If-… If you’re busy, it- it doesn’t ha-”

“Yeah,” I said in a quieter voice, quick as fuck. “We’ll start going together.”

And I’m sure the way I was looking at Ryk right now was anything but holy because his face was starting to get a bit redder. He had no idea what even asking that meant to me.

“My turn. How much do you miss working at your dad’s shop? Not working with your dad and his guys, but just the work itself?”

Ryk hastily nodded. “When I worked through the night, I was mostly alone, and it was really nice. Cleared my head a bit.”

I found myself steadily nodding at that, Ryk just confirming what I already knew.

“But I also like baking with you,” he added. “Cooking in general. That’s nice, too.”

… And that shit made me feel all the fucking things, forcing one immediate smile on my lips.

“Good answer,” I told this fucker, and he met my smile with a beautiful grin.

“My turn-”

“We’re actually going to switch things up this time, Ryk,” I interrupted.

“…How?” Ryk asked me.

“For the next thirty minutes, it will only be your turn to ask questions. You’ve been honest with me- seriously honest- and now I want to reward that honesty. Ask a question, and if I genuinely can’t answer, I’ll spill a secret.”

That made Ryk sit up so goddamn fast. “Seriously?” He asked, an excited glimmer in those beautiful doe-like eyes, while he made absolutely certain that I wasn’t bullshitting.

“Yes, seriously ,” I chuckled, looking up at him now. I swear he was so goddamn adorable sometimes. “Clock starts now, so stop wasting your time and start grilling me.”

“Okay, okay- shit- um… what made you join Fight Club?” This fucker rushed out quick as hell.

“Bullied a bit when I was younger. Jocks really did hate the smart kids. Wanted to bulk up after moving in with Ci,” I replied, watching this adorable fucker try to both process my words and think of his next question all at the same damn time.

“…Do you own a car?”

“Technically, no, X just knows a few guys that can get me a whip whenever I need it, and for however long I need it.”

“Okay, okay, okay… uh… How much money do you actually make a year?”

“My secret is I can break into pretty much anywhere, either with tools or tech.”

“ Shit ,“ Ryk muttered, clearly disappointed I had to dodge that one. “That’s dope as hell, though-”

“Time’s ticking, Ryk,” I reminded him with a light laugh. This might have been the most excited I had ever seen him, besides when I offered to get him tickets to RXX.

“What did you do for Xavier… that like made you two so close?” He asked, somewhat adapting to this lightning round.

“Got him out of facing a life sentence. Won’t elaborate further. That’s his business,” I replied, and Ryk’s eyes grew a bit larger, but he just quickly nodded, not ready to waste time.

“Okay, okay… uh… When exactly can we start having sex?”

…That shit had me choking on my damn spit, making me sit up a bit to clear my fucking throat. Jesus fuck , if Ryk was seriously nothing else, he was blunt. “Realistically, whenever you are ready, preferably once you’re fully physically healed, and definitely would be after we get tested. Condoms are always an option, but I have an appointment at the clinic on Monday, so it’s not a long wait.”

Ryk nodded quickly at all of that.

“Would you… like… like speak Korean while we… like-”

“Ryk, are all these questions just going to be sexual? I’m over here giving you a very rare opportunity to pry into my work life, and here you are, just horny .”

“Well, no, but like-… well, like, you know, it’s like our first date… and we haven’t… like it’s just felt like it’s been a while since we-”

“Don’t worry,” I grinned almost instantly at that hot as shit confession he was over here stumbling his way clumsily through, “I’ll take care of you tonight. Thoroughly . Now ask something else about me, or I’ll just think you want me for my impeccable build.”

“Okay, okay, uhh… how often are you actually home? Like days in a week.”

“About two to four right now,” I replied casually. “Wish it was more, but I already told you how to get me over there more. You just gotta be what I’m coming home to.”

And that successfully threw Ryk’s rapid-fire question off his game, turning his face multiple shades redder. But fuck it, it was true. Otherwise my nights were spent at the warehouse with X.

“O-Okay, hmm… what’s a sudden urge or desire you have that you’re ashamed of?” He asked, “Sexual or non-sexual,” he then added quickly, remembering what the fuck we literally just talked about.

“You get one ,” I replied. “Sexual or non-sexual. Choose, Ryk.”

“… Sexual,” he admitted in a quieter voice, making me cackle.

“ You horny fucker. I want to bend you over the kitchen island of Wilmoria’s and fuck your brains out. Next question.“

And that tripped Ryk up bad , just making me grin at how quickly he turned to face the sky. “O-Okay, uh… o-…okay, if you were offered like 1k to reveal the strangest thought you’ve ever had, what would you reveal?”

“That 1k is hilariously too fucking low. Next question.”

“…Seriously?” Ryk asked, turning back to me.

“Asking price would start at 10k easy. Next question, Ryk, you’ve got like fifteen minutes left.”

“Shit,” he mumbled more to himself. “Okay, um… what would be the prison sentence if you got caught up for the most illegal thing you’ve ever done?”

“Life sentence or death penalty, depending on the country I’m in, next question.”

“Wait… wait, wait , depending on the countr-”

“Not elaborating. Next question, Ryk.”

Ryk just stared over at me, but this was going to be one valuable lesson for this fucker on keeping time. “If… If you could send a message to yourself 10 years ago, but it could only be six words long… what would you say?”

“Sixteen, forty, nineteen, eight, eleven, twenty.”

“What’s that?” Ryk asked me, curious now.

“Winning jackpot lottery numbers nine years ago, next question,” I replied, making Ryk slowly smile over at me.

“If you had to live your life as the opposite gender, how do you think your life would change?”

I thought about that for about half a second, before saying, “I’d have a kid.”

And that perked Ryk up a bit more, still sitting up now while he looked down at me. “You… you want kids?”

“Not sure, but I do want to experience giving birth. Wanna see if I can handle the pain.”

And Ryk was dead fucking silent, staring, practically blurting these next words out about a minute later. “You’re by far the strangest fucking guy I’ve ever met.”

“I prefer memorable , Ryk, now next question. You got less than ten minutes left.”

“Motherfucker,” Ryk muttered, making me laugh. He was going to have to learn how to cut down on these pauses between questions. “If you could press a button to make me instantly amazing at one thing, what would it- wait- don’t answer that. Already know it’s math,” he then got out quick as shit, just cutting himself off.

“ Bingo ,“ I nodded, before adding, “rapid fire, Ryk, few minutes left on the clock. Tighten up the pace.”

“Okay, um… uh… If we wrote like a relationship advice book, what would be its most controversial tip?”

“The whole damn book’s getting banned in all book stores and fucking libraries. Next question.”

Ryker full-on laughed at that, but tried to reel it in so he could then eventually ask, “If you could instantly give us both a matching tattoo, what would it be and where?”

I just looked at this fucker with the straightest face and said, “We for damn sure aren’t doing that shit. Next question.. Two left, then you’re finito.”

Ryk pouted slightly, but moved on… and unfortunately I just found that cute enough that if he got into his begging bag about matching tattoos, I might fold somewhere down the fucking line.

“What’s the most random thought you’ve had… like about our future together?” He asked.

“I want to take you to my hometown in South Korea,” I told him, not missing a beat. Ryk turned whole body towards me at that shit.

“Seriously?” He asked.

I just nodded. “I love NYC, but you really gotta get the fuck out of here for a vacation. And I want to show you around where I was born. Have you try the most delicious, authentic food.”

“That-… really? “ He asked.

“Yes, really ,” I snapped at him. “But that’s for damn sure after you graduate. You aren’t leaving this country until you have a fucking diploma in your hand.”

“ Motherfucker ,“ Ryk grumbled, turning his body straight ahead again in this rich, green grass, and I couldn’t help but fucking chuckle. There was no way this shithead was going anywhere with me until he finished high school.

“This you forfeiting your last qu-”

“ No, no, no ,“ he rushed out quickly. “Not forfeiting. What’s, uh… what’s a question about our relationship you’re afraid to know the answer to?”

And ya know what, I did have to hand it to Ryk, because for this last question, I didn’t really have a rapid-fire response. It took me a second to think of something honest while his head turned back to look down at me with those alluring eyes of his.

“I’d say… I question whether this thing between us is strong enough right now to handle what I do besides baking,” I answered finally, remembering a bit of what Sho had told me this morning.

Ryker took a second, thinking to himself about that question. “Well… why don’t we test it?” He then asked. “I already told you that all I care about is you being mine. And I’m also still sitting here after you mentioned a life sentence to death penalty as the most serious potential charge, so…”

… Well…

This shithead had a point there.

“Alright then,” I replied, accepting that risk on a whim. “I’ll let you choose. We can either go get dinner, then head back to my place and table this conversation for the future… or I have a certain place that I can sho-”

“That one,” Ryk shot out quickly, cutting me right off. “Second one.”

“We’ll be late to dinner,” I told this fucker. “ And it’s your first dat-“

“Don’t give a shit. Secret location, hands down. We heading out now, or?”

That shit had me laughing straightaway, standing as yet another reminder that whatever this was- this relationship we were building on… it would never be conventional.

And I was a full-on addict at this point.

Ryk enjoyed the long ride back into the city, but I gave him my leather jacket to wear because we had sort of been outside for a while today, and I could tell he was feeling chilly.

This guy begged to get like five more questions in on the ride back, but I shot that shit down, reminding him why time management was oh so important. I had given him 30 minutes. No more, no less. And I also let him know that once we reached where we were heading, he could ask as many questions as he liked.

Didn’t mean I’d answer any of them, but he could ask.

He seemed content enough with that, though.

Since we were heading back into the inner city, I also had to figure out what I was going to pivot our dinner plans to. I didn’t want to take him somewhere crowded because I knew he wouldn’t like that. There was the option of me cooking at my place, but then I’d need X to drop a few things off, and he was going to be in and out tonight.

Plus, Xavier was handling far more important shit for me right now.

At some point, though, we were making it back to my place because it was now blatantly obvious that Ryk wanted to do something that involved a bed, as did I, and I wanted him to spend the night again so we could create some art together either tonight or tomorrow.

This was why I was never a fan of pivoting. Fucked up my whole structure.

As we rode, with Ryk taking in the views while music played through our helmets, I thought about whether it would be easier to order groceries to my place if X was busy. Wasn’t really a fan of that shit since I really valued my complete privacy, but I could always check with my lobby and see if I could order straight there. Not to my apartment.

That would be a last resort, though. First, it was trying to find a restaurant that this fucker with his arms wrapped tight around me would like, and we could just go there to eat.

Unfortunately, traffic was pretty clear today, which meant the ride was shorter than I was banking on, and as I pulled into the familiar, empty lot, Ryker cut in through the music to ask, “You… brought me to an abandoned warehouse?”

That shit had me laughing before I could stop myself.

“No, seriously, Mickey, this seems like a shitty place to die if you’re planning on murdering me or something.”

“Ryk, if I were trying to kill you, I think the open field made more fucking sense, wouldn’t you say?” I asked before pressing the button on my bike to open the garage door. I heard the familiar alert on my phone, still hooked up to my helmet, and waited for the door to open so I could pull my bike right on in.

“Then what are we-” Ryk started to say… but then he quickly shut the fuck up as the inside of the warehouse came into view. I pulled my baby in quick, and pressed the button to shut the door, hearing only three words out of this fucker once my foot kicked the kickstand out to balance my bike. “ You’re fucking joking. “

I removed my helmet next and shut my bike off first, waiting for Ryk to get himself off the damn thing, which he did so at a snail’s pace. Then I climbed off after.

“What-… what the fuck… is this place?”

My hand grabbed the helmet out of his before he dropped the thing out of clear shock, then I walked both over to the edge of the large wooden table, closer to the kitchen.

Luckily, the twins’ guns were already ghosted, back in their crate, tucked away in this building, and ready for pickup, so nothing was out and visible.

“This,” I then turned to lean against the table so I could face Ryk, “is where I work.”

Ryker slowly walked through, looking around, taking in the empty workshop space, the lounge area with couches in the back, the dining area we all used for work, then the stairs leading up to the loft, and, of course, the multiple TV monitors hanging there over the gated side.

Screens themselves were off, but cameras were running. They always were, with alerts hooked up to my phone for any movement around this place whatsoever.

“You… You…” was the best this beautiful devil got out, just making me chuckle a bit nervously. The inside of this place was nice, practically spotless since we hadn’t worked on any cars or bikes in here for a long while, but Ryk seemed to focus on the only thing that might’ve looked out of place from a regular, converted warehouse. “What are all of those?” he asked, gesturing to the six tv minitors hanging, all bunched right together in two perfect rows of three screens.

“Surveillance,” I replied once I turned back and looked up at where he was gesturing.

“How much damn surveillance does this place have? Need? “

“A lot. And a lot.”

“ Jesus , that had to be pricey,“ he blurted out, staring at the black screens.

“So so. It runs on a system I built out.”

Then Ryk’s gaze finally snapped to me, pushing him a bit out of his daze. “Built? Like you… Like you hung the cameras, monitors, and stuff?”

“No, you fucker, the system itself. The alerts, camera quality- specifically night vision, motion detection, trip signal, all that shit. I built the centralized hub that connects everything. Customized specs.”

“You… You … ? Like… you …?”

While I had no idea how Ryk was going to take all this… he was supriringly doing alright. I think.

“You get 30 more minutes to ask me whatever, and I’ll decide if I answer. Only question I’ve got is: you want a beer?”

Alcohol was probably going to help us get through this mess a little easier. I hoped.

And Ryk’s eyes remained wide as fucking shit… but he slowly nodded his head yes, so I pushed myself away from the table and headed towards the fridge.

••

45. Butter Late Than Never (M)

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/977c8f9914d345ed0d78375b83e1ad40e0032a85/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4b684f4470387871772d353930413d3d2d313630383338303232372e313839333061363331643061353131653734363133353738373535362e6a7067)               

“So you… this… all of this … you-”

“Yeah,” Mickey just nodded, taking a sip of his beer, leaning against the ledge of the table while he let me wander around aimlessly in circles through this whole goddamn, dimly lit warehouse. It was warm inside, though, and I was able to remove his leather jacket and place it on one of the chairs around the long table.

“How… h-how? “ I asked, taking a sip of the cold beer in my own hand now, just trying to take all this insane shit in.

“Took a few years. Put in time when I lived here. Had X finish up when I started college.”

The way this fucking baker was explaining this shit all casually was blowing me. Absolutely blowing me.

“How… like money-… like how did you…”

“I make a decent living.”

“Doing like… what exactly?”

“I take on projects. As a Fixer, I’m more or less a middleman. Right now, I’m working on some cybersecurity work. Can’t get into it-”

“What kinda clientele?” I asked, turning back to Mickey who was still casually leaning against the end of the table, watching as I internally lost it.

“Mostly legitimate these days. My earlier days were with more private, less… well, more private clients, “ Mickey held my gaze when he added, “my previous employer is more… private . Sometimes I still work on some minor projects for him, but I also can’t get into that.”

Well , I thought to myself… I genuinely thought Mickey was a drug dealer, not some fucking tech pro handling some secret fucking clients.

And unfortunately… I found this all far more sexy than him just being some drug dealer.

“You don’t deal drugs then-”

“No,” Mickey confirmed firmly. “From time to time, I ghost guns for those who might, which is like-”

“Making them untraceable,” I replied, having this damn baker’s- I really couldn’t even call him that anymore, I swear- eyebrows raise slightly. “But you… You have the space for a shop in here- you don’t like do what my dad-”

“No,” Mickey shook his head again. “We don’t move product through here at all. Shop is for personal use… but you had mentioned you missed what you did at your dad’s shop- fixing cars- so I just… well, this place is yours to use while I’m here. If you want to.”

“So… like, what kind of vehicles do you service? Like who owns them?”

“Me and my riding buddies. But new work might be coming down the pipeline soon. There’s a new street racer back in town, and she’s got some friends who need some work done from time to time. No stolen vehicles, just racers and car enthusiasts. I’d be doing the screening myself before anything makes it through that door, and this location will be masked before work is done to protect my privacy here.”

I found myself taking a few steps closer to Mickey. “So you… you showed me this place to-… to-…”

“You asked me if I was having fun doing what I do. Made me realize that I want you to have some fun in your life too. If you miss fixing things up, then I don’t mind getting a space set up here,” Mickey explained, and I took a few more steps forward, staring him dead fucking on.

He…

He had-

There… was no way this baker was offering me this… this place to-

I found myself reaching past him to set the beer bottle down on the table he was leaning against because I definitely needed both hands free for what the fuck I was about to do, against all reason or better judgment.

“But only a few hours on the weekend, school takes- Ryk, are you about to kiss me or kill me? Can’t tell anymore, but would like to prepare myself for either,” he whispered that part a little lower while I got right in front of this fucker, his intense, dark eyes staring down at me.

“Use that big brain of yours,” I muttered, before slowly raising my right knee up on his left side to pull myself onto this fucking table. And that was when Mickey’s breath fucking hitched, realizing the killing part sure as fuck wasn’t happening this late afternoon.

Then I raised my left knee over him, straddling the fuck out of this baker’s lap. He tried to set his beer back behind him with his left hand, but it had started slightly shaking, and he ended up knocking that shit over.

“Sh-Shi-” He muttered, looking back at the spilling liquid, yet my next few words cut whatever his were about to be, clean off.

“ Fucking leave it, Micah Jackson, “ I snapped. Both his hands reached for my thighs, trying to hold me against him as he pulled me down harder onto his lap. “In about two fucking seconds, I’m going to show you exactly how much I like this little gift of yours,” I whispered, feeling his heather breath hit my hungry lips just inches away as I held his intense gaze with my own goddamn intensity. “Any protes-”

I didn’t even get the rest of those words before this baker leaned forward, crashing his lips right into mine, claiming them with this shared, sudden hunger.

And I meant every word I said as I kissed this man hard. M y hands reached up instantly to tangle them into his perfect, dark, pin-straight hair, not giving a single damn that by the time they and I were through with this fucker, we were not going to be looking anywhere near dinner appropriate.

My lips moved against his soft ones greedily, pulling his full bottom lip between mine, and I could feel those strong, massive hands of his start to tighten on my damn thighs, yanking me in flush against his firm fucking body.

That first groan of his against my lips made me goddamn dizzy , but I didn’t give a fucking shit right now, this man underneath me had just turned me on in a way i couldn’t even describe, this shop being enough foreplay to drive me fucking mental.

“R-Ryk-” He groaned into this kiss.

“ Shut up, Mickey ,“ I whispered harshly, only separating this heated, escalating kiss for a goddamn milisecond… then he seemed to finally get the picture when his hands released some of that hold on my thighs and slid right back to my ass, gripping that shit firm as fuck through the material and rocking my lower body right into him.

My heartbeat was through the roof, but I just ignored it. I was not going to stop this on account of her.

I wanted my jeans off- I want his- I wanted all our clothes off, but right now what I wanted most was his dick back in my fucking mouth. And when my hands finally pulled away from the softness of his hair, and my tongue pushed past the entrance of his mouth, my hands quickly shot right down to the buckle of these damn faded jeans he was wearing.

Only issue was: this fucker and I were both givers when it came to this shit.

“Lock your fucking legs,” he snapped, growling against my mouth, and my body immediately complied before I could have a little chat with it as I tightened my thighs around his hips. That was when Mickey removed his hands from my ass, pulling them towards him, and immediately went for the top buttons of my jeans, moving faster than I could with this stupid- sexy , but still stupid, leather belt he was wearing.

I didn’t win this goddamn tug of war, and Mickey managed to shove his right hand inside, right past my jeans and briefs to my dick.

I was forced to break this kiss suddenly, as I tilted my head lower, panting while he started to fucking jerk me off under the tighter material.

“ Fuck I say about you receiving , Ryk? “ He snapped, his voice so rough it made my whole body shiver , and I no longer managed to focus my shakier hands on figuring out his belt. Instead, they shot right up to his chest, above the material of his soft sweater, and I gripped the thing tighter.

“M-Mic-” I tried to get out through this deep, gritty, unexpected pleasure. It had been days since I last came. Since he last made me. And my body was quickly remembering every single damn thing his hands were capable of. “W-W-Wait- I- h-hold-”

“Hold on, Ryk?” He whispered coarsely. “Why? You gonna cum this soon? You miss me- this this goddamn desperately?”

This-

This motherf-

This goddamn prick .

Mickey placed soft kisses on my forehead as he jerked me off, murmuring against my skin, “ Let’s see how long you fucking last .“

And that- shit , this fucking motherfucker

• that shit made me fucking tremble , my legs tightened around him more, but Mickey reched behind to hold me firm by my ass again with just his left hand, pulling the most intense, sudden orgasm right from my goddamn core, forcing my head right into the crook of his neck as I came all over his hand.

He had made me a shaky mess against him, as my eyes shut tight from this tightened intensity…

Yet I felt him continue those quick strokes, sending my whole goddamn body into the most heated unraveling.

But I started placing kisses on Mickey’s neck next, refusing to allow myself to go out like this. “ W-We’re not done, Micah ,“ I whispered, before releasing the tension of my thighs around him and forcing Mickey’s hands out of my jeans while I climbed off the table onto the floor, getting on my knees.

“R-Ry-”

“ Shut up ,“ I murmured, finishing the job of undoing that fucking belt, then unbottling his jeans and tugging that zipper down.

Mickey’s cock was already stretching the fabric of his jeans thin, just begging to be freed, and I all too willingly obliged with heavy pants while both Mickey’s hands gripped the living shit out of the edge of that table. And when his hard dick sprang free as I tugged the fabric of his jeans and briefs down a little, I looked up at him in this dim lighting.

Mickey’s breaths were fucking brutal, severe as shit in anticipation, and instead of sucking his goddamn soul out right away, I first slid my tongue past my lips, licking up what was leaking from his head.

“J-J-Jesus f-fuck-” Mic stuttered out, watching as intensely as he possibly could. This time around- my heartbeat still pounding in my ears from coming- I took a little more time, dragging my tongue up from his base to his tip, making the sexiest fucking moan cut through this damn baker as I tasted him.

Fuck, he smelled so fucking good, and my head already felt scrambled, but I only gave him a taste of just how tender I could’ve been… heavy on could’ve . Not a moment too soon later, I took all of him- every bit of his girth and length- into my mouth, and Mickey fucking moved the wooden table slightly back with him still leaning against it, releasing a groan that was making me hard as hell all over again.

“R-Ry-… Ryk, w-w-”

Not this fucker having the audacity to tell me to wait after the way he just made me cum .

It was a choice, but I definitely chose violence when I started to deepthroat him, pulling from Mic the most throaty groans as those sharp eyes of his intensified down at me, his mouth slightly opening to pull in more air.

I let his tip slam against the back of my throat, ignoring my gagging, and making damn fucking sure my lips made it right down to his base while my hands held his shaking thighs steady. Mickey was gripping the hell out that table still, probably not trusting his hands anywhere near my head…

But it was a sound I recognized past his groans that made me slowly release his cock from my lips. And that was the sound of a motorcycle I instantly recognized.

A Combat Motors Wraith.

“R-R-Ryk?” Mickey breathed out, still staring fiercely down at me. He had been about to cum, but-

“I-Is that… Xavier’s bike?” I asked up at him, watching realization soon overtake that tight look of sheer fucking pleasure that was just painted all over him.

Then he jutted out the word, “ Sh-Shit .“

“Sup Mic… and Ryker?” Xavier asked as soon as he entered from the regular door near the closed garage door.

“H-Hey X,” Mic replied, still somewhat breathless from everything that had occurred in the last five minutes before Xavier actually got off his bike and walked through that door.

We had both gotten our damn pants zipped up, buttoned, and Mic had managed to fix his belt buckle right as I heard Xavier’s bike pull right up to the garage door on the other side of it.

I managed to grab my surprisingly unspilt beer, taking a quick seat at the right side of the table as Mickey was now finishing cleaning up the one he spilled across the length of the table, and we both finally heard that door open, neither of us being able to fully slow our breathing while trying to hide the fact that we both were still hard.

Only saving fucking grace was the fact that my jeans were black, otherwise I wasn’t sure what the fuck I would’ve done about the sticky mess in them thanks to this fucker.

“Hi… Xavier,” I forced out this massive guy’s way with a slight smile.

Xavier looked a bit confused, but all he said was, “Change of plans, Mic?”

Mickey nodded, walking the beer-soaked paper towel over to the trash bin in the kitchen area of this place. He had pulled down the hem of his sweater to hide his boner better. “Last minute.”

Xavier nodded. “Same on my end. Step out for a quick smoke?”

And Mickey turned to look back at me, his sharp eyes giving me a once-over that forced me to avoid the complete fuck out of meeting his gaze, then he said, “Hang tight, Ryk. Be back in a bit.”

I gave him a short nod in return, only glancing up once he turned and followed Xavier back out through that door.

Then I released the shakiest of breaths I was holding in.

Jesus fuck , that was-

I mean… it was so unbelievably hot, but also nerve wracking as hell. My best guess, judging by how Mickey reacted so fast, was that fooling around in here like we were wasn’t exactly something that happened in this place a whole lot. Well, that and he probably wasn’t trying to scar Xavier for life.

Now that I was left here alone for a bit, however, I made sure my ass stayed planted right in this chair.

This place wasn’t like Mickey’s apartment. I sure as fuck wasn’t going to risk doing any snooping… and so instead, I just thought about what Mickey had offered as I looked back out to the space with those boxes of tools he had stored here for me.

No one had gifted me anything like this. A space of my own to do what I genuinely loved. Something I thought was lost for good when I left my dad’s shop.

It was just an empty space right now, with no equipment besides the tools I used for my car, but I could already see where a lift could go. There was honestly enough space for two inside here, but one would be enough.

If the customers Mickey talked about were anything like him and Xavier- like the bikes and car they owned- then I’d want to take it one vehicle at a time if I accepted what he was offering.

I wouldn’t be dealing with any beaters. Shit would be high-end and expensive.

Then I just thought about what Mickey had revealed about himself overall.

At least what he could.

His work was way more fucking advanced than I thought it was, even though I didn’t know the first damn thing about cybersecurity or anything beyond a standard surveillance camera. But this place felt a little too clean, which was why I didn’t dare snoop around.

Felt like things I shouldn’t be touching were already tucked away, fully out of sight, and for a reason.

The long, straight metal stairs leading up to another level did pique my interest, though. I couldn’t see what was up there, especially with the monitors blocking most of that caged rail, but I thought I saw some sort of metal door against the wall up there, just barely visible past the monitors. And that caged fence rail thing was just high enough to fit those two rows of three massive screens.

Against the back wall down here, on the left side opposite the loft, were three massive, deep leather couches, and a nice coffee table. Then there was what looked like a basic kitchen that honestly seemed almost brand new, not really touched much except maybe the coffee maker on the counter.

The kitchen was against the wall that the loft was on, accessible almost right as you walked in, to the right side.

Honestly, the only way this even remotely still looked like a warehouse was the cement floors and that large garage door Mickey had opened to ride his bike right in. Otherwise, it just looked like a converted hangout spot or something: clean, and with the bare minimum.

Well, except for a TV. Something told me Mickey wasn’t switching any of those screens hanging up there to a movie or some shit.

But if that baker wasn’t making it home each night, then I wondered if he was just sleeping on one of the couches? That seemed like one massive downgrade from how nice his bed was at his apartment, except I then remembered what Mickey had once said about being able to sleep anywhere.

And then I remembered how he had slept right near the couch I had woken up on in my own apartment when I was sick on Tuesday.

It reminded me of how a soldier slept honestly. Eyes rested but never fully in deep sleep. He had woken up almost instantly Tuesday morning, and when we shared a bed, I swear he just felt… restless. Like his body was constantly wired.

That was why I hated how perfect this dickhead’s complexion and skin were, with not a bag under his eyes in sight. At some point, I questioned whether he was on that white girl, but he seemed real fucking firm about not moving product through here, so I assumed he had genuine disgust for hard drugs in general.

It was just all so confusing.

Still, when I thought about it- about him bringing me here, and being as honest as he could with me… it made me a stupid, mushy, giddy fucking mess, putting a smile on my face that I couldn’t fully shake.

This had been the most memorable first date ever , even if I thought it started off crazy, with me getting so emotional at the Buddhist temple. What made me happy now was the genuine interest Mickey had in my own happiness, and I loved that shit so bad.

My gushy feelings were then interrupted by the two guys coming back inside, with me not really knowing how long they’d been gone for.

“Taking off in a sec, Mic,” Xavier told Mickey as he followed in behind the baker.

“Sounds good, X,” Mickey replied without looking back. He was walking towards me instead, eventually taking a seat beside me to my right while I watched him with a helplessly giddy smile on my lips. Then he turned to me and said in a lower voice, “I’m sorry, Ryk. Something came up, and I gotta do a bit of work tonight, but I can take you home fir-”

“Can I stay here with you?” I blurted out, desperately not wanting to leave this fucker or this place so soon. “I’ll stay out the way,” I added in a rush.

His eyes softened at me a moment, probably thinking. And I expected a firm no from him

because he probably had to work on shit I couldn’t know about… but then he surprised me by eventually nodding, turning his head toward Xavier who looked like he was starting on a pot of water for some coffee in the kitchen area. “X, how free is free tonight?”

Xavier didn’t look away from what he was doing when he replied, “Stopping by Eve’s. I can move the rest around. What you need, Mic?”

“Dinner,” Mickey answered. “Ryk and I haven’t eaten, but we’re flexible on time.”

Xavier nodded while he finished filling the coffee pot with water, and pulled some packets out of the drawers beside the sink. “Watchya feeling? Mustang’s at Eve’s, so I’ll switch out the whip.”

“Got it,” Mic nodded, before he turned to me and asked, “You craving anything?”

I quickly shook my head no, still stunned Mickey had actually agreed in the first place, and sure as fuck not about to start making any requests after that.

“You sure?” He asked.

I nodded my head yes this time. “Anything’s fine.”

“Alright,” Mic agreed, turning to Xavier again to say, “Let’s do Thai. My regular for Ryk and I but make it spicy, extra rice. Some beer, too, if you can. Fridge’s running low.”

“Got it, Mic. I’ll text you when I’m heading back. Reach out if you think of something else,” Xavier replied. “Coffee’ll be done soon.”

“Thanks, X,” this baker said genuinely.

“Anytime,” Xavier nodded.

Then Mickey turned back to me again.  “You sure about staying? Not much to do around here for you. I’ll just be working.”

But I nodded quick as fuck again. “This has been hands down the dopest first fucking date I’ve ever had… I don’t want it to end yet.”

And those words alone made Mickey’s soft lips pull up into a smile so warm it made my body completely forget the words cool and collected .

“Alright,” he said, standing up. “I’ll get started then.”

••

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46. Whipping Up Trouble

Enjoy, lovelies!

Probably a few more chapters coming in a few hours since it’s about to get messy

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

I had expected Ryk to lay one on me.

As in punch me in the face or something, after I gave him the most generalized run-down of what this warehouse was for.

And yet, instead, this fucker layed one on me alright… and did so much fucking more than that.

The kiss alone had been so insanely hot and unexpected, with me not understanding that switch in him until he was climbing up on this damn table and straddling my lap with his perfect thighs, placing his face just inches away from mine…

“In about two fucking seconds, I’m going to show you exactly how much I like this little gift of yours,” he whispered to me, turning me on fucking instantly from those words and that raspy, coarse voice alone. “Any protes-”

I didn’t even let him say anything else. If he did, I might just have to speed up the whole waiting process for sex, and I couldn’t even begin to get into why we sure as hell couldn’t do that shit here.

His full, incredibly soft lips were cold as ice from the chilled bottle of beer he’d been drinking, tasting like it while he didn’t hold back in the fucking slightest with this kiss , pulling my lips in by his.

I cared about the fact that I had spilled my beer for maybe all of one second, but when he told me to- when he demanded I leave it… that shit was left so fast.

“R-Ryk-” I groaned into this passionate kiss.

“ Shut up, Mickey ,“ He snapped back harshly, only separating this heated, escalating kiss for a nanosecond… and that was when I really released the reins a bit, wanting to touch the part of him that made my body damn near catch on fire. My hands slid right back to his perfect, soft ass, gripping that shit hard through his jeans so he could feel just how my body was reacting to him like this.

“Lock your fucking legs,” I snapped harshly against his full lips, and not a second later, his thighs tightened around my hips, pressing his hard cock against mine through the all too many clothes we were wearing. If we weren’t in this damn warehouse, he would’ve been naked already and on some kind of surface.

Only issue between this fucker and me, however, was that this shithead couldn’t just sit there and let me make him feel good, even though I told him to change that shit on his end because I wasn’t budging. So when his hands untangled themselves from my hair to drop down to my crotch fast, fumbling with my belt buckle, I was having none of it.

Luckily, Ryk was struggling a little with the clasp, and I had better access to him in just these jeans because he never wore a belt, which put us in an instant race on who would touch the other first, because if he reached for my stiff cock, I was done for… and I knew if I reached for his first, his brain sure as shit wasn’t going to manage getting this belt off in time before I made him cum.

That was when I forced myself to let go of his ass, and went for the top buttons of his jeans, moving much faster than he definitely was.

Ryk’s frustration was felt in this kiss when I managed to shove my right hand inside his jeans, tugging the band of his briefs with my fingers so I could touch this bare, already slick and sticky part of him. Right now, I definitely wasn’t thinking because after this, there was no restaurant we were heading to.

We were going straight the fuck home.

Ryk quickly pulled his lips from mine, moaning low while he tilted his head down to try and hide his face a little from me. I already knew he’d get like this as my fingers wrapped around him and started relentlessly stroking him, listening to every tight moan he couldn’t control. He made my heartbeat take a fucking backseat because he sounded far more than just sexy.

He sounded like he was begging for more than this, and I was already trying to work out how the hell I could do that today while still trying to do some romantic promised shit like dinner.

“ Fuck I say about you receiving , Ryk? “ I snapped at him, feeling him shiver hard against me. As suspected, he just said fuck it to figuring out my belt buckle. Instead, he reached up for my chest and gripped the material of my sweater hard.

“M-Mic-” he tried it, but I already knew what was coming next as I picked up the pace, and he coated my hand in more liquid leaking from him. “W-W-Wait- I- h-hold-”

“Hold on, Ryk?” I asked, almost chuckling at that because this goddamn demon definitely wasn’t about to grant me that luxury if he had gotten his hands on me first. I still vividly remembered how he was, kneeling between my legs with zero regard for whether he was about to give me irreparable heart issues. “Why?” I then asked. “You gonna cum this soon? You miss me- this this goddamn desperately? “

And yes, I realize that I was in fact teasing the damn devil himself… but I have to admit that I secretly loved how he got when I riled him up just a bit. Not admitting that shit aloud ever… but Ryk’s retaliation was the hottest, sexiest thing- the way he looked at me like he was going to drain me with that mouth of his after I made his body quiver in pleasure.

Toxic, perhaps… but so goddamn hot.

And so worth the lawyer fees because I would still be figuring out a way to sue for the brain-altering damage.

I found myself leaning forward towards his tilted down head, and placed a few soft kisses on his forehead as I continued to stroke him, whispering against the delicate skin there, “ Let’s see how long you fucking last .“

And almost like a chain reaction, his legs tightened around me more. I made sure to provide him more support so he wouldn’t for any reason fall back in this position when he came, and he was definitely on the brink of that shit now, so my left hand moved from his right hip and reached behind him to hold him on me by his ass, squeezing hard there.

The shit that rocked both him and me was the orgasm that ripped through him after about two more hard tugs on his cock, yanking that pleasure out of him as his cum squirted all over my hand and his briefs, him collapsing into the left side of my neck to avoid looking at me…

But I didn’t stop these quick strokes until I felt like he really couldn’t take much more. I wanted to completely drain him like how he felt all too comfortable doing with me on Tuesday night. I also wanted to make sure I delivered on how turned on and horny he had been through the day, craving this.

I didn’t expect just how fucking fast he came all over my hand, trying to eventually slow my relentless strokes when I knew we didn’t have much time here. I also knew this place had surveillance everywhere, making anything he and I did right now more work for me later, when I’d have to delete the footage from every server and backup server.

Only I and sometimes X had access to the recordings, but this was literally for no one else’s eyes but mine.

Yet his retaliation was quick as hell once I felt him start to kiss his way up and down my neck. “ W-We’re not done, Micah ,“ he muttered against the all too sensitive skin, then released the hold of his thighs around my hips and moved so quickly, it forced both my hands away from his body. I was a bit too stunned to stop him from climbing off this table and getting onto his knees.

“R-Ry-”

“ Shut up ,“ he whispered, no longer struggling with jack shit when he got my belt buckle undone, unclasped the button, and yanked down that zipper in pure determination, regardless of whether or not he had just cum.

I was already hard beyond fucking belief by this shit, and while my cock remembered just how fucking insane that mouth of Ryk’s was, I wasn’t physically nor mentally prepared for this shit right now. My hands reached back for the edge of the table to at least try to get myself ready for whatever he was about to do to me and my dick.

This fucker full on licked his swollen lips as he pulled my cock free, and I had no control over trying to regulate anything after that, remembering just how damn incredible those lips were when wrapped tight around my size.

It was easy to suspect that this asshole would just go right in like he had last time… so imagine the legal proceedings I was already drafting in my mind when he first slowly dragged that tongue up the length of me, licking the liquid coating the head of my throbbing cock.

“J-J-Jesus f-fuck-” I jutted out, debating whether I should just pull him away a sec so I could gather myself… but if my hands reached for his hair, I might just do the opposite, pulling him towards me instead and pushing my cock past his lips. So I settled on watching as intensely as all hell while my whole body ignored its survival instincts and begged for more.

There was just no way those eyes of his could look up at me like this. This hungry .

And he kept this torture going for a few seconds, which was a few seconds longer than I could fucking handle right now. Hell, I was trying to search for a new mantra to ground myself so I could last just a bit longer, but he just-

He looked so fucking seductive between my legs.

And he also looked like he was thoroughly enjoying snatching the hell out of my soul.

But when that torture was over… I didn’t know whether to be grateful or fucking terrified.

He suddenly took all of my length into his mouth, his gorgeous lips stretched thin around me, and my body jolted, my strength pushing the wooden table slightly back from how quickly that pleasure shot through me as I released the tightest, throat-damaging groan.

“R-Ry-… Ryk, w-w-” I tried to get out because this was too fucking much for me to chant some goddamn mantras for. Didn’t know how good I genuinely had it when he was licking my cock like a popsicle until this shit.

When he started deepthroating me, gagging on my cock and making my throat a sore mess from the intensity of my groans, all I could do was look down and watch because Ryk’s eyes were locked up at mine, making damn sure I was witnessing all of this shit. There was no rhyme or reason to my breathing anymore- only objective was not dying at this point.

His hands were gripping my thighs, relying on only that mouth of his again, and that shit was making my body start to shake, just watching his mouth do all the work with him on his knees.

He was going to make me cum, and I had nothing left to prevent it. This fucker was just too much- my body couldn’t control how he touched and sucked on parts of it that made me debate some insane shit- made me fantasize about some insaner shit.

So imagine my fucking surprise when I was about one second from shooting my load deep into that pretty little mouth of his… only for him to slowly pull away, releasing my tense, throbbing cock.

At this point, my mind was hazy as I tried to figure out what had happened or if something was wrong. Ryk looked like he had been enjoying himself, watching me turn to literal dust from this blowjob, so I forced myself to regain some fucking control so I could check in. I wasn’t sure if this was too much or something.

“R-R-Ryk?” I attempted some steadier breaths as I kept my gaze on his, not sure what I was expecting, but willing to pivot if he didn’t want to do this anymore.

His next words, however, damn near gave me a heart attack.

“I-Is that… Xavier’s bike?” He asked, still looking up at me with his lips wet and my cock leaking onto the floor. And when I finally heard what he heard, which took me aback because Ryk had clocked the sound so damn fast, only one word fell past my lips that could encompass this whole goddamn mess.

Him on his knees. Me with my cock out.

That word was, “ Sh-Shit .“

Xavier stopping by was far from out of the ordinary, but me being here today wasn’t in the plans. And he and I usually stuck to the plans, communicating once anything changed so we were both on the same page.

I had told him that I’d be out with Ryk all day, then he’d come back to my place… so the surprised, but more so confused, look on his face was absolutely warranted.

Especially because Ryker was here. I hadn’t told X that I was ready to bring him by. And, well, I hadn’t been fucking ready until literally this afternoon, while we were both out on that field.

Xavier called me out for a cig a second later just so he could confirm a few things, and i had no choice but to comply…

“So Ryker, huh,” he said, taking a hit from his cig.

“Wasn’t in the plans. I know,” I replied, taking a hit of mine. The cool air felt nice, but the sun was setting quick, which meant I had to figure out dinner for me and that fucker soon. I might’ve still had some authentic ramen packs at home, but I wasn’t sure.

“Not mad at it. Just stopping by to drop some cash off, but I’ll do it later since he’s around,” X explained. I nodded, appreciating it. “You tell him everything?”

“Some things,” I clarified. “Nothing bout the twins. We were just passing through here before dinner.”

X nodded. “Was gonna run this by you later, but parameters were slightly updated to the framework.”

“Not happening,” I said quickly.

“Negotiated additional 20k,” X countered, making me turn to look up at him. Then I had to sit with that for a sec.

“Anything complicated?” I asked.

“Night’s work for you, but I didn’t tell them that,” he replied. “Next project is set for Monday, though, so I suggest you get it done quick for the easy payout. You’ll like the next thing I got much better.”

“Not available tomorrow,” I told this big guy seriously. “Plans with Ryk back at mine.”

X took another hit from his cig, breathing in deeply, then let out the clouded smoke before he countered again with, “You’re here now, Mic.”

“X,” I sighed, “It’s Ryk’s first date with me. I’m not ditching him to work on this shit.”

“You tell him bout the work for him here?” He asked, turning to me. I nodded. “If you see this project through tonight, I can get started on the build in here ASAP. Money’s already cleaned for this job, no extra shit to handle on our end.”

Then I really had to sit with that one a second as I took another hit. Decent money for a night’s work, and no extra steps on the pay was always a good thing. And it did mean that Xavier could move quickly on the equipment and parts Ryk wanted in-house.

“Renegotiate 40k, and I’ll finish it tonight. Tell them the extra charge is for expedited services and last-minute changes. Only timeframe we’ll entertain,” I said finally. “Send over new parameters if you haven’t already.”

“Done,” Xavier confirmed. “And already done. Want me to drop Ryk home?”

I thought about that a sec, before I slowly shook my head no. “First date. Sounds wrong if I don’t drop him off.”

X slowly nodded. “Agreed, honestly. Best you do it.”

Then we both finished up our cigs quick and headed back inside.

I was trying to think of a way to tell Ryk I’d have to cut today short, while X let me know he was heading out soon. He didn’t mention anything about his work because Ryk was here, but I also assumed he’d probably be stopping by to see Eve. He liked to switch out his rides there, mostly leaving his Mustang with her so she didn’t have to take the bus if she needed to go far.

Xavier already knew to get that pot of coffee started because tonight would be a long one, so that’s what he did, and once I decided best case scenario was just straight honesty with Ryk, I went ahead and grabbed a seat next to him to explain myself a little. He had a small smile on his face while those doe-like eyes found mine, which made this even harder for me to do.

Telling him I had to work.

He just seemed so genuinely happy. I didn’t want to see that smile falter in the slightest, even though I knew what I was going to say next was going to make it.

“I’m sorry, Ryk,” I sighed, speaking to him more quietly. “Something came up and I gotta do a bit of work tonight, but I can take you home fir-”

“Can I stay here with you?” he cut in so fucking fast, blurting those words out. “I’ll stay out the way,” he then added quickly.

That threw me way off- his sense of urgency in his tone- but my eyes still softened while I genuinely thought about his clearly impassioned ask.

The work tonight was relatively clean and straightforward. Plus, Ryker wouldn’t understand any of what I was doing anyway- fucker barely understood math. Then I had that feeling of not wanting him to leave me just yet.

Wasn’t the most ecstatic about him being here with me, but I still wanted him with me a little longer.

So I eventually found myself nodding to this fucker, agreeing with myself that I could take him home later tonight or first thing tomorrow morning, whatever he preferred. Our only issue now was what we were going to eat, and that was when I turned my head to Xavier. “X, how free is free tonight?”

Xavier didn’t look away from what he was doing when he replied, “Stopping by Eve’s. I can move the rest around. What you need, Mic?”

“Dinner,” I replied. “Ryk and I haven’t eaten, but we’re flexible on time.” There were some snacks around here to hold us over if dinner had to be later.

Xavier nodded, still working on the coffee. “Watchya feeling? Mustang’s at Eve’s, so I’ll switch out the whip.”

“Got it,” I nodded, confirming what I already expected. Then I turned back to look at Ryk and asked him, “You craving anything?” Considering I hadn’t even worked out where we were heading for dinner before he quite literally pounced on me, I was game for whatever Ryk was.

But he quickly shook his head no, making this tougher. Honestly, I was banking on him having a suggestion.

“You sure?” I asked, trying to squeeze at least something out of this fucker…

Yet he just nodded, saying, “Anything’s fine.”

Great .

Best option was just something easy and fast then. Didn’t want to complicate shit for X.

“Alright,” I agreed, then turned back to Xavier again. “Let’s do Thai. My regular for Ryk and I but make it spicy, extra rice.” Then I remembered our stock on beer when I grabbed some a little while earlier for me and Ryk. “Some beer, too, if you can. Fridge’s running low.”

“Got it, Mic,” Xavier was quick with. “I’ll text you when I’m heading back. Reach out if you think of something else. Coffee’ll be done soon.”

“Thanks, X,” I told him genuinely, even though the beer was definitely more for him and maybe Ryker than it was for me. I’d be working pretty much sober, like I usually did, depending on the extent of the new parameters.

“Anytime,” Xavier nodded.

Because I knew it was going to be boring as shit while I worked, I made sure to confirm these new plans with Ryk. “You sure about staying? Not much to do around here for you. I’ll just be working.”

But he nodded quickly yet again, looking more excited than I honestly expected, and just making me appreciate his flexibility for what should’ve been our day together.

“This has been hands down the dopest first fucking date I’ve ever had…” he said more quietly, just yanking on my damn heartstrings with that one and successfully silencing my doubts on how horribly I was fucking this all up. “I don’t want it to end yet.”

I couldn’t help but smile down at him. He was too fucking perfect, I swear to god.

“Alright,” I replied as I stood to get my laptop from the back room. “I’ll get started then.”

“So you have to edit some of this coding stuff?” Ryk asked, sitting beside me now while I typed away.

He promised I wouldn’t even know he was here… but this fucker got curious after like thirty minutes of me pulling up this project, and honestly, I didn’t mind it. I liked him here at my side with that chatterbox for a mouth he had on him.

We were now about two and a half hours into my work, with the time running closer to 8 PM, but X had already texted me saying dinner would be here by 8:30 PM, and I had already gotten Ryk and me some Tteokbokki snacks I always kept here, to hold us over a little longer.

“Yeah. X negotiated a higher price for the updates here, but I want it done by tonight.”

“How come?” Ryk asked.

“I promised you an art day this weekend, didn’t I?” I reminded this shithead, turning to him slightly. And when some slight pink flushed his ears, I had to force my eyes back on this damn computer screen. Even if that rasp in his voice drove me absolutely crazy, just looking at him right now when I was trying to focus was a losing game.

“So… we’re doing that tomorrow?” He asked. I nodded, still working away.

“Art and finalizing your recipe, Ryk. Only got four days before it’s due, and you still haven’t chosen your specialty item,” I reminded this dipshit. “You’ve been brainstorming this week, though, right? We’ve tested quite a few flavors already.”

Ryk nodded from beside me. “I… I actually have a pairing I want to try. But I think we might need to buy an ingredient for it. I saw it at the Korean market when you and I were there, and since I get my paycheck Monday, I can pay-”

“We’ll go tomorrow, and I’ll buy it,” I said firmly, cutting whatever bullshit he was about to say, clean off. I didn’t give a damn when he got paid. “You can just buy me something nice when you wipe the floor with Arlo’s face.”

And that made Ryk chuckle, as he slowly nodded again.

“I’m expecting something special for my Secret Santa gift, remember?” I asked him.

“You don’t even know who I have,” Ryk argued, making me turn my head to him with a sly grin playing on my lips.

“I know who everyone has.”

Ryk’s eyes grew wider at that. “But it’s-… isn’t it like… a secret?”

“To everyone else, yes. But I worked it out this week already,” I explained.

“How did you… How? “

“Secret, Ryk. All that matters is you have me,” I somewhat lied.

Technically, that wasn’t all that mattered, but I had already done my absolute best to try and wager anything I could with the person who had Ryk, attempting to switch who I had with them, and their ass wasn’t budging. So I was stuck with my pick.

“You… You really are-”

“Incredible?” I cut in.

“ Insane ,“ Ryk corrected quick as hell.

That made me chuckle as I returned to the computer screen again. “Just because I worked it out doesn’t mean I can’t let people have some fun for the holidays. And no, I didn’t rig anything, that pick was all you, and I’m also not telling you who anyone else has, so don’t bother asking.”

Ryk remained quiet for a little while at that, but I could see a stellar smile forming on those lips of his as he looked down at his lap.

“Don’t spend a lot, though,” I clarified, sensing that Ryker probably felt somewhat pressured to spend more now than ever. “I like something with sentimental value far more than something you can throw money at. I’m just excited to see how well you’ve been listening with all those damn questions you’ve asked me.”

Truth was, I was feeling the fucking heat trying to work out what I was getting this shithead in general, even though I had some time left before Christmas.

I didn’t want to throw money at Ryk’s gift, either. He probably thought this warehouse was more than enough just by my offer… but I wanted to get him something that meant a lot to him- something that encompassed just how much he meant to me.

Christmas might’ve been a fuck ass holiday, but I could see myself coming around, knowing I’d be spending it with the fucker sitting right beside me now.

Then I was also stressed out because, seriously, whose favourite holiday is New Year’s? Like I didn’t even know how I could go about making that special besides the obvious kiss we’d be sharing at midnight, the champagne I guess I was now going to be purchasing, and the magazines I’d have to get my hands on for his damn vision board.

Other than that, Ryk now had me thinking about maybe a meal I could make… and that was about it.

I knew he wouldn’t want to watch the ball drop in Times Square because that would be way too crowded. There was no such thing as personal space for that event.

The cafe staff didn’t really do anything since we went so damn hard for Christmas, so Ci just let us all take a breather, closing early on New Year’s Eve and obviously closed on New Year’s Day.

Eve stayed home with Xavier and her cat. She’d sooner die than open up her space to literally anyone else, and X was probably pushing it as is.

Ci took the day to pamper herself at home, watching the ball drop on her TV the night before.

Arlo hosted a party at his, with some guys from Fight Club coming over to celebrate, but I spared him that one day of the year and let him enjoy it without me, even though his wife forced him to invite me every year.

Trin did stuff with her college friends, and I stayed the farthest away from that drunk shitfest.

Then I usually just sort of worked. Didn’t really have to, but it had always been a throwaway kind of holiday for me up until now.

Up until this year.

Up until Ryk admitted he liked it best.

I thought about maybe getting a nice hotel in the cities if it was an option, because while I would’ve loved to take a trip out of New York with him, Ryker had to finish school first. That was a firm rule for me right now. And camping might’ve been an option if it wasn’t so damn cold this time of year.

What I really wanted was to be alone with Ryk that night. Not because I wanted to pull him away from something like a party at Arlo’s, but because we were now going to be spending a whole night at the cabin with the staff for our holiday party, and I didn’t feel like seeing any of them fuckers two holidays in a row.

The only thing I might entertain was us going to Ci’s on New Year’s Day for a little at-home spa day, but we’d test-run how he liked being at Ci’s on Thanksgiving and go from there.

Ryk was surprisingly engaged while he watched me work… but that honest bone in him refused to hold his words back when he finally blurted out, “you look like an old man in those glasses.”

That made me snap my head over at him fast as hell.

“I beg your finest fucking pardon, Ryk?” I asked this shithead.

And realization of what the hell he just said quickly swept over his face, making his ears turn a brighter red.

“I just… I mean, like, they sit lower on the bridge of your nose, and when you look at me, you look at me over the frames, same when you look straight ahead every little while to think or something.”

I swear to god this fucker was so fucking lucky he was so cute. Because that mouth of his-

Then the image of him on his knees, sucking me off, slammed right into the side of my head, and I had to immediately force it out when I felt myself getting hard again.

“Ryk,” I sighed, simply closing my eyes a second to get myself together before I told him we were either taking this outside or to the bed upstairs. “These glasses have lenses that protect my eyes while I work with screens. Sometimes I’m at my computer for over twenty-four hours straight.”

“ Really? “ Ryk asked suddenly.

“Yes, really , you asshole . And second, I’m not looking up from my screen deep in thought. I’m practicing the 20-20 rule. 20 minutes looking at the computer, 20 seconds looking at something about twenty feet away. Helps with eye fatigue,” I added.

“Oh-… That’s what that is?” This fucker asked again.

“Yes. Now the fact that you just said I look like an old ass fu-” I started, but the sound of my phone vibrating on the table had stopped me from the scolding I was about to deliver to Ryk, and when I saw it was X, I picked it up immediately. “What’s up?

“Heads up, Mic. Just ran into Niki and Mori minutes from the warehouse. Mor’s still on his bike, heading in, but Niki’s in my Mustang. He damn near fell off Mori’s bike- fucker’s drunk and needs a patch up. Probably stitches. He’s bleeding all over my goddamn leather seats.”

I remained silent for a second or two, processing what X had just said…

Then the first word out of my mouth right after was, “ Motherfucker .“

••

47. He’s No Angel Food Cake

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

“Ryk?” Mickey said as soon as he got off the phone and set it back on the table, “In a few minutes, you’re to meet a couple more guys. Listen very closely while I lay down some clear rules you have to follow.”

I gave him a nod, listening, but more specifically listening to the slight panic in his tone.

“If they ask who you are, just say your name’s Ryk, and you work at Wilmoria’s with me. Nothing more, nothing less.”

That made my eyebrows crease a bit in confusion, but Mickey was turned directly to me in his chair, drilling me like a goddamn soldier , so I just shut the fuck up and listened.

“One of them is injured, so I’ll have to help him out. If… if the blo- if you don’t want to see that, you can head upstairs now and rest on my bed, just make sure you take your shoes off at the top of the steps because I like to keep that area clean, got it?”

I quickly nodded, digesting the fact that Mickey had a whole bed up there.

Then that did nothing but remind me of what we had done a few hours ago- how my briefs were still a sticky mess in these jeans because of him.

Don’t get fucking hard, Ryk. Now is not the fucking time.

“I want you up there, but if you feel saf- if you feel more comfortable at my side-”

“I want to stay by you,” I told him firmly. It wasn’t because I was scared. Moreso because I was way too curious for my own good.

Mickey slowly nodded. “They’ll be blood, fair war-”

“That’s fine,” I told him. Blood was probably the lowest on the list of shit that scared me at this point.

Mickey paused a moment, before slowly nodding his head again. “Alright. I’ll control the conversation for the most part, so don’t say anything besides that your name’s Ryk and you work at Wilmoria’s. Xavier will also be back in his car with dinner, so if you want, you can head over to one of the couches and start eating, alright?”

I nodded again, watching as Mickey stood to go grab something from one of the cabinets in the kitchen area, while I just waited for the familiar sound of Xavier’s Mustang.

Mickey cleared everything off the table except the almost-finished beer bottle in front of me, placed his laptop on the coffee table where the couches were, then started laying out medical supplies from the kit he got from the kitchen right onto the cleared table.

Only about five minutes passed before I heard that Mustang and another bike pulling up, the main garage door slowly raising so both the bike and the car could pull in on either side of Mickey’s parked bike.

The guy on the all-black bike- an expensive ass MTT- was first to kill his engine and get off before he walked around to the passenger side of Xavier’s Mustang, which was now a midnight blue. The man with the helmet was in all black- a black leather jacket and riding gloves, black undershirt, black jeans, and black boots… and he quite literally yanked another guy right out of the car, pulling him up by the tight grip he had when he reached inside the Mustang and snatched that shirt collar.

It was easy to tell that the one getting out of Xavier’s Mustang was the one who was injured just by the blood I saw covering his right hand, even though he was also wearing a black shirt and black jeans that masked the blood stains.

It looked like there was a tear in his shirt on his left side, but I couldn’t be too sure until they got closer.

Xavier got out on the driver’s side, looking irritated as fuck and not bothering to help the other two as he grabbed some things from the back of his sweet ride. Whatever had happened here had straight pissed the big guy right off.

I watched the one with the helmet on help the guy who was stumbling walk inside the rest of the way while the garage door lowered again to a close.

“ The fuck- “ Mickey spoke up first, looking at the two approaching us. He was starting to move the medical supplies over some to make room closer to the edge of the table, then he started pulling on some latex gloves. “Put him down here. Then explain to me why the actual hell he’s this drunk this early on a Saturday.”

The guy still holding this other one up all but threw him onto the table, muttering harshly, “ Get the fuck off me, Niki , and sit down. It’s just a cut, not a goddamn bullet hole.“

I was a bit taken aback by… well, everything playing out right in front of me.

The roughness in the guy wearing the helmet’s tone. The way he was manhandling the hell out of the other guy who was injured…

But I sat here, shut the fuck up, drank my beer, and tried not to look like I was minding the complete fuck out of Mickey’s business. The guy- the drunk and injured one- who was holding the left side of his slender waist now, hissed in pain as he got situated sitting at the end of this table, facing Mickey, while this baker still sat on the chair to the right of me, closest to the warehouse entrance.

The mysterious, bloody man was seriously fucking hot. Jet-black hair, sharp hazel eyes- although they gave me a bit of an eerie feeling, like there wasn’t much of a soul behind them- a silver septum ring, small, black gauged ear piercings, and the chiseled face of a rugged model, with visible neck tattoos covering all of his neck up to his jawline.

He had a large streak of blood on his right cheek, but it didn’t look like a cut was there. More like he touched his face with his bloody right hand, smearing the dark liquid on his slightly tanned skin.

Then the guy who pretty much dumped this one on the table finally removed that black helmet, tucking it under his left arm, and my eyes grew wide as shit.

These two were identical twins.

Right down to the piercings and tattoos.

Right down to those beautiful but dead-looking eyes.

“Niki and I have an early morning, so he started drinking early. He drunkenly started some shit with another drunk bastard outside of Pat’s when he stepped out for a smoke and got himself sliced up,” the non-injured twin said.

Xavier seemed to be ignoring all of this as he brought bags of takeout and a case of beer into the kitchen, setting everything on the counter. Then he opened up that case and grabbed himself a bottle of beer before walking back over and taking a seat directly across from me.

He seemed absolutely irritated, but I just felt more comfortable having someone else I recognized here.

Niki, I guess his name was- the injured one- was definitely drunk, swaying a bit as he sat on the table while Mickey started to cut his shirt open with scissors he grabbed from the medical kit.

“The fuck, Mic, this is Dior!” Niki yelled suddenly, his face switching in an instant to pure rage as he did something that did actually scare me.

He bent down a bit and swung on Mickey with his bloody hand, connecting his right fist to the left side of Mickey’s jaw for one hard hit.

The impact made me jump a bit, but as my gaze landed on Mickey, there wasn’t a shred of fear in his eyes. Instead, I could see genuine fucking anger pass through his dark eyes as he stilled his scissors.

“Mic-” I started to say, wanting to check in and make sure that he was alright as I felt worry creep up at the tense nature of all of this…

But I didn’t get the chance to because the non-injured brother muttered something under his breath before reaching up and snatching his brother by the top of his head, his fingers locking in tight on the strands of jet-black hair. I mean, he snatched that motherfucker aggressively as all hell, making Niki’s eyes grow wider… then yanked down hard and slammed his brother’s head back on the wooden table away from Mickey, knocking him out instantly.

I flinched when I heard the impact of his head hitting the wood, but man did I shut my fucking mouth up again, not uttering a single fucking word.

Xavier seemed even more irritated, looking down at the injured guy passed out on this table, but didn’t flinch an inch, and neither did Mickey. Hell, this baker just returned to cutting a straight line up this now unconscious guy’s shirt, while the still conscious brother casually took a seat right by Xavier, right at the top of his brother’s head, and bent down to whisper something to him in a language I didn’t recognize.

“ Svegliati, ti sparo una pallottola in testa, caro fratello .“

I was so goddamn confused it wasn’t even funny. I mean obviously these two were brothers, but… damn . And this still-conscious brother did all that in like .2 seconds, just knocking his brother out after he swung on Mickey.

“Sorry, Mic,” the conscious brother said, but he didn’t look up. Instead, he reached into the inner pocket of his leather jacket and pulled something out.

A thick white envelope.

“He does that shit again, and I’ll put a goddamn bullet in his head myself, Mori,” Mickey hissed, standing to finish cutting open the shirt. I could see a nasty cut on the left side of Niki’s exposed stomach- chiseled abs, really, but Mickey seemed unfazed by it. He just started cleaning the wound with a large alcohol wipe from the kit.

And while he was doing that, Mori, I guess his name was, began pulling out a few hundred bills from the envelope, holding them out with his right hand to Xavier. “Car detailing. For the blood.”

My eyes got even larger at the amount in his hand… but Xavier just turned his head to look down at the cash, then up at Mori again, and said, “ Custom fucking flooring , Mor.“

And the brother, Mori, didn’t bat an eye at Xavier’s irritated comment. He just reached back into that envelope to pull out a hell of a lot more hundreds, then passed the stack of cash to Xavier, who nodded, accepting the new amount.

“Beer?” Mori then asked, turning to Mickey, who was now opening up packaging for a needle. I didn’t think my eyes could get any wider at this point, but I think I was finally starting to understand why Mickey wasn’t as disgusted by my bruises as I thought he’d be.

He was genuinely about to sew this unconscious motherfucker up.

“Fridge. Put the rest in,” Mickey told Mori, who nodded and then stood, heading towards the kitchen to put the case Xavier brought in, in the fridge, before he grabbed two loose bottles that were already in there.

Must’ve been a real rough night , I couldn’t help but think since he was starting off with two… until he walked over with long strides, right past his chair, around the table on Xavier’s side,  and headed directly towards me.

I stared up into his dead-looking hazel eyes as he cracked the first bottle open with his teeth and set it next to my almost empty one. “You’re running low,” was all he said before he opened the second one the same way and returned to his seat.

Mickey let out a slight sigh, gesturing with the needle in his hand my way. “This is Ryk. Works at the bakery with me. Ryk, this is Mori. Guy unconscious on the table is Niki.”

“Nice to meet you, Ryk,” Mori said with a slight smile, tipping his beer in my direction. I just slowly nodded, unsure of what the fuck I was supposed to say… but then decided to pick up the almost finished bottle and clear it quick, set that back on the table, picked up the fresh one, and tipped it his way before taking a sip.

After everything I just saw, Mickey’s pep talk about shutting the hell up wasn’t even needed.

“He’s cute, Mic,” Mori then said once he turned to Mickey, and Mickey gave him one cold look while he got the needle and stitches ready to start sewing this gash up. “Sorry, sorry, I’ll stop. Can’t help but tease a little, though. You don’t bring new guys around.”

“He’s my business,” this baker replied. “And my place, my business.”

“Don’t be pissed, Mic. I’ll make sure Nik makes this up to you in the morning. Didn’t mean to intrude on you two lovers.”

“I want you both out before the sun’s up,” Mickey snapped, leaning forward slightly over the table to start stitching the wound, and Mori simply nodded.

“We’ll be gone before then. I’ll let you know when we’re back in town,” this twin then said, and  Mickey nodded this time. “First, I need to find a shop. My bike’s been acting up, and this dumbass bastard right here almost made me crash tryna bring him to you.” The guy took another sip of his beer before gesturing to his still unconscious brother.

I couldn’t tell what the hell the dynamic between these two brothers was… but it looked like one serious love-hate relationship.

“Been thinking of just switching her out,” Mori added, and that made Mickey glance up at him.

“To what? You love that thing.”

“Eh. Something fast still. MV Agusta’s look slick,” Mori replied.

“Nothing faster than an MTT,” I whispered without fucking thinking the fuck at all. And considering you could probably hear a pin drop in this warehouse right now, all three guys looked over at me, with Mickey snapping his head my way the fastest. “Shit. Sorry,” I mumbled quietly to him.

“You know your way around bikes,” Mori said. It wasn’t a question when he said it; just a statement.

“Ryk’s good at fixing vehicles,” Mickey spoke smoothly for me because he probably knew I had no idea how to respond. “Dino’s half sister’s in town, and has some clients to pass over. He’ll be starting here at the warehouse if he decides to. Offer’s on the table.”

That made Mori raise his jet-black eyebrows at me slightly. “Wanna take a look now?”

I turned my head back to Mickey fast as fuck , and his hands froze over the unconcious guys cut… but he turned to me and gave me a short nod. “Be quick, Ryk,” was all he said.

By just how I fucking felt, I knew I had to have looked like I was losing my damn mind. Because I was. This was one of the most expensive anything that I was going to touch, maybe in my entire fucking lifetime. But Mori just dug into his jean pocket, said the word, “here,” and tossed his keys across the table, having them land right the fuck in front of me.

I did exactly as Mickey asked, opening up the bike with extreme fucking levels of care to take a look.

Luckily, I had the right tools for it from what Mickey had stored for me here, but I still took as little time as I could, all while making sure I didn’t even put a goddamn fingerprint on it, wiping the whole bike down once I was finally done.

It would be a fucking lie if I said that this shit wasn’t one of the most exciting things I had ever done, touching a bike this expensive. Obviously I was trying to act professional, but once Mickey and I had time alone again, he was going to be sick as fuck of me and my gushing.

I just had to make sure I complimented his bike, too, because I knew by now how jealous that baker got when I didn’t, and I don’t think he was fucking with the fact that Mori was having me touch his ride before I had had the chance to tune up his.

Something I still found hot.

And I know. Well aware of the toxicity, but it still turned me the fuck on.

I did my best not to get the sweater I was wearing dirty, but I did still get my hands a little dirty, and obviously didn’t care much about the black jeans after having came in them.

I was actually just finishing up when I turned around in time to watch Mori pick his unconscious brother up off that table like he was a sack of potatoes, and carry him to the couch, with Mickey having already stitched him up, bandaged his wound, and was starting to clear and then disinfect the table.

That was when I headed back to the table myself, and Mickey immediately had me wash up at the kitchen sink so we could eat…

“How’s she looking?” Mori asked me as we all sat down, while Xavier started taking food out of containers he had finished heating up again. By now, it had to be closer to ten at night, and I was definitely feeling tired after waking up so early and having such a long day.

“I’d recommend a Kawasaki,” I replied, and Mori instantly started laughing, which made me smile. His eyes were scary, but his laugh was surprisingly wholesome.

“You’ve got a decent sense of humor, Ryk. It’s that stop-and-go traffic, isn’t it?” He asked. I simply nodded.

“Not built for it if you’re running on everyday use. Heat output can get crazy, and uncomfortable for any rider.” And Mori simply nodded, accepting one of the rice containers Xavier was passing out. He had gotten so much food; I was genuinely surprised, but everyone else here didn’t bat an eye.

When I took a seat, Mickey yanked it closer to him so we were sitting side by side, which made me instantly all warm and just a bit nervous.

He turned his head to me, leant down near my ear, and whispered, “ Good work .“ My eyes immediately fell to my fucking lap at that shit, and a smile quickly spread across my lips as I just gave him all I could, which was a small nod.

“Alright then, it’s settled. I’ll look into a Kawasaki once my brother and I are back in town.”

“Where ya h-” I started, but Mickey cut in fast as shit, giving my right thigh a gentle squeeze with his left hand as he asked Mori a question instead.

“Anything I need to handle at Pat’s?”

Mori quickly shook his head no. “Niki was too drunk. Forgot he had his gun on him, honestly, so the fight was clean besides that cut from the other guy’s switchblade. Just got us the hell out of there. Non sto cercando di tornare a casa di nuovo .”

My eyebrows creased again at that. It sounded Italian, but fuck if I knew.

“E non sto cercando di ripulire più i pasticci.” Mickey replied, which made my eyes practically pop out of their goddamn sockets when I heard him return whatever the fuck he said in what sounded like the same exact pronunciation.

“What language is that?” I whispered to Mickey, accepting the Thai curry he had handed to me after he already had a taste, and nodded to himself. Then he handed me the sticky rice, a pack of plastic utensils that came with the take-out order, and a lot of napkins.

“Italian,” Mori answered before Mickey could, which made me all too fucking aware that I hadn’t whispered that low enough, the sheer shock of it raising the volume in my voice.

“You know Italian?” I asked this goddamn fucker sitting right next to me, not bothering to whisper anymore.

And Mickey just shrugged, answering with, “Enough to get by.”

That made Mori chuckle, saying, “quanto modesto,” under his breath, and I didn’t have to know Italian to know this guy was definitely calling this piece of shit, talented fuck beside me, modest…

But I was forced to table that conversation Mickey and I would absolutely be having, for later, because he insisted we all eat so he could get back to work.

Dinner was delicious, and by the time we were finished, I decided I kinda liked Mori’s personality. Not his eyes, though, those made me uneasy.

He seemed a bit rough around the edges at first, but then again, I guess the same could’ve been said about all of us in a way.

Mickey had ordered me to take a shower and head to bed, letting me know there were towels in the bathroom I could use, a robe I could sleep in as well, otherwise I could change into anything he had in his closet up on that loft level as long as I was dressed in something.

Only thing he was very fucking adamant about was that I better be fully clothed once I left that bathroom and headed upstairs, probably because everyone was crashing here tonight, including Xavier. He, Mori, and Niki would take the couches, and Mickey said he’d join me upstairs once his work was done.

Before I could get up from the table after we finished eating and the rest of the guys cleared it- Mickey telling me to sit the fuck back down when I tried to get up to help, too- Mori walked over to where I was sitting and set an envelope down on the table right in front of me.

“What’s this?” I asked, reaching for it.

“Payment for your work tonight,” Mori replied. Then he just left for the living room area to head to bed while I opened it up.

Safe to say that as soon as I saw the hundreds in that thing, my head snapped up to Mickey, who was heading towards me. “B-But I- I mean- like I didn’t do shit but-”

“Accept the payment,” Mickey said firmly in a quieter voice. “Disrespectful not to. Mori already got my permission, and the bills are clean.”

I just stared back down at the open slit of it- staring at the bills inside. It was at least 1.5k here.

“Expensive bike, expensive payout, Ryk. Now go shower and get to bed. You can place it on the bedside to take with you tomorrow, or keep it here in one of our safes- I’ll show you where they are in the morning,” Mickey ordered. And I obliged… but I was still slow as shit, just staring at these bills in disbelief.

If this was the pay for the little work I did… then I couldn’t imagine how much Mickey was pulling in for the insane work he did.

••

48. Donut Temp Me

Lol it’s 1 AM here so there’s probably even more errors than usual, just FYI

Enjoy!

xoxo

I wanted to snap on every single fucker in here besides Ryk, of course, once everyone got comfortable for the night, and I stayed up to complete my work.

Ryk had followed my instructions well enough, keeping the topics he spoke with Mori about as limited as he could.

I hadn’t expected him to look at that slightly more sane twin’s bike tonight, but I knew that if Ryk accepted this work here, it was bound to happen eventually. And everything went well enough because he and Mori just chatted about bike specs for most of dinner.

After Ryk took a shower and headed to bed, I did everything in my power not to wake the rest of these fuckers up and tell them to find somewhere else to sleep.

Couldn’t do much about Niki thanks to Mori taking initiative and knocking his drunk brother out before I lost my shit- something I appreciated because I didn’t want Ryk to see me like that- but Mori and Xavier definitely just chose to crash here because they didn’t feel like getting their asses up and riding or driving anywhere else.

My hands were also kinda tied since those two went through a few beers during dinner, with Ryk being the only one to correctly pace himself, and me going sober the rest of the night for my work.

Still, a goddamn slumber party here wasn’t something I was planning on while Ryk was seeing this place for the very first time.

At least the twins will be gone by morning , I reminded myself as I finished up my work and packed it away. Then I went straight to the bathroom for a shower.

Shit felt like heaven after a long day, that hot water easing the tension in my joints. The project was done by about 1 AM, which only left me a few hours of some shut-eye post-shower, and after I switched off most of the remaining lights, leaving on the low lights just in case Ryk had to get up for any reason, I headed upstairs.

Plan was to change into pajamas from this robe I was wearing… until I caught sight of Ryk all snuggled under the deep maroon covers, still in a thick, plush white robe, and I just said fuck it, removing my slippers and setting them next to Ryker’s near the top of the stairs before heading barefoot into bed.

Ryk was completely knocked out, so I tried not to wake him as I gently pulled him into me, snuggling him against me as close as humanly possible.

Felt annoying as fuck having the guys all knocked out downstairs after the night I just had, snoring obnoxiously… but this fucker here in my arms made the headache caused by the twins all the more fucking bearable.

I woke up the following morning just like I usually did, even though I had turned off my alarms to let Ryk rest. Yesterday had been a long one for us both.

4 AM - I could still hear everyone snoring below like a damn out-of-tune symphony orchestra. But Ryker was still knocked out, nestled in my arms, cuddling me hard as shit and making me smile before I gave the top of his head a gentle kiss and eventually fell back asleep myself.

5 AM - I woke up again, this time hearing Mori whisper to his brother, “ Get the hell up . We gotta go,“ and after some cussing in Italian and more movement down below, I eventually heard the garage opening up before the familiar sound of Mori’s bike starting.

Ryk stirred at the louder sound, but I pulled him in closer, whispering, “Just the twins. Head back to bed, Ryk,” and he lightly nodded against my chest before knocking the fuck out like five seconds later.

I stayed up a little while just in case Xavier travelled up the stairs to inform me of anything, but when I saw light from the monitors light up the wall they and I were facing from both down below and up here, I knew it was just Xavier checking to make sure the twins pulled off alright after that garage door closed.

I couldn’t question where they were headed last night, not with Ryk here, but I knew that X was on it.

I needed to confirm whether something else was pulling them out of town, or if they were hunting down the father of the guy currently in my arms. This was why I had to stop Ryk from asking Mori about their destination last night.

Judging by Niki’s injury, however, I didn’t think they’d get active just yet. He had to heal up a bit first.

Usually I’d stay up from this point on, but I decided to get a little more rest. Last night had been a late one, and I wanted energy for today with Ryk. He deserved the fuck out of that shit after the night I put him through, even though my little psycho seemed to enjoy himself.

Mori was right to check with me as we cleared the table, on whether he should pay Ryk. I knew I had no control over the amount when it came to the twins because they took that as a sign of disrespect, just like refusing payment was also a sign of disrespect, so I just said yes because Ryk technically did deserve to get paid for any work he did here.

I knew it was probably going to be an overpayment anyway, but after he witnessed Mori knock his brother out, an overpayment was something I’d look past.

6 AM - I woke up again to check my messages. X sent a text asking if he was good to bring up my morning essentials in an hour, then get a little more work done and head out for a bit around 8 AM, and I gave him the okay.

I could hear him below typing away on his laptop, so I knew he was probably just handling a few things for me before he eventually left, and that was fine. The twins were officially gone, which X confirmed in that same text, and that was all I gave a damn about.

I stayed up, however, looking through my emails on my phone and working up a draft for my own specialty recipe in light of the approaching due date, already knowing what kind of cake I wanted to make. Ci would probably get it by tomorrow or something. And about an hour or so later, I heard the coffee maker start.

Wasn’t long before there were footsteps coming up, with X attempting to sound as quiet as this giant fucker could.

Morning , he mouthed to me once he made it up here, but I just whispered, “Ryk’s out cold. Whispering is fine.”

X nodded, kicking off his shoes to walk over a cup of coffee and my morning newspaper before placing it on my bedside. “Thanks, X,” I smiled up at him. Most days, we’d meet downstairs and have some coffee at the table, discussing whatever we needed to, but he was more than aware that this morning had been different with Ryk here.

He nodded. “Anytime. Gotta head home and shower and shit. I got the information you emailed over, so I’ll negotiate on the new price and collect on payment tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Do a 70/30 split on this one.”

X stilled and just looked at me a sec, his eyebrows furrowing a bit. “Nah, Mic… that’s too much.”

“You deserve it. Been a hell of a last few weeks,” I whispered back. X eventually slowly nodded at me, knowing my mind had already been made up. There was nothing he could say or do to prevent that money from either showing up in his bank account or at his front fucking door. I’d chuck a brick through his goddamn window and throw a bag of cash inside his home if I had to.

“Thanks, Mic. Seriously. Thank you.”

“Anytime,” I whispered, giving him another nod before he slowly crept out, slipped his shoes back on, and headed back down those stairs.

Once I heard him get comfortable at the table for more work, I started the tedious process of trying to slowly sit up without waking this fucker knocked out in my arms.

He was hugging me like a freaking koala, but once my back shifted up against this wooden headboard, noticing light start to shine through the massive window this headboard was up against, Ryk eventually just settled his head on my lap, draping his left arm over my thighs, under these covers, and I quietly chuckled at how content he was with this before I reached over for my cup of coffee and newspaper.

This had a tendency to be my little piece of heaven- the sunlight lighting the ink-pressed, grey pages as I slowly flipped through each section, a fresh cup of coffee on the bedside.

I deprived myself of this shit whenever X and I had real business to discuss, but with Ryker in my lap, I realized that mornings like these should be happening more often than they currently were.

I was only about halfway through reading when I heard a familiar raspy voice mumble in my lap, “So you weren’t bullshitting about the newspaper.”

I looked down to watch Ryk raise the arm draped over me, and use his hand to push a curl or two back, not able to stop my soft chuckles as I replied with, “No, Ryk. No, I wasn’t. Did I wake you?”

Ryk slowly shook his head no in my lap.

“Then why don’t you head back to bed? It’s only around 7:30 AM, and we can leave here later.”

Ryk nodded, but he asked one more question this morning that surprised me. “How long have you been keeping the newspaper industry in business for?”

…This little shit.

“I started reading them when I moved in with Ci,” I replied honestly. “My dad- biological dad- used to read one each morning at the breakfast table with a cup of coffee before work. Guess I just picked up the habit when I got older.”

Ryker didn’t say anything at first, but I did watch as he started to twist that body of his a bit, turning it more perpendicular on this king-size bed so he could look right up at me while still keeping his head in my lap.

I expected him to say his iconic one-word question at this point: really?

Instead, all he asked was, “Did he use to show you the cheesy comics?”

I smiled a little, nodding my head down at Ryk. “Only the good ones.”

A faint smile danced lightly on Ryk’s lips as well. “I like that… If you see any good ones, you should show them to me.”

And that shit alone made my smile widen as I replied with, “I’d like that. A lot.” Then I let go of one side of the newspaper with my left hand so I could place the whole thing palm down over his eyes, feeling his long lashes tickle my skin as I said, “Now go the fuck back to bed. I’ll wake you when we gotta get up.”

Ryk chuckled, nodding, and I pulled my hand back when I felt his lashes shift downward as he closed his eyes. Today was a Sunday, which meant I wasn’t trying to run the risk of him having low energy for school tomorrow. It was the last day he could sleep in, and he needed to take advantage of that after how long a day yesterday was.

Once his eyes were closed, I got back to reading, making sure to be gentle with where I rested my left arm on his chest now, since he had turned to look up at me… but once Ryk shifted his legs again, bending his knees comfortably across the large bed, I watched as the comforter covering him slipped away from his left leg, and all that remained to cover it was one flap of his robe, slowly falling just a bit around his mid-thigh.

I was trying to look away, I swear on my fucking soul I was telling myself that the rest of this newspaper needed me…

But seeing Ryk like this, wrapped up in a robe, his head laying on my lap resting… with that one fucking leg slightly out of the material…

Jesus , I felt my heartbeat accelerate from everything- how peaceful he looked with more of the warm sunlight now shining through this window behind us. How cute he was bundled up like this. How fucking sexy that bit of exposed skin was. His legs were just- god , I was hopeless. Helpless .

Newspaper , I reminded myself quickly, turning back to it.

Ryk was supposed to be resting, and I was supposed to be reading this fuking newspaper.

But…

My eyes slowly lowered from the inked pages and travelled down him from head to fucking toe, taking in every fucking ounce of his beauty, from those beautiful, long eyelashes… those soft, plump lips… the sharpness of his jawline and the delicate skin there, traveling down his neck to his clavicle… the way those exposed parts of his chest rose and fell with each sound breath…

He had tied his robe off loosely just because of his stomach, but the bruising should’ve been a bit better now.

I made a note to check and apply more cream there once we got to my place, if it was still hurting. I just didn’t have any here at the warehouse.

Then my eyes very slowly gravitated lower to that bent knee again- to the material of the robe exposing more of his thigh. Ryk’s right arm was tucked under the covers, but his left was partially resting at his side, with his forearm gently on his covered lower stomach. God , he was just so-

Newspaper, Mickey .

And I snapped my eyes back up to the fucking thing, flipping the page to read the next article about the never-ending political unrest in this damn city…

…Then Ryk shifted ever so slightly again, ajusting his head in my lap… and I just- shit , my eyes slowly gravitated there again. Down his whole body to that exposed skin, lingering on what felt like every inch of him.

Mickey… Mickey… Mic

My left hand slowly let go of that newspaper.

Jesus fuck, Mic, get it the hell together.

But Ryk like this… he just…

I carefully lifted my left arm off his chest and reached across Ryk, trying not to disturb him as it extended lower, hovering over his body, but when my hand was just an inch above the material of the robe, I forced myself to stop. Ryk was resting. I needed to control myself. Xavier was also still fucking downstairs. I needed to control myself. I needed to control myself. I fucking needed to-

“Mickey,” Ryker murmured with a deeper rasp from sleep still in his voice, and my eyes immediately found his as he slowly opened them up to me. I tried to pull my hand away, but Ryk’s left hand flipped palm up and grabbed my forearm. “I can hear your loud ass thoughts from down here.” Then I felt this fucker slowly bring my hand down to the remaining fabric covering the other half of his thigh. “If you want to touch me, you can.”

“N-No,” I shook my head slowly. “You should-… You should rest-”

“A massage would be nice,” he replied, and I just stared down at him, unsure of what to do.

As soon as I touched there, I couldn’t make any promises on any damn fucking thing… but Ryk was just staring back up at me, slowly blinking sleep away from his captivating eyes.

“Mickey just fucking touch me already,” he mumbled after some time, and that pretty much broke the rest of my resolve as my fingers slowly bunched up the soft material of this robe and gradually pulled it a bit lower.

Jesus fucking christ , he was so goddamn beautiful.

We’d already gotten pretty comfortable with each other, and yet my hands were damn near shaking right now. From what exactly? No fucking idea.

My fingertips gently grazed over the softness of that skin, just enjoying how good it felt. How good it honestly felt with him here with me like this. I thought the touch would be sexually charged but it wasn’t… and when Ryk slowly lifted his leg further, encouraging this, I placed more of my hand on him, beginning to slowly massage the skin there.

I steadily lowered my gaze to Ryk, and his eyes were closed again, but he had a slight warm smile playing on his lips.

“Does this feel nice?” I asked him gently. He nodded his head in my lap.

“Everything about waking up here with you is nice,” he mumbled, his sleepy reply making me smile as my fingers continued to massage his tender skin, pushing them somewhat deeper, and I watched as Ryk’s lips parted slightly.

“Did-… Did I scare you last night?” I asked him with some careful words, keeping my voice low.

“It was all a bit unexpected. The only part that scared me, though, was when Niki hit you,” he replied in that same quiet voice.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered quickly. “He was just drunk.”

“Does that happen often?” He asked, his own words gentle.

I shook my head no, saying, “My relationship with those two is complicated. But no, it doesn’t happen often. Or really at all. That’s why Mori knocked him out so abruptly. If he didn’t do that, Xavier would’ve done worse.”

Xavier had kept his cool because Ryk was there, but I already knew he had reached back for his gun, keeping that slight movement out of view of Ryk.

“The twins are just- they’ve both been a little stressed. They just got back from visiting family.”

I was trying to navigate this conversation best I could without revealing too much, but also assuring Ryk that he didn’t have anything to worry about.

Fact of the matter was that Mori would’ve put a bullet through his brother’s skull before Niki did any real damage. Otherwise both of them would be working on borrowed time thanks to my complicated relationship with their family.

“You didn’t tell me you spoke any Italian,” Ryk murmured, taking a soft breath in as I moved my hand a little bit lower, massaging more of his upper thigh now.

“I was hoping you wouldn’t have to see it in action,” I replied. “As you can see, the twins can be a bit of a wild card. I didn’t want you meeting them unless you absolutely had to.”

Ryk slowly nodded his head in my lap again. “Mori’s eyes are frightening,” he whispered.

“Yeah,” I whispered back. “They… they’ve seen- done more than I ever wish to. But I wouldn’t ever let them hurt you.”

“I know,” Ryk mumbled. “Are they gay or some shit?” he then blurted out randomly as fuck. “You were firm about me being fully dressed at all times.”

“They’re whatever they feel like being that night,” I admitted. “But I don’t want anyone seeing more of you besides me. I know that sounds contro-”

“I like it,” Ryk muttered, taking another deeper breath as my fingers kneaded his tense muscles, slipping just a bit lower again.

And I couldn’t help but bend down to give Ryk’s forehead a gentle kiss. “ Good ,“ I then whispered. “I also have surveillance everywhere, Ryk. I’m already going to have to delete what we did last night, so I want you to be extra careful with what you do here. I’m really the only one that checks the footage, but X has access to make sure I’m covered if there’s an emergency.”

Ryk didn’t open his eyes, but I could see his face getting redder, then he mumbled a quick, “Sorry.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s alright. You didn’t know the extent of it before you-… it’s alright,” I assured him in a gentle tone. All of that wasn’t only his fault anyway. “That’s what my flat is for. And we’ll be going there today so you can pounce on me all you want then.”

Ryk chuckled lightly at that, before taking yet another deep breath in, and what I thought would be the sexual tension that would fuck me up this morning… I found myself turned on by this intimacy. This raw intimacy between him and me as we chatted in hushed tones while I massaged him.

I loved what we started last night, but I also wanted this right here. Getting to watch that slow, gradual build of my touch with him lying against me, the sunlight slowly filling this space.

“Thank you,” Ryk whispered, “for letting me check out Mori’s ride.”

“I saw how badly you wanted to. But you still asked permission, and that’s all I care about. While here, X and I make a series of calculated choices, especially with the twins, so if you want something- if you want to do something, just ask, and trust that we already have the next ten steps planned out before we answer. I don’t want you to ever think I’m saying no because I don’t want to see you happy. If I say no, it’s because I want to keep you safe, okay?”

Ryk quickly nodded, but his eyes finally opened up to me again. “I know,” he whispered with a smile, shifting his legs just a bit as I dipped my hand below the remaining fabric of this robe to massage more of him.

“Good,” I whispered back, smiling. “Now close your eyes again and relax.”

And Ryk did as he was told.

“When did you grab the newspaper and coffee?” He asked after another moment or two. “I didn’t feel you move from the bed.”

“First off, Ryk, you were knocked the hell out,” I reminded this fucker. “You only stirred when you heard the twins leave.” That brought a rather bashful smile to this guy’s lips. “But no, I didn’t leave. Xavier just brought it up for me. He knows my schedule.”

“Do you ever just allow yourself to break that schedule?” Ryk asked. I shook my head no.

“My body is wired to sleep light. I always like to be able to be ready for anything if needed.”

“Then… when we’re alone together, you still…”

“I still wake up like clockwork. But I just take the time to make sure you’re resting. Make sure your stomach is alright, that I haven’t put weight on it during the night. Sometimes I check my phone since Xavier and I keep the same schedule. Eventually, I fall back asleep most days, so it’s alright.”

Ryk’s eyes slowly opened up to me again… but this time he twisted his whole body to me, having my hind slip more in between his legs as he pulled his right hand from under the cover and placed it on the tie for my own robe.

I took the shakiest of fucking breaths in, but still continued my massage on the very inner parts of his thighs, between his warm legs.

“Sometimes you say and do the most romantic shit, Mickey Jackson,” he whispered, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes.

“No government name this time?” I asked, teasing him.

“You’re not in trouble,” he replied, making me chuckle instantly. “That’s very kind of Xavier to bring that up to you- the newspaper and coffee. I know you can’t tell me exactly what happened for you to get him off the hook, or how… but I like that you two have that bond.”

I swear this smile hadn’t left my face all fucking morning, and if it did, I couldn’t tell anyone when at this point. “We’ve been working together for many years. And I make sure I pay him well for everything he does- for every job I take.”

“Even this boring one?” Ryk asked, tugging the tie of this robe loose just a bit. I know he could probably feel how hard I was now, pressed up against his cheek under this soft robe, but he didn’t say anything about it.

“Even this boring one. He renegotiated a good price, just like he always does, so I renegotiated our split to 70/30. Can’t tell you how much that actually is, but it’s good pay.”

“Is his split usually less than 30?” Ryk asked.

“He’s the 70, Ryk,” I replied.

“…What?” Ryk asked, lifting his head up suddenly, but I dropped that damn newspaper down on the bed hella fast and grabbed the right side of his face, bringing him gently but firmly back to my lap.

“Lay that big ass head of yours back down,” I snapped at him, making Ryker grin.

“What’s… What’s the usual split?” He then asked.

“50/50 on straight deals, 60/40 if I want to negotiate or renegotiate. Xavier handles a lot for me to maintain my privacy, and he comes with many connections that make what I do easier, more fun, and financially beneficial. Because he pushed for me to get this boring one done quick, looking at the broader picture like he always does, I upped the compensation from his usual 60 on renegotiations, to 70.”

Ryk just stared at me for what felt like forever.

And finally, I had to ask him, “Ryk, what the hell did you think this was? I’m not in the business of owning a goddamn slave.”

Ryk replied with, “But… But the whole prison thing-”

“That earned me his loyalty , Ryk, not his time ,” I explained. “And in my line of work, loyalty is the greatest currency you can have. What Xavier and I have is a partnership, and it’s always been that way. I asked him to come work with me after what I did for him years ago, not for me. And I will always pay for his time, also giving him an out whenever he finally wants to leave this, because with his loyalty comes the understanding that I didn’t free him from one fucking cell to put him in another.”

Ryk continued to just stare up at me for a while, not saying a damn word.

“Ryk,” I sighed, still massaging that soft, warm skin of his. “You’ll understand more when-”

“I understand,” Ryk replied quickly, cutting me off. “I’m just… I’m talking myself off a ledge from showing you just how hard I’m falling for you right now.” Then I watched as his hand slowly pulled the rest of this robe tie away. “ I don’t think it’s working, Mickey Jackson, “ he whispered lower, still staring up at me.

My hand gripped his soft skin a little harder as I took another unsteady breath in.

This wasn’t like the hunger I saw in his eyes the previous night.

This right here was straight fucking adoration

• genuine-… well, I couldn’t say for sure. The data I had in the past had been shit…

But this felt like genuine love.

And I didn’t quite know how to silence anything, but most of all, my goddamn heart…

Luckily, all that shit was silenced for me when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and I had to act fast as hell.

I quickly slipped my hand out from between Ryk’s thighs and flipped the covers up over all of him- head included-, with his body still turned to me, his head still in my lap. Then I snatched that newspaper up just in time to see Xavier peek his head past the wall at the top of the stairs.

“Still asleep?” He whispered to me. I nodded, trying to control the racing of my heartbeat that Ryker was solely responsible for. The way he had looked at me…

“What’s up?” I whispered, attempting to shield more of Ryk’s covered head with this newspaper, but he shifted his head ever so slightly in my lap, brushing up against my now painfully hard dick, and I was forced to close my eyes for a second and take the deepest breath in.

Control it, Mickey.

When I opened them again, Xavier was just looking at me with the most insulting smirk on his lips. “Well,” this fucker continued, still whispering just to taunt me at this point, “I’m about to head out, but I’m grabbing some breakfast first. Wanted to see if you and Ryk wanted anything.”

The look on his face said it all, and I just said fuck it, let go of the newspaper with my left hand, and lifted the comforter just enough to see Ryk’s face, his eyes looking up at me. “Whatchya feel like eating?” I asked this adorable piece of shit, unable to stop the smile from forming on my lips.

“Anything’s fine,” he replied in that low, raspy voice, with a slight smile of his own.

“Breakfast sandwich sound good?” I asked him. Ryk started nodding, and I immediately peeled the sheet back so my left hand could cup the side of his face, taking a sharp inhale before I muttered roughly, “Let’s use words instead, Ryk.” And when this fucker felt my dick twitch below him, he had to curl his lips in to try and mask the large grin threatening to spread across his face.

“Sandwich is good,” he replied while I held that head of his still, not trusting this shithead at all right now.

“Bacon, cheese, egg, croissant is my regular. You want the same?”

“Mhm,” Ryk replied, agreeing.

When I looked back up to Xavier, he had his large hand over his mouth, trying not to fucking laugh. “Your regular then times two?” He asked, still not removing that hand. And I gave him a look before nodding. “Orange juice for you both?” He added.

I looked down at Ryk, and he gave me another “mhm,” then I looked up at X and nodded again.

“Got it. Just up the road so I won’t be gone long… but I can get lost for a little while if you two-”

“See you in a few, X,” I shot out, making him full-on laugh now as he nodded, and headed back down the stairs.

I knew right then and there that I was never going to hear the end of this from Xavier.

••

49. He’s Crust-Worthy

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Mickey had wrapped me up like a goddamn burrito while we ate our breakfast sandwiches in bed.

Xavier had dropped them off, running them all the way upstairs to us, and he mentioned to Mic that Mori had met him near the breakfast spot to drop off an apology gift on behalf of Niki before they finally left town, which was waiting on the table downstairs for this baker. Then the big guy said some quick goodbyes to us, and he was off.

I asked Mickey, while eating with literally only my right arm sticking out of this blanket burrito, if this was absolutely necessary.

He assured me it was.

And it probably had everything to do with how we were absolutely about to scar Xavier for life earlier, with how… how we… well, I’m not sure what to even call it. It wasn’t the same heat- the same sexually charged tension like the night before. It was a… a different intensity.

His touch this morning was- it just-

It turned me the hell on, yes, but it was still so… gentle… and comforting.

I hadn’t expected what he had said about his relationship with Xavier… but it made me see Mickey in a different light yet again , and in that moment I didn’t just want to give him head. I wanted to feel as close to him as humanly fucking possible. I wanted that intimacy pocket we had fallen into in that moment to never fucking end.

“I don’t want you to ever think I’m saying no because I don’t want to see you happy. If I say no, it’s because I want to keep you safe…”

That shit hit harder than I was possibly ever going to be ready for.

Shit hit harder than crack cocaine in the 80’s.

And still, I knew that already. I knew that, but I just-… until last night and this morning, I didn’t know just how well Mickey really could keep me safe. And not just physically. He was keeping me safe constantly from my own mentally and emotionally destructive nature, however way he could.

And just knowing that shit, it just-…

I tried to keep my emotions under wraps while we got ready to leave the warehouse.

Mickey said we could just shower at his place as we finally pulled ourselves out of bed, but first, he asked whether I wanted him to drop me off at my place tonight, or spend the night at his and go to school from there in the morning.

I said yes to the second option before he got out any words beyond ‘or’.

And so the game plan for the day was as follows: First, we were heading back to my place so I could get my shit for school, and change my jeans because the one thing the warehouse didn’t have was a washing machine, which was fine.

I could tell that none of the guys really stayed here past a day or two anyway. It seems like everyone made it home at some point, and Mic said that he or Xavier just took the towels and robes and whatever clothes needed washing that weren’t brought to someone’s home, in for dry cleaning once a week.

Then, while I did love riding with this baker, I wanted to get my car so Mickey and I could do some grocery shopping.

He insisted Xavier didn’t mind dropping stuff off later for dinner, but I wanted us to 1. go grocery shopping togther again because I loved doing that domestic shit with him, 2. eat another Korean dish for dinner, so it made sense to get groceries while we picked up what I needed for my macaron recipe, and 3. have my car to drive myself to school tomorrow so I could leave my dirty clothes in it before my first class, and then Mickey wouldn’t have to take me there, drop off lunch, take me to the café, and take me home.

This weekend was already perfect; he had already done so much that I couldn’t let him do all that, too. Plus, my baby was driving like I just got her off the lot, after all the work Mickey and I put into the car the weekend before. I was falling in love with her all over again, and wanted to enjoy another nice drive on another sunny day with a cig in my hand and the windows rolled down.

Who knew how many nice days we had left before winter came around.

After grocery shopping, Mickey wanted to take me out to grab a quick lunch, but I wanted more of the chewy rice cakes from the market, so he decided we’d grab those and see what other ready-made meals we could get.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go out to eat with him, but I was trying to maximize the time we had at his place alone, because we were going to be experimenting with macarons and doing an art day, painting together…

And hopefully do what we couldn’t exactly do in the warehouse.

After grocery shopping, it was Mic’s place to start experimenting with the secret ingredient for the macarons, then he’d let us start painting, but only after we at least nailed the recipe down and got the instructions written.

He wanted me to turn my recipe in by tomorrow, even though it wasn’t due till Wednesday, and that was because I’d begin training for the front of the café this week. This baker wanted me focused on that, not on my specialty item.

And so… we got the day started… kinda.

We got changed after breakfast and headed downstairs so Mickey could show me the safe to put the cash Mori gave me in, which we did first. He led me to a backroom right past the bathroom, and I noticed that the floor plans in this place were very fucking intentional.

The kitchen made it look like it was up against the same wall as the loft and Mickey’s bed, but there was a space there on the first floor, tucked away, for another room where he had built-in wall safes. He didn’t tell me the code while he opened one up, but he mentioned it was 26 digits and changed about once a week, so I swiftly agreed that there was no fucking point in even trying to have me remember that shit.

I’d just let Mickey know how much I needed if I ever needed to pull from it, and he’d get it to me.

After that, we headed back out to the main area of the warehouse and finally approached the brown paper bag sitting on the table, stapled shut.

“Gift from Niki?” I asked. Mickey nodded, removing the staples expertly fast without tearing any part of the bag…

But when he looked inside, he pulled out a white card first and read it aloud. “Sorry for swinging. Hope you still got to hit it. Enjoy this with Ryk.” And when he reached into the bag next to pull out a box, we both got a very clear view of the front of it. A hopefully blown up image of what was inside.

The next words out of Mickey’s mouth were, “ I’m going to murder that shithead .“

He tried to shove the box back into the bag, but I snatched it out of his hands fast, turning to lean against the table so I could take a better look.

“Ryk, give-”

“It’s an apology gift for both of us,” I cut this shithead off quick as I turned to him with a slight smirk.

“Ryk. I’m tossing it. We’re not-”

“Why not?” I asked.

“If you think I’m about to actually accept a vibrating-”

“But I want to try it,” I told him.

Mickey’s eyes darkened as he stuck out his hand. “Pass it the fuck over, Ryk. It’s going in the trash.”

But I quickly shook my head no. “It’s an apology to both of us, Mickey. I say we take it with. Or would you prefer we keep it here for-”

Mickey snatched the brown bag off the table and handed it to me, making me grin wide as I placed our apology gift back inside.

“We’re not using it, Ryk,” he still said firmly, already leading us towards his parked bike in here.

And I just gave him a “uh-huh” because sure we fucking weren’t.

Then we pulled helmets on and got situated on his bike, with me placing the present between us to hold for the ride. After that, Mic got the garage open and backed the bike up, heading for The Brookside Apartments.

I told Mickey he could wait outside the apartment building if he wanted, since I’d only be in and out, but he still walked me up and waited in the living room while I got everything together quickly, just packing my school stuff, a change of clothes for school, the present, of course, and some underwear.

After that, we headed to the Korean Market in his neck of the woods- with me in my car and him on his bike, parked both vehicles, and headed inside.

I pretty much fell more in love as soon as we walked through the front entrance of this place, reminding me of just how incredible our first visit was.

“Alright,” Mickey said, turning to me with a large grin after greeting the same employee who welcomed us on Tuesday, the same way we had that afternoon. I was really fucking with the bowing thing, especially after our visit to the Buddhist temple, when we did it so often with the monks. “What would you li-”

“Anything that goes with soju,” I replied quickly, and Mickey just laughed.

“I’ve created a fucking monster. But alright, in Korean we call it soju anju. Anju means pairing foods for the soju, and since I fucked up on taking you somewhere nice to eat for our first date yesterday, I’m going to prepare something special tonight: Hwe- the raw fish I was explaining to you last Tuesday thats pretty similar to Japanese sashimi. Whatchya think?” Mickey asked.

I quickly nodded, smiling at that… how he still wanted to prepare something special, even though I was completely fine with the Thai food we had last night. It was honestly the best Thai food I had ever had, with the most perfect spice level. And knowing it was Mickey’s regular order was why I just rolled with his regular order for breakfast sandwiches this morning, which were also fucking incredible.

“Good. As a side, I’ll also make some Haemuljeon since we’re picking up seafood today. Those are seafood Korean pancake fritters.”

That made me take a quick pause. “They’re… what now?”

“Just trust me,” Mickey replied, grinning wide before he bent down to grab two baskets this time, handing one to me for me to carry, then we began shopping.

This baker didn’t reach for my hand, but he was a lot more touchy than on our first visit, with his right hand finding its way to my lower back or waist to gently guide me around as he explained the ingredients we were picking up today.

This time around, he didn’t place nearly as much shit in the basket he was holding like he did last time, and Mickey assured me that now that he was done with that framework project, he’d get to use more of the random condiments and shit we bought on Tuesday for this next week of school lunches.

I tried to ask how his own recipe was going for the holiday contest as we walked up and down the store aisles, because I hadn’t really seen him work on it, or talk about it once… but Mic just gave me one beautiful smile… then told me to mind my goddamn motherfucking business.

When we reached the ingredient I wanted to pick up for the macarons, this baker wasn’t as confused as I thought he’d be. And when I explained the flavour I wanted to make with the filling, I saw a spark in his eyes as they lit up. Then a perfect smile stretched across his face, making me fully look away from him, my face going bright fucking red.

“I think that’s just about the hottest, most wholesome thing you have ever fucking said to me,” he murmured near my side as we walked.

“Mickey, I just told you two ingredients I want to try. I don’t even know if they’ll-”

“They will,” he confirmed without a shred of fucking doubt in his words. “And we’re perfecting the complete fuck out of this recipe today. Then, after that, I’ll show you just how fucking proud I am of you for coming up with something this unique. And I’ll find a wholesale provider for the café that’s reasonably priced on these ingredients for maximum revenue once these start selling like hot cakes.”

Safe to say my heart wasn’t safe from flatlining at all after that shit.

But it never really was whenever I was around this fucker.

“I… I did some research, yet of course I wanted to make sure. They’re both-”

“Yes,” Mickey nodded. “They both will pass for winter flavours. And Ci will lose her goddamn mind when she sees the color we’ll add to complement said flavours.”

And that made me grin, nodding up at Mickey as he tossed the ingredients needed into his basket.

For the Hwe, we picked up some wasabi, more perilla leaves, some white radish (he called it mu), more lettuce, and shiso leaves.

This baker explained that he was going to be making chogochujang sauce as well, which he explained had gochujang- the fermented Korean chili paste- in it, and that alone had me pretty fucking hyped. The sauces he had made for the pork belly were absolutely incredible, which included that same fermented paste. Since he had all the ingredients for it at home, though, we didn’t have to pick up anything for it here.

Of course, the star of the show was the fish, and Mickey went with a whole flounder, already prepped halibut fillets- he showed me how big their smallest whole fish was here, and we both said fuck that shit. Same with the salmon- Mickey just got fresh fillets to save on time, then lastly two whole Sea Bream. He explained the Sea Bream was a premium fish for this dish, which made me extra excited.

Before he selected any of these fish, he had us switch out baskets, so I was carrying the light stuff while he carried the heavy seafood.

For the Haemuljeon, which Mic said was just the fritter version of Haemul-pajeon, a pancake-sized dish, this was more straightforward for ingredients. We picked up fresh shrimp, some fresh clam meat, some cleaned squid meat, green onions, green chili peppers, and some carrots.

And lastly were the ready-made meals we snagged on our way out. Two servings of the chewy rice cakes in spicy broth and some ready-made Samgyetang, a Korean ginseng chicken stew.

After that, Mic checked us out, we walked all the groceries out to my car in the lot, then he headed back to his bike parked out front, and we got ourselves en route to his place.

Once we reached Mickey’s expensive ass apartment complex, parked both vehicles at his garage, brought everything up to his floor, and entered his apartment unit, we switched out our shoes for house slippers while I set my bags near the entry, then carried the groceries into the kitchen.

This baker first placed all the fish and produce in the fridge for later, then he started heating up lunch while I took a seat on the barstool, wiggling my toes in these plush slippers.

“These are new,” I noted, gesturing to the two red wine bottles on his kitchen island. There was a yellow Post-it note on them, and Mickey furrowed his eyes a bit as he walked over from the microwave to take a look.

Once he read the note to himself first, he quickly smiled, setting the note down on the island before picking up the bottles to take a good look at them.

I leaned over the marble island so I could read the note myself, and instantly smiled when I saw what it said.

Enjoy your first date with Ryk.

-X

“He must’ve stopped by here while we were out yesterday afternoon,” Mickey explained, turning the wine bottles over to read the back label. “That fucker didn’t have to spend this much,” he then muttered more to himself.

“They’re expensive?” I asked. I didn’t know the first damn thing about wine, just knew I liked whatever cheap stuff my old friends sometimes brought to my dad’s shop.

Well… thinking of them as friends wasn’t right , I reminded myself. They were just people who passed by when convenient for them.

Mickey nodded. “You want to try some?”

I just looked at him, a bit surprised. “I mean… yeah,” I then nodded slowly, “just didn’t expect you to let me drink this early.”

Mickey simply shrugged, placing the bottles down on the island counter again before he turned to grab some glasses from the cupboard near the stove. “You’re the only one who actually fucking paced yourself last night, unlike Xavier and Mori, so a glass this afternoon is your reward for that.”

A smile spread across my face quickly, watching while he returned with two glasses to set them down, then pulled the drawer out on his right to grab a wine opener.

“I don’t like drinking like that anymore,” I told him honestly.

Mickey started to open the first bottle, the one that had the prettiest bright red label, as he asked, “Because of Halloween Night?” His voice was more gentle now.

But I slowly shook my head no. “Alcohol wasn’t really the issue; it was just a poor decision to cover up the real issues… But I used to drink to-” I stopped myself suddenly, trying to put this one into words.

“Make things easier?” Mickey offered as his hands slowed on the opener, looking up at me.

“In a way,” I replied, thinking on it a bit longer. “Mainly to black out. Forget stuff. But spending time with you-… I don’t want to forget a second of it. Rather smoke weed and laugh with you than create holes in my memory when we’re together, doesn’t matter the location.”

And Mickey’s hands stilled completely at that. “You know, Ryk… sometimes you say the most romantic

shit,“ he whispered, making me try to hide my instant smile some by looking down at the marble counter.

“Well,” I reminded him, but my face started to burn up a bit, “I think you’d also lose your shit if I killed anymore brain cells. Math’s a challenge with the ones I got now.”

That made Mickey and me chuckle a bit because we both knew it was true. Then I heard him finally get the cork off and pour a little into each wine glass, sliding one over across the counter so I could pick it up.

“Cheers, then,” he said, holding his glass out to me, and I very gently clinked it with his because this glass felt fragile as hell. Nothing like those mini ceramic cups for the soju.

Once I brought it to my lips for a taste, I felt my eyes widen a bit. The taste wasn’t like any red wine I’d ever tasted. “It… it’s”

“Tastes a bit carbonated, doesn’t it?” Mickey asked. I looked back up at him, nodding quickly, then took another sip.

“This shit is really fucking good,” I had to admit, but it also tasted kinda strong, so I was forced to set the glass back down, pacing myself.

“I’m glad you like it,” this baker said with a smile on his face. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to enjoy it here together last night.”

“It’s okay,” I rushed out quickly. “Really, Mickey… I liked seeing you at the warehouse. It… it put me at ease a bit. Like in a lot of ways.”

“How so?” he asked, but I just shook my head no.

“I’ll tell you when I have the right words for it.”

Mickey nodded, fully accepting that. And we both heard the microwave go off, which meant the spicy rice cakes were done heating.

Mic brought them to me first in the large serving dish he had poured the two servings into for both of us, then he grabbed two large spoons, and the pot from the stove, turning to walk it and place it on the burner built into the kitchen island so he could start heating up the chicken stew.

After lunch, this fucker threw us right into baking.

We started at around 1 PM… and didn’t leave that damn kitchen until half past 6.

Mickey was serious that we were going to have to experiment, but I didn’t realize the extent of it until we were here, resting and baking multiple batches to get the right flavour for the cookie part.

And then I made the goddamn mistake of thinking the filling had to be the easiest… until he actually walked me through the tricky nature of the other ingredient for the pairing, and I just about wept.

But Mickey showed me this very fucking afternoon why exactly he was one damn good baker.

He busted out a notebook, had us travel back to the kitchen island to sit down on the barstool, and started drawing up a quick bar chart of the ratio between the butter, the flavor base, and the sugar/water/protein/starches, then he got to explaining how in the hot hell we were about to do this shit.

How we were about to create a syrup to alter the flavor base without changing the texture of the buttercream.

Now, had I ever made buttercream from scratch before?

That would be a fuck no…

But luckily, that wasn’t what we were doing today. What took up most of the time with the filling was figuring out the ratio of the infusion for the syrup we now had to make… and I just about wanted to blow my damn head off trying to follow each potential ratio Mickey was writing down as testers.

The unfortunate reality was that this recipe technically wouldn’t be done until tomorrow because of what I chose for the second ingredient. It required sitting in the fridge for 12-24 hours.

I thought that was fucking insane, until Mickey said the traditional alternative was for it to sit in sugar in a cool place for 100 days… and I immediately shut the fuck up.

“Will this actually work?” I asked Mickey as we stood side by side in his kitchen, doubting my choices more and more as time went on…

But that fucking fucker turned to look down at me with the most beautiful smile, and asked, “You trust me, right?”

I quickly nodded.

“Then have faith in the fact that I’m one damn good baker, Ryker Parker,” he replied, bending down to give my right cheek a gentle kiss.

And I just said a few Hail Marys as I watched Mickey pick up and place a large container of the liquid in his fridge to bring to the café tomorrow, before we finally got to cleaning up the complete mess we had made in his kitchen all afternoon.

••

50. Raw With Love

Upload one outta two this morning, with maybe more on the way this afternoon if time permits

Also, I have such a weird question, but how do you guys feel about paragraph breaks? You’ll notice with my writing, I try to create a variety of lengths, not make paragraphs too long so it’s maybe easier to comment on individual parts. Do y’all like that, or do you like more long, block paragraphs?

Let me know!

Enjoy!

xoxo

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/71ec70d083517700242e98142cfea6ce2dd45f51/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f746c7a354871506273416f7539413d3d2d313630383936373437332e313839336436313831313363663732643239393330313937383431332e6a7067)               

I didn’t give a shit what Ryk thought.

We weren’t using Niki’s apology gift.

At least… at least not yet.

But all that shit was completely forgotten as soon as Ryk dropped on me what he wanted to use for his specialty item while we were at the Korean market- two specialty ingredients, where one of them was going to be a bit complicated to deliver on, but not impossible, and I was hellbent on making this a reality for him.

“Feeling better?” I asked Ryk now as I continued sharpening my knife. I was going to need them the sharpest for the whole fish I now had laid out on my kitchen island, ready to behead, skin, and fillet.

Ryk nodded quickly, taking another hit from his celebratory joint.

We weren’t completely done with his recipe, but the final piece would fall into place tomorrow, and he really had done a great job today, listening closely while I explained the necessary breakdown of the buttercream components.

He didn’t know how complicated his ingredients were, but he trusted me, and that was all I needed to bring his vision to life. The flavours he chose were absolutely complementary, completely winter-appropriate, and had one incredible shot at winning him this contest, not just beating Arlo.

He’d done that already by just nailing the basics of a macaron.

Then there was the fact that he went with those two ingredients in the first goddamn place that made me want to drag him off to my bed every fucking second I thought about it…

Except it was now 7 PM, and I needed to prep this raw fish fast so we could move on to making some art together. I wasn’t going to let him down on this one. And luckily, this wouldn’t take long. The art room was already set up, with a tarp on the floor and a large, fresh canvas perched on a shorter easel. The plan was to instruct Ryk on a few techniques as we both painted a scenic landscape.

He didn’t know this yet, but it was for his place. His walls were bare right now, and I thought it would be really romantic for his first piece of art to be something we both made together.

“You’re really good at this,” Ryk commented as I started to skin the flounder. I had already sliced up the raw salmon and halibut, placing them above the shiso leaves I laid out on a large platter, and both the wasabi soy sauce and chogochujang were now ready, placed right in the middle of the platter for dipping.

I just went ahead and made more ssamjang, too, because Ryk really liked it with the pork belly, so all that was left was preparing the flounder and the Sea Bream.

I also had the perilla leaves, lettuce, and white radish prepped, all piled onto this massive serving dish. I didn’t have the time to make the haemuljeon tonight, but promised Ryk I would make it tomorrow and bring some for his lunch.

“I hate the process, but I love the taste. I’ll be done here soon, then I’ll move this into the art room so we can eat, sip some soju, and paint until it’s time for bed.”

“Okay,” Ryk nodded, putting out about three-fourths of the joint in the ashtray.

“You don’t want to smoke more?” I asked, but returned my focus to finishing the removal of the head and skin. I kept my eyes on my task because this knife really was sharp as shit, and I wasn’t looking to slit any fingers open tonight.

“No,” Ryk shook his head. “I don’t want to get too high. I really want to try on this art piece with you.”

I stopped slicing immediately so I could pull my attention away from this fish and give Ryk the smile that comment deserved. “Alright then. Give me about ten more minutes, and everything will be ready.”

“Just how many small folding tables do you fucking have?” this fucker asked, staring at the table right next to us, which held the generous serving of raw fish and the sauces. I had one pair of chopsticks nesting on the large serving dish, and Ryk was a bit confused at first when he didn’t see a second pair for him… until I took a seat on the tarp in front of the easel and canvas, crossed my legs, and patted the space between them for this fucker to sit in.

Then he just had something new to furrow those dark, thick brows at.

He had changed into a light blue, long-sleeve painting shirt I got him after finishing up slicing and arranging all the fish, and some black briefs to go with it, which the shirt fully covered, while I had changed into a short-sleeve painting shirt of my own, and some baggy black sweatpants I didn’t mind fucking up.

I definitely had to roll up the sleeves on his shirt, but I thought that long sleeves would be easier in case the paint got a little messy.

I wasn’t sure if Ryk was going to give me any pushback by how confused he looked… but he didn’t. Instead, he plopped down right in that space, bent his knees out in front of him, and slipped his feet under the easel so he and I were both close enough to this blank canvas to paint together.

The folding table on my right was actually a longer one I usually used while I painted and ate in here. It had just enough length to fit the large oval serving dish of fish and sides. Then a bottle of soju, along with our little cups, were on the tarped floor right beside it.

I knew sipping on wine and painting was probably the more standard practice, but Ryk was the one who actually grabbed the soju bottle himself, making me chuckle as I lifted the full tray of fish off the kitchen island.

He just said he wanted to see why soju and the raw fish went together- that we could have wine any night, but we couldn’t have Hwe every night.

And the fucker was right about that shit because I genuinely wasn’t going to be doing this shit again for a long while, so I gave him a quick nod and let him lead the way towards the art studio.

The last thing I did while Ryk got comfortable in that pocket of space between my crossed legs, taking the opportunity to lean his back against me a little, was pull out my phone and put on some light music for us to paint to.

“The amount of folding tables I have, Ryk, is none of your damn business,” I told him as I set my phone back in my right pocket. After that, I reached over to first pour us a little soju, setting down and closing the bottle before handing him his tiny cup. Then I picked mine up. “Cheers.”

“Cheers,” Ryk replied, a smile playing on his lips from my comment, before we both threw the liquid back.

“Arlight, Ryk, choose a fi-”

“Sea Bream,” he shot out quick, making me unexpectedly laugh as we both set our cups back on the tarp near the soju bottle. Then I picked up the chopsticks and got to fixing him a piece of the raw Sea Bream first, deciding we’d start off with just dipping it in the chogochujang, making sure I got the right amount on there, before bringing the piece directly to his mouth.

He already had it open for me, which made me smile, and as soon as I set the raw fish inside his mouth and pulled away so he could chew, one long, deep, satisfied groan was released.

“You get it?” I asked, leaning over his right shoulder a little more to watch Ryk close his eyes.

He made sure to chew and swallow before saying, “ I absolutely fucking get it, oh my god. “

And I couldn’t help but give his cheek a quick kiss before asking, “Which one next?”

“Flounder,” Ryk replied. So I set the chopsticks down first, opened the soju to pour us a little more, then handed him his tiny cup and picked up mine.

“Soju for this meal is a palate cleanser between the different fish, so I’ll be pouring only a little to prevent us from drinking too much. If you can, savor the flavour notes for maximum results,” I explained, and he nodded, clicking his cup with mine when I raised it, before we drank this one slower, setting our cups back down when finished.

My left arm wrapped around the lowest part of his waist, holding him closer while I repeated the process with flounder this time.

And watching Ryk look back at me with his eyes a little wider while he chewed, just called my attention to his slightly puffed-up cheeks, enjoying this way, way, way too fucking much.

“Are you sure?” Ryk asked me as I finished chewing a piece of halibut and lettuce, then placed my chopsticks down on the serving dish.

This fucker had made me get him one piece of each fish, then he wanted to try them all with the sauce, the radish, and perilla leaf… then he wanted to repeat it with the fucking lettuce.

And I did that shit all too willingly, honestly, gently rubbing his lower waist with my left hand, his back now flush against me as he watched in awe while I managed to make him mini tacos with just these chopsticks, dipping the fish and the radish in the sauces before tightening up the leaves and bringing them to his mouth.

We were pacing ourselves well with the soju between both our bites, but at some point, I forced us to start painting… because we were also losing the damn plot here- the reason we were in this room to begin with.

“Yes, Ryk. Start with painting the mountains black.”

“But… aren’t we making snowy peaks?” He argued.

“ Yes ,“ I nodded, only this time I picked up my paintbrush near the easel and showed him what I meant, starting with dipping the brush into black and bringing it to the canvas.

Ryk really wanted to paint some snowy mountain peaks, and he had actually done one fantastic job with the pale blue sky, creating a wash on the canvas for it as I instructed… but since this fucker only wanted snowy mountains, I was trying to create one cascading, jagged mountain as the focal point, then mountains in the near distance for depth.

To help him out, I painted the entire space of all the mountains black first, then wet my brush in the ceramic cup filled with water, dried it on the towel folded right in front of the mug, on the tarp, then picked up some white with my brush, a small bit of black, and mixed it on my pallet to return the brush to the canvas with a darker grey.

And as Ryker watched those peaks suddenly take form, the first words out of his mouth were, “holy fucking shit.”

We’d been going back and forth on this for what felt like four fucking hours, but just that alone made me grin, forgetting all his stubbornness.

“You see it?” I asked this shithead. He quickly nodded. Then I handed my brush to him, and took his to set in the ceramic cup so the blue paint from the sky could wash off. “Now,” I continued as my large hand wrapped around his smaller one, my fingers slipping between the spaces of his, “you’re going to start right here with the straight edge, and in one motion, pull it down like this.”

Ryk allowed me to fully guide him, but that grin got wider as I dragged more grey against the black, creating streaks.

“That’s so fucking sick,” he replied. I just pulled him closer by his lower waist again, unable to stop myself.

“And since it’s a mountain, think of those jagged strokes like this, where centuries of climate have eroded the rock. Remember how they’re formed in the first damn place, Ryk- tectonic plates shifting, colliding under the surface. They shouldn’t look like sand dunes in a desert with the smooth sand sides.”

I leant forward a little further, still holding Ryk’s hand so he could get a feel for the angle of the brush as I made quick, jagged strokes.

Then I released his hand so I could point to something. “Don’t cover all the black either. Once the grey dries, which should be in a few minutes because it’s acrylic, these black parts here will be your deep shading, creating the sharp contrast to the pure white we’ll soon add for your goddamn snowy peaks .”

I shifted my gaze slightly to Ryk, and he was just staring, grinning wide as shit at the canvas. “I genuinely can’t believe you’re actually like good at this shit.”

“Ryk- my fucking god- work on the compliments,” I muttered, reaching for the soju bottle to pour us more so I could ask this little demon what his next demand for fish was going to be…

But I didn’t make it that far because I felt both hands grab my face and turn it, before Ryk planted a gentle kiss on my lips.

That shit was cute as fuck… except it wasn’t just his soft lips I felt on me. I also felt the cold touch of the wet paintbrush he must’ve fucking forgot he was holding when it swiped from my left cheek to my ear.

And Ryk realized when he pulled his lips away from mine and opened his eyes, those beautiful eyes getting a little wider. He clenched his teeth together to take a sharp breath in through them, creating a slight hissing sound. His hands slowly backed up, unsure of what to do, and when he hesitantly reached forward again with them, I quickly shook my head no.

“Smear it, and it’ll be harder to wash off. Now put that fucking weapon of destruction I once foolishly called a paintbrush, lower, and tell me what fish you want next.”

Ryk gave me one bashful fucking smile, avoiding my gaze as he said, “…Salmon. Also, sor-”

“Save it, Ryk,” I cut him clean the fuck off… but still kissed that right cheek of his lightning fast, before I returned my attention to the food and drink, pulling him even closer into me by his lower waist once again .

I was about to shove a rolled-up halibut and perilla leaf into Ryk’s mouth when he suddenly fired off quick, “What’s a small hint of who you have as your Secret Santa?”

I made sure to shove that loaded piece all the way in before I answered, “They breathe oxygen, and own a beating heart, my turn. What’s the one gift you desire most?”

Ryk just looked over at me, chewing his piece, while I dipped a piece of salmon into the wasabi-soy sauce mixture and brought it right to my lips.

This fucker and I were waiting for the white paint to dry so we could add a bit more black for shading, because Ryk got a little too carried away with his snow, so I decided to lock us in on another questions game to try to help myself out about what I should get him for Christmas, and what I should be planning for our New Years together.

Once he finished chewing, he answered with, “You. But we’re already dating, and you’ve already got me more than even I knew I wanted, so I’m good, Mickey… if this is you trying to figure out Christmas or some shit. I’m good.”

“Answer again,” I told him seriously, making him just turn his head more to look at me. “Just like you said. You have me. So answer again, and if you have to think about it, I’ll wait. But just remember what you said about always being honest with me. Even if it’s something I can’t give you, I want to know what it is.”

And Ryk just continued to stare, seeing that I was dead fucking serious about this shit.

“I… I don’t really care about the holiday, Mic, I’m serious… but I guess- well- I guess I don’t really want to be alone on it. Like the day of.”

“Then you’ll come-”

“ No ,“ Ryk said firmly, surprising me. “We can do something around the holidays… but if you’re celebrating the day with CiCi, then you should spend that time with her as a family. There’s plenty of shit for me to do in NYC. I just don’t want to sit in my apartment alone.”

And I… well… I didn’t really know what to say to that. Ryk was for damn sure setting a clear boundary on this one, but even the thought of him trying to find something else to do- the thought of him not having any family around him… it made me feel sick.

“… Ryk-” I started, but he shook his head no, keeping his gaze locked on mine. He had meant that shit.

“My turn, Mickey,” he then said, moving past that like my heart didn’t feel like it was goddamn fracturing. “What’s a goal you have for the next year?”

It took me a second to even process the question.

He wanted me to move past it too, but I just… couldn’t… but I also knew that if I brought it up again, it would start something between us and this day had been so perfect, I didn’t want to ruin it. So I just swallowed the heartwrenching pain it caused, because even if my parents weren’t here, I still had Ci. I had always had Ci. And I knew she would’ve jumped at the opportunity for Ryk to join us, but there was clearly more to it than that for him.

It’s like I could physically see him trying to make himself small again right in front of me. To not take up any space.

“My goal…” I tried to think quick, feeling the heat of his gaze as he made certain that I dropped the Christmas thing. “Is to make sure you fucking graduate-”

“Mickey-” Ryk tried to cut in, but I didn’t let him finish.

“Because I want to take you back home with me. If we’re still dating by then… I want you to go to South Korea with me. I’d-… I’d like you to meet my parents.”

And that made Ryk dead silent as fucking shit.

“And if the next words out your goddamn mouth are ‘are you sure’ or some fuck shit like that, I’m capping out the night right here and now and we’re heading to bed, Ryker Parker.”

He just continued to stare at me for another long fucking while… until I watched him slowly lean in, turning his head back slightly to place a soft, unexpectedly tender kiss on my lips. And when he slowly pulled away, he whispered quietly, “Then I guess I’ll just have to make damn sure I graduate.”

His lips and mine slowly tugged up into a slight smile at the same time, and I found myself leaning forward, this time to gently capture his lips with mine , drawing from him another slow, tender kiss. One that made my heart skip all the goddamn beats, just speed-running herself to certain death.

And one that made me realize so much more about myself and us.

That we could have ten thousand heated moments driven on the most intense sexual tension… but there was nothing that topped intimacy like this with him.

And when I finally pulled away, feeling that kiss mend some of that fracture inside me from my previous question, I whispered to him, “ Good fucking answer, Ryk. “

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/0d28cc9ae84e4c4e8c6ca1146a438104312a37cf/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6a4e476234716b6e7448524e66513d3d2d313630383936373437332e313839336436303833356266653862623234363039303730363435352e706e67)               

51. Frost Him Once, Shame On Me

“Fool me once, shame on you… Fool me-

you can’t get fooled again.

“

lol iykyk

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

I had thought I fucking ruined tonight.

Like genuinely.

When Mickey was about to tell me to come spend Christmas with him and CiCi, I reacted before I even gave myself an opportunity to put it into words better.

The fact of the matter, though, was that I couldn’t. I couldn’t spend Christmas with them. Thanksgiving was enough- hell, working at Wilmoria’s was fucking enough. And everything Mickey had done for me was more than fucking enough that it felt wrong even mentioning that to him in the first place- that I just didn’t want to be alone.

I only told him because of the promise I made to be honest with him. Always.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to spend that day with him. It was just that I fucking couldn’t .

But Mickey was still here. His forehead resting against mine. We just sat like this a moment with his arms wrapped around me, not giving a damn that we had only a bit left to go on this painting that was actually turning out beautiful, against all odds.

Me being the all odds part .

“Ryk,” Mickey whispered quietly, but he kept his forehead resting against mine still.

“Hmm?” I replied, keeping my eyes closed as I just enjoyed this for a moment.

“If you don’t find a place you want to visit on Christmas Day-” He started, making me immediately start to pull away as I snapped my eyes open, but his right hand shot up to the back of my neck to gently stop my sudden reaction. “ If you don’t find a place ,“ he continued as gently as he possibly could, “the Buddhist temple is open that day. The monks treat it as any other. And I’m sure Sho would love for you to stop by.”

… I just… I just stared at him, processing what he just said.

And that… that… that… shit

I felt my eyes start to unexpectedly burn again, forcing my head to dip lower.

I was trying to blink them- the tears- away hard because day two of being with Mickey this weekend could not end the way the first day pretty much started, but Mickey just turned my head a little further back towards him and pulled me into his chest, allowing my silent, resilient tears to wet the complete hell out of his painting shirt as his fingers gently kneaded the nape of my neck, keeping me right here against him.

He didn’t say anything.

I sure as hell fucking didn’t, scared I’d sound just as broken as I felt.

And we just sat here on the floor of his art studio, listening to the light music still playing in the background as I silently cried into him…

After I was positive my tears had finally dried up… and was sure Mickey’s shirt would take more than just a few hours to, I awkwardly pulled away from him, still keeping my head a little lower but turning completely toward the painting because I didn’t want him to see my eyes all irritated.

But Mickey just gently wrapped his right arm around my chest and pulled me back toward him, letting me feel more of his warm, comforting touch. I could feel his wet shirt from my tears slightly soak into the back of my own shirt, and I felt like I owed him an apology of some sort for that shit.

I actually owed him two apologies, for two different reasons.

“I-… I’m s-”

“ Don’t you fucking dare, Ryker ,“ he whispered gently, not letting me finish that first apology. “It’s my turn to ask a question, and all I want to know is what you feel like doing now. We can go to bed if you’re tired. We can keep painting until you are. We can keep the question game going or kill it entirely. There are only a few pieces of fish left, but I can defrost and slice more, fry some, or order something else. If you want to take a shower, you can. If you want to swim, I’ll break us in since the pool is closed now. We’ll do whatever-”

“Can I show you a magic trick?” I asked him suddenly. “Like… with a deck of cards?”

Mickey paused a good, long while at that one. “Uh-… y-yeah, uh… yeah, yeah for sure. Like, um… like now? “

I gently nodded my head against his chest.

“O-Okay,” this baker nodded. I could feel his whole body move with it before he placed a kiss on the top of my head. “Give me just a sec then, and I’ll go find a deck. Did you want any more of the fish? Otherwise, I can clear that out now.”

“Um,” I thought about that. “Maybe… just something small. One more  quick combo?”

“Name it,” he said, not missing a beat.

“Double Sea Bream with extra extra ssamjang and chogochujang, some radish, light on the wasabi soy, wrapped in two perilla leaves,” I replied, not missing a beat either.

“… You-”

“Please,” I added quickly, forgetting my manners.

Mickey seemed to try to collect himself with that one, which made me smile a bit.

“You only brought one set of chopsticks, and they’re the metal ones. The ones you said were for exper-”

“ I know what I said, Ryk ,“ Mickey got out tight before separating his right arm from across my chest so he could reach over and get to work. I could hear the struggle by the way those metal chopsticks tapped against the porcelain dish, but eventually, he brought one fat ass roll over to my mouth, and I opened wide, devouring the whole thing. Fuck, this shit was delicious .

And this dinner as a whole was something special that he prepared for us. I wanted to make sure my last bite of it was absolutely perfect.

Then Mickey slowly separated himself from me to stand.

“I’ll go find that deck,” he said, reaching over to grab the large, pretty much cleared serving dish, and started heading towards the open door.

“You’ll really like the magic tri-” I started with a mouthful of food.

“ Chew , Ryk. Chew ,“ he snapped, looking down at my stuffed cheeks as I munched on this perfect roll. Then he had to turn away, trying to mask his smile as he headed out the door.

“I’ll pour us more soj-”

“ Chew! “ He called back after disappearing down his short corridor, just making my smile widen. Then I turned back to the soju bottle and poured us both another round.

I could hear him clearing up the kitchen quick, before he came back down the short corridor to open up his storage space. A few minutes later, he shut the thing, holding a deck of cards in his hand as he walked back into the studio, and I reached up to hand him his tiny cup filled with the liquor, doing a trade off for the deck.

“Oh, these are dope.” The deck was matte-black, with glossy black printing for each card’s ranks and suits. I started by pulling out the Joker cards first and setting them aside as Mickey bent down to place a kiss on my forehead before he sat criss-cross applesauce right in front of me this time.

“This shit better wow the complete fuck out of me, Ryker,” he muttered, making me smile. I picked up my own soju cup to cheers with him quick, then we took the shot and set our cups down beside us.

“It will,” I assured him, shuffling up the deck. “Pick a card, any card,” I then instructed, fanning out the cards with a riffle fan.

I expected immediate ridicule for something so juvenile as ‘pick a card, any card,’ but instead Mickey arched an eyebrow at my perfect riffle fan, placing every card fanned out in a complete circle with just my knuckles from each hand holding them in perfect balance at the middle, both above and below the fan itself.

It was my favourite just cause I thought it looked really cool.

Mickey reached forward and picked a card from the left side of the fan.

“Now I can’t stress this enough: make sure you remember what that card is, big guy. Don’t fuck this up before the real magic happens.”

And that was when Mickey rolled his eyes, glancing at the card before he nodded to me.

“Good, now place the card right back on top of this deck, and I’m going to do a quick shuffle,” I told him, pulling the cards back in from a fan to a straight deck, then holding the deck out for him to place the card right on top of.

“Really, Ryk?” He asked, teasing me.

“I mean, if you don’t want to see-”

“Alright, alright,” this baker muttered, listening.

Once he placed it on top, this was exactly where the real magic happened as I started to sing and shuffle.

“It’s… supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious If you say it loud enough, you’ll always sound precocious Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I, Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I, Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I.”

Mickey just stared at me in complete fucking confusion at first while I started singing… then complete fucking disbelief as I did a full shuffle in my hand, first doing a card spring fourish, sending the cards from one hand to the other about a foot or two apart, before I did a series of four, five, and six packet deck spin shuffles, then ended in a cascade flourish and a basic overhand shuffle to really throw this fucker off.

“Alright, so I’m going to count out six-”

“ What the fuck -“ Mickey tried to cut in, but I shushed him quickly.

“I’m going to count out six cards from the bottom of this deck and make a little stack on the floor.”

And I did just that, counting out six cards from the bottom, and setting them on the tarp-covered floor. Then I set the rest of the deck of cards aside, not needing them anymore. From hereon, we’d only be working with these six cards.

“Next, I’m going to show you each card in this stack, and you just have to tell me whether or not it’s your card. Sound easy enough?”

“Ryk, nothing about what the fuck you just did was easy ,” Mickey told me seriously, but I just gave him a grin, picking up the stack. I already knew that Mickey knew ball, and while I was trying to show off a little with every shuffle but the last one, the shuffles themselves were chosen for a reason.

I then raised the card right on top of this small stack and asked, “Is this your card?”

Mickey just looked at me, confused as shit, before he shook his head no.

“Darn,” I replied, setting that card down on the tarped floor, then did a quick overhand shuffle with the five remaining cards in the small stack in my hands. After, I raised the second one right on top, asking, “How about this one?”

“Ryk… are you taking the piss right now?” He asked genuinely.

“Just answer the question, Mickey,” I encouraged him, and he slowly shook his head no, looking less amused. “Shucks,” I muttered, setting that card down on top of the first and doing another overhand, standard shuffle. “How bout this one?” My hand raised the third card right on top.

“Ryk-”

“Just a yes or no, Mickey.”

“ No ,“ he replied, so I set that one down and did another shuffle with the three cards remaining.

“This one?”

“ Jesus fuck . No , Ryk.“

I set that card down as well. “Alright,” then I held up the final two. “Any of these?”

Mickey just stared at me now, fully unamused, but he shook his head, and I placed those two on top of the little stack I created of cards that he verified weren’t his. “Alright, now I’m not saying you forgot your card-”

“Ryker Parker, I swear to fucking god -”

“But we do just have to run through these one more time. And if you forgot it, it’s okay. I won’t be mad.”

“Ryk, don’t piss me the fuck off,” Mickey snapped, but I just gave him a quick wink.

“It’s only six cards, Mickey. You can do it.”

Then I started this process all over again, shuffling the stack of six cards I had placed on the floor, before lifting up the first one on top. “So you’re positive this isn’t your card, right?”

“No, Ryk, it fucking isn’t.” Mickey looked at me like he was about to get up at any moment.

I set that card down next to me and gave the stack another overhand shuffle. “Alright, how bout this one?” I lifted the next, and Mickey shook his head no, bringing his fingers to the bridge of his nose in clear annoyance. I set that card down next, on top of the first, did another shuffle, and flipped up the third. “This one?” I asked.

“No, Ryk. Now how fucking long are we-”

“I’m just making sure, Mic,” I promised him with a smile. He took the deepest of sighs while I placed that card down, and did another shuffle.

I didn’t even finish flipping the fourth card up or asking my question before Mickey hit me with one firm, “No,” and I had to mask my chuckle because I knew he’d just stand up and leave if I laughed now.

After placing the fourth card down on that stack next to me, I held up the final two, and Mickey started to stand. “I’m going to bed, Ryk,” he muttered.

“Wait, wait, wait!” I insisted, grinning as I urged him to sit back down. “I think you still remember which one is yours. But in case you forgot, I’ll slap it out of you.”

“I’m sorry, you’ll what? “ Mickey asked me seriously.

“Stick out your fingers like this. Like you’re a t-rex with a big head and little arms,” then I made little claws by bending my pointer and middle fingers of my right hand, while holding the small stack with my left. I could see Mickey was about to lose it, so I had to add, “Just trust me, Mickey. If I’m wrong, I’ll give you the best head of your life-”

“You’ve already fucking done that,” he snapped.

“ I’ll take my time this time . Now just do it.“

And he eventually, reluctantly did, bending the two fingers of his right hand.

“Okay, now turn it to the side so I can slip this stack between your fingers… There we go. And grip the cards a little tight so they won’t go anywhere… Yes, just like that. Alright, now watch closely whi-” I intentionally cut my own words off, slapping the complete shit out of that deck suddenly with my right hand and watching all the cards fly all over the tarp-covered floor around us.

All but one, still gripped tight between his two fingers.

And when Mickey slowly turned that card over, I smiled as his eyes grew wide as all fucking hell, just staring at the card in his hand, in pure disbelief.

“… Ryk… Ryk… Ryk… how-… how the-… fuck- what the fuck -”

“Told ya I had faith you remembered,” I replied. “Never doubted you for a second,” I then added, throwing some gaslighting in there for a little razzle dazzle, all while wondering where his reaction would actually go from here.

I knew I had worn this baker’s patience ultra fucking thin. But I had to; otherwise, he could’ve caught the sleight of hand. The deliberate cuts.

Had to play into his short temper as part of the illusion.

“This… Ryk…” he held the all-black card up for a second, flipping that queen of diamonds over again and again, then checking the thickness of the card to make sure there weren’t two stuck together, even though I knew that he knew there wasn’t. It was his fucking deck after all, and it wasn’t a new one. “Ryk… this is the type of shit you got burnt at the stake for in the 1600’s.”

And that… that had me busting out laughing hard.

But then Mickey looked right up at me and said, “Change of plans. We’re going to Vegas for a weekend this next month.”

M-Mickey,“ I laughed even fucking harder, “they’ll-… they’ll ban us from every casino-”

“Only if we get caught,” he insisted. “Now tell me how you did it, then teach me so I can.”

“ Absolutely not,“ I told him quick as hell. “A magician never reveals their secrets.”

Mickey stared at me head-on and said, “If you teach me, we’ll spend one entire day in bed, doing whatever you’d like to do. We can use that gift Niki-”

But I shook my head no. “Come on, Mickey. Let’s take a shower now and head to bed. I’ve got school in the morning, you know,” I teased, gathering the cards I had slapped down and giving the deck a quick overhead shuffle again before putting them back in their jacket with the Joker cards. Then I handed the pack over to Mickey.

He slowly took it… But he didn’t put the card he was holding in his hand, the one he picked at the very beginning, back inside as we both got up.

In fact… that card never went back into the fucking pack again. Mickey instead placed it directly on his bedside table after we cleaned up the art studio, shut off the lights, and made our way back into the rest of his home.

“Ryk, you gotta tell me,” he insisted, taking a seat on his bed. “Was it the song? Was that when you distracted me?”

“Your eyes stayed on the shuffles, Mickey,” I reminded him. “The song just helps me keep the pace with each shuffle.”

That was a bit of a lie. I always chose any obnoxious song I could think of in the moment that had an eight count.

“Then what was it?” He asked me.

“Not telling, Mic,” I insisted from his closet now, picking out a shirt of his to change into before bed. “Now are we showering or what?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Mickey grumbled. “You go first.”

And when I stepped out to lay the shirt next to the briefs I was about to put on after, on his bed, same bed Mickey was now lying on, still in his painting shirt and oversized sweatpants… he was flicking the card he picked up in the air, and catching it as it fell, before repeating the process.

“Mickey,” I said, making him look over at me as I stood at the foot of his bed. “I said we .”

And he just stared at me for like a fraction of a second, flicked the card onto his left side this time, landing on the mattress, and sprang to his feet. He sprinted to the door of his bathroom in record time so he could hold it open, and said with a grin, “After you, Ryk.”

I just fucking chuckled, walking over while I started to unbutton this massive shirt. If only I knew just how much this man loved his gambling, I wouldn’t have shown off tonight.

I would’ve gone with an easier trick.

“Everyone has a price, Ryk,” Mickey insisted, gently massaging his shampoo into my curls while he rinsed off the soap I had lathered and exfoliated all over his larger build with a loofa.

My eyes were closed now, enjoying this scalp massage all too much, and knowing that Mickey was working from the top down just made me excited. Very, very excited.

My whole body hummed with how good this felt, and not just physically. I loved how intimate this was, getting to shower with him.

He had helped me undress, and of course he’d already seen my body, and I had already seen his… but the gentle kisses he bent down to lay on my right shoulder as soon as he stepped into the shower after me, made me lean back into him, appreciating this feeling of skin against skin.

And I had made sure to take my fucking time washing him- my god. He was completely hard, right from when I started undressing, but he had stopped me before I could take care of it while washing him, whispering near my ear, “We’ll do all that later. I just want this moment with you now.”

And I must admit… that shit made me a mushy mess as I gently rested my head against his chest, trying to hide the smile I already knew he saw, before I felt him give the top of my wet hair a gentle kiss, and I got back to washing him.

I knew I had freaked him out tonight with crying… but him saying that- making sure I knew that this had always been more than just the physical attraction, made me a genuine mess.

Then he did the same for me after rinsing off my hair, making sure to get all the shampoo out before he switched to his body wash. The way he was so delicate with me didn’t make it any better or me any less hard, but I saw what he meant. It felt so intimate having him touch me tenderly, cleaning me all while he was so careful with the parts still slightly bruised- with my stomach.

By the time we both stepped out, I knew for sure it had to be midnight or some shit.

Mickey put me in a towel robe, and he put one on himself. Then he grabbed a smaller towel to place around my shoulders, and he did the same with his own before we both brushed our teeth side by side and stepped out of the bathroom.

“Let me,” Mickey said when I started to dry my curls, standing near his bed, with the towel on my shoulders.

They probably looked a little crazy, but this felt so good, I didn’t give a damn. And when I changed into one of his graphic tees and clean briefs, he quickly dried his hair, pulled on some briefs, and threw all our day clothes, including the robes and towels, into the wash. He left out the painting shirts and his sweatpants to wash separately.

Whatever these towels and robes were made of had me feeling like I was at a spa, I swear. I was about to climb into bed after changing, but Mickey stopped me.

“Let me apply a little more cream on your stomach,” he explained, and I quickly nodded with no protests of my own.

I liked it better when he did it than when I did. I just didn’t want to bother him about it this last week, so I did it myself. He was always gentle, just like he was again today, but the bruising was much better.

Once Mickey was sure it was all even and absorbed, he set the cream back in his bathroom, then joined me as I started climbing into bed, making sure he placed that card back on his bedside table first.

Usually, this would be where Mickey would pull me in after I did my little shimmy away from my side to him… but instead, he didn’t.

“Mickey, I swear to fucking god, if you withhold cuddles over that damn magic tri-”

“It’s not that,” he insisted quietly. “I just… I want to see your beautiful face for a few minutes before you curl up into my side,” he admitted, grinning as he turned to face me, us both on our sides now.

And well, I mean, unfortunately, that did get me- I hate to fucking admit it, but I could already feel my body burning the fuck up.

“I do have one question, though, before we knock out.”

My eyes narrowed a little further because I didn’t trust him to let the magic trick go for even a second.

“Why did you show me that trick in the first place? I wasn’t expecting it- your request- at all.”

“It was my apology,” I quietly replied.

“I told you not to apologize,” Mickey told me in a stern voice.

“Yes,” I agreed with him, “but when you told me not to, I was going to apologize for getting your shirt wet. The magic trick was an apology for not trusting you to explain what you were going to… about the Buddhist temple.”

And Mickey sat with that a moment as his eyes softened. All the lights were off except for the light under his platform bed, creating a calming glow in this home, as it always did. “It’s okay, Ryk. I understand what you said. Why you said it.”

“I know,” I told him a bit more quietly. “I was just on defense a little. But I should’ve been more willing to talk it out.”

Mickey slowly shook his head no. “Nothing you did was wrong. I just felt a type of pain because it made me realize that I had Ci. That was why I recommended the temple. When I needed my mum most, I should’ve gone there a whole lot more than I did… so if you feel alone for any reason that day, I want you to.”

“ Shut up, Mickey ,“ I murmured. “You’re gonna make me cry again, and we don’t have enough time for another magic trick if I say something wrong.”

Mickey lightly chuckled at that. “This is a fine space for you to cry anytime. And say all the things you think you’re saying wrong. They’re the most refreshing to me.”

I found myself shifting in closer, leaning forward, and tilting myhead a little to place a hesitant yet soft kiss on his lips.

“I like these moments,” I whispered against his lips before carefully pulling away some to meet those softened eyes of his. “I… I think I love them. A little too much.”

“Me… Me too,” Mickey admitted. “Can I ask you just one more question before we knock the fuck out?” I gave him a quick but gentle nod, just inches away from him. “Why a magic trick as an apology?”

I thought about that for a second before I eventually whispered back, “ Everyone likes a magic trick. Even psychopaths, I think. You included.“

And that made Mickey chuckle harder as he finally turned and pulled me into his side, wrapping his arms tight around me to whisper, “You think right. Goodnight, Ryk.” Then he bent down slightly to give the top of my head a gentle kiss.

And I made sure to reply, “Goodnight, Mickey,” before I snuggled in closer against his bare chest, welcoming his warmth.

••

52. First Date, Subtle Sweetness

I definitely slept in today… but I got one chapter coming right after this one (editing now) then it’s filing taxes, and back to writing

Also thank you for the feedback on the paragraphs! I’ll keep them the way they are now since y’all like them. And honestly, it also helps me find spelling/grammar errors easier when you guys comment to help a girl out lol

It’s a one man show over here rocking with only spellcheck so my writing is never perfect

Enjoy!

xoxo

P.S. the second part of this date will be in the chapter after the next one, so don’t y’all worry- the lesbians will be lesbianing for sure :)

I was genuinely, no doubt about it, losing my fucking mind.

Pricilla, get it together, girl, I told myself. I didn’t have time for a whole meltdown, regardless of what my brain was trying to convince me of tonight.

It was currently 6:00 PM Saturday, November 21st, and I had approximately two hours to get my ducks in a row before Jade would be picking me up for the event at this art gallery.

Two hours. That was it.

Thanks to Arlo, I was able to leave the cafe a little early so I could get ready, but this week had been so busy that I just-

God, I should’ve started planning for this as soon as she had invited me last Friday .

“Okay, Pricilla,” I sighed out loud, staring at my disappointing closet that was seriously looking to give me a challenge. Unfortunately, my best outfits were more for the summertime. Truly, the only thing I loved about winter was the holidays, but the cold was just… I was very much a cardigan-and-jeans sort of person as soon as it hit the colder months.

My closet was also filled with warmer colors, and at first, I started looking for something darker since Jade dressed that way. I thought it would be nice to match her aesthetic tonight…

Until I remembered what she said. About the warm lights in her tattoo shop.

“Ci,” I sighed again, “just wear something you feel confident in.”

It would only be worse if I spent the night feeling like I was wearing something so unlike my usual style. Even though my style was a convenient bore most days because of work.

And eventually, I decided on a yellow turtleneck dress, something warmer, which I had to pair with some thick black leggings because it was supposed to be a chilly night.

The dress was beautiful, accentuating my curves and fanning out a bit past my waist, just long enough to reach my mid-thighs. Warm but still a little sexy. Could I even pull off sexy? Lord, have mercy.

Mickey had bought me these leggings last year that had a fuzzy inner lining, but an illusion of them being somewhat sheer on the outside like regular tights, so I pulled those out to wear, and the nice thing about the yellow dress was that the leggings came right up, a little past my navel, to the part where the dress fanned out like a skirt, so the the thicker waist band couldn’t be seen.

It would break the illusion a bit if it could.

Next was the jacket. I had a deep brown, close to black, cashmere trench coat that matched some leather boots I owned. Boots with just a slight heel because my guess was we’d be walking around for most of the night, and I wanted something sensible.

At first, I was going to go with a black jacket until I realized I’d look like a damn bumblebee since the dress was so yellow.

Was it too bright a yellow?

No, Pricilla, we’re not doing this now , I thought, staring at the clothes I was first pulling and laying out on my bed, before I took a shower and eventually changed into them.

Okay… scarf next.

The only color that wouldn’t be too insane with the brown and bright yellow was white. So that was what I eventually went with- a white, thick, fringed wool scarf. And I had the opportunity to wear my white suede gloves too. But when I layed that all out… I realized I wasn’t fucking liking the yellow.

“…That’s it, I’m not going,” I grumbled, falling back to plop down on the edge of my bed.

I didn’t even know what I was going for anymore, and it would be odd to try a more Christmas colored approach since we had four whole days before we even hit Thanksgiving. Green and red were out of the fucking question.

Oh shoot, and I still needed to buy stuff for that, I remembered. Thanksgiving . Ryk would be joining us this year, so I wanted to at least put in a little more effort.

I swear that kid was far too nice, because I knew for damn sure that Mic must have dragged my Turkey through hell when explaining our annual Thanksgiving meal. And yet all Ryker said was that it was a complicated bird to get right.

Which just made me want to work even harder this year to try and do better. After what he had gone through, it felt like I was only further hurting him by forcing him to eat my turkey the way I had made it the prior years.

Maybe Mickey would help , I wondered. He hated turkey in general, so he never had an interest in the hassle, but if he felt comfortable enough with Ryk to invite him over, then maybe I could guilt-trip him before Thursday- D-Day

• to help me figure this shit out for once.

A shit turkey could not be our permanent Thanksgiving tradition… even though this would be year seven with Mic where I failed us drastically.

Come on, Pricilla , my inner voice persevered. I couldn’t distract myself now; we had to pull it together with this look. And so I pushed myself to my feet again and walked back over to stare my closet down. “Okay. No yellow. But …”

I started rummaging through again, realizing why Mic had recommended one year ago that I color-code my closet. That shit made so much sense right now as I dug through to try and find the latte colored turtleneck dress I knew I had somewhere in here. It was a similar design to the yellow one, but just a bit shorter in length, which was why I didn’t wear it much. However, I was also wearing the thick tights, so… I thought it could work.

Sure enough, I found it at the very back of the closet.

And as I set it on my bed, a smile finally crept across my face.

This worked. This definitely worked.

Though I wish I would’ve said I was stronger than this…

I definitely took a shot of tequila after I had gotten showered and dressed, placing the gloves on the kitchen counter to pour one before Jade arrived.

She texted, saying she’d be here by 8:00 PM because the exhibit was at 8:30 PM, and right now it was 7:50 PM. I had no idea if she was a punctual person. I mean, I was so late to her shop last Friday, I told myself I wouldn’t say a damn thing if she was late tonight, but I still wanted to be ready just in case.

Then after I took the shot… I realized my breath now smelled like tequila, so then I started sprinting upstairs to brush my teeth again… only to realize that if I was going to do all that, I might as well take two shots, right?

So I poured one more, threw the shot back, then put that bottle of temptation away to go back upstairs and brush real quick.

By the time I finally made it back down into my kitchen, I could see some bright white LED lights shining through the glass panel of my front entrance from the headlights of a car parking on the street right outside, and my phone started ringing in my purse sitting on the counter a second later, which I dug through quickly for.

“Hey,” I heard Jade say first before I could even answer with a hello.

“H-Hi,” I got out like the hot mess I seriously felt like I was tonight.

“Are you ready? I think I found the place. I’m parked right out front,” Jade replied. “But take your time.”

“Yes! I’ll be out in just a sec, thank you!” I rushed out, already dashing to one of the mirrors I had in the dining area to the left of my kitchen so I could make absolutely certain I looked alright.

“Perfect,” Jade replied warmly. “I’ll see you soon.”

Then the call ended, allowing me to set my phone on my dining room table so I could run my hands through the layers in my deep brown hair and fluff them out a little more. Should I have gotten a haircut for this? I wondered, looking at how long my hair had gotten, cascading down my shoulders and back . Fuck.

I mean, not like I was going to find some clippers now , I reminded myself, dashing back into the kitchen to put the black crossbody purse I had decided to go with, on, as well as my white gloves, and headed to the entry to start putting on the brown leather boots… until I remembered my freaking phone on the dining room counter and had to dash back for that, before sprinting back to my entryway to finally get some shoes on.

Then I did a quick mental check because my frazzled brain was clearly not at a hundred tonight.

Phone?

Check .

Wallet?

Check

Keys?… I grabbed those off the hook near the door quick.

Check .

And that was pretty much it. Anything I forgot would be in the universe’s hands at this point because I didn’t want to keep Jade waiting. But I did take a few deep fucking breaths, trying to calm myself so I didn’t look like I just ran a 100-meter dash all around my freaking home.

Then I finally opened up that door and turned quickly to close and lock it, just giving myself one more second to get it together.

You’re good, Pricilla. You’ll be fine .

And I told myself that again and again… up until I turned around to see one fully blacked out sports car parked on the street; shiny gloss coat, tinted windows, and a woman in all black leaning against the hood of her passenger side, waiting for me.

As I traveled down the steps and pathwalk, opening up the back gate to the well-lit sidewalk and street, Jade gave me one warm smile. “You look beautiful, Pris,” she told me.

“You… You… wow ,” I replied, just about ready to climb inside the nearest trashbin and let the garbage pickup Monday morning do its thing from that response.

I could’ve sworn I was at least a little smoother than that fucking shit I just spewed.

She was wearing a black turtleneck top, but there was a slit that ran across it, just above her breasts, showing off some of her beautiful porcelain skin and tattoos. Then this was paired with some deep brown leather leggings, which I couldn’t help but smile a bit at because they matched my thick coat. The leggings stopped right where the black suede knee-high boots started, and all this came together with a sort of black suede trenchcoat, not her usual leather one.

Jade’s smile got wider when I finally brought my eyes back up to hers, my face probably a shade or two redder by just how hard I was blatantly checking her out. This impeccable style she had was truly going to be the death of me.

“Ready?” She then asked. “It’s close, where we’re going, but parking is absolutely atrocious.”

I quickly nodded, forcing the next few steps forward while Jade turned around to open the passenger side of her two-door… something. Mickey probably knew what kind of car this was, but I sure as hell didn’t.

And that was when I remembered what he said when I asked if she drove.

“Oh, she drives, alright.”

I was definitely going to ask him what the hell he meant by that first thing on Monday, now that I saw exactly what it was she drove. This car looked both fast and expensive.

“Thank you,” I said, giving her a warm smile before lowering into the passenger seat, making sure to quickly bundle the coat’s fabric near my legs. Jade waited patiently until I got all the fabric in before she closed the passenger door and walked around to the driver’s side to get in herself.

“My apologies for being a few minutes late. I’ve been going back and forth with my contractor about a few things, but we’ll be set to open the first week of December,” Jade explained, pulling this beautiful car out, away from the side street parking.

And I took a second to appreciate the beautiful leather interior, along with the low glow, white lights she had under the seats that allowed me to see this even more beautiful woman better.

“No worries at all! Perfect timing, really, and I’m sure everything will go great with the opening…” I replied, noticing the car was a manual when her right hand stayed on the clutch. It just made me wish I knew the first thing about cars, because all I got out was, “And thank you for picking me up in the first place, this is a seriously beautiful car… but you should also know that Mickey is the only one between us two who knows even a shred about vehicles.”

“Thank you,” Jade chuckled warmly, a grin settling on her face as she added, “Don’t worry. I won’t grill you on this ride. I just like that you like it.” Then she looked over at me for just a second, making me smile as I quickly averted my gaze to the windshield.

It was insane how beautiful this woman really was. Those ash-brown eyes and deep brown freckles. How her looks could literally shift with just a smile.

“Thank you,” I still forced myself to say. Then I forced myself to think of something else to say that wasn’t about me. I had given myself a pep talk all day, telling myself I would try to get to know more about her tonight. “So are-… are you doing anything special for the upcoming holidays?”

Jade looked over again for just a moment to ask, “Which one?” And I noticed that beautiful smile on her full lips didn’t seem to leave, which both made my face feel like someone was holding a hair dryer right in front of it… But also made me feel like this was maybe okay to ask? I knew she had just moved back, and her family dynamic was a bit complicated. God, I had no idea right now.

I should’ve taken a third shot for sure. But then again, I was supposed to be taking it easy with the alcohol after this whole French man-too much wine-marriage debacle.

“Both of them, perhaps?” I offered Jade a bit nervously, and that smile of hers widened. “But if that’s sort of prying-”

“It’s not,” this beautiful woman replied, her velvety, smooth voice making me look out the passenger window at the city lights so I could shout at myself internally to pull it together . “For Thanksgiving, I don’t think I have any plans. My half-brother should be home within the first few weeks of December; he’s the only family I have here in the city, so besides a quick phone call home, nothing else. How about yourself?”

I glanced over at Jade just in time to catch her eyes before she turned them back to the road to merge onto another street. “I- uh- well, usually it’s just Mickey and I, but this holiday season we have someone new working at the cafe, and Mic extended an invite… if… if you’d like to maybe join us, too…” My voice sort of trailed off, my brain screaming at me, asking what I was even offering because I knew my turkey was barely edible…

But then my heart just told it to shut the fuck up because I couldn’t imagine how lonely it would be for her not to have anyone to share a meal with over the holiday.

Then my brain reminded me yet again that my turkey was barely

“I’d love to,” Jade replied, giving me a larger smile before her eyes returned to the road.

“R-Really?” I asked incredulously, like the woman had just accepted a sudden marriage proposal or something.

Get a grip, Pricilla.

Get a goddamn grip.

“Absolutely, if you’d like me to. I don’t cook too much, so I might be a bit hopeless with bringing a side dish to share, but I do make a solid sangria if that’s your thing?”

I nodded my head so damn fast. “I’ve got one of those large dispenser things if you’d like to come a little earlier to make it? Just tell me what you’ll need. We usually don’t start serving food until around 3 or 4 PM.”

“Perfect,” Jade nodded, “ then I’ll come around noon with everything I need,“ she gave me a smooth reply, and I immediately started fucking coughing, choking a bit on my own spit. My body was physically reminding me, at this point, of the chaotic nature that was my place between the hours of 8 AM and 2 PM. “Sorry, is that a bit too early?”

“ No, no, no! “ I rushed out quick. “I just-… just a fair warning, my place does sort of look like a warzone anytime earlier than 2 PM that day, so if… if you don’t mind all that-”

“I don’t,” Jade replied, shutting my nerves and concerns down with those two simple words…

Until I remembered my damn turkey.

I wanted to warn Jade about it… But shit, I also, like, didn’t?

And after a second, I… I sort of decided not to? Like, I really didn’t want to put her off from coming over.

“I appreciate you inviting me,” Jade added, making me smile as I gave her a nervous nod, but we didn’t get too much farther in this conversation because Jade was already pulling her very nice car into a paid parking lot, rolling down her window to scan the barcode on the on the ticket pole with her phone that she picked up from the middle console of the car, so she could register this car for an available slot tonight.

–

“I really wouldn’t mind-”

“Tonight’s my treat, Pris,” Jade reminded me as she led us out of the parking lot and around to the sidewalk, declining my offer to at least pay for parking since she’d picked me up and driven us here.

I hadn’t been on this side of town much, but it was nice that it wasn’t too deep into the city, meaning the streets weren’t all that busy. I hugged my jacket just a bit tighter, though, because there was definitely a nippy breeze blowing through.

Once she looked over at me, I watched her slow to a stop, which made me slow to a stop with her, but she stepped in front of me a little to face me. Then I was just staring up at her, unsure of what she was going to do next.

“Can I?” she asked, raising her hands to slightly gesture to my thick scarf. I quickly nodded, still not sure at all what I was saying yes to… but those ash-brown eyes could’ve asked just about anything right now, and the answer would probably be yes.

Yet when her hands started to fix the scarf, making one side longer so she could wrap it around my neck and tuck both ends into either side of my coat, my face got a whole lot warmer. I had only worn it this way, the fabric draping from my neck, as a stylistic choice… but Jade didn’t seem concerned about that in the slightest.

“We’ve got another block to walk. I want to make sure you’re bundled,” She explained to me, and my gaze fell a bit, smiling as I nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. It isn’t too far, though. We should be there soon,” this breathtaking woman assured me, turning so her and I could continue walking side by side.

“I just realized I never really asked what kind of art event it is,” I told her.

Yeah, Ci, you were just happy she asked you, you hopeless romantic

. Heavy on the hopeless , my brain reminded me, remembering exactly how quickly I jumped at the opportunity to say yes to this.

“The exhibition is titled Bodies . It… might be a little unorthodox, but stick with it if you can,” Jade replied, glancing over at me.

Us walking side by side confirmed that she was definitely taller, even with the stunning black suede boots she had on that had a thin high heel. She walked in them with such confidence, too, while I looked like a baby gazelle just learning to take their first steps whenever I wore anything taller than a kitten heel.

I gave her a firm nod and a smile, thinking of a good response to that, but once we crossed the street, she did a light jog ahead to reach for a door to a building. One I realized had blacked out windows, which was a bit strange.

Mickey always said I had such little survival instincts… but I really did travel pretty confidently, knowing that kid had tapped into my phone’s location a long, long time ago. And something told me he already knew about this date, even though he was supposed to be the kid here while I was the trusted adult.

Once Jade got the door open, however, some sort of futuristic techno music spilled out of this building onto the street.

“Thank you,” I smiled at her, walking in and just bracing myself for what exactly I had gotten myself into by not asking any questions yet again . This was definitely becoming a common occurrence with Jade.

And when I stepped inside, I walked right into a small, dark pocket of space, with bright blue neon light strips zigzagging across a black ceiling as the only lighting. There was a podium right in the center, where a shorter man in a white button-down and black suit vest, with dark hair, gauges, and tattoos from the neck down, smiled.

“Hey Tino,” Jade spoke, joining me right at my right side.

“Stoked to see you made it. Come find me if you need anything at all; otherwise, enjoy the night,” he replied, gesturing to our right, where there was a closed black door. I noticed one on the left side as well.

“Will do,” Jade smiled at him before turning to me. “Are you ready, Pris?” She asked.

“Absolutely,” I gave her a reassuring smile… even though I was definitely freaking out a bit on the inside. But then Jade’s smile widened, and I internally just said screw it, allowing her to lead as she turned the knob to this first door and opened it up, holding it open for me to walk through after her.

My eyes grew absolutely wide at the red and blue lights in here, zig-zagged like the entrance on the black ceiling above us.

This door had opened up to a room filled with see-through, full-body glass boxes where both women and men were standing or lying down in. They were wearing what I could only describe as variations of a revealing futuristic outfit, tight silverish clothes, these boxed glasses that wrapped around their entire head, almost like a robot, and the poses they remained still for were rigid but trippy.

The music playing in this room also sounded very techno… but what intrigued me most was that there were what looked like artists, both men and women, each standing near a see-through case, drawing what seemed to be the models inside, on different-sized sketch pads.

I… I was in fact a bit speechless, I won’t lie.

And Jade must’ve sensed that because she got a little closer, leaning down slightly so I could hear her better over the music. “This exhibition includes seven rooms, all of which portray the art of bodies through different music genres, different styles, and sometimes different centuries. It’s a closed exhibit to the public, only open to artists to attend and draw or paint. No photos allowed.”

I looked over quick as hell, staring up at this beautiful woman. “Really?” Jade nodded, giving me a stellar smile. “That’s genuinely incredible.”

“I thought you’d think so. It runs until 10:30 PM, with the models taking pose breaks every few minutes… but if anything makes you uncomfortable, just let me know, and we’ll head out a little early. Some outfits may be revealing, since this is meant to accentuate the rigidity and curves of human bodies, but I promise you no one’s completely nude. Just a few boobs here and there as we travel back through time to the earlier centuries.”

I quickly nodded, still a bit nervous about that , but telling myself to get over it. It was art, after all, just like paintings I would see in galleries. “That sounds good. Is there a limited time to spend in each room?”

Jade quickly shook her head no. “And we can also move through each one as many times as you’d like; we’re just asked to complete the loop around the rooms each time, and then return to whichever room you’d like to see again.”

“That sounds perfectly fine,” I grinned, still fully taken aback by how Jade had even gotten me a ticket to this in the first place. This first room had eight glass cases with eight models inside, and only eight artists at work.

It was also definitely a bit warmer in here, though, so I found myself pulling off my gloves and slipping them into the pockets of this coat. Then I removed my scarf and coat and draped them over my left arm.

Jade seemed fairly comfortable with what she was wearing, but I caught just a bit of her more intense gaze as she took in the dress and tights I was wearing.

My right hand quickly did that thing, pretending to smooth out the dress while making sure the skirt part hadn’t ridden up anywhere. She bent down to speak a little closer over the techno music, telling me, “You look utterly stunning , Pris… Would I be a little too forward to ask to hold your hand tonight as we walk?”

Man, you would’ve thought I was ready to see my head turn like in The Exorcist from how goddamn hard and fast I quickly shook my head no at her being too forward, watching Jade smile again as her left hand reached for my right.

I noticed this might’ve been the first time I didn’t see any gloves on or around her, and I expected her hand to be cold since it was pretty chilly out tonight, but it wasn’t. Not cold, and not hot either. Just a confortable temperature…

Which just made me think of how terrible my body must’ve been at circulating heat. Or maybe how good hers was?

“Are we allowed to look at the artist’s drawings?” I asked her. I wasn’t sure if that was okay or not, considering I was a bit of an outsider here tonight.

“Absolutely,” Jade replied, guiding me right to the first artist.

They were using a pen on a larger sketchpad to draw a male who was inside the see-through box, his hair sprayed silver and skin a deep tan, contrasting with the baggy silver harem pants he wore, while his upper body was completely bare and insanely sculpted, but the glasses prevented me from seeing his eyes.

His hands were on the glass like he was trying to brace himself for something, but he remained entirely still.

And this artist’s sketch was extraordinary. I had only realized once Jade gently tugged me a little closer by my hand, that he hadn’t lifted his pen off the paper once. He was doing a continuous sketch, mesmerizing me for more than just a moment.

“That’s phenomenal ,” I told Jade, but tried to keep my voice lower. This artist was a young man, fully focused on this piece and on the model, not stalling the pen even once, but drawing in a continuous line as his head eyes alternated between the pen and the paper.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there watching him, but Jade remained at my side watching with me patiently, allowing me to take this all in.

And there wasn’t a doubt in my mind while we eventually moved to the next model and artist, that this was going to be the most memorable first date I had ever been on.

••

53. Dough-nut Underestimate Me

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Monday was a whole mixed bag of shit.

The good, the bad, the irritating at best.

It started in the morning, when I definitely had to all but drag Ryk out of bed. He kept mumbling “ five more minutes, “ in that sleepy, raspy voice, trying to snuggle back into my side, and after the night we had together, god I was so close to caving.

But I couldn’t.

If I was going to have a shot of actually taking him to South Korea, this dipshit had to graduate, and that required good attendance, so I forced him out of bed to go shower while I got his breakfast bars and energy drink set on the table for him to take to-go.

Obviously, I wanted to wake him up differently, involving a whole lot more touching so I could hear those broken moans and groans of his, but the weekend had been so long and chaotic, I just let him get as much sleep in as possible.

Us dating couldn’t jeopardize his attention to school and making sure he was focused enough for it. That was a firm boundary I wouldn’t cross, which was the only reason Don even passed over his responsibility in the first place.

After Ryk was showered, dressed, and all packed up, I walked him all the way out to his car, giving this sleepy shithead a solid kiss which he tried to prolong but I was having none of that- well, I was having some of that, but I forced myself to pull away, and sent him off to Averin High.

I still needed to do a few things around my home before my shift at Wilmoria’s, like wash the painting clothes, clean some dishes I’d just placed in the sink the night before, and prep Ryk’s lunch, which I would drop off on the way to the café. I also finished writing up my recipe for Ci, so I would have time to do some experimenting with Ryk when he got in for his shift today.

Honestly, my specialty item this year was pretty basic in terms of my skill level… but I made sure it would be friendly competition for Ryk, and, of course, it would bring in good buzz for the café.

My guess was that, even if it didn’t win, Ci would find a way to put it on the menu permanently. She usually took a vote amongst the staff to make things fair, and every year, whatever I made won that vote.

We were competitive as all hell with each other… but we never lost sight of the whole point of this contest: create something new and unique for our customers to try, while challenging ourselves to break the norm. It was what made that Broken Hearts Café so damn special in the first place.

Goal was to turn mine in today before the day ended, then I also planned on blocking off an hour on the board for Ryk as soon as I got in, and we could use it to actually bake his recipe to see if the flavor profiles were perfect.

And as I finally started making his lunch, I couldn’t help but think about that magic trick he had shown me last night. His apology… for doubting me.

I think for the first time in my life, I had seen something that genuinely took me by surprise.

Usually I could work out most magic tricks, but that one… that one got me. I kept running through it again and again, wondering when he made the intentional cuts, but he was fast as all hell with those shuffles. And when he finally slapped those cards away, what was left just left me floored .

Vegas would be seeing us . I didn’t give a shit. He may have been completely ass at math, but that fucker knew his way around a deck of cards, and all it did was make me even more fucking hyped about the holiday party at the cabin.

But first, I had some haemuljeon to make for him and that kind photography teacher of his. I could tell Ryk really liked sharing these meals with her, and anything that would make him want to actually show up for class was something I didn’t mind expanding on.

He needed to feel safe and secure before he went on to make friends who were worth a damn.

But in the meantime, he had Ms. Kluntz, the staff at Wimoria’s and Fight Club, and the Buddhist monks at the temple to lean on whenever he needed. Whenever he felt alone.

And apparently Xavier, too. That big guy was really starting to take a liking to that little fucker.

As soon as I walked through the café’s back door, I mean as soon as I took my very first step inside, a hand reached for my left arm and started dragging me.

“What the hell, Ci-” I started, turning to the woman who had a firm hold on me.

“I need you right now.”

“I haven’t even set down my-”

“ Come on, Mickey,“ she replied, dragging me along to her office before she pulled me right inside and shut the door behind her, placing her back against it.

I just turned to face this woman, my helmet still in my left hand; rider gloves and my leather jacket still on.

And the very first thing out of her mouth was, “We have to figure out how to bake a damn good turkey.”

I stared at CiCi, confused as shit.

Her frazzled-looking hair was pulled up into her standard messy bun. Her usual cardigan covered a white V-neck shirt and the simple mum jeans she always wore. She looked normal… but she sure as hell wasn’t acting normal.

“The fuck do you mean we? “ I asked her, watching as she walked around quickly to lean against her messy desk. Then she pulled the flaps of her cardigan tight around her body, and I knew my day was about to get a hell of a lot worse. “You must be working on your shitty French.”

“ We can’t fuck up the turkey this year,“ she rushed out.

“First off,” I said, turning to set my helmet down on the chair near the door to her office. “You’re throwing out a hell of a lot of we’s when you know I don’t touch that damn bird. That shit’s all you.”

“ Mickey ,“ Ci whined once I turned back to face her again, my hands pulling off my riding gloves next to set in my leather jacket pockets. “ I need you . I need your help.“

“CiCi,” I replied, “when it comes to that turkey, what you need is divine intervention. From a higher power. And why do you give a damn this year, anyway? Ryk already said he’s fine with struggling through a serving of your dry ass bird.”

“ I know, I know, I know ,“ this frazzled woman insisted. “But this year is… different.”

“I don’t see how,” I told her. Ryk was the only thing different about it, and I was already sneaking us in chicken wings, so Ci’s mashed potatoes weren’t the only thing sustaining us through the holiday.

But what she revealed next made my eyes widen a bit, admittedly. “I… I may have invited Jade.”

… And I knew I shouldn’t have- I knew my sweet godmother was stressing the hell out right now… but there was nothing stopping the loud ass laughter that fell past my lips.

“You-” I inhaled sharply, gripping my sides a bit, “Why-… Why the hell would you go and fucking do that shit?”

“ Mickey ,“ Ci whined again. “It just- It just came out without me thinking. I asked her what her plans were, and she said she didn’t really have any, and, well, since you invited Ryker, I just thought like, why the hell not, you know?”

“Well, one good reason for why the hell not, Ci, is that your turkey is barely edible ,” I told this hilarious woman. She just raised her hands to drop them right into her palms. “Did you at least warn her like I did Ryk?” I asked. CiCi slowly shook her head no, keeping it dropped into her open palms. I couldn’t help but fucking cackle again, making this older woman shake her head slowly at her insane actions. “Well,” I then sighed, “I guess I could help out.”

Ci whipped her head up lightning fast, “Really?” She asked.

“Sure,” I nodded. “I was going to sneak in chicken wings for Ryk and me. I’ll bring extra for Jade.”

“ Mickeyyy ,“ Ci whined even harder , dropping her head back in her hands. “We can’t eat freaking chicken wings for Thanksgiving! “

“Well, we can barely eat your fuck ass bird the way you make it,” I reminded this woman.

She raised her head to look at me, pouting as she said, “But that’s why we’re making it. We are bakers after all, right? You and I?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “We bake bread and desserts. We don’t perform miracles. Go find a priest or something, maybe they can baptize the bird in holy water first before you do your worst to it.”

Her head dropped right back into her hands hopelessly, making me chuckle. “ Please, Mic ,“ she begged, whining into her hands now… but when her head suddenly snapped up, I knew whatever was coming out next was going to cost me. “Think about Ryk,” she said.

See. I knew it was going to be some fuck shit.

“With everything going on, I’m sure he’d also appreciate a decent Thanksgiving meal, right?”

“He doesn’t even-” I started, but cut my own words off.

He told me not to tell Ci that, that he didn’t really care about the traditional stuff around the holidays.

He probably genuinely wanted to make this woman happy, because she did. She cared.

But then… then I remembered what he had admitted about Christmas day last night. About not wanting to be alone. He might not have cared about the traditional stuff itself, but I did think he cared about at least being a part of it. Sharing that time with someone, regardless of the traditional or non-traditional shit.

And that was when I took the deepest, most irritated sigh of the day, knowing there would only be more to come after this.

“Alright,” I caved. And CiCi sprang from her desk, rushing towards me.

“Thank you so so so much Mi-”

“ Hold the fuck on, Ci ,“ I stopped her from rushing me with a hug by placing two fingers on her forehead mid-sprint. “Sit the fuck back down. I have asks and expectations to make very clear before we start anything, so listen up.”

Ci nodded that head fast as fuck, backing up to her desk again, which just made me chuckle more. She must’ve had a really good time on her date with Jade Saturday night because this was for sure the first Thanksgiving she had ever begged like this.

I still couldn’t believe she didn’t tell Jade her turkey was the embodiment of cotton mouth. That the finest weed had nothing on the dryness she managed to achieve each year with that bird.

“First, I need this whole afternoon with Ryk, so he’ll have to start on the floor tomorrow,” I told her.

“Why don’t we just have him start after Thanksg-”

“Yes, let’s do that,” I cut her off, nodding. Fact of the matter was that I wasn’t exactly ready for him to be out there. Not because I didn’t think he’d be ready, but because I didn’t want to have to see him smile wide at everyone who walked through that door.

Right now, those wide smiles had been reserved for me and me alone. I still needed to give myself time to work through the jealousy, which would, in fact, be inevitable.

“Second, I’d like to choose what my Christmas gift this year is,” I continued.

Ci slowly nodded. “As long as it’s not anything too crazy, I can get behind that. Just need a notice big enough for your ask when the time comes. Don’t spring shit on me Christmas Day, Mic.”

And I nodded at that reasonable request.

“Third… switch Secret Sa-”

“Not happening, Mickey,” Ci cut me right off. “You know how I feel about upholding tradition. I’d rather hire a chef to help me bake that turkey on Thanksgiving day than switch.”

I sighed deeply, realizing this would’ve been the only leverage left that I could potentially use. But somewhere deep inside, I knew this would also be the outcome. “Fine,” I sighed, fully accepting the outcome. “Third, you are going to follow exactly what I say tonight to a T, Ci. For you to spring this fuck ass bird on me 3 days before Thanksgiving is actually diabolical . And speaking of which, where’s the damn bird now?”

“…In the freezer still,” Ci admitted, making me raise my fingers to the bridge of my nose instantly.

“It stays there.”

“Until when?”

“ Until the next fucking Thanksgiving, Ci ,“ I replied seriously. “You were supposed to have moved it to the fridge on Friday or Saturday.”

“But… in the prior years, I just-”

She stopped talking as soon as I gave this woman a sharp look. Prior years were the reason she and I were here now. I didn’t even like this stupid bird, yet even I knew how long it took to thaw in the fridge by weight.

“Right,” She nodded instead. “Next Thanksgiving.”

“Xavier and I will find a fresh one Wednesday, and I’ll bring it over when Ryk and I come over after work,” I told my godmother. The sudden look of hope glistening in her eyes while she nodded just made me sigh harder. “You closing tonight?” I then asked Ci.

“Yeah, Eve opened by herself since I had another meeting with my divorce lawyer,” CiCi explained.

“Good,” I nodded. “How much caffeine you got in you now?”

“None,” she admitted.

“Fix that,” I ordered. “You and I are going to take your car to the store to buy two fresh test turkeys tonight after close, then we are going to try two different cooking methods with two different rubs. We’ll go as late as we can, then you’ll come to work to open with Arlo tomorrow since he picked up a morning shift so he can finish up his recipe here in the back before prep time, I’ll stay at your home and finish baking those fuckers, coming in when Ryk does to close out the evening shift with him and Eve. Understood?”

CiCi just stared at me. “You’ll… You’ll do that?” She asked with even more hope in her eyes.

“Yes,” I sighed, already knowing that this shit is going to suck ass.

“Wait- where are you on your specialty item?”

“Finished,” I told her. “Emailed you the recipe already with a link to the best local wholesale markets for my specialty item, but I didn’t choose anything too crazy this year.”

“When the fuck did you even-… nevermind. What’s the title for it?”

“Breath of Fresh Air,” I replied. “Would’ve been on the damn board already if someone didn’t drag me in here right as I walked in, begging me to cook a dry ass bird.” Ci avoided my gaze as she turned to walk around her desk so she could open up her laptop and check her emails. After a few clicks and keys, she finally read the email I sent her, and her eyes grew wider.

“This… this is incredible, Mic… and completely fucking unfair. “ That last part was mumbled for sure.

“The chocolate will be made with a dash of concentrated coffee. My specialty item is Turkish pistachios. The mint will be a combination of peppermint and a small amount of spearmint for an added cooling flavour.”

“When the hell did you even test this?” She asked me.

“You know I’ve been baking for years, Ci. That, and I’m pretty much the only one in this café who’s made most of the cakes in the past. Now what I’m really excited for you to try is what Ryk’s cooking up. He surprised me this w- this last week with his pick.”

Ci glanced up at me from her laptop screen. “What’s his specialty item?” She asked me.

“You’ll see,” was all I said, accompanying it with a wicked smile.

“You think this’ll be it?” Ryk asked, leaning back further against the brick wall of this café.

“Third times the charm,” I replied, leaning back more with him, right outside in this back alley.

“Thank you,” Ryk said a little lower. “It’s been busy as shit, and yet we managed to make three different syrups to test because of you.”

I turned my head to look down at him with a smile as we took a breather out here. We couldn’t smoke a cig because this was it- our final taste test of the day- and we couldn’t have it clouded by the taste of cigarettes. In about 2 minutes, we’d be heading in to try our final creation for his specialty item… and all I could think of was how it would turn out.

I wasn’t even thinking about the damn birds I was going to have to go pick up with Ci.

“Oh. Just an FYI, you remember me telling you about that new driver in town?” I asked. Ryk nodded up at me. “Her name’s Jade. She’s a tattoo artist as well, and she’s back in town with a new shop, working with me to get her brother out of jail. He’s the one who did all the art you see on my body.”

That made Ryk raise those dark brows of his a bit, but he didn’t say anything, just trusting I’d explain more later.

Something I was falling more and more in love with about him. The reason he got so much honesty out of me when the time was right.

Because he trusted that this honesty between us was as much of a two-way street as I could make it, all while keeping him safe.

“She’s got a crush on Ci. And CiCi ended up inviting her to Thanksgiving this last weekend when they went on their first date. Are you alright with that?”

Ryk quickly nodded this time. “I didn’t know CiCi liked women.”

And I couldn’t help but fucking laugh at that being the first thing Ryk said out of everything I mentioned… yet then again… it was Ryk. And he just loved to remind me of how much I was infatuated with him.

“Ci hasn’t really taken things further before this. I think she kissed a few girls in college or something, but after that, it was just a series of shitty men.”

Ryk slowly nodded. “Does Jade know… about the fuck ass bird?” He then asked a little quieter, making me cackle this time before I took yet another deep breath in, pretending it was a hit of a cig I desperately wanted but couldn’t have.

CiCi and Eve were working up front, but it was about five minutes to close, then we’d start clean up, and after the day Ryk and I had, he just had to look up at me after we finished filling the macarons, and I was already heading towards the back door for us to step out. We seriously needed a breather.

“Nope,” I eventually replied while releasing that breath. “I’m going to help Ci figure it out tonight with some test birds, then spend the night at hers and bake them in the morning. If I’ve got anything to show for myself with the first bird, I’ll pack you some for your lunch tomorrow. If I don’t, I’ll pack you something else. Probably won’t be Korean though wince I’ll be working with what’s in her fridge.”

Ryk nodded with no protests of his own. “Thanks again. For lunch today.”

“I’m glad to hear it was a hit for you and Ms. Kluntz,” I replied, smiling down at him. “When do I get to see the developed photos from the temple?” I watched as Ryk looked away quickly at that, fully avoiding the fuck out of my gaze. “What? Don’t tell me they weren’t good.”

“No, they… they were.”

“Then what’s wrong?” I asked.

“Let’s just say… Ms. Kluntz definitely knows I like you,” Ryk replied, making my eyebrows furrow a bit. “Your bitch ass was in a lot of them,” he added quietly. “Too many.”

And that shit had me grinning like a madman.

“I want to see them,” I demanded quickly, but Ryk was even quicker to shake his head no.

“Absolutely the fuck not.”

“Ryk-”

“No.”

“Then how about this,” I countered quick, not willing to let this go. “If the batch of macarons we made in there is an absolute success, I get to see them. If we gotta tweak the filling recipe once again, you can bury them, burn them, jack off to them, do whatever you like to and/or with them, and I’ll never bring it up again. Deal?”

Ryk paused, debating that for a second, before he eventually nodded.

“Good. Then let’s go see whether your good faith in me was warranted,” I told this fucker, reaching for and pulling the back door open so I could lead us back inside…

But as soon as we stepped into the kitchen again, Eve and Ci were already back here.

Eve was hunched over the kitchen island, a half-eaten macaron in her hand as she hit the metal surface with a closed fist repeatedly. Ci was leaning back against the counter behind the kitchen island, eyes closed, just chewing what looked like the second-to-last bite of her own macaron.

And there wasn’t a damn thing that could stop the smile spreading across my lips as they opened up their eyes to see Ryk and I.

“These gotta hit the fucking floor tomorrow, Mic,” Eve spat my way in disgust and anguish, which only made my smile wider. “I’m deadass.”

“We can’t do that,” Ci whined in agony. “Dec 1st or Arlo will wring our fucking necks. He’s still working on his sourdough.”

“I can take him,” Eve shot back quickly to our owner.

I looked over at Ryk… and I swear to god, that grin he had on his beautiful fucking face had the ability to stop any heart, not just mine. Especially when he turned to look up at me.

We didn’t even bother with washing our hands. We each just took those few steps to the kitchen island, snatched up a macaron each, and took a bite.

And holy fucking mother of god.

In an instant, I was slamming a fist down right along with Eve, while Ryk was grinning ear to fucking ear as he nodded to himself.

“What’s the specialty item?” Eve demanded.

“There’s two,” I replied, looking over, down at Ryk. “Your recipe. Only right you give the people what they want.”

Ryk hesitantly nodded before eventually saying, “Omija-cha- tea made from dried Schisandra berries, and the second is Korean pear. The filling is infused with the syrup we made from the tea, letting it steep in cold water overnight to prevent the bitterness, and the shells are made with ground-up freeze-dried Korean pear…”

I still remembered the look this shithead gave me when I told him it was either steeping the tea overnight in cold water, or fermenting the berries for 100 days in white sugar.

“Because the Korean pear isn’t green but more of a golden yellow,” Ryk continued, “Mickey showed me how to make the cookie part a shiny gold with some edible, dissolvable gold dust we already keep in stock here for the red velvet holiday cookies, and the filling is red from the syrup and a little food dye.”

Both Ci and Eve just stared at Ryker while I stood beside him, proud as fucking shit for 1. remembering all that, and 2. explaining it perfectly. It was probably the most words he got out to this pair in front of us, ever.

But it was Eve’s question that threw us both off. “When the hell did you even try all these ingredients to know they’d work this fucking perfectly?” Her words sounded rough, but she meant well.

Ryk definitely didn’t know how the fuck to answer that, though, so I stepped in with a quick save. “Brought them as snacks for us while we fixed Ryk’s car last weekend. He liked the pairing and asked if it was doable, so we made it happen.”

And Ci just nodded, fully accepting that as she took her last bite and closed her eyes again… but the look Eve gave me told me she didn’t buy none of that bullshit. Not because she thought this was my pairing, but because she knew I had to have put in time off the clock to explain the notes and flavours.

She also knew that I had to have put in time off the clock to break down the alteration to the buttercream component.

I wasn’t the only damn good baker at this café .

And she was questioning just how much time I had actually spent with Ryk outside of work.

“It’s good, right?” I asked, trying to distract the complete fuck out of her.

“I already turned in my goddamn recipe, you fuckers ,” she muttered irritably before taking another bite and pounding her fist right back on the kitchen island again.

“What’s the name?” Ci asked Ryk.

Ryk looked nervous to answer, but I couldn’t help him with that one. He hadn’t told me the name himself yet.

“Well… the berries have a lot of benefits for boosting immunity, aiding with organ function, and reducing stress, while the pears help with hydration and digestion. Also good with curing hangovers… so I… I was thinking of going with the name Serenity,” this charming fucker slowly explained. “Something calm and healing.”

And if it wasn’t for the fact that I was currently standing in this kitchen with Eve and fucking Ci… I would’ve cleared this goddamn kitchen island immediately to lift him up onto it. Show him exactly what I thought of that .

“That’s absolutely beautiful,” CiCi nodded with a smile, her eyes still closed.

“ I should’ve entered that fucking bet with you and Arlo ,“ Eve whined, already reaching for another. “None of you better let him have one until we’re all back here tomorrow. I wanna see this shit for myself.”

“Whatchya think?” Ryk asked quietly with that beautiful smile stretched across his full lips, turning to look up at me.

“I think it’s fucking perfect,” I whispered, looking down at him with such fucking intensity, this fucker looked away instantly, smiling down at the floor now as we both took another bite of the cookies in our hands.

Ryker Parker , I couldn’t help but think to myself as I chewed the beautifully balanced treat. The subtle, sweet filling merging with the tart flavour of the pear. The fucker that you are.

Looks like someone was really getting used to doing their goddamn homework after all.

••

54. The Tart Wants What The Tart Wants

6

.2k

words so just know it’s fully unedited lol

But

here’s

part two of these two’s first date!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Also I’ve just been keeping things in Mickey, Ryk, and CiCi’s POV, but let me know if I should do a bonus chapter here and there with Jade

“ This is so stunning, “ I whispered, not wanting to raise my voice over the smooth ’90s R&B playing as we watched the artists at work painting in this room Jade had called a two-parter.

There were eight beautiful black models- the diversity of shades being the most stunning- standing in front of different colored spotlights, dressed in baggy and tight ’90s outfits I definitely recognized from my childhood.

Eight seated artists had the option to either paint the black shadows cast by the models in gorgeous colored lights, or to paint the models themselves, which explained why this room was a two-parter. It gave the artists options with the visual creativity.

Jade had led me to the first artist on our right, painting the shadow cast in a neon purple light. They had completed the shadow, which already looked like a work of art in itself, the model’s long knotless braids cascading down her body, her sharp eyelashes prominent on the canvas… and the way they painted the glow around her figure, fading into the darkness this room was otherwise submerged in, was absolutely unreal.

This was our second room now, after having walked through the futuristic one first, and I was absolutely in love. Both by the beautiful skin of the black models, and the music I recognized from my late teens to early twenties growing up and living in Brooklyn with my mum, everything about this just took me back.

And this beautiful woman standing beside me, still holding my hand, had such a relaxed presence; she felt no need to explain as we started to travel back in time. Just allowed me to appreciate and gush over how incredible this all was…

How intimate it felt with us being the only ones walking through. No crowds. No congestion in these spacious rooms. Just great music and unbelievably talented artists.

At first, I was hoping that this date would be my excuse to get to know Jade better, but just being here with her made me realize I was, while minimum words were said. I was gaining a better understanding of just how deep her appreciation for art truly ran. She hadn’t brought me here to grill me either, even though I absolutely already shared with her a hell of a lot more than I should’ve about myself during our very first meeting.

She just seemed to open the floor as we moved from one model and artist to the next, allowing me to say in my usual discombobulated mess how much I loved the models, the artists and the art.

And when we moved to the third room. The 80’s this time. This room was so fun, I couldn’t help but laugh.

The room was filled with eight models dancing to some ’80s synth-pop classics, with more fun neon lights. And the artists were either sitting, sketching the movement, or sitting and painting. I had to turn to Jade to ask, “What do the artists do with the work they create here tonight?”

And Jade responded, dipping her head lower to say, “This space then becomes a gallery for the art. Each room will display the paintings and the drawings made by the same artists for one night, with each artist you see here tonight allowed to walk through and explain their art.”

Now that got my full attention.

“Artists before tonight had selected one model and one room for the two hours this is running for, and next weekend will be the exhibition. The models are, of course, invited to return to see what they inspired, but the general public will see the work through the artist’s lens. This is why it’s closed to the public tonight- it’s private, just for the artists, the art, and the models, who are their muse.”

My eyes grew even wider. “That’s amazing!” I couldn’t help but grin. “Is there a way we can come back for it? I know we’ll already get to see the artists at work tonight, but I’d love to hear them explain everything about their finished pieces.”

Right now, Jade and I were just observers. We weren’t asking any probing questions to the artists themselves, just observing while they worked uninterrupted…

But I sure as hell would’ve loved to hear more about their creations, and maybe this whole experience from their perspective.

Jade nodded, giving me a smile as those stunning eyes of hers held my more than eager gaze. “The exhibit will be a little later at night next Saturday, from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Why don’t we grab dinner before, and head here after?”

And that was when I shifted my gaze a bit, because that definitely sounded like a second outing… date? I wasn’t sure what we were calling this one, honestly. But it was something I nodded my head at, saying, “Yes! Yeah, I’d- I’d love that,” all too fucking quickly.

I could already see myself tearing my closet apart as soon as I got home tonight. This second date- outing? Fucking hell

• had to have way more planning, because I just about ripped my hair out trying to figure out what I was wearing now.

“Excellent. You mentioned you really loved the pastries and desserts during your visit to France. Did that love transfer to the food itself, or just the baked goods and treats?”

Judging by the look on my face, I probably answered that for this woman, who chuckled lightly, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Desserts and breads only then, got it. Any cuisines you’re into?”

I gave myself more than just a second to think about that.

Honestly, I didn’t really eat out much because of work, both the long hours, as well as Mickey and Eve always in the cafe’s kitchen, cooking up something new. The leftovers were endless . Then, of course, whenever Mickey was home from college, or when he lived with me before college, he just liked cooking and baking in general. He always made sure my fridge was stocked.

The part that saddened me a little was that he rarely ever made traditional Korean dishes, even though I knew they were his favourite. And I didn’t ever push him to- I also knew that that was a special thing he did with his mum. Hell, I spent most of my years taking care of him in a way that he understood those weren’t shoes I was looking to fill.

Maybe that was why that little brat turned out the way he did.

But it wasn’t about discipline with Mic; he had that in him from early childhood because of his mother. I was just here to make sure that kid stayed safe and happy, and she would take care of the rest. That was the only thing his mother instructed me to do.

Make sure he’s safe and happy.

Make sure I did my best not to… not to miss any signs.

And I knew what she meant. I didn’t need her to elaborate, or trudge up anymore painful memories in the process.

“I don’t really have anything I prefer,” I admitted to Jade now after some thought. “During my college days, there was a Korean transfer student who studied abroad here. She was my roommate for all four years while we both got our degrees in Marketing, and I really immersed myself in her culture.”

I remembered all the food she’d make for us in our dorms- the care packages she received from her family back home. She was honestly the only reason I stuck it out through college.

“Her name was Mi-na. She’s Mickey’s mother. We stayed friends for many years after that, even when she returned to South Korea. Then, of course, I became Mic’s godmother and spent a lot of time with the family when she moved back to NYC with Mickey and her husband. Mic eventually came to stay with me after she returned home permanently… so Korean food is always comforting… but why don’t we head to your favourite spot in the city? It’ll be my-”

“Already paying, Ci,” Jade smiled sincerely at me. Those eyes of hers had softened, making my whole body instantly warmer. “But what I will accept is a ride if you’d like to pick me up? My car will be getting serviced next weekend. I’m taking it to a car show in a few weeks and want some mods done.”

That made me freeze a bit. But then I remembered that Jade had already seen my bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle last Friday when she walked me out to it from her tattoo shop. It was too late to explain myself out of the choice I made to purchase something so… bold , or ease into the embarrassment, so I just gave her a nod and a smile, fixing my damn face as I said, “I’d love to.”

There was the option of asking Mickey to get me a different car for the night, but with what I was about to beg him for come Monday- helping me with the turkey- I knew I wouldn’t be entitled to favors from him for a good, long while if he by some miracle said yes.

“Perfect,” Jade replied with that charming smile of hers. “Then let’s continue enjoying tonight, and I’ll let you know where we’re heading for dinner closer to next weekend.”

By the time we finally reached the final room, we ended up in the 1800’s, and I had to admit that, while this was most definitely a more revealing room, I absolutely loved the antique furniture and the thin sheets draped over the otherwise naked bodies of both the male and female models.

The classical music playing, with the artists hard at work to finish out the last twenty minutes remaining, was such a beautiful thing to hear and see.

It was a rewind through history, yet we saw the progression of each art piece as time ran.

I hadn’t even realized we’d reached the end until Jade turned to me and said, “Usually this is where I’d ask if you’d like to go somewhere to extend the night, but I’ve got a little work to handle after this that has my hands tied. I told you I’d be honest with my intentions, though, so I thought I’d let you know.”

And that shit had me more frazzled than when I was trying to get ready for this event tonight.

“It’s okay!” I rushed out wayyy too fast, not really able to use the darkness of the earlier rooms to sort of hide the blush I’m sure was scattered all over my damn face. The earlier in time we went, the better the lighting got, with more warm glows as opposed to the neon LEDs.

Jade nodded with a smile, still keeping her hand in mine as we took in the last few pieces of artworks being finished up by the artists, then she led us right back out to where we started. In this dark pocket of space that was the entrance.

“How was it?” The shorter guy who first greeted us asked, grinning. “Didn’t make any loops, so looks like you took your time.”

Jade nodded, and I followed suit. “Put me down for next weekend, Tino, if you could,” she said to him. “My plus one and I want to stop by again.”

“Will do, Jade. You two drive safe, and make sure you get me that opening invite for the parlor.”

“Already got you on the list. Tell Kierra a solid thanks for me,” Jade replied, making Tino’s grin larger, but the woman was already pushing open the main door of the building so she could hold it open for me to walk out onto the sidewalk.

She reached her hand out expectantly to help hold my cross-body purse and scarf while I first put my coat on, then handed me the scarf next, and based on how fucking chilly this night was, I truly didn’t have a care in the world for stylistic choices.

I wrapped this thing around my neck a few times to make sure the thick material was used to the max. After Jade handed me my purse to put on, last were my gloves, which I pulled right from my coat pockets.

“Were you really not warm in there?” I had to ask this woman because I was just baffled at this point. She didn’t even have a shimmer of sweat on her, and her hand never got clammy in mine.

“No,” she simply replied, still waiting patiently for me to get myself situated before she extended her left hand and let me reach the rest of the way for it, lacing our fingers so we could walk back to her car in the lot two blocks away. “I guess I can always sort of adjust. It would need to be extreme temperatures for me to feel the imbalance- temperatures above eighty or below twenty.”

“ Jeez, you’re lucky,“ I told her with a smile. As soon as my nerves or anxiety kicked in, my body went into literal panic mode. I was either too hot or too cold.

My car used to be used as a second closet until Mickey finally snapped and told me to fucking layer my outfits. This was why cardigans were convenient while I was working; I could slip them off or on depending on how my day was going.

Jade lightly laughed, leading the way on our short walk back. “You know, I’ve never really thought about it before. Because it’s warmer in California than here, I guess I’m also pretty adjusted to wearing more in warmer weather. I’m not willing to part with my leather in any weather.”

“I don’t think you should,” I replied. “I think your style is incredibly unique.”

Jade looked over at me. “I’m happy to hear you think so. And always bundle up first during the colder months if you get cold easily. I appreciate that you dressed warm tonight… and the reveal once you took the coat off made it all the better. Just wear what makes you the most comfortable.”

“You sure I won’t look, like, underdressed? At least let me know if your favourite place for dinner is fancier, I could always-”

“Will you be showing up for dinner next week naked?” She asked me, making my head whip up at her fast as fuck.

“Ahh… no-no, no, I don’t think that’s in the cards.”

“Bummer,” Jade joked, giving me a quick wink with her left eye. “I’m only joking, but that would meet my definition of underdressed, so wear whatever you want. When I do, you seem to like it, and when you do- when I saw you during work and after work- I really liked it.”

I turned my head right directly in front of me, but still smiled, trying to get over everything about how smooth this woman was with everything she said.

Ugh . I wish I had called her for these reassuring words before I tore into my damn closet tonight.

“I think I can swing that then,” I replied, making her laugh… and before I knew it, we were walking up to her parked car, with her heading for the passenger side first so she could open the door for me.

“You mentioned you wanted to know what I’ll be doing for both holidays when I picked you up earlier, right?” Jade asked as she paid for the parking on her phone, and the exit pole lifted so we could drive out of this lot.

“I did?” I replied, before correcting the complete fuck out of myself, realizing my nerves then were just shooting through the roof. “Wait- yes- shit- you’re right, I was… I got distracted by Thanksgiving plans.”

Jade just grinned, glancing over quick before putting her focus back on the road.

She was one seriously attentive driver, but then again, this car looked pricy to fix if she even so much as hit a curb.

Something my Beetle and I have done together on many, many occasions.

“Well, I think I’ll be flying back to California around the 25th. Not sure if I’ll be dragging Dino back with me, but we’ll see. Otherwise looks like just work on my end. How about you?”

I had to think about it, because I was still racking my brain about whether or not it was too much to ask her how she felt about the cabin.

Eve and I had talked dates, determining that since Christmas was on a Friday this year, a week before to exchange gifts would be Friday the 18th. I didn’t want to do it earlier because I wanted to give everyone time to shop. Eve sent a text out letting us know that gifts couldn’t exceed $120, which I thought was a good limit.

Secret Santa was really only a thing so we could learn the fun little things about each other, anyway, like favourite snacks, movies we wanted to see, or books we wanted to buy. Things like that. I would’ve set it at $75, but I know the guys were big on finding different quirky events around the city to gift tickets for, and those could get a little pricier during the holiday season.

So the date Eve and I eventually settled on for the cabin was Saturday, December 12th. We would only be open from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, allowing us all time to drive back in the morning before the café opened. And I already had Mickey’s full, incredibly detailed instructions printed out, which he had emailed over, on how this night must go.

NO DEVIATIONS he had put at the very bottom of the instructions in bold letters and all caps.

Arlo and Trin were the only ones scheduled to work Sunday; the rest would just be driving home, and knowing those two, they’d be making the trek straight to the café, probably hungover.

Since Trin was alright with her and Hilary carpooling with me, I’d be dropping Trin off at the café and Hilary at her place, then heading home to rest.

“On the day of Christmas, it’s usually Mickey and me just spending some time together. His mum and stepdad call, so we spend about an hour on video chat, opening their gifts to us, then watching them open our gifts sent to them. They’re 14 hours ahead in Seoul, which means we get a call around 7 AM since it’s the same day around 9 PM their time.”

“Oh wow,” Jade noted, “that’s quite the time difference.”

“Yeah,” I nodded, “but Mic gets up really early every day, and I’m used to it too since prep starts at 6 AM at the café during the week. Usually, I get started on the drinks right after we wake up on the 25th- Baileys and coffee- while he gets started on the breakfast. We save our serious festive drinking for Christmas Day, and obviously, we start early.”

Honestly, a good buzz on Mickey made that call with his parents much easier for all of us.

That had this gorgeous woman laughing, shifting gears to pull onto another road. “Do you mind if I take a scenic route back?” She asked me. I quickly shook my head no, letting her drive us through the city a little more. If she could spare the time, I was more than happy to take it. “It sounds like you and Mic got that process down. Do you two have any other events during the month? Eve mentioned it’s your favourite holiday.”

“Yeah-… yes,” I chuckled a bit awkwardly. “She’s not a fan but definitely tolerates it for me. Honestly, I think it’s Mickey’s least favourite, but he tolerates it for me, too. And besides Christmas Day, me and that kid are usually more focused on the café.”

Honestly, those two were real ones for putting up with my antics this time of year.

“We have a little friendly competition each year with the staff- you’ll have to ask that kid or Eve to explain it because they break it down much better than I ever could, and they made some significant changes this year, but we essentially all each create either a food or drink as our specialty item, throw it on a special holiday menu, and whoever sells the most of theirs earns the profits on sales from Dec 1st to Jan 20th.”

Jade glanced over at me for a moment, her dark eyebrows lifting slightly as those ash-brown eyes found mine. “That’s actually really cool. Eve didn’t explain much, just that she needed to make some guy named Arlo cry when I stopped by her place briefly last Saturday, but that’s a really awesome contest.”

“Thank you,” I told her warmly, “but also, yes. I probably used ‘friendly competition’ a bit too loosely.  Only my employee Trin and I are in it for fun. Eve, Mickey, and Arlo treat it like they’re on set for The Great British Bake Off. They’re probably going to start running underground parlays on estimated revenue as soon as all the recipes are turned in right before Thanksgiving, if they haven’t already.”

Jade full-on cackled at that shit. And I laughed along with her, even though I was unfortunately dead fucking serious .

“Sounds like one stellar team building exercise,” she admitted.

“It’s-… it builds something within our team, I’ll give you that,” I added, and we both chuckled. “Otherwise, I’ll probably take the Sunday of this next weekend to get decorations up at the café since it’ll be after Thanksgiving. And  we, um… we… well we usually have a holiday party after hours at the café, staff picks the date… but this year, I was… I was…”

Pricilla, just spit it the hell out, lord have mercy.

“I was- well, Eve and I were thinking of- well, I guess not thinking since we already locked down the date, but we were going to get a cabin maybe an hour or two out of the city to spend a night at.”

“Oh, nice,” Jade nodded, “that sounds fun.”

“ It does? “ I asked her way too fucking fast. Holy shit, Ci.

Jade glanced over at me, nodding a bit slower, “I mean, yeah. Staff gathering for a night in. Probably safer than after hours at a café if you’re drinking. And I know Eve loves to drink.”

“That’s what I was saying!” I beamed.

Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, don’t freak out, Pricilla.

But this was definitely going better than I expected.

“So, for this first year of us trying it out, I was thinking of letting everyone bring a plus one. And I-… well… at first, I thought that-… well, so I wasn’t even sure if it’s appropriate to ask, or if this is even remotely your thing-”

“You’d like me to go?” Jade asked quickly, cutting my gibberish off as she turned to me with a slightly longer look.

“I-I-I- I mean like, would you be interested-”

“Yes.” She then replied, making me turn towards the windshield fast as fuck.

I felt like I was back in high school during the early 2000’s, asking a crush out. 

“I’ll go. If you’re asking me, I’ll go,” she doubled down in the most direct, smooth tone. And I just about died.

“O-Okay- yes, and yes, y-yes this is me asking… and every staff member gets their own room, but- but you can definitely take it and I’ll-”

“I’ll sleep wherever you feel comfortable with me sleeping, unless that puts you on a couch,” Jade replied, turning to me seriously again. “If you feel more comfortable crashing with Mickey or something, that’s completely fine, as long as you’re in a bed. And I won’t push for anything more… but I’ll just make it clear now that I don’t mind sharing one. I also don’t mind covering the additional cost for a larger cabin to make sure you have your space-”

“ Oh god, no, no, no, no, no, no! We don’t- I mean, you don’t have to do that,“ I hurried out fast as hell. “We can share. That’s okay. I just didn’t want you to feel, like, uncomfortable or anything, because it just- it seems a bit forward to spring up on you after our first outing together.”

And I mean, like, it was okay. Us sharing a room.

Now, would I be even remotely normal was the real fucking question.

“What date were you planning for it?” Jade asked.

Oh, right, oh my god , that was probably important freaking information. “Eve and I were thinking December 12th.”

“Okay,” this much calmer woman nodded, “So if today is November 21st, that leaves us with two weekends before the weekend of the 12th. Twenty full days. We already have plans for next weekend and will work on plans for the weekend following that if you have availability. I’ll see which weekdays work with our schedule to grab dinners, but if we are basing this solely on weekends alone, we would be three outings- I do prefer to think of these as dates, but whatever you’re most comfortable with calling them is perfectly fine- before the cabin. Would you like to ask me again after the third outing? Because I can tell you right now the answer is still going to be yes.”

…

Well…

That was definitely more than enough for me to look at this direct woman head on, just sitting in silence and staring.

She had been so comfortable to be with all night that I almost forgot how insanely direct she also was.

And just how much I really liked it.

“No, no,” I found myself answering. Honestly, it took everything in me to ask her tonight that I wasn’t up to do this shit again.

And I could see that we were now pulling into more residential streets, so I didn’t have a lot of time to lock this in. “This one- this… date ,” I then emphasized because the word outing sounded like her and I were freaking courting each other, and I still couldn’t believe I phrased this like that. “This one works.”

“Good,” Jade nodded, that grin spreading across her lips forced me to look ahead again.

And, well… that seemed to just about confirm everything I needed to know.

That we were definitely going on dates as of now.

Jade pulled onto the street of my home and parked her car right outside again.

As I undid my seatbelt, she turned to me and asked, “Do you mind me walking you up?”

I quickly shook my head no. “I’d like that,” I assured her with a smile. It was a bit insane to think I made it 44 years on this earth and this was the first time I had had anyone show this much goddamn chivalry…

But Eve had mentioned that Jade was older than her. Well, that they had started dating when Eve was a freshman, and Jade was a senior back in high school, putting this gorgeous woman at around 32 years old.

Definitely younger.

And she already knew I was older because I told her I had had my 44th birthday in early October, now that I remembered just how much babbling I’d fucking done on our very first encounter… but she just-

I don’t know. She was younger, yet it was so challenging to tell. Probably cause I was still such a hot mess for my age.

And maybe Mickey was right. About me having some terrible, terrible choices in men in the past.

Even then, she was direct… but incredibly respectful.

And that only showed more when she managed to get out and come around to my side of the car, all while I was still doing a final check to make absolutely sure I still had everything on me, pulling out my keys for my front door in the process.

This sports car sat pretty low, but luckily for me, I was short as hell and had no trouble getting out, giving this beautiful woman another warm smile in the process when she still extended her hand to help me the rest of the way.

Then I took a step back so she could close the passenger door, her hand still not letting go of my gloved one, and she escorted me over the grass and up onto the sidewalk, opening up the black gate as we walked toward the few steps leading to my home.

The time on her car’s dashboard told me it was about fifteen minutes past 11, right as we were pulling up, and I had no idea where the time even went. It felt like I had just left my place.

But I made sure to turn and thank the one person who seriously handled everything for tonight.

“I can’t begin to describe how amazing that art event was,” I said, glancing up at Jade. Honestly, she looked like she was part of the art as we walked, and it still blew my mind that she looked just as perfect as when I saw her leaning against her car a few hours ago.

With how high her heels were, I didn’t understand how she wasn’t limping by now like I would’ve been.

“Thank you for joining me tonight,” Jade replied. God , even in this shit lighting right outside my door, she still looked absolutely breathtaking . “I wish we had more time tonight, but think of how you’d like to see me for the next twenty days. And I won’t pull off until you’re safely inside tonight.”

I quickly nodded, trying to keep this smile as modest as I could, but failing miserably. “Good night, then, Jade,” I told her as I watched her take a step back.

“Goodnight, Pris,” she smiled, turning to slowly take the few steps back down from my door, and I turned around, placing my house key in and unlocking my home… only for my hand to freeze up mid-turn.

…Then I had one insane, sudden thought.

If Jade thought this was now an officially official date, and I thought this was now an officially official date, then… how the fuck should this first date actually end?

I should’ve hugged her , I thought to myself.

But what if that was too forward , another part of me asked.

A fucking hug? A third part questioned. You’ve done more on first encounters than on first dates.

But Jade was so chivalrous , I thought to myself.

But then again… I’d done so much as marry a goddamn French man out of nowhere, who, for lack of a better term, did kinda look like a naked mole rat.

And that had me turning away from my front door in an instant, just leaving the keys in the lock to catch the taller woman in all black, nearing the black gate. “Jade, wait just a sec!” I called out, thanking the universe for these sensible shoes, as I jogged quickly back down these few steps towards the taller woman in that long black suede trench coat who was starting to turn around.

“Something wrong, Pris?” she asked in that smooth, gentle voice of hers as she watched me lightly jogging back down the paved path. When I did finally reach her, it was a bit difficult to tell her expression. She didn’t seem too concerned, probably because I lived in a nice neighborhood and I currently wasn’t being fucking chased by anyone.

That, and my keys were still in my door, turned. She probably wasn’t thinking I was locked out or something.

So when I finally made it to her, reaching for both flaps of her trenchcoat with both my hands, and she didn’t move to push me away, I got up on the very tips of my toes- Jesus, this woman had height- closed my eyes, and carefully brought my lips to hers.

Weren’t we planning on a goddamn hug, Pricilla? My brain screamed at my impulsive actions.

Then again, given the terrible choices I had made in the past, I was definitely used to avoiding reason when it came to romance.

And it wasn’t anything crazy. But my heart must not have gotten the memo on that one because she was acting as if I had just given Jade an invitation to come inside or something.

It was just one gentle, soft kiss, holding it for about two seconds, before I lowered myself back down. These boots weren’t meant to be creased like this, and the leather definitely dug into my toes a little.

It was difficult to gauge what I had expected after that one- after my feet were flat on the pavement again. I expected wide eyes and probably the classic furrowed brows because this probably could’ve and should’ve been a damn hug instead.

But Jade’s eyes had closed for that kiss, and when I finally got mine open to look up at her, she was doing the same.

Of course, there was a voice- a loud one- that snapped at me, saying getting married on a whim was not the jumping-off point I thought it was to come kiss this woman.

But Jade quickly raised her left hand to the right side of my cheek, my face already tilted up towards hers, and bent down to immediately kiss me again.

My hands were still holding onto the flaps of her coat, and I balled my fist a little tighter as I closed my eyes again, with her finally close enough to have her intoxicating scent hit all my senses, her lips the softest I have ever fucking felt, while the metal of those two snakebite piercings felt like ice against the corners of my lips.

She was smiling into this kiss, which did in fact have almost damaging effects on my whole body. I thought she was going to pull away, but her right hand slipped right past my coat, wrapping slowly around my waist to my lower back, and she pulled me in closer, moving her lips against mine as she kissed me kissed me, making my stomach feel every bit of the nerves that damn near assaulted it.

Hell, I was the one who had to pull away because I felt myself almost stumble backward, and pulling her to the ground in heels that high might’ve actually resulted in a broken ankle on her part.

My face was hotter than the rays of a thousand suns, her ash-brown eyes and those longer, thicker eyelashes challenging my lungs as she whispered down to me, her hand still on the small of my back, “That was… unexpected.”

Yes , my brain reminded me, because using a marriage after months of knowing someone was an

insane

jumping-off point.

“I…” I started, my words just gone with the wind.

“Not sure how I’m supposed to leave after that,” she added, making my face surely even redder.

I was about to tell her not to… until I remembered something.

That this was about the farthest I’d ever gotten before with a woman. Nothing past a kiss.

“I-It’s okay-” I stammered, taking a small step back while an unpreventable smile spread across my face. “I just- thank you… for… for tonight.”

Okay, good, Pricilla, that was good.

“You were what made tonight special. I was just a spectator,” she replied. And she made sure I was sturdy with my footing before her hand finally slipped away from the small of my back, that touch of hers more than just lingering. “I’ll see you for Thanksgiving then?”

… How the complete fuck was this woman still so fucking elegant with her words?

I sure as hell didn’t trust whatever I was going to say.

So I just slowly nodded, trying to decide what on earth I was doing here, all while loving every second of the uncertainty. “Thanksgiving… yes.”

Good , my brain nodded again, stellar work, Ci, you’re hanging in there .

“Goodnight then, Pris,” Jade replied, that smile still on her lips as she turned to leave.

But then she slowed again, turning around once more to catch me taking a step back so my feet could at least get used to moving again. “And Pris?”

“Yes?” I shot back lightning fast, unsure of what she was going to say now, or if she would actually ask to stay.

If she asked, I wasn’t saying no. I couldn’t even lie to myself and entertain the thought of saying no.

“I’ll be here at noon on Thursday… but if you want me here earlier, just give me a call. Doesn’t matter how chaotic it is… or rather, how chaotic you might get. I’ll just find it sexy.”

••

55. Everything’s Better With Butter

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

More uploads should be coming later today:)

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/e73afbd12881f072bfc034a18c21fca2f6f2f468/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f71446d6a6c4b79704b44316c64673d3d2d313630393433383138332e313839346334316464393833353861613532393232303938303436322e6a7067)               

“Here,” I thrust a chilled, open beer at Ci, who gratefully took it.

“Thought you put me on a time out,” she mumbled right before her and I chugged half of our drinks without a second fucking thought.

“Time out for wine,” I clarified. “And frankly, considering cocaine sounds really good right about now, I don’t have the bandwidth to give a shit what you drink as long as it gets us through this.”

It was now close to eleven at night. And I wanted to die.

We left the café around 8:15 PM, me taking my bike to Ci’s while she drove her car. I then parked my bike at her place so we could drive her abomination of a vehicle to her nearest market so we could pick up what we needed.

Ci wanted a citrus-and-herb-roasted turkey.

I want a Cajun-roasted turkey, because I wanted something spicier…

But CiCi insisted that we should go with something more classic.

Thus ensued about a thirty-minute discussion in the middle of the spice aisle of the market closest to her home, on which turkey would be best.

She was insisting on citrus because Jade apparently loved citrus, as did Ci, that much I knew.

But I was insisting on Cajun because Ryk liked spicy, as did I , and if I was about to have to figure out how to cook this stupid bird, I wanted to make something that would change Ryk’s and my perspective on turkey as a whole. Ryk was literally the only reason I was here, besides the fact that I loved Ci enough to help her out of this mess, even though Jade wouldn’t give a damn how the turkey turned out.

She just wanted to spend more time with my godmother, but CiCi was a serious overthinker at heart.

Plus, I just wanted to impress Ryk. I still couldn’t stop thinking about the way he looked up at me tonight as we ate the majority of the macarons we made, with Ci and Eve helping themselves to more. We saved literally only one for Arlo tomorrow, and that was it.

So I decided that we would try each recipe out tonight on the two fresh turkeys we had already added to our cart, then I doubled back around to the meat section with Ci to pick up a turkey breast so I could see if there was a way I could combine the flavours, giving us the best of both worlds. Citrus, but with a strong spice kick.

For the Citrus Herb Butter Turkey, we picked up lemons, oranges, garlic cloves, fresh sage, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and Granny Smith apples.

For the Cajun Turkey, we were using most of the same herbs as Ci’s citrus turkey, but also grabbed some cayenne pepper, chicken stock, Cajun spice, and paprika.

CiCi usually had enough butter to kill off the entire human population- death by clogged arteries-, so I didn’t even bother with getting more, and of course, she had the basics like salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. What I did grab was the best goddamn temperature probes and meat injectors I could find.

Then we picked up some beer to make sure we saw this bullshit through, and headed back to Ci’s.

The issue with how late we got back was that the turkeys were supposed to have started soaking in a brine by 9 PM. Well, now it was 10:45 PM, and I had just placed the turkeys in the fridge to soak in a saltwater solution with some herbs. A preferred brine would’ve been 24 hours, but we didn’t have 24 fucking hours, so now I was trying to work out how this would all work.

16 hours was the recommended minimum, usually about an hour per pound, which meant I wouldn’t be able to start baking these fuckers until 3 PM the next day, and it would take around 4 hours to bake each bird. Thankfully Ci had two ovens… but it still wasn’t doable. And the skin wouldn’t be crispy, but right now, I just cared more about the inside of the bird than the damn skin.

What I was able to do was adjust the salt-to-water ratio, but it only shaved off about 4 hours, which meant I could realistically start baking at 11 AM tomorrow. Then we needed an hour for the bird to rest after cooking.

“I might actually have to stay here most of the day tomorrow,” I sighed irritably, chugging the rest of the beer. “And I’ll have to get a fresh bird tomorrow to brine for at least 20 hours… so we can then leave in the fridge overnight uncovered, otherwise you and I will be up early as fuck in the morning on Thursday trying to dry the hell out of this bird, patting it down with paper towels like our lives depend on it- like I’m about to do with these birds today- to even attempt the cripsy skin you so desperately want.”

Ci slowly nodded, finishing off the rest of her beer. “Okay, alright. What time would everything be done tomorrow?”

“Looking at about 4 PM, then we gotta rest the bird to the correct temperature, so 5 PM is my ETA at the café.”

CiCi nodded again, those gears in her brain already turning. “Okay, I’ll head in to open with Arlo. Eve was going to come in around noon tomorrow. And of course, Ryk will be in around 3 PM. I can work an open-to-close, and I’ll see if Arlo can stay later. If Arlo agrees to stay until you get there at 5 PM, he can work the front with Eve once she’s in, while I handle the kitchen alone until Ryk gets in, and we’ll both work back there until you get in. After that, Arlo goes home, I close at the front with Eve, and you close in the kitchen with Ryk.”

I gradually nodded, following Ci’s shift reconfiguration.

“Only one thing,” I added quick, “Arlo doesn’t get to taste Ryk’s macaron recipe until I’m there.”

That was a firm rule, and if that dipshit had to leave early, someone was going to have to video call me; I didn’t care.

Ci slowly nodded, setting her beer bottle behind her on the counter we both were leaning against. “Alright then, I’ll let you know what he says first thing in the morning.”

“Alright,” I agreed. “Then let’s get our shit together and make our dry herb mixes. I want everything prepped to go for me tomorrow.”

And Ci sighed. Deeply . But she and I eventually pushed ourselves away from the counter and got to work.

CiCi and I finally retired for bed around midnight, both of us exhausted and completely over it.

Going to bed in my old room probably would’ve felt a bit weird, considering I hadn’t slept here since my last break from college, which was between December and January… but I was so exhausted I didn’t care.

Unfortunately, I also woke up just like clockwork…

But said fuck it at 4 AM and went back to bed.

When I got up again at 5 AM, all I did was walk over to Ci’s room and wake her up for work… then went right back to bed.

I didn’t actually pull myself out of bed again until 8 AM, and that was only because I had to see exactly what I was going to run over to Averin High for Ryk’s lunch.

While I was figuring that out, I got a call from the clinic just letting me know my test results after getting a quick full screening done yesterday. And of course, it was negative for everything. I also took the rapid test for HIV, and that was negative as well.

Honestly, between graduation and moving, I had only had maybe three or four one-night stands, all with protection. It was my college days that were on the wilder side, and I had already gotten tested around graduation.

CiCi had seriously stressed me the hell out about about that fucking marriage that I had too much on my plate to even head to bars when I got back, unless it was with Xavier and at Richy’s, and that wasn’t a place I’d ever pick up anyone at… but regardless of my lack of sex, I think it was good that Ryk and I did this, because honestly, I didn’t want to have to always use condoms with him like I had done with almost all my previous relationships.

It was also probably good for him since he didn’t necessarily remember most of his nightly escapades.

The turkeys hadn’t even started baking, so I just ran with two loaded ham and swiss sandwhiches on fresh baguette bread- one for Ryk and one for Ms. Kluntz-, with a side salad and some fruit. And I had to bring it a little earlier, around 10:30 AM, which I texted Ryk to give him a heads up about.

He’d still be in class, and I didn’t want him to leave to pick it up, so I wrote him a sweet note to place inside the lunch bag and dropped it off at the admin office, letting them know Ryk would come pick it up when it was time for his lunch period.

After that, it was a quick stop at the café to grab Ci’s keys so I could get back into her home after I locked the door from the inside on my way out, and after that, I headed back there to start drying the fuck out of, then eventually baking, those two turkeys.

I could’ve just let myself in, but with Ci, it was always more of a respect thing. She gave me enough freedom as it was, that breaking in would only ever be for an emergency.

I didn’t finish the stupid birds until 4 PM, then let them rest for an hour to ensure the temperature cooked internally, but Ci was able to convince Arlo to stay until 5:30 PM, so I managed to pull my bike in just as he was getting ready to leave.

As soon as I made it through the back door to the kitchen, Arlo already had his coat on, ready to head out. Ryk was in the kitchen with Ci, working on prep for more fresh bread tomorrow, and Eve must’ve been out front, helping customers, while my godmother would eventually switch with me so she could join that green-haired woman.

“I’m so fucking ready to go lie down,” Arlo grumbled. He looked absolutely beat, but then again, he did get here at 5 AM to work on his specialty item.

And I desperately wanted to ask about his sourdough, but I held my tongue. He had done Ci and me a favour by staying in the first place.

“You can’t leave yet,” I told him seriously, not even heading to the back to set my shit down. “Ci, you mind switching out with Eve out front? She’ll burn the place down if she misses this.”

CiCi quickly nodded, heading over to the sink to wash her hands before she went out front.

“What is it now?” Arlo asked, but I was already moving towards the fridge on my left to grab the one macaron we had saved just for this moment, stored in a small air-tight container.

“Time to pay up,” I told Arlo, setting the container on a free space of the kitchen island, making sure I didn’t interrupt the sanitized area Ci and Ryk had been working on.

Arlo looked down at the container I was pulling the lid off of… then over at Ryk… then straight ahead, right at me.

“Don’t… Don’t tell me-”

“I’m here!” Eve called, busting open the door to the front and making Arlo turn his head around before his body eventually faced the end of the counter between Eve and I, where I had set the now open container.

As Arlo’s head turned back to look down inside at the perfectly made, gold-dusted macaron, I could see the rest of his will to live slowly leave him.

“You really know how to twist the knife, Mic,” he muttered.

“Wouldn’t miss this for the world, Arl, now go on. Take a bite,” I replied, gesturing to Ryk’s beautiful creation.

And Arlo eventually reached inside for the cookie and brought it to his mouth. He took his first bite, remaining absolutely silent while he slowly chewed.

Then he took another.

And eventually, he took his final one, finishing the cookie off.

Then the slightest smirk graced his lips as he dusted his hand off on the front of his jeans and shoved it into the back pocket, pulling out his wallet. I watched him open the black leather trifold and start counting a few hundred-dollar bills, which he eventually tugged out from the rest of his cash and set by the empty plate.

“You did good, Ryk. Real fucking good, holy shit ,” he nodded to this beautiful fucker, making Ryk smile while Arlo placed those hundreds down. Arlo’s smile grew just a bit wider, too, which must’ve been the additional flavors from the unique omija flavours hitting his taste buds. Then he closed his wallet and shoved it back in his back pocket. “Now I’m going to go sleep for the indefinite future. No one call me for shit.”

Out of respect, I stepped to the side, giving him a nod, but he placed his right hand briefly on my right shoulder for a strong pat and some last few words.

“Well, played, Mic. Well played.”

“I’ll take your money any day, Arlo,” I replied, grinning.

“And I’ll see you in hell,” he replied. “Night, guys!”

That was the last thing we heard out of the exhausted man before we also said our goodbyes, and he finally left, with Eve’s mood improving for the rest of the night exponentially .

After that, I set my stuff down quick in the employees’ only room and got ready to close out the day with Ryk, while Eve and Ci finished in the front.

“How are the turkeys?” Was Ryk’s first question to me once my apron was on, hands were washed, and I finally joined him at his side. Today he was wearing an apron, which made me smile. It wasn’t tightly tied, but it was on, and that was enough for me… even though I wanted to be the one to tie it on him for the first time but whatever.

I could tell he had done it himself since the tie was in the front. So technically, I still had a chance to do it for him tomorrow.

“Haven’t carved them yet,” I told Ryk honestly as I finished prep work with him for tomorrow. “Only stayed until I made sure the internal temperature was correct, then I had to book it here before Arlo left.”

Ryk nodded beside me.

Honestly, this whole day pissed me right off. But being here with Ryker now just made all this bullshit worth it.

“What kind of turkeys did you test?” Ryk asked. “Like, are they different flavors, or different kinds of birds or something?”

“You’ll see,” I told this fucker, already smiling. “How was lunch? You get my note?”

Ryk’s face got a little more flushed as he nodded. He sure as shit didn’t meet my gaze with that one, and started focusing way more on his own tasks at hand beside me.

“Don’t forget what you agreed to last night. I want to see those developed photos,” I reminded him, making Ryk’s face even darker with color, but he just nodded again. Because I knew this shithead too well, the conversation change came as no surprise.

“What are you doing with all the extra turkey?” He asked me, still mixing the dry ingredients at my side.

“Not sure yet, but I was thinking of freezing the meat, and maybe making some turkey sandwiches to give to a few shelters after the holidays. Make them with some fresh bread from here at the café as a donation.”

“Can I help?” he asked quickly, turning to look up at me, and I nodded with a smile.

“We’ll see what my schedule looks like for this weekend then. Right now, I’m trying to figure out Ci’s bullshit, then after Thursday, we’ll work out the rest.” Ryk gave me another solid nod. “We’ll also be heading to Ci’s tomorrow right after work, so make sure you have yourself packed up in the morning to leave in your car when you head to school, unless you want to stop by your place quick after school, or head home first after work,” I added, “but I don’t reccommend the last one because we’ll want to get to Ci’s as soon as we can. She and I will have to be up early the next morning to start cooking.”

“I can pack in the morning,” Ryk agreed, before returning his attention to finishing up the dry mix. “Should be fine.”

It felt so… not… not weird , but just I guess like irritating having to keep my distance while we both worked. When he was at my place, or even while we were out and about, I got to hold Ryk’s hand, or touch the small of his back and shit.

Having to keep my distance now just made me feel… bleh.

Honestly, it also made me wish I had woken him up to more touching and kisses Monday morning. This busy season meant that we wouldn’t always be closing together, and I hadn’t even begun to work out how I was going to explain to Ci that I wanted the closing shift permanently. This was his third week… another reason why I jumped on him starting to learn the floor after Thanksgiving.

Because that was our last bit of training together, and I was trying to prolong it as best I could.

“Ryk?” I spoke, making him turn to look up at me.

“Hmm?” He answered.

“What do you have going on after Thanksgiving this week?”

Maybe I was spiraling just a bit, realizing that soon enough, we might only really get weekends after he was fully trained, if I couldn’t convince Eve to move to opening permanently.

And after this last weekend, I wanted to spend more time with him. I wanted more breakfasts in bed, more paint nights, more dinners. Just more time alone, even if we had to act like colleagues back here. I just wanted the time.

“Ah,” he started, thinking. “Well, I was going to go get tested this Friday. The free clinic was booked up, and they have availability that worked with my schedule that day. I’ll be in just a little later, ’round 4, but I already let CiCi know when I got in, and she’s cool with it.”

Shit, I thought to myself. Ryk didn’t have healthcare yet, so he couldn’t really stop by just any clinic like I had.

“Other than that, don’t think I’ve got anything Saturday or Sunday besides homework. Gotta finish Great Expectations before Monday. How bout you?”

That was honestly a great question on my end.

X had sent over work for a more exciting project, but I just didn’t have the time last night to review it.

He was also still working on tracking down the whereabouts of pretty much everyone. The twins and where they were heading… Simon, Vinny, John, and where all three had fucked off to…

I had texted X yesterday to thank him for the wine, then gave him a call this afternoon after some thorough cussing in Ci’s kitchen to tell him we had to go pick up another fucking bird and drop it off at CiCi’s tonight to sit in a brine I already prepped for it, so I could then remove it tomorrow night once I got to hers after work, and keep it uncovered in the fridge overnight for us to cook on Thanksgiving day.

Since Ci was closing, she was going to drop Eve off on her way home tonight, and I’d meet X at the warehouse, then we’d take his Mustang to the store.

CiCi’s mashed potatoes were really good, but her stuffing was always a mixed bag each year. I just decided I’d take over that as well, then Jade and Ryk should be alright with her green bean casserole. Her cranberry sauce was also fantastic, so we were all safe on that one. And of course, fresh rolls would be made by me on Thanksgiving morning while Ci made the pecan pie for dessert.

She had mentioned something about devilled eggs last night, but I tuned it out. I wasn’t helping with that shit, so that was solely on her if she went for it.

I pretty much started the day this morning by making the different butter infusions for the two different turkeys, then, while they were cooking in their flavored butter bath, and in between me injecting more of the melted butter into the meat itself, I put together a list of stuff we had to go buy.

This wasn’t even just about me making this Thanksgiving perfect for Ryk anymore.

I was honestly trying to gain enough favors so I could just come clean to Ci and tell her Ryk and I were dating. It was exhausting the hell out of me trying to figure out a lie to explain why I was always in a better mood, because while Ci never questioned my schedule, she was definitely suspicious of my mood changes.

And it wasn’t rocket science to know why.

Any shift in my mood, for better or worse, was something she had always tracked, even if she never admitted it. She was just doing what the Buddhist monks at the temple did, before I went there less and less.

“Did you want to start going to the temple this weekend?” Ryk asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

I gave him a quick nod, and an unexpected smile.

That was right. He had asked if we could start going together.

“Yes indeed. You wanna join me at Fight Club before?”

Ryk quickly nodded, but looked back down at his work because he was going to start transferring the dry mix to an airtight container for tomorrow. “Could we also head to that place we were supposed to go on Saturday? For dinner?”

I chuckled, nodding again. “Yeah. I’ll make sure we make it this time.”

A big smile stretched the full lips of this fucker as he concentrated on his pour, and I didn’t want our conversation to end, but Eve had joined us in the back about a minute later, giving me updates on the printing for the new menus since it was close to closing now, while Ryk got back to his work.

Everyone ended up leaving at the same time tonight, which irritated the fuck out of me.

I could see that Ryk looked a bit disappointed, too. I was hoping I could at least give him a goodnight kiss before he drove home, but CiCi was pretty much ushering everyone out, making sure we left this place because tomorrow would be even busier.

It was the last day before Thanksgiving, after all. That was why we had to do so much prepping for the fresh bread. It was going to be our biggest seller- our rolls.

I rode over to the warehouse quick, getting there a little before 8:30 PM, then parked my bike inside where X was sitting, working, and we eventually took his Mustang to the store…

“This looks so fucking stressful,” the big guy murmured, walking through the aisles with me and eyeing my cart.

“Yeah, well, be lucky that Eve doesn’t give a fuck nor a damn about a turkey,” I muttered his way. Neither of us wanted to be here in this overpacked store filled with last-minute shoppers, purchasing a bunch of shit to bring to Ci’s, but we had chain-smoked like three cigarettes on the way here, so at least our agitation wasn’t as bad as it could be.

X and I honestly never argued with each other, regardless of how stressed we were or how things got, but when we were both pissed off, we were like a tag-team duo for the worst people anyone else could run into.

“You figure out what you’re getting Eve, yet?” I asked this big guy as he picked up a few extra spices. I still hadn’t tasted the turkeys I made, but Ci had sliced herself up some once she got home and texted me that both had turned out phenomenally… but she would name her first born child after me if I went with the citrus one.

There was a joke or two in there about her eggs drying up… but I did still value my life, and I did not go through that hell with those fuck ass birds in the last 24 hours only to not make it to Thanksgiving Day.

Still, I wasn’t budging. And I didn’t have time to test out the turkey breast on combining the flavours, so I decided I was going to just wing it. Chipotle citrus was what my heart was telling me, with a little more heat for Ryk and I, but still those citrus notes for Ci and Jade, so X and I picked up the spices I would probably need for it.

“Not yet. I wish she’d just let me pay the vet bills or something. That woman doesn’t like jewelry, she doesn’t care for flowers, she only likes chocolate the way she makes it, with fresh cocoa beans. And she fucking walks most places because she chooses to, barely using my Mustang. Like fuck ,” X sighed.

“She likes books,” I offered, chuckling when X shot me a look. “No, but I’m serious,” I told him honestly. “Tap into her computer next time you’re over, you can use my coded drive. She has a list on there about some special editions she’s wanted to get her hands on for years.”

X whipped his head over my way again, his eyes narrowing. “And you want to tell me this now? “ He asked. “Where the fuck were you on all the other birthdays and Christmases I’ve been slamming my head against a wall over?”

“…Using the list for myself,” I told him, like he should’ve known this by now. “You never once questioned why she got books from me when you know I hate them?”

“Well, I had some questions, but you are still well-read, Mic. You just have your opinions,” Xavier replied, making both me and him chuckle. “But thanks, man. I’ll do that next time I’m at hers.”

“So you mean tonight?” I joked, making Xavier quickly look away.

Honestly, the fact that he still paid rent for his own place was hilarious, given that he was rarely ever there…

But then again, he’d never buy either. He was holding out for the day Eve gave him a reason to break that lease.

By the time we checked out and dropped shit off at Ci’s, I was mentally over it. I was ready for Wednesday just so I could see Ryk again.

And I was even more ready to have the night with him after CiCi went to bed early. She always did because between her and I, only one of us had an internal alarm that could withstand any bedtime, and she’d need to be up early to get started on the sides. Even earlier if she was adding devilled eggs this year, which I did pick up an extra tray for just in case.

Xavier and I tasted the two turkeys ourselves real quick once we got to my godmothers, and while I saw what Ci did about the citrus flavours… the cajun one was fucking perfect . X was also a fan of spicy foods, so he sided with me, but Ci was in her begging era this holiday season.

She must’ve really enjoyed that date with Jade.

Regardless, I just promised the worrying woman that everything would come together Thursday morning, then I packed a good amount of the Cajun turkey for Ryk to try at school tomorrow.

I didn’t have the mental capacity to get involved in another one of our ’ but Jade,’ ‘but Ryk’ disputes tonight. I just wanted to get back to the warehouse so I could look at the work X sent over.

This one was a cyberwall tester. One of my favourite types of jobs, and a real treat from Xavier, especially after the price he negotiated. I wouldn’t have to take another job until after Christmas if I didn’t want to, thanks to him, and I knew he’d done that on purpose. He always did his best to give me more time off during the holidays so I could be with Ci.

This time of the year really meant a lot to her.

It was her mother’s favourite holiday as well- something they shared before she passed.

So that was what we did. X ended up dropping me off back at the warehouse around 11 PM so he could head to Eve’s before she went to bed. She’d be opening with Ci, and I would actually be closing with Ryk and Trin because that ridiculous girl was the very last person who needed to turn in her recipe, and tomorrow was the last day. She still needed a little extra time to work on it, apparently.

The fact that she was the last one, and she had fucking cookies

just cookies- blew the complete fuck out of me, but whatever. It was on brand for her.

As soon as I got into the warehouse, though, hearing Xavier’s Mustang pull off, I felt my phone ringing in my pocket.

And I was even more surprised to see who was calling.

“Hey, Ryk. Everything alright?”

“Yeah,” Ryker replied. “I was just calling to… see how everything went.”

“The grocery shopping?” I asked, confused as fuck, before quickly adding, “ Oh , the turkeys. Yeah, they turned out great. Just dropped off the groceries at Ci’s, tried the birds with X, now I’m back at the warehouse for the night, got some shit to work on.“

“Oh. Dope,” he replied, and I could already vividly see this fuckers head nodding in my mind.

“You should be winding down for school, though, Ryk,” I reminded him. “Last day before you get a day off. And I packed up some of the Cajun turkey for you to try with the lunch I’ll drop off tomorrow.”

There was a slight pause on Ryk’s end before he asked very fucking quietly, “Would it be cool if… I like… like could I try it tonight?”

And as soon as I processed that request, I had to take the deepest breath in.

“I…” I started, weighing the pros and cons quickly.

I needed to review this project tonight to at least get a sense of how long it might take me. Cyberwall testing was riveting, but it could be lengthy, and if my weekends were going to be spent with Ryk, I had to plan this out right. This wasn’t a project based on a timeframe. I got paid for presenting a list of tests ran to break through security, and the lengthier that list was, the higher the bonus pay.

“I- motherfucker

• I’d say yes, but X just sent over some work-“

“Could I… could I come to you?” Ryk asked in an even quieter voice, making me pull this phone away from me so I could take an even deeper breath in. Fucking hell .

He and I werent supposed to use this place for anything other than work, but if he came over now…

When I brought the phone back to my ear, I was prepared to lay some serious ground rules.

Until this fucker really did me in by saying, “I still remember how to get there from the industrial zone, and promise I won’t bother you while you work. I’ll go to sleep right away and leave in time for school. I just-… it’s stupid… as shit actually, but I just… I guess- I miss you. And shit. But if it’s not cool-”

“Text me when you’re on the way,” I replied fast as fuck, just setting fire to whatever the hell else I was going to say. “And don’t take long, Ryk. Times running… and I’ve missed you, too.”

••

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56. Oil The Dish Before You Cook

My lord I just finished taxes and I want to die, so enjoy this long ass, barely edited chapter while I go nap lol

Next chap is all spice, fully written, and I just gotta do a quick read through, so expect a chapter posted at a random time tonight lol

Enjoy!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content (kinda, sorta, you be the judge)

I was sort of starting to lose my goddamn mind.

Well, like not in a horrible sense, I guess. At least not at first.

A few weeks ago, if asked, I would’ve said that school would be the most challenging shit to get through, but that was starting to get easier. I was starting to genuinely adjust to that bullshit.

And Monday, November 23rd, was maybe one of the best Mondays I had ever had, with Ms. Kluntz and me utterly shocked when we first tried the haemuljeon together that Mickey had made for us fresh that morning.

It was honestly so goddamn good, I wanted to call that damn baker right then and there, but I vaguely remembered him saying something about being busy in the morning. He had also been in a bit of a rush when he dropped off lunch, so I decided to give him the space to get what he needed to, done.

Now that I knew so much more about what he actually did when he wasn’t a baker, I finally understood why he always seemed to be on the move, and I made a promise to myself that I would try to be more of a support for him instead of a burden. It still sorta blew my fucking mind how he had managed to do all of it.

And that sleep schedule of his was something psychotic all on its own.

So I pushed through the relatively easy school day, especially thanks to the crack cocaine drink Mickey made sure I packed while I was still half asleep, leaving his place.

During lunch, I handed in the roll of film, and Ms. Kluntz showed me how to develop it in the dark room after we ate the haemuljeon together. We didn’t have time to finish before my next period, though, so she wrapped it up for me.

Safe to say that when my last period came around, and Ms. Kluntz brought me back to the drying images, I was thoroughly fucking embarrassed. This kind older woman just gave me a knowing smile after asking if the man in damn near all these motherfucking photos was Mickey, and I couldn’t help but nod. There was no point in lying, and Ms. Kluntz thankfully didn’t fucking pry because oh my god .

She just let me know that I could pick up the prints during lunch the next day, and turn in the ones I wanted to. I had taken 32 photos in total at the temple, which this photography teacher praised me for how they turned out… but whatever I didn’t turn in, I would have to burn.

Mickey could never ever see these.

And that was all I could think about as I made my way out to my car, headed for the cafe.

Somehow, I had convinced myself during that short drive that everything would otherwise be normal… until I parked in the back alley, gathered all my shit, and headed on inside, just to come face-to-face with Mickey as soon as I walked in.

All that fucking did was make the entire weekend seep back into my memory…

Our very first date.

The Buddhist Temple.

The warehouse.

The morning after at the warehouse.

His flat. Painting together. The magick trick…

Fucking everything .

I had to force myself to act normal because it was so goddamn busy today, and Mic and I had to hit the ground running with creating the tea syrup… but nothing about me felt even remotely normal.

Every time he got closer, my heart sped up, or my body felt like I had been pushed into a bonfire. When we finally found a second to step out before close, that was just cause it felt like I had suffered through the most challenging shift of my entire life.

Didn’t help that we were both holding our breath about how this third batch would turn out. I was so worried, I barely registered the fact that Jade would be coming over to CiCi’s for Thanksgiving, too. Honestly, I didn’t really care. I mean, it was CiCi’s place anyway, and Jade sounded pretty cool.

But then, seeing Eve and CiCi’s reaction when we were forced to head back inside and face the music…

That shit had me on a glorious fucking high, giving me a bit more confidence to explain the ingredients I selected because I had spent a good amount of time reading up on them last week.

Then there was the way that goddamn baker looked at me when I said the name I chose. Serenity.

Sho had mentioned it to us briefly at the temple when he spoke about the fundamental practice of meditation. It fit so perfectly for the benefits of not just the tea but the Korean pear, that it felt fitting.

But it was the look from Mickey that night that made things so much worse.

That had me thinking about him when I went to sleep Monday night and when I woke up Tuesday morning. That look had managed to make me a bit distracted, forcing me to lock the fuck in for my morning classes, only to get a text from Mickey letting me know that he would have to drop off my lunch a little earlier, so I wouldn’t get to actually see that fucker.

That look then had me losing it a bit more when I got to the cafe, only to be reminded that he would be showing up later.

And when that shithead actually did, that look he gave me Monday night just felt like it got more intense by Arlo actually paying up. Arlo’s kind words, however, did improve my mood a bit, as did the couple hundred dollars he set on the kitchen island for me, but CiCi had already gotten me my first paycheck as soon as I got in for my shift so I saved $200 of the bet money to buy some groceries for after Thanksgiving, cigs, and gas, then decided I would ask Mickey to put the rest in the safe until I needed it.

I was sort of using him as a cash-only bank since I knew I needed to save. The paycheck would also pretty much be for rent when I deposited it after the holidays, then paid online through the portal Don set up.

But Jesus fuck , it was still that look alone that had me lying in bed Tuesday night, eventually folding and giving Mickey a ring because I couldn’t fucking take it anymore.

That look alone had made me miss him in ways I didn’t quite understand. It was heated and intense, but also a sincere look of adoration. Not proud of me for something he taught me, but proud of the fact that I had expanded on it and learned more on my own.

That look now had me watching as the garage door to the warehouse started opening before I barely drove into the empty lot, with Mickey’s text still pulled up on my phone, telling me to drive my car inside when I got here.

I had all my school stuff, and my stuff for Thanksgiving, packed up in the back of my car- literally the very first thing I did when I got home after my shift.

And Mickey was already on his feet near the wooden table with a warm smile on his lips, while I parked my car right next to his bike. Then the garage started closing behind me, and I didn’t waste a second turning my car off, reaching behind me for my school bag and bag of clothes, then stepping out.

Mickey made his way over from the side of the table he had his laptop and a notebook on, next to a mug I could only assume had coffee inside because there was a half-filled pot in the kitchen, and this place smelled like it was freshly brewed.

He walked directly to me with a smile in this otherwise dimly lit warehouse and reached for my bags, not bothering to let me even pass them over first, then he bent down and kissed me. I couldn’t help but grin, my hands reaching up quickly when he started to pull away so I could grab this shithead and bring his lips back down to mine for just one more kiss.

Fuck , it felt like we hadn’t done that shit in decades , not 40 hours.

“Hi,” I couldn’t shake this damn grin off my face when I eventually let him go, and the look Mickey gave me as he curled that full, bottom lip of his in a bit had me almost forgetting what the hell I promised in order for him to say yes to me coming in the first damn place.

“Hey,” Mickey smiled. “Hungry? I can heat up some of that turkey if you want to try-” I was already nodding, and Mickey just chuckled. “Alright. If you feel like showering, go ahead, otherwise change into something for bed. Fifteen minutes to midnight, and you will not be late tomorrow.”

I nodded again, following as he turned and walked around the table so he could set my bags down on the far end. “Are you working late?” I asked him.

“Yeah,” Mickey sighed. “Not too late, though. I’ll put in more work after Thanksgiving. Right now I’m more concerned with that.” I slowly nodded, glancing down from the other end of the table at this baker’s open laptop and written notes.

He seriously had some beautiful handwriting, but whatever the fuck he was writing down tonight looked like some goddamn hieroglyphics.

“Get moving, Ryk,” Mickey ordered, though, making me look up to see that he was already heading towards the kitchen, so I did as I was told.

It was hard to put into words why I liked this warehouse so much, but it was probably because it reminded me of the times I used to knock out at the shop. Minus the shit memories there, of course.

Plus, I liked how everything was so organized here. The bathroom was similar to Mickey’s at his place. Not as nice, considering Mickey’s whole flat was nice as fuck, but it came really close.

There was still a cabinet for towels, robes, and extra toothbrushes, but I remembered to bring my toothbrush at least, and brought that in with me, setting it on the sink’s counter before undressing for a shower.

After a piping hot shower, I stepped out, dried off, threw a robe on, and left my toothbrush at the sink to brush after I tried the turkey, then I slipped on a pair of the house slippers kept in the cabinets, similar to the ones at Mickey’s except these had a thicker rubber bottom because the warehouse floor wasn’t as clean ad his flat.

Mickey was already back in his seat while I joined him, typing with his left hand and scribbling shit down with his right.

He had his glasses back on, and it made me deeply regret ever telling him he looked like an old man with them on, because he honestly looked hot as shit. It was only when he looked at me over the frames. Then he looked like a librarian or something.

“Try some,” this baker said without looking away from his screen, but he tapped the wooden table where he had some pieces of turkey on a plate he must’ve heated, and I walked over to take a seat while my hands tried drying the rest of my hair with the towel around my shoulders.

“Did you like the other one, too?” I asked him.

Mic nodded. “This one’s better, but Ci won’t budge on her wanting the citrus one more. Final product will be a compromise.”

I nodded quickly, trying to minimize my smile when I reached for my fork. “What made you pick Cajun?”

“You like spice,” he answered. “I like it, too, but I wanted to make something you’d like.”

And that effectively made my whole body hotter than hell itself as I quickly focused on this plate, bringing the first piece to my mouth to take a bite of… and after like two chews, I shoved the whole thing inside because holy fucking shit.

Mickey was cracking up instantly, finally turning away from his laptop screen to look at my stuffed cheeks while my eyes gently closed and I chewed.

The meat was so goddamn tender and soft that, for a second, I didn’t think this shit was turkey at all.

“Good, huh,” I heard Mickey say, but I just nodded, needing a second to both gather my thoughts and chew.

It was the perfect amount of heat and spice. The skin was surprisingly a bit crispy, too, which I wasn’t used to because the few times I had had turkey in the past, the skin was usually soft and chewy. I wasn’t a fan.

The texture kinda made me gag a bit. But that was how I got with skin on a lot of meat if it wasn’t crispy.

“Holy- oh my god Mickey ,” I mumbled when I finally opened my eyes again. Whatever stress he looked like he was in today made way more sense if he was cooking up some shit like this all day.

“Want me to pack more for lunch tom-”

I nodded my head so damn fast, turning to look at him a second later. “We’ll make the donation sandwiches with the citrus one,” I said seriously, and Mic immediately started fucking cackling, nodding his head, agreeing.

“The citrus one would actually make some good sandwiches, yeah. Glad you like it.”

The word ‘like’ felt more than just insulting. I cleared the few carvings in no time, damn near licking the plate because the juices that oozed out of the meat blew my fucking mind.

“But bed , Ryk,” Mickey demanded. “Past midnight now, and you promised.” I nodded quickly, standing with the empty plate so I could set it in the sink to rinse, but this baker stopped me. “Leave that, I’ll take care of it.”

“Okay,” I said after hesitating for a sec. I didn’t want Mickey to take care of anything, considering I was the one who had kinda sprung this on him tonight. But I knew he’d just get irritated with any pushback, so I left the plate, got up, and started rummaging through the bag of clothes I packed.

After getting some briefs pulled out, I started to tug up on a basic shirt I shoved in here, but Mickey interrupted me yet again, his eyes not leaving his laptop screen. “Wear something of mine instead. You know where the closet is.”

“But… I don’t fit your pajama pa-”

“You’ve got briefs.”

“…But didn’t- you- the cameras-”

“I, uh,” Mickey cleared his throat a little, “Don’t worry bout them. I’ll get the footage wiped in the morning.”

And that was when my head snapped all the way the fuck down to my drawstring bag again.

I’d packed a whole sleeping outfit tonight because Mickey revealed to me that this place wasn’t exactly all that private, but… in… in the morning?

So he and I, we…

I sure as fuck didn’t say anything else, though, shoving my shirt back in my bag before I reached deeper inside for the cream I brought from home for the bruising. “Oh,” I started, feeling around a bit more inside. “I think I forgot lotion. There’s some in that side drawer in the bathroom, right?” I asked, but I had already set the small bottle of cream down and was turning back towards the bathroom to brush my teeth.

“Yeah,” Mickey confirmed, “But grab the coconut oil instead. More relaxing and hydrating. The air can get pretty dry in here.”

I didn’t know what the hell he was on about, but then again, I think I did remember seeing something in his living room back at his place that let off some sort of mist, so he must’ve had a humidifier going.

I was so used to knocking out on the couch in the shop- preferred it over our apartment above the place- that I didn’t even notice it in here.

But I went with what he suggested- brushing my teeth first, then rinsing my mouth out- and it took about half a second to find the jar of coconut oil he was talking about.

This would be the first time I had used it. Not sure what I was expecting, but I sure as shit wasn’t expecting it to be a solid white sorta substance.

I uncrewed the cap out of curiosity and got a whiff, nodding my head slow at the scent of it because it was actually really nice. Then I made sure the bathroom looked just like how I found it, minus my toothbrush in the cup next to Mickey’s, since I’d be up in the morning to use it again, and left.

I expected Mickey to still be plugging away, doing whatever the hell he was doing tonight. I’d long since abandoned the thought of having him explain it, especially from how stressed that notebook sheet had me. But he was on his feet, leaning against the end of the table my stuff was on, holding the cream in his hand.

“Found it?” he asked when he glanced up. Then his eyes fell on the jar I was holding. “Good. Come on then.”

My eyebrows creased at that. I mean, I still followed him because this fucker just started walking towards the stairs, but I definitely still said, “I can apply it- the cream-”

“Don’t piss me off, Ryker,” Mickey replied, then turned to start up the stairs to the loft, and I had to bite pretty much all sides of my mouth at that to stop a stupid grin from forming as I moved a little quicker to catch up with him. He started taking the metal steps two at a time.

Then he slid his shoes off at the top of the stairs, over to the left side, and eventually opened the metal door to his walk-in closet. Now that I knew the layout of this place a bit better, I realized this space was right above the bathroom.

At first, I didn’t understand how there was more building in this goddamn building, but the floor plans for this place were wild. Made me remember what Mickey had said about how he built everything here, and it sure as fuck was starting to look like it.

I removed the slippers I was wearing, liking the cool feel of the clean cement floor up here against my bare feet, and loving the fact that Mickey took it seriously as fuck- making sure this space up here was spotless .

His bedcover was also the most beautiful, deep red, a nice subtle pop of color to the deep browns and greys the rest of the warehouse was. Felt like a whole other pocket of space up here.

“Get on the bed, Ryk,” he told me from his walk in, and I did just that, climbing onto the mattress, which was a perfect combination of soft but firm, closer to his wooden heaboard and the window, then I trurned around to sit with my knees bent so I could watch as Mic opened that closet door all the way back to the wall, and set a large black Massachusetts Institute of Technology shirt onto the handle of the door by the shirt hanger.

“Is that the school you went to?” I asked, a bit surprised and embarrassed at myself for not asking this shit before.

He glanced down at his shirt as he turned to me. “MIT? Yeah.”

That made me sit the fuck up. “You went to MIT?” I asked him, not even addressing the fact that I had no idea that was what MIT stood for. I mean, I barely knew jack shit about it, but I knew damn well it was up there with Harvard and Stanford.

Mickey just nodded. Like-… like this was just something someone casually fucking did.

“You… You didn’t tell me you…”

“I mean, you didn’t ask,” he countered with a light chuckle. “Lived on campus, but easier to say I lived in Boston. The campus in Cambridge is a pretty close walk to downtown Boston.”

Had I known this fucker graduated from there , I might’ve actually believed he made his money tutoring.

“And besides, Ryk, right now I’m more focused on you making it through high school before you and I start discussing any colleges,” he added, taking the last few steps towards the bed. He set the cream down on the floor near the mattress first, which confused me, and knelt down on the bed to reach for the coconut oil I was still holding.

“Oh, I can-”

“Shut up, Ryk,” he replied before kneeling back on his hind legs, directly in front of me, and opening up the lid to set on the floor near the cream. Then he scooped up a good amount of the white, solid substance onto his left hand and set the jar on the bed, not worrying about whether it would topple onto its side as he started rubbing his hands together.

I mean, considering it was solid, I guess he wasn’t worried about anything spilling.

“But… don’t you have work-”

“Yes,” Mickey nodded, his sharp gaze leaving his hands to look directly at me on this bed, and I was already feeling the slight shivers as I watched that solid substance start to get oily in his large hands. “And I’ll be heading back down after I make sure you’re tucked in bed.”

Both my hands gripped the top of his comforter a bit on either side of me as my face started to heat up, and I had to look away. The warehouse temperature was cool in here tonight, and the lights were comfortably dimmed to a warmer glow… but it felt like I was in the dead of summer with the sun blaring down at me by how this fucker was looking at me now, his gaze slowly dragging up and down my body.

I knew my hair was a mess, my curls damp and a bit all over the place from the shower, but Mickey’s gaze just got sharper as he said, “Spread your legs a little for me, Ryk. I’ll work my way up.”

Safe to say any hopes of taking a normal fucking breath again just vanished. I didn’t even fucking breathe after that, still focusing on his hands now instead of looking up to those beautiful eyes as I straightened my legs a little further towards him and spread them a bit wider.

My nails got the gnarliest grip on this soft comforter, simply watching as Mickey shifted his right knee just a bit further forward, helping him face my right leg, then sat back on his hind legs to bring his hands to my right foot first.

I expected his hands to feel warm… but they felt like just the perfect temperature against my skin- skin which felt like it was on fucking fire now thanks to his voice and his touch.

His hands were so gentle, just like they always were when he touched me. He was holding my foot delicately, rolling the joints of my ankle as he massaged oil into the soles of my feet, and I couldn’t hold the slight moan that slipped past my lips from the feeling.

Raising this leg had made a bit more of the robe slip away, slowly by slowly exposing the entire leg to him, but he kept lifting it until he brought it near his lips, and gave the inner side right near my ankle joint a gentle kiss, forcing that breath I didn’t even know I was holding, out in light fucking pants.

“Any more questions for me, Ryk?” He whispered in a raspier, throaty voice, mumbling the words against the inner part of my ankle, making my leg slowly start to tremble, and I had to squeeze my eyes fucking shut for a second.

I could already feel myself getting hard- starting to feel the sticky precum against my thigh like the whore I unfortunately was for his touch, and my toes curled in more at the intensity of this.

“I-… I-I-…” I fucking breathed as my body forced itself to calm down. At some point, I just shook my head no. I probably did have more questions, but there wasn’t a single thought left in my brain besides how fucking incredible this felt.

Then Mickey started to lower that bent leg back to the bed, gliding his hands up from the back of my foot, up my calf, kneading into the skin. My eyes slowly opened to watch him massage the tension out of the muscle there, but the way he looked at me- at my body- was making me a goddamn wreck .

And it didn’t help that he was still wearing a casual, plain black shirt, allowing me to see those bicep muscles shift with every movement.

His hands were fixed, but those sharp, dark eyes wandered, dragging his intense gaze up my leg towards a part of me that was almost fully exposed. This robe was really holding on to whatever was left of my modesty.

I didn’t want to pull him from his work tonight, but if he got any higher, I was fucked. I was going to start begging at this point for him not to stop.

The oil felt incredible as it soaked into my freshly washed skin. He was right about it- about how moisturizing it was in comparison to lotion, and the scent was incredible.

Then he slowly let go of my skin to grab the jar and place a little more of the solid stuff onto his hands, setting the plastic container back on the bed, then repeating the process of melting the oil between his palms before bringing those hands back to my knees now, pressing his thumbs in on either sides as he dragged them steadily up my thigh.

“Sh-Shit-” I murmured, unsure of whether it was from the pleasure jolting relentlessly to my cock, those fingers making my head tilt back a little again, or whether it was the way I could feel this tension easing everywhere he touched me.

“ Your skin’s so goddamn soft, “ he whispered a bit more roughly, bending down to lay some light kisses on my inner thigh, coercing a moan past my lips as yet another shakier breath jutted out.

His lips were gentle and tender against me- those kisses started to get a little higher. He was taking his time tonight, his eyes closing now as if he was drinking this all in, still making sure to moisturize the skin as he went. And I wanted it to last forever, regardless of the aching need my stiff cock felt.

I didn’t give a shit about him reaching there right now. I wanted to continue watching him just like this.

This was the first time he didn’t rush a single thing, regardless of how late it sure as shit had to be.

And it almost felt like an apology for all the times he had to.

That shit alone made my toes dig into his bedcover deeper, especially when I felt him start to suck the inner part of my thigh harder, definitely leaving marks against my paler skin.

I almost fucking whimpered when I felt him pull away- the loss hitting in droves- but then he shifted himself, turning to my left leg now to start right back at my foot, and I wasn’t exactly sure how long I could keep myself up, sitting with my legs parted on either side of him.

He eventually brought the inner part of my ankle to his lips, raising the left leg now, which only pushed the remaining fabric once covering my lower half, off to the side, slipping off my upper thigh to expose everything to him.

“M-Mickey-” I choked up, but my voice sounded rougher than some goddamn 40-grit sandpaper.

Tonight… tonight was… different between us. Tonight, he was kissing every part of me with so much goddamn intention, I couldn’t figure out how to control the lingering feeling of his soft lips touching- sucking my skin, all while those hands of his travelled up this leg in a continuous massage.

“ F-Fuck- “ I tilted my head back as soon as he started sucking a little harder. Nothing was painful about this- just-… just so fucking intense . And intimate . His own heavier breathing fanned against my skin as he got higher, and the trembling in my leg became more uncontrolled, my soft moans became more unruly.

I felt him shift a bit on the bed, and my head lowered back down to him to see what he was doing next.

Mickey had yanked the shirt he was wearing, right fucking off, tossing it somewhere off the bed, and bent back down, right between my spread legs. His hands slid under both my thighs so he could set each leg comfortably over his bare shoulders, then he easily reached with his left hand for the jar of coconut oil again.

“Ryk?” His words were whispered low, and that voice of his sent straight chills through me by how gentle yet firm it fucking was.

“Y-Yes?” I whispered back breathlessly.

“I… I want to do more tonight-” he started, but I was already nodding my head hard as shit because I wanted him to do more than just fucking more. I wanted this man inside me at this fucking point, even though I didn’t think there was a fat chance in hell he meant all of that.

Whatever he was offering, though, I’d take. I’d fucking beg for it right now.

“But there’s just one thing,” he continued, and I almost groaned in fucking annoyance if it wasn’t for the fact that he was dead fucking serious when he said that. “No more head nods. I want to hear from you tonight. I want you to tell me if you like it- how you like it. Tell me what you’re feeling as best you can. And if you don’t like it, we’ll stop… but just talk to me, okay?”

I felt a breath catch in my fucking lungs at that, ready to say yes, but I-… I just-

There was a reason for the goddamn head nods. A great reason.

“I… I don’t… w-want to sound stup- t-to say anything stupid-”

But Mickey just shook his head no, turning it slightly to place a gentle kiss on the inner thigh of my left leg, making it tremble against his shoulder even harder as I tried to muffle yet another pitiful fucking moan. “You won’t, Ryk . But don’t feel afraid or embarrassed with me- especially when we’re like this. Intimate with each other. I just-… I… I don’t like feeling like you’re making yourself small. I want you to take up every bit of space when you’re with me. Especially when we’re together like this. “

Now why did this shithead have to go and say some fucking shit like that now? He… was going to… to make me-

I broke eye contact, looking off to the side a bit so I could collect whatever I could before I eventually whispered, “O-Okay,” trying to blink away that familiar, stinging sensation.

“Good,” Mickey whispered back softly, content with that. Then both his oiled-up hands lifted to the loosened tie of my robe, bringing my gaze there too, and he slowly undid it, pulling the soft plush fabric back and finally hovering that intense gaze over the rest of me.

Fucking all of me.

His gentle words alone had done it tonight, completely altering my definition of what the word exposed truly meant between us.

••

57. Milking’s Required For A Creamy Custard

If you’re wondering where I’m headed after naming this chapter… the answer is Hell lol

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

Mickey dragged his hot, smooth tongue up my inner thigh, nearing the base of my cock… and I almost fucking collapsed back onto the mattress, not nearly as ready as I thought I might’ve been for more.

This would’ve been fucking easier if he had just kept his damn shirt on or something, I couldn’t help but think.

I was getting good at trying to ignore his body if I could, thinking I was falling asleep on a warm cloud instead of his bare chest whenever we shared a bed together, so I wouldn’t wake up with morning wood all the fucking time.

But then he went and took that fucking shirt off, and now all I saw was his stupid fucking perfect build- his broad, sturdy shoulders used as a place to easily hold my legs up, and his beautiful, deep, rich skin against my paler body, reminding me of how perfect a complexion it was.

I thought those massive hands were enough, massaging my skin, and now I couldn’t look away from his sculpted arms wrapped under and around my thighs, and fuck me, those fucking tattoos.

He was making me more nervous just by looking at him, as if I needed another reason to psych myself out about all this.

Mic had me pull the pillows down before he even started, so my head could rest back on them just in case I wanted to lie back, but my elbows were working overtime to try and hold me up because I wanted to see him. To see exactly what he was doing. To see that fucking look in his eyes whenever he opened them to look at any part of me. And most importantly, I wanted that magnetic rush when those incredible eyes met mine.

He was exploring everything with that hot, soft tongue of his, but his oily hands remained still on the top of my hips, placing just enough weight to pin me to this bed without hurting me in the slightest. And when his tongue licked closer to my base, still not touching my dick that was resting back against my lower stomach, he started sucking in the ultra-sensitive skin there.

“M-M-Mic-” I moaned out, feeling vivid fucking pleasure I was still trying to get a handle on, attaching itself to such sensitive nerves. My hips wanted to push up against him at the sudden feeling as I took sharper breaths in, but this baker kept me held down. He wanted me to feel it, but he sure as fuck wasn’t letting me react with anything but my voice- however desperate I sounded right now.

Mickey was sucking this soft skin in hard enough to leave a mark there, and it felt… overwhelming, an intensity I hadn’t felt before because not a single person had ever done this to me before, but still overwhelming in a good way. It made my head feel light, like I might pass out if he sucked any harder, yet it was the farthest thing from painful.

Nothing he had done tonight had been painful.

“ Words , Ryk,“ Mic murmured deep into the skin when he released the suction, but my whole body felt so goddamn uncollected, I wasn’t sure what to say. “You like this, baby?”

“I-I-It-…” I tried desperately to get out between breaths that sounded so goddamn botched, waves of fucking embarrassment hit. “I… it… feels so f-fucking- oh sh-shit- jesus f- “ I had to take another sharp inhale because Mickey had moved that mouth of his up a little at the flat base of my groin, sucking in again between his soft lips, and my head fell back from the unreal feeling.

I could feel the wetness from my tip on my lower stomach, but I was trying to hold back a little. I didn’t want to cum just from this when he hadn’t even touched more yet. That would be more fucking embarrassing than the way I sounded now, falling apart under him.

Then I felt it- him gently bite the skin, and my legs closed up around his head unintentionally as I cried out.

“M-M-Mic- Mic, w-wait-” I stuttered, gripping the thick comforter hard as shit with both hands.

“T-Too much? Did it hurt?” He asked against my skin, releasing it from his lips fast, but I quickly shook my head no. His heavy breaths felt so incredible against the wetness from his tongue whenever he pulled away, making me feel even more lightheaded as he sent more shivers through me.

“I-It-… I-… s-sentitive- i-it feels sensitive, a-and I- I might-”

God, my face had to be the shade of fucking stop sign at this point. I wasn’t used to saying shit like this during-

Well… well, I wasn’t used to this at all.

“It’s okay,” Mickey whispered up to me as his eyes found mine. “Tonight I want you to cum when you need to. If it’s too much to continue after, we’ll stop.”

“O-… Okay,” I whispered breathlessly, even though I didn’t want that- I didn’t want him to stop after it. I didn’t exactly know how I’d handle it, I just knew I really didn’t want him to fucking stop.

Mickey then brought his lips back down to my base, but this time, he dipped lower, dragging his tongue up again my balls first, before he sucked one in between his teeth. I grasped at this even bedcover tighter, thanking every deity I could think of for its thickness; otherwise, I was going to be in danger of ripping the fabric at some point.

This was a new sensation. Usually, whenever I got head, it damn sure wasn’t like this. At least I didn’t remember being exposed like this, just a fast blowjob for the most part with only my dick, but Mickey made sure he sucked and licked and gently scraped those teeth against every inch down there between my legs.

“M-Mick- sh-shit-” I got out in a dry rasp between my sharp breaths in and out. I could feel my balls tightening up inside his warm mouth, and this fucking baker had to have felt it too because he released them just in time, dragging his tongue unexpectedly up the full length of my now throbbing shaft before he engulfed the whole tip of it into his mouth.

I was too late to try to reach for him as I unexpectedly came right in his mouth- an intense orgasm ripping through me from all this built-up pleasure he was pooling with his mouth.

“M-M-Mi-” I groaned out, yanking the sheets towards me as my body shook fucking profusely from the goddamn ecstasy.

Mickey’s hands had to hold me down harder- not painfully, but he had to keep my lower half from bucking up as he sucked everything that spurted out from my sensitive tip into his mouth. My elbows gave out, dropping my head back onto the stacked pillows, and the material I pulled on even harder, closer to me, made the fabric taut below my body.

I didn’t even know when my eyes shut so tight, creating deep, warm colors blended into the darkness behind my lids, making me feel like I was doing some real fucking damage to my corneas. Mickey was slow to release that tip, and the feeling of my softened cock gently tapping back against my lower stomach made my hips push back against his strength again.

That was, by far , the best orgasm I had ever had. It was the hardest I had ever cum, and the way I was breathing now made me want to sink into this bed with fucking embarrassment. He’d sucked me off for like .2 seconds, and all control left had simply vanished.

“Sh-Should I stop?” Mickey asked, breathing his warm breath out hard, and having them hit my skin lightly. There wasn’t an area that wasn’t riddled with fucking sensitivity now, and my body felt tight from that release, trying to reel my pleasure in so I could get it the hell together… but I still shook my head no. If we stopped now, I’d be even more fucking embarrassed that this was all I could make it through tonight.

“Y-You can-.. K-Keep- keep g-going-” I replied, trying not to let the way I sounded, or the fact that I had to say this shit- that Mickey wanted me to say this shit… I was trying not to let it get to me. Talking always made me feel so self-conscious of how I sounded… but this damn baker didn’t care about how I sounded. He just wanted to hear me.

My hands tugged on the bedcover a little more from that thought alone, making it harder for me to get a fucking grip. He didn’t care how much space I took up tonight. He didn’t care how stupidly pitiful I sounded- the desperation of wanting this so plainly obvious in my breaths, moans, and shaky words. He wanted all of it.

Mickey shifted again on his hind legs, but his oiled hands actually gently pushed my inner thighs from his shoulders right into the crevices of his neck. “Try and keep your legs here, Ryk,” he instructed me, which eventually convinced my eyes to open so I could look down at him. The pillows helped an insane amount to keep my eyes on his, but I did as he asked, even locking my ankles behind him so my thighs stayed right on his shoulders.

Then Mic reached for the jar on the bed again with his left hand and scooped more out with his fingers. After, he rounded his left arm over my right thigh, and brought his right hand around my left one so he could start to warm up the oil by rubbing his hands together right above my cock, watching me with a gaze that made me feel just about everything- nervous as shit, excited that he wasn’t stopping, turned the fuck on by the way he looked at me with such hunger… but also a bit scared.

Not scared of him, of course, but of what he’d do- of what I’d think of what he did next. Judging by the amount of oil he was warming up to a liquid, whatever he was about to do needed a lot of it, and I had genuine fear that I wouldn’t like it. Some haunting memories of the past kept telling me that I wouldn’t. That I couldn’t .

“Remember, Ryk,” he breathed out jaggedly to me, “if it hurts, we’ll stop. If you don’t like it, we’ll stop.”

I nodded my head slowly at him. He could probably see how scared I was about this, even if I wanted it with him. “… O-Okay.”

Did I have this done to me in the past? I tried to think- tried to remember. Had anyone actually used their fingers there? Those memories were just black holes, really. The morning after- well, usually the afternoon after, when I finally woke up, was what I remembered. I was usually in a random bed or on a random couch at someone’s place, used condoms and their wrappers scattered around the empty bottles of liquor.

It was never like this. In a bed with intention. With a partner with intention. And I was never with someone who actually looked like they knew exactly what they were doing. Every previous fucker had the confidence, but not the skill behind those eyes and hands to back it up. Not like Mickey did. And everything always just hurt afterward, so I would drink a little more or smoke some weed to try to alleviate the pain, telling myself that it was probably normal.

Mickey separated his hands, tucking his left one flat, under my sensitive cock, so he could hold me down still, while his right hand wrapped around then back under my raised thigh, gently slipping it between my ass.

“Ryk,” he whispered gently, “your body is really tense right now. Just remember that you’re in control tonight… and I don’t want to hurt you. We don’t have to-”

I quickly shook my head no, forcing myself to relax under his touch. This wasn’t like my past. Mickey wasn’t like anyone I would’ve ever been good enough to be with in my past, and it was shitty he even had to deal with the trauma of it. “I-.. I hadn’t meant- I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s okay,” I watched Mickey’s soft lips stretch into a slight smile. “It’s alright if you’re a bit nervous or scared. I’ll do my best to make it perfect for you.”

Jesus-

Jesus fuck-

I felt that familiar burn in my eyes again, but I was begging with myself, mentally chanting, not now, not now, not fucking now, Ryker, for fucks sake. If I fucking cried right now, Mickey would absolutely stop. He’d think I wasn’t ready when I was, he just- I just wasn’t used to this. But I did want it. I wanted it with him.

So I just nodded, getting out in barely a whisper, “o-okay,” all while trying to stop my eyes from completely glossing over, fucking this all up.

And Mickey kept his word.

He began by bringing a finger slowly past my ass cheeks, slipping the oiled-up digit between them to easily find my entrance. But he didn’t push past the taut rim right away. Instead, he started to gently prod at the entrance, massaging just the rimmed surface like he had done last week with his tongue, and that alone felt really fucking good. Mickey was watching my face for any signs of discomfort, but I was more focused on his touch- on him touching me there.

His soft eyes alone were enough to make me relax further on this mattress and under the gentle press his left hand had on my lower stomach.

I wasn’t sure why I expected to maybe feel the rigid edge of his nail as he circled the small hole, but I remembered how short Mickey kept his nails in general. There was no sharpness, and the oil felt good and warm. The subtle coconut helped me feel even more relaxed at this tender pleasure.

It was insane for me to think I was so scared before, as time slowly stretched between us tonight with just him doing this, especially by how much he made sure my entrance was completely slick first- lathering up the oil there and feeling it start to eventually, gradually, loosen up on its own as I grew calmer and more comfortable- before pushing anything inside.

And by the time he did eventually push past my now-welcoming entrance, not giving a shit how long it took us to even get here, it was very slow. It was a smooth easing of his finger past a tightness that relaxed by his touch. His tongue had taken to me, shaping itself when his mouth was there last week, but his finger obviously couldn’t tonight… and I almost loved that simple fact more.

I could feel myself taking to him instead, molding around him as he gently slid just the tip of his finger out, and then gently slid it back in, only very gradually getting deeper. My chest was rising and falling to my deep breaths, but this sensual pleasure wasn’t a jarring buildup; it was as gradual as his touch was, making my eyelids lower and my cock stiffen more and more.

This feeling felt… filling. And only familiar in a sense because my body recognized his gentle touch. We’d never done this before, but it recognized how safe and gentle he’d always been everywhere else he touched.

Mickey had leant his head against the inner thigh of my right leg, turning his head slightly to kiss there as he murmured, “ You’re doing so fucking good, Ryk ,“ and my fingernails dug into this damn fabric now as I felt those nervous butterflies in my stomach from his words. It only made me want more. It made my body beg for it, as more sticky liquid started to pool at my lower waist from my tip.

His finger had gradually eased to only about halfway, it felt like, but my body had gotten used to the slow push and pull. Nothing hurt near my entrance, which was where I remembered it usually did in the past when I woke up. It felt like it had been torn open back then, but this just… “I-I-It feels really f-fucking good-” I whispered to Mickey. He deserved to know just how much I was liking this with him.

“Do… Do you want me to continue, or- or push a little deeper, Ryk?” he asked against the sensitive skin of my inner thigh, still placing kisses there.

“D-Deeper,” I whispered, relaxing more so it was easier for him. And he nodded, his hair brushing against my skin, as he slowly went deeper every time he pushed that finger inside. I wished I had better words for him than ‘good’ because this felt so much fucking better than just good. The warm oil gave a pleasure that was different from when he touched my cock…

But when he brushed that finger against something inside me, my body suddenly tensed, my walls clamping down around him as I choked out a mangled cry.

“R-Ryk?” Mickey asked, alarmed as shit.

“Y-You-…” I wasn’t sure what to say as his finger completely stilled. Whatever that was, made my whole body shudder, jolting my nerves inside me like nothing I had felt before. “I-It- y-you- you touched s-something-” I tried to articulate as my eyes shut tight and my fingers yanked up on the bedcover again.

“D-Did you-… did you like it?” Mickey asked in a tone rough enough to rival my own at this point.

I quickly fucking nodded. I mean, I had enough of an understanding about the male body to understand the gist of a prostate… but feeling it for the first time was the most unexpected, dense pleasure I had ever fucking experienced in my life. It made my toes involuntarily curl in an instant as my thighs shook against the sides of his neck.

“O-Okay-” Mickey breathed. Hard . “Okay, are-… are you okay if I slowly ease another finger inside? If-… if you liked it- that spot- I can hit it better-”

I was already nodding my head like my goddamn life depended on that shit. “Y-Y-Yes,” I choked out, forcing my body to relax in full again so my walls could release around him and he could gently ease his finger out of me.

Then I eventually felt it- two fingers at my entrance- but Mickey slid one in a little first, getting me used to that growing, familiar feeling, before I felt him slowly, gently start to push the second one in. Thanks to the oil, there wasn’t any real discomfort, even though I could feel myself tighten around both his fingers.

I tried to relax further into this mattress, regardless of my shaky legs on Mickey’s shoulders, and that spark of concentration in his eyes made the fluttering feeling return in my stomach.

He was just- he was so fucking genuine about being careful, even if I could practically feel how fucking turned on he was right now. I could see the imprint in his light jeans when he lifted himself up a bit to get a better angle, and the small wet spot forming to the left side of his crotch while my oiled up legs slid back down a little with ease, adjusting to the increased height.

I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I knew that he’d be pissed if I did anything else but lie here and let him work- let him push this intimacy between us a little further.

His fingers gently started to move in and out, filling me up further, and making my tip leak with more need as my walls adjusted around them, but he wasn’t quite hitting that spot yet, and I knew he wasn’t trying to. He was gauging how I felt about them buried inside me first, and it was making me a fucking mess .

“M-Mic-… M-Mickey-” I moaned when he pushed deeper. Was this how it was going to feel? Like when we actually had sex? I mean, obviously his dick was wider than this, but fuck , if it felt anything like this, I wanted it right the fuck now .

“T-Tell me if this is too much, or… or if you don’t like it,” he whispered, devishly fucking low, and at first I thought he was talking about the two fingers inside me… that was until I felt a new kind of preassure first- his thumb pressing against my taint firmly… then those two fingers buried inside me curled upwards, brushing against that place again, and I fucking cried out.

“M-Mickey! H-H-Holy sh-shit- oh-oh my f-f-” My back arched off the fucking mattress as I felt his start to stroke this tightly wound, bulb of fucking nerves inside me, curling those fingers in continuously.

My body as a whole sort of spasmed, not used to any of this kind of pleasure, with my ankles unhooking and legs slipping off his shoulder’s quickly before my feet hit the mattress, and as I sat myself up a little back on my elbows, that was when I felt- this fucking radiating warmth mixed with the most unreal fucking pleasure strike through my whole goddamn body.

I wasn’t even sure what sound I fucking made, but Mickey’s fingers quickly stilled, and my left hand shot out to his right forearm, grabbing because it felt like he was going to pull those fingers out.

“D-D-Don’t sto- M-Mic- r-r-ight there-” I choked out, my damn near desperate, frantic eyes finding his intense ones. The robe had started slipping off my shoulders from how suddenly I had sat up a bit, making Mickey’s eyes lower there a long fucking moment, taking in the skin I knew had to be flushed by now.

I used my left arm and elbow to work on keeping me in this position, as Mic breathed in the shakiest fucking breath I have ever heard from him, then he started that motion again, curling his fingers up against that spot while his thumb placed pressure back on my taint.

And as I started to rock my hips, my whole fucking head dipped back in pure fucking pleasure.

“R-Right-… h-h-holy f-f-ucking shit-” I stammered, breathing like there wasn’t enough oxygen on this damn planet to satisfy my lungs.

For lack of a better term, it felt like I was starting to ride his fingers, but my ass wasn’t lifting off this mattress, just grinding the pelvic muscles forward and up a bit as I felt Mickey’s muscles through the forearm I now had a vise grip on as his fingers worked that spot fucking thoroughly. Not fast by any means, and neither was the motion of my hips, but this pace had me in a fucking disarray, closing my eyes as my moans lacked any and all decorum.

“J-Jesus fuck- j-jesus f-fucking christ, Ryk -” Mickey more or less growled as his left hand slipped from under my now rock hard cock, to hold my right upper thigh so I could rock my hips as much as I fucking wanted, letting me meet his pace while holding deperately onto his forearm so I made sure he wouldn’t pull away.

My head was still tilted all the way the fuck back, my eyes still shut tight, not giving a shit how much of a complete mess I looked in front of him right now or how utterly needy my moans were- he was going to make me cum like this and I was willing to beg until I fucking felt it.

And when Mickey applied more preassure with his thumb, lifting hiself a little to glide his hand from my thigh so he could slip it under the curve of my lower back, he didn’t hold me up by any means, it was like he knew I needed every bit of my weight to feel this building preassure, but he did turn his head to my inner thigh to start sucking that skin in harder, and that was all my body could take.

“I-I-I’m- I’m ab-about to-” I juttered out, yet those words weren’t even finished in time as I violently fucking came, my hot cum spurting from my tip, spouting thick ropes of it up my stomach, my chest, neck, and some on my chin.

This feeling, whatever the fuck Mickey had done, felt like waves of tense pleasure smashing into my groin before it spread through every inch of me in almost unbearable succession, over and over again, forcing me to eventually let go of Mickey’s forearm and collapse back onto the pillows from the damn near mind-numbing intensity.

It felt like I could fucking feel everything , right down to the hairs on my arms, goosebumps alone spreading across my fucking skin. My ears were ringing while I shut my eyes tight, trying to handle this all.

I felt Mickey move his left arm away from my ferociously trembling right leg, and I swear I could hear his deep, animalistic grunts, the sound coming through muffled by my ringing ears, but I couldn’t even focus on it now.

I was still trying to make sure I was still breathing, offering no protests when this baker eventually, very gently slipped his fingers out of my pulsating entrance that had clenched down on them.

Wasn’t sure how long I lay there, but it was long enough for Mickey to pull away completely to do god knows what, then climb onto the bed right next to me and gently tug my still shaking body into his. He used the left side of this robe to cover me a bit, but I just moved both my arms up to the space between his bare chest and mine, not giving a shit that I was covered in my cum, and snuggled into his embrace. I didn’t even have the energy to open my eyes.

His heartbeat was fucking pounding

• hell, my heartbeat felt like it was threatening to break through my goddamn chest cavity, and both our completely shot breaths were the only thing that filled this otherwise quiet space.

I felt this incredible fucking baker first tilt my head up to place a breathy, hot, but short kiss on my lips, then he tilted my head back down to lay some sloppy but tender kisses on my forehead as it somehow took him longer to catch his breath… and that was when I realized that I was being one shit fucking giver tonight, even if I couldn’t think straight for the goddamn life of me.

My left hand started to glide down his chest, hoping I could at least jack him off, even though I knew it wouldn’t be my best work. It felt like I had just had every last drop of energy sucked out of me. I didn’t even care about the sticky mess between us and was grateful that Mic didn’t seem to either.

But Mickey’s arm that had wrapped around my upper body, quickly let go, and he stopped me from moving my left hand any lower by grabbing my forearm.

“N-No,” was all he said, firm as fuck but still a little breathless.

“B-But… b-but you…” I tried to get out, just mumbling now from the sleep that was overtaking me. Didn’t help that my eyelids felt so heavy they refused to open now.

Mickey moved that hand right back up again between his chest and mine. “ I already fucking came, Ryk . Now- N-Now give me a second to get my goddamn shit together.“

And while I was still too tired to open my eyes, I did shift my legs a bit, entangling with his, only to realize that he was now fully naked over these covers, holding me.

That thought alone was so fucking hot… but I was too tired to give it the attention it deserved, so I just nodded my head right into his chest, letting his skin damn near suffocate me.

The last thing I’m pretty sure I got out was a choppy variation of, “Goodnight, Mickey.”

And I’m almost a hundred percent sure he said that shit back… I was just knocked the fuck out by then to even remotely register it.

••

58. Coconut Meringue

Man idk how this chapter went from 5k words to 6.8k with one pass through… but we’re here now so expect errors lol

This and the next chapter is pretty much all smut from Mickey’s POV (next chapter is… phew, that’s all I’ll say lol) then it’s Thanksgiving!

(Which will also come with more intimate moment/hilarious circumstances/smut)

Enjoy!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

Mic…

Mic…

Mic…

“Mic!”

My head snapped up, looking over at Eve who was standing in the doorway between the front of this cafe and the kitchen, with her arms crossed tight over her chest, staring dead at me.

“Last day before Thanksgiving, and I need more rolls . Now pull. Yourself. The fuck. Together ,” she spat my way.

“R-Right,” I nodded quickly, placing all my attention back on the dough sitting on the metal surface of the kitchen island in front of me.

Same dough I’d been staring mindlessly at, trying not to think about everything that happened last night… then everything else that happened this fucking morning, just begging my dick not to get hard while at work, all thanks to that fucking fucker Ryker Parker…

“Hi.”

That was the first word I got to hear out of Ryk after he made it to the warehouse, pulled his car in as I instructed, parked, got out, and let me snag those bags right out of his hands before I bent down to kiss him.

He was still wearing what he had left the cafe in, black jeans and a black hoodie, and right after he had pulled me down for just one more kiss, sending my once work-oriented mind into a goddamn tizzy , I decided right then and there that he was wearing way too many fucking clothes.

“Hey,” I gave him a smile myself. “Hungry? I can heat up some of that turkey if you want to try-” but Ryk didn’t wait for me to finish before he nodded his head fast, causing me to chuckle instead. “Alright. If you feel like showering, go ahead, otherwise change into something for bed. Fifteen minutes to midnight, and you will not be late tomorrow.”

As much as I was excited about this shithead being here, I genuinely couldn’t let it get in the way of his classes. I knew Ryk understood by now why I was like this, and the incentive for me to take him to South Korea after he graduated was probably the right push he needed not just to finish, but to finish strong…

And yet spending another morning here with him still tempted the complete fuck out of me, reminding me of our Sunday morning, and just how serene that shit felt with his head nestled in my lap.

“Are you working late?” He asked while I walked his bags over to the table and set them down on the far end, opposite my work.

“Yeah,” I replied, sighing a bit irritably. I was actually enjoying this work, but today was also a long one. Tomorrow would be another long one, and Thanksgiving Day was going to be chaotic at best. “Not too late, though,” I added, not wanting to stress him out, too. His focus should’ve only been on school and enjoying the time off to celebrate the holiday with me, Ci, and Jade. “I’ll put in more work after Thanksgiving. Right now I’m more concerned with that.”

I glanced up after setting his bags down to see Ryk eyeing my writing, looking both adorably confused and stressed the hell out, something I was trying to actively avoid tonight, so I eventually snapped at him.

“Get moving, Ryk.”

And he did as he was told, heading towards his bags to eventually grab his toothbrush while I was already a few steps away from the fridge, ready to pull out the turkey meat and get it heated on a plate for him.

Then I returned to my work, but made sure to grab my glasses off the coffee table near the couches because the screen was starting to tire out my eyes. Not a good sign when I still had a few hours to go.

Ryk didn’t take long in the shower, either. He honestly made it back out just a few minutes after I had set the plate on the table with a fork. I had only packed up a little bit of the meat from Ci’s since I’d be back there tomorrow before work and could always make Ryk his lunch then. Then, of course, he and I would return tomorrow night for a movie night before Thanksgiving Day.

CiCi didn’t know this yet, but I was thinking of suggesting a game night instead. I knew Ryk didn’t give a fuck nor a damn about movies, and even though she told me she’d let him pick, I didn’t think that fucker really cared to just sit and watch something.

I saw how much he enjoyed painting. And how much he enjoyed showing me that card trick. He seemed to like being active if possible, but ultimately, I’d still let him choose whatever he preferred.

A game night would also be a really good in to try and convince CiCi that we should invite Jade over for the night instead. While I was obviously pioneering this whole thing with trying to get them together, my main objective was more alone time with Ryk, so I had one plan and one backup plan for the night:

Plan A

• Try to gauge how the night goes with Ci and Jade (if I’m able to convince Ci to say yes to her coming over), and if it’s going well, those two women might feel comfortable enough to share a bed in Ci’s room, so Ryk and I can share my old room. If that’s moving too fast for these lesbians, no problem, I had a backup plan, which leads us to…

Plan B

• After convincing Ci to invite Jade over (if them sharing a room seems a little too soon), I’ll suggest Jade take my room, then Ryk and I can sleep in the living room.

Either way, that idiot and I were going to spend the night together. And while I could always try sneaking into my room since Ryk would’ve been sleeping there and I’d be sleeping on the couch if it was just us three, CiCi’s room was too close. She’d hear me coming up the stairs.

Also thought about trying to convince her to let Ryk and I share my room, but Ci had a tendency to wake up at night and check on me since my room was right across the hall from hers- something she’d only avoid if Jade was sleeping in the same room with her.

Didn’t want her opening the bedroom door to find Ryk and me fast asleep, with him cuddled in my arms. So I was planning on volunteering myself for the couch regardless…

And this was why I needed Jade there the night before…

Once I heard the bathroom door open, I was still pretty focused on getting this work done, but I wanted to make sure this fucker ate before he took his ass to bed.

“Try some,” I said, tapping the wooden table where the food was, all while I finished up the skeleton of my report that I would eventually submit for payment after documenting my findings with the various security tests I’d run.

Ryk took a seat beside me, which made me smile a little. I loved the scent of my soap and shampoo on him. Loved seeing his damp curls, too, right after a shower.

“Did you like the other one, too?” He asked, referring to that other damn bird I cooked. And I gave him a nod, still typing away.

“This one’s better, but Ci won’t budge on her wanting the citrus one more. Final product will be a compromise.”

Ryk nodded beside me before reaching for the fork. “What made you pick Cajun?”

“You like spice,” I answered easily. “I like it, too, but I wanted to make something you’d like.”

And that seemed to shut him up enough to try a bite… then the whole damn carved piece, making me chuckle as soon as I saw those cheeks of his puff up. Everything about him just being here was a damn distraction, and yet he always seemed to lighten my mood. I didn’t feel the stress when I was with him and his unintentionally goofy ass.

“Good, huh,” I had to ask, because I didn’t just want him to like it, I wanted him to fall in love with this fuck ass bird, but only the way I made it. And judging by how he kept his eyes closed while he fully chewed, I think I succeeded.

“Holy- oh my god Mickey ,” he mumbled once those beautiful eyes finally opened up, making my smile only widen.

“Want me to pack more for lunch tom-” I started, but Ryk was already nodding, whipping his head in my direction lightning fast to say the next few words that pulled a solid cackle out of me.

“We’ll make the donation sandwiches with the citrus one.”

“The citrus one would actually make some good sandwiches, yeah. Glad you like it,” I agreed after I managed to limit my laughter a bit. Ci probably sensed I was bad mouthing her bird to Ryk right now.

And I couldn’t say no to that shit in the slightest- using the leftover turkey from the citrus one. Especially not when he was going to town on the Cajun one, clearing that plate in front of him in what looked like seconds. But after he was done eating, me using it as a solid excuse to keep my eyes on him for a little while, I was reminded that I needed to get this fucker in the direction of the bed. He still had school tomorrow.

And you still have work tonight, you dipshit, I reminded myself.

“But bed , Ryk,” I forced myself to say, turning back to my work again. “Past midnight now, and you promised.” Ryk nodded, offering up no protests, but when he started to stand with the empty plate, I was quick to add, “Leave that, I’ll take care of it.” Dishes didn’t even make the list of shit I needed him to do right now. Sleeping was top priority.

“Okay,” he was hesitant to reply, probably still wanting to help with what he could, whenever he could, but he headed towards his bags on the table and started rummaging through his drawstring bag that probably had his clothes, pulling out some briefs. Then he should’ve fucking ended there.

So imagine how confused I was when he began pulling out a shirt next from the corner of my eye.

“Wear something of mine instead. You know where the closet is,” I snapped at this fucker, all while still moving files over for this project, on my laptop.

“But… I don’t fit your pajama pa-” He tried to say.

“You’ve got briefs,” I answered, solving a problem that shouldn’t have even existed.

“…But didn’t- you- the cameras-” He countered… and that one admittedly threw me off when I remembered that I told him about them.

“I, uh,” I cleared my throat a bit, vocalizing what I had already decided on as soon as I neglected to lay any ground rules over the phone when he initially called. “Don’t worry bout them. I’ll get the footage wiped in the morning.”

And that was when his head snapped back down to his bag, not arguing with that one bit.

I knew Ryk was definitely overthinking it, but he didn’t say a damn thing, just shoved that shirt right back in his bag and started rummaging for something else.

“Oh,” I heard him mumble eventually, “I think I forgot lotion. There’s some in that side drawer in the bathroom, right?” He asked me. I saw him set something on the table, but I was already downloading some assistance programs, so my eyes were glued to reading the coding.

“Yeah,” I still confirmed as he headed towards the bathroom, “But grab the coconut oil instead. More relaxing and hydrating. The air can get pretty dry in here.”

Colder weather just meant dryer air. And I still needed to find a humidifier big enough for this warehouse now that I was back in town for good.

After I confirmed the correct coding for the downloading program, I glanced over at what Ryk had left at the table and smiled, pulling off my glasses and setting them on my notebook before I stood up to go grab it for him.

An attempt to try and locate more of this stuff so I could keep a bottle here was high on my list of shit to do, but Ryk remembering to bring his from home was good. He was healing well with it.

Didn’t take long for that fucker to come back either, and when I heard his slippers against the concrete floor again, I asked if he found the oil, only glancing up from the cream in mine to see he was holding the familiar jar. “Good,” I nodded to him, “Come on then.”

Ryk seemed a bit confused, saying, “I can apply it- the cream-”

But I cut in quickly. “Don’t piss me off, Ryker.”

I didn’t even give him the option to say jack shit before I started heading towards the stairs for the loft, and hearing those slippers move quicker after me just made me grin wide as fuck.

First, I removed my shoes at the top of the steps, setting them to my left, then I headed for my closet because I had a different layout here than at my apartment, and I already knew which shirts were the softest.

“Get on the bed, Ryk,” I ordered from my walk-in, locating one of my college shirts quick that was hanging in the back, and I opened up the metal door wide so I could hang the shirt on the knob for Ryk to put on after I was done oiling him up.

His next question surprised the hell out of me when I finally turned to see he was sitting on the bed, facing ahead, with his knees bent. He had sort of tried to pull the robe flaps over his legs, which just had me smirking because that fabric would be pushed back within the next minute or two here.

“Is that the school you went to?” he asked, gesturing to the shirt.

Took me a sec to realize that out of all the thousands of questions he had asked me the last few weeks, he never actually asked me which college I attended. “MIT? Yeah.”

That made him sit up a hell of a lot straighter. “You went to MIT?”

The question itself threw me off a bit, mainly because he seemed so surprised, but I just nodded.

“You… You didn’t tell me you…”

“I mean, you didn’t ask,” I reminded this shithead with a light chuckle. “Lived on campus, but easier to say I lived in Boston. The campus in Cambridge is a pretty close walk to downtown Boston.”

God, saying I lived in Cambridge just sounded pretentious as fuck to begin with. Plus, any second I could, I was in downtown Boston. Preferred the libraries there to study, too. My mother just insisted I live on campus because it gave her peace of mind.

“And besides, Ryk,” I added, “right now I’m more focused on you making it through high school before you and I start discussing any colleges.” Then I took those last few steps to the bed and set the cream I was holding, beside it on the floor. We were done talking about MIT , I thought to myself as I knelt down onto the mattress and reached for the coconut oil Ryk was holding. All this school talk was only eating into our time together, and I wasn’t having any of that shit.

“Oh, I can-” He started.

“Shut up, Ryk,” I cut him off as I sat back on my hind legs right in front of him, opening up the oil, then bending over to set the lid back on the floor near the cream. The solid substance felt cool in my hands when I scooped some up, and considering it was solid in the first place, I didn’t mind setting the jar on the bedcover.

“But… don’t you have work-” this dickhead reminded me.

“ Yes ,“ I cut him off as my gaze snapped to his sharply, all too fucking aware of what was still waiting for me downstairs. “And I’ll be heading back down after I make sure you’re tucked in bed.”

As soon as Ryk heard that, those hands of his bunched the fabric of my comforter a hell of a lot tighter, his face getting a whole lot redder as he looked away. And that served him right.

I knew that deep down he felt guilty for still asking to come over while I had work… but if he missed me that much, I was going to make damn sure I tucked him in correctly.

As in breathless and fucking spent .

That was all I was thinking as I took in how fucking good he looked on my bed in this robe, the warm glow of the warehouse making that skin of his delectable as fuck as he looked back up at me with those beautiful eyes. Those damp curls made me want to run my fingers through them, detangling them, before tugging his head up with a light hold for a kiss.

He must’ve set the towel he was using to dry them back in the bathroom hamper, otherwise I would’ve started there.

“Spread your legs a little for me, Ryk,” I said in a rough-as-shit voice when I felt my cock start to twitch a little from just that alone- how absolutely beautiful every part of him was. We needed to get things started, or I wasn’t going to make it. “I’ll work my way up.”

Then I began warming up the oil between my hands, watching intently as Ryk slowly straightened his beautiful, toned legs out more towards me, then started to part them open, those hands of his tightening their grip on the bedcover while my heated gaze lingered over what little the robe could barely manage to cover now.

I moved a bit closer, shifting my right knee forward first so I could turn to his right leg, then I sat back down on my hind legs and reached my oil-covered hand for his ankle.

I gently slid a hand under his Achilles tendon, holding it delicately with my right hand so my left could start slowly rolling his joints, all while massaging deep into the soles of his feet, making sure I did all I could to relax him a little.

I would’ve preferred doing all of this back at my place and in my bed, where I had massage oils and incense, but there was something about this warehouse that Ryk really liked, and I was fine with that.

As long as it was just us, I was willing to bend the rules.

Especially since I made them.

And everything recorded tonight would be wiped from surveillance in the morning anyway.

When I heard a faint moan slip past this beautiful fucker’s full lips, my cock just reminded me that I had missed him, too. Real fucking bad. I had missed him just as much- and I was just as needy for this now. To touch him again.

I found myself slowly raising his leg up more, bringing his ankle to my lips to kiss near his joint delicately. His skin was so fucking soft- so tender… but I told myself not to rush it- to take my time and enjoy it. He was here now, and I would make damn sure he understood how much I appreciated the call in the first place.

I probably would’ve been unbearable tomorrow if I hadn’t gotten this time with him tonight.

And when I heard his soft breaths grow more laboured, my whole body felt that fucking shit like a bump of cocaine going straight to the dome. Never felt the need to touch hard drugs a day before in my life, but Ryk felt like the farthest thing from FDA-approved.

“Any more questions for me, Ryk?” I asked in a voice damn near unrecognizable at this point, mumbling that question against the thin skin of his inner ankle, and I could feel his leg start to shake more, just allowing the very last bit of that fabric to fall away from it.

“I-… I-I-…” He barely managed to get out, making me smile wide against his skin as my eyes dragged over the full length of his unbelievably sexy, exposed leg. Took him a minute as he closed his eyes to think, before he just landed on shaking his head no.

That was when I forced myself to rest his bent leg back onto the mattress. This was a massage still after all , I thought, gliding both my hands up now from his tendon to his calf, kneading into the soft skin as I slowly went. Having his leg slightly bent allowed me to knead into his muscles more easily without them tensing, providing a deeper tissue massage.

It also just looked so damn seductive like this, imagining these very legs bent over my shoulders when we eventually got there.

I didn’t even let myself think of bending them back to his chest yet, while pushing myself inside him, because I could already feel my briefs getting wetter and my cock pushing back against the tight fabric of these jeans. Control was what I was practicing tonight- it was what I refused to lose…

Even if this robe was slipping away from the part of him that made my mouth fucking salivate.

We’re getting there, Mickey. Calm

the hell

down, I snapped at myself, remembering we still had a whole other leg to give the very same tender treatment to.

I let go of his leg so I could reach over for the open jar, and scooped out more solidified oil. Then I set that back on the mattress and started warming it up again between my palms, because next up were those phenomenal thighs.

Once almost all the white bits turned to clear liquid, I started at the sides of his knees, pressing in lightly with my thumbs before gradually dragging them up the warm skin of his thighs.

“Sh-Shit-” I heard him stutter out as he tilted his head back a bit, pure fucking bliss spreading across his face, which just made my heart rate accelerate more.

“ Your skin’s so goddamn soft, “ I couldn’t help but fucking whisper in a low, raspy tone, before bending down to place some light kisses on his inner thigh, unable to help myself and coercing yet another moan mingled into his heavy breaths that just made my cock leak for more.

Perhaps that was why I couldn’t find enough willpower to pull away, eventually trailing those kisses higher and higher, little by little, just trying to take my time as I went. I made sure to still caress, massage, and moisturize the skin… but the coconut mixed in with my body wash was making this patience more and more testing.

His content moans were making me forget that time was linear in the first goddamn place, and it ran all too fucking quickly.

But all our moments together always felt so rushed. Tonight I’d enjoy this , I thought to myself, starving for a touch more, and tomorrow would be left for the inevitable damage control .

I could feel his muscles tense- his soft moans getting a little more profound when I started to suck the soft skin of his inner thigh, turning these kisses into something else as I took his softness in between my lips hard .

He had given me the okay to leave some marks here, so I wasn’t going to waste that go-ahead in the slightest… but there were other places I wanted to see… to taste… and to mark on him… all of which required I move on to the other leg first before I got a little too carried away.

And so I forced myself to shift down on this mattress, turning a little more towards his left leg so I could start right back at his foot, massaging it just like I had done his right, kneading into the soles and gently rolling those joints, taking my time before eventually bringing the inner part of it up to my lips. That successfully removed the remaining fabric covering this bent leg, allowing it to fall to the wayside as I slowly kissed my way up.

“M-Mickey-” I heard him struggle to choke out, sending more fucking heat all over my body. His voice sounded like what mine would if I even dared to say a damn thing right now, so I didn’t. I just let the distant light traffic of the city, and the slight hum of the generator for this warehouse, fill the quiet- a perfect background track for his incredible moans.

And I made damn sure to massage this leg with every bit of care I had given the other, even if I took a few more liberties when my kisses turned to more on my way up. He just- fuck, he sounded so fucking good.

“ F-Fuck- “ Ryk struggled out as he tilted his head back, feeling me suck the skin of his calf harder, but trying my damn best not to leave a mark. I couldn’t stop my own heavy breaths, nor the fact that if my cock so much as brushed against anything, I’d probably cum right now- that was how much I was enjoying the complete fuck out of this.

My rough kisses and hickeys got all the rougher as I got higher, and Ryk had gone from trying to muffle some of those sweet, soft sounds, so contrasting to the rasp of his usual voice, to just encouraging more of this as his moans turned far more needy. He kept his head tilted back, but I didn’t mind- I could see that he was feeling every single bit of this care, and then some.

And as I finally lowered this leg back down to the mattress, feeling up and down it a few more times in the process and just loving how those breaths of his were the farthest from stable, I noticed a slight drip of liquid running down between his unsteady legs. That was what sent my body into goddamn overdrive

• the need to see how much of a mess the rest of this damn robe was hiding.

I’d practiced enough fucking patience for one night. Now I wanted to watch him truly come undone.

Ryk slowly tilted his head back down to me, but I already raised myself up on my knees to yank the shirt I was wearing right off. Not sure where it went, but that shit didn’t matter. What did matter was what was between his spread legs, and that was exactly where the fuck I placed myself, bending down to slide my hands under both his thighs so I could set each leg comfortably over my now bare shoulders. Then I reached over with my left hand for the jar of coconut oil again and scooped some into my palm.

“Ryk?” I turned my attention back to him, whispering his name dangerously fucking low.

“Y-Yes?” He breathed out in those heavy pants that were driving me absolutely crazy.

“I…” I started, already thinking of how best to word this. My sudden impatience. “I want to do more tonight-” And my words were cut off by Ryker nodding his head so damn fast, just making my heart fucking pound.

I had already suggested that I would take care of him tonight, but this- what I was implying- was more than that. This was a promise that if he wanted to, we’d go further. Not sex- absolutely the fuck not

• just… just a little further.

“But there’s just one thing,” I continued, already seeing the slight irritation creep up on his beautiful, flushed face, but I was dead serious this time around. “No more head nods.”

We weren’t doing that shit tonight. If he wanted more, I’d act on more of my urges, but this was me passing the reins, and I needed some clear fucking words out of him.

Well, they didn’t have to sound clear, but they had to be words. I’d decipher the broken ones between his perfect, tight moans.

“I want to hear from you tonight. I want you to tell me if you like it- how you like it… Tell me what you’re feeling as best you can. And if you don’t like it, we’ll stop… but just talk to me, okay?” All I could do was hope this fucker was listening, because in a moment, my mouth was about to be preoccupied.

Ryker looked ready to agree; he was probably ready to agree to whatever right about now, but if he didn’t want it later, he just had to say the word. That was the whole point- this motherfucker had to say something .

Then I watched a little more hesitancy pass across that flushed face of his, which made me stall with a bit of concern.

“I… I don’t… w-want to sound stup- t-to say anything stupid-” He tried to explain.

But I just shook my head no, turning slightly to place a tender kiss on the inner thigh of his left leg, and felt it tremble above my shoulder as he muffled yet another beautiful fucking moan.

I hope he revelled in that freedom because it was the last moan I’d let him stifle tonight.

“You won’t, Ryk ,” I told him seriously , “But don’t feel afraid or embarrassed with me- especially when we’re like this. Intimate with each other. I just-…” my words got caught in my throat a moment, trying to figure out how to word them delicately because this had been eating away at me for a while now. “I… I don’t like feeling like you’re making yourself small… I want you to take up every bit of space when you’re with me. Especially when we’re together like this. “

And I couldn’t emphasize that shit enough. We weren’t in a goddamn library. He didn’t have to be quiet now, and even if we were, I’d want him to whisper to me that he liked it- how he liked it. And how he didn’t. Silence wasn’t going to help anything.

Plus, I made a promise to him already. That I’d learn with him what he did and didn’t like, and I intended to keep it. I didn’t intend to just erase every single sexual experience he ever had…

I intended to save over that fucking shit.

My touch was going to be the only thing saved in that mind of his, even if he still had access to the revision history log of anyone who touched him before me. All he’d see were dates, with no prior data attached.

And I watched as he broke eye contact with me, but I didn’t mind; I just made sure that when he felt comfortable meeting my gaze again, he’d be met with softened eyes.

“O-Okay,” he still whispered, blinking away that glossiness in an attempt to hold back something I didn’t care for him to when he was with me, but I wouldn’t push it tonight.

“Good,” I whispered, answering instead with contentment in my voice.

Then I slowly reached up for the tie of his robe that had loosened, his gaze returning to me as I tugged the straps away to undo it, and pulled the soft plush material back so I could see him fully.

“Ryk?” I spoke, looking up at him.

“Y-Yes?” He whispered back.

“Move both those pillows behind you and stack them. I want you to rest your head on them if your arms get tired,” I directed, which he did, turning his upper body to pull them down.

Those elbows were good for probably the next five to ten minutes, and we for damn sure were going for longer than that. We’d go until he told me he couldn’t take it anymore.

And after he got them situated and turned himself back to me, leaning back onto his elbows again, that was when I lowered my head the rest of the way.

His body started trembling as soon as I dragged my tongue up the most inner part of his right thigh, nearing the base of his cock, so I could lap up what had precum had leaked from his tip and slid down between his legs, and one of the elbows he was propped up against damn near gave out right from under him.

He was staring down at me intently, but I was focused down here, ready to put in some real work.

And as soon as I made sure I got all of it, tasting him against my tongue, I allowed myself to explore more… kissing and licking his base as I felt each fucking shudder- heard each unfiltered moan pass through his full lips. My hands were on his hips, making sure he didn’t interrupt this with his movement, especially as these kisses eventually turned fucking rougher.

Once I started sucking his delicate, sensitive skin in, enjoying the feel of how clean-shaven he was down here, Ryk was barely hanging on.

“M-M-Mic-” He moaned out loudly, his words broken from the heaviest fucking breaths due to what I only hoped was nothing but sheer fucking pleasure, as his hips tried pressing up against my hands. I placed a little more pressure to hold him down, but I was extra careful not to hurt him as I started leaving marks here.

I wanted to be the only one who would ever see them- these were for my eyes only. A place I’d come back to remark so he remembered exactly how this fucking felt. Every single time.

Ryk’s moans were starting to choke up, his words getting too lost in them as I gradually made more, taking my sweet fucking time with each one, but I also wanted to check in and make sure he was doing okay because his legs were shaking more and more against my shoulders, his hands pulling on the bedcover tight when I got close to his shaft but didn’t touch it. Not yet.

“ Words , Ryk,“ I murmured deep into the sensitive skin after I released it from my lips, pressing him for more answers than just the moans he’d since lost control over. “You like this, baby?”

“I-I-It-…” He struggled to get out through the shortness of his breaths. Dear fucking lord, he sounded so goddamn sexy right now , it took whatever was left in me to try and focus this on him, and ignore my throbbing, pulsating cock just begging for any type of friction. “I… it… feels so f-fucking-” he started… but I couldn’t resist returning my lips to him, right at his cock. “ Oh sh-shit- jesus f- “ Ryk inhaled sharply, and I opened my eyes just in time to see his head tilt all the way back, moaning hard .

And his skin was so soft- so fucking soft- I couldn’t stop myself from gently biting it… but that was when Ryk hit his limit, his thighs closing in around my head, his hips pushing back as he let out a choked cry.

“M-M-Mic- Mic, w-wait-” He stammered immediately after, gripping the comforter for dear fucking life, which made me release the skin here quickly.

“T-Too much? Did it hurt?” I asked him, breathing hard to try and control myself. I’d gone a little too far- gotten a bit too lost in this.

But Ryk just shook his head no, struggling through his words as he said, “I-It-… I-… s-sensitive- i-it feels sensitive, a-and I- I might-”

Jesus fucking fuck- Christ almighty, I had to look away a second to gather the complete fuck out of my fucking self. His voice- those raspy words- that shit almost made me cum.

Calm the fuck down, I told my hammering heart. We needed to get it the fuck together to answer him. And when I felt myself slowly coercing my orgasm off the damn edge of that cliff, I finally looked up at Ryk again.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, but my voice sounded a whole goddamn mess, so I took another deep breath in and tried this shit again. “Tonight… I want you to cum when you need to. If it’s too much to continue after, we’ll stop.”

“O-… Okay,” he eventually whispered back, which made me dip my head low once more, but this time, I wanted to taste a part of him I hadn’t yet… and so I dragged my tongue up the thinnest skin, sucking in his balls but making sure they grazed the rigid edges of my teeth first… and whatever little break I had given Ryker was now officially over.

“M-Mick- sh-shit-” He just barely got out in a dry rasp between his shortness of breath. I could feel his balls tightening up inside my mouth. I felt the rush beneath the thin skin, knowing he couldn’t hold coming any longer, so I released them quickly to finally touch the part of him that was begging for me to, dragging my tongue right up his stiff length to wrap my lips around his whole leaking tip, and I started sucking.

Ryk didn’t make it through any of that. I felt his hot liquid spilling suddenly into my mouth as his whole body started spasming below me.

“M-M-Mi-” he groaned out, yanking on the bedcover with little direction or control. My hands had to hold him down harder so he wouldn’t push himself up into my mouth. I wanted to suck him dry, which required work right here on his fucking tip as I made sure he released and I swallowed every last drop of him.

Ryk’s elbows gave the hell out immediately, dropping his whole upper body back, and his head was comforted by the pillows as I made certain every bit of this orgasm was felt, not giving a fuck if this was his limit- if this was the last time he could cum tonight before I cleaned him up and actually tucked him in. I was going to make sure he felt it.

Then, when I was sure there was nothing left for him to give me, feeling him get softer in my mouth, I slowly released that tip so his cock could lay back against his lower stomach, only focused now on keeping his hips lowered to the mattress. I waited for that to calm, too, the bucking of his hips, before I decided I should check in before doing anything else. Ryk’s eyes were still shut tight, but his body was very, very slowly starting to regulate itself again.

“Sh-Should I stop?” I asked gently, breathing in and out hard to get myself ready to clean him up if he wanted to stop… but he just shook his head no, which brought straight heat right through my body, directly to my unimaginably hard cock. Seeing him like this- hearing him… fucking tasting him…

“Y-You can-.. K-Keep- keep g-going-” He managed to get out, just doubling down with his words- words he forced out on behalf of me-, and hearing that shit was the sweetest fucking music to my ears.

It was the only go-ahead I needed to continue.

••

59. Overcooked

Enjoy, lovelies!

I got cramps today so I’ll just be in bed writing lol

Also gotta edit down the last chapter cause I can’t have y’all thinking I’m putting up close to 7k words on a chapter ever again 😂

xoxo

P.S. I’m so happy to see I’ll be having some incredible company in Hell <3

Warning: Explicit Content

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/38f063d91b45a886fc60b3a6c64100cc57eb40ff/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4a67464165704a5a5731487557413d3d2d313631303331393032382e313839356239363466616232336533633330343337333236353033392e6a7067)               

I found myself shifting back onto my hind legs a little more, pulling my head back just a bit, but my hands reached up to gently push his inner thighs from my shoulders right into the crook of my neck at either side.

This position would be a little more comfortable for him with what I wanted to try next.

“Try and keep your legs here, Ryk,” I instructed gently, watching as Ryk’s eyes finally opened up to look at me. I felt him reposition them just a bit to get more comfortable, and when they stilled a moment or two later, I knew he was comfortable.

My left hand reached over for the open jar on the bed again and scooped a hell of a lot more out with my fingers. Then I wrapped both hands around Ryk’s thighs and started to warm up the oil with my hands, rubbing them together just above his cock as my gaze held his.

Ryk had never looked so goddamn mesmerizing like he did tonight. Right the fuck now. But as he stared at the amount of oil I was warming up, some of it dripping onto his cock, I saw a bit of weariness behind those eyes.

He was hesitant.

And that was okay.

“Remember, Ryk,” I breathed out, making sure to meet his hesitancy with nothing but reassurance. “If it hurts, we’ll stop. If you don’t like it, we’ll stop.”

He slowly nodded, managing out an, “… O-Okay.”

All I wanted was to make sure that Ryker knew that causing him any type of physical pain disgusted me in ways that were honestly nauseating.

I’d gotten kinky with some partners in the past, but that wasn’t what this shit was at all. When Ryk was with me, I wanted him to feel the safest he had ever felt. There was no exploration without a solid foundation, and even the kinkiest of fantasies always boiled down to the pinacles of safety. That was what we were building.

Hurting him in any way for my own benefit was something I could never get off on.

And after a few more moments of warming this oil, and simultaneously giving him time to change his mind if he needed to, I slowly separated my hands, tucking my left just under his cock, merging this oiled hand with the stickiness of his precum, then my right hand wrapped around under his left thigh with the hope that Ryk would keep this leg up on my shoulder, all on his own, and I gently slipped it between his ass.

My left hand wasn’t just placed here, on his lower stomach, to keep him still. I was using it as a measure for how tense his pelvic muscles were, and when I soon determined I seriously didn’t feel comfortable continuing like this, I decided I had to say something.

“Ryk,” I whispered in the lightest voice I could let out, “your body’s really tense right now. Just remember that you’re in control tonight… and I don’t want to hurt you. We don’t have to-”

But Ryk quickly shook his head no, cutting my words off, and not even a second later, I felt that tension ease beneath my hand. There wasn’t a way for me to tell what he was thinking- what shitty memories he might’ve been remembering about this- but I didn’t want to make him get specific tonight, especially if he had blacked out in the past with sex. All I knew- all I needed to know- was that it hurt.

“I-.. I hadn’t meant- I didn’t mean to-” He started to say in a slight panic, but I gently cut that fuck shit off, because he wasn’t about to apologize right now. Not for this.

“It’s okay,” I assured him instead, giving him a gentle smile. “It’s alright if you’re a bit nervous or scared. I’ll do my best to make it perfect for you.”

And I could see a few emotions pass over his face as his eyes got a bit glossy, but he did his best to blink those threatening tears away. One of these days, he’d get comfortable crying in front of me, but it was just something we’d work on.

Plus, he probably thought it was mortifying to do that shit now, even if I didn’t mind.

“O-Okay,” I heard him manage out, and that was enough for me.

I started by slipping my middle finger inside the crease between his perfect ass, finding his entrance with ease, and I gently began prodding it, massaging just the rimmed surface while I watched his face for any discomfort- felt his lower stomach right at his pelvis for any tension. His entrance was still tight, but it was relaxation that would loosen him up, making all this easier, so right now my only focus was getting him used to my touch there. Keeping this coconut oil warm for him.

Sex wasn’t just about pushing past the entrance or stretching it out. If he wasn’t relaxed, I would be working against the restriction of his muscles, which could spasm from the intrusion of anything, even my fingers, creating sharp pains. He had to open himself up properly for this to be enjoyable, so all I was doing was easing him there.

He’d recognize that tension on his own soon enough and release it, but for now, I’d do my best to work with him and stop when I felt I needed to.

I didn’t give a damn how long this took, either.

I just let the time stretch, and kept my eyes soft on his as he got more and more comfortable, little by little.

Eventually, I could feel his lower half ease fully into the mattress. I felt his entrance open up more, while my finger kept it heavily lubricated with the oil. And when I finally felt comfortable slipping my finger past his entrance, I went very, very slow.

None of this was anywhere near a turn off either- the time it took. It just made me harder watching all of Ryk relax. It made my body hot all over knowing I could make him comfortable, and as I slowly eased inside his fucking insane, soft warmth, his muscles were relaxed, molding to the shape of my finger, simply welcoming it in.

I wanted him used to the feeling of easing in, then easing out, so it wasn’t about seeing how deep I could go the first time; I instead kept that fluidity, taking it little by little. And Ryk did the other half of the work as he focused on his breathing, making sure he stayed this relaxed. Seeing- feeling that… god , it made me feel all the fucking things.

I found myself eventually leaning my head against the inner thigh of his right leg, turning to give him a gentle kiss as I murmured against his skin, “ You’re doing so fucking good, Ryk.“ He deserved to know that he was, and that praise alone seemed to relax him further, welcoming more slowly until my finger was about halfway inside. I didn’t expect much words out of him because I knew he was focused on relaxing, so I was pleasantly shocked as shit when I got some.

“I-I-It feels really f-fucking good-” He whispered to me, making me smile.

“Do… Do you want me to continue, or- or push a little deeper, Ryk?” I asked against the soft skin of his inner thigh, placing more tender kisses there.

“D-Deeper,” he replied softly, and I just nodded against him because he was starting to master this- relaxing for me. I started slowly going deeper every time I pushed that finger inside, giving him the time to adjust…

I just hadn’t expected the brush that small bulb inside him when I accidentally curled my finger in a little after some time. And that was when Ryk tensed, his walls tightening around me as he let out a tight cry.

“R-Ryk?” I asked, alarmed as all fucking hell. I hadn’t meant to touch there, and it was honestly a toss-up for most people on whether it felt good or really fucking uncomfortable, especially the first few times.

“Y-You-…” He started, but my finger had completely stilled. I wasn’t going to pull it out yet because I didn’t want to hurt him in the process. His muscles were too tense and at best, it would feel uncomfortable. At worst, it would hurt. “I-It- y-you- you touched s-something-” he attempted to say, but his eyes had squeezed shut again as he yanked up on the covers once more.

He didn’t look to be in pain; honestly, the exact opposite of that, especially as I felt his thighs vibrating against me now, so I found myself asking, “D-Did you-… did you like it?” And at this point, my voice was a lost fucking cause.

But he only confirmed what I thought by quickly nodding his head.

“O-Okay-” I breathed out hard as shit . We were good. He-… he liked it. “Okay, are-… are you okay if I slowly ease another finger inside? If-… if you liked it- that spot- I can hit it better-” I started, ready to make him feel something new- it was a different kind of pleasure there. But Ryk nodded his head fast as fuck, cutting me off again.

“Y-Y-Yes,” he then choked out, and I felt his muscles loosen immediately for me.

Jesus fucking christ. I really didn’t know how to fucking handle how hot this fucking was

Get your shit together, Mickey.

I slowly eased that middle finger out, though, and made certain my pointer finger was equally oiled up before I eventually brought both back to his entrance. I made sure to ease my middle finger in first again so he could get used to it once more, the slow motion of pushing in and pulling out, before slowly, gently starting to push the second one in. He felt tighter around both fingers, which was a given, but he was quickly starting to relax, adjusting himself to more.

And I was locked the fuck in .

I was focused as all hell now, looking for any signs that this was too much. I decided to lift myself up just a bit to get a better angle, which Ryk seamlessly adjusted to, then I started moving my fingers gently in and out, not in search of that spot, but just making damn sure he adjusted. Making sure he felt comfortable.

“M-Mic-… M-Mickey-” I heard him moan as I pushed gently deeper, which of course did nothing to help the wet spot in my jeans, but this wasn’t about me right now. Ryk was taking it so fucking well that thinking about my dick inside him was also just fucking inevitable.

“T-Tell me if this is too much, or… or if you don’t like it,” I whispered low as hell when I finally felt comfortable to touch that part he was now begging for… and I started with my thumb, feeling his taint before I found that slight dip and pressed my thumb into it, putting preassure on the bulb so it could push it back slightly, and would find it easier while inside him.

Then I started to curl those fingers buried in him, upwards in a come-hither motion, easily finding and brushing them against the bulb so I could rub it, and Ryk full-on fucking cried out.

Jesus, this fucker was giving me heart attacks after heart attacks tonight.

“M-Mickey! H-H-Holy sh-shit- oh-oh my f-f-” he arched his back off the fucking mattress so damn quick, but he kept himself loose enough for me to keep going, even as his body started spasming. When I felt his legs suddenly drop from my shoulders to the mattress, I wasn’t too alarmed…

But then Ryk shot up slightly onto his elbows again and made a sound that did in fact strike the fear of god into me for a second, making my fingers quickly still, only for Ryk to fucking reach his left hand out and grasp onto my right forearm for dear life, removing even the possibility of me pulling my fingers out.

“D-D-Don’t sto- M-Mic- r-r-ight there-” He choked out desperately, his eyes wide as they found mine.

And… this… this position… he-

… Jesus

fuck .

The robe he’d still been wearing over his shoulders had started to slip off them from how suddenly he sat up, making my eyes involuntarily lower from his a fucking moment to just fucking look at him.

In this exact moment, I wished my eyes could take a picture- a mental image immune to fading, because I had never , in all my fucking years, seen something so utterly fucking sexy- I mean that shit had my heart fucking stopping for a whole minute, questioning whether I was going to have to call this a night, and for none other than for health related concerns.

Him laid back on an elbow, those fucking doe-like chocolate brown eyes wide as he breathed the heaviest of breaths through his full, parted lips. That robe- the material of it- just bunched off his shoulders, around his upper arms as he reached out to hold my forearm so my fingers stayed buried inside him.

That shit damn near soaked my fucking briefs with pre-cum- that shit almost had me coming, and the only thing stopping me was the fact that my fingers were still buried inside him, ready to make him cum. I wanted to see him orgasm just like this first because it wasn’t like a regular orgasm where I’d suck his cock or something. Touching here would be a different kind of pleasure if he liked it this much…

And so I took the shakiest of fucking breaths in, I mean it resembled the last breath one would take before slipping under water indefinitely, just pumping my lungs full of air… before I started that motion again, curling my fingers up, massaging that spot, while my thumb placed pressure back into that dip at his taint.

But Ryk did something I wasn’t ready for-

Correction: something none of my internal organs was ready for. Not my heart, not my lungs, not anything that was regulating my body heat. Brain felt like zero amount of oxygen was actually making it there…

And that was that he started rocking his hips against my fingers, tilting his head back in pure fucking ecstasy.

J-J-jesus fucking- jesus-

“R-Right-… h-h-holy f-f-ucking shit-” he jutted out, breathing heavy and hot as all hell as he helped himself get off with my fingers, fucking damn near riding them, but only rocking his hips forward.

This… this was it- this was by far the hottest fucking thing I had ever fucking seen in my entire goddamn existence. His pale skin was flushed to high heavens with his head tilted back like that, his sobbing moans- those fucking moans, lord have fucking mercy

• that- this- it was way too fucking much for me to hold back as I met his pace with my fingers, feeling his fingernails grip the shit out of my forearm.

Heat was quickly escalating for me in places I had been working all night to control, but right now, Ryk was taking a goddamn flameflower to any bit of control still left.

After he had already beaten it senseless like it owed him money.

“J-Jesus fuck- j-jesus f-fucking christ, Ryk -” I couldn’t help but growl, just fucking trusting him at this point as I removed my left hand from his lower stomach- from under his now fully hard cock- to just hold his right upper thigh so he could rock those fucking hips as much as he fucking wanted to. Watching him like this was sending straight fucking tsunamis of heat over every goddamn molecule in my body, burning everything up from the inside.

And Ryk didn’t give a single fuck as his moans pierced past his lips, fucking hunting down that release, so I applied more preassure with with my thumb, lifting myself up a bit to move my hand from his thigh up to the very curve of his back, not wanting to hold him up because that would dull his pleasure, instead I just wanted to feel this position- feel the rocking of his hips.

Then I turned my head to the inner thigh of his right leg and started sucking that skin in hard, doing my best to stay away from touching his cock because he was going to cum from just this tonight, and all I wanted to do was elevate the pure intensity of it- stimulate other areas that would trigger familiar pleasure.

And that was all it took.

“I-I-I’m- I’m ab-about to-” he scrambled to get out, yet those words didn’t finish before I felt Ryk’s body tense like he had just gotten shocked by an AED kit, before violently fucking coming.

I could only watch in nothing but pure fucking arousal emitting from every part of me as his cum shot from his sensitive tip, spouting the thickest, creamiest ropes of cum up his entire fucking body, right up to his sharp chin before it dripped down his delicate neck. The pressure of my thumb had successfully milked his prostate, helping to push out whatever he could with his orgasm, and the sight of it was my fucking limit.

Jesus fuck

ing

christ-

Ryk quickly let go of my forearm and collapsed back onto the pillows, his whole body trembling from such intensity, with his eyes shutting tight as he rode out an orgasm I knew felt unlike anything he had before. He had completely coated himself, and the sight of this- his beautiful body trembling below me, his hands gripping the bedcover so tightly his knuckles were turning white… My body had one intense fucking visceral response to all of it.

I had practiced as much patience as I could… watching Ryk like this- feeling his tight throbbing walls gripping all the fuck around my fingers, still buried deep inside him… it took me off the fucking cliff, and I was about to fucking cum.

Shitshitshitshitshit- I kept my fingers inside him, not able to ease them out yet because of his tight walls- his resisting muscles- but I felt something culminate that forced me to remove my left hand from his lower back and under his thigh so I wouldn’t hurt him.

Instead, I reached that hand over his right side just in time to grip a spot of the bedcover next to his waist mercilessly as fuck before I came so goddamn hard in these jeans, my muscles started pulsing , trying to make sure I didn’t fucking collapse on Ryk as my left arm locked itself straight, holding me up. J-Jesus- h-holy fucking fuck- My right hand was twitching, but I did my best not to move the fingers still inside him.

Then my throat released a sound so absolutely unrecognizable as instantaneous, utterly mind-altering pleasure sliced through me, damn near cutting me in half. I coated fucking everything, my cum seeping through my already damp briefs as the most intense groans surfaced from what felt like the very depths of my throat.

Th-This- fucking hell-

Shit, I had to lean more weight back on my left side because I almost fell forward from how bad my body shook, slamming this feeling right into my chest as my heart just did her best not to kill us. Right now, she was just doing her best.

But after almost collapsing into Ryk, I forced myself to gain even a shred of control and refocus my blurring fucking vision because I had to carefully ease my fingers back out of him.

He looked so fucking good, I physically forced myself to look away after gently removing my fingers from his soft, warm, relaxing muscles, because my body already felt like it had been boiled from the fucking inside, and I was starting to see sounds.

I simply couldn’t fucking do it.

Thanks to the absolute mess I made, I did my best to crawl off the bed and stand on legs that felt like the concept of legs- so essentially nothing- undoing my jeans with quivering hands, then yanking those and my briefs down before stepping out of them. I stumbled as I did, and almost fell into my damn walk-in closet when I reached over to stabilize myself on a door that I forgot I had swung all the way open earlier… and that shit- almost falling- just about sent me into cardiac arrest.

After I took some deep breaths in, regaining enough balance to move, I then walked around to my side of the bed so I could place the jar of coconut oil on the floor next to the cream I never got to use and definitely wouldn’t be able to now, considering Ryk’s stomach was covered in his cum.

I also said fuck it to putting the lid back on because bending down that far felt like I was about to enter a stop-drop-and roll… then I turned and climbed right onto the bed before I made this concrete floor my final place of rest.

Ryk was still lying here, slightly twitching every so often with his eyes now peacefully closed, all while I felt like I had just returned from a mission from hell.

I rested on my side and gently scooped him up, quickly repositioning the pillows for us to both rest our heads on before I pulled him in to me on his side and used the left side of his robe to cover him up a bit.

Since he felt like dead weight in my arms, I thought he was knocked out already, but he just curled his arms right between our chests and snuggled into my heat more, not bothering to open his eyes once.

Both our heartbeats were off their fucking rocker, right along with our jagged breaths, but the look of pure content and bliss on Ryk’s face was what made this intense, buzzing warmth spread all over. Unfortunately, it was spreading through a body that felt like it had touched down on the surface of the sun tonight.

I first tilted his head up to place a hasty, breathy kiss on his lips, wanting to feel them once more, but not willing to take things further because Ryk was on his way to the land of sleep, then I tilted his head back down in my arms to plant a few sloppy but tender kisses on his forehead as I worked to catch my breath.

And I was about to get there too… until I felt Ryk’s left hand start to move, gliding down my sweaty chest. My right arm separated from the hold around him to snatch that shit up so damn fast, grabbing this fucker by his forearm before it could get any fucking lower.

“N-No,” I told this shithead firmly as fuck, now trying to catch my breath all the fuck over again thanks to him.

“B-But… b-but you…” He tried to get out as I made certain that motherfuckers hand returned itself between our chests.

Then I cut him right off by saying, “ I already fucking came, Ryk . Now- N-Now give me a second to get my goddamn shit together.“

I could not believe he had the fucking nerve right now after I knew damn well he could feel my heartbeat- feel my fucking breaths smaking against his fuck ass, stupidly cute forehead.

Thankfully, he didn’t protest. I just felt his legs tangle themselves with mine instead, as his breathing finally slowed a little more…

And eventually, I heard him first whisper the word ‘good,’ then the words ‘night, Mickey.’

That shit had me smiling like a deranged man from the choppiness of it all. He was barely still hanging on to consciousness.

“Goodnight, Ryk,” I managed to whisper back as my own breath stabilized… but Ryk had already knocked right on out by then, snuggled in as close as humanly possible to me.

Then my sleep schedule resumed, with my natural patterns taking flight… only for me to shoot them to hell with a surface-to-air missile.

4 AM - Woke up, covered Ryk up a little more with his robe, and went right the fuck back to bed.

5 AM - Pulled this fucker in closer, turning onto my back so I could tuck him into my side and rest his head directly on my chest, then fell right back asleep again.

6 AM - Oh I woke up alright…

But this time, I woke up to Ryk’s head tilted upward on my chest. He tried to snap his eyes closed before I opened mine, but I could feel that he was awake. Usually, Ryk felt like a dead body when he was knocked out, but since I pulled his head onto my chest an hour earlier, and his arm was wrapped around my upper stomach now, I could feel that those muscles were one hundred percent activated.

“Why the fuck are you up?” I mumbled to him. Then there was silence as he tried to act like he was sleeping. That shit brought a goofy ass smile to my lips. “Ryk, I know you’re up.”

“I just…” he mumbled back as he snuggled his head more, rubbing his soft cheek against my bare skin. “I just wanted to watch you sleep.”

That got a good raspy chuckle out of me. “Alright, you fucking weirdo.”

“Oh, but it’s fine when you do it?” He shot back, still mumbling.

“Yes,” I replied simply. “Hell are you up for anyway? You’ve got at least thirty more minutes.”

Ryk shrugged his shoulders in my arms. “This place gets me up, but in a good way. Makes me feel well rested.”

I narrowed my eyes down at this fucker. “And what exactly does my expensive ass apartment do?”

“Makes me wanna stay in bed forever,” Ryk replied. “I mean… I wanna stay in bed with you right now, but you have calming scents at your place that make me sleepy.”

And I wanted to say shit… but I guess I couldn’t, really. I usually had chamomile or lavender in my humidifier that ran on a timer through the night to help me relax. “And your apartment?” I continued.

“Too quiet,” he answered. “Maybe when I get neighbors, it’ll feel less… still. I wake up alright when I don’t have a night terror, though,” he then reminded me, and I eventually nodded. It probably felt mad fucking weird being the only one thing there, even with round-the-clock staff.

“How… How was last night for you?” I then asked, realizing we had just knocked out after everything. Didn’t have much time to ask him. “Did it hurt? Are you sore?”

Ryk quickly shook his head no into my chest. “It didn’t hurt. And I’m not sore, I just-… it feels like your fingers… like I still feel where they were.”

That made me close my eyes for a whole ass minute, trying to pull it together. I was already getting hard as shit again from him saying that alone. “That’s-.. okay, I’m… I’m glad I didn’t-”

“We’ll do it again, right?” He asked, cutting me off.

My eyes opened up to give him a nod. “Yeah, we’ll do-”

“Like every time we’re together?” He continued casually.

“Okay, slow your fucking roll there my little goddamn nympho,” I snapped at him, chuckling lightly from his eagerness as I prayed to god he wouldn’t move the arm he had draped over my stomach, blocking his view of my hard dick now pressed up against my right side, away from him. I tried not to call any attention to it. “We’ll- We can- We’ll do it whenever we can.”

Ryk didn’t seem all that crazy about that answer as his eyes drifting closed. And when the arm he had on my stomach shifted up, placing his palm flat on my chest, it started to lift and his fingers began to trace light patterns there, right at the center of my chest. My eyes narrowed at this fucker again.

“This your way of seducing me?” I asked him.

“Oh so first I can’t watch you rest, and now I can’t touch your chest?” he accused, but those fingers of his didn’t stop, and those perfect lips of his threatened a smile.

“Nympho and a poet. Man after my own heart,” I replied, forcing that smile to break through on his lips my damn self, just cause I loved it so much.

“You touch me all the goddamn time when we aren’t at the cafe or school,” he reminded me… but I wasn’t sure how to explain to him that him that me getting to touch him at all was one insane journey to reach, and him touching me right now wasn’t doing jack shit to help my stiff dick. “Usually I just try to block out your body. Easier to think of you as a floating head. Like Medusa. So let me have this, I woke up early for this shit,” he added, mumbling those words into my sensitive skin.

Ryk still had his eyes closed… like what he said was absolutely normal. When it absolutely the fuck was not.

“Ryk?”

“Hm?”

“Know how I said that while we’re intimate, there’s nothing you could say that’s wrong?”

“Mhm.”

“Well that shit does not fucking apply right now, so don’t ever say some shit like that again, or I’ll start showing up shirtless everywhere you go,” I warned him.

“Sorry,” Ryk replied, but that smile on his lips contradicted the complete fuck outta that apology. “Didn’t mean it in a bad way. Medusa’s pretty dope.”

“You just related me to a woman who has snakes for hair,” I snapped back. Somehow this felt like the ultimate insult.

“I like snakes,” he reminded me. “And I like you. I think they’re cute. I think you’re cute. Shit tracks.”

“ We’re never waking up in this place again, you goddamn yapper, “ I grumbled, placing a kiss on his forehead and praying this fucker would go back to bed.

“I’ll show you,” Ryk muttered… but before I could ask him what the fuck he meant by that, this shithead placed his left hand fully on my chest again, sprung up out of my arms and brought his left leg over my torso to mount himself- his whole naked fucking body with a just barely hanging on robe- right on top of me, placing his slick ass directly on top of my hard dick, and my hands immediately shot to his fucking thighs over this robe, gripping them.

“R-Ryk- R-Ry- hold the fuck up-”

“Since you don’t get why I imagine you as a floating head… I’ll show you,” he said simply in that raspy voice of his before bringing his right hand up, palm down, right on my fucking chest to join his left.

“I- I believe you, Ryk,” I shot out quickly as I did my fucking best not to hold his thighs too tight and hyperfocus quite literally on anything else… but everywhere I fucking looked was a goddamn setup in this dim, warm light.

His thighs? Riddled with the goddamn hickeys I left last night.

His cock? Semi-hard. Also surrounded by hickeys around his base.

His fucking torso? Toned. Fucking perfect , with those defined v lines basically directing me right back to looking at his cock.

His chest? Bare, giving me the sudden urge to change that.

His neck? Prime fucking real estate for my lips right now.

We just skipped over his face as a whole because we did not have the time this fucking morning.

And finally I landed on the curls on his head… only to see how ultra fucking sexy his bedhead was.

So my final resting place for my gaze was the goddamn ceiling.

We can do this, Mickey , I told myself, thinking of ways to throw him off me before I started something I knew I shouldn’t… even if this position right now- him on top- had my brain fucking spiraling .

“No,” Ryk deadpanned. Then he slowly started moving those hands across my chest, and by god, I took the sharpest fucking inhale known to mankind.

“Ryk, hol-”

“See,” he said, making me look down at him again, but he just dropped his gaze to his dick, and I sure as fuck felt it before I even saw it- the light drips of precum from his cock to my fucking lower stomach.

“Y-Yes, o-okay, Ryk, I- I get-”

But my words were cut off yet again when Ryk suddenly dropped his upper body, bringing his face just inches away from mine, so I had nowhere the fuck else to look but directly at him, staring straight into those large, beautiful eyes.

“You sure?” His raspy voice teased quetly, but I was already starting to take deep fucking breaths because this movement made his bare fucking ass grind into me, and jesus fucking fuck those fucking eyes-

“Y-Yes,” I breathed out in the tightest fucking voice, just praying Ryk would call this quits before- before I-

My whole train of thought hit a brick wall when Ryk slowly smiled with those soft, full lips of his, lowered those perfect eyelids, and brought himself lower to place a soft kiss on my own lips, his hands gently slithering up my bare chest. And that shit left my mind completely still once he pulled away a little.

Fuck a snake. This fucker was the serpent of satan himself.

“Good. Then I’ll get back to-” He started, already starting to try lifting himself off me, but I couldn’t fucking take it anymore. Not when he was like this- not when he looked like this.

So I just said fuck it, making damn sure the end of that sentence never saw the light of day when my right hand left his left thigh to push past the flap of this plush robe back and grab- squeeze the hell out of his bare ass, keeping him mounted right the fuck here on top of me…

All while my left hand shot right up to the back of his neck and I pulled him down, crashing his lips to mine again.

Thirty minutes, Mickey, I reminded myself. Let’s make this shit count.

••

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60. Ready To Whisk It All (M)

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Also, thank you for the get well wishes! lol I just went to bed all day, but we’re doing better now

Also also, if any of y’all have some cooking/baking puns for chapter names, please drop them omg.

This book will probably be 100 chapters (my last book for a bit so I can work on editing my others for purchasing physical prints) because it took a minute to get through the beginning of Ryk’s healing journey, which is okay, I knew I wanted to focus more heavily on that first anyway, then we’ll be hitting the drama with the twins here soon and wrapping up with Ryk and Mic’s new year.

After, they’ll have some epilogue chapters (like IASWAK will) for Ryk’s graduation, and I’m thinking also their trip to South Korea together

I hope the pacing has been okay so far (and I’ll be editing once done)! Because these two are moving at a fast but also slow pace, I really wanted to give you guys a strong foundation of them getting to know each other

Last thing: how do y’all feel about me having a book just for writing updates? Right now, I’m entering a writing contest, and I need to choose between two stories that I’ve never published here before. I was thinking of putting the first rough draft of chapter 1 up for each and having you guys let me know what you think, but I don’t feel like making whole books on here for them, so would you be interested in just one book where I can post updates/chapters for things like this?

I know I also get questions on my author’s page about buying prints for books and other things, but they get buried with more questions, so I thought a book might be easier than scrolling to see if I answered individual posts made there?

Let me know!

Warning: Explicit Content

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/43430d82741e9ac474f728513c9955bc8e59d2e9/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f334349454679487a4537613530773d3d2d313631303337383839312e313839363132656161643664623465383730323335343334353532302e6a7067)               

So yeah, alright, I was willing to own up to the fact that I may have taken things a little too far with teasing this shithead this morning…

I had woken up fully rested, and in Mickey’s large arms, my naked and still sort of sticky body was tucked right into him with my head resting on his bare chest. And when I tilted my head up to look at this baker, I wasn’t sure what I expected. Mainly because he was always the one waking me up in the mornings for school.

My eyes managed to find his easily in the dim, warm lighting, but his eyelids were closed and his breathing steady. He was still sleeping…

Something I realized I had never actually seen before.

Mickey fast asleep.

So yeah, I stared. With those intense eyes of his not bearing down at me- the ones that never failed to make me feel like I should actually get a physical done sometime soon- I granted myself a reward for getting up early as shit, and I simply lay there in his arms, staring like a creep.

But then I remembered that this shithead got to watch me sleep all the damn time, so this should’ve been fine. Long overdue, even.

It may have been one of the few, rare moments I got to see him like this, and got to have my fill of his insanely good looks without him looking at me like he either wanted to curse my bloodline for all eternity (usually when we had to work on homework together), or like he wanted me naked, regardless of where we were.

No in between.

Even if it was a tender look, all it said was ‘I want to hold you in my arms for all eternity… an eternity where clothes do not exist.’

And admittedly, I loved every second of it.

So yeah . I remained still as fuck and enjoyed watching him sleep, feeling the slow rise and fall of his chest underneath my head. How much I loved how close and tight he always held me, apparently even while knocked the hell out.

What I didn’t expect, though, was for Mickey’s eyes to randomly start opening like four minutes into my staring.

I mean, there was no stirring on his part. No sudden jolts. No fucking nothing . He just randomly started opening his eyes, and I tried to shut mine fast because what the actual fuck .

Safe to say, none of that worked. And I was seriously starting to believe this dickhead was ex-Marines or something. Only explanation that made sense.

After a whole lot of back-and-forth that soon followed between him and me on whether it was weird or not for me to watch him sleep, we then got on the topic of me admiring and touching his body whenever I wanted.

Then I admitted I sometimes just ignored that he had a body attached to his head, all while over-explaining a bit by relating his floating head to Medusa.

He took some offense at that.

I tried to argue my case- that I liked snakes and Medusa was pretty dope.

He took more offense at that.

So I thought I’d take it upon myself to show him why the fuck I had to think of him as a floating head, completely ignoring his body to still breathe and shit. Thought my hard dick would be more than enough for him- activating like a sleeper agent whenever I so much as looked at him these days, let alone touched him.

And somehow that landed us here. To him, holding me down on him hard, kissing whatever thoughts I was still trying to have, right the fuck back into wherever they came from, all while sucking whatever words I could think to say, right out through my held captive bottom lip.

My heart wasn’t ready for this shit, and neither were my lungs, both of which were now working overtime to meet this baker’s hungry pace like they hadn’t just recovered from a night of straight torment while I had the best not-sex sex of my entire life.

So yeah, okay, I might have started this…

But I’d like to have it be known that Mickey Jackson took it straight to hell this morning.

A less than modest moan pushed past my lips as soon as I felt this baker’s soft ones against mine, moving with such heat it was making my freshly awake mind feel like I was currently participating in a fucking wake and bake.

Zero thoughts. Just high vibes.

And there truly must have been no shame left in me, because I kissed this shithead back with just as much need, if not more. Feeling him wasting zero fucking time taking my bottom lip in between his soft lips and sucking it hard, tugging a deep moaning groan from me as I tried to hold myself up just enough by the palms I had planted on his bare chest.

He was holding me down on him by the back of my neck, that other large hand of his gripping my ass, reminding me of where exactly I had decided to sit my ass down in the first place.

Mickey was making damn sure I felt my mistake. All seven to eight rock-hard inches of it.

And when I felt his left hand massage up the nape of my neck, tangling his fingers into my curls as he dragged his teeth across my bottom lip, I slid my left hand down the front of his body between us. Mickey firmly lifted my ass up a bit for me with the firm grip his right hand still had on it.

Clearly, he must’ve been a master at this goddamn multitasking shit because I could already feel his tongue slipping past my lips while I reached for and positioned his hard cock right between my legs, laying it flat up against his lower stomach, right under my now painfully hard dick.

Just that touch alone had Mickey groaning into this kiss, not wasting a second to pull my ass down again, but I had to break the kiss because I genuinely needed a fucking second.

This damn baker had been just about ready to suck my soul right out of me, yet my heart was hammering so goddamn hard, and my stomach was starting to give me new intense flutters, him kissing me like this- him kissing me , mind you, usually I was the one that invaded his mouth relentlessly like this… so I just-

I needed a fucking second.

After last night, I probably needed more than that.

When I tried to pull away slightly, I heard Mickey practically growl, “We don’t have much time, Ryk, get the fuck back here-”

But I anticipated his pushback, especially now that I could feel just how fucking hard he was, making me a leaking fucking mess, I instead started to grind my hips forward a little, easily gliding right over his length from how smooth and oiled up that part of me still was, and that cut this fuckers words right off as he released a deep throaty moan, pushing his head back into the pillow hard as his eyes shut tight.

“ F-Fuck- Ryk- J-Jesus- Fffu -“

Both my hands were still flat on his firm chest, using him to hold my upper body up as my hips began a slow tempo, rocking back and forth over his cock.

“ Sh-Sh-Shi- “ he gritted out through clenched teeth, tightening his hold on my locks and my ass, but his arms were shaking slightly, and I could tell he was doing his damn best not to hurt me.

My breaths still sounded like a fucking wreck… but Jesus fucking Christ, his body was starting to make them even worse- even if his soft, perfect lips weren’t on mine, draining my oxygen like a vampire would drain blood from a neck.

Then that thought had my eyes lifting from his perfect chest, those broad shoulders, right up to his neck… his tattoos making my internal temperatures soar to new fucking heights as I continued rocking my hips slow, making Mickey’s groans louder.

The ink here didn’t cover all his skin like the twins, and that alone just made my dick start to throb more.

It made it impossible for me to resist as I pushed my ass further down on his length, forcing another choked moan out of Mickey, then bent lower, bringing my swelling lips to the parts of his beautiful, richly tanned skin that begged me to kiss there.

“Ry-… Ryk-” Mickey groaned as his hands pushed my ass down even farther. The scent of him alone was bringing me closer to coming, but when my lips latched onto Mickey’s neck, right where his sexy ass Adam’s Apple was, that grip in my hair got a hell of a lot tighter. “ Sh-Shit- R-Ryk- “

I could feel the vibrations of his groans just begging me to suck the skin in- fuck the kisses , my mind whispered. Give him some more art.

And as soon as I pulled that thin, delicate skin in between my lips and started sucking, my hips started moving on their own, grinding against his length, enjoying the feeling of this baker losing the last bit of resolve he fucking had in him.

That right hand let go of gripping my ass cheeks, and instead, I felt a finger slide between them, massaging that part that sent the harshest fucking shiver through my whole goddamn body, reminding me exactly how he had made me feel last night.

But this time, there wasn’t an ounce of fear that passed through me. My body recognized his touch instantly, making me just suck this skin in harder, feeling his Adam’s Apple bob up then back down as he swallowed hard before resuming his deep groans.

When I felt his finger start gently massaging my oiled-up entrance, Mickey absolutely lost a bit of control. He rolled his head to my right, forcing me to tuck my head into his neck as he lifted himself a little and latched his devilish lips right into the crook of my own neck, giving it one or two merciful kisses before he went right into sucking on that delicate skin.

“M-Mic-” I let out a choked moan right into his warmth, not expecting the pleasure he was damn near forcing down my body. His fingers, still tangled in my hair, pulled my head to the side more, giving him full access to the skin here.

He had kissed my neck before… but the blissful assault he was fucking doing on it now, sucking in and gently biting down, made my body forget itself entirely as I muffled more of my despicable moans right into his skin, sucking it in seconds later, but begging to taste.

My teeth pulled it in harder as I angled my neck even better for him, not quite thinking what we were doing was going to lead to. I was throwing all fucking caution to the wind right now, just letting him kiss, and suck, and bite wherever he wanted to as we both fell into this scorching feeling. The building intensity.

His finger didn’t push inside me, but it teased the hell out of my entrance that was damn near throbbing, just pleading for him to.

He was going to make me cum soon from all this. I could feel that tight pleasure building. And maybe Mickey felt it too because he was sudden to pull my head back by my hair, not painfully, but firmly, and honestly, I was a bit embarrassed to face him because I knew I probably looked gone . Just fucking gone at this point.

But Mickey did something equally unexpected. He sat us both all the way up, tugged my upper body back just a bit by my hair, then dipped his head down to capture my left nipple with his soft lips.

I took in the sharpest fucking breath of my life, not expecting at all what this fucking felt like. I mean, I’d rub my nipples sometimes when I jerked off, but I had never felt a mouth there before, with Mickey’s hot tongue now swirling around it, making me tremble in his hold.

This position forced my shaky hands away from his chest, so I lifted and tangled them into his hair, arching my back more to give him even better access because holy fucking shit this felt absolutely incredible.

But Mickey let go of me just as suddenly and lifted his head, straightening my body with his hold in my hair before he leaned forward and brought his lips directly to my left ear.

“ You like that, Ryk? “ He whispered with the grittiest fucking voice. It instantly made me whimper, as my cock fucking twitched with nothing but need.

“ Y-Yes- “ I fucking forced out, unable to stop my quick pants while I desperately tried to fucking catch my breath. His voice was the rawest, most intense fucking thing, infiltrating my damn mind at this point.

“ Nega naleul saeng-gaghaneun geosman-eulodo onmom-i tteollige mandeul geoya, “ he whispered right into my fucking ear, and I felt my balls tense up, unable to stop the immediate reaction to him as pleasure shot through fucking all of me, damn near blinding me for a second.

But Mickey felt that, pulling away as my body arched. My fingers tightened their grip on his hair while his hand slipped away from mine… and not even a second later, as I felt myself starting to cum, I felt a hand grab both our cocks pinned to each other, and started jerking them fast right as he pushed that finger a little bit into my entrance.

“ M-M- Oh-Oh… sh-sh-shit -“ I damn near cried out, shutting my eyes tight as I came, my cum shooting past my tip, some of it hitting my stomach while the rest dropped back down to coat Mickey’s hand as he got us both off. My fingers gripped the fucking hell out of Mickey’s hair, my hips bucking and rocking uncontrollably as pleasure penetrated every bit of my fucking senses, carving into them raw.

And when Mickey started to grunt, jerking us off harder, I felt myself damn near losing consciousness at the severe feeling, unable to do a fucking thing but listen to just how fucking incredible he sounded while coming, rocking my hips for me with the finger pushed slightly past my entrance.

I felt some of his cum hit my chest and chin, the hot liquid on my now ultra-sensitive skin just making me tremble harder as his hot breaths fanned my face just seconds before he smashed his lips against mine again.

This kiss was a wrecked mess on both our ends from the heavy pants, but fuck it, I just pulled him in harder by his hair, not giving a damn. I kissed him how I wanted to kiss him last night. How I’ve wanted to kiss him every single time I felt his soft lips touch mine, just making me withering fucking ruin.

I hadn’t even noticed how clammy both our bodies had gotten from our heat until I felt his finger slowly pull from my entrance to wrap his arm around my lower back, holding me closer.

And when we finally pulled away a little, his hand still wrapped around both our sticky, quivering cocks, I swear to god I had never felt anything like this. How thick the air was around us.

Took me a fucking minute to open my eyes to him. Hell, it was the feeling of his hand letting go from around us before I felt the wetness of it on my left cheek, caressing my delicate skin with it lathered in our cum, that made me finally look at him.

And that was just a whole mistake… Because those eyes of his made my heart officially sick of both his and my shit.

“How-…. How often do you have to let a snake out?” He whispered to me, breathless as fuck.

My eyebrows creased a little, not understanding why he was bringing this up now, when he had to have known I could barely recall my own name. But I answered anyway, trying to remember. “Only about… twenty minutes… very few times a week for most species.”

Thanks to the insane rise and fall of Mic’s chest right now, I felt less concerned about the pounding of my own heart as we held each other’s burning gaze. And I was enjoying this moment way too fucking much. The sheer intensity of it all. The comedown after such an insane high.

“Alright,” Mickey replied, grazing his thumb just under my cheekbone lightly, coercing my eyelids to lower a little in the process. “We’ll get one.”

“Stop fucking smiling,” I muttered to myself as I finished washing off the soap from my body.

Of course, I said that shit while grinning like an idiot.

But I was happy. I was a happy little idiot right now, and that didn’t change as I stepped out of the shower, grabbing one of the neatly folded towels in the cabinet near it to dry myself off, before pulling out a robe.

What Mickey had said had put me on cloud fucking nine. Like there was the fact that he would get us a snake, which made me giddy as shit…

But there was also the fact that he was getting us one. Us . Like him and me .

Now he did follow that shit up with:

‘If you end up giving it more attention than me, I’ll make it into a delicacy for dinner.’

But that just made me laugh as he doubled down on how serious he was, then he insisted I go shower.

I was just slipping on the robe and some slippers, still smiling like crazy, when I heard him call out just past the bathroom door, “Get a move on, Ryk! You can’t be late!”

“I’m moving!” I called back, tying off the robe around my waist before facing the massive bathroom mirror. But once I used the small towel on the sink counter to wipe a bit of the steam clouding the mirror, two things happened at the exact same time.

1. I damn near had a heart attack.

And 2. Mickey entered the bathroom.

“I’ve got some coffee going if you want some, there’s none of your crack cocaine drinks-… what’s wrong?”

All I could fucking do was stare at my neck, and when Mickey got nearer, standing behind me in just his sweatpants to see what had me speechless, we both got a good look at ourselves in the mirror.

This-

This fucking dickhead had left marks all fucking over my neck. Like all the fuck over it. But Mickey just about pinned me to the sink when he scooted closer, leaned over, eyes wide and staring at his fucking neck.

And well I-… well… okay, so we might’ve both done a bit too much.

“Ryk… what the fuck did you-” his large fingers slid down his tatted neck in fucking disbelief, while I looked at mine like I was about two seconds away from fainting.

I didn’t plan for this- scratch that, I didn’t fucking pack for this. Not for school. Not for the cafe. And sure as fuck not for CiCi’s tonight…

Thus ensued the next fifteen minutes of pure, utter chaos.

“You can wear this,” Mickey said, stepping out of his closet with a black turtleneck, but I quickly shook my head no from where I was, sitting on the edge of his bed above his already changed bedcover. This one was now a deep green, which I also really liked.

“Turtlenecks make me claustrophobic,” I then explained to him, watching this baker immediately frown before he set the shirt on the door handle, covering the black college shirt I never got the chance to wear.

“Shit. Fine, I’ll wear that one to work,” Mickey muttered before walking back into his closet.

I had managed to throw on some clean briefs and change into the dark blue jeans I packed, but I was still shirtless because the brown hoodie I also packed didn’t do much of anything to cover the hickeys scattered across my neck, most of which I didn’t even remember Mickey leaving.

Unfortunately, this baker might’ve had it worse, with one very, very noticeable hickey right on his Adams Apple. And I had to say that if we were in any other situation, I would be praising myself for my fine work.

“What about this?” He asked, stepping out to hold up another university piece of apparel. This one looked really, really nice, a black quarter zip with MIT in big white Tetris-looking blocks. “Zip the collar all the way up; it’ll be really loose around your neck, so it won’t feel as claustrophobic.”

And while I questioned just how expensive this shit had to be, I was running out of time and options, so I just nodded, letting Mickey quickly hand it over for me to pull on.

••

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61. You’re Getting Soft. No Bun Intended

Enjoy, lovelies!

xox

Also thank you for all the feedback on the last chapter! I’ll get back to a few questions I saw, I’m also super happy the pacing has been okay for y’all, and I’ll get an Updates book started this weekend :) I appreciate y’all so much!!

(Also keep the puns coming lol I’m writing all this shit down that I haven’t used already)

Ryk had thoroughly made doing fucking anything today damn near impossible .

After this morning, I had to force him out of the warehouse post-coffee so he could get to school because we were already working on borrowed time, giving him the quickest kiss goodbye and taking in how fucking good he looked in my university sweatshirt- shit, the fact that he was going to school in it just made me all gushy and shit inside, even if I knew it was absolutely going to raise questions.

I’d rather that than him showing up to Averin High with hickeys all over his damn neck. Definitely not school-appropriate.

Pretty sure Sandra already suspected we were dating as well.

Then I got to showering right after he left, changed into the turtleneck and some black jeans, and headed out because I had a turkey to make sure Ci set in the brine like she texted me this morning she had, along with a lunch to make for that fucker, which included more of the Cajun turkey.

Of course, once I got to the café to pick up CiCi’s keys, I was roped into getting more dough ready for more dinner rolls, and that was when Eve caught me mindlessly staring down at the dough, lost in my thoughts about everything associated with that beautiful shithead.

How fucking insanely intimate this morning was… How good Ryk had fucking looked and felt on top, grinding on me like that… god, that shit made me rock fucking hard every time I thought about it . Every single time . Shit had me so gone, I still couldn’t believe I was now adding researching snake tanks to my damn list of shit to do.

Yet then I thought about how he held my gaze, still shivering against me… that excitement and warmth in his eyes once he processed what I said…

Shit, I would’ve agreed to buying him anything if he asked.

And that was the thing: Ryk never asked. The only things he’d ever asked from me were to do something with me, so by fucking god, if I was going to have to become a snake dad to see that look in his eyes again, then fuck it.

Eve catching me lost in thought, however, wasn’t something I was prepared for- her snapping at me to pull myself together. But she was right, today was going to be hell with it being our last day before the holiday, and regardless of how inexplicably happy I fucking felt, I had to get my shit together.

I got over to Ci’s home around 10 AM and whipped up Ryk’s lunch, adding a healthy serving of the Cajun turkey to the side, then made him another two sandwiches for him and Ms. Kluntz, but on some of the jalapeño cheddar sourdough Eve had made fresh yesterday.

After, I checked on the damn bird submerged in the brine before making my way to Averin High. Ryk got a text just letting him know I had to drop off his lunch early again, and he replied letting me know it was alright… but I still fucking hated that I couldn’t see him.

He and I didn’t really text often, which felt pretty freeing because I was bad as hell at it, but that just meant that the moments I got a call from him or got to see him in person were all the more important to me. And after sulking on my way to the café, I eventually forced myself to lock the fuck in since tonight I’d get that.

I’d get some time with him again.

“Eve?”

“What is it, Mic?”

“… I’m… I’m dating Ryk. Just, uh, well… thought you should know.”

“Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. Now, how’re we looking on the next batch of rolls?”

I glanced over at the green-haired woman who was currently crouching down, checking a few boxes she’d pulled from our inventory room. She was trying to hunt down more napkins for the dispensers out front, but the delivery this time didn’t indicate what the hell was inside on the printed labels stuck to the box’s side.

“Uh… like ten more minutes- also, you knew already?” I asked, even though it sounded stupid to ask that to Eve of all people.

“Kid doesn’t like anyone getting close to him but you. But your dumbass confirmed it with his specialty item.”

Yeah.

I knew that shit processed for her then.

The look she gave me confirmed it, regardless of the distraction I tried to run immediately after.

“Helping him with his car was one thing. Lunch every day’s another. But teaching him how to reconfigure the properties of buttercream after figuring it out yourself? I’d put good money on you being in love- wait, let’s place some bets on thi-”

“Shut it, Eve,” I snapped, but she just chuckled.

“You’ve gone soft, Mic. Easy to notice cause you never have before. Could’ve won that bet with Arlo by putting a quarter of the work in… but you want that kid to win the holiday contest, not just that bet. And considering you’d sooner sell your bike than help any of us win, must be love.”

“We just started dating,” I shot back, but Eve just shrugged.

“Admit it now, admit it months from now, hell, admit it years from now, I don’t give a shit. I’m not dating him. But I’ll keep my mouth shut. Guessing Ci doesn’t know.”

“She doesn’t,” I shook my head no when E glanced up at me from the squat she was in near one of the boxes.

“Got it.”

“So you’re not… pissed or nothing?” I asked.

Eve just shrugged. “Broken Hearts Café was your idea, Mic. Don’t like the concept anymore? Change it.”

That shit brought a genuine smile to my lips.

“Ci’s obsessed with Jade, Trin will eventually realize college guys in a frat house sure as fuck isn’t where you find love, Arlo’s already married, and I’ve got Xavier whether I like it some days or not. Everyone who’s worked here has a past… and I’ve seen you run through your fair share of relationships. Never seen you this happy, though. Never seen you stare at a dough for that long either.”

And that shit just made my smile widen.

“Make it an issue at work, though, and I’ll fucking kill you. Already told Ci she can’t pull that shit again with Jade.”

“What shit?” I asked suddenly.

“Don’t worry bout it,” E replied. “Point is, work is work. What you do once you’re off the clock is your business. Just a plus that Xavier and I like the kid, so keep that in mind if you start to revert to your douchebaggery.”

“I won’t,” I told her seriously. “That damn fucker has me locked in with getting a pet.”

Eve perked right up at that. “You getting a ca-”

“Fuck no,” I cut her off quickly. “And even if I were, I wouldn’t let it anywhere near your cat. Princess is a pampered piece of shit.”

Eve’s eyes had a sparkle in them as she replied with, “sweetest thing you’ve ever said, Mickey. My success as her mother shines through.”

This freaking psychotic woman, I swear.

“Whatchya gettin then?” She asked.

“Snake,” I replied.

That made E just stare up at me a moment.

“But- don’t you hate-”

“Don’t want to get into it,” I grumbled, causing this woman to chuckle.

“You figure out the catering for the holiday party?” She asked, switching topics like it was nothing.

“Not yet,” I replied. “Got Thanksgiving to worry bout first. You know if Jade’s free tonight?”

Eve paused a sec. “Not sure. Think she is. Why? Aren’t you at Ci’s tonight?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Wanted to see if I could rope Ci into letting her come. Jade tell you anything bout their date Saturday?”

E shook her head no. “Jade doesn’t kiss and tell. Always been that way. Ci just said it went well.”

“Got it,” I nodded. Because that older woman was stressing me the hell out, she and I never got into talking about it much on Monday night. “What’s a good card game that requires more than three people? Something raunchy but fun. And no poker, Ci won’t go for it.”

This green-haired woman thought about that a sec. “Cards Against Humanity, maybe?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I’ll have to pick it up tonight, then. I think CiCi’s only got oldhead shit like Trivia Pursuit and Scene It. Hell, bet I can find a cribbage board in her attic.”

Scene It was definitely out of the fucking question considering Ryk and I weren’t into movies or shows.

That made Eve cackle. “I’ve got the game. Want me and Xavier to drop it off at Ci’s tonight? We got some errands to run in that area.”

“That would be great,” I nodded. “We’re heading there right after we’re done here.”

“Bet,” Eve nodded, shoving one box aside and picking up the other two to put back. “We’ll be on time since I don’t close tonight. Same can’t be said for Trin, so if she isn’t here when Ryk gets in, you’ll have to work the front. Shit gets busy, just ring me, I’ll walk over to help out.”

“Thanks, E,” I told her gratefully, “but if Trin’s not in by 3 PM, I’ll go hunt that girl down my damn self.”

Eve chuckled, already headed towards Ci’s office. “Sounds like a plan,” she was all she said.

Trin surprisingly came in at around 2 PM.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” She grinned, busting through the back door to the alley like she always did, passenger bag slung over her shoulder, with a hoodie, jeans, and hair up in a bun.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” I replied, glancing up at the clock before locking eyes with her again, but she just rolled those blue eyes at me. Eyes without a thought behind them most days.

“I texted Ci to see if I could take my last hour for my specialty item, before my shift started, and she said it was cool. It’s just you back here right now, right?”

I nodded. “Ryk’s usually in between 3 and 3:15.”

“Perfect!” Trin beamed. “Then I’ll change quick and come get started!”

I just gave her another nod as I mentally prepared myself for an entire hour of mind-numbing boy drama.

Had I known that Trin was coming early, I probably would’ve packed some headphones. Ci had already told her to tone it down with Ryk if she was going to work on her specialty item back here during her shift while I covered the front… but since I wasn’t Ryk, this just meant my ears were free game for her bullshit.

Ryk showed up right on time, looking absolutely sexy as fuck in my sweatshirt, with his backpack slung over his shoulder. Trim was already out front, and it had been a busy day, but all we’d get from hereon out was takeaway orders for rolls. Same thing every year, which was why Trin was fine up front on her own. All the magic would be happening back here.

And the only real thing Ryk and I would be focusing on today was baking rolls.

Eve had taken off just minutes before Ryk showed up, but as he walked in, Ci was getting ready to head out herself. I knew she was probably losing her shit trying to think of how much time she had to clean and everything for tonight and tomorrow. She also had a very detailed list of what would need to be prepped today for tomorrow, and she knew I’d chew her the fuck out of Ryk and I showed up to do more than I agreed to.

“Ryk!” I heard this older woman beam as she spotted him walking in. “Right on time!”

Ryk’s eyes had first landed on me as he walked in, throwing everything he and I had done in the last 24 hours right back in my fucking face from the large smile he gave me… but he eventually forced himself to turn his head over to CiCi, that smile lingering.

“I’ve gotta run, time to get things ready for tonight, but just give me a call if any of you need me,” CiCi explained in a rush, and Ryk was already moving closer to the employees’ only room so he could clear a path for her to book it out to her car. “I’ll see you both in a little while!”

“See you,” Ryk nodded.

“Bye, Ci!” I called to her, spotting the last bit of her frantic wave goodbye before the door closed behind her…

And then there was just us.

“I’ll- um- I’ll set my backpack in the back,” Ryk said, but fuck , that fucking smile on his face had me smiling hard. I gave him a nod, watching as he soon disappeared into the back room….

Then I gave him about one whole second before I was undoing the tie on my apron while I fucking beelined it towards the employees’ only room, tossing the apron on the hook with one hand whileI opened that door with the other, entering and shutting it quickly behind me.

Ryk was just straightening himself up after shoving his bag into one of the lockers when he turned to glance at who walked in. I noticed he had also removed my sweatshirt he was wearing and neatly hung it in the locker above, wearing only a plain white shirt now… and making all those damn hickeys visible, which just made my hard on even worse in these now tighter jeans.

As soon as his eyes found mine, his eyebrows furrowed a little. “Mickey? Oh… I hung up the sweatshirt. Didn’t want to ruin-”

“Come here,” I told him, taking a step forward. Probably meant to say that a bit more gently than I did, but I had just struggled through the last four hours straight with a goddamn boner just thinking about this fucker, so before we did anything else in that kitchen, I was going to get my fix in.

Ryk still looked confused as shit, but he started taking those hesitant steps towards me. “Something wron-”

My impatience got the best of me at that point, and I reached out, grabbing the hem of his soft shirt to physically pull him into me. He stumbled for just a second, but he caught himself quick, looking up just in time for me to bend down and swiftly bring my lips to his.

I heard him release a small, surprised moan right into this kiss, but I didn’t have time to answer any questions he had as one of my hands slid around his neck, tilting his head up more, while the other wrapped around the small of his back, pulling him in closer.

He tasted like he just chain-smoked a few cigarettes on the way here, and I honestly loved it. Seemed like he was developing a habit of only smoking when he drove, which was healthier than his habits before.

“M-Mick-” Ryk tried to mumble against my lips, but I was already taking a step back towards the door again before I turned us, pressing his back right up against it. “M-Mick- Mickey, w-wait-” Ryk stuttered more breathlessly, successfully breaking the escalating kiss, and making me open my eyes to look down at this beautiful fucker in my arms with those stunning fucking eyes of his riddled with both lust and confusion.

I didn’t even have any words for him right now. No explanation for my impatience besides I needed to touch him.

Best thing I had was that we were working with Trin now, and I didn’t give a damn nor a fuck if she found us like this. Her attention was on that phone of hers about 99.99% of the time anyway.

Perhaps Ryk saw that shit too- that I had nothing- because I just heard him mutter the words, “fuck it,” before he leaned up the balls of his feet, wrapped his hands behind my neck, and yanked me down until my lips were on his again.

And Jesus fucking

fuck was I glad we were on the same page, because he didn’t fucking wait to deepen this damn kiss. My left hand released his neck, dragging it palm down the front of his overwhelmingly perfect body before both hands eventually made it around to his impeccable fucking ass and gripped that shit, forcing another more throaty groan from Ryk.

My hands went even fucking lower, only separating this kiss so I could grip the back of his thighs and lift him right up, pressing him back against this door with my whole lower half before my mouth found his again.

His lips were truly the most perfect fucking lips I’ve ever kissed- a subtle pink shade, so plump and soft-, molding against mine as he tilted his head slightly to kiss me even harder while my hands held his thighs firm, those legs of his wrapping around my waist so tight to the point that he didn’t even need me to help lift him up…

But all that did was pull me into this heated kiss more, making me forget where the actual hell we were when my hands slipped up from right under his thighs, climbing up to the top button of his jeans and undoing them before yanking that zipper down.

Then I knew we were both way too fucking gone because Ryk didn’t even attempt to push me away. Instead, his hands slipped up from the nape of my neck, right into my hair, tangling themselves in the thick strands.

The only thing that broke this kiss was my name being called as the door to the kitchen from the front opened. That shit had Ryk’s fingers untangling from my hair before he dropped them to nudge me back with both his hands on my chest, forcing me to help set him down quickly.

Then we both sort of stumbled away from the door, breathless as all hell, and I barely just got it open in time to come face-to-face with Trin, who was on her phone, barely paying me any mind.

“Hey. I got a customer out front wondering if we can pump out 200 rolls before close,” Trin said, not even looking up from the screen, and I made sure to quickly close the employees-only door behind me as I ran my shaky hands through my hair, calming my breathing to join her out in the kitchen.

“You came back here to ask me some bullshit like that?” I asked this short, mindless fucker, but I kept my voice low just in case since the customer was still out front.

“They said they’ll tip $200. Last minute… something. Our bakery won a vote… or something,” Trin replied, and boy was she lucky I was coming off an insane high from that searing kiss because I would’ve completely chewed her fucking out right now for this half-assed explanation.

“We can make 180 happen, but they won’t be ready till right at close. Ryk and I’ll have to get started on more dough because we can’t limit our supply for customers who haven’t lost their fucking minds by putting in a massive last-minute order,” I told her, already dreading this shit.

Trin just nodded, turning to head back out the door while still on her phone, but she had half the damn sense to slip it into her back pocket before walking out to the front.

Ryk must’ve heard the door close because he crept out into the kitchen right after she was gone.

“This is going to be some bullshit, isn’t it?” He muttered, just as annoyed as I was.

I turned to see that his pants were zipped up and buttoned again, and his hair looked alright. At least I had enough control not to touch it when I kissed him like that, otherwise those beautiful curls would’ve been all over the place.

“Yeah,” I sighed to him. “Go ahead and grab some aprons for us. I’ll get yours tied first.”

And Ryk did as he was told… but I noticed just how red his ears had gotten. He took two off the hook and walked both over to me near the end of the kitchen island. I tossed one casually over my shoulder, then motioned for Ryk to turn and face the exit to the alley so I could slip the loop over his neck first, then pull the strings back to tie behind him.

“Should the tie be in the front or the back?” He asked as I made a little bow, but kept it loose enough so I wouldn’t hurt him in any way.

“Either is fine. Eve and I usually prefer ours in the back when we’re only in the kitchen, and front when working the front, so we can slip it on and off when we want.”

Ryk nodded at that.

“But it doesn’t matter to me how you wear it as long as I’m the one who ties it,” I added quickly, just making sure me and this fucker were on the same page about that shit.

Ryk just chuckled, nodding again.

Then I had a question so random, it sounded like I fucking blurted it as I used both my hands to turn Ryk towards me by his waist and started pulling on my own apron.

“Do you tan or burn in the summer?” I asked him.

As I already predicted, Ryk looked at me like I just grew a second head or something.

“That’s… random…. as shit. But I tan. Probably some Italian or Greek in me or something.”

“I want to see a picture,” I shot out quickly, making Ryk’s eyebrows crease even harder. “Doesn’t have to be now, of course, but like later tonight or something,” I added, realizing how weird I was sounding right now.

“Uh… alright? I don’t really have a lot of photos of myself, but I’ll try to find something in my camera roll.”

I just gave him a nod as I tied my tie in the front. Trin would be taking a break at some point, so I already knew I’d be covering for a bit out front, so I wanted to make sure I could whip this thing off for that. And any opportunity to wear less was a plus, considering I was already hot as hell in this damn turtleneck, and that kiss did nothing to help.

“Perfect. Then let’s get to work,” I told this fucker before we both went to wash our hands at the sink.

“If you could watch a movie, what genre would you pick?” Ryk asked me as we worked on some pumpkin pies while the dough for the rolls was set aside, rising.

“Ci said you were choosing tonight, so if you’re tryna have me choose for you, Ryk, save it,” I answered, glancing over then down at him.

We had started with a healthy distance between us… but now he was right at my side, and I think I was finally understanding what Eve saw. I didn’t even know who gravitated towards who anymore, us and our cooking bowls just kept getting closer.

“I’m just-… well, I told CiCi a psychological thriller would be cool,” he tried to explain, pouring more of the mixture into the unbaked pie crust.

“Sounds good with me,” I nodded.

“Yeah, but….” Ryker trailed off a bit. “That’s not… weird?”

I just looked over at him again, before eventually shaking my head no. “Better than a shitty comedy.”

That made Ryk refocus on his rather perfect pour before he nodded, smiling a bit at the pumpkin pie. And that shit made me smile as I turned back to work on finishing my pour so we could throw these in the oven.

“I’ll get to see your old room then, right?” He asked, setting his bowl back on the counter. He started to scrape up the access on the sides with a spatula.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “but there isn’t much there. Few books and awards from high school and stuff. I’ve never really been the sentimental type.”

“What… what about that chain you wear? I um… I noticed you didn’t have it on last night,” Ryk commented, making me glance down at the chain I had put away before he got to the warehouse. I was wearing it now over the neck part of this still hot as shit turtleneck sweater.

“Oh. Yeah. It’s a starfish. We call it bulgasali in Korean; the species is Luidia quinaria.” That made Ryk look up at me again, focusing on the pendant attached to the chain. “My biological father picked it up on a vacation we took through the Korean archipelago years ago, before we moved to the States. Just put it away last night because I didn’t want it to get in the way of… you know…”

I couldn’t even get into specifics because I’d just get hard again, and right now Ryk and I seriously needed to fucking focus.

“I-… I like it. You can wear it whenever you want with me, unless it’s easier for… like…” Ryk replied, but I nodded quick as fuck because I needed him to shut the hell up like right now and for so many reasons.

For starters, that sweet shit was making me melt. As was his raspy voice- the tenderness of it… and him just bringing up anything about last night or this morning was a no-go.

Otherwise, Trin would be closing alone at this rate.

Guess I am a bit sentimental, I couldn’t help but think as I glanced back down at the chain again. The starfish pendant.

Made me think of the queen of diamonds playing card that was still on my bedside table at home…

Not tucked away in the deck like the rest of the cards were.

••

Me with y’all puns rn lol

62. Last-Minute Walk-Ins

Second upload of the day!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Mickey and I looked like we had gone toe-to-toe with the Avengers out in the busy streets of New York by the time we finished our shift.

And hell, it was so damn busy I almost forgot about that near-sweltering kiss we had in the employees’ only room.

Heavy on the word almost . Cause after that, this shithead was basically like a magnet. Or hell, maybe we both were.

One minute, this fucker and I were on opposite sides of the kitchen island, focused on making batches of dough, and the next, we were making sure our arms brushed every single time we positioned different baking bowls or reached for more ingredients.

Ovens? I was opening the doors while he was placing dish after dish inside, both of us casually chatting about Paganism of all things. Mickey was explaining to me the misconception brought by the early Christian Church and how the term was generally used in a derogatory sense.

Honestly, I loved how fucking smart he was, knowing so much about the most random topics. Paganism wasn’t what I was studying yet- we were still learning Buddhism in my World Religion class, but Mickey had zero problem breaking down how it was used as a generalized term- an umbrella, he called it- for a group of non-Christians or anything excluding the teachings with a Christian or biblical context.

I did kinda wish I was able to take some notes on his breakdown, but then I reminded myself that we were dating, and Mickey seemed passionate about this to explain whatever I didn’t quite understand, again to me later.

And because Mickey gave me a whole deep dive, I was actually a bit shocked as we packed up the fucking shit ton of rolls we had to make tonight- for this one large order- that we had finally reached closing time.

Mickey brought the multiple bags out to the last customer who had ordered all this a few hours ago, while I started cleaning up the kitchen. He already explained he was probably going to have to walk Trin through closing out front again , since we’d be closed all day tomorrow, but that was fine. I had gotten in the swing of things with closing, and Mickey always gave me praise on how organized I was.

In all actuality, putting things back where they belonged was the only thing helping me remember where the hell I was supposed to find them for the next shift. Same shit with fixing cars. I always laid out parts based on location and process because shit felt too all over the place otherwise.

My only saving grace was muscle memory because my memory memory was ass.

And by the time Mickey joined me in the kitchen, looking irritated as all hell, Trin was right behind him with a smile on her face, heading right into the employees’ only room. “Thank you,” he murmured to me, taking those last few steps to bend down, push some of my curls back, and place a soft kiss on my forehead.

I probably should’ve left things at that…

But I quickly reached up for the sides of his apron, so I could pull him down a little, lean up, and give him a quick kiss on his lips. Trying to rid Mickey of his irritation was like trying to empty an ocean, but I still wanted to think of ways I could help talk him down from burning the world to ash or whatever.

I had to back away quickly because I heard the employees’ only door open a second later, but Trin was already jetting towards the back door next, calling out, “Bye, guys! Have a great Thanksgiving!”

And Mickey and I got out a quick, “You too!” Before she disappeared out the door.

“Okay,” Mickey sighed, turning to me, “while I would love to spend this time kissing you everywhere and on everything , you just did one hell of a job cleaning up, and Ci wants us over ASAP, so I’ll shoot you her address and meet you there. Sound like a plan?”

I nodded quickly. Even if we couldn’t do everything he just said he wanted to, it was nice to know that Mickey’s head was never not in the gutter when it came to us. I loved that shit.

“Good, now give me a little turn so I can take that apron off,” Mickey grinned, clearly enjoying this incredibly normal task a little too much… but I still entertained it with a smile, turning around for him to undo the bow he had loosely tied.

The drive to CiCi’s was actually pretty chill.

I was going to smoke a cig on the way, but decided against it because I didn’t want to smell like smoke. She was probably used to it since Mickey smoked, but I dunno, felt like I was meeting the parents for the first time or some shit, and wanted to make a good first impression…

Even though I already knew the older woman.

And let’s be very real, my actual first impression was unforgettably insane. Walking in that cafe all bruised up and nauseated.

When I finally reached CiCi’s home, I parked on the street right behind Mickey’s bike. He had to have gotten here earlier, but he was leaning against his ride, his helmet tucked in his arm, waiting patiently.

God, my heart was beating already , and I couldn’t tell if that was because he looked so goddamn good or if I was just really nervous about tonight.

As of now, Mickey was the only one who knew about the night terrors besides Don, and I was still pretty worried that the night could all go to shit if I had one… but I wanted to be here tonight. Like genuinely. And I knew that Mickey would help if it got bad, so I just tried not to think about it.

At least the nausea was gone. The worst would just be waking up in sweats, so I tried to remember that as I shut my car off and got out. Mickey was already heading over to the driver’s side, then he just stuck his hand out expectantly for me to grab my drawstring bag and pass it over.

I left my backpack in the car, setting it on the floor in the back because CiCi lived in a really nice neighborhood and I wasn’t worried about a break-in in the slightest.

“Thank you,” I mumbled with a smile, handing my bag over.

“Want a cig before we head in?” This baker asked, but I quickly shook my head no.

“Should be fine,” I assured him, which he smiled at.

“Sounds good. Let’s head in then,” he nodded, turning to lead me up past the grass and the sidewalk to a fancy black gate surrounding a massive brick building. It stretched the whole length of the street itself.

CiCi’s place sort of confused me at first because there were only doors on the first floor of this enormous brick building. About maybe ten total, each having its own number and path leading up.

I finally took a few extra steps to reach Mickey’s side, turning to him while we walked up the path to a black door with a white frame, where a stunning fall wreath hung, made with hay, twigs, and burlap. “Are these still apartments?”

“Two-story townhomes,” he replied. And it looked like he was going to say something else, but CiCi’s door swung open before he could.

“Perfect timing,” this older woman smiled, though I noticed her hair was down and a bit wilder than usual.

“Hey Ci,” Mickey smiled in return, and I did the same. “Why does your hair look like you walked through the dry cycle of a car wash?”

CiCi immediately gave Mickey a look as her smile dropped, stepping aside to let us both inside.

“You’re just a gift that keeps giving, Mic,” she grumbled to him. “We’re only watching a movie tonight anyway, and I just frantically cleaned, so this is the best you’re fucking getting.”

“Yeah, about that…” Mickey started, but I just took in CiCi’s home while she and Mic bickered. Her place was stunning- so incredibly… homey- the scent of freshly baked bread and slight vanilla filled the warm air.

I made sure to slip my shoes off at the entrance right along with Mickey, slowly looking around with a smile spreading across my face. The entrance opened right up to a large living room on the right side, and a large wall filled with framed photos on the left.

There were three couches in total in the living room, one facing the flatcreen TV CiCi had on a long wooden stand in front of windows looking right out to the front of her home, sharing the same wall as the front door, and another two couches perpendicular to the couch in the middle, creating a U shape around the TV, similar to Mickey’s living room.

The middle couch sat three, while the other two couches were love seats with a handle on the sides for them to probably recline. She also had deep brown wooden side tables on one side of the love seats, the ends closest to the tv, and at both ends of the main couch in the middle, creating more table space besides the massive coffee table smack dab in the middle.

And my eyes got wide as shit as soon as I saw the coffee table. Or, I guess, what was on it.

Everything from fruit, to veggies and dip, an insane assortment of cut cheeses and crackers, then some sweet treats like small cakes and cookies. The only space left was a perimeter that had a few coasters for us to place drinks, and that was it.

I had never seen a spread like this ever, and honestly, now I understood why CiCi looked a bit frazzled. Shit would’ve taken me weeks to assemble, and it would’ve looked nowhere near this stunning.

There was a fireplace to the very end of the TV and stand, nestled right in the corner, and her large open kitchen was behind the living room area, to the left end of the home. I noticed a small arched entry or something that the wall on the left with the photos had, but I didn’t think the home stretched too much farther.

I wasn’t expecting how spacious the first floor actually was. She even had a large dining area all the way to the right of the kitchen, with steps a few feet behind it that turned, disappearing behind the back wall, which must’ve led upstairs to the second floor.

“ Mickey ,“ CiCi whined suddenly, pulling me back to their conversation. “Let’s see what Ryk thinks.”

I turned to look at both of them, who were already moving into the living room, so I just followed them, taking a seat next to Mickey on the main couch while CiCi stood in front of the love seat closest to the door.

“Okay, Ryk, so we’ve got two options here: we could either watch a movie or have a game night. Did you have any preference?” Ci asked, giving me a warm smile.

“Oh…” I replied, before slowly turning my head left to Mickey, but he just shook his head no.

“Your choice, Ryk,” this baker confirmed.

“Oh…” I slowly nodded, then turned my head right to look up at Ci again, not exactly expecting this one. “Did you have a preference?”

CiCi quickly shook her head no. “Mickey said a game night might be good to get to know you better outside of the whole work life, which is actually a pretty solid point. He also let me know Eve and Xavier were going to drop off a game in about twenty minutes since he thinks all mine were created just after the first ice age.”

I did my best to hold a chuckle in at that one before I eventually nodded. “Yeah, game night sounds like fun. I’d be down.”

“Perfect!” CiCi gave me a grin. “Now you two mingle while I go take the quickest shower known to man and try to fix my hair. Mic, just let Eve and Xavier in when they get here.”

“Will do!” Mickey called out to the older woman already zooming across her home to the stairs behind us.

As soon as she was halfway up the stairs and out of earshot, I quickly turned to Mickey to whisper, “Thank you. Seriously .”

But Mickey just chuckled, relaxing a bit more into the cushions. “Movie will be a fallback, but I think a game night is less pressure, yeah?”

I nodded quickly, unable to stop my smile… and definitely unable to stop myself from propping my left knee on the couch and leaning forward, closing my eyes to give his cheek a quick kiss before sitting back equally as fast. This shithead just saved me a whole lot of stress. I didn’t have a clue what I would’ve picked for a movie.

Mickey looked like he was debating something for all of a nanosecond before he pulled his right knee onto the couch and started leaning in, clearly not accepting just a kiss on the cheek, but froze when his phone started buzzing in his pocket.

I watched him irritably sit back down before reaching into the front of his jeans to dig his cell out and see who was calling… and a second later, he answered.

“Hey X, what’s up?… Oh… Yeah, no, beer’s good… Fuck no , she’s on a time out with wine, so beer’s fine for her, too… Oh yeah, heading back to Eve’s after, right?… Sure thing, Ci’s in the shower but I don’t think she’ll mind… Dope, yeah, that sounds delicious… Perfect, see ya in a bit. Thanks, man.”

Then Mickey pulled his phone away and hung up, shoving it back in his pocket.

“Xavier should be here in about ten. He and Eve were already running an errand around here so they’re closer than I thought. He was just checking if he should bring some beer in, looks like Eve left a case in his Mustang,” Mickey explained to me. I gave him a quick nod. “They also want to play a round with us, so I’ll check with Ci once she’s out the shower. That alright with you?”

I nodded quickly again. “Sounds good. What game’re we playing?”

“Cards Against Humanity,” he replied. “You play before?”

I slowly shook my head no.

“It’s basically like Apples to Apples.”

“… No idea what that is,” I countered, but Mickey just gave me a reassuring smile.

“Trust me, with that dry humor of yours, you’ll kill it. I’m just going to run upstairs really quick and get Ci’s okay, but I’ll be back in a second. Sound good?”

“Mhm,” I nodded, watching Mickey pull himself off the couch… but he quickly turned to me, bent down, and tilted my head up by my chin to give me a quick unexpected kiss, just making me all stupidly giddy when he lingered there a second or two longer before he eventually pulled away, and headed around the couch, back towards the stairs.

And as soon as he was gone, I let myself look around more.

CiCi’s home felt like the kind of home you’d see in Christmas movies. She didn’t have any Christmas decor up yet, though, and I couldn’t explain it, but it felt like she was waiting for the day right after Thanksgiving to get them up.

This also had to be maybe the only home with light yellow walls that just sorta… worked? And all three of her couches were a really pretty beige. The material almost looked like a canvas, but it was really soft. No idea what the fuck it was, but my hands rubbed the cushion I was sitting on, enjoying the smooth fibers.

She also had really pretty artwork framed- one above the dining area, next to a mirror near the stairs that were painted flowers in vases, a few on the wall the winding stairs were hidden behind, that were paintings of fruits, and a whole wall of pictures right near the doorway entry, to the left of it. I found myself standing and walking over to take another look, and couldn’t help but smile soon after.

There were photos of a younger CiCi and an older woman who looked like her. Most likely her mother , I thought. She was almost a spitting image of Pricilla- both very beautiful with the same dark hair and light brown eyes. It also looked like the photo might have been taken at the café. They were both sitting at a small square wooden table in front of the window, and though some of the buildings on the street looked a little different, I still recognized the rest.

Then there were photos of her and a younger-looking Mickey, which just made my smile widen. Mainly because even though Mickey was smiling, he looked completely fucking

over it, with most photos of them taken in a professional studio, them wearing different Christmas sweaters, or fall colors.

Reminded me of some school photos, but definitely

more professional. Like something for holiday cards, maybe.

Then there were photos of a younger CiCi, a younger Mickey, and another captivatingly stunning woman. I noticed Mickey had her whole

face, and my smile just widened to a massive grin. The photo was taken at a place I definitely recognized.

The Buddhist temple. Right outside one of the outdoor meditation areas.

This must be his mother , I thought, admiring all three of their smiles. His mother was breathtaking. She had a smile as warm as CiCi’s, and I found myself lingering on this framed picture a lot longer, noticing just how happy Mickey looked here.

Might’ve been one of the only photos on this wall where his smile seemed so genuine.

But my little self-guided tour was cut short when I heard someone powering down the steps, and that made me rush back to the couch, taking a quick seat.

Not sure why I was acting like I might be caught with my hand in the goddamn cookie jar or some shit, especially considering the pictures were up and framed, on view for anyone in the home to see… but it still felt a bit weird wandering around CiCi’s home without her down here.

“Alright,” Mickey spoke once he reached the bottom of the steps. “X and E are pulling up now. What do you feel like eating tonight, Ryk? Spread out there look alright?”

I turned around on this couch, lifting up my left knee again to watch as Mickey entered the open kitchen.

“Uh…” I thought about that a second. “Yeah, it’s fine. You packed a large lunch, so I’m pretty good right now.”

That made Mickey smile, nodding as he opened up the stainless steel fridge, grabbed what looked like two beers, then closed that and easily reached for the cabinet above the fridge to grab a few bags of something I absolutely recognized. After, he headed out of the kitchen and made his way towards the living room.

“Sounds good. Eve made some Rasta Pasta for us as a little ‘here, damn’ gift since she never joins us for Thanksgiving, but feel free to snack on anything here on this coffee table, otherwise I keep these fuckers everywhere.” Mickey then handed me a bag of the spicy rice cake chips and opened a beer with the other bottle in his hand before passing it over.

“Thanks,” I grinned wide, happily accepting both. Mickey set his beer and snacks on the table just in time, because there was a knock on the door a few seconds later.

I took a couple solid gulps of the cold beer, then leaned forward to set that on the coffee table, using the coaster closest to me, before opening and munching on a few of the spicy rice cake chips while Mickey walked towards the door and swung it open.

“Welcome to the CiCi Comfort Inn, hope you can stay a whi-”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, where’s Ci’s bomb ass cheese plate at?” Eve interrupted with a devilish grin as she quickly slipped off her shoes and headed inside. “Hey, Ryk,” she added as her grin widened.

“Hey.” I gave her a smile. She must’ve been here countless times because she booked it right for the kitchen while Xavier stepped inside next. He was holding a whole box of beer, with a large Tupperware container on top, and a black box right on top of that, balancing all three easily in his large hands.

“Sup, Mic. Hey Ryk.”

“Hey, X,” Mic welcomed him in, helping take all three things off Xavier’s hands like they weighed nothing.

“Hey,” I nodded as well to the big guy.

Eve and Xavier actually looked pretty cute; they were both matching in some dark grey hoodies and light jeans. Eve’s were fitted for her curves, while Xavier’s were baggy.

“Grab a seat wherever. And of course help yourselves to Ci’s over-the-top spread,” Mickey instructed as he brought the stacked items right into the kitchen and set them down on the stone kitchen island.

“Want a beer, Xavier?” Eve asked from the kitchen.

“Yeah, babe, thanks,” Xavier nodded before taking a seat on the love seat closest to the front door.

“There’s some in the fridge,” Mickey told Eve in the kitchen. “I’ll set these in there in a bit. Let’s first see what this game’s good for. Sure you got some bullshit rules for us.”

“You know it,” Eve replied, and though I was facing the TV and Xavier, I could hear that smile in her voice behind me.

Then, a second later, I heard more footsteps heading down the stairs quickly.

“Alright!” Ci exclaimed, making me turn back on the couch to see that she had showered and changed into a light pink silk short-sleeve shirt and shorts pajama set. She also had a cream colored knitted cardigan draped over her right arm.

It made me smile a bit, thinking about what she said about her heading to bed early tonight. She looked like she was here for a good time, but sure as hell not a long one.

“Full house tonight, and Eve, I know you’re only here for the cheese spread, so have as much as you want. There’s extra cheese in the fridge and crackers in the cabinet,” CiCi explained as she headed into the living room to turn on the electric fireplace.

Shit, this place felt so goddamn homey. Right down to the plush tan carpet that felt incredible under my socks.

“Thanks, Ci,” Eve grinned, bringing over two bottles of beer to where Xavier was sitting, then handed him one before setting hers on one of the side tables and plopping down right next to him. “We brought more beer, and I made Rasta Pasta.”

That had CiCi grinning massively. “And this is why you’re welcome anytime. Now, do I have to figure out sleeping arrangements, or are you guys heading back tonight?”

“Headed back-” Xavier started…

But Eve quickly cut in with, “What’s the current arrangement lookin like?”

“ Eve ,“ Xavier whined quietly, but Eve shot him a look while she placed her right hand on his left thigh. “If we stay, I want an extra call a week,” he whispered to her.

“… Only till New Years,” she replied.

“Your birthday.”

“St. Patty’s.”

“ Deal ,“ Xavier nodded quick as shit. Safe to say I was confused, but Ci just breezed right over those negotiations.

“Couches on the side recline. The middle couch pulls out to a bed- finally got around to fixing it once I got back from France. And there’s Mickey’s room, of course,” CiCi then explained.

But before either Eve or Xavier could reply, Mickey shot out from the kitchen, “Ryk and I will take the living room. Eve, you and X can sleep in my room.”

Eve and Xavier nodded at that, along with CiCi… but Mickey definitely somehow planned this, I just knew it. I wasn’t sure how, but he was way too quick with that answer for me not to find it suspect.

“Oh!” Eve shot out quickly. “I mentioned to Jade we were stopping by tonight. You alright if I ask if she wants to join, Ci? She’s coming tomorrow anyway, right?”

CiCi was just taking a seat on the love seat to my left, right across the coffee table from Eve and Xavier, and I watched in real time as her eyes grew wide as hell.

“L-Like here? Like-… like in my home, here?” This older woman’s face was getting redder by the literal second.

“Plan on eating outside tomorrow or something? Cause if so, Xavier and I will have to bounce in the AM,” Eve said seriously.

“Oh! No, no, no, no, no, we’ll be here- like inside here. But, um… what, uh… so like- so for like sleeping arrangements…” CiCi’s voice sort of trailed off at that.

“She could share your room with you if you’re cool with that,” Eve offered casually, “but if not, no problem. She and I can crash in Mickey’s room while Xavier sleeps out here with the guys-”

“ Hold the fuck up, “ Mickey and Xavier both said at the exact same fucking time, making my head swivel back and forth between pretty much everyone now.

“No, no!” CiCi shot out quickly, just about making me dizzy when I turned back to her again.

Clearly, there was something I was missing here.

“If… uh, if she’s alright with that- only if she’s alright with that… that’s okay. We can- she- we can share a room, just… give me like ten more minutes,” she added before shooting back up from the couch and booking it right back to the stairs, taking them two at a time.

My neck was starting to hurt from all this movement and shit.

“Xavier,” Eve turned to him first. “We talked about this-”

But he just shot back with, “No fat chance in hell, E.”

Then Eve turned back to Mickey, and I tried to turn my head in time, but he must’ve flashed her a look fast because Eve just rolled her eyes in response.

“Alright,” the green-haired woman sighed, shaking her head as she reached into the front pocket of her hoodie to pull out her phone. “I’ll text and see what she says. But you two better get a goddamn grip .”

“E, push it, and it’s seven calls until you reach fucking 35 ,” he muttered, but Eve just rolled her eyes, smiling a little bit at that, which made Xavier smirk.

The two were like two married couples who divorced a year ago and were still conjoined at the hip or some shit, set to remarry maybe five years down the road.

Couldn’t fully explain it, but it was different, that’s for sure.

“Oh,” I heard Eve mutter, before bringing the phone to her ear. “Sup, Jade… Oh yeah, Ci says it’s cool. Looks like we’re all staying over for Thanksgiving anyway… Yeah, Ci said to check and see if you were alright with sharing her room, but I’m assuming you-…” Eve chuckled a bit abruptly. “Yeah, I assumed… Cool, we’ll see you in like thirty then?… Oh, nah, we brought beer, Ci’s got a spread, and I made some Rasta Pasta… Cool… Dope… Yep, see ya soon.”

“Thirty minutes?” Mickey asked once Eve hung up, and she nodded.

“She’s just gotta swing through her home and grab the stuff she picked up for a sangria tomorrow, as well as a change of clothes and shit,” Eve then explained as she slipped her phone back into the pocket of her hoodie.

“Got it,” Mickey nodded, joining me on this couch now with the black box in his hand. “Alright now, while CiCi cleans her room top to bottom, let’s lay some fucking ground rules here.” He was looking directly at Eve and Xavier when he said this. “No fucking up my sheets. No touching anything on my bookshelves. Eve, you can change into something of mine to sleep in-”

“She’ll wear my shirt,” Xavier shot back quickly, and Mickey just nodded.

Shit, I almost grinned at Xavier for that because my very misdirected jealousy was bubbling up a bit.

Stupid to even think that way, but I definitely wanted to be the only one who wore his shit.

“Full house tomorrow, and shit will get tedious, so Xavier? You, Jade, and Ryk are gonna sit your asses down somewhere while Eve, Ci, and I get shit ready in the kitchen,” Mickey continued.

“Now, how the hell did I get roped up in-” Eve started.

“You’re eating, right?” Mickey countered, successfully shutting her up real fast. “Thought so. Now I want zero interruptions down here throughout the night, so Xavier, grab as much water as y’all need when you head to bed. If I get less than at least three hours of sleep, you both will either wake up above the clouds or below the earth’s inner core, got it?”

Both Xavier and Eve nodded, with Eve muttering, “Running a strict fucking program, huh, Mic.”

“Since no one else here knows how to make a goddamn turkey besides me, yes. Yes, I am,” he snapped back, which honestly was about the most reasonable response I’ve ever heard, and no one argued it.

I definitely knew that tomorrow, he was going to put some serious work into making a turkey everyone could agree on. All six of us, instead of just the three he planned on.

And no one else here would be of any help with that shit, so we all just nodded.

••

63. Devil’s Food Cake - Best Served In Hell

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Let me know if you find any spelling errors, I didn’t have time for a full read through with this one!

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/55cdce77a5d0f31084ffc4dd28a00627a1625a5c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4e6c6d7a49645537432d486759513d3d2d313631313030353030372e3138393662356563363631656231373234383138303936313135342e6a7067)               

If Ci hadn’t agreed to share a room with Jade, Eve and I would’ve had to have some words outside.

I didn’t care how it happened, Ryk and I were sleeping down here in this living room. Alone .

“ Jesus , is Ci moving furniture around up there or some shit? Jade’s about to pull up,“ Eve spoke, sitting back down on the couch next to X with another beer for her and him, while Ryk and I sat side by side, comfortably sipped on our first bottles, and shared a bag of the Tteokbokki chips.

I had started feeding him a few, which he accepted at first… before his whole body suddenly froze, his eyes darting over to Eve for a sec, probably realizing how domestic this shit looked, especially with my right arm stretched across the back of the couch behind him.

She was halfway through stuffing her mouth full of olives and cheese when she locked eyes with us and mumbled to him, “Don’t worry, kid. Already know,” then continued with her shameless gluttony.

That made Ryk look down at the beer bottle in his hand, managing a nod while his face got a bit more red… yet he still opened his mouth a little for me to pop another chip inside when I pressed another against his soft lips, murmuring a quiet, “ahh.”

After chewing and swallowing, he then hesitantly turned my way to ask, “Does Ci-” but I just shook my head no, and Ryk slowly nodded, understanding.

“ Not yet ,“ I whispered to him right after, which made him look away quickly with a slight smile playing on his incredible lips.

Jesus fucking fuck , I was about three seconds away from dragging him off to his car for a cigarette or something. I just wanted to kiss those lips again, but judging by how he was reacting to me feeding him these snacks right now, my body as close as humanly possible to his without us touching, that might’ve been a bit too much in front of X and Eve.

Well, just Eve. X had already seen more than enough for me to give a damn.

But now we were here, waiting on Ci to finish whatever the hell she was doing up there, and when we heard the sudden steps of someone flying down them, there was a knock on the door like a second later.

My guess was that Jade probably called or texted this older woman to let her know she was walking up.

“Ready!” Ci rushed out, just clearing those few bottom steps, and Eve started standing to get the door, but X tugged her back down by her sweatshirt.

“Ci’s got it,” he said with a firm tone, making Eve roll her eyes, chuckling. But Ci took a deep breath after that Olympic sprint she just performed, and headed towards the door as she should’ve as the rightful host for the night.

Ryk and I had our eyes glued to the entrance in seconds, ready to see how everything was about to unfold, especially because I noticed CiCi had one hundred percent brushed out her hair more and gave her layers a few light flips at the end with her straightener for added volume.

X and Eve also turned their heads behind them to get in on this spectacle, but this damn woman took yet another quick, deep breath, unlocked the door Xavier had locked up after he and Eve arrived, and slowly pulled it open.

“Hey,” Jade said first with a smile, and if it weren’t for Ci’s outdoor light, I swear this woman would’ve blended right in with the pitch darkness outside thanks to her all-black attire. Just made me lightly chuckle how different she and my godmother really looked- complete and total opposites.

“H-Hi,” CiCi replied with a large smile, still a bit out of breath, but from the way Jade was looking at her, I think she liked it- the frazzled look. A lot . “Oh- come on in! Sorry, I know it was a bit last-minute-” Ci stepped aside, holding the door open so Jade could step inside, and I removed my hand from the bag of chips in Ryk’s lap so I could get up to help carry in some of the many bags in Jade’s left hand.

But when she pulled her right hand around from her back, she was holding one genuinely gorgeous bouquet of flowers, double-wrapped first in clear open film, then brown paper packaging. The flowers were chrysanthemums, dahlias, and sunflowers, all arranged in beautiful, rich fall colors.

“These are for you, Pris. Just a simple token of my appreciation for the invite,” Jade told Ci in that calm, collected tone she always had, but CiCi looked like she was about to pass the fuck out when she slowly accepted the bouquet.

“H-Holy shit-”

“ Jeez, Jade,“ I swooped in right behind Ci, saving my sweet fucking godmother from herself while I reached for the bags Jade was holding, and she handed them over with a smile. “The flowers are incredible. Aren’t they, Ci?” I asked, turning my head to my godmother, who nodded quickly.

“Seriously, you- I mean, they’re- they’re absolutely gorgeous,” she then choked out because goddamn it, this woman needed to say fucking something .

“I’m glad you like them,” Jade replied, but that smile of hers widened as Ci damn near fell out while inspecting them more closely, bringing them up to her nose to sniff them lightly.

I genuinely didn’t give a shit about flowers, but Ci sure did, so right now, Jade was killing it.

“Alright,” I forced myself to continue, ready to get this shit rolling considering it was now 9:30 PM, “Ci, why don’t you go set them in a vase? Should be some unused brass ones in the storage closet upstairs. Jade, feel free to grab a seat and help yourself to whatever’s on the coffee table. Eve made Rasta Pasta that’s in the fridge, which we’ll probably heat up when we’re all good and drunk, and speaking of drinking, can I get you a beer?”

Jade just nodded as she started what looked like a whole process of taking off those knee-high boots and closing the front door behind her. “That would be great. Thanks, Mic.”

“Coming right up,” I replied, but I was already heading towards the kitchen, and thankfully, Ci was already moving to go get a vase from upstairs.

I set the bags of fresh fruit, bottles of wine, bottle of brandy, bottle of fresh orange juice, and the bottle of what looked like simple syrup, all on the kitchen island, pulling out the orange juice from one of the grocery bags to place it in the fridge that was definitely damn near filled to capacity, before grabbing Jade a chilled beer from it, opening it with the opener on the kitchen counter, and heading back out into the living room to hand it to our new guest.

She had grabbed a seat on the love seat where Ci was sitting before and had set a small duffel bag off to the side, out of the way. Probably a change of clothes and whatnot.

“Thanks,” Jade then nodded, taking the bottle from my hand before having a sip. “This home is seriously breathtaking.”

“All Ci,” I replied with a smile as I headed back over to Ryk.

“Thanks for joining, Jade,” Eve grinned. X seemed less than thrilled about all this, but I gave him a sharp look, and he eventually nodded at Jade. Best I was getting out of this big guy , couldn’t help but think to myself as I took a seat right next to Ryk again, ready to introduce these two.

“Ryk, Jade. Jade, Ryk,” my hands gestured between them both casually.

Ryker gave Jade a polite, small smile and a nod, “Nice to meet you.”

“You as well,” Jade grinned, which definitely made Ryk a little less tense. Hello’s and shit weren’t really his thing.

And hosting isn’t mine, I couldn’t help but think as I wondered what the fuck was taking so long with that woman.

Luckily, it was CiCi heading back downstairs that had us turning our heads, and the brass vase I saw she chose once she finally made it past the last few steps had me smiling. Definitely one of her favourites, with the flowers adding to the beauty. She set it on the wooden, farmhouse-style dining room table, right in the middle, before heading over to join us.

“Alright!” Eve spoke up first, leading the group here. I knew she was itching to get this shit started just as bad as I was. “So, we’re playing Cards Against Humanity tonight, but we’ll be playing with a few twists-”

Jade and CiCi immediately groaned at that, which had Ryk and me cracking up while I reached for a few more rice cake chips from the bag in this fuckers lap.

“No complaining, you two,” Eve shot back fast as hell, “you’ll like them.”

“Walk us through the basics first,” I told Eve on behalf of Ryk, knowing he was probably to nervous to ask. “Then give us your butchered, BS rendition.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever ,” Eve snapped back as she dismissed my insult easily. “The basics: we all will each get ten white cards for our hand. Usually, it’s the person who most recently took a shit that becomes the Card Czar, but to keep things interesting, we’re going to choose the player who last got in trouble with the law.”

Yep.

Fully unhinged.

And definitely Eve, alright.

“The Card Czar’s the judge for one round, and they’ll pick a black card from the stack to read to all of us. Then each of us will choose a white card from our hand to place face down and play. After we’ve all made a selection, we’ll do a quick shuffle of the cards we placed down, and the Czar will read them out loud, selecting which card wins.”

I was already opening up the box, but X spoke up quick. “Mic, let’s move the table over. Probably easiest to play on the floor.”

My head nodded his way as I set the box on the floor near my feet first, then stood up and walked over to grab one end of the coffee table near where Jade and Ci sat, while X grabbed the other end on his side with Eve. We lifted it easily, moving it back closer to the TV before we both took our seats again, but on the floor, and everyone migrated from the couches to join us.

Before Eve could continue, I leaned over to Ryk, whispering, “Do you get it so far?” And he quickly nodded, giving me another smile that just made me inch a little closer to him. Not too close… but definitely closer.

“Alright,” E carried on, “now, we’ll change Card Czar’s each round, going clockwise. And whoever wins the round gets to keep the black card; these are referred to as Awesome Points. Fifteen cards or Awesome Points is our winner.”

Usually, it was around ten points to win, so I was already dreading the twists this woman was about to throw our way.

“Every time you play a white card, you’ll draw another from the stack right after you set your play facedown, and some black cards require two or three cards played. For these, we’ll have the Card Czar close their eyes and place our multiple cards face down right in front of them in individual stacks, with our first card on the bottom, then second, and potentially a third card on top so they’re read in order… but here are the few twists:

“ Gambling: If a black card winner is selected, you can wager one Awesome Point to choose another white card from your hand and play it if you think you’ve got something better than what won, even if it’s the card you just drew to replenish your hand. And remember, always have ten cards on you. Draw immediately after placing down your play for the round.“

I already knew this twist alone was going to start some shit.

“ Take The Stand: If you don’t agree with the selection of the Card Czar, take the fucking stand . You got ten seconds to convince the Card Czar your pick is best. Fail to convince them, and you either lose an Awesome Point, or if you have none, you chug a beer.“

Oh yeah, this one was definitely starting some shit.

“ In God’s Hands : If you truly have no white cards worth a damn for the selected black card, send a prayer up and put shit in god’s hands. This means you draw one card from the white deck and put it in the play pile without looking at it. If the card is the selected winner by the Card Czar, you get to steal two Awesome Points from someone else, or force them to chug two beers. Your choice. Card loses and you face the same punishment, but it’s determined by the Card Czar- awesome points, or two beers.“

Alright, now Eve just wanted to instigate an all-out brawl .

“Because Ci’s not a fan of betting, money’s not at stake here… but whoever wins fifteen Awesome Points will have a favour owed by each of us here in this room, to be cashed in before the New Year. So may your lack of humanity be ever in your favour, and for the good of your mental health, make damn sure Mickey doesn’t win.”

That got a good fucking laugh out of everyone, including Ryk, but I cut in with a, “Hey now, I’m a strict but fair winner.”

“Save your cunning lies for the game, Mic,” Eve shot back, making both her and I crack a large grin.

Ryk leaned over a bit while the rest laughed, to whisper, “What does Eve mean by lack of humanity?”

But I just whispered back to him, “You’ll see. Now, why don’t you dazzle me a little with being our shuffler for the night?” I asked, handing him a stack of white cards, and Ryk looked hesitant as all hell, but he took them. Then I set down two more white stacks for him to shuffle after, and created three stacks of black cards for me to shuffle. Plan was to keep both a white and a black stack in front of each pair sitting here, so we didn’t have to reach across the floor to draw another card.

“Alright,” I spoke up this time. “Dates of the last time you got in trouble with the law this year. Ci, you start. We’ll go clockwise.”

“ Mickey ,“ Ci muttered, clearly unamused. I already knew her date, so I just looked over and gave her a quick smirk before shuffling up the first stack of black cards. “Mine’s, um… well, October 20th. Warning for expired tabs.”

“October 20th, alright,” Eve repeated back to the group. “Jade? Can you beat that?”

“November 8th. Permit issues with the shop,” Jade spoke up simply, and I watched Ci turn to her fast with a slight smile both those women quickly shared.

Ryk was just doing a casual overhand shuffle like I was because I knew he was a bit nervous and didn’t want to draw any attention to himself, but that was okay. He’d hopefully get a little more comfortable as time went on tonight, because I wanted to see more of his advanced shuffles. Then he started making six small stacks out in front of him for all of us- stacks we’d use as our hand- that I’d help pass out.

“Got it, Jade. Xavier, I know you can’t beat that, and my last run-in was October 1st, so Ryk, can you beat November 8th?”

I glanced over at Ryk, and he glanced up at Eve for a sec, before shaking his head no. Eve nodded and looked over to me next.

“Nope,” I replied. “Looks like Jade’s up first.” Then I passed a stack of white and a stack of black cards to the two pairs, leaving the last two for Ryk and me right in front of us. This sexy fucker had swiftly dealt six stacks of ten cards for each hand, so I helped pass those out next… and the game got started.

Ryk had an instant grin on his face as soon as he looked at his ten cards.

That’s when I knew that he and I were cookin with fucking gas.

“Okay, first question: What is Batman’s guilty pleasure? “ Jade asked after flipping the card she drew over and read it out loud. We all immediately locked the fuck in, looking at our hands for our selection.

To my surprise, however, Ryk set his card facedown first on the carpet, right out in front of us.

Eve was next, plucking her card out of her fanned hand and setting it on top of Ryk’s. Then I was quick to draw mine after and set it down. Xavier followed right behind me, passing his card facedown to Eve so she could set it down for him, and finally, Ci went last, handing it over for me to place facedown.

I collected all the played cards for round one and passed them to Ryk for a smooth shuffle. He started to move to set his beer on the side table for more mobility, but I reached for it instead to hold for him, balancing it between my crossed legs where I already had mine.

Would’ve risked placing them on the carpet, but he and I were pretty much the card dealers for the night since we were sitting in the middle, and I didn’t want either of us knocking shit over.

After a quick but thorough shuffle, he passed the small stack back, and I handed it to Ci to hand to Jade before giving Ryk his beer back. Then we all drew another white card and turned back to Jade- our Card Czar- to have her lead us through round one.

“Alright. What is Batman’s guilty pleasure? We’ve got… Self-loathing … okay, now that one’s deep cause I can definitely see that. Half -” Jade cut herself off, chuckling a bit before continuing, “… Half-ass foreplay -”

Everyone fucking cackled at that, with Eve choking on her sip of beer, not expecting that shit at all. The juxtaposition between those two answers alone were actually insane.

“ Jesus fucking Christ, okay, we got… Bitches -“ Jade continued, looking at the next card, but we all had to take a second at that one, trying to collect ourselves. “ My god , alright, then there’s… Powerful thighs

• Eve, I already know this one’s yours,“ Jade laughed, joining in with the rest of us but Eve just smirked because I knew this woman was ready to go to war if that was her card. “And last but not least, De -”

Then Jade stopped dead in her tracks while starting to read that card, clasping her hand over her mouth like she was about to summon the devil with her words.

And that shit had everyone at the edge of their fucking seats as we stared at this dark-haired woman, waiting for her to read the last card.

“ Jesus

• okay, I have one rule I’d like to put into play,“ Jade said suddenly, looking around to see how we felt about another switch up, and we all eventually nodded. “I’m calling it Hot Seat: If there are two cards the Card Czar can’t decide on, they’ll invoke a debate between the card owners. I want to hear each of your explanations before I decide a winner on this one. What do we think ab-”

“Fucking love it,” Eve shot out fast as hell, and the rest of us immediately nodded.

“Okay, Self-loathing card owner, explain your choice,” Jade declared.

And I was quick to speak up. “That’s mine. He’s relentless and damn near suicidal at times. believes that he’s as bad as the criminals he hunts down. Don’t know too much about the comics and shit, but I know he’s got some internal conflict,” I explained.

Jade nodded slow at that, agreeing with my explanation… then she continued with, “This card owner knows what the last card is, so go ahead and explain it… Dead parents .”

And that shit made me audibly gasp a bit, cause goddamn . I started looking around the room, but the person who answered was someone I did not expect.

“Uh…” Ryk started, drawing everyone’s attention directly to him while he was just finishing up a sip of his beer. “Well, it’s definitely a shock value card… but it’s-… I’d say it’s his driving factor, right? He feels survivor’s guilt. It drives his entire existence, really. Guilty pleasure in the sense that he feels guilty it took something so devastating to make him achieve such greatness. To have him be what Gotham needs- cleaning up the city… and shit. He hates what he is and why he is, but he knows that event had to happen to become who he is. Double-edged sword.”

And Jade just looked at Ryk a sec. Hell, we all fucking did… before I finally said, “touché. Overarching theme- damn near a double-entendre . Give this fucker his well-earned card.” But Jade was already sliding that shit right on over, across the carpet for Ryk to collect.

“Alright, Ryk, you’re in the lead…” Eve announced with a growing smile, “but just remember if you win and collect on that favour after all this is said and done, I was really the one who knew you’d wipe the floor with Arlo-”

“No manipulation tactics, Eve,” I cut this woman off as we all chuckled. X was our next Card Czar in this rotation for round two. And while he carefully selected his black card from the stack in front of him and Eve, I couldn’t help but lean over again, whispering to Ryker, “That fucking mind of yours, Ryk… I absolutely love that shit .”

And Ryk’s face got about 40 shades redder, but he mumbled the cutest, rapsy ‘thank you’ before I forced myself to lean away so I wouldn’t do anything too fucking crazy- like kiss him-, and the second round went into play.

“Alright,” Xavier spoke, pulling our attention in. “Card reads: It’s a pity these days that all the kids are getting involved with _________. “

And we each immediately started rifling through our cards… except for me, I set my card down damn near instantly. Probably earned a place in hell for it, too, but I’d argue my choice when judgment day came around. Plus, I was almost certain that hell had the best cake.

Ryk set his down next with Eve right behind him, then Jade, then Ci.

I gathered up the cards next and handed them to Ryk for a shuffle, then he passed them over to Eve to give to X, then we all replenished our hand.

“Let’s see… It’s a pity these days that all the kids are getting involved with … A narc …”

That had us all laughing, because besides Ci, it probably tracked for everyone else here.

“Next up… The patriarchy …” and that got some solid head nods, as did X’s follow up, which was, “ An unwanted pregnancy. “

Everyone in this fucking room agreed with that one.

“… Cocaine for lunch, “ he continued, which made us bust out laughing, but when I glanced at Ryk, he gave me a slight glance and my smile widened fast as shit. That card was definitely for me, and at this point, I wanted to tell everyone to go the fuck to bed so I could have some serious alone time with him.

I swear I was about to get us a hotel room for the night if he kept this shit up- kept playing this game like this.

“And the last one is… Jesus fucking Christ ,” X muttered, staring at the last card. “Alright, whoever put this card down wins it, but I just wanna let you know you’re going straight to fucking hell.”

“Come on, X,” I urged, “share with the class .” And I made sure to put some emphasis on that last word.

“Mic,” X looked at me in utter disbelief. “Your mind needs to be studied, I’m not fucking joking… It’s a pity these days that the kids are getting involved with

an AR-15 Assault Rifle

. “

And the gasps were absolutely more than audible, but I just reached over with a crab hand, saying, “Gimme that shit, X. It’s Cards Against Humanity, not For It,” and snatched that card up.

“Hell,” he reminded me, trying to stifle a fucking laugh, as was everyone else here in this living room as they fought for their lives to still keep their place in heaven.

“I hear that’s where the company’s at,” I shot back, and the fucking cackle Ryk tried but failed to muffle was what really did me in as I gave him a wild grin.

“Damn it, Xavier,” Eve mumbled, doing her damn best to hide her fucking grin.

Ryk and I taking the first two rounds just felt right, I couldn’t help thinking.

But Eve was up next as the Card Czar… so my next play would have to be even more lethal.

“Alright!” E exclaimed, clasping her hands together before meticulously picking a black card from the stack near her, then flipping it up to read. “ What makes life worth living? “

Ci and Jade were quick as hell to slap their cards facedown and slide them over. I moved them closer to Ryk, but Ryk and I took a sec with our own picks. My hand wasn’t smooth enough to play, and Eve was too tricky to pick without thinking. This gorgeous fucker sitting beside me seemed to think so, too, because Xavier was next to get his card down before Ryk and I finally placed ours in the pile.

Ryk set his hand face down, did a quick shuffle on the cards played, and passed them over to Eve a second later. Then we all replenished our hand again.

“Let’s see what we’re working with here,” this green-haired woman grinned, accepting the plays. “ What makes life worth living … so we’ve got… However much $20 worth of weed can buy -“

Everyone chuckled at that shit; it was valid for sure .

“… Birth control …” Eve continued, turning those chuckles into laughs because that was also very fucking valid. “… 50 mg of Zoloft daily -”

Alright, that shit made those laughs hearty, which had me perking up a bit. It was my card, but I was hesitant as shit that I played it too soon.

“Aaand… ooh… okay, shit-”

Eve paused, reading the last two cards in her head while we all focused in.

“For these next two, I’m invoking Hot Seat. Last two cards are Nicholas Cage , and The female orgasm . Nick Cage card owner, floor’s yours.”

“Shit,” Ci muttered immediately, forcing a good laugh out of Ryk and me. “Alright, so… not only has he gone bankrupt a few times, he’s managed to purchase a dinosaur skull which he had to return to the Mongolian government, bought a pyramid tomb in New Orleans, and owns a pet octopus to help with his acting. He isn’t just a national treasure or in The National Treasure. He is our nation’s treasure.” Ci concluded her argument, and beyond just the low, impressed chuckles from me, Ryk, and X, it was the hyena cackle from Eve that did it.

“Alright, alright, alright, who had The female orgasm ?”

“That would be me,” Jade replied, “and I don’t think it needs an explanation… but Pris’s passion won me over so I’m bowing out of this one.” And Eve chuckled, nodding hard.

“Aight, Ci, Nicky saved ya this time. I bestow upon thee one Awesome Point.” Then Eve crawled across the carpet a bit to deliver the black card to CiCi herself. “And I’m adding a rule to the Hot Seat. If you bow out or can’t defend your card to victory, you either lose an Awesome Point or chug a beer. So no more pussying out,” she added.

Shit, couldn’t help but laugh at that as we all nodded.

I had no plans of backing down. Especially if I had the chance to debate Ryk again…

Because there was no one else I wanted to hear from more tonight than him.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/c2065e75c75655dc342f220de108f8744671ce31/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f474961396f4249764f51376259513d3d2d313631313030353030372e313839366238663337323561616633663838343532343332323734392e706e67)

64. One, Two, Three, Four… I Éclair A Game War

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Also

I just posted

my Updates book

called Enjoy, Lovelies - XOXO

so check that intro chapter out, and I’ll be posting a new update on those two stories for the contest I’m entering

!

Fuck.

I was up next.

“Uh… okay,” I slowly nodded, reaching for and picking up a black card from the stack in front of Mickey and me. “So the card reads: Old MacDonald had ___________ E-I-E-I-O. “

And I immediately heard some ooo’s from everyone as their heads snapped down to their cards, just deep in concentration.

This game was actually fucking hilarious, and Mickey had been right. I now knew exactly why it was called Cards Against Humanity. I was just feeling a little pressure because this was my first time being the Card Czar, and I didn’t want to pick wrong or some shit.

Then that pressure only intensified when everyone on this living room floor slapped their card down at the exact same time, like some shared fucking telepathy, and grabbed another white card to get their hand back up to ten.

Mickey and Eve were quick to help me gather them all, then Mickey did an easy overhand shuffle before passing the cards over for my judgment.

“Just choose what makes you laugh,” Mickey murmured very low, just to me, and I smiled, nodding as I started looking at the plays.

“Okay, so… Old MacDonald had ___________ E-I-E-I-O . First up is… Hospice care -”

That had us all cracking the fuck up, absolutely getting rid of all my nerves once I realized just how confident everyone had been in their selection this round. There wasn’t really a wrong answer… just whatever I found funny.

“Okay, okay,” I took a breath in, sliding that card to the back before reading the next one off. “… Old MacDonald had… Alcoholism -”

“ Jesus ,“ Eve cackled, leading us all in another round of laughs. “No-… no way any of us are making it to heaven after this round,” she added between shorter breaths.

Now I was really fucking understanding the confidence of all of them for this round.

“Okay-” I took another deep breath in, not even sure if I was ready for the next three cards. “ Old MacDonald had… Erectile dysfunction -“

I couldn’t muffle my own cackle as Mickey and I threw our heads back a bit on the couch behind us. “Fucking hell,” Jade chuckled harder, while Ci’s face turned a bit more flushed by how hard she was desperately trying not to laugh. She was definitely fighting the hardest for her place above the clouds.

“Okay, okay, okay,” I tried steering myself, and I guess everyone else, back on course here. “Next up is… Crippling debt …”

“Okay, yeah, no, I can definitely see that,” Mickey nodded more to himself as the rest of us agreed, then he started finishing off the rest of his beer. “And the last card is… Slaves, “ I concluded, not fucking reading ahead at all .

And that shit just about killed everyone in this room.

Ci and Mickey almost spat out their beer. Eve started choking on the olive she’d just shoved in her mouth. Jade simply put her hand up, needing a moment to process that one. And I almost dropped these freaking cards when I tried to muffle the damn near screech that erupted from my own throat.

The only person who didn’t have the most intense, immediate response was Xavier. And after I tried to get a handle on my lungs, I reached forward and just stretched the black card out to him knowingly, which he accepted with a wide grin.

“I love it when you remind me why I keep you around,” Eve whispered to X, grinning wide, and he leaned over to give her temple a quick kiss before whispering something in her right ear that made her slap his thigh playfully.

No idea what it was he said, but their dynamic was really sweet…

Except I was reminded how much of a devil this woman apparently was, according to Mickey, by her next choice of words.

“I think we’re all a little too sharp still. I say we all take a shot. Still got the Hennessy, Ci?”

CiCi quickly shook her head no. “I think I gave it to Arlo sometime after I got back from France. It was only here that long because you brought it over and never took it home,” CiCi reminded Eve, making the green-haired woman chuckle.

“Shit, you’re right.”

“I brought a large bottle of El Presidente for the sangria,” Jade chimed in. “Only need about a cup of it so we can crack that open, and if you’re all cool for a quick break, I can make the sangria now so it sits in the fridge for tomorrow. It’s best that way.”

Eve immediately nodded, solidifying these new plans as we all started setting our cards facedown next to us on the carpet.

“Perfect timing, actually, Jade. Gotta take the turkey out the brine to dry out in the fridge overnight,” Mickey added, which just about confirmed this short little break was necessary. Everyone pulled themselves up onto their feet, headed for the kitchen, but Mickey and I lingered in the living room just a bit longer.

“ Fuck, I’m hot as hell right now ,“ he muttered to me. I finished my beer quick and turned to my right to reach down and grab the empty bag of rice cake snacks off the floor, but Mickey was faster- his reach definitely longer- as his hand shot right past mine from behind me and picked it up.

“Th-Thanks,” I muttered a bit shyly when I turned back to face him again.

Shit- he was closer than I thought.

“You’re a bit warm too, aren’t you?” He asked in a quieter voice while plucking my empty beer bottle right out of my hand. I slowly nodded up at him. “You don’t have to take a shot if you don’t want to,” he added seriously.

“It’s cool,” I replied. My nerves had just about cancelled out even a remote buzz the first beer of the night might’ve given me.

Mickey nodded eventually. “After we’re done in the kitchen, I’ll turn the fireplace down a bit. Sound good?”

I nodded quicker this time, and with a smile, but when I started turning around again so we could head to the kitchen, Mickey reached out for the bottom of his sweatshirt I was wearing and tugged me back a bit. “You having fun?” He checked in, and my smile widened to a grin.

“Yeah, this shit is so much better than a movie,” I assured this sweet shithead.

“Good,” he nodded, grinning himself at that before finally letting me go, and we made our way out of the living room to join the rest, where CiCi was already pulling out shot glasses from the cupboard while Eve got the Brandy bottle open at one end of the kitchen island, closest to the dining area.

Xavier stood behind her, his hands comfortably on her hips, and Jade joined CiCi in the kitchen to start rounding up the fruit on the stone island, but as soon as CiCi set enough shot glasses down, the woman dressed head to toe in black gestured for her to take a seat at one of the two barstools across the island, the side closer to the living room.

“Go grab a seat next to Ci. I’ll get started on this stupid fucking bird,” Mickey ordered low near my ear from behind me, and I felt his hand on my lower back for a moment, which made me smile as I walked over to join CiCi.

I tried to move the barstool just a bit further to the left, closer to the fridge, without her noticing, but the older woman just gave me a warm smile, not minding at all.

She was definitely used to me keeping a bit of space by now.

Mickey joined Jade in the kitchen, tossing the trash in a bin in one of the pull-out drawer things under the back counter, then removed the big ass turkey from the fridge. It was submerged in some sort of liquid- in a clear, plastic, ziplock bag, sitting on a metal tray- and this baker moved it over to the sink, then started washing his hands.

Guess that was the brine , I thought to myself while getting comfortable on the wooden barstool.

Eve didn’t waste a single fucking second to pour those shots as she suddenly started singing. “Drink up me’earties, yo h-”

“ Absolutely fucking not, “ Mic and Xavier cut her off quick as hell.

“Ci?” Xavier looked over at the older woman who was sliding off the barstool equally as fast.

“Already on it,” Ci assured him while she started heading back towards the living room. “Any preference on music?” She then called out behind her to the rest of us.

“Whatever you want,” Xavier answered, pulling the now-frowning Eve closer to him as she finished filling the shot glasses damn near to the brim.

“You fuckers just don’t want me to be great,” the tall, green-haired woman muttered right after.

“No,” Mickey replied as he transferred the turkey to the pan after lining it with a shit ton of paper towels. “We’re saving our ears a night of misery, and our livers a lifetime of irreversible damage.”

“You worry too much,” Eve tried to argue.

“And you don’t worry enough,” Mickey shot back, making us all chuckle. I watched him pick up the tray with the massive turkey like it weighed nothing, and at first I thought he was going to set it down near Jade, but he walked it over to the end of the kitchen island closest to the fridge, right next to me, and set it down there, giving me a quick smile when I caught his eye.

Some music started playing from the living room, which had me turning my head back to see that CiCi had turned on the TV and started a playlist. Honestly, the text was too small to read from here, especially with my shit eyesight, but the playlist sounded like some RnB or something.

Then CiCi started making her way back to the barstool, and I turned to see that Mickey had somehow pulled like ten bottles of water out of thin air and was passing them out.

He’d already placed one in front of me and one next to the turkey for him, then he set one down for Jade near the fruit she was transferring into a glass bowl to wash, set one-… wait, tw-… thr-… okay, four bottles down for Eve. Then one for Xavier, and two for CiCi.

Eve didn’t even bat an eye; she just started handing out shots, so I guess this was normal?

First, Eve set two shots aside for her and Xavier, then placed one near Jade, and finally slid three more CiCi’s way once she was back on the barstool, which CiCi passed two down to me, and I gave one to Mickey.

This baker looked less than amused, but he still accepted it.

Then Eve picked up a shot to hand to Xavier behind her, and she had us all raise ours into the air.

“Cheers to the minimal worries and liver transplants in the near distant future,” this green-haired woman proclaimed, and we all followed suit, cheersing to that insane shit then throwing the shot back.

Now I wasn’t too crazy about brandy. And it was pretty hard for me not to show my disgust at the taste, which made Mickey chuckle a little beside me once he set his shot glass down and started patting the turkey dry with more paper towels like his life depended on it.

“Shitty, right?” I heard him whisper when my eyes found his. I had tried to ignore those eyes best I could. Ignore his whole goddamn face tonight, because he kept doing shit that had my body in total chaos.

Like how much more forward he was getting around me in front of others.

I did my best not to push him about us telling anyone. It would’ve been hypocritical as shit considering I hid my sexuality from my dad for years, and wouldn’t have fucking dreamed of ever being openly gay about a month ago… but now so much had happened since, and now my dad already knew, so it just sort of felt a bit liberating not giving a damn.

Plus, seeing Eve and Xavier together tonight made me want this dick standing beside me to reach for my hand every once in a while, or squeeze my thigh when he wanted.

So the fact that we had managed to get comfortable enough in front of Eve and Xavier felt good. Still thought Mickey was fucking weird about his insistence on feeding me, but whatever. He really liked it, and I’ve probably done less hygienic shit in my past, especially when I was drinking more.

“Sure as fuck isn’t soju,” I muttered, cringing again at the lingering taste. But that seemed to flip Mickey’s irritation right around because he gave me one beautiful smile that had me looking back down at the turkey he was patting.

“I feel like we’ve got to keep the bullshitting going or we’ll all start talking about work,” Eve continued to the group. And usually, I found whatever shit she said to be ridiculously funny, but this had some truth to it. “Let’s play a game that doesn’t involve equipment since Mickey and Jade have their hands tied. Any suggestions?”

We all sat with that shit for a sec. I didn’t really have anything because these types of nights weren’t what I was used to. Back then, drinking was just coupled with shit-talking or something. Stupid topics. Random music. Definitely not enough snacks or food to soak up the liquor.

“We could play Never Have I Ever, but I doubt some of you will answer truthfully,” CiCi joked, opening up her bottle of water while I reached for mine. Mickey cut a sharp glance over at Eve before pointing to one of the four bottles of water near her, and she reluctantly cracked the seal open on it to appease him.

I liked how he really wasn’t fucking around about hydration. But this was also the first time I was sort of seeing everyone get progressively more tipsy.

Ci’s face was a bit more flushed from the shot, and Jade would glance up at her every once in a while as she started cutting up the fruit she rinsed, on a chopping board she grabbed from the back counter. Then she’d try to hide a small smile.

Jade definitely wasn’t anywhere near drunk. And neither was X, Mickey, or even me. It was really hard to tell with Eve because her personality was just different when she was in work mode at the cafe and when she wasn’t. I already saw that at the after-work staff meeting a few weeks ago.

“Twenty Questions?” Jade suggested in her calm, smooth tone.

Eve shook her head no. “Mic’ll pull some shit out his ass like the exosphere or some bullshit, and now we’re 100 questions deep and nowhere near closer to guessing it.”

“I’ll pick easy,” Mickey suggested with a grin, making me smile a little again. Reminded me of the shit he said about Secret Santa. This fucker was clearly smart, but he liked letting others have fun. He didn’t push that big ass brain of his on them unless it actually benefited him. And it pretty much always involved money.

“Alright, how about we start with some easy Never Have I Ever questions. And if we run out of ones that aren’t incriminating, we’ll move to Twenty Questions,” CiCi suggested. That seemed to have us all nodding.

“You’ll take a shot if-”

“Absolutely not,” Mickey cut in before Eve could even finish that sentence.

“Okay, okay, how bout this: take a sip of beer if you’ve done it, take two sips of beer if you haven’t,” Eve offered.

“Counter offer,” Mickey replied, “take a sip of some goddamn water if you’ve done it, take a sip of beer if you haven’t.”

“Fine,” Eve grumbled. “But if you’ve done five things in a row, or haven’t done five things in a row, you’ve gotta take a shot. I’ll keep count.”

“Of course you fucking will,” Mickey sighed, more disappointed, I think, in the fact that Eve would actually keep count. And she was better than me cause I’d probably lose count of my own answers in a heartbeat.

Hell, I was still trying to remember the ’ water if I’ve done it, beer if I haven’t’ thing.

“Perfect! Sip of water if you’ve done it, sip of beer if you haven’t,” Eve added, like she could read my damn mind or something. “We’ll all take turns asking a question so y’all don’t think I’m fucking riggin’ it.”

“Eve, we’ll think that anyway,” Xavier muttered sweetly near her ear before letting go of her hip to grab his own bottle of water.

I couldn’t explain the vibe between Xavier and Mickey, but they must’ve really seen some shit with this group because they had some trauma behind those eyes of theirs, and Xavier made sure to nudge that water bottle right into Eve’s hand after he took a sip so she could take one before we even started.

“Alright,” she sighed, swallowing, then setting the bottle. “I’ll grab the beers first.”

“I got em,” Xavier replied, letting go of Eve to head to the fridge, and Mickey stepped a bit closer to me so the big guy had the space to pull the large door all the way back.

“Looks like you’re getting a preview of the holiday party,” this baker said, whispering once we locked eyes again.

“Seems like it’ll be fun,” I replied with a smile.

The shot of that brandy was definitely felt. Not in a drunk way, but this sweatshirt was going to be the death of me, and I honestly decided I’d have to say fuck it somewhere during the night and change.

I didn’t really want the attention, but I also didn’t think this group would care much. Now, as for Mickey? Yeah, he’d probably have to commit to that turtleneck he had on, which looked so fucking good on him it was criminal . CiCi would probably have some questions if she saw his neck. Eve would probably put him on the stand, demanding that this baker explain himself.

Xavier grabbed six more chilled beers for everyone, cracked them all open, and walked around, setting each glass bottle down near us since we’d all finished our last round or rounds. Then Eve got us started, with that bottle of Brandy ready on standby.

“Never have I ever been awake for two days straight.”

Eve, Xavier, and Jade all took a sip of water, but CiCi, Mickey, and I all drank a sip from our cold beer.

“Explain,” Eve demanded to the lot of us on her left side.

“My brain would be fried,” CiCi answered easily.

“Um…” I started trying to think of something. “I just like sleep. And never got into shit like coke.”

That made some hearty chuckles ring out, which had me smiling… even though I was dead serious. Seeing my dad on that shit made me never want to touch it.

“I don’t have to explain myself,” was all Mickey said, making my smile just turn a bit fucking cheesy, and I couldn’t help but stretch my left leg out a little, brushing my sock-covered foot against his jeans lightly.

But when Mickey’s eyes snapped to me, looking anything but fucking safe, I retracted that foot immediately.

I sure as shit wasn’t looking to start something now, and Mickey sure as shit looked ready to end it, whether that was right here, upstairs, or wherever .

“K, Ci. You’re up,” Eve continued, just rolling right over this baker’s comment.

“Shoot, okay… Never have I ever… been blackout wasted.”

Everyone took a sip of water at this kitchen island, except Mickey.

My eyes grew a bit wider as I whispered, “Seriously?”

But Mickey just shrugged. “Not safe for my line of work. And never felt like drinking to that extent.”

His voice was low, but I still felt my face getting a bit more flushed, and I had to look away because I didn’t expect that honesty from him so fast.

God fucking damnit , I thought to myself. He was just making me feel even warmer than the brandy already was.

“I won’t even ask, Mic. At least you’re playing the game,” Eve chuckled, but then I had to get my shit together because I hadn’t brainstormed a single question for this.

“Uh… okay…” I ran through some options here, just trying to think. “Never have I ever… been in an open relationship?”

That seemed to surprise a few. And seemed to split the room a bit on who had and hadn’t. I took a sip of beer, obviously- this was my first actual relationship after all-, but Mickey took a sip of water. Jade also took a sip of water, along with Eve, but Xavier took a sip of beer, and finally, Ci took a sip of water.

This was definitely not how I thought this round would go.

Especially for our lover girl Pricilla.

I didn’t care too much about Mickey’s answer, though. I already knew that his previous relationships had been… something .

And Xavier seemed unfazed about Eve’s answer, but it was Jade who spoke up first. “College days. Not really my vibe, anyone.”

CiCi was quick to follow up with, “not mine either- not anymore,” and that seemed to clear up whatever tension those two had there.

See, this was why I didn’t trust myself to ask shit like this. Or speak in general. But Eve just shot me a grin, saying, “Now this is what I wanna seee! You’re a natural, Ryk, and you’re up nex,t Mic.”

Was it bad that I was taking this goddess of destruction’s compliment as the highest praise?

Probably.

Shit still had me smiling, though.

“Alright,” Mickey spoke up, “Never have I ever been robbed.”

He and Xavier easily took a sip of beer, which honestly stunned me a little… but also turned me on a little. Jade took a sip of water along with Ci and me, while Eve took a sip of beer, muttering, “got a brick for a bitch who tries it.”

But the bottle of water barely touched my lips when Mickey leaned over and demanded in a whisper, “Who?”

I damn near rolled my eyes, whispering back, “I’ll explain later.”

It honestly wasn’t even worth tripping up about. I’d been to a few parties where I woke up missing cash, but that was my own fault. Got too drunk or whatever.

“When the hell did you get robbed?” Eve asked Jade.

The chill woman just shrugged as she finished slicing the first lemon to put into another bowl she had grabbed from the back counter. “Eons ago. Some of Dino’s shit friends, but I handled it.”

Now I wasn’t sure what ‘handled’ meant, but not a soul in this kitchen pressed it further, so I sure as shit didn’t even have the thought to.

“Let’s see,” Jade continued casually, “Never have I ever been kicked out of a bar.”

Jade took a sip of her beer along with Mickey and me- bars weren’t my speed, even with the fake ID I had- but Eve, CiCi, and Xavier took a sip of their water.

Xavier was first to explain, saying, “Years ago. Bar fight with old friends.”

Then we all looked at CiCi and Eve. “A close friend punched the goddamn bartender,” CiCi explained.

“I was the close friend. And the fucker was a dick,” Eve added, making my eyes widen at that shit while the rest of the guys broke into laughter.

These two women seemed to go way back- CiCi and Eve. Then I remembered the Hennessy bottle that was supposedly left here by Eve, and the way Eve had made herself comfortable at CiCi’s tonight in about a nanosecond. It all made sense.

“Xav, babe, you’re up,” Eve grinned as Xavier wrapped his massive arms around her waist. These two had to be descendants of giants or something, yet both their height complimented each other really well.

“Never have I ever snooped through my partner’s phone,” Xavier spoke, but he was already reaching for his bottle of water, adding, “Eve’s addicted to gaming apps. Someone’s gotta hold her accountable.” I couldn’t help but chuckle as I took a sip of beer. No way I’d even think of doing that shit with Mickey, considering everything I knew about him, but he took a sip of water, which honestly didn’t surprise me.

Something told me it had nothing to do with cheating, especially considering one of his exes was in jail.

CiCi also took a sip of water, jutting out quick as hell, “shitty men in the past, but I’m too old for that now.”

Jade also took a sip of water, saying, “turned their location off. Not a fan of that shit.”

And finally, Eve sipped her beer. But I was really starting to understand why Mickey and Xavier reacted the way they did, weighed down by her inflicted trauma, because I saw her reach for that bottle of brandy again.

“E, no one’s reached five in a row yet,” Mickey shot out quickly, surprising the complete hell out of me that he was also keeping track.

“Did I say that? My bad. I meant a shot every five rounds,” she grinned, making Mickey and Xavier groan. “Listen, we’ll all do a shot, then we’ll chug whatever’s left of our first bottle of water, and it’ll all even itself out.”

Everyone else here gave her a look, but it was Mickey who felt bold enough to say, “You’re chugging an extra full bottle, E. I’m not dealing with you hungover tomorrow.”

And this green-haired devil grinned as she nodded, then started walking around to fill our shot glasses up again.

“Doing alright?” Mickey whispered to me suddenly, and I turned to look back up at him while he continued drying out the skin of this bird.

“Yeah. Nowhere near drunk. Just feeling warm.”

Mickey nodded with a smile. “After this shot, we’ll head upstairs to my old room. I’ll find you something else to wear.”

And though the offer seemed innocent- sweet even… those intense eyes of his as they slowly fell from mine to my lips suggested fucking otherwise.

••

65. You Bake Me Crazy

Enjoy, lovelies!

xox

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Eve was definitely trying to put us all in a goddamn hospital.

Or an early grave at this rate…

But immediately after we took that last shot, I called an intermission, letting this lot of heathens know that I was going to get Ryk something to change into, then I washed my hands, and told this beautiful fucker to follow me.

At the rate E was having us drink, I wanted to make sure he at least wouldn’t pass out from the heat or something- Ci always kept a home too warm even without the alcohol making it worse.

I also made a note to just shut off the fireplace once we got back downstairs because Eve had already started pulling her hoodie off before Ryk and I turned the corner to head up the rest of the long staircase.

“I can’t believe you’ve been keeping score,” was the first thing Ryk mumbled from right behind me.

“Yeah, but I lied back there. Xavier’s round was technically round six. Said round five because whenever Eve starts off any game, the first round is always a throwaway, and CiCi definitely had five yeses in a row, not including Eve’s first round. I’m just trying not to get Ci shitfaced because she and I will be up the earliest tomorrow morning,” I explained.

But that all went out the window when Eve enacted a round of shots every five rounds.

“Oh. Got it…” He replied quietly. “This home is dope,” Ryk then mumbled to himself, and I just smiled as I forced him to keep my pace because I already knew we had to be quick. Hell, I didn’t even know what the fuck I was about to pull from my closet. I hadn’t actually dug in there for ages.

But Ryk kept the pace up the many steps just fine, and soon enough, we were on the second floor. It was a simple corridor with two storage closets and a bathroom on the far right end, and two more doors that had my bedroom and Ci’s to the left.

“These paintings CiCi has- they’re all really beautiful.” Ryk was admiring all the framed artwork in this hallway, but I’d been so used to seeing them that I forgot the hall was practically an art museum, lit by the warm light overhead.

“Thanks,” I replied, leading us to my bedroom on the far end, which was right above the dining room area on the first floor, but I slowed when I felt Ryk grab my arm over the long sleeve. “What’s up?” I asked, turning back to him slightly.

“You… painted these?” He asked, gesturing to some still-life paintings Ci insisted on keeping through the years. I didn’t give a shit about flowers, but they were fun to paint.

“The ones in this hallway? Yeah. Ci picked up the ones on the first floor from her travels.” At this point, I should’ve been planning an intervention for the older woman because she had even more in the storage closets just down the hall. “I’d never fucking let her put my shit up down there. She begged for weeks to let her frame these.”

“But…” Ryk muttered, taking a closer look at the painting of some sunflowers- Ci’s favorite flower- while his left hand was still latched onto my right arm. “The year painted in the corner… you would’ve been in…”

“High school, yes, now let’s go , Ryk, we gotta hurry. You can look at all this shit all day tomorrow if you want,” I snapped, before dragging this fucker along again. Yet I could see a smile on his lips as he accepted that. If this shithead wanted a whole goddamn tour tomorrow, we could do it then.

Right now, I wanted him shirtless and his lips on mine.

Once I finally got my bedroom door open and overlight head on, dimming it with the dial, I was swiftly reminded of the fact that I was in a serious relationship with one earnest fucking snooper.

“Ooooh,” Ryk cooed from behind me, taking in my nerdy bedroom. The whole goal here was to get this door closed, then get his lips on mine ASAP, with me determined to challenge myself on how much I could do in the little amount of time we had… but the fucking bastard managed to literally slip just out of reach, heading past my bed that was facing my closet, straight for my massive bookshelf at the farthest wall, right near my bedroom window.

“ Ryk ,“ I groaned, making sure my door was fully closed first, before damn near chasing after him.

“What’s this?” He asked, turning back to me as he pointed to a ball on a circular platform next to one of my bookends. It was sitting right in the very middle shelf.

“A levitating galaxy globe,” I replied. Ryk’s eyes grew wider up at me as I drew closer.

“… You’re fucking joking.”

“I’m not.”

“I want to see it,” he practically demanded in that raspy voice of his, which made me chuckle.

Shit. Alright, whatever . If this shithead wanted to snoop, I guess it was fine.

“I’ll show you it tomorrow. Now give me a kiss first, then you can look around all you want while I go figure out what the fuck you’re changing into.”

And Ryk happily obliged, turning almost fully to me and leaning up on his toes so he could wrap his hands around my neck and pull me down a bit, closing those beautiful eyes and bringing those perfectly soft lips to mine.

My arms instinctively pulled him in by his hips just as soon as I finally felt his full fucking lips against me, forcing my eyes closed, and the deep, guttural groan that erupted from my throat at this feverish feeling alone was one thousand percent fucking warranted.

I felt my hands tighten on his hips, pulling him in even closer, before just wrapping around to the small of his back so I could clench the warm material of this sweatshirt he was wearing as tight as I wanted- needed

• without me hurting him.

His lips were cold from the beer and water he’d been drinking, somehow cooling this scorching kiss- even if just a little- while his lips started to move from a gentle kiss to something far more fervent against mine, reminding me that this- that my insane fucking need to kiss and touch him again… it wasn’t one-sided.

And when I started backing us away from my bookshelf towards the edge of my bed as my lips moved against his harder, Ryk just tilted his head slightly, moaning right into the escalating kiss himself as he deepened it more. His warm tongue managed to slip past my lips, and I just-

… Fuck it.

Fuck it, fuck it, fuck it-

Both my hands released the bunched-up fabric of this sweatshirt and pulled away from his lower back, around to the front of his jeans, undoing that top button fast as fuck and yanking the zipper down even faster, all while my teeth gently tugged on that fucking tongue of his to tempt it in more.

I wanted to taste every single fucking part of him right now, and that alone was what had my heart starting to really show the fuck out with her erratic beating. My lungs were following not far behind with the sporadic breaths.

Everyone downstairs can fucking wait , I thought to myself, losing whatever self control I had left to push my right hand past his jeans and briefs…

But Ryk was the one who suddenly pulled away, breathless as all fucking hell, as he accidentally stumbled backwards a bit when taking a small step back, but my right hand pulled itself out of his jeans and slid around to his lower back so I could catch him.  “M-Mi-Mickey, h-hold up-” I heard him say while my eyes finally opened up to look down at this fucker, and his far more weighted ones looked up at me.

“They’ll live,” I tried to insist, damn near panting now from how badly I wanted this, but he quickly shook his head no.

“T-Touch… touch me like that and- a-and we’re not going back downstairs-” he tried to explain with that glorious fucking raspy voice and the heaviest of breathing, but all that fucking did was make my already hard dick even fucking harder because he looked so fucking perfect right now I didn’t know how to begin to control myself. “I-I don’t-… I don’t want CiCi to like- you know- this probably isn’t-”

“Y-You’re right,” I nodded, trying to get a handle on my own urges. Because he was. He was right. I still had to remind myself that CiCi was absolutely his boss. And she was my godmother. This would’ve been the worst-case scenario for her finding out we were dating.

Honestly, it was Ryk forcing that next step back that talked some more solid sense into both of us, because he looked like he was hanging on by a thread when his gaze dropped a bit to the lips he was just kissing, and he curled his bottom lip in just a fraction to bite down a little-

Mickey, get it the fuck together-

Seriously, reel it the hell in. Like right now.

“O-… Okay,” I tried again, as if it would miraculously make my dick soft or some shit. “Shirt-… a shirt- right, yeah, okay,” I nodded, still struggling with regulating both my heart and my damn lungs. My body had to turn me abruptly, otherwise I was legit screwed if I kept looking at this son of a bitch. I mean, my bed was right there .

Then I was equally reminded that it was the same bed X and Eve were sleeping on tonight. We couldn’t fuck it up. And the laundry room was on the first floor.

Probably would’ve been a bit fucking weird if Ryk showed up downstairs again in different pants, too…

… But I could swallow-

Mickey.

My mind snapped at me, shutting that whole thought down with its unforgiving harshness.

“… Motherfucker ,” I eventually muttered while I fully turned now to walk toward and open up my closet across from the end of my bed, glancing over my shoulder just one more time to see Ryk looking down as his more shakier hands zipped up and buttoned his jeans again, all while the most beautiful fucking smile spread across his face.

He was doing his best to contain it, but it just made me need the coldest fucking shower known to mankind right now.

Just drop me in a frozen lake at this point, I couldn’t help thinking as I forced my attention back on my closet.

Most of the shit in here probably needed to be donated. Everything was from high school, minus a few clothes I was too lazy to take to my new place. Ci said she could always mail them there if I wanted them, but considering I still visited here pretty often, it just all felt the farthest thing from pressing.

“W-What… What’s this thing? With all the metal rings?” Ryk asked. His voice was rough, way rougher than usual, but my mind kept chanting for me to hold it . To keep it together. And a chuckle slipped past my lips before I could even stop it, knowing exactly what he was referring to.

My bookshelf was honestly more gool gadgets and gizmos than it was books. Lots of mini sculptures or model replicas as well.

“Celestial Orbit perpetual motion sculpture,” I told him as I started sifting through the shirts and sweatshirts on hangers. I had first found a navy blue high-collar workout sweatshirt, similar to the one I was going to change Ryk out of, just without a quarter-zip, and I yanked this damn thick tutleneck off me to pull that on quick. This material was much more breathable.

“The fuck is that?” He asked me, but I just shook my head, grinning like an idiot at my clothes as this search continued.

“Solar System- the positioning of the planets. I’ll explain it in depth to you tomorrow.”

I could practically feel that head nod of his in my soul, before he answered, “Okay.” Then this fucker followed that up with, “And what’s this white spiral thing with like wire string things coming down? Looks like the base of a windmill.”

He had me fucking chuckling now, just going down that row on my bookshelf. I knew he was pointing, even with my back to him. “Leonardo da Vinci’s design for an aerial screw. It’s often regarded as a precursor to a modern helicopter.”

“Oh… holy shit,” I heard Ryk murmur, but I was trying desperately to keep my mind focused on finding something, and when I caught sight of one of my older workout shirts, I quickly reached for it. The style was actually similar to the shirt Ryk’s foot bled all over weeks ago, but this one had a loose high neck, sort of like the quarter-zip he was in, and a hood, with the material being thin and breathable, just like what I was now wearing. “Wait- why does your clock look like that? “

I grabbed the shirt off the hanger in the closet, then turned around to walk over and join Ryk, standing right behind him, so we both could stare up at the clock he was pointing to above my bookshelf.

“Where the hell are the numbers?” He demanded, while my hands reached around him toward his neck, tugging the zipper of the sweatshirt he was wearing all the way down.

“There’s a bunch of numbers,” I countered, then I dropped my hands to the hem of the sweatshirt while Ryk was still staring up at my black clock. “Lift your arms up, Ryk.”

He didn’t even question it. Just lifted them so I could pull the material up and off him, tossing it over in the direction of my closet, but missing the hamper inside. I decided I’d just figure all that out later, and instead, I watched Ryk lower his arms to cross over his bare chest, annoyed now.

I bent my head down and gave Ryk’s right shoulder a gentle kiss on his soft, warm skin, feeling him lean back a little more into the touch…

But that wasn’t enough of a distraction to save him from his own words when he added, “Exactly. There’s a shit ton of numbers and equations. Where’s the standard 1 through 12?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” I countered.

“Where’s the fun in… in that? “ Ryk asked, unfolding his right arm from his chest to gesture up to my clock with it.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I bent down again to give his shoulder yet another soft, tender kiss, whispering near his right ear, “They’re just equations outside of the circle, Ryk. And the degrees on the inside are just where all those lines on the x and y axis meet, giving you the degrees of the acute or obtuse angles you see there along the diameter-”

“Shhh,” Ryker whispered back to me, though his body shivered into my hold with every single word I said, making me almost forget I was supposed to be putting a shirt on him when my arms wrapped around his crossed ones, still holding the shirt in my hand. “Y-You’re… you’re fucking up my holiday with this math shit. And you promised… no school while I’m off.”

I couldn’t stop the light laughter I breathed out near his ear, making him shiver again. “Alright,” I conceded, and finally let go of him. “Arms.”

Ryk raised them, but he seemed to tilt his head lower from the clock again, staring at my bookshelf while I tugged this shirt the rest of the way on him.  Once it was on, and his arms dropped to his side, he raised his right one again, pointing to the Celestial sculpture. “Does this one do something?”

“Sure,” I nodded, easily stretching my right arm past his so I could tap down on the bottom ring of the outer circle, starting the movement of all the rings and planets as each metal ring moved differently, thanks to the magnetic pull of the base.

“… Holy fucking shit,” Ryk spoke as I turned my head a little to watch his reaction, and his eyes grew wide. “Does it… just…”

“Keep spinning? Yeah. I’ll explain that tomorrow, too, but for now, let’s get a fucking move on. The longer I’m gone, the stronger the possibility of us coming to another shot and a new bullshit rule, courtesy of Eve, is,” I told him.

And while that part was absolutely true, I thought as my left hand slipped into Ryk’s right one, and I started tugging him along out of my bedroom, flipping the overhead light off on the way out, there was that other part of me that was so ready to send everyone to bed for the night right as soon as the clock struck twelve- 1 AM at the absolute lastest , but only if Ryk really wanted to keep hanging out with them.

He seemed like he was genuinely enjoying himself tonight, so I was willing to be a little flexible.

Well.

If Eve was nothing else, she sure was predictable.

“Come on, Mic. Everyone else here did a half-shot while we waited. Only right.”

I glanced at Ryk sitting on this barstool near me instead, ignoring Eve in the process, but he shrugged, then lifted up his half-full shot glass- Eve had poured them while we were upstairs- and I eventually just did the same with mine. Then we clinked our shot glasses to cheers and finished the half-pour.

Ryk somehow looked even more sober, but then I remembered that it was probably because of how warm he was in that sweatshirt before. His face wasn’t as flushed anymore, wearing this shirt that still covered the hickeys I made, and that had me smiling.

Not the fact that it was covering my handiwork, but because he was much more comfortable now.

I had still turned that fireplace off as soon as we got back down here, though. Ci had already removed her cardigan to place behind her on the backrest of the barstool, so I knew she wouldn’t even notice the thing off.

Eve had also managed to move most of the spread over from the coffee table while Ryk and I were upstairs, and was now cutting up more cheese she pulled from the fridge, otherwise I just washed my hands first once I entered the kitchen, and now I was back at my spot in front of this fucking turkey, next to the sitting Ryker.

“Atta boys,” Eve grinned as soon as the empty shot glasses hit the kitchen island’s counter. “I’m up again. Also, Ryk, forgot to mention that if I start a game-”

“Already filled him in,” I told this devil in disguise, and she nodded with a grin.

“Beautiful, thanks, Mic. Now it’s time to turn the heat up…Never have I ever done a role play on a date or in the bedroom.”

I damn near sighed at Eve, reaching for my new bottle of water Xavier must’ve replenished all of us with, and took a sip right along with everyone in this kitchen, except Ryk. But I expected that one as he took a sip of his beer.

“Still got plenty of time, Ryk,” E assured him, like this was some right of passage. “Also, your turn, Ci.” Honestly, I did wonder what roleplays Ryk would be into like that, but for now, just learning each other in and out of the bedroom was more than enough for me. I didn’t care to start complicating shit.

“Okay,” Ci replied, thinking for a second. “Never have I ever… thought about someone while having an intimate moment with someone else.”

And that shit unsurprisingly had everyone taking a sip of water. “Lord, we’re some terrible fucking people,” E joked, but the next person to speak up surprised the fuck out of me.

“Does it… well, like still count if it- like say you’re just realizing how much better the current moment is than the previous shit you experienced, that still the same or…” Ryk slowly trailed off.

“Alright, so only most of us here are terrible people,” Eve joked, giving Ryk a genuine smile. “But yeah, for tonight I say it counts so Mickey can sleep at night knowing we all still drank water.”

See, I definitely tried to laugh with the rest at that one, including Ryk- that shit had him chuckling hard… but all my mind was fucking screaming at me not to do, was something crazy. Like, don’t bend down and kiss Ryk. Don’t touch him- hell, don’t reach for him at all. Don’t even think of touching him. Matter fact, maybe don’t look at hi-

And as soon as Ryk glanced my way, the shade the tips of his ears got coupled with that more nervous, bashful smile, just let me know exactly what he meant… and jesus fucking fuck- I gripped the fuck outta this bird’s breast through the paper towels, just trying to get it together again.

“Alright, Ryk, you’re up,” Eve encouraged.

Ryk nodded, taking a minute himself to think of something. And what he thought of next was actually pretty interesting. It was probably way more coworker appropriate. “Never have I ever broken a bone.”

Everyone here took another drink of water, except Ci, who took a sip from her beer instead.

“Really?” Jade was quick to ask Ci first, but Eve was just as quick to explain.

“Ci’s bones are like steel fucking poles. Strongest woman I’ve ever met.”

Now this was just common knowledge for Eve, Xavier, and, of course, me, but Jade and Ryk seemed genuinely surprised, so I went ahead and asked CiCi, “Why don’t you show them?”

Ci just nodded, sliding her tipsy self off the barstool in her silk pajama set before gesturing for Xavier to step closer. He was already pretty used to it by now, so he just rolled with the punches, letting go of Eve’s waist to turn and face her. Then Ci wrapped her hands around his waist tight, bunching the material of his shirt in the process since he had taken his hoodie off right along with Eve while Ryk and I were still upstairs… And in one fluid motion, she bent her knees and lifted him up off the wooden floor of this kitchen area.

Ryk cut in first with one utterly astonished, “ holy fucking shit .“

And Jade just followed that up with a smooth, “ Goddamn .“

“You should see her on shipment day at the cafe,” I joked, making me, Eve, and Ci all laugh as she set Xavier back down gently, then took a seat back on the barstool.

“I got it from my mother,” Ci simply replied, glancing at Jade with a warm smile.

“She’s like our little Amazonian,” Eve added, getting another good amount of laughter from the group. And when the astonishment from Ryk and Jade settled a little, I was up next.

“Never have I ever sent a dirty pic,” I said, but the groans heard around this kitchen just made me snicker as I took a sip of my beer.

Everyone here needed that drink of water, besides Ryk- he was doing fine-, and everyone else here rightfully took one. But I noticed Ryk had glanced my way for a second, and I couldn’t help but grin. He seemed a bit surprised that I hadn’t, and I couldn’t really blame him. I was genuinely honest, though, when I told him I wasn’t a sexter. Sending a dick pic or whatever just never sounded appealing before.

“You’re a dick,” Eve grumbled.

“And you’re dehydrated,” I countered, gesturing for the woman to take another sip of that damn water, which she thankfully did.

Jade had finally started to mix everything together for the sangria in the large dispenser, popping open the wine bottles to pour after the fruit, and this turkey was probably the driest I’d get it tonight, so I started seperating the skin a bit from the meat, and went to grab a rack from one of Ci’s cuboards so the bird would be raised inside the pan a bit to dry out underneath while in the fridge.

If this shit didn’t turn out, I was probably going John Wick on every turkey in this goddamn country, and I was dead fucking serious about that shit. My patience had been thoroughly tested all fucking week over this fuck ass bird.

“Alright, Jade, do your worst,” Eve said once I made it back to the counter.

And Jade didn’t waste much time replying with, “Never have I ever sent a late-night ‘I miss you’ text.”

Jade took a sip of her water, as did Xavier. Eve took a sip of her beer, which just made me chuckle because she’d probably give her cat up for adoption first before she ever sent a text like that and admitted to anyone she could feel emotions.

Xavier actually chugged the rest of his water for his sip, and rightfully so since this was round five, which meant we were all taking yet another shot, but he was also definitely the one in this situationship with Eve, to fire that text off probably every night.

Ci also took a good chug of her water because I know for damn sure she had sent way more than just one in her lifetime… but when I reached over for my beer right along with Ryk reaching for his, my head snapped over at him quickly.

I knew he had to be fucking with me right now.

Like, I actually knew that because him missing me was how the hell he ended up at the warehouse last night to begin with.

And when his eyes glanced up at mine, he muttered very, very low, “Phone call… remember? “

… Safe to say I took the trajectory of this night into my own hands right after that shit.

“Pour up two rounds of shots instead of one, Eve, to close out another five rounds played. Then one more round of the game, and we’re all heading to bed.”

Eve was about to object, not to the extra shots, of course, but definitely to calling it a night… however, Ci’s already well-on-her-way-to-being-shitfaced ass chimed in with, “yeah… I’ve got to call it after this next round.”

And Jade was quick to support her. “Wouldn’t mind calling it then either. Sounds like tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

“You all are absolutely no fun,” this green-haired woman grumbled.

“Dark liquor isn’t water to the rest of us, babe. Only you,” X had to remind this devil in our presence, and Eve huffed a deep sigh, but she still grabbed the bottle of liquor and got started on pouring.

I didn’t give a damn how she felt about it, though.

All I fucking knew was that this first floor needed to be cleared out in the next thirty minutes, otherwise I was ordering a ride for Ryk and me to a hotel, and the turkey was gonna be someone else’s problem tomorrow at the asscrack of dawn.

••

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66. Raisin The Bar

Ugh had more taxes bs yesterday, but we’re back at it today!

One last cutesy chapter then on to the mess for the their Thanksgiving lol

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

By the time the two shots were drunk, and the turkey was back in the fridge along with the sangria, ready for tomorrow, CiCi looked close to knocking out right here in the kitchen.

Eve was finishing up the extra cheese and crackers she had cut, along with the waters Mickey had forced on her, and we had all broken for a quick bathroom break, using the bathroom down here and upstairs before returning for the final round.

“Alright, final round, folks!” Eve announced, with Mickey looking very unamused right next to me, but he was hanging in there. “Last round, so make it count. And I’ll switch places with Xavier to get this shit started, so without further ado… Never have I ever cut an intimate moment short just because I wasn’t feeling it anymore.”

Everyone reached for their water with that one… except for me.

I hesitated for a moment, but it felt like it would be a little too fucking weird to admit that… to I guess admit that I just-… I let so much happen that I probably shouldn’t have… so I finally grabbed my water and took a sip too. Mickey’s eyes were on me from that hesitation alone, but he didn’t say anything and tried not to let that look of his linger too long.

“Never have I ever,” Xavier continued next, “woke up in a different city after a night of drinking.”

I easily took a swig of my beer… and everyone else sipped their bottles of water, surprising the hell out of me at first. But then I remembered I was standing in a room clearly surrounded by some veteran drinkers.

“Ci’s woken up in a different country,” Mickey muttered, making CiCi’s head snap his way to give him a look, her face now fully flushed from the alcohol.

“It was just from Texas to Mexico,” she tried to explain, but the laughter that pulled from all of us was too genuine. I hadn’t expected learning so much about this older woman tonight, but now I was really starting to understand how she and Mickey worked well together. She was just more chaotic good, while Mickey seemed a bit more chaotic neutral.

But then again… I still didn’t know everything about this damn baker.

Since Mickey hadn’t gotten blackout drunk before, I wondered what exactly happened to have him in a different city, yet it could’ve been a whole list of other things.

“And I made it home just fine,” CiCi made sure to add. “Now enough about me crossing state lines, it’s my turn: Never have I ever pretended to be bad at something to get someone to teach me.”

I easily took a sip of beer, which made Mickey chuckle lightly while he did the same. Probably because he’d gotten a front row seat at exactly what I was and wasn’t good at, no pretending necessary. “Ego’s too big,” he then explained to the group.

“Ditto,” Eve added, also taking a solid drink of her beer.

But CiCi, Jade, and Xavier all took a sip of their water. And Xavier explained first, murmuring more to Eve, “I like to feed into that massive ego.” That made Eve smile.

“Damsel in distress thing,” CiCi mumbled, clearly not proud of her own actions, even though I just found that sweet. Seeing how strong she was, though… could’ve been because I was a guy who only liked guys, but I thought her dropping the whole damsel thing would maybe benefit her. I mean, if I were straight, her being that strong would definitely be a turn on, but fuck did I know.

And Jade just shrugged about her own admission to doing the same, and said, “I think it’s charming. I’ve never shied away from learning something again. Especially not from a woman.”

Now I couldn’t really tell with CiCi because she was definitely drunk, but her face got a little more flushed, so I think she liked that comment.

“You romantic fucker,” Eve joked to Jade. “And okay, Ryk, you’re up.”

I gave her a nod, thinking quickly. It was funny how I knew every time my turn was coming up, but my mind just decided to wipe itself clean when it was finally time to say shit. “Um… never… have I ever… planned a date that went completely wrong.”

That was an easy enough one for me, so I took another sip of my beer. Then Mickey, Xavier, and Eve did the same, with Eve first saying, “I don’t plan them. And Xavier never misses.”

“Only planned one. Best I’ve been on,” Mickey added, which made me look at him immediately because I didn’t know that shit. That meant that… well, that our first date together was… that it was his first time plan-

“If anything goes left, I’m usually good at pivoting,” Jade added while she took a sip of her beer as well.

But CiCi took a sip of water, adding, “There’s been… some mishaps.” And that shit had us all cackling again, but Mickey’s gaze remained on mine just a bit longer, making me smile like a fucking idiot .

“Alright then, final round of the night, Mic, don’t disappoint us,” Eve urged.

“I would never ,” Mickey joked, “and never have I ever… decided to get over something that terrifies me because I’ve been so in love with someone.”

My hand hesitated yet again as I thought about that, not even paying attention to what drink everyone else reached for. It was like my mind was trained to think about my time with Isiah for a moment, even though I knew that I had gotten it wrong before- how I really felt about him.

But even when I thought about it now, it was a bit startling to realize that I hadn’t made any actual sacrifices during the last year. The first time I had gotten over any real fears because of how I felt for someone… well… it was because of this dickhead standing near me.

He was the reason I was even here tonight, genuinely enjoying myself, instead of sitting in my apartment alone just overthinking shit. And even though it was a bit nerve-racking to come here tonight… I was really grateful that I still did.

I was grateful that he asked.

Then I realized I was doing that bullshit again. Overthinking . So I grabbed the water bottle quickly and took a quick sip, glancing over at Mickey now. And I had no idea what choice he made, but I watched as the corners of his lips pulled up into a smile.

One that made me start to feel this liquor a hell of a lot more.

Eve poured us all the last shot of the night, then we cheersed for the final time before Mickey forced everyone to call it.

CiCi was definitely on her way out from the liquor, so Jade switched off the TV, quickly grabbed her duffel bag from the living room, and brought the drunk woman upstairs to retire for the night. Mickey also followed them both up so he could get us some sheets, a large bed cover, and some pillows to sleep down here.

While he headed upstairs, I helped Xavier with cleaning up the coffee table and packing up what food we didn’t eat, all while this big guy made damn sure Eve finished all of her remaining bottles of water.

He even grabbed three more from the fridge to take up with them, which only added to the PTSD he must’ve had.

I honestly liked getting to see these two tonight- how Xavier really took care of her while still scolding her for drinking too much. Honestly, Eve just looked a little tipsy, but Xavier assured me that while she handled her liquor great, her hangovers were absolutely legendary, and I’d see it firsthand in the morning.

“Least we won’t be in the kitchen,” the big guy joked as we headed back towards the living room so he could help me pull out the bed from the couch, “she’ll be Mic and Ci’s problem then.” And that shit made me chuckle.

But still, Eve just munched away on the last few olives she had saved by stabbing them onto a few toothpicks before we put them away with the food, and supervised while we removed the bottom cushions from the middle couch, setting them on the love seat to our right, then pulled out the bed.

Since no one had made it back to Cards Against Humanity tonight, I decided to pick up the cards in the order we sat, keeping them facedown, and set everything on the cleared coffee table we had pushed all the way up to the TV stand now to make room for the pull-out.

I wanted to pick up where we left off, if the group still wanted to continue tomorrow, of course. Mickey was up next as the Card Czar, and I wanted to see that shit, honestly- see what he’d pick.

By the time the bed was pulled out, we all heard footsteps coming back downstairs, the last few steps revealing Mickey, who had some bedding, pillows, and clothes, all stacked and piled high in his hands.

Xavier was already tugging the more tired Eve up, turning and crouching so she could jump onto his back. Then he grabbed the extra waters off one of the side tables he had set them on, and moved around the livingroom while giving the tall woman a piggyback ride.

“Goodnight!” Eve said first, followed by Xavier.

“Night E, night X,” Mic replied, chuckling.

“Goodnight!” I managed to call back over my own chuckles. The way Xavier just seemed completely unfazed let me know he’d been here many times before. And the slight smile on his lips definitely told me he didn’t mind it.

Then they continued their journey up the stairs.

“Is it cool if I use the bathroom down here to brush my teeth?” I asked Mickey, who had set all the bedding down over the pillows Xavier and I had placed on the love seat, and was starting to make the bed. I was already heading over to the drawstring bag Mickey had set down near the entrance to the home once we first got here, next to his helmet.

He quickly nodded. “Don’t take too long. Waited all fucking day to touch you.”

“That’s not even remot-”

“Shhh,” Mickey shushed from behind me, which had me smiling, but I just nodded and went to get freshened up for bed, with my drawstring bag in hand. Knowing Mickey, we weren’t exactly going to be going to bed just yet.

And that shit was what had me moving quick as hell towards the bathroom, just past the wall of framed photos.

I liked that there was a second bathroom down here. And I was even more surprised that it was a full bathroom with a shower. For some reason, I only expected a toilet and sink.

But in the interest of time, I quickly opened up my drawstring bag and first changed out of my jeans, pulling on some black basketball shorts instead. Next, I pulled out my toothbrush and used the toothpaste I had grabbed from the stock of travel-size ones in the warehouse.

Brandy smelled and tasted like hell for me personally, so I made sure I scrubbed thoroughly. I didn’t want my breath to smell like a whole distillery before bed.

While there was a shirt packed in my drawstring bag that I could sleep in, I already knew Mickey picked out something else from his closet, and obviously I wanted to wear that shit instead, so after packing up my toothbrush and the toothpaste, I gave myself one quick mental pep talk in the mirror, made sure the sink was spotless and the bathroom was just how I left it, before switching off the light and leaving.

Mickey had already made the bed by the time I entered the living room again. He’d also changed, lying on the mattress now completely shirtless in just joggers.

The fireplace was back on, with it being the only source of light on this first floor now, but it didn’t feel hot in here anymore. Honestly, it felt like the window was cracked, which was pretty much confirmed when I noticed the drawn white curtains behind the TV were moving slightly from a gentle breeze.

This baker had also set a water bottle on one end table of the main couch, closer to the fireplace, and on the other end, closer to the front door, where he was lying. We’d shared a bed enough times for me to notice he liked the right side.

He was on his phone, but looked up quickly when I set my drawstring bag near the entrance, then entered the living room. “You need anything?” He asked. I was trying my fucking hardest not to focus on how good he looked while I walked around to the free side of the pull-out. He had the bedcover bunched up at the foot, probably working to cool his body down a little more first before pulling it up over him.

Good god , this warm lighting from the fireplace made him look so goddamn sexy; that perfect, darker, tanned skin… the chain around his neck just resting against those beautiful tattoos… an undeniably beautiful build… and it truly, truly wasn’t fucking fair. Him having a face like that. Eyes like those .

I hesitantly climbed onto the mattress while shaking my head no, trying to calm my beating heart that felt life-threatening when accompanied by the flutters in my stomach. “Thanks for the wa- ah!”

The rest of those words absolutely got cut off by my slight yelp when Mickey sat up so goddamn abruptly, wrapped his arms around my upper body, and yanked me right back down onto this mattress, curling my body into his side and making damn sure my head now rested above his left shoulder, leading down to his chest.

The liquor coursing through me made his touch feel so goddamn good, I just let him damn near suffocate my body by wrapping those large arms around me, before his right hand reached up and tilted my chin even further up to him.

Well.

There sure as fuck wasn’t any escaping his goddamn face now.

Not that sharp jaw. Not those beautiful eyes. Not those perfect, soft lips.

“You have fun tonight?” He asked… but that sharp gaze of his made my body shudder a little while I carefully rested my left arm over his bare chest and upper stomach. He smelled nothing like booze with that minty breath of his, and his fresh cologne had me eventually lifting my left leg over his, cuddling him a little more, like a koala if fucking anything.

“Mhm,” was the best I was getting out at the moment. His skin felt so fucking warm and smooth, and now I wanted to take this other shirt of his I was wearing, right off. I wanted skin-on-skin contact like right the fuck now . “Th-Thank you… for… for inviting me tonight.”

I could feel that right hand of his glide his knuckles slow along my jawline, inching closer to my ear, and that touch alone damn near had me begging when my eyes closed for a moment before looking up at him again.

“Long as you had a good time, Ryk… that’s all I care about.”

Jesus fuck , this fuckface was making me goddamn putty in his hands right now. I found myself leaning into his touch more as he extended his fingers, spreading them gently across the side of my neck before trailing them up into my curls. I couldn’t help but close my eyes again, holding him tighter around his chest.

“Did… did you have fun?” I asked quietly. This shithead had a tendency to look annoyed one minute, then laugh the next. It was sometimes hard to tell.

“Yeah,” Mickey replied. And he didn’t waste a second with that answer. “Having you here made it for me. But I’ll apologize in advance if I’m a stressed-out, complete dick come morning.”

“It’s okay,” I rushed out in a soft voice. “Can I help with anything?”

“Yes,” he replied, “you can sit the fuck down somewhere in my clothes and keep the peace between X and Jade. I know we haven’t had much time to talk about you working at the warehouse, but feel free to talk vehicles with Jade, or keep X entertained about specs with his bike.”

I quickly nodded at that. Honestly, those two were pretty easy to chat with anyway, but I was still pretty fucking confused about the tension between them in the first place.

Right now, though, I had a more pressing question to ask.

“The… the last round… what drink did you take?” My question sounded hesitant, and I didn’t have it in me to open my eyes and face him. Like at all.

But Mickey’s answer had my eyes snap open again. “Well, we’re getting a goddamn snake together, aren’t we?”

His eyes felt like they were damn near piercing through mine, and I could feel it- both his and my own heartbeat starting to tick a little faster.

“What… um, what about you- who was-… what fear did you-”

“I’m here with you right now, aren’t I?” I whispered back quickly. He had to know tonight could’ve been a toss-up. And it still was- I didn’t know how sleep would go for me.

The smile that very slowly crept across his face, however, made my face feel like I was holding it directly over the burning fireplace.

Nothing else needed to be said about it. That last round. At least not now.

For now, we just… we were aware of just how we both felt, and that was enough. So I placed a little weight on Mickey’s chest and pushed myself up, gently closing my eyes as I brought my lips to his. And Mickey’s fingers, still tangled in my curls, gripped them tighter, holding me right here with his lips against mine as he made sure I didn’t pull away too soon.

But I had absolutely no desire to.

Instead, I slid my hand up his chest, enjoying the smoothness of his skin as I made my way slowly towards the side of his neck so I could pull myself up a little more, deepening this kiss. His lips alone as they moved with all the fucking intent against mine, made me feel like I had downed the whole bottle of brandy all on my own. My head was dizzy. My heart beat with such little fucking thought.

I felt his left arm move lower, sliding past my left shoulder, down the length of my left side, and dipping from my lower back slowly to the curve of my ass, firmly gripping it. He used that grip to pull me even closer against him. My left leg started to hike higher over his body as I groaned into this kiss, feeling Mickey’s heavier breaths now… but I still somehow felt like I wasn’t close enough.

Like he had waited all fucking day to touch me.

My body placed more weight on Mickey’s chest, his lips pulling my top lip between his as I did. I was about to climb on top because I fucking loved every damn minute of how we were this morning, at the warehouse. In his bed…

But Mickey started pushing me slowly onto my back, not breaking this kiss in the slightest as he rolled us. His legs nudged mine a bit open to lie between, but I quickly spread them further and wrapped them around his waist. Both my hands slipped right into his hair, wanting to feel those soft, thick strands between the spaces of my fingers again.

When Mickey suddenly pulled away a little, breaking this kiss, I was left panting, not expecting this kiss to spiral so suddenly into something so intense. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath. “M-Mic-” My voice came out a little rough. Him pulling away had forced my hands out of his hair…

But I cut myself off once I watched this baker extend his left arm to push himself up more, then reached behind him with his right hand to grab that bunched-up bed comforter and pull it up over himself, covering both of us.

Took him about one singular second before he lowered himself onto his left elbow, right near my head on the pillow I was lying back on, and his lips were back on mine. That feeling alone had my hands returning to the back of his neck.

Yet then I felt him pull away again like a second later, and I swear to motherfucking god I almost cussed this fucker out if it wasn’t for the heavy footsteps I soon heard heading down the stairs.

“Just X,” Mickey whispered, and I pulled my hands away from around the back of his neck so he could lift himself up a bit more to see over the couch, but he didn’t get off me at all.

“Sorry, Mic,” I heard Xavier mutter.

Mickey gently shook his head no from above me. “Water?” He then asked.

“Yep,” Xavier replied. And while they were having their brief conversation, I was trying to enjoy this view with Mickey on top, imagining what it might be like in this position, with my legs wrapped around him. He looked so fucking good right now, that chain of his dangling around his neck with that beautiful starfish pendant… His muscular left arm extended yet again, holding himself up…

I already knew whatever organs still functioned by the time he and I eventually got there- actually had sex- they’d all just be goners.

But fucking Mickey looked back down at me while I was trying to admire his shirtless body without him noticing, and the way his gaze fucking intensified- the damn smirk he gave me? That shit had me turning my head all the way to the right to try and cover some of the heat rushing to my face.

Then I felt Mickey’s right hand reach for and gently grip my chin, before turning my head back so I could look up at him again. The fridge was opened from somewhere in the kitchen, but Mickey wasn’t paying Xavier dust anymore.

In fact, I could only watch as he slowly lowered himself once more, closing those eyes at the last possible moment, right before he brought his lips right back to mine, not giving a single fuck anymore.

And I probably should’ve. Given a fuck, that is. Instead, my legs wrapped tighter around his waist, and my hands reached up to tangle in his hair again, swearing I heard something along the lines of “goodnight,” and a chuckle from Xavier.

All Mickey did was separate his right hand from my chin, doing something that made Xavier chuckle even harder, before bringing his body back down to mine completely. This time, he used that right hand to grip my left hip and press his lower half fully against me, grinding himself between my legs and revealing exactly how fucking hard we both were.

His lips were what muffled the moans I was already trying to suppress when he started a slow pace that had me gripping the strands of his hair hard.

And as some doors upstairs opened and closed… then opened… then closed again… I had a feeling we weren’t going to be able to do as much as we wanted to tonight…

But just touching him- having his lips on mine right now… it was all I really gave a shit about.

Having him in my arms like this… and getting that confirmation from him tonight that we both felt more than we might have been ready to admit just yet…

At least, for now.

That shit was more than enough for me.

••

67. Ryes And Shine

Ugh. Been having issues with Wattpad the last 24 hours so if something doesn’t load, that’s why

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

I honestly couldn’t say whether I was awake or not.

Hell, whether I was alive or not for that matter.

All I knew was there was a loud beeping noise that made my ears feel like they were bleeding- like the blood was pooling into my head, as intense throbbing swiftly overtook every single thought I could have about where I was. Potentially when I was, too.

“ Motherfucker ,“ I groaned, barely conscious, as my hands felt out into thin air, trying to reach whatever the loup beeping this was so I could throw it against something.

That blaring tone made my head feel like it was going to explode .

“ Motherfu -“ I started again, not feeling anything against my outstretched fingers just flailing around, but when I felt the bed shift slightly, something brushing past my arm as a little warmth pressed up against my back, that single word of protest got cut off.

The deep scent of rose soon crowded my senses as the mind-splitting noise suddenly quieted, but it was the warmth I felt drawn to against my back, nestling a bit deeper into it, not giving a shit what it was or what the annoying sound had been.

Fuck, this felt good. The quiet. The warmth. I felt myself drifting again…

Until I heard a smooth voice whisper near my ear, “Pris… you’re, uh…” Those words then sort of trailed off, followed by deeper breaths.

That…

That voice…

There… there was no way-

My hand felt the arm I had unintentionally- well, okay, somewhat intentionally- pulled around my body, not recognizing it was an arm at first, nor who it belonged to.

Smooth, warm skin…

Shit .

My body tensed.

Then I maneuvered a roll so hard to my right, I damn near rolled off my bed, fumbling to sit myself up in the darkness of my bedroom, at the very edge of my mattress, before my shaky hands thrashed a bit, trying to locate my bedside lamp and knocking a few things off my side table in the process.

Once I finally reached my damn lamp, the light flickered on, just about blinding my sensitive eyes. “ Shit -“ I mumbled, shutting my eyes tight to try to, I don’t know, rub them a bit to stop the slight burn or something.

I had definitely moved way too quickly. My body was still recalibrating.

“Pris, are you alright?” I heard the voice beside me, forcing my eyes open again a second later.

Then, the night- truly whatever I could remember of it- slowly came back to me in fragmented pieces, attempting to break through the fog that was my horrible hangover.

The games. The drinks. The people…

Jade .

She was lying in my bed as my eyes adjusted to the warm glow illuminated by my bedside lamp, and the first place my eyes focused on was those gorgeous ash-brown eyes of hers. They were looking at me with concern, but then again, that was one hell of a way to wake up. She probably thought I was still drunk or something.

Jade was wearing a black, skin-tight tank top, showcasing her beautiful tattoos up her neck, down her arms, and across her chest. Her lower half was covered by my fluffy yellow bed comforter, which she honestly looked a bit hilarious semi-tucked into. Her all-black aesthetic under fluffy, yellow covers.

And I probably would’ve cracked a slight grin if she didn’t look so goddamn beautiful right now.

“H-Hi,” I stuttered, reaching for the bedcover to pull it up over my body a bit. Get it together, Pricilla. Like right now.

Jade was propped up on her right elbow and ran her left hand casually through her black hair before asking, “How are you feeling?”

Shit . My heart was starting to match the intense pounding of my head. Jade, she… she looked absolutely stunning.

I ran my hands hastily through my own hair when I realized I probably looked like nothing short of a complete hot mess in comparison. Then I remembered the slight mascara I had put on last night.

Pleasepleaseplease don’t tell me I fell asleep with my mak

“Are you thirsty at all? I could grab you some water from downstairs-”

“Oh! No, no, no, no, no , I- I can get some!” I rushed quickly, springing myself out of bed regardless of whether or not my body was actually ready to even remotely function. It definitely wasn’t. All I knew I needed to do right now was get to a bathroom mirror. Like right now. I was already imagining the raccoon eyes I must’ve had from rubbing them while I slept.

Oh my god , and a toothbrush , I thought, already smelling the straight liquor on my breath.

“I-I’ll be right back!” I called over my shoulder with quick strides forward before opening my door and bolting out of my bedroom, leaving both the gorgeous woman in my bed and everything I had knocked onto the carpeted floor, lying right there.

Luckily, the light in the hall was still on, so I wasn’t fully stumbling in complete darkness to get to the bathroom on my left. I glanced right first for about a half a second to see that Mickey’s door was still closed.

Did I check on-

Oh, wait, I thought to myself, just begging myself to remember. That’s right … Xavier and Eve were in there. Mickey and Ryker were downstairs.

First, I got that light on in the bathroom and partially closed the door, not even slightly prepared for the mess I was about to see staring right back at me through the mirror… but once I took the deepest breath and gained enough courage to turn to it, the woman staring back was-

…Fine?

I leaned abruptly closer over the sink, inspecting my face. But it was bare. My mascara had been removed, along with the minimal foundation I knew I put on right before Jade arrived last night. Now my hair did look a bit messy, but it was nothing to freak out over. Just a little frizz.

What the hell happened last night?

I was definitely still clothed, wearing the same silk pajama set. No visible marks or anything on my body. My throat wasn’t as dry as it usually was when I woke up with a hangover, either.

All things considered, this might’ve actually been the most put-together after a night of drinking I had ever looked. Besides my breath , I thought quickly and started pulling things out of the medicine cabinet behind my mirror to find what was needed to fix that. My breath smelled like I had just drunk a liquor store out of business.

After brushing my teeth and finding a hairbrush to brush out the frizziness a bit, I left the bathroom and quietly tiptoed through a portion of the corridor, down the stairs.

My alarm was set to go off at 5 AM today because I assumed it would take me a minute to get it together before I was ready to head down and start cooking with Mickey, so I was a bit surprised when I finally got to the bottom of the stairs only to be welcomed by stillness and quiet. No pots and pans banging. No cussing from Mic. Nothing.

The fireplace was on, and it was the only thing on down here, producing just enough light to help guide me from the last few steps right onto the first floor.

The bed had been pulled out in the living room, so I carefully walked over to check on the boys first. I was sort of hoping Ryk would be able to have his own space because I knew he was still adjusting, and last night quickly spiralled from a small get-together to a whole gathering. Mickey assured me it was alright- the additional guests, and Ryk seemed to be having fun from what I could remember of the night… but still.

The kid had just… he’d been through a lot. And last night was a lot of chaotic energy.

I took the last few steps to the back of the main couch, peeking over quickly to make sure the two were still fast asleep. And my mind was already on grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, which was where my feet started carrying me after I caught a quick glimpse of them both.

But I made it about three solid steps before my body froze.

Then I tilted my head a bit to the left side. Blinked a few times. And slowly took those couple of steps backwards- to the back of the couch so I could peer over it slowly again.

Mickey was lying on his back, fast asleep…

And in his arms, tucked right into them, was Ryker.

Safe to say, I fucking gasped. Hard .

Both my hands shot up to my mouth fast to shut myself up as soon as I saw Ryk move a bit, shifting his head a little on Mickey’s bare chest. And Mickey’s eyes snapped open so fast, I fucking jumped.

He was looking directly up at me, his eyes narrowing as his right arm slowly snaked away from around Ryk, under the covers, to bring a single finger to his lips, telling me to shut the hell up. Then his hand slipped back under the cover, and his arm wrapped around Ryk again, adjusting it so he could hold him tighter. Ryk snuggled deep into his hold, not waking up in the slightest…

So then that left Mickey and me- us just staring at each other for a good long second.

What time is it? He mouthed to me.

I hesitantly looked back at the kitchen, still jolted into a state of surreal shock as I read the time on the stove. Then I turned back to look down at Mickey and mouthed, 5:30 AM before adding quickly, just getting water .

He slowly nodded, then mouthed back, grab it and go back to bed. I’ll get up at six. We’ll talk then.

And… well… that was it, I guess.

Mickey just tilted his head down a bit, giving the top of Ryk’s forehead a soft kiss before he leaned back into the pillow with his eyes now closed, and went back to resting.

I-

I… I didn’t even know how to react to that. My feet were moving on autopilot, heading towards the fridge quietly to get a bottle of water, but my mind was absolutely spiraling . It wasn’t like I walked in on anything… inappropriate. I think? Jesus . Mickey was shirtless, sure, but he always was. And Ryk at least had a shirt on… but holy fucking shit, I just-

Well… I obviously had no idea that they were… like the two had been… fooling-

But I didn’t finish that thought as I carefully opened the fridge, pulled a bottle of water out from the side of the door, then closed it softly.

This was…

I was still in shock. Seeing Ryk touch anyone , let alone cuddled up like that with Mickey, was-

Fuck , I felt like my mind was short-circuiting.

I- I just…

I mean, I knew Mickey. God, I knew that kid too well sometimes. And I knew more than enough about how much of a mess things got whenever he was involved with anyone . In fact, it was far more manageable when he just stuck to the one-night stands.

Then all the goddamn complications came with this being Ryk of all people. He had been through so much, and he was my goddamn employee for christ sake. Everything about this should’ve been slamming me over the head, screaming directly into my eardrums how much of a bad move this all was.

Yet as I eventually made my way back upstairs, bottle in hand as I made sure to remain quiet…

…the only thing I could think of was the slightest smile on Mickey’s lips when I first caught a glimpse of them. Before I woke that sleeper agent up.

The way his face looked so… so relaxed. I was used to this kid being the lightest sleeper. Honestly, I knew that he knew that I still checked on him whenever he slept over here because his bedroom had a lock, but he never once felt the need to lock that door. And he did that for me, even though he liked his privacy.

But this had felt… different. He probably wasn’t sleeping much at all, but he was just… resting? Lord, I didn’t know how to explain it.

The kid seemed happier. There. Whatever was going on between him and Ryk, Mickey just looked… lighter . Like he wasn’t processing ten thousand things at once, even though his eyes were closed, feigning sleep. And for how both guys were- how they acted in general, I just wasn’t expecting that degree of tenderness between them. I didn’t expect to see both of them relaxed like that.

Like… together.

It just-

It made me think. Something Mickey and Eve always hated when I did. But this time, I forced myself to break the little pieces down more and try to extend beyond my initial shock.

It made me see past how terrible this probably looked on paper, and that thinking carried me all the way back to my bedroom door… just for me to reach for the knob and remember my own mess I had bolted from about half an hour ago.

Shit. Right.

I took a deep breath… then another deep breath… then just like one more for good measure, before turning the knob and entering.

My bedroom lamp was still on, with Jade now sitting up in bed, writing something into a plain, black book of some sort. She glanced up quickly when she noticed me and gave me a warm smile. I just felt my heart beat quicken, with speeds that were different than the goddamn heart attack Mickey gave me by opening his eyes like that.

Somehow, her hair was the right amount of messy. Those layers cut into the charcoal-black had her looking so unbelievably beautiful, I started second-guessing my own appearance even after the bathroom break, where I managed to regroup.

“Hows the head?” She asked. Mentally, I felt like I had abandoned my brain right at that door once I shut it behind me. But my feet were on a mission today, it would seem, probably from the nerves of making sure I nailed this holiday regardless of the state I was in, that I eventually made it all the way back to my side of the bed, and gave the woman a nervous smile.

“Good- I- um… I’m so sorry-”

“It’s fine,” Jade’s voice was gentle as she cut me right off, probably saving us both a whole bunch of jibberish that was threatening to fall past my lips. “And I promise, I kept my distance the whole night. I just-… well, the alarm clock-”

I was already waving both hands at her frantically, not needing her to explain anything else otherwise I was about to go lock myself in a closet or something for a few hours and try not to die of embarrassment. Then I realized I was also waving the plastic bottle of water in the air, so once again, my body willed itself to move, and I slowly climbed back into bed.

“I-I believe you,” I told this woman. “And I am so sorry for getting that drunk-”

“You were fine,” Jade chuckled lightly. “You were fun , honestly. I’m used to breaking up fights when the liquor hits, so the fact that the only threat of the night was that you whined desperately about wanting a strawberry refresher at 1 AM while I was taking your makeup off was, honestly, hands down, the best experience I’ve ever had with someone drunk.”

I just… I just stared over at her a second, stilling when I was halfway into getting my legs tucked under the covers again.

“You… you did that?” I then asked, not even sure how to address the strawberry refresher at 1 AM thing.

Jade just nodded. “I didn’t want your eyes irritated from the mascara, and I already had makeup wipes in my bag to wipe mine off. They’re hypoallergenic, so I had some good faith they wouldn’t irritate your skin, but I’m sorry if that was me overstepping-”

“Oh, no, no, no!” I rushed out quickly, damn near launching the water bottle out of my hand when I didn’t realize I picked it up again, and was waving my hands like a maniac. “That’s- That’s really sweet of you. Thank you,” I told her genuinely as I ordered myself to get a grip.

Jade’s smile just widened. “Did you need to get up now? Is Mic up?” She was already closing the book, but I noticed it was a sketchbook, then she wrapped the band around it and slipped her pencil under.

“Oh, he’s… uh… he’s still resting. We won’t start till 6 AM, and Eve probably won’t join until a little later. If I’m feeling like this, she’s probably feeling worse.”

“Yeah,” Jade nodded, “I ran into Xavier a few times when he and I took turns getting ready for bed with the bathroom up here last night. He let me know not to disturb Mickey downstairs, so we made it work.”

“Oh,” I nodded again. “Yeah, um, I’m sorry about that. Mickey doesn’t- well, he’s a light sleeper, and he’s not… he’s not the biggest fan of Thanksgiving, you could say.” I knew I told Jade the kid hated Christmas, but she deserved to know before she saw the cranky mood he was about to be in.

“No worries,” Jade chuckled lightly again. “I kinda caught that with the way he was sizing up that turkey last night when he was patting it dry. Looked like decades’ worth of pent-up animosity.”

Jade had no idea , I couldn’t help but think as I smiled at her.

“Did you want me to join you downstairs? I can help you and Mickey out,” she then offered, but I quickly shook my head no.

“You should keep resting. Plus, uh… Mickey and I will-… I think we need to chat for a bit this morning before the rest of the house gets up. Not saying that I don’t want you-”

“Pris,” Jade cut in, “no need to explain. I’ll head down when Eve does. That sound good?”

I nodded, but broke eye contact a bit as I pushed myself up against my tufted headboard more. “Do you need anything? Can I get you something before I take a shower? Everything you might need if you’d like to take one is in the drawers of the bathroom vanity,” I explained, but Jade just shook her head no.

“Should be fine. I’ll take a shower right before heading down later.”

That sounded good, too. I gave her a quick nod before turning to my right to check the time. And the smile that quickly spread across my cheeks at the alarm clock and the ceramic chest for my jewelry that was now back on my bedside table was accompanied by a whole lot of blush when I remembered I had knocked all that shit onto the floor in search of the switch for my lamp.

Then I remembered more…

…Jade reaching over to successfully shut the beeping off. Her warmth… Her scent… Her touch-

And that shit had me springing back up to my feet. It was still a bit early, but I needed a shower.

I needed whatever was going to give me a few seconds alone to get a handle on what this morning had spiralled into.

After the shower and getting changed into the casual shirt and sweatpants I brought into the bathroom with me, I checked in with Jade just one more time to make sure she was alright.

She assured me she was with an even more assuring smile, so I told myself to stop overacting, or, more honestly, stalling , then headed back downstairs to face the music with Mickey.

But he was already in the kitchen, getting everything set up for us on the kitchen island. He’d thrown on a casual shirt he must’ve grabbed last night, but now that I could see him clearly with the kitchen lights on, I noticed a hell of a lot of hickeys all over this man’s neck.

Maybe I could just head back upstairs for like thirty more min-

“Ready to start?” He asked, glancing over for like one second before setting more bowls on the counter.

“Y-Yeah,” I replied, hesitantly heading towards the sink to wash my hands- my fate inevitably sealed at this point. He was being fairly quiet in here, so I just tried to match his sound levels, not wanting to wake Ryk who was probably still fast asleep on the couch.

Then I got my hands dried with a paper towel from the fresh roll Mickey must’ve put out after working the last roll to the literal bone to dry out that turkey last night, and joined him at the kitchen island, facing the living room.

“How’s the head?” Mic asked, turning to me so we could get started on dry ingredients for the rolls.

“Hanging in there,” I replied. Mickey nodded. Then there was an awkward silence that sort of hung between us for about a minute while we finished situating our station. This kid didn’t say a damn thing, and as much as I hated it, I knew he was putting the ball in my court, forcing me to be the older adult here- the godmother, unfortunately. “So… you and Ryk…” I started, just praying Mic would chime in or some shit.

“Are you pissed?” He asked casually, still working away, and with a hell of a lot of precision, while my mind was still feeling like it was just coming to.

“Mic,” I sighed as I turned my head up to him. “When have I ever really been pissed at you?”

Mickey glanced down at me again. “Whenever I get in another relationship,” this fucker joked, but my eyebrows raised a little at that.

“So, you and Ryk- you two are…”

“In a relationship? Yeah,” Mic replied, holding my gaze now.

“When… When did you two-”

“Well… It’s a bit complicated. We kissed the weekend we worked on his car. Our first, I guess, official date was last Saturday.”

I just… well, I just nodded again. I knew the two were getting closer, but I had no fucking idea it was this close. And yet suddenly, I now understood why the hell this kid was acting so weird.

“So… the Secret Santa-”

“Yep.”

“And… and the room situation… for the holiday party-”

“Exactly.”

…I-

I continued to stare up at him, my flabbers absolutely gasted.

He continued to stare down at me, his expression eerily relaxed.

“Now for Secret San-” This shithead started.

“ Fuck no,“ I replied seriously. Well, as seriously as I could, because above all else- above everything else- Mickey knew I was at my core, a lover girl. I couldn’t hide how cute I thought all his mischievousness was.

“So you’re not disappointed then?” He asked with a slight smile on his own lips, mirroring the one I failed to mask.

“I’m highly disappointed that you didn’t tell me,” I replied, giving him that stern voice he honestly never took seriously. “But Mic… I could never be disappointed in you finding something that clearly makes you happy. And you know that… You know why.”

Mickey just slowly nodded, that smile fading as he turned to me, and bent down to pull me in for a rather unexpected hug. He made sure his hands didn’t get dirty, but those massive arms alone were enough to squeeze the hell out of my short frame.

Then he whispered something near my right ear that made my eyes even more unexpectedly start to burn a bit. “ He makes me the happiest I’ve been in a really long fucking time, Ci. “

It was so sudden. The hug. The unexpected confession. Him abruptly pulling away after it.

This kid was never really one to show emotions like this.

It didn’t mean he didn’t have them. He’d just gotten really good at masking a lot of them, making my one job more and more difficult as the years passed between us.

“Y-You’re… you’re serious, then?” I asked, trying to blink away tears as I forced myself to pivot my emotions and keep up with Mickey’s efficiency, measuring out some flour alongside him like he hadn’t just sent me on the craziest emotional rollercoaster this morning.

“Very,” he replied. “I… I took him to the Buddhist Temple on Saturday. He sat with Sho.”

That made my head whip right up at him again. So that was… that was who he was referring to… during the staff meeting two weeks ago.

“ Jesus , Mickey,“ I found myself murmuring.

But this prick cut me off, snapping back with, “Don’t get soft on me now, Ci. What happened to those bones made of steel?” And I gave this little shit a sharp elbow to his arm, making him pull away, chuckling warmly. “Does this mean we get one roo-”

“No,” I snapped back. “Ryk still gets his own room for the holiday party.”

This kid just groaned, irritated. “You’re fucking impossible.”

“No, my sweet godchild, I’m fair ,” I reminded him. “And who else knows? About you and Ryk?”

Mic paused a second. “I’d say everyone but you and Jade. Well, not my mum either, obviously. I didn’t want to drop this on you today, but I was getting a bit sick and tired of keeping my distance with Ryk, so.”

“Oh, woe is you ,” I rolled my eyes before bringing them back to the task at hand.

“Hey, now. We practically admitted to each other last night that we were falling in love without actually admitting it. The fact that I’ve been acting this civilly has truly been out of respect for you,” Mic admitted, making me whip my head up at him yet again.

“Are you- Are you serious?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Mickey sighed, “But we’re not rushing into saying it, and I appreciate that. Also, if you’re about to say some sappy lovey dovey shit, I’ll leave you alone in this kitchen to fend for yourself, Ci.”

He wasn’t even looking at me now, instead focused on the ingredients in front of us, but I knew he could see the quickly growing grin spreading across my lips.

“ Okay, okay, okay! “ I rushed out in a quiet whisper, dropping it. All of Mic’s threats were definitive promises. Especially around the holidays he hated.

This grin, however, didn’t drop even a fraction of an inch as I locked back in right alongside this kid, realizing that for maybe the first time ever, I wasn’t the only love-obsessed one here.

And maybe that was why I was willing to put so much faith in him- in the one person I genuinely thought might have to sit relationships out indefinitely due to how cold and uninterested he’d been in the past.

It was because I had never seen him this serious about anyone before.

I’d never seen him this committed to anything other than his work.

••

68. Sweet Tooth

Got a little busy but we’re back at it!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

3 AM - I was woken up by Ryk somewhat trembling in my arms. We were lying on our sides now, me on my left, him on his right, with his head tucked just under my chin, and both his arms sandwiched between our chests.

Slight sweat was starting to bead at the base of his forehead, and I immediately pulled away a little to get a better look.

“Ryk,” my voice was gentle as I tried waking him once I took in his state, my right arm unwrapping from around him so I could gently massage his left shoulder. “Ryk, I need you to wake up.”

Ryk’s shaking took a slightly more intense turn in my arms before I heard him start to mutter something, murmuring slowly, “ I-… I’m sorry… I’m…so sorry, Dad, I- “

“ Ryk ,“ I shook him just a bit more firmly when those words fully registered for me. He was having a night terror- his skin paling as he started to thrash a bit in my arms. “ Ryk -“

I didn’t finish what I was going to say next. Instead, I watched as his large eyes suddenly snapped open- wide and completely startled. The hands wedged between us shoved me back hard as he scrambled away from me towards the ledge of the bed and sat up abruptly. “W-W-Where- Where-”

“We’re in Ci’s living room,” I whispered with an even more tender tone, taking in the wildness in his eyes as he whipped his head back and forth around the room.

I had never seen him this frightened before.

The fireplace was still on. The window was cracked open. Everything was in place just the way we had left it, when the kissing had gotten a bit too heated, and the movement upstairs told me to cool it. To have us head to bed before we fucking woke up everyone.

“We’re still on the pull-out. I’d wager it’s only been a few hours before you and I headed to bed, and I only woke you now because- well-… You were shaking. Starting to sweat, and I-… I knew you probably didn’t want to wake up drenched.” I tried to explain, sitting up with him now.

Ryk’s eyes softened immediately as he looked back at me while digesting those words.

“Sh-Shit- I- I- I’m sorry Mickey, I-”

He started scrambling closer again, but I just shook my head no, shifting closer myself. “You’re fine,” I told him. “You’re safe ,” I clarified in an even firmer tone. “But if you don’t feel it- if you don’t feel safe, we can head back to my place. Better yet, we can head back to the warehouse right now-”

But Ryk quickly shook his head no. “No, I… I do,” he only confirmed. “I do feel safe, I just-… I’m still adjusting to it. To… to that- to feeling safe,” he answered with a shaky voice that sounded nothing more than a breath.

I simply nodded my head slow, before reaching back for the shirt that had been tossed aside when I took it off while Ryk was still in the bathroom last night. Ryk was already tugging at my workout shirt he had slept in that had absorbed quite a bit of his sweat, allowing me to pass the fresher shirt over for him to put on instead.

He seemed a bit more relaxed after he took a deep breath in and settled into the larger fabric, and I fucking swear this was yet another reminder that something I’d never get tired of was seeing him in my clothes. Especially that deep breath he took in, tilting his head down a little to get a slight whiff of it.

That had me bunching the material of this bed cover hard between my fingers.

“Is it… is it okay if I hold you? I don’t want you to feel like I’m suffo-”

But Ryk was the very first to react as he lay himself back onto the mattress and his arms reached forward, those hands pulling me in closer by my biceps and pushing me back towards the mattress so he could tuck himself into my lying body, resting his head right on my chest now.

“You don’t-… You- You don’t suffocate me, Mickey,” He whispered breathlessly as he worked to control his sporadic breathing- control that heart rate I knew was pulsing. “The-…The opposite of immobilizing… and I’m sorry for-… for shoving you.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I whispered back as I pulled Ryk even closer, just letting his words marinate. “If anything you’re about to say is accompanied by an apology, then cut that shit out of your phrasing statement.”

And that shit made Ryk chuckle a little as he nuzzled further into my chest.

“What… what would you like- I mean, what would help right now?” I asked gently instead. I knew he was awake, and that whatever he dreamt of wasn’t going to make his return to sleep any easier, but he also needed the rest.

“The questions game,” he replied after a minute or two of thinking. “Can I go first?”

I nodded my head yes. “The floor’s yours.”

“…Where would… Like if we’re getting a snake-”

“We are,” I corrected.

“R-Right,” Ryk mumbled against my skin as I started to massage his left shoulder again. “So if- I mean, when we do… Where… Where will the little guy live?”

“Both our places,” I confirmed with a smile. “Yours when you can’t stay over, and mine when you want to come over. We’ll get two tanks and a carrying case or whatever the fuck you transport those fucking things in.”

“But… but you hate-”

“I’ve grown a bit sick and tired of people telling me that what floor I’ve reached is my limit to climb. If you want a snake, I’ll adapt,” I spoke, but felt like my words were maybe a bit too rough… until Ryk’s hold tightened around my body, just pressing him in close now. “That work for you?” I added. He nodded quickly. “Good. My turn. What’s your favourite color?”

“Repeat question,” Ryk mumbled, making me crack another grin.

“New game,” I countered.

“Doesn’t work like that,” he countered. “What makes the game meaningful is no repeat questions.”

“Humor me.”

“Fuck no.”

“ Fine .“ I chuckled, pulling this fucker in closer. “What’s something you’re actively trying to unlearn right now?”

Ryk took a sec before replying with, “…apologizing for things out of my control- like-… like for others.”

That made me tilt my head lower towards him.

“I said sorry for the things I shouldn’t have when it came to my dad… and that’s- it’s… trickling into my life now. I’m… I’m finding myself still apologizing for what he’s responsible for… and it’s the safest feeling- you telling me to shut the fuck up. Reminds me that I’m apologizing for shit- for his shit- when I shouldn’t be. When he should be.”

“…You…” I whispered back carefully, unsure of what I meant to say from here once that single word trailed off. But Ryk just held me closer, tilting that head up more to look at me with those beautiful eyes.

“My turn then, right?” he asked softly, and I just nodded. “What’s one valuable thing you learned from your father maybe a bit later in life? Your… like, your biological father?”

That took me a second to respond. A whole second where I gathered my scattered thoughts and held this guy tighter in my arms, thinking of the best way to answer him.

“He… He, uh… Guess you could say he taught me to be honest. Not with others, maybe… not always… but always with myself. For better or worse.”

“I-I’m… I shouldn’t have asked-”

“No,” I quickly shook my head. “Don’t apologize for that shit either,” I told him firmly, and Ryk slowly nodded. My right hand gently raised, cupping the side of his delicate face instead, and watching him gently lean into my careful touch just took my fucking breath away.

Having him this close- knowing he could be this intimate and comfortable with me… this shit felt like I was on drugs, honestly. I was only reminded of how special this was when I saw him around others. Seeing that fear in his eyes tonight reminded me that he had someone who still found a way to torture him, even if it was his dreams.

“What’s something you want to know about him?” I asked Ryk instead. “No questions are off the table.”

It took this beautiful fucker a second before asking, “Is he… buried here?” And it took me longer before nodding.

“Would you like to visit his grave with me?”

Ryk quickly nodded. “If-… like if you’d like me to-”

“Yeah,” I replied, cutting his sentence short. “I’d like that. It’s something I don’t talk about… but I don’t want it to be off limits between us. If you want to know more about him, just ask. I want you to, Ryk… To ask.”

Ryk held my gaze as he gradually nodded. “Do you… Does it hurt to talk about it- him? If it hurts you, then we don’t have to-”

“Double-edged sword,” I answered, quoting what Ryk had said earlier about Batman’s dead parents, which earned me a faint smile. “He did what he could while he was here. And made the decision to leave on his terms. It hurts to know that the people he left weren’t enough to keep him around… but he was suffering. And he decided he couldn’t handle it.”

Ryk slowly nodded again, adjusting his comforting hold on my body. And I liked it- I liked how tight he held me. It felt like he was holding onto something more than just me physically.

“…Do you hate him for it?” He asked in a quieter tone.

Man, what a question that was.

“At first… yeah,” I replied… “but my father was intentional. He never did anything without weighing out the pros and cons,” And that was the honest-to-god truth. “I think he was trying to preserve how I perceived him by going so soon. He wanted me to remember how he looked on the outside. How happy he appeared to be. So I just had to let that anger go as the years went on. He made a choice I couldn’t understand then but do now.”

Ryk gently nodded against my chest. His arm shifted, releasing my chest now to bring his hand right to my chest. Right above my heart. And the action was simple enough, but it made my heartbeat quicken. He gently massaged the bare skin there, easing over where he had shoved me back.

I could see that immediate regret, and that was enough. It was that look of terror that concerned me more than the shove. Everything besides the shove was more important to me, right down to the words he whispered in his sleep. The murmured apology for a man who didn’t deserve it.

“What’s one thing you wish people would ask you more?” I asked Ryk, willing to pivot this conversation if it was feeling a bit too heavy.

“What you ask me all the time,” He replied as the most beautiful smile stretched across his lips. “Whether I’m having fun. Kinda nice to be reminded I still get to do that. Like, have fun, I mean. As depressing as that shit sounds.”

I simply shook my head no. “I’ll try to remind you as much as I can. But only if you promise to do the same.”

Ryk immediately nodded. “I will.”

“Good. Tired yet?”

This beautiful fucker slowly shook his head no. “That’s two questions,” he then reminded me.

“We’ve been answering questions with questions, and now you want to get specific-”

“Yes,” he nodded against me, making us both chuckle. He knew I’d let him switch the rules whenever he wanted to tonight.

“Alright, alright, ask away, gorgeous,” I replied, then bent down a little to give his forehead a gentle kiss, which had this fucker grinning hard. Hard enough to make me contemplate just getting us a fucking hotel or something. I wanted to touch him very fucking inappropriately right now. The only apologies I’d even entertain right now was him apologizing for coming too soon. I wanted my fingers deep inside him again, feeling his walls clenching down…

“How would you describe Tuesday night? Like was it… was it- was I okay? Like I-… I know I was nervous and shit, but-”

“ You were perfect, “ I told him seriously as my thumb brushed against his left cheekbone, just enjoying the softness of his skin. While I wanted to feel more parts of him, I knew one of us wearing a shirt was safer for both of us. “You were nervous, but it was perfect. Getting to feel you grow more comfortable with me is the most insane shit, Ryk-”

Ryk pressed his face a bit more firmly against my skin, and I simply couldn’t stop myself from tilting that head of his a little further up, bending down to bring my lips to his for a gentle yet short kiss.

“ Genuinely perfect ,“ I then found myself mumbling against those soft lips before eventually pulling away. “And when you’re ready for more, we’ll do more. If you’re not then-”

“I am,” he rushed out quickly, making me smile. “If… If it feels like that- that good, I mean… then I’m ready. I want that- that intimacy with you.”

I slowly nodded. “I’ll make it good. I’ll make it as perfect as I can when we get there.” And I meant every bit of that. “But right now, Ryk, I want you to get as much rest as possible. In a few hours, this home is about to be a hot fucking mess and I want you to be ready for it, alright?”

Ryk swiftly nodded, his head getting more comfortable in my chest as those large eyes slowly drifted shut. “Alright. Goodnight then, Mickey,” he murmured against my bare skin.

“Goodnight, Ryk,” I replied, giving the top of his head one more gently kiss.

This night gave me a new understanding on the fact that it would probably never be just about the good nights for him. And there was no limit on how many bad nights he could have. All I knew was that he’d have a good Thanksgiving, though- the best I could manage to give him… and after, he and I would talk about leaving that piece of shit he called a father right there in those nightmares.

Hopefully, one day, he wouldn’t exist there either.

4 AM - I woke up to Ryk in my arms, his breathing deep, still fast asleep. My arm adjusted, pulling him in a little closer. No other night terrors , I thought to myself before tilting my head down to place a kiss on the top of his. Good . Then I allowed myself to slip back into sleep.

5 AM - My body jolted awake by the sound of a thud on the second level. In the process, both the sound and my body tensing accidentally stirred Ryk awake a little.

“Mickey,” his raspy voice murmured into my bare chest. “The fuck was that…?”

“Just Ci waking up,” I replied in my own drowsy, deeper voice. “Go back to bed, Ryk.” And Ryker nodded against me before eventually snuggling in closer and drifting off to sleep again. I closed my eyes, too, allowing myself to rest, but I could hear some movement upstairs that kept me awake. CiCi was probably getting a grip on things up there.

I did wonder how things went with her and Jade sharing a bed, but judging by all the stumbling she was doing, it was probably a rougher start to her day. I knew Jade definitely wouldn’t try anything while Ci was that drunk, but simply waking up next to the dark-haired woman was probably enough to give my godmother a goddamn heart attack.

I just cuddled Ryk and listened to this silly woman fumble through the bathroom… so I wasn’t all that surprised that I managed to drift back to sleep, only for Ci to finally make her way downstairs. And while I definitely had the time to separate myself from Ryk… I didn’t bother to.

This whole visit had been me trying to keep my distance, and I was completely over it. Especially after the night we literally just had. There was no way in hell I was letting go of him until I was forced to get up. Plus, of all the ways Ci could’ve found out, this was the easiest way to rip the band-aid off.

Only thing I didn’t anticipate was how hard this woman fucking gasped, surprising the shit outta me. And, of course, my jolting stirred Ryk a bit, with my first reaction being annoyance because this fucker had enough of a rough night. He deserved some uninterrupted sleep. So when I locked eyes with Ci staring down at us, her mouth covered from her little sudden burst of noise, I think my irritation was expressed clearly enough. She was definitely apologetic.

Then we just sorta stared at each other for a little bit, neither one of us saying a damn thing. She didn’t look mad, just… surprised.

Definitely surprised.

What time is it? I mouthed to her, finally.

Ci slowly turned her head, looking towards the kitchen for a good, long moment, before she turned that head back to me and hesitantly mouthed, 5:30 AM. I think she sensed the extent of my irritation because she added quickly, just getting water .

I slowly nodded, accepting that excuse, then mouthed back, grab it and go back to bed. I’ll get up at six. We’ll talk then.

That was pretty much all I had in me because we sure as hell weren’t having this conversation before 6 AM, so I just closed my eyes as I tilted my head down to give Ryk’s forehead another gentle kiss, then went right back to resting. And Ci definitely got the message. She ended up continuing on to the kitchen to get herself a bottle of water from the fridge, then crept back upstairs.

When I did finally get up, it was about fifteen minutes after Ci came down. I gave the sleeping fucker a kiss, this time on his lips, after he mumbled a slight protest to me getting up. I whispered back, “I’ll just be in the kitchen,” which Ryk eventually nodded to, and allowed me to separate myself from his warmth.

I ended up throwing on one of the shirts I brought downstairs last night for Ryk to choose from, then headed to the kitchen to get moving on setting up our workspace.

CiCi joined me not too long after, but I could hear the hesitancy in every step she took down those stairs. She sure as fuck wasn’t ready to have this conversation, but I also knew that having Ci sit with her thoughts was always worse, so she was just going to have to tough this one out.

“Ready to start?” I asked quietly, glancing over at the now dressed woman with damp hair for about a second before placing more glass bowls on the kitchen island.

“Y-Yeah,” she stuttered, but still made her way towards the sink to wash up. She definitely wanted to flee from this conversation, yet I didn’t plan on holding back from kissing Ryk, or touching him in general, going forward, so she was going to have to compartmentalize her big feelings a little and work with me here.

Once she washed and dried her hands, she then joined me at my side, which led me to start with an obvious question so I could kick this conversation off. “How’s the head?”

Clearly, she was still going through it.

“Hanging in there,” Ci replied. I nodded, accepting that. She looked like she would’ve still been in bed if she didn’t think I’d get up there and yank her up my damn self… but at least she was here. I didn’t say anything to that, though- the easiest way to get Ci to talk was always when she felt like she had to fill the silence. “So… you and Ryk…” she finally got out.

“Are you pissed?” I asked in a casual tone. It sounded casual enough, but Ci and I both know what it meant- me asking her that. And the sigh she gave me eased that tension immediately.

“Mic… when have I ever really been pissed at you?”

I glanced away from the dry ingredients I had started mixing to look down at this older woman again. She had meant that shit, which was the only reason I felt comfortable enough to joke about it. “Whenever I get in another relationship,” I replied, making my godmother’s eyebrows raise a little.

“So, you and Ryk- you two are…”

“In a relationship? Yeah,” I nodded quickly, but held her gaze now. I didn’t even know how to explain how serious this was for me, but the realization was hitting Ci in waves.

“When… When did you two-”

“Well…” I found myself cutting in. “It’s a bit complicated.” And that was probably putting things lightly. “We kissed the weekend we worked on his car. Our first, I guess, official date was last Saturday.”

And Ci just sort of nodded, still digesting all this. She was confused… but she wasn’t mad, and that was all I cared about.

“So… the Secret Santa-” she started.

I cut her off again with a solid, “Yep.”

“And… and the room situation… for the holiday party-”

“Exactly,” I nodded.

Ci just stared up at me. And I stared down at her, more confident now about this conversation. Confident enough to ask this next question.

“Now for Secret San-”

“ Fuck no,“ this woman replied quick as hell, with all seriousness. But there was a slight smile playing on her lips. I assumed she’d say no, but I think she liked the fact that I still asked.

“So you’re not disappointed then?” I asked her as a slight smile played on my own lips.

“I’m highly disappointed that you didn’t tell me,” CiCi answered, and was dead serious with that part, yet it just made my smile widen. “But Mic… I could never be disappointed in you finding something that clearly makes you happy. And you know that… You know why.”

Now those words…

Those were words I wasn’t quite prepared for.

And it was stupid that I hadn’t prepared for them in the first place. Because Ci had always cared. She had always only cared about what made me happy. And those words were why my smile slowly faded.

I decided to let a few of my walls down for just a moment as I fully turned to this silly woman, bent down, and pulled her in for an unexpected hug.

I didn’t touch her with my clean hands, but I still made sure she felt the fuck out of this hug, with me bending lower to whisper near her right ear something I hoped would explain my intentions clearly. “ He makes me the happiest I’ve been in a really long fucking time, Ci. “

This woman deserved to know that. Even if I found myself abruptly pulling back, not sure how to react to such a sudden confession… she deserved to know that this happiness was genuine. That it was real. And most importantly, that I wasn’t just fucking around with Ryk.

“Y-You’re… you’re serious, then?” Ci asked, trying to adjust herself so I wasn’t doing all this prep work alone. This was a lot for her, but she was trying to hold it together, and I respected that. That hug was also my way of apologizing for this. I was being selfish by ripping the band-aid off, especially on Thanksgiving, but I wanted to give Ryk a good Thanksgiving, and that involved being open with him. I could see that he wanted us to be like Eve and X. He wanted that openness, and so did I.

And it wasn’t lost on me that this might be one of the first holidays where he could be around people who accepted that side of him.

“Very,” I found myself answering. “I… I took him to the Buddhist Temple on Saturday. He sat with Sho.”

Just that confession alone was really all Ci needed. She knew what that meant for me, and had a heart so genuine, it was freeing how she never judged me for my relationship with that place after my mother left.

“ Jesus , Mickey,“ she murmured quietly, but I knew the conversation would get too deep and needed a little lighter perspective. So I was forced to cut her emotional self short.

“Don’t get soft on me now, Ci. What happened to those bones made of steel?” I asked, earning me one sharp, sudden elbow to my left arm- a necessary sacrifice as I pulled away, chuckling warmly. Then I decided to push my luck a little farther. “Does this mean we get one roo-”

“No,” she cut me right off. “Ryk still gets his own room for the holiday party.”

“You’re fucking impossible,” I couldn’t help but groan.

“No, my sweet godchild, I’m fair ,” she reminded me. “And who else knows? About you and Ryk?”

That made me pause for a second to think about. “I’d say everyone but you and Jade. Well, not my mum either, obviously. And I didn’t want to drop this on you today, but I was getting a bit sick and tired of keeping my distance with Ryk, so.”

“Oh, woe is you ,” Ci replied, rolling her eyes at me before she finally turned her attention back to the kitchen island. God, she was genuinely one ridiculous multitasker when she was hungover.

“Hey, now,” I tried arguing. “We practically admitted to each other last night that we were falling in love without actually admitting it. The fact that I’ve been acting this civilly has truly been out of respect for you.” That made CiCi turn to me quickly.

Honestly, she was lucky she only walked in on us cuddling with the way I fucking held back from touching him all night. Well… sorta held back.

“Are you- Are you serious?” Ci asked. I nodded.

“Yeah… But we’re not rushing into saying it, and I appreciate that.” I made sure to add. “Also, if you’re about to say some sappy lovey dovey shit, I’ll leave you alone in this kitchen to fend for yourself, Ci.” And that grin on her face definitely wasn’t hidden well, which just made mine grow. I knew CiCi’s obsession with love was oozing out of her. Especially after all the comments I made in the past about her being a terribly hopeless romantic.

“ Okay, okay, okay! “ She rushed out with a good understanding that my threats around the holidays should never be taken lightly. I still had half a mind to take Ryk back to my place. I wanted to spend more time with him alone before we both had to focus on everything that came after the holiday.

Before I had to deal with the twins. And unfortunately, Ryk’s father.

For now, I just wanted a few more hours with this fucker before shit really hit the fan.

But nothing could’ve prepared me for how Ryk would somehow manage to make this the most memorable Thanksgiving yet.

••

69. Gluten-y

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

And I promise I’m not dead lol, just been vacationing at my man’s place since the world is going to shit and he’s got good books to read. We also both work from home so it’s been a cute lil “end of the world with you” moment

Warning: Explicit Content ;)

I didn’t wake up again until like 9 AM.

And the thing that woke me up was definitely Eve’s voice.

“I’ve changed my mind!” She declared, jolting me awake.

“Get in this fucking kitchen, Eve,” Mickey snapped. I slowly sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes as I adjusted to the sunlight pouring in from CiCi’s large living room windows. Everything felt like a goddamn hazy dream at first. Mickey had switched out the bottle of water on my side table, so I reached for that first next, taking in the fresh smell of baked bread and the incredible smell of… well, actually, fucking everything.

Everything smelled fucking amazing . As in the whole home smelled sweet and savory and somewhat tart with lemon.

“Morning, Ryk,” Xavier spoke, making me jump about ten feet fucking high when I finally looked from my left to my right. He was sitting on the same love seat he and Eve sat at yesterday night, tapping away on his phone now. He looked showered and clothed already, which just made me scramble to figure out the time, but the living room TV was on, flashing the time that said 9:06 AM at the bottom right.

“M-Morning,” I mumbled, still a bit drowsy. Then I turned my head around completely to check out what everyone else was doing, peeking over the back of the couch.

Jade was sitting at the dining table, sketching something into a book, while the kitchen was filled with Eve, Mickey, and CiCi, who had all started bickering. Mickey was taking lead, instructing Eve- who looked like she had just risen from the dead- on something they were baking, while she and CiCi were then going back and forth about something to do with cooking times, I think.

When Mickey caught sight of me, though, our eyes locked hard.

He wasn’t wearing anything to cover up his neck. The hickeys. And neither was I, considering this fucker had passed me another shirt to change into after my night terror… then I saw him turn to grab something off the back counter, which made heat rise to my face once he started walking it over quickly.

“Morning,” was his first word to me. And in his hand was a small plate of scrambled eggs and sausages. But what really fucking got me was how unbelievably hot this fucking baker looked.

“H-Hi,” I murmured to him as I took in his whole appearance. The white shirt that clung to his larger build, the white towel he had slung over his shoulder. The top, longer portion of his hair was pulled back into a small ponytail, keeping those longer strands out of his face. And everything- I mean everything about his muscular arms- damn near bursting from the short sleeves of his shirt- had me fucking mesmerized .

If this is what he looked like when he was stressed the hell out… I hated to say it, but I was willing to do some downright deplorable things to try easing his stress levels.

Mickey set the small plate on the side table, shifting the fresh, chilled water bottle over a bit to make room. “Just a little something to hold you over while we get things ready in the kitchen,” he explained to me, and good lord, I was trying my damn hardest to focus on his eyes or some shit.

Fuck if I knew anymore.

I just knew this whole look was making my body hot all over, including those damn hickeys that complemented his tattoos like he was the finest piece of walking art.

And when Mickey dipped closer instead of straightening himself out, bringing his face just inches away from mine as he placed both those large hands on the bed beside my own hands, boxing me right in, my breaths got caught the fuck up, fumbling something as simple as breathing.

I should’ve talked him into doing more last night, I couldn’t help but think. Now I just… now I just wanted him. Bad .

“ But you look hungry for something else, Ryk, “ he murmured low, making my hands grip the bed cover as my legs shifted a little under them, drawing his attention there a moment as his eyes dipped lower.

“M-Mickey-” I tried to mutter. I needed him to stay the farthest away from me at this point. With CiCi down here, I needed him to… to…

But what Mickey did next was what shocked me to my fucking core. He fucking closed that distance seamlessly, just leaning in to kiss me, and my whole body fucking froze.

Was… was this….

When Mickey then pulled away, I felt my heart rate start to spiral. “CiCi-” I tried to get out through irregular breaths, even if my eyes were begging him to do that shit again. And I knew he could see it too. He very clearly saw how my eyes were pleading for fucking more right now.

His next words, however, just surprised the hell out of me more. “She knows,” he said.

I just stared at him for a good, long second. I was doing everything to figure out what the hell happened after I knocked out on his chest, and before I woke up again…

But those lips- those soft fucking lips. They had me leaning forward this time, closing my eyes, and closing that fucking distance again.

And fuck, just his lips on mine… that shit had me gripping the bed cover harder, pulling it tighter around me like this would make my dick any more soft. Shit, he felt so fucking good. Those soft lips of his pulled in my bottom one, pushing back against me harder to deepen this kiss. But this second kiss didn’t last nearly as long as I wanted.

“Mickey!” Eve called to this baker suddenly, which both successfully reminded me that we had an audience, and successfully had him slowly pull away… but he took his sweet fucking time doing it, which just forced my lips to linger a bit longer on his, not quite wanting him to stop as both his eyes and mine opened up again to meet each other. There was genuinely nothing but intense fucking need behind both his beautiful, deep brown eyes and mine. “If I’ve gotta be in this damn kitchen, you better get your ass back here!”

“I…” I whispered a bit, just unsure of what the fuck to do right now. I wanted more of this shit, and the way Mickey was looking at me now wasn’t helping anything.

“Got a few more hours of cooking, then I’ll give you that tour of my bookshelf,” he whispered to me, and I just nodded with my eyes fully fixated on fucking all of him at this point. Cause the way his gaze panned ever so slowly down my body, then back up me… that shit had my legs shifting again, just adoring the way he didn’t even try to hide how much he wanted me. “Good,” Mickey nodded, “Now eat something first, then if you need to shower, everything is already in the bathroom for you.”

“O-Okay,” I barely got out, watching Mickey eventually retreat back to the kitchen. Eve definitely spent the next few minutes cussing that baker out, but his gaze kept finding its way to me again, forcing me to finally pay attention to this food.

Which was, of course, absolutely delicious.

The eggs were cheesy yet spicy, and the sausage was maple-glazed, making me pretty much scarf the shit down considering how hungry I was. Between the straight liquor and waking up from the night terror, I… yeah, I was starving.

Once the breakfast was done, I set the cleaned dish on the side table and finished the water before I was able to find the basketball shorts Mickey had successfully kissed me out of last night, under the covers beside me now, and pulled those on as well.

After that, I got up and started folding the bed covers and sheets. Mickey called out from the kitchen, “I can handle that, Ryk!” but I quickly shook my head no.

“I got it!” I told him, locking eyes with his busy self, to give him a smile, which he warmly returned. And when my eyes panned over to CiCi, that woman was grinning ear to ear while rolling out dough on the kitchen island beside Mickey, which made me look away quickly while my smile just grew.

She seemed happy with this… and that shit alone made me happy. Like really fucking happy. So far me being honest with my sexuality, let alone with who I liked, hadn’t turned out anything like this.

This good.

Once I got the covers and sheets folded up, however, Xavier was quick to spring up and help me fold the bed back in before placing the cushions back on. “Thanks,” I gave him a smile.

“Anytime,” he replied, smiling back a bit. “You get some good rest?”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

Xavier didn’t push that question any further, even though I felt like he somehow knew about the night terror. He just nodded, adding, “Good, you’ll need that shit,” and that successfully got a good chuckle out of me as we finished getting the couch back together.

Honestly, no one had told a single lie about today being a stressful one.

Everyone in that damn kitchen was barking orders at each other, all while Mickey cut them all off to baste the damn turkey in peace so he could focus. I wasn’t even sure if I should bring my empty plate in there to set in the sink- like I had no idea if it was safe enough in there for that, considering all three of them were waving knives around at one point… but I decided to anyway because I didn’t want to leave stuff lying around.

I already felt a bit odd sleeping in later while everyone else had somewhat gotten it together for this. They all looked like they took showers already with their damp hair, even Eve, who definitely seemed halfway asleep still, so I wanted to too.

Once I started heading towards the kitchen with the empty plate in hand, Mickey was fast to intercept it when I almost made it there.

“I’ll take that,” he said, all while I tried to just ignore everything past his head. Ignore the adorable ass ponytail he had his longer hair pulled back into. That shit too. Just all of it, actually. “You mind taking up the bedding? You can set them in my bedroom for now and I’ll wash them later.”

I quickly nodded, just ready to bolt anywhere else as I passed him the plate. And while I loved how bold his looks were now- just fully unrestricted- I needed some time to cool down before he was in any same room as me.

So that speed walk back over to the couch to pick up the folded sheets, leading into a swift sprint upstairs, was absolutely necessary for sure. I cleared those many steps up to the second floor and headed right towards Mickey’s bedroom. It looked the same as it did last night, just with the sunlight shining through his window now.

His bed was made, his bookshelves untouched. Honestly, it was hard to tell that Xavier and Eve had crashed here at all, which probably meant that Mickey’s little pep talk got through to the two lovebirds. His firm tone and seeing him this morning just let me know he was serious about no one pissing him the hell off.

I set the sheets down on the edge of his bed… but my curiosity got the best of me, and instead of heading straight to the bathroom, I decided to do a little snooping on my own.

I just skipped the outrageous clock as a whole and settled on Mickey’s bookshelf that held pretty much everything but books. He had some classics here, but almost his whole bookcase was filled with different cool sculptures. Because I didn’t know what any of this shit was, I kept my hands to myself for the most part while I looked around.

My finger did tap that cool little metal spinny thing, though, cause that shit was just cool, and even though Mickey absolutely meant more to just giving me a tour, I still wanted to see the levitating globe in action.

On another shelf, he had some books that I decided to crack open. Now, were they on shit I understood? God no. But I was still interested. Honestly, everything in this room interested me, even if I knew I wouldn’t fully get it. I just loved that Mickey had the coolest-looking stuff. I mean, the man had a fucking sculpture of an airplane on his top shelf. Like an insanely detailed one.

Everything was just-… it was dope. Really fucking dope.

I started flipping through the engineering book slow, at least using my pretty decent reading skills to try to understand… until I just gave up and started looking at the pictures. And I got a bit lost in it to be honest, just flipping page after page to see more pictures of everything from planes to space ships, with little blurbs added under them to explain the build out.

Once again, I had no idea what the hell I was looking at, but it was really cool shit.

And me getting so involved was the reason I probably didn’t hear Mickey hiking up the stairs or entering his bedroom. I didn’t hear it until that door closed behind him, and that lock was absolutely locked.

“Looks like you’re fine-tuning your snooping skills.”

That made me smile as I turned my head back to him and he drew closer. “You’ve… well, got a bunch of cool stuff in here,” I tried explaining myself.

Jesus , being in a hot ass kitchen all morning was looking too fucking good on him.

“Glad you like it,” he replied. “Don’t stop on account of me. Keep reading if you’d like.”

I slowly turned back to the book, but was forced to look over my shoulder when I felt Mickey’s warmth against my back, positioning himself behind me and bending down to rest his chin on my right shoulder. “I-I’m barely reading.”

“I know,” he mumbled jokingly, which made me just chuckle. “If this shit felt a little dry for me, you must be just checking out the pictures… but then again, I’m dating a fucker who reads shit like Great Expectations and shit.”

“Okay, now,” I shot back in my defense. “It’s got a lot of humor in it. And I have to for school.”

“Mhm,” Mickey just hummed as his arms wrapped loosely around my waist.

“And let’s… let’s address that- the whole dating thing. When did CiCi-…. find out?”

“This morning,” Mickey replied.

“And… a-and Jade?”

“Also this morning.”

“A-And like- they’re- well, Pricilla’s okay with-”

“Yeah. Hasn’t stopped smiling all day,” Mic confirmed as he held me tighter. “Also, only use CiCi or Ci. Pricilla sounds like how you’d address an evil mother-in-law. Got it?”

I slowly nodded as a smile quickly crept upon my face. I found myself leaning back more into his warmth, even if that smooth voice right near my ear had my body reacting in a heartbeat.

“You alright with her knowing? It was a selfish move on my end.”

“No, it’s fine,” I rushed out right after those whispered words from him.

His arms were tucked up under mine, holding me as I held this large hardcover book with both hands, but I wanted to set it back on the shelf so I could touch him too. The only thing that stopped me was his next choice of words.

“Keep flipping through the pictures, Ryk,” Mickey insisted, his low voice sending shivers through my whole fucking body at this point. “I just want to hold you a little.”

“O-Okay,” I whispered back.

“How’re you feeling… after.. after last night- well, this morning?” He then asked. “Did you sleep well?”

I quickly nodded again. “Thank you… for everything.”

It was hard to even put into words how much everything Mickey did meant to me. He’d already seen the worst of it, and I know he didn’t want to hear an apology- I knew I shouldn’t apologize for the things I couldn’t control with him… but just him being here meant everything. Him not leaving during the worst of it meant quite literally fucking everything.

“Thank you for just letting me hold you,” he replied, which made me feel all the more sensitive around him. The warmth from just his body alone, his larger frame holding me like the most important thing… that shit alone made me more emotional than I was going to allow myself to get because it was fucking Thanksgiving and I could not keep fucking crying in front of him.

“I like it,” I said instead, and in all honesty. “I like being like this with you- like, I mean, like I want to-”

“I know,” he murmured nearer my right ear, before placing a soft kiss directly below it, and my hands couldn’t help but grip the cover of this book tighter. “I know you do. I do, too. And while CiCi has every reason to judge me based on how I’ve been in the past with previous relationships, this isn’t that. We spoke this morning, and she understands that more.”

That just made me gushy as shit, honestly.

“So I’m not going to limit when I touch you unless it ever makes you uncomfortable. If you look at me the way you did this morning, I want to fucking kiss you regardless of who’s in the room.” And I felt Mickey’s arms shift around my waist, his left hand tugging up on the hem of this shirt before slipping under the soft material.

I almost fucking dropped this book at the sudden contact of his bare hand sliding up my bare skin. “M-Mickey-” my voice whispered out in shaky breaths.

“And when we are alone…” he continued, as did that fucking hand, gliding up my skin gradually towards my chest, traveling slow towards my right nipple. “…I want to touch more of you. I want to…” Once his fingers brushed against the hardening bit, my head tipped back jarringly against his shoulder, unable to stop the tight moan that ripped from my throat.

“M-Mic-” I fucking breathed out, incapable of stopping more moans as his fingers gently flicked and teased the little taut bulb.

“ You like this? “ he murmured far more fucking roughly, but all I managed was a nod through the shallow breaths. And that was mainly because his right hand started getting lower and his own breaths got deeper, that hand now gradually pushing past the waistband of the basketball shorts and my briefs, reaching to wrap around my already struggling fucking dick.

My body lurched forward slightly as I fucking whimpered at this fucking pleasure, and Mickey started laying more kisses into my neck, making me fumble with the damn book in my hand.

“Y-You’re words, Ryk-” Mickey started…

Yet he didn’t even finish that sentence before I moaned out, “D-Dont… don’t stop- sh-shit- please, d-don’t-”

“I won’t,” Mickey whispered back as he started to stroke me, working my fucking body slow but intentionally. “Set the- set that book back, Ryk.”

And he didn’t have to fucking tell me twice, as I forced my eyes open and my shaky hands tried to place this thing back on there. I just about got it on the shelf, not caring which one, when Mickey swiped his thumb over my sensitive, wet tip, and that had my hands fucking trembling as I clung to the ledge of the middle shelf instead.

“M-Mickey-” My voice broke in fucking pleasure. Mickey’s kisses got rougher, though, making it damn near impossible to even fucking hold myself up anymore. And that was when I forced this baker’s hands and lips away as I quickly turned to him, his hands falling from the front of my body as I damn near stumbled back into his freaking bookshelf in the process.

“Ryk?” He mumbled; those eyelids of his lowered.

“B-Bed-” I stammered, but I was already starting to push him back by his chest until he stumbled over the side and fell back onto his ass, pulling his shirt right off in the process. Then I climbed right on top of him, straddled his lap, and brought both my hands to the sides of his face so I could bring my lips directly to his again.

Mickey didn’t wait a single moment, kissing me even deeper, and those large hands of his gripped my ass roughly as he yanked me even harder onto him, making damn sure I could feel that fucking rock-hard cock through his joggers with mine. I wasn’t even tracking my damn breathing anymore. I wasn’t given a damn how my breaths made it past my lips or nose, just allowing myself to drown into this touch I had desperately fucking wanted.

My hands left this baker’s face to reach for the drawstring of his joggers, undoing them quickly, but this intense kiss we shared was broken when Mickey suddenly flipped us both, tossing me on my ass at the ledge of the bed before he dropped right to his knees on his bedroom floor. His hands then gripped the waistband of everything- shorts and briefs included- before he yanked them off in one fluid motion to reveal to both him and me just how hard I really was.

Mickey tossed those shorts somewhere behind him. Then he started kissing up my bare legs, enjoying every goddamn second of it as my hands latched onto the ledge of his bed, but I mustered up enough of a voice to utter, “W-W-Wait- Mickey-” and the look he was giving me from down below was definitely asking I be all the way the fuck so fucking for real right now.

“Please, Ryk,” he murmured against my skin. “Please tell me you want to stop because you actually want to stop… because I’m fucking starving to taste you right now.”

“I-I- y-yeah, I… I just-” I started, trying to figure out how to explain what I fucking wanted right now after he said that shit. “I… I want to like-”

Then my own thoughts were fucking interrupted because Mickey slid both of his arms under my thighs, and lifted my legs right onto his bare shoulders before he dipped his head between my legs… and the kisses he started leaving there on my inner thighs almost forced me all the way onto my back on the bed.

“Mi- M-Mickey!” I groaned out, gripping the hell out of his bed cover to try and stabilize myself.

“ How do you want it, Ryk? “ He fucking growled into my sensitive skin, and that almost made me forget that I wanted to do this to him today, not the other way around.

But I tried to hold out before my head got too dizzy to fucking care anymore, and my body shifted back a bit, stopping Mickey from going further. “W-W-W-Wait-” I forced out again, and Mickey slowed this intensity a bit. “I… I want to do this to you instead.”

“You- You don’t want me to-”

“I do- I do,” I rushed out, nodding down at him. “I want this, but I want to like, to- to thank you- I mean, like I want to show you like how grateful I am…” God, my voice was a hot mess, my breathing still a shit show, but Mickey didn’t react badly.

Actually, I expected that softness to return to his eyes… but they just got a whole lot fucking darker, making my heart fucking stir in anticipation of whatever the hell he was thinking.

“You want that, Ryk?” He asked, but the way he said it made my whole fucking body tremble.

I shook my head yes before I managed a somewhat audible, “y-yes.” And that was all Mickey said before gently lifting my shaking legs off his bare shoulders and setting them back over the ledge of the bed.

Then he quickly stood up, bent down, and planted a quick kiss right on me. I didn’t even have any time to react when he pulled away, then somehow managed to strip this shirt off me so fast it felt like I blinked and was suddenly fully naked in front of him.

It was work at this point to not feel intimidated by Mickey’s build… but the way he looked at my body made sudden heat spread through me like I was running a whole fever. He looked like he was just about ready to keep us in this bedroom all fucking day, and honestly, if it wasn’t for how much work he, CiCi, and Eve were all putting in to make this meal a good one, I would’ve just let this kidnapping happen.

Then Mickey climbed onto the bed, shifting behind me to lie down right onto it in just his joggers, and my whole body just turned with him to watch him get comfortable before he easily pulled those joggers right off, revealing just how fucking hard he fucking was right now.

And when he made contact with my turned upper body, all he said was, “Come here then, Ryk,” and my body was immediately scrambling onto more of that bed while an all too wide grin spread across my face.

I wanted to work my way down, just like Mickey always worked his way up, so I didn’t waste any time getting on top to straddle this naked baker, my body already humming at the feel of this warm, richly tanned skin. But when I dipped down to give Mickey a kiss that lingered, ready to make him feel good, I didn’t even make it down to his neck when he pulled me back by my hair.

“ Not like that, Ryk, “ he whispered roughly, which made me pause a moment.

“But you- you said I could-”

“Turn around and press that gorgeous ass on me,” he replied, not missing a goddamn beat as he said it. “Compromise. You want to blow me, then you’re gonna ride my face while you fucking do it.”

••

Also, I’m so sorry to bring you into my outrage but I recently got into a discussion on who we should’ve had as our John Stewart Green Lantern- ya know, a brotha ✊🏾- with my lil boo thang

And this is who we’re getting… Aaron Pierre. A British lightskin mf that looks like he should be the villain

THEN MY LIL BOO THANG MENTIONED ALDIS HODGE AND SEE NOW IM MAD BECAUSE I LITERALLY HAD TO PULL OUT FREEZE FRAMES FROM THE HORROR MOVIE THE INVISIBLE MAN TO REMIND MY PARTNER HOW FINE ALDIS IS

Just double caked up on a Tuesday for NO REASON OTHER THAN BEING FINE

WE COULDA HAD THIS TALL DARK AND HANDSOME MF AS JOHN STEWART GREEN LANTERN BUT NO.

Anyways that’s all I gotta say lol. Thanks for hearing a girl out

70. Knead For Speed (M)

I’m backkkkk mfs! lol I got home from my man’s place yesterday so I was just enjoying more of my time there (damn near spent a month with him). And I should have three uploads for y’all today because I was still writing, but we were doing movie marathons so I didn’t have the capacity to watch and edit these.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Also, real quick, did y’all want me to include like an Explicit Content notion in the chapter names? Like at the end I could do [EC] or [NSFW] so y’all know what chapters to either skip or come back to depending on if you like the smut? Let me know!

Warning: Explicit Content

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/263568a452eac56b2b4d0ecdcb633d333d1f750c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f31582d632d624f6e484e525634513d3d2d313631333832323737332e313839663839303734353935623731663537363032363939323732362e6a7067)               

“Like… Like this?” Ryk asked hesitantly, his body now shivering a little above me, unsure of how exactly I wanted him. It was still jarring how confident this fucker was one second, then the next, was so hesitant, but I didn’t care how inexperienced he might’ve been with a few things. I just loved that he was comfortable enough to try something new.

I meant every fucking work about learning what he liked and what he didn’t.

Especially after what he’d said. About thanking me for last night.

Ryk might’ve been a giver when it came to intimacy, but goddamn it, he and I were going to find a way to compromise on a few things if that was the case.

Just watching the way he looked at me after Tuesday night- hell, just after last night- every fucking time we did something that made him feel pleasure or even just safe… it made me want to get even better at this intimacy between us.

To let him know I didn’t find any of this as a turn-off. Not the night terrors. Not the insecurities or the inexperience. None of it would scare me off. None of it made me want him less.

My arms slid under his thighs to hold his hips as he backed his perfect ass up a little. “J-Just like that,” I replied in a heavy rasp as I felt more warm liquid leak from his tip onto my upper chest. “Just like-”

Ryk cut my words off by the feel of his cool right hand wrapping around the base of my stiff cock, while his left arm steadied himself on the mattress below, his elbow bent right near the left side of my waist. That perfect fucking entrance was right in front of me as his ass spread open a little, and Jesus fuck had I played this down of how fucking badly I wanted him right now.

The look Eve gave me when I washed my hands and fucking bolted up here let her know not to call for me for thirty minutes. That’s exactly how much time I had before I had to baste this goddamn turkey again…

So I didn’t waste a moment now, gently gliding my hands down from his hips to his ass to spread Ryk’s cheeks apart more, and his warm lips wrapping around my cock was an eager, pleasure-filled reason to fucking bury my face in his ass, enjoying every fucking bit of this heat.

He shivered immediately into me, moaning hard around my dick, which made me question for a moment even leaving him to his own devices down there with that warm mouth of his.

He’d never been known to treat my dick mercifully before.

But his shivering body let me know this blowjob wasn’t going to be easy for him. “ Harder against me -“ I murmured right into his sensitive skin as I pulled him down even firmer, locking his thighs between my biceps and forearms, and Ryk groaned around my cock as he gripped the sheets tight with that left hand- I could feel the shift of the fabric from under me.

He was trembling above my body now, which led me to believe that this might’ve been more than he was expecting.

I didn’t want to say it was more than he was ready for, though, because he didn’t protest after this.

The fucking opposite, actually.

Ryk was in fucking shambles against me as I buried my face in his ass and prodded my tongue at the ring of his tight entrance, spreading his cheeks wider to give me more access. He was trying to mumble his moans on my fucking cock, but that was just making me more goddamn feral .

Everything about this made me lose all hope of keeping my composure. It made me want to fuck him into this bed even though I knew we weren’t doing that shit today. We weren’t going that far- not here.

Ryker was doing everything he could to focus on keeping those perfect lips wrapped tight around my hard, leaking cock, that warm tongue swirling around my tip, circling it hungrily… but I was fucking starving for him. I couldn’t help how hard I gripped his ass and pulled him down even more. My tongue circled his tight entrance, groaning into his ass at the intensity of his blowjob.

Ryk’s right hand unintentionally gripped the base of my shaft harder, and he suddenly released me from that hot mouth to groan out, “M-Mickey- Sh-sh-shit -”

I could feel his heavy breaths on my slick tip- the slight tremors in his hand around my cock- while he tried to control his breathing. Working to put me back in his mouth again.

Every fucking tight groan he released around me sent fucking bolts of pleasure through my whole body, both our groans now filling the space of my bedroom. The intensity of it was starting to do us both in. I was struggling to focus, myself, on alternating between licking that sensitive rim and pushing my tongue past it, into him.

His body started shaking harder. And that cock of his pressed up against my chest leaked more warm liquid onto it.

I could feel Ryk arching his back a little, just perfecting his angle into me. “ L-Like that ,“ I fucking growled against his soft skin. He was starting to ride it, grinding his ass back into me, begging for more, and I honestly wasn’t going to last much fucking longer at this rate as I pushed my tongue deeper into him, giving him exactly what he wanted.

God, those fucking groans of his . I’d imagined this position with him, but not like this.

Nothing could’ve prepared me for how incredible this fucking shit was, so much so that my own body was starting to shake, and all I could do was try not to buck my hips up into his all-too-inviting mouth, feeling the tightness of his lips stretched thin around me.

We had both wanted to do more on that pull-out last night, and this-… this felt like all that pent-up sexual frustration cultivating- building . Hitting a massive head.

He was using that shaky hand of his to twist around my cock’s base now, and his mouth took more of me in, which made my grip on his body just tighten further. This shit was making me goddamn lightheaded at this point, with us both finding a rhythm… just to fucking lose it as pleasure knocked it off course.

Ryk had suddenly taken me all the way down in his mouth, completely unprovoked, breaking our rhythm with the hand around my base replaced by his tight lips as he choked on my dick, and that brought me right the hell over the fucking edge… but my right hand had released one of his ass cheeks to reach under him for his cock. And the sudden touch while I tongued his entrance  hard… that fucking did it for Ryk.

I felt him release my cock from his mouth, muffling best he could a jagged cry, but my orgasm was already cutting through me, and it forced my cum all over him instead of in that warm, tight mouth of his. Then I felt his cum coat my stomach as I clamped down on all of his lower body, us both shivering fucking violating against each other. The only thing that muffled my goddamn grunts was his ass still pressed right up against me, but Ryk’s muffled cries weren’t as lucky.

“ O-Oh m-my fucking god- shit- Mic- holy f-fucking shit! “ He stuttered out in a raspy, choked voice, as his trembling knees tightened around my sides. I felt his upper body sit up, his ass perched right on my face now, but I didn’t let his ass or cock go when he started grinding against me, riding out his intense orgasm by fully riding my face now.

That shit just made my fucking cock hard all over again as I felt his hands on my abs to hold him steady. I kept my tongue inside him, pushing in then out just past that entrance, feeling him really fucking ride it now.

Hell, I didn’t let this man get off me until his cock fully softened, and his whole shaking body slacked. He sort of stumbled off to the right side of the bed and rolled right over onto his back- breathing heavy and hard as all fucking hell.

We both were now, and I had to find the energy to sit up after all that, feeling his warm cum drip down my body, so I could watch that blissful, gorgeous fucking face of his…

And fuck me , when I saw him- his perfect fucking face flushed red with those eyelids lowered in a daze… that beautiful body lying on his back with his bent knees and spread legs… my cum sliding down his mouth, cheeks, and chin… I crawled my way over immediately.

Jesus fucking fuck he looked so unbelievably beautiful, it made me damn near cum again right at that moment.

“Th-That was- that-… f-fuck that was fucking-” Ryk panted in that sexy, spent, raspy voice of his, those stunning eyes fucking devouring me head to toe.

“Ryk, spread your legs more for me,” I damn near ordered at this point. And Ryk immediately complied, parting them so I could crawl and kneel between them, setting back on my heels to admire this in fucking full.

Jesus, he looked- fuck- like my fucking god-

First, I bent down to his shaky, spread legs to give his left then his right inner thighs a gentle kiss, making sure my eyes never left Ryk’s and his never left mine. A shiver cut through him from my touch, watching as I then made my way up towards Ryk, bending to place kisses on his cum-coated stomach… then on his chest… before I finally made it up to him.

His body jolted with each kiss, quivering as he watched me place my hands on either side of his head, firmly on the mattress below, and hover above him.

The way he looked up at me was just utterly breathtaking .

I managed to balance myself with my left arm, regardless of how fucking rocked I still felt from just how incredible that shit was with this gorgeous fucker- my heartbeat completely fucking done for. My right arm moved so my hand could gently slide under him to cup the back of his warm neck, delicately massaging his nape.

Ryk let out a moan between his jagged breaths as his eyes drifted closed for just a moment. “ Mick ,“ he whispered out.

“ You want more, Ryk? “ I whispered hoarsely back, just fucking lost in those large, brown eyes once they opened back up to me. And he quickly nodded as he bit down on his bottom lip. That was when I gently lifted his head by the back of his neck a bit so I could bend down and slowly bring my lips to his.

Ryk released the bedding he was gripping to reach up for my waist, kissing me back hard , and fuck , I had to force myself to pull away before I kept us in this damn bedroom all fucking day. Those soft lips alone were enough to do just the fuck that.

Shit- he was driving me fucking mental . I let the deepest breath out once I rested his head back down onto the bed and nodded, pulling a pillow from the pile of bedding right above him at the edge of the bed so he could lie his head back on, which he did. “Okay, just-… just keep your legs bent. Just like this.”

“O-Okay,” Ryk breathed with a nod. He was watching me with nothing but anticipation as I started to move lower down his body again, but this time I climbed away from him completely and turned to reach over for my bedside table closer to the bookshelf, my heartbeat beating faster and faster in the process.

Inside was more coconut oil. There was also a small tube of lube, but considering I hadn’t had sex in this bedroom for over five years… that expired shit sure as fuck wasn’t going inside Ryk.

I grabbed the smaller jar of oil, then opened it and warmed up a good amount on the fingers of my right hand before setting it on the table and making my way back to Ryk.

He had propped himself up on his elbows but made sure to keep those legs bent and spread for me so I could quickly come back to and position myself between. And this time, I noticed he had no fear in those beautiful brown eyes as they watched me attentively.

Just lust.

A begging, craving lust.

His breaths were still heavy pants, only growing heavier when I kneeled between him and lowered myself back on my hind legs. I wrapped my left arm under then around his right thigh, enjoying the tremors in his legs. Then I turned my head and placed a few tender kisses on his inner thigh.

God , the way his whole body quivered at that made my cock drip more precum onto my sheets; it was so completely fucking sexy. His body was so sensitive to me right now, and I was more than just obsessed with every minute of it. I was fucking craving it at this point. I needed him like this- sensitive and wanting.

Ryk’s own dick was completely hard again, resting on his lower stomach and leaking a bit against his smooth skin. I used the hand of my left arm wrapped around his upper thigh to extend and reach for it, which made him twitch as he let out a sweet fucking groan, simply eyeing me and my movements.

Instead of wrapping the arm of my slicked right hand around his left thigh, however, I used that to slip right between his exposed ass, quickly finding his wet entrance.

At first, I felt those lower muscles tighten, but as soon as I whispered gently to Ryk, “Remember, relax yourself,” the tightness pretty quickly eased up, and that shit had me fucking grinning through my heavy pants.

His body was trusting me.

He was trusting me.

And he might not have fully known it yet, but if he could relax like this, it opened up a damn near endless possibility of positions we could try together that would, at worst, just leave him with the slightest soreness the next day.

Positions he was going to fucking love , especially given how easily I was able to pick him up.

“Good, Ryk,” I told him, making sure I held that scorching eye contact of his. “ You’re doing so fucking good .“

My left hand started to stroke him while my right middle finger quickly positioned at his entrance, circling it first to ease him further, and Ryk had already started to unravel once again. His moans and deep groans were filling the space in my room more, with him stuttering, “Sh-shit- god

M-Mickey -“ when I finally pushed that first finger past his slightly loosened, but still ridiculously tight entrance.

There wasn’t any resistance to me- Ryk’s body responded immediately to it, allowing me to slip my finger past his entrance with such ease, I released the deepest fucking groan at that shit. Fuck , the way his body welcomed this was making me more than just feral. It was making me think of when I could actually be inside him. How he would accept it. How fucking tight he would be around me.

This wasn’t like the first time I had fingered him.

This was the farthest from it as Ryk’s hands gripped the bedcover harder, those breaths coming in short, desperate pants for more. And once my finger was fully inside, I turned to give Ryk’s right inner thigh one more gentle kiss before using my left hand to bring his tensing cock directly into my mouth.

Ryk tried to muffle that rigid cry as his back arched off this bed. “God- sh-shit- oh my fu- oh- oh god-”

My mouth wrapped around his perfect, sensitive tip, and I started to slowly suck him off. His legs trembled around me, his toes curling, latching themselves onto the bed cover. And I watched as his beautiful, cum dripping face tightened while his eyes shut tight, then opened to me, only to shut themselves tight again.

My own cock was beyond the realms of help at this point. I was leaking everywhere as it begged me for its own release. I wanted to reach for and stroke myself, but my left hand on the base of Ryk’s cock was quite literally the only thing keeping Ryk’s hips from bucking up, and I needed him still for me as I slowly started to slip a second finger inside him.

The intensity in Ryk’s eyes… fucking hell. As I slowly pushed that second finger in, Ryk’s dazed eyes held straight fucking hunger behind them. They fucking ordered me for more, and so I bobbed my head faster, pushing and pulling those two fingers in and out of him, but I knew we had everyone else downstairs, and if I finger fucked him the way I wanted to, brushing against his prostate every single time, everyone was going to fucking hear us.

And so I did the only thing I could think of to give us both what we fucking wanted right now.

I slowed my fingers.

I lifted my head, removing Ryk’s cock from my mouth, and grunted out, “Ryk? Cover your mouth. Both hands.”

And Ryk listened, letting go of that death grip on the bedcover to do exactly as asked. Then I took his dick back in my mouth again, but my hand moved from his cock’s base to his lower stomach, placing my hand there firmly, and the anticipation in Ryk’s eyes as he watched every bit of this was fucking spectacular.

He knew that whatever I was going to do next was going to make him lose it.

And it fucking did.

I took his cock all the way in, bringing my lips all the way down to his base and started deepthroating him while my fingers started moving inside him faster, fucking his tight hole but brushing against that bulb inside him with every thrust. Ryk’s cries were so loud, even with both hands tight on his mouth, that I couldn’t imagine how insane they would’ve been if he hadn’t covered them.

They were cries I wanted to hear at full fucking volume… but not here.

Not at Ci’s, with everyone downstairs.

And I was right to hold his body down because he was pushing up against me. His legs were spasming, thrashing around me, unable to even remotely keep still with this. And it felt greedy almost- wanting to feel every bit of this lack of control as I drew my own self closer to the edge.

I tilted my head up a bit now while deepthroating him to watch him watch this, to watch him watch his cock disappear every time my lips hit the skin around his base while my fingers thrust themselves in and out of his perfect, tight fucking ass, and the desperate look in Ryk’s eyes was telling enough that he couldn’t last any longer.

Him coming was the most intense thing I’d ever seen. It took actual strength to hold his body down, trying to make sure I didn’t hurt him in the process, as Ryk’s whole body started convulsing. The sound he tried to muffle honestly might’ve still been heard downstairs, even if I prayed that it wasn’t.

And when I felt his hot cum fill my mouth, shooting his thick load down my throat, I did my best to swallow it all.

My only issue was that this had tipped me right over my own limit, and I came so goddamn suddenly, so unexpectedly, I actually started choking on some of him. I let out the throatiest fucking groan all around his cock, my fingers now losing that rhythm as my arms started to spasm.

I could hear Ryk trying to muffle those moans and whimpers, but I couldn’t see him anymore because I shut my eyes so fucking tight as I felt my hot cum coat my arm and the back of my hand, which the fingers still inside him belonged to.

The pleasure that shot through me made my whole body quake, and I was forced to release Ryk’s wet cock from my mouth so I could freaking breathe through it, trying to get a handle on that fierce intensity.

Ryk was still a trembling mess. His whole body was now flushed and sweaty, the tips of his fingers turning white from how hard he had clasped his hands on his mouth, and I slowly, shakily managed to slip my fingers out of his slick entrance to just look at him. A bit of his cum dripped from my mouth to his wet cock.

I was a panting mess. Ryk was breathing hard as shit through his nose. And we both just stared at each other.

Just taking every fucking bit of this in. And giving ourselves time to come down from such an intense high.

… He looked so goddamn beautiful it almost hurt. My heartbeat was shot to hell, but this- how he looked at me- it damn near completely stilled it.

The intimacy we shared, and kept intensifying… it just- sex had never been this for me. I had never felt like this with anyone. I had never seen sex as this with anyone. This feeling of watching Ryk’s eyes soften from lust-driven to simply loving… a tenderness to them.

That shit was a different level of intimacy. Something I didn’t know was achievable.

And when I finally lifted my hand, wrapping my arm back under Ryk’s shaking leg to crawl up to him, I barely got my elbows anchored on the pillow before this fucker removed his hands from his mouth, reached up to wrap them around the back of my neck, and pulled himself up to kiss me.

This kiss was the farthest from quick or chastened. This kiss was deep and soft and loving. It made me press my sticky body down further against his. I didn’t want to crush him, but I wanted us as close as humanly possible, and Ryk must have felt the same because his legs wrapped around my waist as his tongue slipped past my lips.

This kiss created a startling realization for me that if he had asked to take things all the way right now, I’d give in. I’d give in immediately.

But it was the sounds of steps coming up the stairs that made me slowly, reluctantly pull away.

“M-Mickey?” Ryk breathed out in confusion, his beautiful face just inches from mine…

That was until we both heard another person call out my name. It was Eve.

And she followed it up with, “Get your ass down there and baste that goddamn turkey!”

••

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71. Cooking With Chaotic Love

Second upload of the day!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

And as always, let me know if you find any errors lol these chapters today are long asf

My body stirred awake slowly, my eyes blinking a few times at the bright light shining in through the window by the bookshelf.

Right , I thought to myself, blinking back more sleep. I’m still in Mickey’s room. I was currently wrapped up in a clean comforter now, completely naked underneath it, and instantly I remembered everything we did, making my whole body grow ridiculously heated as I quickly pulled myself under the covers more. I could already feel my face growing bright red.

Mickey had tucked me in after… after we-

My whole body got even more fucking heated, and if I could sink into the mattress right now, I fucking would.

He had had to go shower and baste the turkey, but I had been so fucking tired after everything we did together that my eyes were already drifting closed when he eventually separated himself from me, so he ordered me to take a nap, telling me he’d come wake me in time once the food was done cooking.

It must not be done yet , I thought to myself, which was good because I still needed to shower.

I sat up a bit, only to be further reminded of everything we fucking did. I could feel how slick my inner thighs and ass were- feel how his fingers were there, inside me… fucking me.

Jesus fucking Christ , I almost slipped fully under these covers just thinking about it. How it- how he felt- how… how he made my body feel. He had cleaned his cum off my face while tucking me in, but my stomach was still sticky from when I came on his and mine, when I was-

When I was riding his face. When I-

…Jesus .

His tongue there…

Jesus fucking Christ.

And those fingers when he-

Fuck , my body was reminding me of everything right now. How he told me to cover my mouth with my hands. And why it was seriously so good that he fucking did. The sounds I muffled would’ve been heard by everyone, and I still wasn’t sure if they weren’t, which was now making me an embarrassed fucking wreck because I was going to have to sit at a table with everyone after Mickey had just done all that.

No way in fucking hell could I look anyone in the eye if they had heard any of that shit. Of how fucking utterly gone Mickey had made me. We hadn’t even had sex, and yet everything else had been so fucking mind-blowingly phenomenal that I just-

Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit. And the kiss after- the fucking way he looked at me- the way his eyes stayed on mine through everything .

I felt myself getting inexplicably hard under these bedcovers and had to stop myself from thinking about it because I wouldn’t last the rest of today if I did. Fuck I didn’t even know how I was going to be around that fucking baker the rest of today.

Not after he had- not after I had cum so goddamn hard it still sounded like my ears were ringing.

My eyes panned the room again, trying to get rid of this fucking boner so I could make it to the bathroom for a shower, then head downstairs to join everyone, and that was when I spotted, at the edge of the bed, a neatly folded pile next to my bag of clothes and essentials. The pile had a robe, a bath towel, and a full change of clothes.

Pretty easy to spot that the only clothes that were mine were my jeans and underwear. Mickey had his own shirt and sweater picked out for me, which just made my face fucking heated all the fuck over again.

At this point, escaping through his bedroom window sounded like a safer option than going the fuck downstairs.

His bedroom door was closed, so I used the opportunity to quickly get out of bed and pull that robe on. I didn’t see the bedcover he and I had gotten cum all over on, or the bedding from the pull-out downstairs, so he must’ve taken care of all of that while I was knocked out.

And that was when I questioned what the time was. When I looked over at his bedside clock, I damn near had a heart attack.

It was almost 2:15 PM. I had to have been asleep for at least three hours…

Jesus fuck, Ryk , I scolded myself as I quickly got it the hell together.

The shower was a quick one, and I just ended up bringing all my clothes into the bathroom with me so I could change there too, in case someone needed anything from Mickey’s room. Once I was changed and brushed my teeth, though, I had to give myself a second or two… or like five in that bathroom to gain the balls to leave said bathroom and head downstairs.

I still wasn’t ready to face anyone. And the only saving grace was the fact that that damn baker didn’t leave any new hickeys on my neck.

CiCi had a dirty hamper bin in this nice ass bathroom to set the towel and robe in, then I just packed up my toothbrush and stuff in my drawstring bag, and set that back in Mickey’s empty bedroom before heading downstairs.

It was safe to say that whatever the hell was cooking down there was going to be incredible. The whole home now smelled sweet and savory, and as I took those stairs about slow as all hell, not quite ready to face anyone , I could already hear arguing voices from the first floor over the sound of some music.

“I told you the turkey had to sit,” Mickey called out. “Don’t act fucking surprised, E.”

“Well, where are we with the rolls, Ci?” Eve chimed in.

“Almost done!” CiCi replied.

Then there was just a bunch of… noise? Knives on a chopping board. Pans hitting things. Plates being set on plates.

I couldn’t really tell what I was about to walk into when I cleared the corner for the last few steps right into the rest of the home, but I sure as shit wasn’t expecting everyone moving around like this was a kitchen line at a busy restaurant.

Mickey and Eve were in the kitchen, barking orders at each other. Ci was in the dining room with Jade, helping set dishes at the table, which, truthfully, looked so good. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and something I’m guessing was cranberry sauce. There was also Eve’s Rasta pasta, now in a beautiful round dish instead of the Tupperware she brought it in.

Xavier was then sitting at the kitchen island on one of the barstools, laughing at both Eve and Mickey, who, while barking orders at each other, were also moving in perfect harmony in CiCi’s kitchen, alternating between checking the ovens, doing the dishes, and monitoring the stove top. Xavier just looked like he was enjoying himself amidst the literal chaos.

Well, organized chaos, I guess.

As I slowly made it fully onto the main floor, CiCi was the one who spotted me first.

“Ryk!” She chirped with a smile. “You’re up! We’re almost ready, but why don’t you take a seat next to Xavier? I think we got enough hands on deck right now.”

I gave her a smile and nodded. Honestly, with how fast everyone else was moving, I’d definitely be in the way if I chipped in. Especially because everyone was moving around everyone a bit too closely for me to handle. And when I turned to Xavier, heading towards the barstools, I noticed he moved mine a comfortable distance away from his, and gave me a short nod, a small smile, and gestured for me to take a seat.

That shit had me smiling in return as I closed the rest of the distance to the barstool and pulled myself up on it.

“Rest well?” He asked. I nodded. “Good. Beer?” I nodded again and watched as he slid off the barstool to head around to the kitchen. I wanted to tell him I could get it myself so he wouldn’t have to, but as I watched him walk around into the kitchen and full on dodge Eve, who was weilding a knife as she turned quickly to bring fresh corn to the stove… I realized I would’ve been fucked if I entered that hell zone myself.

She then traded places with Mickey, who turned away from the stove to walk over to the kitchen island, and when he and I locked eyes, everything- and I mean everything came flooding the fuck back like someone had slammed my head into a bucket of water.

My face got hot as shit, making the black knitted sweater Mickey set out that matched my black jeans, just all the more hotter.

“Hey Ryk,” He smiled, and that smile made my whole fucking body react. I reached for the hem of the sweatshirt first so I could pull that lower over my hardening dick, and it was almost like Mickey noticed when his eyes fell from mine… to my lips… then lower.

His smile turned to a devilish smirk, but that just had me looking down at the cobs that Eve had stripped so he could gather them in a bowl for cleaning up.

“H-Hi,” I replied, unable to stop my own smile. Fuck this shithead- just fuck him to hell at this point. I didn’t have to meet his gaze to see that he was showered and changed. He was wearing a black shirt now, and some faded jeans, but had a cute yellow apron over it. And the front of his dark brown hair was styled, not pulled back in a small ponytail like before.

Shit. He looked good. He looked so fucking good.

Honestly, it was just ridiculous how fucking good he could look in anything and everything. The shirt showed off the tattoos, the incredibly large build right down to the defined large biceps where the sleeves cut off… which only just reminded me of when those arms were wrapped around my thighs, locked in place and holding my legs open.

Jesus fucking fuck

“Sleep alright?” He asked, and I just nodded, trying to bite down on my lip to mask the growing smile, and kill this stupid heat that was rapidly rising. Thankfully, all he answered with was, “Good,” before an open bottle of beer appeared in front of me, and Xavier made it back onto the barstool.

I was so nervous when I reached for the bottle, I almost knocked it over with my left hand, but Xavier’s right hand shot out quickly and caught it for me, straightening the open bottle in front of me again. Those reflexes made my eyes grow wider as I turned my head to him, yet he just chuckled, gave me a nod, and looked back down at his phone.

Then the bickering between Mickey and Eve started up once again.

“Pull the rolls, E,” Mickey said as he gathered up the rest of the dishes.

“Mic, I’m on corn,” Eve snapped back.

“Simmer,” Mickey countered, and at first I thought he meant for Eve to simmer down…

Until she lowered the heat on the stove and replied, “Simmered but add minutes out.”

Then I realized that whatever the hell they were doing in there was something I didn’t understand. It sounded harsh, but clearly this was just their way of communicating.

She then got an oven mitt and headed to one of the ovens in this home near the stove to pull out a sheet of rolls that went right onto a metal rack on one of the counters. I was just amazed that Mickey started to back up, then pulled in like he somehow knew Eve was pulling around behind him. Their synchronization was utterly insane .

I turned to Xavier again, who was still doing something on his phone, but he just smirked, glanced my way, and said, “Yeah, always been like this with them.”

I raised my eyebrows at that shit, chuckling a bit at Xavier’s nonchalantness.

“Rolls?” CiCi called out from the living area.

“Just pulled!” Mickey and Eve replied at the exact same time, which made me grin.

I sorta loved this. It was chaotic as shit, yeah, but I loved it. Like I really loved it.

Mikey and Eve got the rest of the food done and placed in serving bowls quick as hell. I was only about a quarter way through my beer when CiCi was already calling everyone to the table.

She sat on the end of the rectangular table, closer to the stairs, with Jade at the corner on her left. Next to Jade sat Eve, and Xavier took a seat at the other end of the table with Mickey on his left corner. So I ended up taking a seat next to Mickey with CiCi on my left.

Honestly, it felt like the most balanced seating… except just breathing Mickey’s cologne right now was enough to remind me of everything we did in his bedroom.

How he had tucked me in after.

And when he pulled my seat closer to him after we all sat down, I just about fell out of it, not ready for the close proximity, but he was quick to reach for my waist and yank me back onto the chair.

That did nothing to help this.

There was a glass of water and a glass of sangria already set for everyone, with a large pitcher of water on the table, and the sangria dispenser on the kitchen island if anyone wanted more. Then, everything else was food besides the beautiful flowers Jade had brought and the plates and utensils and stuff.

This shit felt like something out of a movie. The massive, beautiful turkey in the middle with fresh lemons and herbs, fresh rolls right out the oven, hot gravy right off the stove, along with the corn, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. There was pretty much every Thanksgiving dish I could think of here, which just blew my fucking mind. Even Eve’s rasta pasta dish fit in perfectly.

“This seriously looks incredible,” Jade noted, just voicing what the hell I was thinking. I had never seen a meal like this in person.

“I think we should all take a celebratory shot-” Eve started.

But Mickey and Xavier cut her off with an awfully clear, “ Fuck no .“

And Eve just scoffed, making me chuckle at the whole thing as everyone else cracked a grin.

“Well,” CiCi cut in instead, giving Eve a look of her own at even suggesting hard liquor after the night everyone had. “Not really getting a ‘praying over the food’ vibe here, so let’s just say the food’s been blessed or whatever and dig in.”

We all pretty much nodded at that, then Mickey stood to start carving the turkey while everyone else stood with their plates to pile on the sides. And we all sort of helped out to pass over dishes we couldn’t reach because fuck, there was so much here.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to eat yet. I just sort of went for a bit of everything. I mean, everything seriously looked delicious, and nothing like the thanksgivings Mickey had explained in the past, but I think it was probably because everyone really went all out this year. It made me wish I had sort of contributed something, but I wasn’t sure what I could have helped with or brought, honestly.

Thanksgiving just wasn’t something I was used to.

But I wanted to hopefully get used to it. If I made it back next year to CiCi’s, I promised myself now that I would bring something then. Or at least be good enough to help out in the kitchen.

“Thought these foods weren’t your thing,” Mickey whispered beside me, turning to look down at me. And Jesus fuck, even his voice made me a stupid wreck. I was now wishing I chose somewhere else to sit, but I just-…

Even if I knew I was fucked beside him, I still wouldn’t choose to sit beside anyone else. And it had nothing to do with the proximity thing.

Even if my breaths were more laboured now and I couldn’t meet his gaze… I still answered, “You cooked this year. I… I wanna try it cause you cooked.”

I was so damn close to him I could hear that deeper breath he took in, and goddamn it in hell, I was getting hard again. Shit, man, fuck .

Then he did something that almost fucking stopped my heart. He leaned down and gently placed a kiss on my right cheek, holding it for one full second before he slowly pulled away.

And that just made me think: great. My heart’s about to give out, and my dick wants me to give in. Fucking great.

I turned my head away a bit, though, to try to hide my smile, even if I knew Mickey saw it. And all that tenderness did was remind me of that kiss- the one right after he crawled back up my body for the final time this afternoon, after making me feel the most pleasure and intimacy I have ever felt. The kiss where he lowered himself down to his elbows, and I couldn’t help but reach up for him.

The look in his eyes just before it…

The kiss on my cheek reminded me of all the different ways he had shown me his genuine care and affection, successfully making me a pile of mush.

So I didn’t push it away. I just turned back to my plate and let him see the rest of my smile as he and I dug in.

I tried the turkey first because that was all Mickey. I knew he could already make one damn good turkey because he made the cajun one based on the flavours he and I liked… and while I did favour that one because I really liked spice, this turkey had to be the most balanced thing I have ever tasted.

I turned my head to this damn baker after that very first bite, and he was definitely mid-bite of a generous spoonful of mashed potatoes when he looked back at me.

“Good?” he asked quietly.

I nodded. Hard .

This fucker might’ve been rough around the edges. He might’ve cussed out everyone and everything while suffering through making this fuckass bird… but this … this was more than just effort. He’d fucking nailed it. Like genuinely fucking nailed it.

And I couldn’t help but smile at that.

“Which you like better? This or Cajun?” He asked in that same quieter tone.

“Both,” I replied, making Mickey give me a look that I chuckled at, telling me to be so fucking for real right now. “This is… It’s for the people at the table,” I tried gathering my thoughts. “But the cajun, it’s… It’s just for me and you. And I like being with both the people here and when it’s just you and me. So I like both. Made with different kinds of love or whatever.”

Mickey just looked down at me a moment. Then another. Then another .

And then he bent down, tilted his head slightly, and kissed me. Like on the lips this time. With the mashed potatoes still in the spoon, hovering over his plate. And as soon as his lips touched mine, I instantly closed my eyes, leaning in a little to the kiss I knew we couldn’t deepen.

When he slowly pulled away, I wasn’t surprised or disappointed. I just watched that gorgeous smile spread across his face, and I mirrored it best I could, before we each turned back to our plates to continue eating.

Though we ate and listened to the conversation around the table, Mickey had touched his left knee to my right and kept it there, making sure there was still physical contact between us through the afternoon.

Dinner was genuinely fucking amazing.

All of the dishes were so goddamn good that us going back for seconds and thirds kept everyone at the table for about two hours.

The conversation was a mixed bag of whatever, but we all kept it off any work. Then CiCi got us all to-go containers, and we all packed up what was left, which wasn’t much at all. Everything was delicious, though my favourite was the turkey or the mashed potatoes since the gravy was piping hot.

I volunteered to help with dishes, but CiCi and Mickey handled them quickly, rinsing them and loading up the dishwasher in less than ten minutes.

Everyone else decided to move things into the living room to drink more sangria and watch a movie, but Mickey pulled me aside and asked if I wanted that tour now. I gave him a quick nod, considering we both weren’t feeling a movie, but everyone thought it was safer than playing a game where Eve would try to convince us to take more shots.

So we did that. I let Mickey lead me up those stairs again to the second floor, my heartbeat quickening at the simplest thought of him and me being together alone again.

“We’ll start with the artwork,” he said as he turned back to me, and I was just fucking grateful at least a few hours had gone by since he and I were last alone, where we had-

…Yeah.

I just… my body just needed a little time to cool the actual fuck down.

“Sounds good,” I replied as he flipped on the light in the hallway from the switch at the top of the stairs and headed for the first framed piece of artwork. This one was a large painting of an open field with clear blue skies. It was encased in a beautiful silver frame that allowed the vibrant colors in the painting to fully stand out.

“Like it?” Mickey asked on my left. I quickly nodded.

It was undeniably stunning.

“Recognize it?” He then asked, and my eyebrows furrowed a bit as I stared at it.

“Is it like a famous place or something?” I asked him, still studying the piece.

“Not necessarily,” he replied, which just confused me further. Something he really loved to do. “But you’ve been there.”

“An open field?” I blurted before I gave that even a second of thought. “Oh, wait, shit, this is the same field near the temple, right?” I asked, turning to look up at him. He nodded down to me with a smile. “You must’ve gone there a lot then?”

Mickey nodded again. “Every time I visited the temple with my mum, we would lie out on that field after. Our little place to decompress and just talk. Discuss what we were meditating on.- what mantra gave purpose to the visit.”

My eyes widened, but that also put a smile on my face almost instantly. The fact that he had brought me there after our visit… that shit made me feel some serious fucking things. As did the fact that we had done the same, discussed our visit to the temple, and our thoughts about it.

“I’m… that’s… I…” I struggled through, trying to find the right words. “Thanks- thank you , I mean, for taking me there.” Mickey simply nodded with that smile still on his face, then he led us to the next painting, heading toward where his room was, but before I could turn to it to have him explain the painted sunflowers, I more or less blurted out, “Hey Mickey, can I, um-… can I maybe like come over tonight?” Mickey turned to look down at me. “I swear I’ll get up early, and I already have all my school shit and my car-”

“No,” he slowly shook his head, but his face was a bit tense. Like that answer was conflicting. “I’m sorry, Ryk. I… I want to say yes, but I’ve got to take care of a few things tonight and tomorrow. Xavier and I do.”

I quickly nodded, remembering the promise I made myself. That I’d be supportive of his work. That I wouldn’t be too needy when it came to that.

What I wasn’t expecting was for Mickey to take a step closer and wrap his arm around my waist, yanking me right into him. I stumbled a bit, and placed both hands on his chest to stabilize myself. “But you’ve got me all day Saturday, remember?”

“I… I do?” I asked him, trying to remember what we were doing Saturday.

“Yes, you fucking shithead. Fight Club and the Buddhist temple, unless you have plans-”

“I don’t,” I rushed out quickly with a growing grin. “I’ll go.”

“Good. Same time for Fight Club, so make Friday night an early one. Then we have half an hour to kill before we head to the temple, if you want us to ride back to yours so you can change.” Mickey offered, and I nodded.

“Will I get to see Xavier and Sammy fight?”

“Yeah,” Mickey nodded. “If you can stay awake. So like I said, make Friday night an early one.”

I nodded again. Honestly, if I had to go to bed right after getting home from the cafe just to see this shit, I sure as fuck was going to.

“And you seemed to like the food at the temple, so I was thinking we have breakfast there after meditating with Sho. You can meditate alone with him if you want to talk to him again. I know you really liked that conversation with him last time,” Mickey continued. “I’m close with many other monks that I can speak with, plus I’ll make merit, so I can give you the privacy.”

At first I was going to say that Mickey was fine to join… but there was a level of sacredness to it- to my first meeting with Sho. And I didn’t want this fucker to see me cry in case I did, so instead, I just nodded.

Then I thought about another thing. “Can I make merit as well?”

Mickey nodded. “We spoke already about the many ways to make merit, but I’m assuming you mean offering money, right?” I gave him a nod.

“I wanted to try and give a little back. Especially after how kind and welcoming they were. I can’t really afford much, but I just thought that since I still have some money in the vault-”

“I don’t recommend using that,” Mickey cut in quickly. “You earned it through honest work, but the twins got it through dishonest means. I’ll get you some cash from some clean money, and we’ll move the funds around from your payment. That sound good?”

“Yeah,” I replied quickly. I hadn’t even thought about that… but the fact that Mickey had- that he had thought about not just intention but where the money came from… that shit just really got to me. He had explained how making merit builds good karma and brings good fortune, and I liked how he knew to separate what wasn’t clean. “How much is like a good amount?”

“Since we’ll be going each Saturday, I would say keep it small. Less than $50, until you start earning more. This isn’t like tithing with Christianity. They aren’t asking for a percentage of income; the value lies in intention, sincerity, and the happiness of the giver,” he explained, making me smile. “If you can’t afford it, you find another way to make merit, like offering food to the monks, or simply doing a selfless act. Even meditation at the temple is making merit.”

I nodded again, remembering what this baker had mentioned before. And it just made me feel warm inside knowing I didn’t have much money right now to give out. “Sounds good. Thank you, Mickey. Seriously.”

“No problem. And don’t forget, we’re heading to Ci’s after that. We got sandwiches to make with the extra citrus turkey and drop them off at a homeless shelter,” Mickey continued. That made my eyes widen a bit because I forgot all about that. “CiCi’ll help out with making fresh bread, and we’ll use her car to take the sandwiches there.”

But I still nodded because it sounded fun, honestly. Doing that here with Mickey and CiCi.

I know it sounded stupid, but now that she knew I was dating Mickey, I really wanted CiCi to like me.

“What’s after that?”

This fucker grinned. “Well, I got a treat for you, then we’ll drop her car back here since she’s got another date with Jade, where you’ll get a second treat. Once we grab my bike again, I got another two treats for you, and finally we’ll end the day at the warehouse for the night.”

I found myself grinning wildly at just hearing that. “What are the-”

“Not telling.”

That got a decent chuckle out of me as I nodded again. “Are we doing anything at the warehouse?”

Mickey shrugged, his arm tightening around my waist. “Whatever the hell you’d like to.”

72. Reading The Room Temperature

Alright so I went to bed before getting this one up lol, but this should be the first of two updates today!

Enjoy!

xoxo

“I am so sorry,” I whispered to Jade as she helped me set the table. I had told her she was welcome to sit with Xavier while Eve, Mic, and I got all this ready, but she had insisted on helping out, and at that point, I couldn’t deny that having an extra hand was for the best.

Usually, Mickey and I could take care of the food just fine the previous years, but the real issue was that 1. We were making way more food than Mic and I usually did, and 2. Mic and Eve were both taking point.

Those two in the kitchen were always a force, but the real issue was the fact that both of them hated Thanksgiving. Like genuinely .

So that just left things looking even more chaotic than they usually did.

Plus, Eve was still hungover. A whole other issue on its own.

“Don’t worry about it, Pris. Really, I don’t mind helping out,” Jade assured me with that beautiful smile of hers as those mesmerizing ash brown eyes caught mine.

I just gave her a warm one myself, watching her pour glasses of water from the pitcher for each place at the table.

Mickey had run upstairs for a little while after Ryk went up, and considering how long he took, and the fact that he had come back downstairs fully showered, told me just about everything I needed to know.

Ryk didn’t come down with him, though, and when I asked Mic about it, he just said, “taking a nap.”

Then we both left it at that. Mickey already told me this morning that Ryk didn’t sleep well during the night, so I didn’t have any pushback on him resting more. Especially considering the entire first floor was just all of us barking orders at each other like stressed-out line cooks who couldn’t take a smoke break.

This would’ve been a little too chaotic for him, I think.

But we had pulled through. The final dishes were now finishing cooking, and the table was coming along well, which made me feel a hell of a lot better about the chaos since Mickey and Eve were working together to cook and clean. It didn’t sound like it, but one look at them and you could see they knew their way around each other in a kitchen.

Especially mine.

“Are we still on for this Saturday?” Jade asked me, and I swiftly nodded. Luckily, after Mic got back down here, I was able to run upstairs and change quick. I was now in a burnt orange knitted sweater and some black trousers. Not the casual fit I had started the morning in when I knew I’d be making the dough for the rolls while Mic started the turkey.

And Jade now wore a silky black cardigan over a black tank top with lace trimming, displaying those beautiful chest tattoos, then some leather pants. Something that was so effortlessly elegant on her, I was just doing my best not to stare. She had come down right before Eve and had brought her sketchbook with her to keep her busy.

I wanted to ask her more about it, but Mickey would’ve thrown a damn blender at my head if I stepped foot out of that kitchen before Eve stepped into it. Especially because he was simultaneously getting breakfast together for everyone while I worked on the dough for rolls. They still had to rise for a few hours.

But Jade’s question now made me internally panic a bit because I absolutely positively still needed to pick something out for Saturday night. We were having dinner, then heading to the second part of the art show to see the finished works we had watched the artists create last Saturday.

Jade and I agreed that I could drive us, but then Mic sprung some shit on me this morning while he and I worked away. His idea was to use the leftover turkey from the citrus turkey he tested to make some sandwiches for a shelter. It was honestly a great idea, a donation from Wilmoria’s, considering I could make the bread fresh here at home Saturday morning with ingredients from the cafe, so I didn’t have any protests there.

The only thing I was hesitant about was that Mickey wanted to use my car to deliver the sandwiches when we finished, which was fine, of course, but I had to make it very clear that I would need my car back by 6 PM at the latest. No extensions, no nothing , and he eventually agreed.

It was the ‘eventually’ part that scared me most.

He asked what the absolute latest time he could bring it back was, and I told him that 6 PM was the absolute latest time. Then he asked if I was absolutely sure, and I swear I almost threw the dough I was folding in at him.

No idea what he had planned for that day, but my car had to be back here by 6. I wasn’t about to be late to my second date.

By the time Ryk made his way downstairs, the bickering hadn’t stopped in the slightest.

“I told you the turkey had to sit,” Mickey called out. “Don’t act fucking surprised, E.”

“Well, where are we with the rolls, Ci?” Eve snapped back.

“Almost done!” I replied quickly, still keeping time on the baking while setting the table. Then I spotted Ryker taking those last few steps downstairs. “Ryk!” I greeted him with a smile. “You’re up!” I noticed he had showered and changed already, those curls of his still damp. He was also in one of Mic’s sweaters, which made me smile. “We’re almost ready, but why don’t you take a seat next to Xavier? I think we got enough hands on deck right now.”

Honestly, this was me trying to save Ryk from the chaos. Well, that and I knew that Xavier really liked the kid, too. Somehow, he had gotten further with Ryk than I think I did, but that probably had something to do with cars, or bikes, or something. Mickey had also told me Ryk had started going to Fight Club, so I think he appreciated seeing people outside of work.

And I couldn’t blame him.

I only hoped that being here the last 24 hours had given him that same feeling. So far, we had all managed to avoid talking about work, and I appreciated it. I mean, it was a holiday for Christ’s sake, and the last holiday before the real work began at the cafe.

Ryk offered me a smile and nodded before heading back towards Xavier.

I noticed that he looked a bit… well, a bit nervous, and maybe a little sheepish? But he seemed to ease up once he joined Xavier, and that was enough for me right now, considering my home was a contained hot mess and we were a little over the time to start dinner.

I knew that Ryker had obviously seen us all in a kitchen before at Wilmoria’s, but he had never seen Mic and Eve working together, especially not like this, and it made me wonder whether this was a bit too chaotic for him.

But when I glanced over again, he seemed to be doing just fine, chatting with Mickey from across the kitchen island, who was cleaning up the bare cobs of corn while Xavier pulled another beer from the fridge. That was probably for the kid.

Honestly, I was just glad he and Jade seemed relatively unfazed by all this. And to top it all off, I had put on some random Thanksgiving playlist that played in the back like this was some chaotic sitcom Thanksgiving episode or something.

All the yelling over some RnB hits made us look utterly bonkers.

The person most used to it, though, was Xavier. He was probably the only one of those not cooking today who was capable of maneuvering that kitchen with Eve and Mic still in it. He got that bottle of beer out of the fridge, cracked it open, and walked it right on over to Ryk like it was nothing, dodging Eve’s knife as she spun quickly with the chopping board of fresh corn to add to the butter on the stove.

Deciding that the kitchen was functioning about as well as it could, I turned back to Jade now. “I’d, um… I’d love to see more of your sketches sometime.”

Jade looked up at me from the utensils she was intricately folding into each napkin, just as I had shown her how earlier. “Would you maybe like to come by my shop after the art event? I’ve got most of my portfolios moved in now.”

“Yes!” I shot out a bit too quickly, but Jade just smiled. Her beautiful eyes held mine as she gave me a nod. “But uh… will it conflict with any of your work-”

“No, Pris,” Jade said seriously. “If you want to see my art, I’m more than happy to guarantee it happens.”

I tried to hold that steady gaze of hers, but it eventually lowered to the plate I was placing on the table as my lips widened to a smile. “I appreciate that… Thank you.”

“On one condition,” Jade continued in that smooth voice, which made me look up at her again. “I still get to ask if you would like to extend the night after the exhibit, even if you know where we’re heading. I didn’t get the chance to with our last date.”

And I swear I couldn’t stop that clumsy laugh from stumbling past my lips as I quickly nodded.

It was truly by some miracle- well, two miracles, named Mickey and Eve- that dinner was able to start at a reasonable time.

Truthfully, at that point, I wanted to lie somewhere and sleep for at least the next seven to ten hours… but I managed to call everyone to the table, and we all got seated pretty quickly to eat. Eve immediately called for a round of shots, which reminded me of the pain and misery I woke up to, and I didn’t understand how this woman did it. Drank all night, woke up late with the worst hangover, and as soon as she recovered, it was a rinse and repeat.

Perhaps it was my age, but I wasn’t bouncing back nearly that quickly. Mic forcing water on everyone as we drank was probably the only reason we weren’t all still in bed.

“Seriously, Pris, you really outdid yourself,” Jade spoke, bringing me back to the multiple conversations we were all simultaneously having while we ate. “And this turkey is phenomenal.”

“Oh, well, you know…” I slowly glanced over at Mickey who I thought might’ve been caught up in the conversation- Eve was currently ranting about how Die Hard was a suitable Christmas movie for us to watch the night of our holiday party- but he was staring straight as me while adding more green beans to Ryk’s plate, daring me to say something that he wouldn’t approve of. “It was seriously all Mickey. Like from start to finish.”

And that earned me a solid nod from my godchild before he continued with some counterargument with Eve and stood to set the green bean dish back on the table.

Then I turned back to this stunning woman.

Jade just chuckled. “I’d say it was a group effort, but Mickey looks like he’s got good aim with a butter knife, so I’ll just say the meal is great.” And I full-on laughed at that because this woman had no idea. “Now I do know the mashed potatoes were all you, as were the rolls, and both are genuinely fantastic .”

I couldn’t help but grin. She wasn’t wrong, though. Everything here was so freaking delicious. And though I thought the prep would end in a house fire originating from my kitchen, we pulled everything off with zero casualties, and my kitchen was spotless by the time we had sat down to eat.

That was the beauty of Eve, Mickey, and me all for cleaning as we cooked. The only dishes left would just be whatever was on this table now.

“I appreciate that, thank you. Although I think your sangria might be the biggest hit yet. It’s already half gone,” I told her before bringing a spoonful of stuffing to my mouth. I wasn’t even sure we were going to make stuffing, but I still had some fresh bread that Mic used, and it stunned me how incredible it turned out.

“That’s because Eve loves drinking, and the closest thing she’ll get to a shot today is a fruity wine and brandy drink,” Jade replied, making me chuckle again. Well, she wasn’t exactly wrong there either.

I still remember the nights when Eve and I went out. Well, actually, I barely remembered, and that was because our nights out always started with doubles. I must say, though, Eve had a strong liver. I genuinely didn’t think she had ever blacked out; it was really just the hangovers that got her.

But as the dinner continued, she managed to keep away from the hard liquor…

That was until after we had cleaned up the dinner table, and Eve suggested that we continue with Cards Against Humanity, but use the rest of the brandy for a point system. Mickey looked like he was about to strangle her, so Jade was quick to suggest a movie instead, and honestly, I already knew Mic was going to find some way out of that one.

“I’m going to give Ryk a tour upstairs,” He said to me as we finished up the dishes together in the kitchen, loading up the last few plates.

“Sounds good, Mic,” I nodded. “But don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Mic just looked over then down at me, and I gave him a hard elbow to his damn ribcage because he definitely didn’t need to call me out like that.

“You look like you’re on your way out. Tired, huh?” He asked, handing me a dish he had washed for me to rinse before I set it into the open dishwasher.

We had this habit of always washing the dishes first before loading them. Don and I were one and the same with this particular habit- he got it from his mother, and I got it from mine.

“Yeah,” I couldn’t help but sigh. “I usually don’t stay up as late the night before Thanksgiving, like we did last night, then of course it didn’t help that we were drinking, and this is by far the largest Thanksgiving feast we’ve ever made. I’ll have to treat you and Eve out to dinner after this.”

“I already made my list of demands, remember?” Mickey asked me, and I nodded quickly, remembering in vivid detail the conversation we had in my office at the cafe when I begged him for his help.

“You know what you want yet? For Christmas?”

Mickey slowly nodded. “Can’t say yet, but it’ll cost close to nothing.”

And that made my eyebrows raise. If it wasn’t something I could buy, then I knew this kid well enough to know that it was a favour he was going to drop on me.

“Everything costs something when it comes to you, Mic,” I joked, placing the dish in the washer.

“Not this time,” he replied. “All it’ll cost is a bit of your time. And you know my heart. If I’m asking for your help, it’s for a good cause.”

That made me look over and up at him again. “Making merit?”

“Something like that.”

I nodded slowly. “Whatever it is, then, Mic… I’ll help out.”

And Mickey smiled my way. “Thanks, Ci. Now go pick out something for everyone to watch before Eve chooses some shitty slasher. I’ll start the machine then head upstairs with Ryk,” Mickey ordered, leaning down to give my right temple a quick kiss.

I chuckled, nodding as I pulled off the rubber gloves and set them behind the tap before giving Mickey’s back a good rub, and left the kid to it.

He wasn’t wrong, either. Eve had already gotten snuggled up with Xavier on the main couch, while Jade sat with them, and that wild woman was wielding the TV remote. Somehow, she had also managed to move the whole sangria dispenser onto the coffee table and bring our glasses over.

As soon as I made it to them, Jade and Eve shifted, then patted the space between them for me to settle into, forcing all four of us on a three-seater, which just made me chuckle. “Come on, Ci,” Eve insisted. “Time for some good ol’ fashioned cuddles since Mickey and Ryk aren’t joining.”

I didn’t even protest; I just grabbed the blanket off one of the love seats and then nestled in, snatching the remote out of Eve’s hands before she could stop me because we would not be watching a slasher. So I chose a top comedy instead.

Unfortunately for me, however, my overly exhausted body wasn’t about to let me watch anything at all…

“ Pris? “I heard a soft voice murmur while a hand slowly rubbed up and down my right arm. I just snuggled further into the warmth, refusing to wake up. I heard a slightly sharp inhale, followed by a soft chuckle, before there was another voice.

“We’re heading out now, Ci.”

It was Xavier.

And that got my eyes open, blinking a few times to adjust. Then my eyes focused, and I saw that I was wrapped in the arms of someone. Someone who smelled like roses.

“O-Oh sh-shit-” I murmured, quickly detaching myself from the chest that I had snuggled up into, trying to separate myself from Jade as soon as fucking possible. Then I finally turned to see that the rest of the gang had already started packing things up, including Mickey and Ryk.

Eve was chuckling as she handed Xavier the Tupperware of leftovers so she could pull on her sweatshirt. “You’re good, Ci. You outdid yourself this year. Well-deserved rest.”

That made me smile warmly at her and the rest of the group.

“Hung in there as long as you could,” Mickey added, making everyone chuckle. “But yeah, Ryk’s got school in the morning, and Xavier’s gotta drop Eve off, then he and I got some business to handle.”

I nodded, pulling myself up off the couch quick to head towards the door with the rest to give them some proper goodbyes. Xavier was the first to bend down and pull me in for a tight hug. He loved to test my own strength, I swear to god, but I hugged him just as tight, then he released me to let Eve pull me in next. “Might just have to make this a tradition,” she said near my ear, which made my smile widen to a grin.

“I’d love that,” I told her seriously, letting her pull away so Mickey could pull me in for a hug himself.

“Thanks for having us, Ci,” he told me, giving the top of what must’ve been my rats nest of hair a kiss before letting go. Then I left the gang to it to get their shoes on. But to my surprise, Ryk actually shuffled from behind Mickey. He had kept his distance from everyone else but Mic per usual, yet I watched as he carefully approached me, and his next words were so fucking sweet that I was both equally stunned and left melting right here near my entryway.

“Can I, um… is… is it like cool if I hug you? I just-… I- thanks for everything. For having me over and-”

“ Yes ,“ I rushed out too quickly, opening my arms up for him, but I waited very patiently for him to carefully take those final steps towards me and slowly wrap his arms around my waist. I tried to keep it together. Don’t hug too tight, CiCi, I warned myself, wrapping my arms around him in return. Don’t- Don’t hurt him- be gentle. Don’t fucking-

“ Thanks ,“ he whispered quietly near my left ear, tilting his head down a bit because of my short height. And I just- I squeezed just a bit tighter before finally letting him go.

…Then I started full-on mentally freaking the hell out because he took one massive step back, putting distance between us again…

But after that, he grinned at me. And I was back to being a pile of mush once more.

I hadn’t even realized that the room had grown completely quiet; everyone was just sort of looking at us. I think Jade was the only one here now who didn’t really know much about how Ryk was when he first walked into my cafe, but she had quickly picked up on the fact that we all gave him a good amount of physical space.

Eve and Xavier just sort of stumbled towards the door a bit, looking at each other, before giving Ryk a small yet warm smile. And Mickey straight up looked like he had seen the second coming of Christ with his own eyes, but when I cleared my throat, this group of fuckers got a move on. I didn’t want anyone to make it a big deal because Ryk might never fucking do that shit again if we did.

“Cool,” Xavier cut in as he pulled Eve along and got the door for her. “Then we’ll see you at the cafe, Ci. Get some rest.”

I nodded at the big guy, and gave everyone a wave as they headed out… but I didn’t miss the way Mickey bent down to whisper something in Ryk’s ear as they walked out together last, placing a soft kiss on the kid’s cheek right after.

And sure. It may have just been a hug. And Ryk might not do that again for who knows how long… but it gave me a bit of hope that he really was getting better.

It… It made me realize that his relationship with Mickey-

It was good.

It was good for him.

And he wouldn’t have been here for this holiday in the first place if it weren’t for Mic.

I gave everyone one last goodbye from my front door before closing it… only to realize that there was still one person left here. And when I turned around, Jade was still at the edge of the couch, taking a sip of the sangria, which I noticed was almost fucking gone.

If it weren’t for Xavier being here, I would’ve forced Eve to stay another night because lord have mercy , that was a lot of liquor that was drunk.

“Do… uh, um, well- uh, do you also need to head home soon?” I asked Jade from the entryway. She slowly shook her head no.

“Not yet. I can spare time for one more movie if you’re up for it? Otherwise, I don’t mind getting out of your hair if you need to rest-”

“Oh no!” I shot out quickly, just damn near bolting back to that damn couch. “I, uh- the nap was good, I’m good!” Jade fully laughed now as she patted the spot directly beside her for me to sit. And as I sat down next to her, watching her stretch her arm across the backrest of the couch, just giving me the option to snuggle in or not, I couldn’t help but blurt, “I’m so sorry for the chaos today.”

Jade just looked at me, her head turned directly in my direction. “I’d put good money on this being the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.”

And that velvety voice of hers was serious. Like dead serious, making my eyes widen a tad.

“You sure?” I couldn’t help asking before thinking that question through, which Jade just chuckled again at.

“Yeah. I mean, Eve drinking is a given. Known her long enough that I’m used to it. Xavier seems to be coming around, considering my eyes were only on you the last 24 hours. Mickey and I had some good chats. Chats that weren’t about my half-brother, and I already thanked him for that, but you can extend another thank you for me if you don’t mind-”

“I will,” I told her gingerly, just smiling. Mickey always knew what to say and, more importantly, what not to. That was part of the reason why he was so good at his job.

“Thank you,” Jade smiled in return. “And Ryk, well… we didn’t have much time to talk, but I’m guessing he’s still warming up to everyone. Everyone besides Mickey, of course. The way they look at each other makes even me blush.”

That just made my smile grow.

“But Xavier told me about how the kid fixed that car of his. Haven’t seen someone so resourceful like that in a long while. And since you’ve already seen what I drive, you know I’m pretty big on cars.”

I nodded again. Mickey hadn’t told me any specifics about that weekend when he and Ryk got Ryk’s car fixed, but if Jade and Xavier were that impressed, then I knew I was going to be prying for more details from my gochild this Saturday.

I knew who Ryk’s dad was. I didn’t know much about that shop he owned, but if Ryk was that good, I also knew Mickey was going to find a way to keep him working if he wanted to.

“Most importantly,” Jade added, “I think I’ve gotten a much better perspective on why everyone loves you, Pris. That hug just now with Ryk confirms it. I won’t pry about his past or why he kept a good distance from everyone else besides Mickey… Or the clear, blatant look of surprise on everyone else’s faces when he hugged you… But knowing you’ve done something to earn a hug like that is enough for me.”

And that just… it made me feel warm all over.

That honestly made me a frazzled, lovestruck mess .

It also made me shift a bit closer toward this woman with such intimidating beauty as I leaned in, more than ready to close this distance between us again like I had last Saturday night, regardless of how ridiculously fast my heart was beating right now…

Except she was the one who closed the distance this time, bringing those soft, full lips of hers gently down to mine.

••

73. A Gravy Situation

Second upload today as promised!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

While I wanted to toss Ryk back onto my bed after walking him through the rest of the paintings in the upstairs corridor…

I stayed true to my word and gave him an actual tour of my bookshelf this time.

His excitement when he beelined right to it again just made me fold. It was too fucking cute.

I showed him how the levitating galaxy globe worked first, at his request, turning it on for him to see, which this shithead was absolutely enthralled by. I mean, he made me keep the thing on for the rest of the tour, and asked if I could bring it to my own home sometime.

That was when I just told him to pick out whatever he wanted me to move, and I’d relocate it to my house next week for him to play with or gawk at whenever he was over. I was going to offer to give it to him outright for his place, but then I remembered I was getting him a whole goddamn snake.

He’d have enough entertainment at his with that.

And I selfishly wanted him at my place all the time.

For me to come home to after I was out working.

I then explained to him how the Celestial Orbit perpetual motion sculpture works- the magnets maintaining the movement with the balls representing the planets in rotation. I also had to then explain what planet was what because Ryk had questions.

I swear to fucking god that fucker always had questions. But I didn’t mind. He was genuinely interested in everything I had kept here, and I loved that shit.

Obviously, I didn’t care too much about books, but I still walked him through my collection. I didn’t get into the details on the aerospace stuff because he wouldn’t really understand it, but I mentioned that I would take him to the science museum we had here. There was a whole planetarium that did showings on the exploration of space that I think he would like.

After, I walked him through the rest of my sculptures and plane models. Even the satellite models I was given after graduation.

Shit, I hadn’t noticed how the time had flown until I realized that it was now a little past 7 PM and Ryk definitely had to get home.

I also wanted to make sure that everyone wasn’t wasted downstairs, so I made sure this fucker had everything packed up in his drawstring bag, gave him a kiss that probably lasted longer than it should’ve considering we were in my bedroom all alone, and I wanted him naked again, but I forced myself to pull away, and led him back down to the main floor.

Eve and Xavier were already getting their stuff together, and Xavier had grabbed my leftovers for me, setiing Ryk’s on the kitchen island for him to take home. My guess was that X would bring everything to the warehouse tonight because that was where we were heading.

He had pulled me aside while I was cooking to let me know we needed to debrief urgently, and while I told him to enjoy the holiday today before we met, X assured me he’d put his phone away once the food was done cooking, which he did.

He was also fantastic with Ryk while Eve and I cooked. Ryk had come for the tail end of things, but X kept him engaged in conversation while simultaneously working on his phone.

“Heading out?” I asked the two now. Eve and Xavier nodded.

“I’ll bring your leftovers to the warehouse,” the big guy confirmed.

“Thanks, X.” I nodded, noticing how much of the sangria was left. Rather, how fucking little.

Let’s just say Eve hadn’t given a damn about her drinking since Xavier was here, and I guess I just sorta had to let her have this. At least it wasn’t straight hard liquor, and E wasn’t one to get sick while drinking.

Just those fucking hangovers, I swear.

Ryk and I headed towards the door after he grabbed his leftovers, noticing Ci was knocked out, snuggled up next to Jade. And Jade was quick to gently wake her so she could say goodbye to us.

That hilarious older woman woke up like she was on a different planet, before realizing we were all packing up ready to head out.

And thus ensued the goodbye hugs.

After X and Eve, I made sure to pull Ci in myself, thanking her for this. Even if she left that fuckass bird to me to cook, she had still made the stay the most homey experience for everyone. Her spread the night before had taken time, and her elegantly set dining table had also taken time. Plus, she had managed to do all this after a full shift at the cafe.

So even if I was a bit hard on this older woman at times to make sure she kept her head on her shoulders, we all made sure she understood we appreciated everything about our stay here. She even had both bathrooms ready for us this morning, and the last 24 hours went about as smoothly as they possibly could’ve with a home full of different personalities.

What surprised me, however, while I was slipping my shoes on and grabbing my helmet, was when Ryk stepped from behind me to approach Ci.

I knew my godmother would never force a hug on Ryk, even though she absolutely was a hugger… but Ryk’s next words made my whole body freeze.

“Can I, um…” he started a bit nervously, trying to maintain Ci’s eye contact. “Is… is it like cool if I hug you? I just-… I- thanks for everything. For having me over and-”

“ Yes ,“ Ci rushed out so damn quick, I could practically feel her excitement radiating off her smaller frame. And the only thing going through my mind as I tried to send these thoughts telepathically to my goddamn godmother was, ’ Don’t fuck this shit up Ci. ’

I had instant fucking worry that the older woman’s excitement was going to be her own downfall at this ever fucking happening again, and to anyone else besides me. Like I wasn’t even ready for the amount of instant dread that hit me like a train when she opened up her arms for Ryk to hesitantly step into.

She was too excited. She was way too fucking excited. She was going to-

But a moment later, the older woman’s grin widened even further, and she simply let go, allowing her arms to fall to her side as Ryk took one rather enormous step back, placing that distance between them again. And it was difficult to tell whether he was okay with the hug or not…

Until this fucker gave her a grin of his own, and I swear to fucking god I let out a massive breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

I wasn’t the only one stunned into utter, complete silence either. X and E were equally as stunned, unsure of what the hell to do next, or how to react correctly… until Ci cleared her throat, reminding all three of us that we were being too awkward about this.

We were acting like it was a massive deal, which it was, but Ryk didn’t need the awkwardness. Shit, the next step after our reaction would’ve been applauding or some bullshit, so we all tightened up immediately.

“Cool,” Xavier cut in as he ushered E out through the door he got for her. “Then we’ll see you at the cafe Ci. Get some rest.”

And that was all the direction we needed as Ryk and I headed towards the door next. But I turned to Ryk a moment, bending my head down to whisper near his right ear, “Thank you for doing that,” then I gave his cheek a gentle kiss before I led us both out onto CiCi’s front steps, slipping my hand in his while holding my helmet with the other.

He had his own leftovers in his other hand, which I insisted he take with him for dinner tomorrow night while we were packing the containers after the meal, but let him know I would still drop off his lunch tomorrow for school.

And the tips of Ryk’s ears grew a burning red, but we still gave Ci another wave as she said her last few goodbyes from her entryway before closing her front door.

Xavier was already helping Eve into his Mustang on the passenger side, handing her the leftover containers to hold before he made his way around to the driver’s side. Then he looked up at Ryk and me as he caught us walking down the paved path toward Ryk’s car.

“Night, Ryk. Catch ya Saturday at Fight Club. See you in a bit, Mic.”

“Night, Xavier,” Ryk replied, giving him a nod and a small smile while I gave X a firm nod of my own, saying more with that than I needed to with words.

“Will do,” he replied with a firm nod of his own, and I continued walking Ryker over to his car first.

He opened up his back seat to toss his drawstring bag into, along with the leftover containers, then closed the door and turned to look up at me.

He didn’t even get a single word out before my lips were on his, pushing him back against his car, then pulling his lower half in closer by the small of his back with my free hand. He was a bit surprised at first, letting out a slight yelp that was muffled by my lips, before he raised his hands and gripped my sweater to pull me closer, kissing me right the fuck back.

I yet

again had to force myself to pull away a few seconds later because I was about one more second away from undoing the top button of his jeans, or just throwing him in the backseats of his car as a whole, neither of which I had time for right now.

“Goodbyes are some bullshit,” I muttered a bit breathlessly down to him, just loving how the streetlights looked against his skin. The way the warm reflections danced in his breathtaking eyes.

Ryk chuckled, still in my arms. “You’re gonna see me tomorrow. I’ll just be in a little late since I’m getting tested.”

“Still bullshit,” I grumbled, but Ryk got up on his toes, bypassing my lips to place a soft kiss on my left cheek, making me smile. “All is forgiven.”

“All is what now? Aren’t you the one busy tonight?” he reminded me.

And I diverted my gaze with a slight bashful smile as I replied with, “Yeah, but then you went and hugged Ci, and now I don’t want to do shit other than spend more time together.”

“Don’t make me the responsible one, Mickey. It doesn’t sound even remotely right.” Ryk joked, which made me full-on laugh.

“Text me when you make it home, then,” I told him seriously, and he quickly nodded. That was when I finally let him go. I took a step away for good measure, too, otherwise I was about to just take us back to mine. And I couldn’t do that. Not tonight. “Goodnight then, Ryk.”

He smiled. “Goodnight, Mickey.”

“Alright, X, lay it on me,” I told him, cracking open both beers with my teeth and passing one off to him as he took a seat beside me at the table. He’d just made it back in from dropping Eve at home, and making sure she actually made it all the way into her bed.

Judging by his ever-so-slightly sweaty, flushed face, that tuck in must’ve been real thorough.

“Thanks, man,” X nodded before he took a sip, and I did the same, except I damn near chugged it, hoping it would take the edge off the fucking irritation I was feeling after that goodbye with Ryk.

Fuck, I wish I could’ve said yes to him coming over, but …

“So Simon’s in Mexico,” X started, and I immediately began choking on this goddamn beer.

I had to cough hard a few times to clear my throat before asking, “Fuck you mean Mexico? “

“Well,” X continued, “Drugs came from somewhere, right? My guess is, there’s some trip-ups with the supply chain after that raid. Probably been tipped that the twins are back.”

“… Fuck ,” I hissed as I set this damn beer bottle down on the table hard. “ Motherfucker .“

“Twins are there, too,” X added, “in Mexico,” and on my soul, I almost flipped this goddamn table.

“But Simon’s making his way back up. Our guy took care of Cowell and Hopkins.”

“Dead?” I asked. X shook his head no.

“Probably wish they were.”

I nodded. That was enough for me.

“Our guy follow directions?”

“To the T. Made it look like a hit. No association with that night. No suspicions with the twins, far as I can tell.”

“Good,” I nodded again. Shit, I needed a cigarette.

“Watchya thinking, Mic?”

“That I should let the twins handle things,” I started honestly, “And I’ll feel Ryk out a little more, but I still don’t think he wants the fucker dead.”

“Don’s plan?” X asked.

I slowly nodded. “Only one way to call the twins off.”

“…Fuck, man,” X muttered, taking another swig of his beer.

“Yeah,” I sighed irritably. “But I’m not doing that shit till after Christmas.”

X nodded. “Got a plan to keep the twins busy?”

I nodded. “Got some money owed to me. Man’s hard to track down.”

“We aren’t known for hits,” X reminded me. “And that’s not how the twins operate. They give us jobs.”

“I know,” I added. “But they’ll want a cut when they know the price. It’s that Dimitrov deal that went south.”

X thought about that a moment, us both taking another swig of beer. “Been some time since we revisited that.”

“Shit was hot then. Decided it was better to cut our losses.”

“The twins will take it,” X nodded. “Know the last location?”

“India.”

“Big enough to keep them busy.”

“Exactly.”

“Send the info over,” X told me, and I nodded. “That’ll be a lot to clean, too, Mic.”

“We’ll cross that bridge,” I told him. “Or wire it out, deal with it much later. Use something offshore.”

X nodded more firmly, liking that idea a whole lot more. “Now onto Ryk. Tell him on your time, but you can’t leave without him knowing why if you follow through with Don’s plan.”

“I know,” I sighed again. “I know.”

“You two are getting close. Spent all that time wearing him out today that he didn’t have time to chat with Jade.”

I cleared my throat a little before taking another sip of beer, making X chuckle.

“Jade wants to start up in a few weeks. Wanted to meet with Ryk next week, which means we gotta move on shop details.”

“Got it,” I nodded.

“Add it to Saturday’s plans,” X told me seriously. “Gonna take time to get shit in house.”

I nodded before we both took another sip of beer.

“So you guys do it yet?”

I choked hard on that sip of beer, spewing some of it on the table as I tried to swallow the rest. X just chuckled. Hard.

“You fucking dick-” I choked out, coughing more.

“That’s for all the questions you had about Eve and me,” X joked, grinning, and I couldn’t help but laugh, all while still choking my ass off.

“Hey, it would be like watching two giants go at it. I just wanted to know how many broken beds y’all got under your belt.”

X just shook his head, taking another sip.

“And to answer your invasive fucking question, the answer is no. We’re taking things slow.”

Xavier nodded. “For the best. Kid’s still adjusting.”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“That hug tonight was surprising.”

“Yeah,” I nodded again. “I was terrified Ci would lose her cool with it.”

“She was close.”

“Too close.”

We both took another sip of beer.

“Working from the warehouse or home Sunday?” X asked.

“Wherever Ryk wants to go,” I replied.

“Should I get lost after we get back?”

“We’ll play it by ear. Ryk really likes you, so he might want us all to kick it.”

X nodded. “Not tryna cock block ya.”

“You and the twins did that already with that little slumber party you shitheads had,” I reminded this fucker.

X just shrugged. “Niki got you guys a vibrator. I got you guys breakfast sandwiches. I’d say we both made it up to you.”

That made both X and I cackle as we each took another sip of beer. “How’d you know what Niki got? Bag was stapled shut.”

“Mori was all too eager to tell me,” X explained, making us both chuckle. “You gonna use it?”

“Fuck no,” I replied. “Only I make my boyfriend cum, and that’s with toys I buy. I’d use a vibrator you buy me before those shitheads.”

“And I’d never fucking do some shit like that.”

“Exactly.”

X chuckled harder, taking another sip.

“Oh, I’ll need a car for the holiday party at the cabin. And I need clean cash for this Saturday.”

“Got it. Making merit?”

I nodded. “Get some cleaned for Ryk, too. Move around money with his payment from Mori. It’s in the vault.”

X nodded. “When’s Ryk looking at your bike?”

My eyebrows furrowed a bit. “Why?”

“Cause I’m next in line, you fucker. So hurry it up, Mic,” X shot back, making me full-on laugh.

“We’ll get done soon,” I assured him. “Been a busy week.” X seemed to accept that before taking another sip.

“Good. Didn’t think that kid could do much with the muscle currently on him, but you should’ve seen the reference for our guy to handle Cowell and Hopkins.”

That made me turn to look at X. “Fuck you talkin’ bout?”

“Found a photo from the shop in the summer. Needed to put faces to names-”

“Show me,” I shot out quick as hell.

X just sighed, chuckling lightly as he dug his phone out of his back pocket, and started flipping through it. After a few minutes, he passed it over to me.

On the screen was a photo taken during the day from outside Simon’s chop shop, the shop’s garage door fully open. Looks like it was a selfie taken by Vinny Cowell, and he looked wasted with who I guess was John Hopkins, but I didn’t give a shit about those pieces of shits. The person I was interested in was the shirtless man in the back, leaning over an engine with his jumper sleeves tied around his waist.

His body was more than just toned; his muscles were completely defined. And his skin- holy fucking shit-

“Give me that before you drool all over it,” X joked, reaching for his phone, but I held it away as I zoomed in more on Ryk now.

Fuck- jesus- like fuck- holy fuck- he- he looked… god fucking damn.

“This is… he-”

“Simon’s shop sees more work in the summer. They don’t work outside much after July either, so he probably just lost his tan and some of that definition,” X explained, before standing up and fully grabbing that device out of my hand. My guess was he wanted to make sure I didn’t get to swiping.

“Send that pic to me. And make the shop equipment mobile,” I shot out quickly. X looked at me like I had fucking lost it, his look telling me to get my shit together. “You know, just… just in case he wants to work outside in the summer, like at his dad’s shop.”

“Get a grip, Mic,” X snickered, locking his phone and putting it away before he took another sip of his beer.

But I was serious.

I was dead fucking serious.

Ryk didn’t mind bringing leftovers to lunch, but I’d already gotten into the routine of making him lunch, and I refused to break it.

That, and I wanted him actually in bed early Friday. I wanted him to eat the leftovers then, so he didn’t have to think about cooking once he got home from the cafe.

So after X and I spent the night at the warehouse, I headed home on my bike while he took the Mustang to the store to pick up a few things. On the menu today were garlic ‘mary me’ pork chops with a fresh cucumber salad and sliced grapefruit.

“Jesus,” X chuckled, taking a sip from the wine he poured while I patted the pork chops dry with a paper towel for a good sear. “If you’re looking for a ring, Mic, you just have to ask.”

“I’m telling Eve,” I muttered, rolling my eyes at him. “Why are you here again?”

X just chuckled, patting my back hard because he knew I knew why he was here.

He’d be working from my place today while I’m at the cafe. X said he wanted a change of scenery from the warehouse, but he brought his swim trunks when he arrived after shopping, so I knew it was for my pool and spa. And apparently my wine, too.

This was payment for us working the night of Thanksgiving, which I was fine with.

He was about to reach for the soju, but I had to stop him. If I wasn’t stocked on soju and Ryk came over Sunday, that shithead would riot.

“I’m making some for you, too,” I reminded him, reaching for my glass of water quick for a drink.

“Exactly. So how you wanna do this? Me on one knee? Ring in a cupcake over dinner? Sometimes fuckers put it in a champagne chute, but that shit sounds like a choking haz-”

“Keep this up and the only thing I’ll leave in my fridge for you to munch on in the future, big guy, will be the backing soda carton in the back.”

That shut X up real fast, as he snagged a sun-dried tomato from the extra I didn’t chop up, and popped it in his mouth.

“Besides,” I continued, “I’m cooking for him and his photography teacher.”

“You tryna fuck the photography teacher?” X asked, confused.

“What?” I turned my head up to him. “No. God, no . She knows Ryk and me are together, and I want to impress her.”

“She’s not his mother, Mic,” X reminded me.

“I know,” I replied, “but I think she might be the closest thing to a mother figure for him. And she makes him comfortable. He needs that at school right now.”

I could already see X’s smile widening, making me shake my head as I tried to hide a smile myself.

“But yes,” I sighed anyway. “I want his photography teacher to think I’m good for him.”

“You are, Mic,” X assured me in a slightly more gentle tone. “Wouldn’t have put this much thought into everything if you weren’t. Now you want me to prep anything in case you two come back here Sunday?”

I thought about that a sec. “I’ll be doing some shopping before heading into the cafe today… but maybe some extra groceries? I’m still not sure what Ryk would want to eat.”

“He’s been really liking the Korean dishes, right?” Xavier asked. “I know I’ve been.”

That made me chuckle as I finished up prepping the pork chops. “Oh, I know you have . And maybe some Korean dumplings? I think Ryk would think it’s cool to make them together.” I had an authentic bamboo steamer somewhere around here.

“Yeah,” X nodded. “Just text me the ingredients. I’ll quit on the wine and leave in a few hours.”

By the time I pulled up to Averin High, I was already in a rush. I warned Ci that I’d be late because I was going to do some shopping after this, but she said it was fine as long as I was in by 2 PM.

I could’ve dropped lunch off earlier, but I wanted to actually see Ryk, and shot him a text letting him know I’d be on time today. I’d been dropping them off early the last few days, which was annoying the shit out of me.

“Hi Sandra,” I grinned wide, hearing her groan under her breath, but she forced a tight smile. She was the only one in the admin office today.

“Mickey. Not early this time?”

I shook my head no. “Back to regular scheduled programming.”

“Oh yay,” Sandra’s tight smile remained the same. But I didn’t give a shit about that, and turned around just as Ryk was walking into the admin office.

“Hey,” I grinned, watching the tip of his ears turn a bit redder as he smiled back. Then I watched him take those few steps towards me, that smile only growing when I stretched the lunch bag out for him to grab.

“Hi,” he replied.

“Sandra, I think you’ve got the wrong setlist up for the holiday extravaganza,” I said, turning to Sandra, who furrowed her eyebrows. And as soon as she turned around to look at that bulletin board behind her, I closed that distance, reaching out to hold both sides of this fuckers face so I could bend down and plant one on him.

The kiss was quick, and I backed away as soon as Sandra started turning around again, leaving Ryk absolutely speechless, just staring up at me.

“No, I’m pretty sure that’s right,” Sandra said from her desk.

“Oh. Must’ve read it wrong,” I replied casually, but my eyes never left Ryk’s. “My eyesight can be just terrible some days.” And Ryk tried to hide his growing smile by quickly looking down at the lunch bag in his hands, that gorgeous smile eventually widening to a grin.

••

74. Dough-main Expert

Ughhh I can’t wait for like the next five chapters. They’re going to be too fucking adorable

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

“How old is Mickey again?” Ms. Kluntz whined.

“I think a bit too young for you,” I chuckled as we both took another bite of our smothered pork chops.

We were currently sitting on one of the classroom tables, legs crossed, seriously enjoying the lunch Mickey had dropped off. To the point where both of us just said fuck it to getting work done today.

“How do I apply to be a part of your family?” she asked in between chewing, and I just smiled.

“Not sure how it works, but shouldn’t you be asking to be a part of Mickey’s or something?”

Ms. Kluntz shook her head no. “This,” she gestured to the smothered porkchops in the extra dish Mickey had packed for her, “Is a man who’s trying to get a ring. And I don’t think he’s looking for one from my old self, so you gotta marry in for the both of us.”

I’m sure my face was turning red as all hell as I looked down at my own container. “I, uh… we-”

Ms. Kluntz’s soft laughter cut through my cheesy smiles. “Just teasing. You two seem to be going strong, though.”

“Yeah,” I slowly nodded. “We, um… we spent Thanksgiving together.”

“Oh, did you?” She grinned. “I’m glad to hear it. I spent mine with my son and his wife. All of us are the worst cooks, so I just stocked up on ready-made meals the night before.”

That got a good chuckle out of me. “I didn’t know you had a son.”

“Oh yeah,” Ms. Kluntz nodded. “He’s a bit of a wild card. Otherwise, it’s always nice to have some family home. Makes the house seem less empty.” I carefully nodded at that before taking a bite of the cucumber salad this time. Mickey had made it extra spicy, and I already wanted like ten more servings. “The nice thing about family is it doesn’t always have to be blood-related, though. I think it’s just whoever you feel at home with, right?”

I nodded again, more sure of myself this time as I replied with, “Right.”

Ms. Kluntz didn’t know about my own family situation, but she was good at picking up on the fact that I’d never once mentioned them, so she never once pried. She just kept things… breezy , and I loved talking to her because of it.

Then we continued enjoying lunch, while she and I worked out a day for her to stop by the café. She really wanted to meet the baker who had been keeping us both fed for literal weeks now during our lunch periods together.

Right after school, I headed over to the free clinic to get my tests done.

It didn’t really bother me much. Going to do this.

Honestly, it was kind of nice that Mickey and I both decided to. I knew that from what I told him, I obviously couldn’t one hundred percent guarantee that I had used condoms every time I had sex, so I liked the reassurance that he and I wouldn’t have any questions after this.

I wanted to give him that reassurance, even if he wasn’t the one who asked for it.

And it didn’t take long either. Just about an hour to get tested and receive my results, and they all came back clean. The only thing that was a bit of a struggle was having to be so close to the doctors, and it did make me a bit nauseous being in the facility surrounded by so many people, but I just forced myself to push through.

It was my own shitty, drunk choices of my past anyway that made me feel like I needed to do this, so I just told myself to suck it up. The staff was nice enough here.

Then I left, made a stop at the gas station for some cigarettes- I picked up the brand Mickey smoked because I thought it would be nice to switch it up- and headed to the café after.

I hadn’t realized how expensive Mickey’s pack of smokes was… but I thought that just this once, I’d splurge a bit. So far, I’d been good with not wasting money on shit like booze and weed, and, well… Mickey had-…

He wouldn’t let me pay for anything when we were out.

So much so that I was left trying to think of something nice I could do for him just to show that I appreciated him. It was hard when that baker had the means to get whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it.

I was already going to tune up his bike, but that was honestly more a gift for me than a gift for him, and it was repayment for helping me with my homework. I already knew what I wanted to get him for the Secret Santa, and as a Christmas gift… but I wanted this- showing how much I appreciated everything he did- to mean more than just buying something.

I wasn’t really a gift-giver like that, either. I liked to, I guess, sort of like do things for someone.

But Mickey just sort of did everything . Like he just handled everything.

So I got to brainstorming as I drove to the café, only smoking one cigarette since they were too expensive to chainsmoke.

The ride wasn’t that long, either, since the clinic and gas station weren’t far from the school. I ended up pulling into the back alley, maybe about half an hour later, then grabbed my backpack and headed towards the back entrance.

Once I entered the café, I had expected to see Mickey already in the kitchen, working… but instead, it was Eve.

“Hi, Eve,” I nodded with a slight smile while she looked up at me from mixing dry ingredients in a bowl.

“Hey,” she gave me a slight smile of her own. “Go ahead and set your stuff in the back. Mickey’s out front today, so it’s you and me back here till close.”

I gave her a nod, then headed towards the employees’ only room, trying not to show my slight disappointment, considering I already missed the shit out of that damn baker.

While I was hoping I could spend more time with him, I really didn’t mind working with Eve. She was similar to Xavier in that she didn’t really talk much. While I truly did like CiCi, sometimes she could be very… Ah, well, she liked to talk a lot. The only person I said even a fraction of that many words to was Mickey, pretty much because he insisted on it.

And I didn’t mind indulging CiCi- like I didn’t mind hearing her talk- but I always felt like an ass when I didn’t really feel up to responding, or I was trying to choose my words carefully.

So after setting my stuff in a locker, I headed back out to grab an apron from the hook before joining Eve…

But Mickey must’ve had some sixth fucking sense because the door to the front opened to reveal the tall, handsome baker.

“Hey, Ryk,” He smiled, pulling a smile from me instantly.

“Hi,” I replied, and passed over the apron when he took those few steps towards me and gestured for me to fork it over. After I did, I turned around to face the back door so he could place the loop over my head.

“How was school?”

“I think Ms. Kluntz wishes you were her age and an eligible bachelor,” I replied, making Mickey chuckle.

“Pork chops were that good, huh?”

“Fucking incredible ,” I replied. “And Ms. Kluntz also said she would stop by the café on Tuesday after school to thank you in person.”

“Oh, really?” Mickey asked, gently pulling the ties back a little tighter around my waist. My stomach was pretty much healed, but Mickey still made sure it wasn’t too tight, only tight enough to keep it snug to my frame.

I was excited for my body to get back to one hundred because I hadn’t done a single workout in a little over a month now. Honestly, I hadn’t been doing much work at the shop either. Not after Dylan had gotten back from Ireland. Spent more time drinking than anything. Then the colder weather wouldn’t help much since I wouldn’t be able to be outdoors, so my body was itching to just… to move, I guess.

The last real bit of movement I’d had was when I worked on my car, and while it felt good, I had overdone it. My body wasn’t quite ready for it then.

“Yeah… Is that okay?”

“For sure. You’re starting out front on Monday with the cash register, so I think it works perfectly. And she’ll be able to try your macarons,” Mickey replied, making me smile as he finished tying off the apron. Then I felt him bend down a bit, resting his chin on my right shoulder to whisper very quietly near my ear, “How was the clinic?”

“…Good,” I whispered back. “Tests were clean. Just a bit… nauseated, I guess. Still not… used to-”

“I’m sorry,” Mickey whispered out quick, but I shook my head no even quicker.

“ I wanted to do it, remember?“

And it took Mickey a moment before he eventually slowly nodded into my shoulder.

“If you need anything, come get me from the front. I’m out there with Ci today. Otherwise, I think you’ll find working with E a bit easier. Woman of very few words when she’s focused.”

That made me chuckle a bit softly as I nodded. “Since… since the um, like the tests are clean… does that mean-”

“Means exactly what you think it does,” Mickey replied in that same hushed tone, placing a tender kiss on my right cheek before his chin lifted and he gently stepped away. “Alright then,” he announced, making me turn around to face him and Eve now. “I’ll leave you two to it. It’s mayhem out front, but we only got less than three hours till close. Power through.”

I nodded quickly, grinning up at Mickey. Not because of the work shit, obviously, but because of what he said right before that.

And fuck , it just made all that uncomfortableness this afternoon at the clinic even more fucking worth it.

“Hey, Eve?” I asked as she and I made more dinner rolls together.

She had briefly explained before we started working together this afternoon that usually the days after Thanksgiving were busy for all the Friendsgivings that didn’t happen before the holiday.

After that, though, she and I worked in silence, besides the music she had put on lightly in the background with a Bluetooth speaker.

And it was nice, too. Not like the jazz Mickey always liked to listen to, but sort of like a hipster-grunge instrumental thing. Personally, I preferred the jazz, but that probably would’ve made me want to relax more than anything.

This grunge music was surprisingly great for focusing, and I was trying hard to focus because I wanted to work on the dough without having to ask too many questions.

But even then, while Eve seemed focused on her own batches, she was paying attention enough to make some minor corrections or let me in on a few tips to help, and most importantly, she always kept that physical distance between us.

I really needed that distance today because the clinic had just-

It had been more than I was prepared for.

And hugging CiCi yesterday… I hadn’t planned to do that. It made me stupidly worry that maybe everyone might expect me to be more comfortable with them getting close, but that wasn’t the case at all. They seemed to understand that it was a bit of a struggle to do even that, and I only did it because CiCi deserved to know how much I appreciated her having me over.

It was the best Thanksgiving I had ever had, and the competition wasn’t even remotely close.

“Sup, Ryk?” Eve replied, folding the dough in on the floured down kitchen island.

“What’s… like, what’s something Mickey-… I mean, like-” I paused a moment, trying to figure out what the fuck I was even asking right now. Eve just continued to fold the dough in, patiently waiting for me to get it the hell together. “I… I want to do something nice for Mickey,” I finally finished.

The tall woman slowly nodded at that. It was a bit refreshing how she didn’t overwhelm me with too many words at once. I didn’t mind her pauses, either. “…Think you breathing’s enough for that fucker.”

And that had me abruptly chuckling, as Eve’s lips tugged up into a smirk. “He just… he’s always getting me shit, and doing sweet stuff for me. I want to show him that I appreciate him, that’s not-”

“Sexual?” She finished for me.

Her comment was unexpected as hell, but I still found myself slowly nodding. I guess she was right.

“Mic’s hard to shop for,” Eve then admitted. “Ci’s known him the longest, and even she struggles every Christmas. What’s your love language?”

“I… like to do things for people. But I already owe Mickey a tune-up on his bike, and I can’t really think of anything else I can do. I don’t really cook, and he’s way cleaner than I am-”

“OCD, really,” Eve muttered, easing a great deal of my stress as she turned her head away from the dough for the first time, to smile down at me.

“Yeah,” I wholeheartedly agreed. “So I just… I’m a bit lost, I guess.”

“Wanna know the easiest way to that fuckers heart?” This tall, green-haired woman asked. And I quickly nodded. “Mic bores. Easily . He’s only that skilled at all those things because he’s scared of getting bored. So find something that excites him. Something else, other than just you breathing.”

My hands slowed on folding in my own dough as a more permanent grin spread across my face.

Something exciting, I thought to myself, remembering the last time I’d surprised him. And I swear this grin just stretched itself further as I thought about it.

“Thanks, Eve,” I said sincerely, turning my head up at her again.

“Anytime,” she replied with a head turn of her own, before she gave me a quick wink, and we got back to work.

It was probably at this exact moment that I realized why she and Xavier were so perfect for one another.

They weren’t short with their words. They were just direct. No unnecessary fluff detected.

Besides working with Mickey, it was easy to say I definitely preferred working with Eve. We barely said anything to each other, but it was so comfortable and brought me a sense of calm after the nausea at the clinic.

In fact, besides the conversation about Mickey, there were only two other things we talked about briefly: the pet Mickey and I were getting, and strangely enough, books…

“Heard you and Mic are getting a snake,” she said after maybe about thirty minutes of complete silence, just working at listening to music.

“Yeah. You like ’em?” I asked.

“Fuck no,” she replied, making me chuckle. “But when you get it, call me.”

I was a bit confused at that. “…Why?”

Yet all she said was, “Gotta see this shit in person.”

And, well, yeah. After giving her a nod, that was the end of that conversation.

Then we went about 45 more minutes of complete silence before I asked, “What interests you?”

I’d sort of blurted that one out, and was about to apologize because I also sort of sounded like a dick, but Eve just shrugged and said, “a bit of everything.”

That seemed to answer my question, so I just nodded and got back to it. But after maybe a minute, Eve started chuckling to herself, forcing me to turn and look over at her. “…What-”

“No further questions?” She asked.

“Oh…” I slowly replied. “I, uh-… I’m not… I’m not really a… pryer? Sorry- shit, I’m a shitty conversationalist, I should’ve-”

Eve just chuckled even harder now, cutting my words clean off. “I see why Mic’s absolutely smitten.” And that successfully made me pause all my work to stare up at her, a small smile still pulling through on my lips from her words. “You like books?” She then asked me suddenly, making me a bit more confused as I cocked my head a little to the side. But I nodded nonetheless. “Good. How you feel about the Library? Wanna go with me Sunday?”

I damn near immediately nodded. “Yeah, I’d- I’d love that. I can drive us.”

“No need,” Eve replied. “Xav told me you might be at Mic’s Sunday. Xavier’ll pick you up and drop you at mine, then it’s walking distance from there.”

My eyes widened a bit at that. Mickey and I hadn’t really talked about Sunday, but I just sort of went with it and nodded because if Xavier thought that was where we’d end up, then he was probably right.

Closing time arrived pretty quick.

I noticed that when I worked with CiCi, time went quicker because she liked to chat a lot. But with Eve, while the time moved more slowly, it was definitely just… calming. We had a busy day, but I was more focused, so the work kind of flowed in a way.

CiCi ended up having to leave right at close because she said she needed to do some shopping, so Mickey cleaned the front while Eve and I cleaned up the kitchen, and it was just a little after eight when that baker strolled into the kitchen just as the back door to the alley was opening.

“Sup, Mic. Hey, Ryk,” X grinned, then pulled Eve in right after she had hung up her apron, to give the tall woman a kiss on the lips

“Right on time, X,” Mickey noted with a nod. And the very first thing he did was give my left temple a quick kiss before moving behind me so he could untie my own apron.

“Ryk and I are headed to the Library on Sunday,” Eve declared while resting her back against the employees’ only door. “You boys make it happen,” she then gestured to Mickey and Xavier.

“Uh…” Xavier started, his eyes shifting away from Eve and past me, to Mickey.

“You want to go, Ryk?” Mickey asked me while untieing the double-knot bow he’d made earlier.

I quickly nodded. “I didn’t know what we had planned Sunday, so…”

This baker paused for a second at that. I could practically hear the gears in his brain rotating, working out a game plan.

“Alright… Guessing you want to go to school from mine, right?” He asked. I nodded hard. “Okay. Sunday morning, we’ll drive to yours from the warehouse to pick up your car. Then we’ll have breakfast at mine. X, what’s your availability?”

“Available,” Xavier replied. “Ryk, I’ll pick you up after breakfast and take you to Eve’s. You walking there, Evie?”

Eve nodded. “Cute breakfast joint on the way. Ryk and I’ll eat there instead.”

Xavier looked back over at Mickey, and it took this baker a sec before he let out a slightly tight, “Fine. You cool with that, Ryk?”

I nodded again. While I wanted to have breakfast with Mickey, I also really wanted to try getting more comfortable with everyone else, too. I wanted more days like Thanksgiving. And Eve was easy to be around. “We’ll make dinner together, though, right?” I spoke a bit more quietly to Mickey as he gently lifted the loop over my head and pulled the apron off me.

“Yes,” he answered in a firm tone, stepping beside me now as he draped my apron over his arm. I turned to look up at him with a warm smile, letting him know we’d still have our time alone together. He was all but pouting at this point.

“Perfect!” Eve cut in quick. “Then it’s settled. After you get to Mic’s, Xavier will drop you at my place, and we’ll get breakfast on our way to the library. It’ll only be a few hours, Mic, and we’ll get Ryk back before 3 PM. Library closes at 4 PM anyway.”

Mickey and Xavier nodded at that plan.

“X, in case I-” Mickey started, but Xavier was already nodding.

“If you’re out, I’ll let Ryk in.”

Mickey nodded at that. “Thanks.”

“Anytime,” the bigger guy replied. “Ryk, you excited to ride my-”

“He’s not riding shit,” Mickey cut in quickly, which made me look up at him again. “Mustang makes more sense anyway, right? In case he has like books or whatever to carry-”

Xavier and Eve were already full-on cackling, which made Mickey suddenly avoid their gaze, and I didn’t understand at first until I realized Xavier was just joking about me riding on his bike.

While I would’ve given anything to be on a Combat Motors Wraith, I still felt my face heating up at Mickey’s complete possessiveness. Fuck, I loved that shit so much . Well, that, and I sure as shit didn’t mind riding shotgun in a Mustang.

“I’ll pick you up in my ’stang, Ryk,” Xavier confirmed, still grinning at Mickey, who had now found some interest in the kitchen’s sink.

We all pretty much left the café together, with Xavier walking Eve home since CiCi had to take off earlier, while Mickey walked me to my car and gave me a quick kiss goodbye. It was a short goodbye because he suddenly got a call which he had to take, and I assured him it was fine.

I’d be seeing this shithead at the literal asscrack of dawn anyway.

And I know I had promised him I would go straight home, eat, then head to bed… but instead, I followed in CiCi’s footsteps and headed towards the shopping district, hoping I would have some time there before it got too late.

I wanted to pick up a few things I’d need to help with what I was planning for Mickey. Especially now that I knew I would be at his place on Sunday…

But still, it took a hell of a lot longer than I thought it would to find everything I needed.

Nothing was too expensive, plus I’d be getting my next check right before rent was due, so I wasn’t too worried about having to spend a little, reserving some extra cash for the request I was going to make when Xavier was dropping me back off at Mickey’s after the library. And once I was sure I got everything I could for the night, I headed home.

The leftovers were what really came in handy, because after eating, my body flopped right onto my mattress for an early bedtime- well, early enough anyway. I did make a bit of the tea that Mickey had dropped off in the box he brought to mine weeks ago, which helped with just the remnants of the nausea I was feeling.

The shopping district was a little too busy, so the queasiness had come back.

And I wasn’t sure what unearthly force I had to thank for no night terrors during the night, because by the time I woke up, I was actually a bit earlier than the like thirty alarms I had set to make sure I got up at 6 AM.

Hell, probably was just my excitement. That damn baker and I had the entire day together after all.

Since Mickey said it was cool for us to come back to mine after the gym so I could change, I first showered, then threw on some comfy clothes. Sweatpants and a hoodie, but also an inside shirt due to the colder weather. Snow would be here in no time, which sucked, but it was whatever.

Only thing I was worried about was traction on my tires. I’d been putting off replacing them for a while, so that was the next thing on my list of spendy shit to save for. My car was also light, which meant I needed to purchase some sandbags sooner rather than later. The ones I usually threw in the trunk were still at my dad’s shop, which meant that was a lost cause at this point.

Guess it was a good thing that the only shit I cared about there were my books and my toolbox, because it would’ve been a whole lot harder to say goodbye to things that were irreplaceable.

I knew I’d never see whatever was left there again. Maybe including my father.

Don’t think about that , Ryk, I told myself now as I finished getting dressed, tried to salvage my hair, then locked up and headed downstairs.

I was a bit early, and I knew I was because Mickey had texted right before he left the warehouse- I guess he had spent the night there- and that gave me some time to sit in the lobby and pull out my phone.

After everything that had happened following that unexpected phone call from Isiah, I had muted his new contact… but now that I had a few minutes of time, I searched through the messages of spam to find it.

Then my thumb froze mid-scroll, seeing that there was a new message I hadn’t seen the notification for. And it simply said:

Happy Thanksgiving, man.

I… I expected it to hurt.

I expected it to hurt a hell of a lot more than it actually did.

And instead of the panic attack this simple text probably would’ve brought on weeks ago… I instead opened up the message.

Of course, it was the only message we had between us with his new number, and my fingers slowly tapped on that text box before beginning to type a reply.

Happy Thanksgiving, Izzy. Let’s find time to talk next week.

Then I just… I just hit send.

I didn’t take him off mute- honestly, I didn’t have the balls to yet. I wanted to see his texts when I decided to. When I was in the right headspace for it. But just hitting send felt like more than enough.

Plus, I knew I wasn’t getting a response anytime soon, considering it was 6:20 AM. Izzy was probably sleeping and would wonder how the flying fuck I was even up at this time on a Saturday.

Luckily, I didn’t have to dwell on how heavy everything was between him and me, because I heard that familiar rumbling of that familiar bike, and shot to my feet instantly.

“Have a good day, Mr. Parker,” Cole, one of the security guards, told me as I headed through those front doors.

“You too, Cole,” I replied, giving him a slight smile. He seemed a bit surprised, probably because every other time Mickey had picked me up for Fight Club, I looked like a walking zombie, but today I was awake enough not to be a complete jackass or just outright ignore him. And Mickey knew it, too, as he pulled his bike right up front and I jogged out to him.

He was wearing a large, thick grey hoodie and some grey sweatpants. When he unstrapped the second helmet, I saw his familiar drawstring bag also strapped in front of him, then he handed the helmet off to me so I could slip it on before climbing onto his bike behind him.

“Please don’t tell me I’ve lost your soul to crack,” was the very first thing he said through the helmet speaker. He didn’t even verify we were paired, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I wrapped my arms tight around his hard waist.

“No,” I then had to insist through laughter. “I’m just excited for today.”

“Good,” Mickey replied. “Because if you must do drugs, at least get the refined shit. Cocaine. Like a civilized human being.”

My body shook against his with laughter, resting the helmet I was wearing on his bike as he pulled us out of the Brookside Apartments lot and onto the main roads, headed towards the gym. “How’d you sleep?” I asked him.

“Late,” he replied. “And so did you.”

At first, I was going to ask how he knew that… but then I remembered what Don had said about curfew, and if Mickey was fully honest about Don passing over this responsibility to this baker, he probably knew what time I got home every night.

It didn’t phase me, though.

I mean, with Don, yeah. I thought the whole curfew thing was shitty.

But I was dating Mickey, so of course my toxic ass just found that shit hot- him knowing for sure when I got home, just in case I forgot to text him goodnight.

“What brought your arrival so close to your curfew, Ryker Parker?” Mickey asked, teasing me, but there was a tinge of curiosity there. Nothing controlling, especially because I technically didn’t break curfew, but I knew he was curious.

“Secret, Mickey,” I replied.

“Oh, is it?” he asked. His left hand reached back, tapping my left thigh to signal a turn, but then he held onto that thigh just a little longer, making me smile.

“I’ll explain when the time’s right.”

“You better.”

“I will.”

“Better not be crack. Remember: cocaine , Ryk. Like a contributing member to society. Don’t embarrass me.”

And I busted out laughing hard as I felt his hand finally leave my thigh. My arms squeezed him even tighter, just enjoying being on his bike again with nothing but the most insane anticipation for how today would go.

••

75. Let’s Roll

I think another double update is in the works today!

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/11146d67ddb53995ded1020fdc7c7692849e631e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6b4e54464b4e43305437377157773d3d2d313631383038393836322e313861313162643664306263393661313233313539393638353234342e6a7067)               

I got the standard alert from security at the Brookside about when Ryk got in, only a few minutes after he did. Don had fully transferred the texts over, probably because he was still in Texas and didn’t want to be disturbed whatsoever.

The only communication between the Whittaker-Jones family and me during the week was when I sent a text to Dylan after dropping Ryk’s lunch off, wishing him a Happy Thanksgiving and good luck on his very first Tourney ever. He replied with a thank you, saying he’d ring on Saturday to tell me how it all went. I knew Dylan was over the fucking moon about finally getting to compete, so I was genuinely excited to hear all about it.

Thought Don would die of a stroke first before he ever allowed it.

Technically , Ryk didn’t break curfew either, and there wasn’t a bone in my body that thought he was up to anything regressive, but still, I wanted to know what had him out till around 10 PM. He was always transparent about what he did and where he went. I wasn’t used to him being so secretive.

All that was in the back of my mind now, though, because Ryk was currently sitting on the other end of the gym, watching the very shirtless Sammy and Xavier go at it in the veterans’ ring.

Dante was over there with him now, but Ryk was on that side alone when we first started because Arlo insisted we get a warm-up in with the co-owner.

Apparently, this barista had a fight with his wife last night. She found more gambling transfers or some shit, and he wanted to correctly blow off steam or whatever. Anyways, we were now going at it ourselves, pushing closer to our end time, and after throwing my last punch, I abruptly paused the intense fight.

“ The fuck , Mickey-“ Arlo started while I pulled my gloves off, tossed them on the floor, climbed my sweat-dripping self out of the ring, and flicked him off in the process.

Then I sped walked all the way across the gym to the other ring where Sammy and Xavier’s sweaty selves were still putting in work, those heavy punches flying with innate precision. Ryk was standing a good distance away from the ring with Dante, while Dante walked him through the fight, gesturing to the men inside throwing powerful fists, but once Ryk spotted me, his eyes remained glued on all of me, eyeing my shirtless build up and down slowly.

“Done already?” Dante called out, teasing me with a smirk when he followed where Ryk’s attention was now.

I gave him a look before heading straight for Ryker, declaring to them both, “parties fucking over,” before crouching my body down a bit, gripping Ryk’s hips, just above the hem of his sweatpants with both my large hands, and picking his whole body up off the ground to throw over my left shoulder.

Ryk instantly yelped at how fast I had him off his feet, but I made sure to keep both my hands on his hips and held him elevated slightly so my shoulder wasn’t cutting directly into his stomach.

“That’s enough shirtless men that isn’t your boyfriend,” I told this little fucker over my shoulder, turning us left and right while his legs lightly kicked the air. He was starting to chuckle now, as was Dante.

“You’re so dramatic, Mickey,” Dante insisted with a grin, but I was already hauling this shithead back across the gym, feeling his hands on my sweaty, bare back so he could at least hold his upper body up enough to see where we were going.

And I brought him right past the novice ring into the meditation rooms on the side of the gym he should’ve been at, at least fifteen minutes ago, crouching down to gently place his laughing self directly onto one of the rolled-out mats in this space.

“Now you’re going to sit your ass down here, Ryk, and watch your boyfriend beat the shit out of Arlo for his lunch money. Any fucking protests?”

Ryk rapidly shook his head no, grinning like crazy with that incredible smile of his.

“Good,” I replied, and gave his forehead a quick, sweaty kiss before straightening myself up and heading right back out of the meditation rooms.

Arlo had his arms crossed over the top rope of the ring, looking less than amused, but still pulled me up when I reached a hand out, and I made it back to the boxing gloves that I had tossed on the mat to slip them back on.

“No way that was necessary,” he grumbled.

“Needed a witness for this beatdown,” I replied, smirking while Arlo just rolled his eyes at me. Then we started this shit back up again.

Dante eventually walked over to join Ryk on this side while Arlo and I continued our last few rounds. I could hear them both laughing from the meditation room since they kept the door open this time, but I focused on giving them a good fight instead.

Ryk really liked hanging with Dante, and when he fully recovered, he’d have the option to do more than just watch. Dante was one of the best instructors in the game, which meant my only job was to give him something good to comment on. To really sell this place to him.

And once we hit 8:45 AM, it was Dante who headed out, letting us know it was time to hit the showers before their first class arrived.

So that was what Arlo and I did. We’d both worked up enough of a sweat where this barista definitely couldn’t just stroll into the café right after without washing off.

I rushed in for a brief shower, changed back into my sweats and hoodie, then joined Ryk near the novice ring to walk us both out, right behind Xavier. Arlo had already left for his shift at the café, taking a shower even shorter than mine so he wouldn’t be late.

“How was it?” I asked this fucker through the helmet microphone once I pulled us out the back alley of the gym and onto the main road. His arms were locked around my waist tight, making me smile.

“Incredible!” Ryk beamed.

“Easy there, tiger. You better be talking bout me,” I warned the motherfucker, and he chuckled.

“You were pretty fucking dope too. I just didn’t know Xavier and Sammy could move like that,” he tried to explain. “They’re massive.”

“Uh-huh-” I started in jealousy, only to feel Ryk nuzzle his helmet a bit into my back, shutting me up instantly.

Then he murmured through the helmet, “You looked beautiful in there. In the ring… Nothing beats watching you having fun.”

And I honestly forgot what the fuck I was irritated about in the first goddamn place, courtesy of the gorgeous shithead with his arms wrapped around my waist, leaning with me for a tight right turn.

My left hand reached back instead to give Ryk’s thigh a firm squeeze, and I heard a light chuckle come through the speakers in response, making this smile of mine simply widen.

“Does it matter what I wear?” Ryker asked while I finished pulling on a thick turtleneck sweater from the clothes I emptied onto his bed, then my leather jacket. He was rummaging through his scarce closet while I finished getting changed in here with him, and I made another mental note that he and I would need to go shopping for more clothes soon.

If the rest of his closet was at his dad’s place above the shop, then we’d just have to cut our losses there. At least for now.

I’d break into anywhere for him, including his home above that chop shop, but it had to be for something more important than just some clothes.

“Doesn’t matter as long as it’s warm,” I replied, and Ryk nodded before continuing to rummage through until he landed on my black knitted sweater he was wearing on Thanksgiving.

“Will this work?” He asked. I nodded, then slipped off my leather jacket and waited until he got the sweater over the black t-shirt he was wearing before walking it over to him. “Wait, won’t you be cold-”

“Shut up, Ryk, I’ll be fine,” I replied. He accepted it a bit hesitantly but eventually pulled it on. And while it was definitely too big for him, it would serve its purpose for now. Today was going to be a sunny day, but also in the fifties, and with the slight breeze, the ride on my bike was going to feel even chillier.

Once he got situated in my jacket, I pulled my wallet out of my back pocket, rifled through a few bills, then passed them Ryk’s way.

He stared down at the money in my hand, a bit confused, until I added, “Merit,” and that seemed to click for him as a smile stretched across his face, and he accepted the two twenties and a ten. “Also, we won’t be back here until tomorrow. How are you with homework?”

I watched this fucker think about that a moment while placing the bills in his own wallet. He had paired the knitted sweater with some light blue faded jeans of his own, and I was trying not to seem as fucking turned on as I felt at this point. Him in my sweater and my jacket… God, it was so fucking sexy.

“Didn’t have much time to work on anything yesterday, but I’ll bring it all to your place tomorrow. Promise.”

I nodded, accepting that. Based on how Thursday and Friday had gone, X and I were anticipating that I’d probably have to head back to the warehouse tomorrow. We discussed the possibility of my working once Ryk and I got back to the warehouse tonight, but I was firm on that no.

Today was both our second official date and a bit of a do-over from last weekend. I wasn’t about to work today. I wanted to show this shithead I was currently ushering out of his home, that I could do this- that I had the capacity to balance my work and my love life.

I also needed that separation because what X and I were working on now wasn’t something Ryk could know about yet.

This was why X confirmed he’d let Ryk back into my place after the Library in case I was still out. Odds are, I would be. And Ryker spending time with Eve there was better than me just leaving him alone at mine.

X had also sent me a text while I was starting my shift at the café yesterday, right after I placed a few things for Ryk in Ci’s ugly ass car, letting me know that my place was stocked with the grocery list I sent him so Ryk and I could make dumplings for dinner. Xavier even found the bamboo steamer before he took a dip in my pool.

The only thing that left me irritated was the fact that Eve would get to have breakfast with Ryk tomorrow morning now.

I wanted to do that shit with him, but Ryker seemed genuinely excited to spend more time with that devilish girl, so I forced myself to concede. It was good- him having more connections. Getting more comfortable with others.

“Breakfast with Sho alright?” I asked Ryk once he finished locking up his unit, and we headed towards the elevators. Ryk nodded, then slipped his right hand into my outstretched left one, clasping our fingers together with that beautiful smile of his spreading while he joined me at my side.

I had shown some serious restraint all morning because I knew today was a really tight schedule, but as soon as we got into that damn elevator, I hit the lobby button, and the doors closed, I pulled Ryk into me, bending down quickly to bring my lips to his.

Ryk moaned into this kiss almost immediately. His hands reached up, pulling me down by the back of my neck a little more as he tilted his head back a little to give me more access to those perfect lips. I had started to back him up against the closed elevator doors, but had to pull us away quickly when I heard the ding for the lobby floor, so we both wouldn’t fall through the fucking thing when it finally opened.

Ryk and I were breathing a bit heavier, trying to gather ourselves in an effort to actually get the hell out of here before I tried convincing him to head back up to his flat. I was about one more second of kissing him away from doing just that.

Then we walked out with a brief goodbye to security, and made it to my bike, which I just parked directly out front. Wasn’t like there were any other tenants here to complain about it, and the apartment’s security at this point knew I’d be coming and going with Ryk.

After getting back on my baby, pairing up our helmets, and doing a quick check-in with Ryker to make sure he had everything he needed, I played some music on the ride out to the temple because Ryk was really enjoying how beautiful the day was. Clear blue skies. Sun beaming down. Minimal traffic.

It was easy to know when he was enjoying the views because his head wasn’t resting against my back, and his body wasn’t as flush to mine. Hi could feel him looking around, or tilting his head to the side so he could check out what was up ahead.

And while I loved our chats through the helmet, while we rode, I reminded myself that the day had just started for us. I didn’t need to suffocate him with my clinginess just yet, and it really was such a beautiful day today, with no cars out on these long strips of road we eventually started riding on.

Plus, Ryk was in control with that helmet of his. He only interrupted the music twice to try to convince me to tell him some clues about the few surprises I had in store for him today, but I told this motherfucker to shut up and enjoy the ride. I may not have had much experience planning dates, but between X, Ci, and myself, I made this one foolproof.

Ryker was going to enjoy this time with me, uninterrupted.

He seemed to give up eventually, chuckling as he turned his microphone off and the grunge music started playing again, then just a few minutes later, I was already pulling us up the long dirt path towards the parking spots near the entrance to the main temple.

This place made me think of our first visit together, reminding me of the fact that I was still owed those photos Ryk had developed. I didn’t ask for them when we were at his this morning because it would be easier if he brought them with his car tomorrow morning.

Ryk had even suggested I just leave my gym clothes at his and he’d bring them tomorrow so I didn’t have to worry about strapping my drawstring bag to the bike, which I agreed was probably easier.

After getting us parked and both our helmets strapped onto my bike once we climbed off, I slipped my hand into my boyfriend’s and led him towards the main temple, where we would meet with Sho first.

My lips curled into a smile when Ryk slipped his tennis shoes off at the entrance before I even started taking off mine. I got us each empty envelopes on a table near the entrance to the first room so he and I could place our money inside for making merit, and as we entered the main hall, Sho was already kneeling, deep in meditation himself.

“You can pass your envelope off to Sho after your meditation,” I whispered quietly to Ryk. “I’ll make rounds while you two talk, then double back around so we can head to the next temple for breakfast.”

Ryk gave me a firm nod, but his eyes were all over this massive room. It was the calming scent of incense burning that always seemed to quiet my mind as I led him over to the kneeling monk, having him take a seat to the left of Sho while I took a seat at his right.

“A second visit this month, Micah. I am quite surprised,” his smooth voice noted with a slight smile, even though his eyes remained closed. “Ryker Parker has seemingly convinced you of something I once thought to be lost as life continues for us both.”

“We’ve decided to visit each Saturday,” I explained to this old man. “I’ll go make merit and meditate with Shanti. Give you and Ryk some privacy.”

Sho simply nodded, allowing me to pull myself to my feet, and Ryker turned his head a bit hesitantly to look up at me, but I offered him a warm smile.

I liked it- how honest he was with me about everything- but this… this place was a place he should feel safe to talk about whatever he’d like.

I was only concerned about our first visit because he had been crying.

But now? Now he didn’t have to tell me anything he didn’t want to. Not while we were here. And I’d take no offense to him having that privacy. It was what this place was for.

So instead, I went to find the other old man who was always wandering the main temple. And on my way, I paid my respects to the dead- to my father- and gathered some incense to burn.

While I didn’t want to rush anything about our time here, Ci wasn’t joking when she said she needed her car back by 6 PM. This meant I was hoping Ryk and I could get to her place by 1 PM, then hopefully we’d get the sandwiches done and out the door by 3 PM.

Right now, Ci was baking the fresh bread for them, and she had shot me a text last night letting me know that the meat was already defrosting in the fridge.

I was on her ass about that all day yesterday while we worked the front together. She promised she’d get it done, but I was a bit worried because I could tell her mind was probably on that date she had with Jade tonight.

While I did my best to squeeze out some information on how the rest of her night went with the mysterious woman on Thanksgiving evening, all CiCi said was that they watched one more movie, then Jade had to leave.

The way she avoided my peering eyes, however, told me that something more had happened than just cuddling. Eventually, I gave up because Friday was busy as shit, but I was definitely going to be doubling back around after this weekend for some more details.

“Micah,” Shanti smiled, turning his head up to me as I knelt down to kneel with him in front of the large statue after placing the burning incense stick next to the others. “Two visits this month. A pleasant surprise.”

“You and Sho must share the same consciousness,” I mumbled with a smile.

“Do we not all? One candle lighting another does not just represent the cycle of Samsara,” he replied, and I slowly nodded, but closed my eyes, allowing the monk to return to his own rested state. “Has your friend joined us again?”

“Yes,” I replied. My body mimicked this monk’s breathing like it always had, falling in line with it like riding a bike- something that could never be forgotten.

“Have you returned to a schedule?” He asked.

“Every Saturday,” I answered.

“Good… We are happy to have you here.”

Then that peaceful silence trickled in, neither one of us saying anything more.

And this was why I preferred to meditate with Shanti as opposed to Sho. Both brought with them an immense amount of serenity and peace by their presence… yet only one of them knew that no words needed to be said now that had not been said before.

Sho liked to remind me of his teachings, while Shanti allowed that quiet to speak for itself. He was the one who had told me there is no right pattern- no right schedule to my visits here. If I wished to never return, he would only think fondly of our time spent here together.

He was the first monk I had sat with, with whom I had been completely open about my troubling past. He was the real reason I could look back on those memories with my old man and think so fondly of them, reminding me that losing something isn’t as painful as having had nothing to lose in the first place.

That loss is just part of the cycle, and the pit it leaves is a remembrance of how deep that love truly was. A remembrance of the capacity and opportunity one has to experience such depth.

And so I sat with him as we both meditated, my mind now on the intent of the choices I would make for the months that followed. I probably sat with him longer than I had intended to, because it almost startled me when I heard his breathing release itself from the relaxed state it had put both his and mine in.

“You may remain if you wish,” he reminded me when my eyes opened up, my head turning to his kind, deep brown irises, but I slowly shook my head no and rose to stand with him.

My hand then reached into my back pocket so I could hand him the envelope with both my hands, bowing just as he did.

“You have a question for me, do you not?” He asked softly, and I gave him a slow nod.

“I have a decision to make. For now, I’m working to buy myself some time… but I’m still unclear of what to do when the time comes. I don’t want to do something I can’t return from.”

Shanti slowly nodded at my words. “I do not believe that there is something one cannot ask forgiveness for, yet there are journeys that don’t have a clear path to return from. You have always made decisions on the principle that you may ask forgiveness after, but perhaps, for a path so unclear, it would be best to ask permission first. The clearest path both there and back is always embedded in honesty.”

I thought about that for a moment, bowing to Shanti once more as he did the same before he took his leave.

Xavier had been right about telling Ryk before I left, if I decided to. And for now, the Dimitrov business would buy me enough time to at least enjoy the holidays… but Ryk still deserved to know.

It was… complicated. Delicate .

And there was a reason the twins never wanted to return to their home.

A very valid reason.

Ryk managed to hand his envelope to Sho as the older monk walked with us for breakfast once I returned to the main hall and we slipped our shoes back on near the temple entrance.

I kept Ryk’s hand in mind, but didn’t say a word while he spoke with Sho. Whatever words had been passed in private between the two had seemingly left my boyfriend looking much lighter. His cheeks weren’t stained with tears, which was good, I think. It was hard to say now, especially after having seen Ryk cry on a few occasions.

I think he needed to allow himself to do that more.

And I was going to have to encourage it, even if it wasn’t at my place, and it was in front of this old man instead. If it meant that he was working through something, I had to be supportive of that.

So I let these two talk amongst themselves. Ryk was asking questions about the history of this temple, and though it was something I could’ve easily answered, I allowed Sho to walk him through the construction in detail.

Ryk would give my hand a gentle squeeze every once in a while, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes. He was clearly surprised by how old it was. His eyes found mine again when Sho mentioned that my mother used to come here for meditation during her time in college. But Sho didn’t go into detail.

Then we headed inside the next temple, taking our shoes off to join Sho for a meal.

The monks had prepared lotus root pancakes and burdock tea, which Ryk and I both really enjoyed- I could tell the meditative eating was his favourite. Shanti had come to join us also, so we were all able to eat and speak with one another.

I was once again surprised that this gorgeous fucker sitting beside me on the floor had managed to have such a long conversation with the monks, especially without cussing, but he seemed to really, really love it here.

Genuinely .

And I just hoped that he would return here whenever he needed to, even if it wasn’t with me. Sho and Shanti had reminded him shortly before we had to eventually leave that he was welcome here when he needed that stillness.

Hell, it had been such good conversation, and an even better meal, that I didn’t notice Ryk and I had to jet to Ci’s until I checked my phone and realized we were about fifteen minutes to 1 PM, and we had about a 45-minute drive to CiCi’s.

Ryk definitely didn’t want to leave. I could practically see it all over him, but he was the one who insisted we go when I mentioned I could try moving things around with Ci. So we said our goodbyes, thanking all the monks who were present for lunch, and bowing as our sign of respect before we slipped our shoes on again near the entrance, and I led us back out.

Ryker made sure to stop me once we neared my bike so he could lean up and place a soft kiss on my right cheek. He had been very respectful throughout the visit, especially inside the temples where we kept our distance, but the way he held my hand on the walk back let me know he was definitely happy he could touch me again.

I could practically feel the eight gazillion questions he had, especially about my history here, but I forced him to listen to the music on our drive back towards the city, promising him I’d answer them all before the day ended.

Right now, however, we were running a bit behind schedule, and there was still so much to get to…

Plans I knew Ryk would be pissed about if he missed even one.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/66c1b51ba082d6bf70ac634137b6e3e1f7052ed7/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4d6341577533304d2d3468594d513d3d2d313631383038393836322e313861313162663932646535396531303332333535343137313537352e706e67)               

76. Apple Of My Eye

Second upload of the dayyyy (and there may be a third!)

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

“Ryk!” CiCi beamed, smiling wide as she opened the door for Mickey and me.

I couldn’t help but grin… even if my face was probably red as shit because Mickey had started walking us up from his parked bike right outside CiCi’s home, only for him to pull me in for one very, very thorough kiss just a few steps away from her front door.

And now we were walking through said front door, with the older woman gesturing us both inside.

“Hi, CiCi,” I smiled, unable to meet those warm eyes of hers for long, considering Mickey’s tongue was just down my throat like a second ago. I could still feel where those cold, gloved hands had slid up under the sweater I was wearing to grip my bare hips and pull me in closer to his warmth, deepening the kiss.

“Now where the hell’s my hello?” Mickey demanded of his godmother. He took the helmet in my hand and set the two on the love seat nearest the entrance before both he and I slipped off our shoes.

“Maybe if you didn’t harass me all day yesterday to take the damn turkey out of the freezer, you’d get the same warm welcome,” CiCi teased back. I slid Mickey’s leather jacket off me next, since this older woman’s place was nice and warm, then set that over the back of the love seat.

“Says the woman who forgot to take the actual Thanksgiving turkey out the freezer in time, and I had to go buy another,” Mickey seemed to remind her, but by now I was absolutely used to their bickering, and just followed the two further into the living room, heading towards the kitchen to take a seat on the barstool this baker had gestured for me to sit on while him and his godmother walked into the kitchen.

“You know I was under a lot of stress,” CiCi whined, which just made me smile.

I really loved the dynamic between her and Mickey. The two acted like they were months apart in age, not decades.

I also took a second to notice everything that was laid out on the kitchen island. There was a massive basket of croissants that had to be freshly made because the whole home smelled like buttery deliciousness.

Then there was a huge container of the turkey meat, already sliced up, along with a bowl of fresh green herbs, an entire plate piled high of sliced cheese, sliced up cherry tomatoes, and an enormous bowl of lettuce leaves.

Hell, this older woman had put together a whole sandwich-making station for us at this point.

“Yes, the stresses of not being honest with Jade in the first place,” Mickey bit back, and CiCi just pouted before taking a sip from the beer that was open on the counter. “But it looks like you got things prepped, so thank you.” The baker then got a good look at the station along with me.

“There’s just one more batch of croissants baking, otherwise I say we start since we’re toasting these bad boys one more time to melt the cheese, right?” CiCi asked, and Mickey nodded. “Perfect, then you boys get those hands washed, and we’ll get started.”

Her words alone had me sliding back off the barstool, headed for the kitchen sink.

CiCi had gotten Mickey and me some extra gloves just for added cleanliness, then she placed a baking sheet at the very end for us to set the sandwiches on for toasting. Once they were toasted, there was an entire stack of small, brown sandwich bags to place each one in, and on her dining table was a big, lined cardboard box we’d fill up to drop off.

Everything was so in order that it was easy for us to start, which was a good thing because the first thing CiCi reminded Mickey of was that her car had to be back by 6 PM.

“So…” I heard this older woman start as we worked on assembling the sandwiches, cutting each perfect, flaky croissant open to fill up before setting them on the large, thin baking sheet.

I really loved how the sandwiches weren’t just turkey. Like CiCi had really prepped a good amount of lettuce, herbs, and tomatoes too, not just meat and cheese. They looked fucking incredible- gourmet really- and it left me smiling.

This wasn’t just an afterthought for the leftovers.

And so far, everything about today had me smiling like a goddamn idiot. From Fight Club… spending the time with Dante, who had first walked me through the fight with Sammy and Xavier, then walked me through the fight with Mickey and Arlo-

I still couldn’t believe Mickey had thrown me over his fucking shoulder like that. I tilted my head down a bit while sandwich assembling when I thought about how goddamn hot but also freaking cute that was. I’d lost track of time at the veteran ring after promising Mickey I’d split my time evenly between both rings, and he’d come to quite literally collect me.

Clearly, I had pushed him to his breaking point… but I just loved every minute of it, because I got the same way about him.

And then there was the temple.

Sho and I didn’t speak much during our time together, meditating. He just made an unexpected comment, saying, “Your soul feels lighter.”

And I hesitantly responded with, “It… It is.”

Then the very last thing he said before we sat in silence, slipping deep into meditation, was, “Then you have found the value of forgiveness.”

I didn’t know what to make of it… But Sho gave me that opportunity to ask any questions, and I didn’t. I just sat there with him today, allowing myself to feel that lightness ease through me as the old monk’s quiet hums seemed to fill such a large space, just as the incense did.

Sho seemed… happier today, too. Especially as he walked us to the next temple for breakfast. I knew he was happy that I came back because he said he would be if I was to, when we first visited last weekend, but I think the real reason for more of his seemingly rare smiles was because Mickey had returned with me.

I didn’t know exactly how long it had been since this baker started going more consistently, but the monks we met with today were happy.

They were genuinely happy to see him.

And though Mickey was always a bit hard to get a read on, I noticed he had smiled more with this second visit than on our first.

The only thing that really surprised me, though, was finding out that Mickey’s mother used to go there when she was in college. They didn’t refer to her by name today, and Mickey didn’t expand on the monks mentioning this in passing, but that part had me turning my head back towards the wall of framed photos in CiCi’s house, wondering what it was exactly that linked everything together…

How CiCi had managed to be Mickey’s godmother in the first place.

“…So when did you two first start falling for each other?” this older woman asked, yanking me right into this present moment again.

“You don’t have to answer that shit,” Mickey rushed out as his eyes quickly met mine, before he turned his head down to his godmother standing next to him and gave her a look.

I just lowered my eyes to the sandwich I was finishing up on, and slowly replied with, “…I thought he was beautiful the first time I visited the cafe.”

My eyes didn’t dare look up after that because 1. I could feel CiCi’s massive smile- that almost blinding warmth of hers just radiating off her, and 2. I could feel the intensity of Mickey’s eyes on me.

Both of these two, standing in the kitchen across this kitchen island, were simply too intense for me to handle right now. They meant well, but Jesus fuck-

“That is so freaking cute-”

“ Ci ,“ Mickey warned her in a lower voice.

“Oh, shut it, Mic, I kept my mouth shut all Thanksgiving, so just give me today to pry a little.”

“ CiCi- “ Mickey started, but I finally looked up at both of them, chuckling a bit.

“I don’t mind,” I told Mickey, my words nothing but honest because I didn’t. I didn’t mind. And I mean, it wasn’t like he was going to be getting any sort of interrogation from my family- my dad, so I just nodded when this baker asked if I was sure.

“See, Mic? Why don’t you go box up what you wanted me to bring over to your new place. I set a large box and some bubble wrap on your bed,” CiCi insisted… but Mickey was looking at her like she must’ve lost her goddamn mind.

“It’ll be fine , Mickey,” I insisted this time with a smile, which earned me that heated gaze of his once again. He hesitated a moment before eventually tugging off his gloves and tossing them in the trash, then walked around the kitchen island towards me.

I wasn’t expecting his gentle fingers to snake around my neck, tilting my head up to him for a kiss, and while I could literally feel how desperately he didn’t want to leave me, I pulled away first. “If this woman asks you anything too crazy, scream, and I’ll come running.”

“Alright, now you’re being dramatic,” I chuckled hard, feeling his hand eventually let go of my neck. And he was trying hard to mask it, but there was a bit of a smile playing there as he stepped away from me.

“Now shoo,” CiCi added, setting the sandwich down and motioning with both her gloved hands for Mickey to get lost, which he eventually did.

He just took those steps to the stairs slow as shit.

And I just- I couldn’t stop smiling. It was too hard not to smile, especially when he poked his head around the corner, mouthing ‘scream’ to me before eventually taking those steps upstairs.

“You two are so cute!” The older woman gushed right as she heard him reach the second level. “And contrary to what Mickey believes, I just want to make sure he’s been treating you right.”

I reached for another croissant to cut open, replying with, “He is. He does, I mean.”

“Okay,” CiCi nodded a bit more to herself. “Okay- good, no, that’s good. I just… you know… I guess I worry sometimes, not saying that Mickey isn’t a good kid, he just-”

“It’s okay,” I assured this sweet, flustered woman. “Really. Mickey and I, we… we’ve been really honest about-… well, everything, I guess. He’s told me how his previous relationships were. And he knows pretty much everything about my past.”

“…Oh,” CiCi replied, holding my gaze now. Her hands had slowed to a stop on the sandwich-making. “I… well, I didn’t know you two had gotten that… close.”

“Yeah,” I offered up another smile. “It… it’s not really something… like, this relationship hasn’t been easy, or like simple or anything. But it’s good. Like really good. Shit, it’s the best thing that’s probably ever happened to me.”

CiCi gave me a warm smile. “Okay, right, okay… I’m- I’m sorry, Ryk, I just didn’t know that you two had spent so much time together.”

“It’s cool,” I told her seriously. “You already know who my dad is. His questions would be so fucked in comparison to yours. I don’t mind you asking what you need to.”

And that got a bitter-sweet smile out of this older woman as she finally started moving those hands of hers again. “Well, do you have any questions for me? I think I’ve pried enough, so feel free to ask away.”

My own hands stilled a bit as I thought about it. But then I slowly shook my head no. “I don’t think I’ve got any.”

And that surprised CiCi even more. “Really?” She asked. “I mean, I’ve got baby photos, 2nd grade recitals. If you want to know whether he sleeps with socks on-”

“He doesn’t,” I blurted out without thinking, and CiCi looked at me for a second before just straight up giggling. I couldn’t help but chuckle my damn self because this was just all types of weird- me forgetting that this older woman had no idea how much time Mickey and I really had spent together.

I’d already done it all. Thrown up next to him, cried and sweated on him. Bled on his shirt. Had him massage ointment into my bruises. Not a whole lot phased me anymore when it came to us.

“I see I’m a bit late to the party,” she then joked with that warm smile still on her lips.

“I’m sorry,” I told her more seriously now. “I didn’t really know how to tell you… And honestly, you’d already seen how fucked I was when I showed up to the cafe. I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t right for Mickey until I kind of got my shit together a bit more and-”

“You’re a good kid, Ryk,” CiCi said in a firm voice that cut my words completely off. “And Mickey’s a good judge of character. So don’t you go around thinking I might not accept this just because your father isn’t shit.”

And that successfully shut my spiraling mind the fuck up.

“Plus I married a random French man like a month into being in France. You won’t be getting a holier-than-thou speech outta me, I promise.” That had me chuckling hard once again. “But you sure you don’t have any questions?”

I quickly shook my head no, feeling more confident about that. “Right now, Mickey’s as honest as he can be with me. If I want to know something, I’ll ask him. If he can tell me, cool. If he can’t, that’s also cool. But it matters to me that it comes from him.”

And CiCi’s hands froze yet again as she looked at me a moment. Just stared, saying nothing for what felt like one whole minute.

But eventually, she nodded. “I think I get it, now.”

And I wanted to ask what it is she got, but this little interrogation was cut short by the sound of Mickey’s footsteps as he all but flew down the stairs, yelling, “Alright, all packed!”

Well.

I was definitely wrong.

CiCi still had some interrogation questions in her, but not for me.

“Mickey, you could’ve at least bought him some flowers today.”

“Ryk doesn’t like flowers.”

“Mickey’s right,” I added quickly. “I’m not a flowers kinda guy.”

“We have that in common,” Mickey winked my way before he continued wrapping up more toasted sandwiches. “But don’t worry, Ci, I’ve still been romancing him.”

“He has,” I added.

“Good,” CiCi nodded, “because it’s Ryk’s first real relationship. You better not be out here embarrassing me, Micah.”

That made Mickey and me chuckle, but when I added, “Yeah, Mickey, refined, remember? Like a civilized human being,” Mickey straight busted out laughing. CiCi, of course, looked confused, but that just had me and this damn baker cackling harder.

“I swear you two are just the oddest, and yet somehow I’m still here for it,” CiCi mumbled with a slight smile playing on her own lips… before she jumped right into more questions for Mickey.

It was cute, though. I think she was finding out in real time how this damn baker and I weren’t exactly the run-of-the-mill couple. She still approved, but she was definitely surprised.

And I still really enjoyed it. Nothing was off the table, but she kept away from the family questions. Mickey subtly mentioned taking me to his father’s grave, and that seemed to be enough for CiCi.

Time, however, flew the fuck by. The last sandwich made it into that box a few minutes after 4 PM, and by then, Mickey was rushing us both out. We still had to drive across the city to drop the sandwiches off, and I guess we had one more quick stop before bringing CiCi’s car back.

Mickey got the keys, then carried the heavy box while I got all the doors for him. In total, we made about 250 sandwiches to drop off, which was actually insane. CiCi’s questions were the perfect distraction otherwise this definitely would’ve felt like work on our day off.

Mickey then pushed back the seat, holding open the passenger door of the car for me after placing the box in the back, and I couldn’t help but smile while I climbed into CiCi’s… unique vehicle.

Then this sexy ass baker headed back inside for a few minutes, and when he jogged back out to the car, he had an even larger grin. “Ready?” he asked, sliding into the driver’s seat, only to immediately start adjusting everything in this car- the seat, the steering, the mirrors, the heat, hell, the damn radio, and I was just laughing while I nodded.

He truly was my perfect, beyond irritated, too tall for this car, ridiculous ass boyfriend. He still had a grin on those soft lips of his, but he was looking around the vehicle like he’d just boarded a damn spaceship.

“You’ve… you’ve driven this before, right?” I asked him.

“Yes. And I hated it every single time,” he grumbled, making me laugh even harder. “Now let’s get a move on before I think of getting a rental,” and I swear to god this idiot was making my ribs hurt.

Obviously, I didn’t doubt the fucker was able to drive this car, but then again, I had never seen him drive any car. And the way he was whipping this poor Bug around the city had me questioning how the hell CiCi let him borrow it in the first place.

Had to admit, though, the traction was A1 on these tires. He was driving this shit like a Koenigsegg Jesko, cutting through traffic that had definitely gotten worse since the morning because it was a stretch to where we were heading.

What I did love, though, was the fact that he could keep his right hand on my thigh as he drove. And I kept my left hand on the back of his headrest- something I always wanted to do with someone I was dating.

When I extended my hand there, he glanced over at me with a smile that made me look directly out the passenger window, refusing to meet that intense gaze of his in the slightest.

CiCi had mentioned we were going to a shelter called New Hope. I hadn’t been before, but she had apparently already called ahead, letting them know we were coming with a drop off. I thought we were still good for time since we left CiCi’s place before 4:15 PM, but the way Mickey zipped through the city definitely felt like the complete opposite of that.

The GPS on his phone, which paid no mind to, said the drive would’ve been 45 minutes, but we pulled up in 30, driving into a back alley of a large community building.

The time on the clock now was 4:40 PM, and this baker barely put this car in park before he removed his hand from my thigh and unbuckled his seatbelt, causing me to do the same.

“Alright, we gotta move quick,” he instructed as he got out, and I followed, opening the passenger door wider so he could walk around, pull the seat forward, and remove the massive box. Then I got that door shut behind him, and we walked around to the front of the brick community building.

“Where we headed after this?” I had to ask as I pulled open and held the front door for him to pass through, but Mickey just sent me a wink on his way in, with me following close behind.

“You made it!” We both heard someone call from the front desk to the right of us. Shit made me jump a bit.

The inside was a massive open space, with cafeteria-like seating throughout, right up a large counter in the very back, spanning its length, that had two open garage-like doors. Just past them looked like a kitchen, then there was a long set of stairs on the far left of the cafeteria area leading up to a second level of the building.

Groups of people were already seated, and a few looked over at Mickey and me while we walked towards an older man who had greeted us. He was standing behind the front desk.

“Hope we aren’t too late, Greg,” Mickey grinned, setting the large box right on the front desk.

“Not at all, Micah. Pricilla said you would be here before five, so you’re right on time. This must be Ryker, then, right?” The older man turned to me. “Hi, I’m Greg. Full name’s Gregory, but Greg’s fine.”

He was a bit shorter, not much taller than this front desk, and he was bald- a bit stocky, too- but his smile was warm, so I offered a small polite smile back.

“Nice to meet you,” I nodded. He extended his hand out for a handshake, but I damn near immediately froze, unsure of what to do here. It wouldn’t have been polite to ignore it, and I wasn’t sure how to explain not wanting to touch him without it sounding horrible.

But it was Mickey who slid in with the smoothest save, pushing the box towards Greg now. “We’d love to stay to help but we’re just a smidge behind, Greg. How about we work out some volunteer hours with the staff at Wilmoria’s? I’ll talk with Pricilla.”

“That would be great!” Greg grinned, thankfully dropping that hand of his to grab the box Mickey had all but shoved at him. Then the baker reached down and grabbed my now slightly shaking left hand, clasping it firmly in his right, and pulled me in close as shit to his side.

“Perfect! We’ll reach out next week!” Mickey replied, but he was already tugging me right back towards the entrance.

“Thanks again, Micah! Nice metting you, Ryker!” The older man called out to us. Mickey turned and gave him a wave for us both, then pushed the front door open for him and I to head right out of again.

“I’m sorry-” he started to rush out as the cool evening air surrounded us, but I quickly shook my head no.

“Handshakes are normal,” I tried to remind this sweet fucker. I was the one who was fucked up.

But he didn’t let go of my hand as we walked around the building again and made it to CiCi’s bright yellow beetle. Then he opened up the passenger side so I could slide in first. And I expected him to get the door next, but instead, Mickey bent down into the small car, his left hand steadying himself on the door frame while his right gently cupped the left side of my face, then he tilted my head up and placed a soft, brief kiss on my lips.

“I don’t give a shit what’s deemed as normal. Now let me make it up to you,” he whispered just a hair’s length away when his soft lips separated from mine. And I was rightfully so a bit stunned.

Stunned by the kiss.

By his words.

All I managed to muster was a slow nod, watching Mickey finally pull away completely so he could get the door for me.

I had to check the time on my phone once I got my seatbelt on, simply trying to figure out where the hell we were rushing to. And while Mickey walked around then slid into the driver’s seat, I saw that it was only 4:50 PM.

We still had an hour and ten minutes to get the car back, so I wasn’t exactly sure why we were tokyo drifting this bad boy out this alley again after Mickey made sure I was buckled up.

The drive to wherever we were headed looked like it was on the way back to CiCi’s. Considering I wasn’t really familiar with her neck of the woods, I couldn’t really tell where the hell we were.

Mickey seemed ultra-focused on getting us there, though. Rush hour was starting to make it more difficult, but we hit some back roads that cleared things up a bit. The way this fucker managed to cut time just had me realizing that I had lived in New York my entire life, but this shithead knew these streets. Like, I mean, he knew the complete fuck outta them, no GPS required.

And I was still completely lost as to where the hell he was taking me until I noticed a small shop just up the street with a bright neon sign that made my heartbeat eventually slow to a complete stop.

Mickey drove into the parking lot that only had two other cars there, parking the car right up front outside the entrance, before turning to me as I whispered out, “…Mickey… you-”

“We’re not taking one home today, but I already called ahead for a final purchase next week. Now let’s go pick out the one you want.”

I turned to Mickey, eyes fucking wide, before looking back up at the neon sign again.

And in bright green letters, it read:

Coast To Coast Reptiles

••

This is how Mickey finna be all next chapter lol

77. Garden Of Eden

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

“Mickey, it’s alright,” Ryk insisted, slowing to a stop a few steps ahead to look back at me, but I shot him a sharp glare.

“Ryk, I’m staying right the fuck here.”

“They can’t hurt you.”

“No.”

“They’re in tanks-”

“I don’t give a damn, Ryk. Not doing it.”

My hands were already rubbing the length of my arms above this thick sweater, trying not to fucking itch myself by everything- from the color patterns to the scales themselves on these slithering fuckers in tanks all around us.

“Well, I was actually going to pull out a few for you to hold, Ryker,” Ronnie, the shop owner, said a few feet ahead of Ryk, turning back to offer a hesitant smile to my boyfriend, then me.

“And to that I say hell the fuck no, “ I snapped back.

“Did you know what kind of snake you were interested in?” Ronnie asked Ryk instead.

“Maybe a ball python?” Ryk replied.

“How big is that shit, Ryk?” I shot out fast as fuck. “That sounds too big.”

At this point, I was just trying to keep my eyes on my hot-as-shit boyfriend, who was still wearing my large leather jacket, and not look around.

“Were you thinking male or female?” Ron asked Ryk, seemingly ignoring my rather important fucking question. Jesus fuck , I needed a cigarette right now. I needed out of this dungeon of hell right the fuck now, and the only reason I was still in this shop was to prevent Ryk from picking out something completely unacceptable.

For all I knew, this crazy fucker would end up deciding on a black mamba or some fuck shit.

“Probably male. I know females tend to grow bigger, right?” Ryk countered, and Ron nodded.

Alright, so maybe my comment wasn’t as ignored as I thought.

“How big we talking?” I asked with every fucking bit of concern still laced in my tense voice.

“Well, males get about 3 to 4.5 feet fully grown. Females get about 5 to 5.5 feet,” Ron replied to me this time, his gaze shifting past Ryk, and my answer was immediate.

“Male, Ryk. You’re getting a fucking male.”

“Can we check out the selection first?” Ryk offered. He asked Ron this before he turned those sinfully seductive eyes on me.

Just a serpent amongst his kind tonight was what this shithead was.

“For sure,” Ron nodded. I irritably sighed, forcing myself to eventually nod as well.

Regret was hitting me hard right about now, and as I looked around at the aisles of tanks, regret kept hitting harder and harder. I swear to god, this whole place was making my skin crawl .

“Our selection is over on this end,” Ron continued to the last aisle in this shop, heading closer to the back corner.

So far, he’d been good with Ryk. I had called this shop last night, letting Ronnie know that we’d be in around 5 PM today. I also told him I fucking hated snakes, but I was getting one for my boyfriend, who liked his personal space with people but really wanted one of these slithering, disgusting pieces of shits.

Ron managed to keep his distance from Ryk while walking us through the shop, with him occasionally turning back to him, discussing facts about the hellish demons only restrained by some fucking glass in here.

Ryker looked like he was having the time of his life.

I, on the other hand, could feel my skin paling every time I got a glimpse of something moving in these tanks from the corner of my eye. And if I couldn’t stand them in their tanks, I wasn’t sure how the actual hell I was going to handle it when he pulled one out.

I hadn’t fainted a day before in my life, but there was surely a first for everything.

Right now, the only thing keeping my feet moving, following them, was focusing on the back of Ryk’s head. We’d had a long day already, and his curls had gotten just a bit more unruly. I was digging the unkept look a whole fucking lot.

“So we’ve got this beauty here, his name is Blizz, short for Blizzard. Would you like to hold him?” Ronnie was pointing to a tank on his left that had an all-white ball python inside, slithering about. I started to inch a bit closer to get a better look until Ryk nodded, and Ronnie began opening up the mesh lid to the tank.

That was when I took one gigantic step back cause fuck no.

Ronnie seemed like an expert- being able to grab that disgusting fucking creature out-, but when he carefully placed it in Ryk’s hands, I swear to fucking god I felt my heart stop. And not in a good way.

“I-It doesn’t bite, right?” I asked Ronnie quickly. He looked over past Ryk to catch my eye.

“Blizz is really docile. Very easy going. Ball pythons in general are great, timid snakes.”

My eyes narrowed at Ron because that sure as fuck wasn’t a fucking ‘no.’

But then we both glanced down at Ryk again, Ronnie standing as close as he needed to yet still giving Ryk enough space, all while I had half the damn city between that disgusting creature and myself… and it was impossible not to see that smile on Ryk’s face. Impossible not to see that his hands were the gentlest thing as the white creature carefully curled around his fingers.

I found myself taking just another small step or two closer, still terrified of the fucking thing… yet I wanted to see it in Ryk’s hands. There was something else that drew me in a little closer, besides making sure my boyfriend didn’t get bitten.

I had… I’d never seen him smile like this before.

“Hey, little guy,” that tender smile only grew when that… thing popped its head up a bit.

“He’s a bit curious tonight, looks like,” Ronnie noted with a smile of his own.

“Is curious bad?” I asked in clear alarm, but Ronnie and Ryk both shook their heads no.

“Blizz seems to really like him,” Ronnie then added, before he gently accepted the snake back from Ryker and set it back in the terrarium tank. “We just keep the handling to a minimum so we don’t stress any of them out. Were there others you wanted to check out, Ryker?”

Ryk quite literally looked like he was a kid in a candy store, purusing the other tanks of ball pythons… but his feet eventually slowed to a stop right in front of one in the very back corner, forcing me even deeper down this god-forsaken aisle.

“Oh, that’s Hydran. He… Well, he’s-”

“Shy, huh?” Ryk replied as he bent down a bit to get a better look at the snake. And once again, I was forced to take additional steps closer, feeling my skin crawl even more. I was going to need a hot shower and a goddamn valium after this shit.

“Yeah, he’s the sweetest. Just takes a while to warm up to ya.”

Ryk nodded, beckoning me even closer .

Fuck, that-… that smile on his face right now, though… It-

“He’s beautiful,” Ryk whispered. His head cocked a bit to the side, and I heard the softest chuckle leave those soft lips of his. Ronnie’s eyebrows raised a bit, which forced a few more steps out of me so I could see a small head poking out of a hiding spot inside a cave.

“He’s not usually this curious,” the shop owner explained. I was barely paying him dirt at this point, because the look in Ryk’s eyes as they softened further just about banished every goddamn regret I had about saying yes to this shit in the first place.

“We’ll take him,” I told Ronnie, and he started to nod his head, but hesitated a moment.

“Uh, he’s also… So someone already showed a bit of interest-” yet when his eyes caught my even sharper glare, this fucker changed that tune quick. “But ya know what, I’ll recommend them something else.”

“Good. We’ll come pick it-”

“ Him ,“ Ryk corrected me, still smiling as Hydran slithered out a bit more.

“ Him ,“ I damn near rolled my fucking eyes to the back of my head, but held my irritation in. “We’ll pick him up on Tuesday. Just get together whatever it- he’ll need. Oh, and a carrying case or whatever you can transport a snake back and forth in. Ryk and I don’t live together yet.”

“I will say it’s probably best to avoid transporting Hydran too often at first. Let him get used to his environment and Ryker, but I’ll still get you set up with a breathable sack to place him in, along with a ventilated container. We also have some great freeze-thaw rats and mice-”

“ I beg your finest fucking pardon? “ I asked abruptly, making both Ryk and Ronnie look over at me again. “ Rats? “

“Yeah,” Ronnie nodded, “but we’ll start with mice since Hydran is still growing. All the rodents are frozen and must be thawed to body temperature before eating. We recommend placing the bag in hot but not boiling water until the body temperature reaches 98-100 degrees fereinheit, or you could use a hair dryer.”

I…

I was stunned into utter complete fucking silence.

“They’re carnivores, Mickey,” Ryk said quietly. “But- But we really don’t have-” I could already see that smile of his start to falter, and I quickly shook my head no.

“Th-That- Th-that’s fine- that’s totally- yeah, okay, no that’s fine,” I rushed out quickly, working to convince both him and myself that it was fine. This was fine. It was all fine.

“Mickey, I can keep him at mine until-”

“ No, no, no, no, no, it- he’ll -… he can stay at mine- that’s-“ I inhaled a bit sharply as my mind started to spiral a bit. “That’s fine, I’ll- I’ll just-… I’ll buy another freezer.”

At this point, I couldn’t believe the words rushing past my fucking lips right now. But one thing I did know for certain was that dead rodents weren’t going in my main fridge. And I was dying on that hill.

Ryk’s eyes grew wide as shit from my pivot. “Mickey… are you… Are you sure?” He then asked me.

Great fucking question, Mickey.

“Y-Yes, I nodded against all better reason and judgement. “Yes, Ryk, I’m sure. How, um… how often do they eat, Ronnie?”

“Well, this little guy’s just a bit under a year, so we’re looking at about once a week, 5-7 days. Once he passes a year, it’ll be about 11-14 days or so.”

…Okay.

…Okay.

Okay, Mickey, we can do this. We can work with that

…Jesus fucking Christ.

“Mickey, you don’t-”

“You need a deposit, Ronnie?” I asked the shop owner, and he quickly shook his head no. There was a small smile playing on his lips now.

“I’ll have everything ready to go by then. And don’t worry, our terraniums are the most secure. I’ll walk you through how to get them set up when you’re here for pickup, Mickey.” Ronnie tried to assure me.

He probably picked up on the fact that my mind was beyond fucking spiraling at this point. I was one more pivot away from checking myself into a mental institution.

“We’ve also got a good selection of small freezers. Is there a specific-”

“The best you got,” I replied, cutting him off. Then my eyes shifted to Ryk again, and he was just staring wide-eyed at me, his body straightened up from the tank now. “That’s the one you want, right, Ryk?” I asked. He slowly nodded. “Good. Then it’s settled. Now let’s get the fuck outta here.”

Ryk allowed me to all but drag him out of the reptile shop right after he said goodbye to his new pet. Ronnie had given us both a firm head nod, smiling at Ryk more with his own goodbye, but there was a look of respect in his eyes for me, and I would’ve felt flattered if I wasn’t already losing it, thinking about how the hell this was going to work.

This snake being at my place.

The feedings.

Considering I had parked right outside the shop front, there wasn’t much walking to do as I dragged Ryk over to the passenger side of CiCi’s car. But I didn’t even make it to reaching for the handle before I was forcefully spun around, shoved back against it with a hand pressed into my chest, and Ryk leaned up on his toes to quite literally crash his lips against mine.

He’d let go of my hand so both of his could grab my face, and shit, I was so deep in thought before this that it took actual brain power to figure out he was kissing me right now. Hard .

Like so fucking hard, the only thing keeping my body stable was the passenger door I was now pressed up against. And this kiss was so damn feverish, my hands sort of flailed a bit before I managed to grab hold of the leather jacket this stunning fucker was wearing, and pull him back just a bit.

This was the kind of kiss we needed to be in a closed fucking environment for. He was starting to press his body up against places we needed complete fucking privacy for, not to mention I had less than fifteen minutes to get this car back to Ci.

“R-R-Ryk-” I stammered as I tried to gain my goddamn composure, breathing just as fucking hard as Ryk was while my forehead gently rested against his. He was still leaning up on the balls of his feet, not quite ready to let this kiss go.

“Thank you. thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou-” he started rushing out, and fucking fuck

fuck me- I couldn’t fucking help myself as I bent lower to capture his lips just one more time, enjoying every fucking bit of this more passionate kiss as both my hands gripped this leather jacket real tight.

And when I was forced to finally pull away again in the interest of time, I found myself murmuring close to his lips, “You’re feeding that fucker.”

Ryk instantly started chuckling. He slipped his hands from my jaw, down to my neck, pushing past the material of the turtleneck sweater to touch my bare, heated skin there. “I’ll do everything, Micah fucking Jackson. You won’t have to do a single fucking thing. I promise.”

And that shouldn’t have been enough for me, considering my phobia revolved around these damn snakes existing on this planet in the first fucking place, let alone living in my apartment…

Yet it was.

It was enough for me to bring myself to nod before I had to put more space between us.

“But since he’ll be at my place for now, this means you’re staying at mine as much as you can until he’s adjusted. Got that?” I asked this little shithead when I finally managed to get a good look at him. The sky was completely dark by now, but I could still see that heartstopping smile of his from the lights outside the shop as he quickly nodded. “Good. Now let’s get in this goddamn car so we can drive it back to Ci’s. I still have a few more treats in store for you tonight.”

And all I could do was watch as that enticing smile of his widened.

“Welcome back, Ryk!” Ci grinned, swinging her front door open for us. Then her eyes narrowed as they shifted up to me. “Cutting it close there, Mic.”

“Still on time,” I argued with a slight smirk, trying to sway this older woman while she stepped aside to let us both in.

Her place was, as always, toasty, and Ryk and I quickly slipped off our shoes near the entrance as I dropped Ci’s car keys in her outstretched hand.

Ryk was definitely confused as to what exactly was coming after this, but he was quick to roll with the punches when we stepped further inside Ci’s home, and she said, “Everything is on your bed, Mickey. You boys should head upstairs and get a move on.”

He asked zero questions as I nodded to Ci, then grabbed this fucker’s hand and led him up those stairs fast as hell, towards my room.

The bedroom door was already open, with two large gift bags placed right on the mattress, but before this fucker could slip out of my fingers to go investigate them, I gripped his hand more firmly and pulled him back to my side.

“First,” I started, “You’re going to take a quick shower. Then you can head back here and see what’s in your bag. I’m going to take a shower downstairs,” I explained to Ryk before letting go of his hand. Then I took those few necessary steps forward to grab my silver gift bag off the bed, leaving the shimmery black one for him. “Everything you need is in the bathroom. Just head back here in the towel robe.”

“But what’s in the-”

“ Go , Ryk,“ I cut him off, nudging him back out of my room, and closed my bedroom door. Luckily, the bags were deep enough, making it impossible for him to peek inside mine. Ci had even put some tissue paper on top as an added bonus. And I made damn sure this motherfucker made it all the way into the upstairs bathroom, closed, and locked that door, before I bolted downstairs to get ready myself.

I started by setting the bag on the love seat nearest the entrance while Ci finished cleaning the kitchen, then I headed toward the bathroom down here for a quick shower.

My dearest godmother had set out a towel and my toothbrush, along with my cologne and moisturizer. She even brought down my razor to make sure I got the cleanest shave on the stubble growing in for my mustache and beard.

After that, I hopped in the shower, aiming to take one of the briefest yet efficient showers of my entire life. We didn’t have much time before Ci had to finish getting ready for her dinner, so I didn’t take long in there, and once I was out, I dried myself off quickly.

Next was getting the maintenance out the way- moisturize, shave, style my damp hair, and brush my teeth.

My hand reached for the handle of the bathroom door to pull it open so I could grab the gift bag from the living room, only to find that the bag was now hanging on the handle, making it easy for me to bring into the bathroom. God, Ci was the best.

And in my particular bag was everything I had gone shopping for. A pair of black fitted trousers and a dark brown belt, a beautiful silk, taupe colored, short-sleeve shirt- the material swooped then stitched at the waist area to tuck into the trousers- a pair of black leather lace-up ankle boots to make it easier for riding, and the Breitling watch I had splurged on while I was out shopping yesterday.

Ci had already taken it upon herself to remove the tags and wash all the clothes, so right after my shower, I threw them on as quickly as I could, and the very last thing was a few sprays of my cologne before I left the bathroom down here for good.

“ Jesus , Mic, you look so handsome!“ Ci gushed, making me smile, but I was on a mission to try to rush upstairs quickly so I could see where Ryk was at. The bathroom door up here was now open, while my bedroom door was closed, which was a very good sign.

My right hand reached up to give it a few knocks next. “Just me, Ryk,” I said right after in case he was still in the middle of changing, but Ryk got that door swung open a second or two later…

… And what I was met with near the doorway made my breathing seize up one thousand percent. It felt like someone had suddenly pulled a plastic bag over my damn head.

He’d changed, alright. Showered as well, considering his beautiful, deep brown curls were still damp. Only a droplet or two dripped onto the silk black button-down shirt I had bought for him, matching his own black trousers, although I knew this fucker liked his larger-fitted clothes, so I went with some loose black, slightly harem-style trousers, paired with a pair of black leather ankle boots of his own.

I skipped out on jewelry because I knew he wouldn’t want to wear any. Instead, I bought him a black leather, braided bracelet, which was now on his left wrist, tying this entire all-black fit together beautifully. Completely his style.

And when I finally met his gaze after having given his entire look a thorough , slow once-over… Ryk’s face was bright fucking red.

“ Jesus fucking christ, Ryk ,“ I whispered mindlessly, but his eyes broke our locked gaze to give me just one more once-over.

“ Y-You look so goddamn hot ,“ he muttered without thinking. His eyes were darkening more and more, probably matching my own heated stare, but I had to interrupt my sinful fucking thoughts in the interest of time.

He had left a few buttons of that short-sleeve silk shirt unbuttoned, exposing his own neck and chest where the hickeys I had left were still pretty visible.

He also only tucked in one part of it, the bottom of the shirt, which showed off his incredible fucking figure while the smooth material cascaded down it, and if I looked even a fraction of a second longer, I was going to fucking lose it.

“My old leather jacket,” I started, “You see it?”

Ryk swiftly nodded, sort of stumbling back into my bedroom so he could create some space for me to walk in.

Both jackets were on the bed- the one Ryk had worn today that I would be throwing on for the remainder of the night, and my old leather jacket I used to wear when I rode, before I completely grew out of it within a few months. I had also packed Ryk some riding gloves because he’d need his own set from now on.

“When… h-how did-… when did you-”

“Don’t worry about it,” I answered Ryk, grabbing my old jacket first, then walking around him so I could slip it on him myself.

Shit, it fit fucking perfectly . Everything fit fucking perfectly, right down to his boots. Next, I walked back over to the bed and handed this completely stunned man the leather riding gloves.

Those damp curls and wide eyes were driving me nuts. The cologne I had bought for him was driving me even crazier. But this entire look on him while he pulled those gloves on last made me want to take everything off him. Slowly . Savoring this shit like a motherfucker.

“You-… all of this is-”

“Is it comfortable?” I asked him instead, slipping on my own larger jacket after making it back to the edge of my bed, and pulling my riding gloves out from the pockets. I had put them in here before we left for the shelter in Ci’s car, since I didn’t need them then.

“Y-Yes,” Ryk nodded with the most beautiful, subtle smile on his lips as he looked down at his own outfit again. “Where’re we heading?”

“Hungry?” I asked. Ryk nodded. That gorgeous smile of his grew, making me check him out yet again . I couldn’t fucking help myself at this point- he looked absolutely incredible . Fuck, and those damp curls… “I think we’ve got a long overdue dinner date, don’t we?”

But Ryk didn’t answer that when he looked up at me, his large doe-like eyes finding mine once more with nothing but sheer surprise in them.

Instead, he took the longest, abrupt strides toward me, leaned up to wrap his arms around the back of my neck, and pulled me down until my starving lips finally reached his unbelievably soft ones.

••

Hydran

Jafar

78. Dine And Dash

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

(It’s a long one lol)

I was so fucking head over heels in love with this shithead that at this point, I couldn’t even focus on acting remotely composed.

“You two beauts have fun!” CiCi gushed from the bathroom down here. She was already underway with getting ready for her own date tonight.

“We will!” Mickey replied, letting go of my hand a moment so he could hand me a helmet before grabbing his. “X will drop by tomorrow to grab Ryk’s clothes and shoes!” He then added, and that made me grin as I accepted the helmet.

I hadn’t even thought about that, but this fucker had thought of everything. He’d thought of quite literally everything, and I honestly couldn’t stop smiling like a dumbass at this point.

No idea how the fuck he knew my sizes, right down to my shoe size, but I didn’t question him about it. Instead, I just decided to go with it tonight- to enjoy how phenomenal the soft material felt against my bare skin while slipping the helmet under my arm.

I’d never dressed up before, or gone out to eat for a date, obviously, considering this was my second date ever, so it felt like I was supposed to feel awkward and nervous as shit… but I didn’t really.

I just felt really fucking excited. Or maybe the excitement was overshadowing any nerves I should’ve felt.

My curious mind wanted to ask Mickey yet again where the hell we were headed as we rushed out of CiCi’s home to his bike parked on the street- the sky pitch black now, and the colder air feeling like nothing with me in Mickey’s old leather jacket- but I kept my mouth shut since I knew what his answer would be.

Calling this jacket old also felt weird because it looked brand new, but there was no way in hell he was getting his muscular frame in this thing now.

Mickey got on his bike first, then tilted it like always to make it easier for me to climb on after. And we pulled both the helmets on quickly after that.

“Paired?” he asked through the speaker.

“Mhm,” I replied, trying to stop all this giddy fucking smiling. Shit, I was like really fucking excited right now that my hands were getting a bit sweaty.

“Good,” he replied as my arms wrapped around his firm waist. “Then let’s head out.”

And that was all I needed, nodding against his back while Mickey got this sexy ass bike started and pulled us off the street parking. Usually, he would play some grunge music whenever he decided on music over our chats, but tonight he chose some upbeat jazz, and I fucking loved it.

Everything about it- about tonight… the lights as he drove us away from CiCi’s more suburban neighborhood and deeper into the city… the way his hand would linger on my left thigh longer and longer with each turn… even the shitty ass traffic we waded through, with Mickey saying fuck it at some point and pulling out some illegal passes to get us to wherever we were going, a hell of a lot faster. I loved it all.

This baker just let me enjoy the ride as I watched the building and shop lights pass us by. The countless honks sounded beautiful as a background track for the jazz, like we were cruising through, post apocalypse, listening to opera while the city around us descended into utter chaos or some shit.

I found myself chuckling a bit, grabbing Mickey’s waist even tighter when he cut off a random taxi driver who was taking way too many liberties with that car horn of his while traffic was at a standstill, trusting this fucker as he whipped his bike in then out, resulting in the taxi driver rolling down his window to cuss us out, but Mickey was already moving, putting more distance between us and that douchebag.

Obviously, everyone who lived here had heard the phrase that New York City is a concrete jungle… but when I was riding with Mickey tonight, it just felt like his playground.

He was having fun.

I knew the busy inner city streets we were on now… but I didn’t expect this fucker to finally slow that bike, pulling it off a main street and parking it in a reserved street parking on the right- the only spot not filled. I tapped into the helmet speaker, cutting off the music to ask, “You sure it’s cool we park here?”

I’d definitely seen these spots before.

I’d also seen a shit ton of people lose their cars to a tow truck because of them. And wherever we were walking to from here couldn’t have been nearly close enough to monitor Mic’s bike not getting towed.

“Don’t worry bout it, Ryk,” this fucker said, before he flicked his kickstand and turned off his engine, allowing me to climb off first and remove my helmet before he did the same. I went to hand mine to him, thinking he was going to lock them to his bike, but he shook his head no. “We’re taking them with.”

So I slowly nodded at that, then smiled when he walked around his bike to the sidewalk and stretched his right hand out for me to slip my left into.

“So which building-” I started to say, only for my words to get cut off by Mickey leading us towards the entrance of the skyscraper building we had just parked right outside of. “…Oh,” I breathed out instead.

Shit, I thought this building was for offices or something. But when we headed through the main glass doors and entered a white and gold marble-floored lobby, I quickly realized I didn’t have the slightest idea what the fuck this building was actually used for.

There was a reception desk to our left, yet Mickey walked straight ahead to a set of elevators. He pressed the glowing button with the carrot symbol using our interlocked fingers, and it opened the doors right away for us. Then we stepped inside. I watched him raise our hands yet again to hit the very last button labeled R, and the door closed just as quick.

“I thought these were offices,” I mumbled, thoroughly enjoying the fact that he refused to let go of my hand.

“They are,” Mickey replied. “But there’s a beautiful restaurant on the top floor. Pretty great view of the city. An old friend of mine is playing tonight, and managed to get us a reservation.”

“What kind of restaurant is it?” I asked, turning to look up at him, but he just smiled and gave me a wink.

Shit

…

he looked so fucking good tonight.

So fucking good

.

I mean every single time his sharp eyes met mine, I could feel my face getting hotter. He was clean-shaven, his hair styled and slightly gelled, which added to his intensity. I could smell his cologne much better now since it was previously washed off, thanks to the shower he took at Fight Club.

And while I absolutely adored him in his leather jacket tonight, just getting a full view of the outfit underneath it which he’d changed into once I opened that bedroom door of his, made my heartbeat fucking spiral .

Fuck , this whole fucking day had.

I thought picking out a snake would genuinely break us up for a second there because Mickey looked like he wanted to jump out of his skin once we entered the reptile shop, but the way he managed to adjust… to insist we still go through with it…

“Thank you,” I blurted out, up at him, as the elevator continued to climb. “I didn’t know how much you really hate snakes before, and-”

“But you love them, Ryk,” he cut in, holding my gaze. “I might not love everything you love, but I do love making you happy. So we’ll figure it out, alright?”

I quickly nodded, having to look away now because I was either going to jump his bones in this goddamn elevator, or I was going to do something really fucking pathetic like cry before we even made it to the goddamn restaurant.

But before I could make a complete fool of myself, the ding from the elevator saved me, and I blinked back tears as those metal doors opened.

The very first thing I heard once we stepped out onto this floor was jazz music. Mickey took the lead once again, turning right to walk us towards an open door- the only door I saw on this floor- where a podium stood, just right outside it, with a younger man in a full suit standing there holding a tablet.

As soon as he caught sight of us, he gave us a kind smile. “Mr. Jackson. Welcome back. This must be Mr. Parker, I presume?”

Mickey nodded, then let go of my hand. I wasn’t sure why, and at first I thought maybe this wasn’t really a place we could do that. Hold hands…

Until Mickey reached for and took the helmet in my right hand and waited for the man to place his tablet on the podium before he accepted both helmets.

The younger man in the full suit with a clean buzz cut didn’t seem phased at all by it. Instead, he said, “Follow me, please. We have everything set for you tonight. Do you prefer to start with a drink at the bar?”

“I think we’ll start at our booth,” Mickey replied, reaching for my left hand again and intertwining our fingers. It made me instantly smile because his hand in mine made all this feel real. He was really mine. We were really on a date tonight.

The place we entered was a dark tunnel at first, but when we rounded the left corner, I took the sharpest fucking inhale.

First off, this restaurant wasn’t just nice.

It was breathtaking .

To our right was a whole live jazz band, with tables filling this almost private-sized space. There weren’t more than ten tables total, all of them only seating two, and only half the tables were occupied with people. Couples, it looked like.

But what really took my breath away was that half of this restaurant’s walls were completely glass, looking over New York City, and there were six massive leather booths shaped like half-circles, three along the glass wall at the far end, and three along the glass wall adjacent to us on our right, all facing the city itself.

I didn’t even know what the fuck to say anymore. All I could do was force my feet to move while I tried to take it in.

The host led us toward the middle booth on our right, which faced the glass wall directly across from the band, and both Mickey and I walked around the deep brown leather to take a seat.

The backrest of the booth was so high, I hadn’t noticed at first that there was also a fully set rectangular table right in front, hidden by the curved seating, and while I was yelling at myself not to openly gawk… I was definitely fucking awestruck while I sat down first, then Mickey walked past me to take a seat at my right.

This… this view .

Holy fucking shit, this view…

“A server will be with you in just a moment. Please enjoy your visit to The Skyline, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Parker. If you need anything at all, simply press the button at the far right ledge of this table, and the server will see to any need you may have.”

“Thank you, Morris,” Mickey replied. I had to rip my eyes away from this view to give the host Morris a polite smile of my own before he left us. Then I turned my head back to Mickey, and he was already stuffing his riding gloves in the pockets of his jacket, pulling it off a second later, so I followed and did the same. “I can take that,” he told me once I had mine in my hand now, so I passed the jacket over, and he laid both out on the free space to the right of him.

“Mickey, this is…” I murmured, unable to stop from looking back out at the city. The dim lighting inside here was perfect, not distracting in the slightest from the most beautiful view of tall buildings and bright neon lights right outside.

“You like it?” He asked. I managed a nod without turning my head back to him. I couldn’t look away from this- how high up we were. How charming the city looked from here.

It felt like I was in a fucking dream right now.

“Words, Ryk,” Mickey reminded me, though his own words were a little softer, which just made my smile hard.

“I’ve…” I started, still unsure how to put this into words without sounding crazy. “I’ve… broken into a lot of places-”

“ Stop turning me on ,“ this fucker cut in abruptly, and I damn near cackled at that shit. It was refreshing being reminded of who my boyfriend was.

“I’m just saying,” I then continued playfully, “I’ve broken into a lot of places with beautiful views of the city… but this is the most stunning New York has ever looked.”

“ I’ll be the judge of that,“ Mickey replied, making me look over at him again. I wasn’t sure what he meant at first until he added, “Take me to the other places you’ve broken into. I mean, I am an aerospace engineer after all: someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge.”

That got a real good fucking laugh out of me, not expecting his counteroffer in the slightest, but I loved that shit- him not even batting an eye at wanting to break into those places with me.

Then he added, “I got that off a mug in Michaels,” and I couldn’t help but laugh even harder. My body shifted closer to Mickey now because I just wanted to be as close as humanly possible to him at this point.

Fuck he smelled

so goddamn

amazing.

“Good evening, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Parker.”

Mickey and I both turned to my left to see that a server had joined us, and she had two menus in hand, which she set on the table in front of me.

“Here are your specialty menus for the evening. May I get you started on drinks?”

I turned back to Mickey just as he was shaking his head no. “Sober night for me,” he replied, then shifted his eyes lower to meet mine, but I shook my head no as well.

“Water’s fine,” I told the server when I looked back at her.

“A pitcher of it would be perfect,” Mickey added, bringing a smile to my face yet again . This server seemed pretty young, and her own warm smile made her look younger as she nodded.

“I’ll go grab that pitcher for you now.”

“Thank you,” I replied, then watched her disappear behind this booth before I shifted my attention back to my boyfriend. There was honestly no way to see anything happening behind the booth unless I knelt on the plush leather seat- that’s how high the back of it was, making this feel even more secluded and intimate.

“You can drink a little if you want,” he said, but I shook my head no again.

“I think a sober night’s good. I… I want to savor this with you. Like without the liquor and shit.”

The way Mickey looked at me after saying that made me turn back to the view of the city fast as fuck , but I felt a hand snake around my waist and yank me into him. “ Grab the fucking menu off the table, Ryk, before I haul us out of here to go somewhere

really

private .“

And that shit sent a shiver through my whole body, feeling his breath tickle the skin near my right ear. Then he pulled away and eased his hold on my waist so I could lean forward and grab a menu.

At this point, I didn’t even give a shit what they served here anymore. I was, however, surprised as I held the menu in front of us both to take a good look together.

“…Soup?” I asked him. Mickey nodded.

“Up for it? Otherwise, I know the best place in town for a slice of Za,” he offered, but I quickly shook my head no. We weren’t leaving here yet, especially not with a view like this.

“Soup sounds perfect. Is it like one large serving per order or some shit?”

Mickey shook his head no this time. “Think of it like a ten-course meal, but all soup. They bring out smaller portions of soups we want to try, they call them testers, and you can ask for a larger serving after if you’d like.”

I grinned at that, looking back down to the menu with him again. “This is cool as fuck.”

“I mean, probably won’t beat my Miyeok-guk or anything, but I thought we should still see what they’re all about.”

That had me chuckling since he was probably right. I really loved the seaweed soup he’d made when I was sick a few weeks ago. It was also a bit insane to think about how long ago that all felt now. When he’d first broken into my unit. “Haven’t you been here before?”

“Yeah,” Mickey nodded, “but they usually serve a bunch of weird rich people food. Didn’t think you’d fuck with it, so I requested a special menu. It’s not too busy a night, and they didn’t mind accommodating. I also know you’re not big on being around a whole lot of people, which is why I went with a booth. View’s just a bonus.”

…That shit? Yeah, that shit earned him a fucking kiss, which I leaned up and planted right on his beautiful lips, but I kept it quick because Mickey looked dead serious about skipping dinner if I took things too far.

“Thank you,” I whispered to him, close enough to see those dark eyes perfectly as the lights from the city reflected in their slight gloss. “Today has been the most perfect day ever. And not just for a date. I… I really mean it’s been so fucking perfect.”

Mickey smiled down at me, my eyes watching him as he raised his large right hand toward my left cheek. His fingers felt cool against my heating skin, tempting me to lean a little further into that gentle touch.

“And if they serve us terrible soup?” He questioned, whispering now.

I knew I was grinning like an idiot, but I didn’t give a shit anymore. “Then we complain like some entitled dicks, get the bill comped, and go get some Za instead. But we’re giving our complaints directly to the chef; the servers here seem nice.”

“They do, don’t they?” Mickey asked. I nodded hard. “Cool, chef only then. Now let’s check out the options.” Then this baker and I turned back to the menu, ready to build a list of our selections.

“Still think you should sit on my lap, Ryk.”

“Not happening, Micah. Eat your wild rice soup and stop deflecting.”

“Deflecting?” Mickey gasped right beside me. “ Me? Deflecting? “

“Yes, you ,” I replied, “and yes, deflecting . Where the hell’re you putting another fridge?”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“And the terranium?”

“I’ll figure that shit out too. Now eat your goddamn broccoli cheddar,” he snapped back, making me grin as we both leaned forward for another spoonful from our testing bowls. “And if you say thank you again, I’m opening up and tossing you out through that window.” He gestured to the glass right in front of us with his spoon.

“Oh, you mean the glass wall? That window?” I chuckled, leaning back away from the table with Mickey.

“Yeah, that one. You don’t see the latch?”

“No. No, I don’t.”

“I’ll make one,” he shot back, sending me a wink. “Or I’ll do that thing Puss does in Shrek with his nail. Cut out a human-sized circle for me to push your ass through.”

“Your nails are completely clipped, Mickey,” I reminded him. “Must’ve forgot I’ve felt your fingers inside me already.”

And that successfully left this shithead speechless for a good, long fucking moment.

“… Say shit like that, and we’ll take the more conventional way down to my bike right now ,” this baker then replied, whispering those words in a much hoarser voice near my right ear and making me tighten the hold I currently had on his left arm, which was wrapped around the side of my waist

“Elevator?” I teased. I was whispering now right along with him.

“ Back stairwell ,“ he answered. “And you might feel these fingers inside you again before we even make it to the first fucking floor.”

At this point, I was already hard beyond belief, and I think Mickey was too, so we both just kinda said fuck it to the whole restraint thing- us trying to keep things PG-13. Our conversations were now teetering back and forth between discussing the pick up for our new pet and us just being straight up sexual with each other.

“But Mickey ,” I shot back, reaching for the menu right next to me so I could read off what he and I decided on testing, “we still have the Chicken Orzo, the Lasagna, the Vegan Pumpkin-”

“Not sure why we ordered that shit-” he mumbled near my right ear.

“Me neither, but we did,” I confirmed. My body leant into his side more, enjoying the warm breaths that fanned my sensitive skin.

“We’ll use that as the cop out for the meal comp,” he suggested quietly.

“Deal,” I nodded, turning my head to lean up and give Mickey’s left cheek a quick kiss before continuing with our list. “Steak au Pov… something-”

“ Poivre , and that one sounds promising.“

“Absolutely,” I agreed. “I mean, it’s fucking steak.”

“They screw that shit up, and I say we just walk out.”

“Deal,” I nodded, earning me a quick kiss on my right cheek while I continued scanning the menu. “Then there’s the lobster bisque we gotta order a full serving of because that shit was delicious.”

“Let’s just have them bring the pot,” Mickey countered.

“Think they’ll do it?”

“We’ll ask nicely,” he nodded, too sure of himself, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What about the meatball soup?”

“It’s a clear broth.”

I swiftly turned my head to stare up at him, my eyebrows creasing from that revelation. “A clear what now?”

“Clear broth.”

“Fucking… why? Why the fuck… Who the fuck would-”

“Ordered it last time I was here. Instantly started gagging.”

“You should’ve sued. I mean, you threaten me with a lawsuit all the goddamn time.”

“Would’ve if Ci didn’t like it.”

“She liked it?”

“Not sure if you noticed, but Ci has a yellow bug for a car. She doesn’t always have the best taste. In this case, quite literally.”

Arlight, that had me cackling. Mickey’s hatred for her car felt like a lifelong choice at this rate. “I saw they got gumbo on the menu.”

“White chef back there. Let’s not risk it.”

“Plenty of white folks in Louisiana-”

“He’s a born and raised Wisconsinite.”

“Never mind,” I shot back instantly, while Mickey chuckled. “We trying the tomato basil?”

“I say we ask them to add bacon.”

“I second this,” I nodded. Then we both leaned forward for some of the remaining spoonfuls of these testers. “How’s the wild rice?”

He scooped up the last bit on his spoon and brought it to my lips instead, and I nodded in approval while I tasted it.

“I love feeding you,” he admitted rather fucking openly.

“Makes me feel like a fucking child,” I replied, chuckling harder once I finished chewing and swallowed.

“You don’t like it?” He countered.

“Never said that,” I countered. “Plus, I do like making you happy, too, you know.”

Mickey just about yanked me back into him and lifted my right leg over his left thigh with his right hand. “Good. Alternative’s me feeding you like a mother bird does her chicks.”

“ Absolutely the fuck not ,“ I told him in the sternest voice I could, all while chuckling. “Your hands are fine.”

“Sensible answer,” he nodded back. “And I reckon you think my hands are more than just-”

“How is everything?” We heard a warm voice say to the left of us, and I quickly started to separate myself from Mickey, only for his grip on my thigh to tighten a little, refusing to let me go.

“Incredible, Candace, thank you,” Mickey replied while Candace, our server, blocked the view of the city for only a few seconds to help clear our dishes. “I think we should be ready for the next round.”

“Perfect!” Her smile got bigger. “I’ll have that out to you in just a moment. How are we with drinks?”

Mickey’s gaze shifted back down to me for a moment when I turned to look back up at him, but I shook my head no, so he answered, “water’s still a hit around here. Think we’re good for now.” And I turned my head just in time to catch Candace, our waitress, nodding, giggling a bit lightly as she left us to it again. “Think she noticed?” Mickey then asked in a rougher tone as his gaze shifted much lower from my eyes down to my crotch, and when I followed it, I quickly tried to adjust my pants.

The loose material was turning out to be a double-edged sword, making my imprint a bit too fucking visible.

“Don’t worry,” this shithead spoke a little lower while his left hand pulled me in the last few inches by my waist, “just a little longer and I’ll handle it.”

My eyes darted away from his darkening gaze back towards the city view again as I nervously joked, “In the back stairwell?”

“Nah,” Mickey answered. “With the way I want you tonight- with how badly I fucking do… we’re gonna need a bed. Something you can knock out on when I’m done.”

And in that moment, I wished I had more testing bowls to keep me distracted, instead of thinking about the way I damn near moaned when Mickey leaned over to place a soft kiss on the right side of my neck this time, making my eyes close for a moment with the purest fucking need.

Everything about this intimacy- us sitting here together with his hands all over me… him looking this fucking fine- smelling this fucking incredible… it was overwhelmingly delicious.

Intoxication at its finest, no alcohol required.

“Say a-”

“Say that shit and I’m moving back,” I warned this motherfucker… but still opened my mouth so he could feed me another spoonful of the lobster bisque, and I didn’t even try to hide my smiles anymore, which just made this baker chuckle near my ear, causing my body to shiver in his arms.

Somehow, someway, Mickey had convinced Candace to convince the chef to allow out a whole personal pot of the lobster bisque along with a ladle and some deep bowls, then we just said fuck it to the other testers and chose to eat lobster bisque for the rest of the night. Honestly, this shit was so good, the pot was now almost empty.

Mickey also somehow convinced me to sit between his legs for a bit so we could eat said lobster bisque together and continue enjoying the soft jazz along with the mind-blowing view directly in front of us.

This shithead was doing a whole lot of convincing tonight, it would seem.

“Okay, okay, okay,” he murmured, nuzzling the side of my neck a little before placing the spoon onto the flat plate beside the pot and bowls, pulling me closer right after. I could feel his hard-on pressing right up against me, but I was trying my damn fucking hardest to ignore it. “Just like you here, like this. Now ask me something personal. My way of apologizing.”

I rested my arms over his after he wrapped his other around my waist, then I thought about that for a moment.

“How did CiCi become your godmother exactly?”

“Good question,” Mickey replied, meeting my gaze as I rested my head back to the left side of his chest and shoulder so I could turn to look up at him. “CiCi and my mum were in college together here in New York all four years. They have the same marketing degree and were roommates back in college. Best friends for decades now.”

My face at this point had to be tired of smiling so fucking much, but that- what he admitted- that was so fucking sweet to hear. I hadn’t known they had known each other for that long.

“That’s why Sho mentioned that my mother had been coming to the temple for years. She first discovered it during her college days here, moved back to South Korea after graduating, and got married to my biological dad, then I was born. Ci and her kept in touch through it all, with my mum making her my godmother as soon as she found out she was pregnant.”

I nodded at that, feeling the warmth inside me spread. “What’s your… mother’s name?”

“Mi-na,” he whispered back. “It’s Sino-Korean or Hanjaeo

• Korean words of Chinese origin. Mi means beautiful, and it’s combined with Na, which means delicate, elegant, and graceful.“

My arms tightened around Mickey. I was falling in love with how delicately he had said her name, especially attaching an accent to it, and how he spoke about the meaning of it as a whole.

“What about your biological father? What was his?”

“Mikey. Mikey Jackson.”

I simply stared up at him a moment, unsure if this dickhead was pulling my leg or not… but no, he was dead fucking serious.

“So his… so you two…”

“He wanted to make me a junior, but my mother didn’t want that, so they settled on Micah. Then my father just started calling me Mickey since it was the closest he could get to me being a Mikey- to taking his name, without straight pissing my mother off, and that was kinda how we got here. But my mum still calls me Micah.”

“Really?” I asked with a grin, and Mickey nodded, smiling back down at me.

“You’ll get to see for yourself when we visit his grave. My mum tried to push for his remains to be cremated and held at the temple, but his extended family was heavily catholic and they wanted him buried. I don’t really bring this shit up because I knew it was hard for my mother, and at that point, she was just tired of everything. She wasn’t going to fight them on it.”

I… I didn’t even have words for that- how painful that had to be for her. But I could see the discomfort flash through Mickey’s features, his smile fading, and I decided that was more than enough talk about his dead father. Maybe Mickey picked up on my own sadness, because he was quick to pivot, himself.

“How ya feeling food-wise?”

“Full,” I replied honestly.

The time must’ve been late now because he and I had just been here casually enjoying the lobster bisque for god knows how fucking long, and when Mickey shifted us both so he could check the time on the phone he had pulled out of his front pocket, holding it in front of us to see, I damn near started choking on my own spit.

I think we had made it to the restaurant at around 7 PM, and now it was about fifteen minutes to 10.

“ Shit ,“ Mickey murmured, just vocalizing what the hell I was thinking. “We can stay as long as you’d like, I’ll just chat with the owner because they’ll be closing at 10-”

“Are we heading to the warehouse after?” I asked him instead.

While I could sit here with this fuckface for forever, I didn’t really want to piss off the staff by overstaying. And if we’re being honest, I needed him alone to myself like right the hell now.

This whole night had been us just edging each other, and I couldn’t fucking take any more. I was also trying not to ruin these dope pants with my precum because the material alone told me they had to be hand-washed or some shit.

“We can,” Mickey answered, “…But I still have one more treat for you, remember? Unless you’re not up-”

“ I’m up for it ,“ I shot out fast, forgetting all about the alone time for a moment. I felt fairly certain there was no fucking way he could top the day we just had together, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight knowing I missed out on anything else he wanted to show me or take me to.

“Then let’s dip,” Mickey grinned, untangling his right arm and sitting us up so he could reach over for our jackets.

“Wait, wait,” I sort of mumbled out, “what… what about the bill?”

And this jackass just laughed, removing both arms now to help me put on my jacket while I was still sitting right in front of him. My limbs complied, but my brain definitely didn’t comprehend. “There’s no bill, Ryk. My friend back there, playing the sax, owns this joint. It’s already comped for the night.”

My head swivelled right back to this fucker instantly, damn near turning my whole body to him, and said, “You’re fucking joking.”

But Mickey just shook his head no, then dug into my pockets to hand me my riding gloves. I took them from him because he looked about ready to put them on me himself, and that was absolutely not necessary. “That’s why the table was reserved, but the service took a bit of time. Sorta gave the guy a ballpark on when we’d get here. Kitchen didn’t start preparing anything until we arrived.”

“You’re… you’re fucking insane, you know that?” I whispered mindlessly while I finished getting my gloves on. Mickey had already started pulling on his own jacket.

“Foolproof, Ryk. That was the goal for tonight. And I’d have you meet my buddy tonight, but we’ve got to get a move on. Xavier’ll be here soon.”

“Xavier?” I asked, turning back to him yet again . This fucker gave me a nod while digging into his pockets for his gloves. “Why’s Xavier coming here? I mean, I- I don’t mind, but I just-”

“Perfect night, yeah?” he asked instead, cutting me right off. And I had absolutely no idea what he was referring to anymore… but I still nodded slowly. Considering everything tonight had been perfect, I guess it didn’t really matter what he meant. That was until I heard him say, “told you I’d let you know when the track’s right for it. Well… it’s right for it.”

I did actually give myself a second to think about what the hell this fucker meant by that before I just whimsically nodded, feeling his gloved hands flip palm up, gently gliding down my arms over the sleeves of my jacket and slipping his fingers into the spaces between my own.

“ Fancy going for a ride, Ryker? “ he whispered more quietly as he rested his chin against my right shoulder. Then he turned his head slightly to bring our faces close again. “A real one?”

But it was that fucking smirk that tugged up at the edge of his stupidly perfect lips when he watched as realization hit me like a targeted drive-by… that smirk alone made me fucking breathless .

I jolted my head forward, not a second later, nodding so fucking hard it felt like I was rearranging my brain matter. His gloved hands slipped from my own, reaching for and pulling out his wallet from his back pocket to remove a few fifties and set them on the table as a tip for Candace. After, he started getting us to our feet.

The only thing running through my mind at this point, while we both stood, was that Mickey Jackson, against all odds, had proved me wrong yet again.

He did , in fact, have it in him to make this perfect fucking date even more impossibly perfect.

And I had never been more excited to hold out on some alone time together if it meant a ride on his bike first.

A real one, this time.

••

79. Sugar Rush

Hi, y’all…

So while I’m not ready to get into it right now, I’ve been working through grieving someone who passed away a few days ago that was really fucking precious to me. We’d actually been in a relationship on and off the last decade of my life, so my uploads are going to be a bit sporadic (more than they already are). Just bear with me.

xoxo

“You ready, Ryk?” I asked, smiling when I felt his arms lock in tighter around my waist. The leather jackets we were wearing were thick, the inner fabric lined to help with insulating heat, but not thick enough to block the warmth the added layer his arms were, making me feel like he was a small blanket wrapped around my body.

After I mentioned going for a ride, he all but flew out that damn restaurant, thanking the staff on the way while he dragged me along, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I willingly let him. His excitement was the cutest fucking thing ever, I swear.

I’d made him wait long enough for this, anyway.

A ride out with Xavier and me.

This whole day might’ve been the best day of my life, really, as entirely cheesy as it sounded. It was by far the most Ryk had ever smiled around me. Maybe the most he’d smiled in general, considering he kept doing these little facial exercises during dinner like he wasn’t used to it- smiling this much- and I didn’t even know how to feel about that. The bitter-sweetness of it.

All I knew was that tonight was my first time in a high-end restaurant where I felt the most relaxed. There was a part of me that worried it wouldn’t be the same- it wouldn’t be like our dinners at my place… I was worried Ryk wouldn’t like the more formal setting…

But just having us cuddled up in that booth, eating bowls of lobster bique while I got to hold him… that shit made me realize that it was him. It was our conversations. It was the way he liked to lightly stroke my hand as he talked about the care that went into owning a fucking snake.

He was serious about it, with him showing me he knew way more about the responsibility it came with than he let on in that reptile shop. This had been more than just a want for him.

He also managed to relax my mind about the decision. The rasp in his voice and those soft chuckles… they put whatever remaining stresses I had to rest.

And now I got to take him on a real ride- something I knew he’d been itching for since the first night I took him home.

“Yes,” Ryk confirmed. Then I turned my head to Xavier, who was parked right beside my bike, and gave him a nod. He returned it, revved that bike of his, and peeled right off.

“Good,” I nodded next. “Ground rules, Ryk. Hold on tight. You want me to stop or slow down, just say so through the helmet. Got it?” I felt Ryk nod against my back, making me chuckle. “Let’s roll out, then.”

I started by getting us off the busiest streets of the inner city. X was leading the ride tonight. He set the routes earlier in the day, then fixed the surveillance feedback on the streets we’d pass just in case. I didn’t make it a habit to tap into the city surveillance, but like I said, I wasn’t taking any chances tonight. It was going to be perfect for Ryk.

The route he was leading us on had me smiling, though. X was feening for a ride just as badly as I was because we both could feel it.

Winter was pretty much here already.

Roads would go to shit soon, which meant we’d be storing the bikes for the most part and winterizing our cars. This meant this little fucker behind me would be seeing some extra work soon on top of the clientele Jade was going to be pulling in. My assumption was she’d be adding some weight to her ride herself, and would probably need a little adjusting because her whip wasn’t used to winters in NYC.

God, this city was about to turn my mood sour for the next few months. I was already thinking of someplace warmer for a weekend getaway. Preferably with Ryk, of course.

Once X got us onto more vacant, unmonitored streets, that was when we took shit up a notch.

“H-Holy shit-” Ryk stuttered out between those excited chuckles. His head wasn’t resting against my back, so I knew he must’ve had that shit on a swivel, turning back and forth to watch this city pass us by. The only thing that mattered was that he kept those arms locked, though. He already had the leans perfected, but X and I were starting to take those corners in sharp turns.

“Doing alright, Ryk?” I asked through the helmet.

“Yeah, this is- this is fucking amazing!” He replied, and fucking hell, his excitement was everything .

“Good. We’re cutting through more of the city, but then we’re gonna hit some back roads. Shit’ll get rocky.”

“That’s okay!” He assured me with that glorious amount of exhilaration in his voice, leaning right with me when we took another tight right turn. Shit, he was so good at this . I loved the way his body molded to mine- it gave me confidence that I could crank things up a notch without frightening him, and it was a real fear of mine because I rarely ever rode with anyone else.

His head was definitely looking all around, but as long as those arms stayed locked, I didn’t mind how desperately he seemed to want to take in the bright lights that looked like blurs from how fast we were going.

Then we headed through a short tunnel, and his chuckles got even more hyped. X and I adjusted our speed through it just a fraction since the wind was a tight one, leaning left, along with cement walls that would be unforgiving if we overcompensated for any reason. Not a place to lose control in.

After we exited, Xavier pulled his bike up onto the upcoming fork in the road at the last minute, making me smile as I kept us on a main street running through a less congested part of town. The skyscrapers turned to residential homes, then I told Ryk, “Look on your left.”

Ryk must’ve glanced left just in time, because I heard him whisper, “ holy fucking shit, “ when he caught sight of Xavier climbing up that hill using the pedestrian bike-only lane, my bike matching his speed for a parallel ride with a couple hundred feet now between us. Xavier lowered his headlights, making that Combat Motors Wraith look exactly like the ghost rider, minus the flames, and I could feel that sheer enjoyment oozing out of this fucker behind me while he watched.

I knew he loved what X rode, but I wasn’t ready to let him ride it just yet, my jealousy would be too strong for that, but I still made sure he got to enjoy how beautiful X’s ride really was, me pulling my own bike onto the sidewalk a moment to give him the coolest fucking visual of that beast of a bike’s image through some barely lit trees.

X rarely ever rode dark, but I knew he was now for Ryk. He knew how much this shithead loved his ride, too.

The fork merged about three miles later, but considering X and I were pushing our speed, his ride fell in line beside mine after I steered us back onto the street, only seconds later. Then he flipped his headlights back on.

I heard that beep through my helmet, however, and signaled to X with my left hand for us both to cut left, taking us off this main street in an effort to avoid a traffic stop up ahead with far too many cops around. We saw the red and blue lights in the distance right before this side street curved, pulling us away from the heat.

“Detour, Ryk,” I told him. “Mold to me.”

And Ryk did as told, resting his helmet against my back as we both leaned forward over the tank. X and I were about to cut through a gravel backroad that hadn’t been paved, thanks to New York City simply not giving enough of a damn about the city’s infrastructure. We’d been good at keeping away from them, but weekends were always more challenging with more cops out, handling the nightlife.

Detours galore were in the cards right now.

Considering X never really rode with a helmet, I relied on his signals, the earpiece he kept in his left ear that I could phone into when absolutely needed, and the fact that he and I had been riding together for years.

His head jerked right, signalling another turn that would pull us right onto those back roads with limited street lights, but Ryk and I were locked in. His body stiffened with mine, feeling the rubble beneath my thick wheels while I adjusted the push on the throttle and the steer to keep us from swerving out.

These winding dirt roads forced my bike to drift on some turns, but Ryk seemed to manage it well. It was only once we hit bumpier gravel that Ryker let out a bit of an uncomfortable groan.

“You with me, Ryk?” I asked through the helmet. There was no way to hide my concern as I slowed my speed a little.

His arms gripped me even tighter, choking out a “Y-Yes.”

Then he shifted behind me a little, and it forced me to snap back, “Don’t move, Ryk. We’re almost off the dirt roads.” It was the truth, too. I had cranked my speed up a little to try and get us off the shifting ground as quickly as possible.

But the way Ryk sounded, coupled with something a bit firm pressing against the lowest part of my back, let me in on a little more of what was happening. “Sh-Shit-… s-sorry-” he all but practically fucking moaned.

He was bricked right now. Like hard as shit below the belt. And that just made my hands grip the handles of my ride hard as hell, trying to get my own body under control during a more tedious detour.

It wasn’t uncommon to get a hard-on while riding, especially because the road we were on was rough enough to up the vibrations of this bike, but the faint sounds Ryk couldn’t manage, nor could he let go of me to turn off his microphone, had my mind fucking spiraling .

I could tell he wanted to shift himself back- to try putting space between his crotch and me- but I had to drift us on another tight turn X took the lead with, forcing Ryk to keep that body of his completely meshed to mine if he still wanted to stay on this ride.

“Only less than ten from the warehouse, but I can pull us over-” I explained when I felt his body start to shiver directly against mine, but Ryk rattled his helmet that was leaning on my back, shaking his head no.

“I-I’m- I- no,” he inhaled sharply, yet kept his body still, his inner thighs actually tightening around the outer parts of mine with a slight tremble. “I-I-I’m okay-”

His voice was unbelievably strained while trying to get these words out. I hadn’t realized how quickly this buildup was hitting him, and when he let out another quiet groan, I swear to fucking god I almost shut my damn eyes a moment… until I realized I was over here pushing three times the speed limit on a poorly-lit dirt back road, headed towards the industrial district of this city.

It was pretty clear by how tightly he was holding my waist that he definitely wasn’t okay. Shit, we both weren’t if I was actually about to shut my eyes to get a hold on my own hardening dick, so I was forced to crank up that speed further, taking lead now as X and I brought this ride back off the gravel roads and onto a paved one, headed toward our final stop for the night.

Ryk let out some heavier breaths once he was able to shift back a bit in an attempt to control himself, yet I knew the adrenaline coursing through him probably wasn’t helping a damn fucking thing. At least those arms of his remained locked because we were whipping down these poorly lit streets, passing more abandoned buildings and warehouses.

This ride out had been absolutely exhilarating- just what I needed after having gone weeks without a real one, but all I could focus on now was immediately getting Ryk off this bike and preferably into a bed. We’d spent all night riling each other up, and his hard cock pressed up against me was officially my breaking point.

Having to hear his raspy groans and weaker moans through my helmet as Ryk got unbelievably close to coming was past my godddamn breaking point.

Fucking came close to crashing this bike myself, which left me with a bittersweet thought of whether or not this was a good idea at all after a whole day of being sexually frustrated. Yet it would’ve been impossible to predict that we’d be on those back roads for that long.

Usually, I welcomed the unexpected detours so X and I could test out how well we really knew our way around… but not tonight.

The warehouse was coming up in the distance, and X cranked his speed up this time, riding ahead to most likely open up the garage door for us, but I raised my left hand to my helmet, tapped my mic off pairing with Ryk for a second, gave my helmet the command to pair with my phone, then called Xavier.

He picked up the call on the first ring.

“Head home,” I said, then ended it before I could hear his inevitable chuckles. X nodded his head in front of me, not looking behind him when he held up a few fingers, signalling he was out, then continued on down the barren street instead of pulling into the lot of the warehouse.

He’d gotten the garage door open, however, and that allowed me to pull into the lot fast, all but drifting my bike past the garage door, and bringing it to a sudden, abrupt stop once inside. My right hand then left the steering to press the signal on my bike so the garage would close again behind us, and after that, I switched the engine off.

Ryk’s arms started trembling when he finally unlocked them so he could pull them away from my waist, my foot kicking the kickstand down in the process. I let him climb off the bike first and remove his helmet before I did the same. There was some worry there that tonight had been a bit too much, but when I climbed off my baby, pulled off my riding gloves to place back in my jacket, and turned to look at him, his face was flushed completely red.

“H-Holy- holyfuckingshit -” He breathed out between his heavier panting. I walked around the bike, grabbing his helmet and setting both on the table in here while the warm lights in the heated warehouse slowly powered on. His chest was rising and falling rapidly when I finally turned back to him, ready to check in as he pulled off and shoved his riding gloves into his leather jacket.

“Was-… are you okay, Ry-”

That was about all I got out.

Would’ve been more of a check-in if this fucker didn’t sprint fucking towards me, snatch the front flaps of my jacket, and yank me down to crash his lips into mine. Shit almost had us both stumbling back, headed towards the cement ground, and I was forced to grip the sides of his leather jacket and yank him back a bit.

Jesus fuck, this shithead had the sweetness of a golden retriever puppy but the force of a full-grown goddamn Dobermann .

“Ryk. W-Wait- are you-”

“Shut the fuck up, Mickey, and fucking touch me already,” he snapped harsh as all hell at me, which made my eyes widen for just a moment because his tone was a wild choice for those words…

But then the words, “ screw it ,“ slipped past my lips, and I yanked him towards me again, crashing my lips back to his. My knees bent a bit while my hands traveled from his jacket to directly under his ass so I could lift him up into my arms, losing every bit of reason once I felt his legs lock around my waist with zero fucking hesitation.

I had been stressing the hell out, worried about the intensity from that ride, but Ryk was shaking now with nothing more than the surge of adrenaline and complete fucking arousal.

His arms were starting to push the material of my jacket back, off my shoulders, but they caught on my arms since I was still holding him up, matching his intensity with this feverish kiss. “W-Wait, Ryk- I’m holding-” I tried to mutter against his soft lips when he began tugging the material down harder…

Yet Ryk pulled his savage lips away an inch or two, snapping back with a breathless, “Let go.” 

There was a part of me that had to sober up a bit in the heat of this intoxicating moment, thinking about the very real potential of dropping this fucker if I did what he demanded… but then I felt his legs really lock in around my waist.

And when I made the insane decision to let go, removing my hands from under his ass, he easily held himself up on his own with just his legs so he could strip that jacket off me the rest of the way.

I could feel him now, his hard cock pressed right against my own while he worked to pull my tucked-in shirt out of my slacks next, bringing those starving lips back to mine in the process, and I started fumbling, pushing his own jacket off his shoulders. We only separated again so I could first get the leather off him, then tug my own shirt off, leaving me completely shirtless.

Wasn’t sure where the hell all these clothes were falling to, but his lips were on mine, and his hands were all over my fucking body.

That was all I gave enough of a damn to focus on.

My hands started fumbling with the buttons on his dress shirt, but after the second one, I just ripped open the thing- hearing buttons scatter all over the cement floor. My hands slipped past his bare waist to his back as I quickly made it towards those metal stairs leading up to my bed.

At this point, I was one more escaped moan from Ryk away from having him on the table down here, but I needed a bed. Our first night, potentially going all the way, wasn’t about to be on a slab of wood drilled to some legs.

Still, I took those steps two at a time, and Ryk was smart enough to wrap his arms around my neck for added safety. Falling on leveled ground was one thing. Falling down metal steps would make one hell of a difference.

It didn’t take long to get us up there, regardless, and I managed to squeeze my feet out of these boots, not caring where the hell they went- one of which sounded like it tumbled right down the steps- then I tossed Ryk directly back onto my bed and bent down to start pulling his own shoes off while he sat up and quickly rid himself of his open dress shirt.

The space up here was filled with nothing but heavy, far from rhythmic breathing. My hands moved to my belt buckle next, undoing it and ripping it off with one strong tug, then I dropped it on the floor before working on these pants next. Ryk was moving with just as much fucking urgency, pulling his own pants off, but when his hands slowed, mine darted to the briefs still on him with a wet patch near the tip of his imprint, and growled out, “Those, too, Ryk.”

I wanted him fucking naked . Right the fuck now .

All the waiting and shit was over; it was time for me to follow through on the day filled with nothing but intimacy and sexual tension.

Ryk’s shaky hands were quick to push his briefs down by the waistband next, yet those eyes of his were raking over every single inch of my body in meticulous detail while I undressed, his gaze hovering over my hands that managed to unfasten these slacks’s button and zipper. Then my thumbs hooked the waistband of both the slacks and my briefs, tugging them down altogether.

Ryks naked body on my bed was already leaving the tip of my cock leaking onto the cement floors… but when he slowly leaned back onto his elbows, spreading his bent legs open for me, I absolutely lost it and climbed right onto that bed. The plan was to kiss my way up like I was, at this point, positively obsessed with doing, but Ryk surprised me by sitting up suddenly and pulling me up, then right down onto him.

Shit, I almost crushed this fucking shithead if it wasn’t for both my hands forcing themselves onto the mattress near his head, pushing back against this motherfucker’s rather unreal strength

“R-Ryk, h-hold o-”

“No,” Ryk snapped, cutting me off. I felt his arms start to slip from around my neck, but instead, his hands slid up into my hair, and he pulled me down even more , holding my locks of hair with a serious death grip. “I want you inside me like right the fuck now . No more bullshit waiting, or so help me god Mickey, I will absolutely lose my fucking

mind . If you want me to fucking beg for this, I will.“

Those large eyes of his were narrowed, dead serious with every word… but I couldn’t stop the unexpected light chuckle that fell past my lips as I analyzed how serious he was. His sharp yet delicate features seemed to hone even more in irritation as his face tightened, yet I couldn’t help it. Even his frustration looked absolutely captivating.

“What’s so fucking funny?” Ryk spat my way, yanking my head down till our noses were practically touching, and I was forced to try to get a grip on my amusement because this fucker looked about ready to kill me.

“Nothing-” I tried to explain, but my chuckles just got harder when I felt Ryk’s legs wrap around and tighten, locking in on my waist. He was making certain I felt exactly how desperately he wanted this right now.

“Then why the complete fuck -”

“I can’t help but think of how madly in love with you I am,” I replied, grinning now while he forced us to hold this gaze. He’d pulled us so close- both our heavy breaths meshing against each other’s lips- there wasn’t any other option but this direct eye contact. Nowhere else we could look but at each other. “Wanted to tell you that first.”

Ryk simply stared up at me, all while finally shutting the fuck up for more than a second as those narrowed eyes gradually softened. I felt his hands finally ease up on the strands of hair he was seconds from ripping out.

“But if you want to just get right down to sex-”

“ Nonononono ,“ he rushed out quietly, lightning fast, making me smile while I brushed my nose against the tip of his. “Say it… say it again. I… didn’t hear…”

“That I’m madly in love with you?” I questioned, teasing him this time.

“…M-Mhm.”

“I’m more than just madly in love with you, you complete fucking shithead ,” I murmured, then tilted my head a little to place a gentle kiss on his left cheek.

Then I placed another.

And another…

Trailing them slowly down to his jaw, while I felt Ryk tilt his head away, encouraging me to continue this time.

“And Ryk?” I mumbled against the soft, tender skin of his neck.

“Mhm?” he more or less moaned as his fingers gently tangled themselves back into my hair, finally allowing me to enjoy this slower pace. The pace this fucker must’ve forgotten I promised him for our first time together.

“You won’t ever have to beg me for this from now on,” I replied, inching my kisses lower as Ryk’s body shivered more uncontrollably below me. His soft moans were starting to get louder, especially when my lips began sucking in that sensitive skin, forcing more pleasure through him.

I’d successfully convinced him to slow this shit down… but the last few words muttered into his neck finally had him relinquishing the last of his control to me.

“From now on, I’ll give it to you whenever you want it … so let’s figure out just how you like it.”

••

Rest in paradise, baby🩵 and Happy Birthday Never said ‘I love you’ to anyone but you… I’m glad I got to say it and hear it from you one final time right before you made the choice you felt you needed to. And I’m not mad at you. But you know that already. I never was- never could be.

80. Banana Split (M)

Thank you so much for all the love on the previous chapter <3 I’ll be okay, and somehow writing about love has been therapeutic for me, so here’s another chapter

Enjoy, lovelies <3 I appreciate you all so freaking much

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

(I’ll add an ‘M’ to the chapter titles so y’all know they’re explicit!)

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/b4f5173bb2fc7ba2079e32a4bc4f6f950ba916ff/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3542674a6764524a656a674a6d513d3d2d313632303035313534302e313861343166646535333461666166653936363438313638393339322e6a7067)               

I should’ve been nervous as hell.

Probably would’ve been too, if it weren’t for the glaring fact that I have never wanted something and someone more desperately in my entire fucking life before tonight.

My head was still absolutely reeling from what he had just said to me after I came very close to suffocating him with a goddamn pillow.

Obviously, I didn’t take his stopping this heated moment all that well.

Actually, fuck that, I was reeling from everything he had just said to me. Admittedly, I was also about to punch him in the fucking face for not taking me seriously at first, trying to have this shithead understand that we were going to have sex tonight. I didn’t go through that uncomfortable appointment at the clinic yesterday just for us to keep waiting.

But then…

Well, then he-

…He admitted that he was in love with me.

Like he said that shit out loud, a hair’s breadth away from my face, and every single bit of anger I felt building was absolutely drowned by my gushy, intense emotions just hearing that shit fall from his lips.

After that shit, I didn’t give a damn what pace he took anymore.

“ M-Mickey! “ I shot out, my back arching off the mattress towards him when his teeth grazed over my left nipple again. He was propped up on his left elbow, placed on the mattress right next to the right side of my chest, while his right hand slowly travelled, feeling down my very naked body towards my cock.

Both my hands were still tangled into the longer strands of his thick hair, but if he touched me there, I’d be reaching for this fucking bedcover soon enough.

He probably wouldn’t have believed me if I told him this now, but I didn’t exactly want to scalp him. I actually loved his hair. Like a whole lot.

And that large fucking hand of his kept getting lower, passing over my abdomen to my cock, which forced me to let go of his locks so I could reach out for the fabric below me and grip that tight instead.

This would’ve been a great time to start counting backwards from ten or something to try to calm my body down, but giving a shit about all that right now felt too exhausting. I just needed some release. Any release.

“ M-Mic- “ I choked out through more unruly moans. His lips and teeth were relentless on my chest, but those warm fingers wrapping around that throbbing part of me had my body fucking aching for him. He’d told me I didn’t need to beg for this, and even though I couldn’t get out a word worth a damn while he started to stroke my dick, I still tried pleading with this fucker for more.

But I didn’t even get far. The build-up from his touch- from how long I’d gone today wanting all of him- that feeling hit with such intensity, I let out a sound that sounded nothing more than a goddamn mess as Mickey jacked me off faster.

It only took another graze from his teeth over my nipple, and my body sent me jarringly through a release that had been worked up all day by this dickhead, only reaching its breaking point on that incredible ride home.

I genuinely thought I was about to cum when I was on his bike, pressed directly against his body while Mickey reminded me yet again how good a fucking rider he was…

But this time, on his bed, I didn’t have anything in me to try to hold out. Both hands released that bed cover to reach up, grip, and sink my nails into the back of Mickey’s shoulders, shivering uncontrollably as warm cum shot from my sensitive tip, coating mine and Mickey’s stomach, along with his hand.

My eyes squeezed shut as straight fucking pleasure rattled through every inch of me, my body demanding I focus on doing something worthwhile like controlling my breathing, or the intense pounding of my weak heart, but I forced them open when I felt Mickey slowly lift himself, that loss of warmth against my skin felt.

He sat himself up to reach over the side of the bed for something. I assumed it was probably some coconut oil, which did nothing good for my heart… and him bringing the entire container over onto the bed again just made it worse… but to be frank, with how fucking badly I needed this motherfucker right now, I decided not to think much on it and psych myself out more.

So I did my best instead to try to calm my body after that unexpectedly fast orgasm- one I would’ve probably turned four more shades redder by if I hadn’t been anticipating this very moment all fucking day.

My legs were still bent and spread open, wide enough for Mickey to kneel between again. He started twisting the top off the plastic jar, but paid it dust while his eyes raked slowly up and down my entire naked body.

“Ryk?” He whispered down to me.

“Hmm?” I asked, still trying to work on my damn breathing. Shit was failing every single time my eyes deviated from his to the rest of his naked body, and my dick was already hard again, acting like I hadn’t just cum.

“I’m- I-… I’ll have to stretch you out a little first- get you adjusted for my size. Let me know if anything doesn’t feel good, got it? Even if it’s uncomfortable, I… I want to know.”

I slowly nodded up at him and forced myself to agree. While I wanted him to just fucking shove his dick inside me already, I had to remind myself that all this really mattered, especially for this fucker. Something also told me he’d know if I wasn’t being honest, too.

Seemed like he always did.

“Grab the pillow from above your head and slip it…” His voice trailed off a moment when his gaze settled on the cum on my stomach, but he cleared his throat a second, getting himself back on track here, and ended that sentence with, “s-slip it under the lowest part of your back.”

This was… arguably a bit new to me, but I still did as told and reached an arm back to grab one of Mickey’s comfortable pillows. Then I raised my hips and shoved it right underneath. Mickey was busy lathering his fingers with the solid coconut oil before he shut the jar, setting it on the left side of the mattress, then started melting the oil by rubbing his hands together.

The pillow actually felt pretty nice underneath me, and my breathing was finally settling the hell down… until Mickey slowly started to climb over me, placing his left hand near the right side of my head again to hold himself up, while gently slipping his right, oiled up hand between my ass. I let out a low groan at the warm feeling of it.

What surprised me a little was when Mickey easily found my entrance with a finger, but he didn’t take things any further, watching me carefully this time. Then he slowly lowered himself down, closed those studying eyes, and brought his lips to mine.

This kiss was unexpectedly gentle, damn near fucking distracting me from the fact that he eventually started to circle my entrance as his soft lips gently molded to mine.

My hands immediately lifted from my chest to ease up into his hair again so I could hold him here against me, enjoying the absolute hell out of every part of this. The anticipation had made my body tense just a little, but it felt like this was his way of reminding me to relax. I remembered how much more comfortable it was when I did, and this shithead would absolutely cut things short if he felt like I wasn’t ready.

Times like these, a muscle relaxer or some shit would’ve been nice. But I had managed to keep away from the pill popping the last nineteen years of my life- wasn’t trying to start some new bad habits now.

Instead, I just leaned into this- the soft kiss… his tender touch… everything about it, to relax more.

He wouldn’t hurt me tonight- not intentionally- and I was stone cold fucking sober enough to stop if I didn’t want to go on. Knowing all this helped.

Still shocked me how much I liked being sober with him, too. He was probably the only person in my life who chose not to drink whenever he wasn’t feeling it. I was starting to get how he’d never blacked out before, especially with his shockingly good tolerance.

And his soft lips had me so lost in this kiss, I didn’t even realize when he’d slipped a finger inside. I knew I was tight around him, but my muscles didn’t feel like they were resisting in the slightest. Instead, my body instantly recognized his touch, making it even easier for this to feel all too comfortable. Way too fucking good.

Mickey didn’t stop kissing me like this either, making my stomach do that gushy fluttery shit. My hands tightened in his hair to hold him even closer. Right now, I didn’t know how I wanted this- him

• tonight, but I wanted whatever he was doing now, carefully easing his first finger in and out while giving the most perfect distraction with this deepening kiss.

I barely noticed him slip a second finger inside because his tongue slid past his lips to ask for entrance, and I was all too willing to allow it.

He was so… sensual tonight. This kiss felt so intentional, it had me realize how much I loved kissing him. His lips were so full and tender, they made me feel like mine were being gently devoured. Obviously, it wasn’t my first kiss, but this baker somehow made it feel like all our kisses were.

I felt ridiculously exposed below him, and not just because, soon enough, I felt his two fingers start to carefully spread apart inside me, stretching me in the most delicate way… it was more than that.

He kissed me like he’d been dreaming of this kiss all fucking day.

Liked he’d meant every damn word he said… about being in love with me.

I couldn’t help but smile as my moans started to mesh into this smoldering kiss. His fingers felt fucking incredible now, and maybe it was a bit uncomfortable at first- feeling him stretch me- but Mickey was moving slow. I couldn’t even tell anymore whether he had two or three fingers inside; I just knew that it felt really fucking good, and his lips felt really fucking good , and I just- shit, I really wanted him inside me.

I wanted to feel more of whatever the hell this was.

“ M-Mickey, “ I breathed, breaking this deep kiss a moment to mumble against his lips. “Can we… p-please- can we…” And because I could feel the ’ not yet ’ coming from a mile away, I forced my body to relax my muscles even more around his fingers, trying to show him that it would be alright.

His heavy breaths into this kiss were a dead giveaway that he was working to keep his body calm, but I knew he wanted more. He just didn’t want to hurt me.

“R-Ryk, maybe just- maybe a bit-”

“Please?” I whispered. He said I wouldn’t have to beg, but right now, I didn’t give a shit about any of that.

“A-Are you sure?” He asked as he put a bit more distance between us so his eyes could find mine. I nodded quickly with my face now just inches away. My whole body was melting at how those sharp eyes of his softened.

“Just- like- maybe like- l-like a bit slow at first-”

“I- I will,” this handsome fucker nodded before he started to ease his slick fingers out of me. “I’ll-” Mickey cut his own words for a second, closing his eyes. Then he gave himself a slight nod, opened those gorgeous eyes to me again, and finished with, “I’ll go slow.”

I’d been ignoring my fucking heart up until this point, mainly because my stomach kept flipping and fluttering from that kiss… but the tenderness in his words sent my heart packing, as did how slow he was to separate his body from mine and sit back on his hind legs before reaching for the coconut oil again.

All I could do was watch him, just like this. He looked so goddamn sexy right now, reaching into the plastic jar for more oil, but this time he warmed it up just a little before he very slowly started to stroke himself.

Fuckk , the way he looked at me as he thoroughly oiled up his dick was making my shivering body start to full-on shake. Mickey was big, just like the rest of him, his cock a few shades darker than his tan skin, but it just about made me drool. I didn’t care how long it might take to get it to fit; I just wanted to start that process right now.

His once soft eyes were piercing. The intensity had returned, and whatever I looked like in this moment was definitely fucking doing it for him because that right hand, still wrapped around his hard cock, picked up the pace a bit. My legs squirmed a little on the bed from that shit alone, but I tried not to close them up.

I liked him like this, between my legs… but his body jolted a bit, and his hand slowed. “C-Come here,” I snapped a bit as I suddenly decided I wanted his body over me again. I wanted him to kiss me like that again… yet he didn’t rush anything when he brought himself back down to me. My legs immediately lifted to wrap around his waist, locking my ankles behind him, then my hands went right back up into his hair.

As batshit as it sounded, I was trying really hard not to sniff the hell out of this fucker. His cologne had me pulling him down harder, but Mickey was hellbent on not absolutely crushing me with his weight.

“I’ll go slow,” his rough voice said to me in a low tone. He was holding himself up on his left elbow this time, right near my head, so he didn’t have to do something equivalent to a one-handed pushup when I forced him even closer. He finally understood that any space between us right now was going to piss me the fuck off, and I couldn’t help but smile, nodding up at him before he leaned down further, closed his eyes, and gave me another kiss.

He’d placed his other hand on the side of my waist when he crawled back on top, over me, but I felt it disappear as he kissed me, only to feel something very slick with oil gently nudge itself between my ass.

Mickey groaned against my lips, positioning his cock slowly, near my stretched entrance, and my body started to freak out a little bit, but I was quick to tell it to calm the actual fuck down. Mickey would be able to tell if I was too tense.

The thing he or even I didn’t expect, though, was me sort of abruptly breaking this kiss. “W-Wait-”

“You okay?” This baker in my arms, breathing heavy against my lips, made sure to get out. “I- I, um- I haven’t started, but we don’t have-”

“Y-Yes,” I whispered back, yet kept my eyes shut because there was no way in hell I was going to blurt this next thing out and hold eye contact. “I- I just wanted- before we do this… I want to- like say that… that I’m in love with you, too. I forgot to say that shit earlier…”

…And the immediate silence that followed for a few seconds just had me squeezing my shut eyes tight in crippling, awkward embarrassment, until I heard a raspy chuckle fall from Mickey’s lips, coercing my heavy eyelids open again.

His gaze had softened once more as those beautiful eyes stared directly into mine, with our noses just about touching. “You… Your timing, Ryk- Jesus… it’s the most unreal shit I’ve ever dealt with.”

“Did I-… I- I’m sorry, I should’ve-”

“ Shut the hell up ,“ he whispered back. The smile on his face stretched a little in the process. “Perfect timing… but did you want me to… to stop-”

I quickly shook my head no at that shit because I absolutely did not .

“Okay,” he chuckled again, putting a little more space between us so he could see my face in full under this warm, dim lighting. “Keep your eyes on me like this. We’ll start slow. If it hurts, we’ll switch, and I’ll bottom.”

I nodded quickly, unable to stop from smiling myself. Didn’t really get the idea that Mickey did that a lot, but knowing we had the option to switch if this was too much for me… I think that just about did it for my remaining nerves. I found myself shimming down just a little to further encourage this fucker to start, and he seemed to get the message when I felt his oiled-up tip locate my relaxed hole again.

There wasn’t really much that could prepare me for this. I got to massage his scalp a bit while he kept his free hand down there, using it to carefully enter me, and those eyes of his remained right on mine.

He wasn’t taking any chances as he studied my face for any signs.

My entrance was gripping even the tip of him, but the oil was what made this feel seamless- really good, even, despite his size.

Mickey’s face was starting to get a little more flushed, but he was doing his damn best to remain calm and focus his attention on nothing else but this… it just wasn’t all that hard to see that his face had gotten tighter, and his body more rigid above me.

I was trying to hide even the smidgeon of discomfort as he painstakingly slowly entered me. It felt… I didn’t even know how to explain what it felt like. I expected it to be intrusive, but it felt like my body was letting him in, regardless of how wide he was stretching my entrance with his girth.

I wanted to close my eyes at the feeling, mainly because I couldn’t figure out when this baker was going to make me cum these days until he fucking did. And it was no longer because it had been a while- it was because just even his cologne alone had the ability to make me painfully hard.

Everything about him did.

His deep voice.

His intense, dark eyes. His perfect teeth.

His thick strands of hair.

His soft lips.

Don’t get me fucking started on his beautiful tattoos and perfect build.

He could probably make me cum just by telling me to right now, and I would, which was dangerous fucking territory. He couldn’t have this much control over my body because this fuckface barely allowed me to touch his.

It was like a battle- a bloody war raged between two stubborn givers. I liked to get him off, and he liked to get me off, which was why sex was so important to me for us to do together. I wanted to give him that, and from how good this already felt with him, it was the ultimate compromise on both our ends.

Something he and I could do together, even if our preferred roles in the bedroom clashed like all fucking hell.

“ J-Jesus, Ryk- “ Mickey muttered. His body was tight- like all his muscles were doing their best to keep him still while his lower half slowly pushed his cock inside more. Mickey’s breathing grew shallower. He surprised me yet again when I watched him move his right hand from his cock between my legs to the bedcover near the left side of my waist, gripping it so suddenly it made my body jolt a bit. “Y-You’re so- j-jesusfuck

you’re so fucking tight -“ he got out through clenched teeth.

God, that had my stomach doing fucking backflips . I’d never heard him like this before- shit, never seen him like this before, with his veins beginning to rise under the skin on his muscular arms. His perfect complexion was starting to break a bit of a sweat, and we’d barely even started.

“I-Is it okay- are y-you okay?” I asked him in a strained voice of my own, but I could barely understand whether these were words because he pushed himself a bit deeper, making this less about adjusting and more about wanting even more. This… this feeling… under a fucker who was doing his best to stay focused… it was starting to make me want to beg. And that, in return, had me squirm a bit below him.

“W-Wait, R-R-Ry-” Mickey stuttered, moving his hand from the mattress to grip the left side of my hip firm, pinning me down to the mattress. “H-Hold-” He tried to continue, but I felt his body tense up completely. Then his eyes pinched shut, and his hips started to buck. Those hefty groans turned to fucking grunts, making my cock leak all over my sticky stomach.

“M-Mic-” I tried, yet a different sensation shut me the fuck up. It was the feeling of warm liquid spilling inside of me, and my legs hugged his waist hard as I tried to stop them from shaking so badly against him.

“ Sh-Shit- f-f-fuck -“ He gritted out. Feeling his hot cum fill me like that turned me on so fucking bad, I made sure my feet were locked behind him so Mickey couldn’t go anywhere the fuck else. He looked like he needed a minute- his body twitching now above me- and I wasn’t sure what the fuck he might decide on after the come down from coming, so I had to make sure he wouldn’t pull away.

Only thing I knew for damn sure was that his cock was still hard as hell inside me. He sure as fuck hadn’t gone soft yet.

I still asked something very fucking stupid on my part because his coming like this made me so goddamn horny, I sort of wasn’t thinking straight. “D-Did you-”

“ Y-Yes, Ryk ,“ he groaned, finally opening those fierce eyes of his to look down at me. “We can-… i-if you-… i-if y-you want to stop-”

“No,” I rushed out. “ Nonono, don’t- don’t stop ,“ I then begged. My legs tried pushing him down, inside me more, but Mickey’s firm hold on my hips pushed back against my strength.

“Are… are y-”

“Yes, Mickey, Jesus fuck- y-yes ,” I snapped back at this absolute shithead. “ K-Keep fucking going .“

Mickey just about choked on the deep breath he tried to take in. “O-Okay… okay-” he took a sharper inhale this time. Then he slowly closed his eyes again and tilted his head down to bring his sweaty forehead gently to mine, resting it right there for a moment. “I’m-… I’ll try to… to go gentle-” he whispered in a completely unrecognizable voice. “Y-You’re just- fuck- you’re so tight. “

…This dipshit was one more word away from making me a goddamn porn star. Shamelessly.

In fact, I contemplated flipping us so I was on top, yet Mickey’s hold on my hip made that completely impossible. I wasn’t going anywhere… but the same definitely couldn’t be said for Mickey as he finally continued the slow process of pushing his cock deeper inside. Pushing his cum deeper inside.

“ Sh-Sh-Shit- “ I moaned out all too loud as my hands tightened in his hair again. His forehead was still resting against mine, allowing his breaths to merge with my own jagged ones, but this feeling was forcing my breaths out harder and harder.

He took his time with making sure I adjusted- no thrusts or anything like that, just a small, continuous push in. Pretty much all that discomfort went out the fucking window, and when I finally felt the last of him buried inside me, I let out one weak moan just pleading with him to move.

The only reasonable explanation for how this baker was both holding himself up and not hurting me in the slightest by the grip he had on my hips had to be straight witchcraft because his body was the most rigid I had ever seen it. His moans came out through harshly clenched teeth, and after a bit more time, he started to pull himself out a little, just to push his cock back in.

I was trying my best not to cum. Mickey’s groans and grunts had brought me startlingly close… but the pace he molded my body to was too fucking much. It felt like his cock was slowly grinding against everything inside me.

I’d-… I’d never fucking felt like this before.

Then Mickey tilted his head down and greedily captured my lips with his again, muffling my more desperate cries. His kisses remained as tender as he could make them, but his thrusting picked up a bit, started to send waves of fucking pleasure inside me. I tried to tell him I was getting closer- that his cock was starting to brush up against that particular spot as he pulled back more of his length just to push it in me again, but this intense kiss was draining me of everything.

Words.

Oxygen .

My muffled cries turned to fucking whimpers because Mickey was starting to lose a bit of that control. Nothing painful- the farthest thing from it. He was starting to hit parts inside that made my mind foggy, and my legs feel weak as he thrust inside me harder. Deeper .

There wasn’t any stopping the second orgasm that unexpectedly started rumbling, cutting through my nerves, tensing my whole body as I cried out desperately against his lips. It felt like my walls were burning around his size with nothing but pure fucking pleasure.

My responsive, throbbing tip shot more thick ropes of cum all over my stomach. My legs shook, involuntarily squeezing him as they alone begged him not to fucking stop, and my now full-on whimpers could only be partially muffled when our kiss got sloppier.

Much like my legs, my inner walls were starting to tighten, clamping down on his cock and pulsating to the shattered pounding of my wrecked heartbeat. Mickey hadn’t even touched my cock while relentlessly fucking me, but this pressure from his dick alone felt like he was draining whatever was left as more cum coated my stomach and chest.

The sound this baker made just got my trembling body in a worse state. I couldn’t say any words worth a damn, and neither could he, but what he did instead was separate his hand from my hip and snatch at a spot on the bedcover close to my upper stomach. I knew he was trying so fucking hard not to overdo it on his strength… but his faster thrusts were getting harder, and the angle his cock was at forced my body to squirm more in insane pleasure.

My toes curled in, working with my fracturing nerves to try and get a goddamn grip, and yet I didn’t give a damn if this permanently changed how I ever came again.

I didn’t give two shits if it ached in the morning; only thing I knew was that right now, this was by far the best I had ever fucking felt.

“R-Ryk-” Mickey croaked out into this kiss, thrusting deeper now. I swear to fucking god I heard the bedcover below us tear, but I was too focused on the fact that his body was trembling right the fuck along with mine. He didn’t touch any part of my body with his hands, and that was probably for the best while his thrusts got a bit undisciplined.

He was hitting that spot again, now a little more relentlessly, and I was crumbling under him from everything, including the feeling of his tongue pushing past my lips again.

My hands quickly released his hair once I realized I’d been gripping it too hard, then they traveled right to his shoulders just in time for another sudden orgasm to rip from the pleasure in my ass, causing my ankles to slip from the locked hold on his back before they fell lifelessly at his sides.

That was when Mickey’s whole body started to spasm. He ripped his lips away from mine just in time to let out a sound so animalistic that shit had my whole body on fucking fire. My nails dug deep into his shoulders when I felt his cum spill inside me again. “ M-Mi-Mickey- “ I forced out through the most downright deplorable moans.

He tilted his head a bit more before it collapsed into the nook of my neck, burying it there to say something that made my rapid heartbeat fucking flatline.

“ Saranghae. “

His voice whispered it against the ultra-sensitive skin there, then his whole body melted completely into mine and pulled my quivering self in the closest I’d ever been to him- felt to him.

The closest I’d ever felt to anyone .

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/7c68397df2f80284f6654c86fd684377abeb9a5e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f593474387151455f6869434336413d3d2d313632303035313534302e313861343230326262336139636361333531383831343339303938362e706e67)               

81. Going Back For Seconds… Maybe Thirds (M)

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content

(Also shoutout to the person who commented a list of the previous chapters that have content warnings! I’ll update the chapter names tomorrow!)

4 AM - …

5 AM - …

6 AM - This was when I finally woke up, bypassing the strict regime I had gotten far too accustomed to, to abandon on such a whim.

I knew my internal clock was way the hell off, and I couldn’t remember the last time my body had deviated like this, but I didn’t give a shit.

And when my eyes adjusted to the scarce light up here from the dim overhead warehouse lights, all I could find it in me to care about was the fact that Ryk was still in my arms- his back to me, but his whole body flushed to mine, curled directly against mine under this bedcover.

I tried not to wake him as my arms wrapped around him even tighter, one tucked under the curve of his neck but above the pillow we were sharing, while the other was draped over his bare midsection. We were still both naked, cuddled up as close as humanly possible, and feeling his bare skin made me just about feral.

Yesterday had been a long one. From waking up at the crack of dawn for Fight Club to getting home from the restaurant and the ride around the city at like 10:30 PM… Ryk honestly deserved every bit of rest. Hell, I’d argue we both earned it.

… Especially after last night- the reason why my duvet was now fucked, and we hadn’t bothered with clothes before knocking out.

Jesus , last night had just about obliterated any experience I had ever had. Sexual. Intimate. Emotional. It dropped a fatass nuke on all of it.

I had also never been more terrified in my entire life, either. Can’t remember the last time I felt like I was truly fucking tested like that. Challenged.

At first, I genuinely had no idea if Ryk would even like it…

Sex with me.

There wasn’t any pressure for us to do it, at least not on my part, but I knew he really wanted to. Hell, so did I, but I tried not to make him feel like we had to. It was just… I wasn’t sure how to promise him it wouldn’t hurt at all, and that was why I couldn’t. Why I didn’t .

Fuck, I was so fucking worried he wouldn’t-… that I’d accidentally hurt him regardless of how gentle I was, or trigger a shitty memory for him, which I knew would fuck up what I was trying to do by showing him sex wouldn’t be like that with us. And it wouldn’t be something so shallow between us, either.

Instead, I did my best to adjust his body first. I kissed my way down him from his lips to his chest, slowly reaching my right hand lower for his cock to help him find a little release before we really started. I didn’t want him to refrain from telling me to stop just because it had been a while since I made him cum last…

But Ryk didn’t shy away from letting me know he still wanted this.

Even after he came in my fucking hand, his perfect body shaking with pleasure below mine…

The look in his hungry eyes as his body worked to regulate his breathing again said he wanted this even more than before, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell him no.

But fucking hell, was my heartbeat an absolute goddamn mess as I configured a game plan.

And for those moments, while I thought of the best way to stretch him out, I had decided it also best to completely ignore how fucking turned on I was. Especially after hearing Ryk find that first release for the night- the way he groaned out my name as his back arched off that bed below us, and he sank those nails into the skin at my shoulders.

I’d been doing pretty well, too. Ignoring my own aching fucking needs while I had reached over for the coconut oil… but returning to this beautiful fucker, kneeling right between his spread, bent, and shaky legs… that shit had me rock fucking solid, throbbing like hell, and regretting now having rubbed one out in the restaurant bathroom or some shit.

Only thing that kept my body somewhat grounded was the fact that I couldn’t put this dick anywhere near his entrance until I stretched him out a bit. He needed to feel comfortable with something more than just a finger or two, even if he swore he could handle it. I’d refused to fuck this up.

And to help with that, I had Ryk grab a pillow and place it under his lower back. This was to help make him more comfortable, and it also helped with the fact that I was taller. The angle would’ve been a hell of a lot better for when I replaced my fingers with my cock.

Then, while coating my fingers with more than enough coconut oil, I made a pretty solid game plan to try distracting him from some of the discomfort. At this point, we both needed a fucking distraction because I was overthinking and overthinking had started to psych me out.

I set the jar to the side, climbed right back over him, and lowered myself to kiss Ryk- kiss him the way he liked to be kissed. Sensual and deep . It was the way he deserved to fucking be kissed- no pulling away like I had to do for most of the day, and no half-assing it anymore in the interest of time or some bullshit.

The admission was already out there, anyway, officially uttered into the universe, but for his ears only last night.

…That I was in love with him.

So it was probably time he understood exactly what that admission meant for me.

My fingers had worked slow to ease into him, but Ryk didn’t seem to mind- or even notice. Instead, he kissed me with just as much tender sensualness. I could still feel our kisses even now, the morning after, with Ryk knocked the complete fuck out in my arms. I could still feel his lips on mine, the way they were last night.

I could still feel the moment he broke that kiss. How he asked for more, driving the last of my sanity right out of my mind. His tight walls around my three fingers stretching inside him should’ve been enough to make me fucking lose it, but him breaking that kiss, and the way he looked at me when I asked- questioned whether he was sure…

That shit almost made me cum then and there.

Whatever half-assed attempt I first made to see if I could stretch him out just a bit longer went right out the fucking window by his answer. So I agreed. I carefully slipped my fingers out of him and promised him I’d go slow. Definitely took a sec to gather my fucking bearings, just imagining how slow a process it would actually be to ease myself inside his tight entrance, but I still got it together, sat up, and reached for a hell of a lot more coconut oil.

Ryk’s entrance was already completely oiled up, yet I still didn’t feel confident enough to take any fucking chances and lathered the oil all over my dick. Only issue was how unintentionally close I came to fucking coming in my hand when my eyes rather greedily took in the sight of Ryk underneath me.

He was working on his breathing. Hell, we both were. That kiss had left us breathless, and my cock getting any attention after it had just about sent my body to the gallows.

I was still taken aback just thinking about how close I had almost came from nothing but my hand and how utterly breathtaking Ryk looked. When I felt that jolt of pleasure, I had to slow my strokes, and the look in Ryk’s eyes as he reached his breaking point, snapping at me to bring myself back to him… he didn’t have to fucking tell me twice.

The pep talks I had given myself as I hovered over this beautiful shithead last night were actually insane.

Don’t hurt him. Don’t rush this. Don’t cum too fast.

All three of these instructions to myself were on a constant repeat inside my head. Which meant I was a bit thrown off when Ryk had told me to wait. Obviously, we would’ve stopped any time he wanted. And Ryk knew that.

…I just didn’t expect him to stop us so he could jumble through an admission of his own.

…That he was in love with me, too.

It was so unexpected because I had told him that I was in love with him without expecting him to say it back. And he hadn’t then. I just felt like I needed to say it when I did, before we took things any further. I wanted him to know how I genuinely felt, and I needed to put it into words before we continued and he made it impossible to say anything at all.

But Ryk admitting he just forgot to say it back threw me so fucking off that I almost cackled directly in his face, with mine just inches away from his. It was something so fucking bizarre, I’m sure any normal person would feel that the sexual tension was cut… but that shit just made my dick twitch, and I had to shift my cock away from his entrance a bit to not let my growing need influence the whole pep talk I just gave myself.

Ryk seemed a bit embarrassed, yet I blew right by it because I found it too fucking cute. I knew that if I called him cute, he’d catch an attitude, so instead I checked in and made sure whether or not this adorable bastard actually wanted to keep going. Once he very quickly made it very clear he didn’t want to stop, I gave him a little more assurance that I’d go slow, and if he didn’t like it, we’d switch.

Bottoming wasn’t necessarily my thing, but I wanted this with Ryk- this closeness . I craved this kind of intimacy with him that it honestly felt like it was shifting my entire perspective on what sex was, and what it meant between two people who more than just liked each other. Because of that, I was more than willing to pivot.

Ryk seemed to relax more from that assurance as well. It made me feel comfortable enough to start the very slow process of entering him, all while watching his gorgeous face intently for any sign of discomfort whatsoever.

Only issue was that I didn’t realize just how fucking tight Ryk was.

My body had stiffened immediately at the feeling. I mean, I immediately started trying to walk my all too responsive body down from losing fucking control when my tip had barely made it in.

Fuck, and the way Ryk looked-

Like fucking hell… I had told him to keep his eyes on me so I could make sure I wasn’t hurting him… but then that proved to be a fucking trainwreck of an idea because those beautiful fucking eyes were gazing directly into mine as his body slowly adjusted to my cock, and it took fucking nothing to feel how tense my muscles were forced to get, demanding I don’t lose control.

I first kept my right hand down between his legs, directing my cock inside, but also trying to squeeze my base to try stopping myself from coming. When I realized that wasn’t doing jack shit, I moved my hand to the bedcover.

I’m pretty sure Ryk had asked me if I was okay around then, because at that point I was breaking a sweat trying to stop myself from coming inside him this goddamn soon, all while slowly pushing more of my dick in him… and I was going to honestly ask for a quick break once I felt my control slipping- when I felt that tense build-up…

But then Ryk started to move a little, and that shit was my final straw.

My hand shot from the fabric right to his fucking hip, making sure he kept still, yet my body was already reacting, and I had no way of stopping myself from coming.

Just like the absolute demon this fucker was, he had wrapped his legs tight around my waist, refusing to let me pull out while I struggled through that intense orgasm. It felt like someone was taking a sledgehammer to every nerve ending I had, zapping my brain of all thoughts still worth a damn.

And no part of my cock went even remotely soft after that, even though I was damn near screaming at my body to. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to keep going- it was just that my control had gone to shit after that first orgasm that I didn’t trust myself to keep going.

Ryk wasn’t having it, though. When I finally opened my eyes to look down at him, I knew for damn sure that we weren’t stopping. The sharpness in his rough, raspy voice when he all but demanded that we keep going just secured that we weren’t stopping. That he’d probably poison me in my sleep if I tried to stop us then and there.

So the best I had was to lower myself, resting my forehead on his a moment in an attempt to force my body to handle it and bring this home for him without hurting him, then I promised I’d do my best to be gentle before we continued…

…Even if my body was fucking trembling , wanting nothing more than to get to the thrusts- to feel his walls tighten around all of me.

My mind was screaming as the only voice of reason available, reminding me that we couldn’t do that. We were going to be gentle, even if it took my heart out.

Ryk’s moans and deep groans while I started pushing myself in more would’ve been enough to induce a heart attack, but his heavier breaths were what forced me to capture his lips again.

I wanted to hear him at full volume any other fucking night but tonight.

Not tonight.

Tonight, I truly needed him to shut the fuck up so I could focus on being as gentle as possible.

Literally the only fucking downside to kissing Ryk was that it turned me on just as fucking badly, and feeling this fucker’s legs tighten further, forcing me in deeper while I tried to work out what pace could be the slowest to take without my willpower snapping in half, was just hell. Pure fucking hell.

And that was when I did lose it. The way his moans grew against my lips… then the way they quickly turned to sinful whimpers as my pace gradually picked up.

I’d fucking lost my cool, and Ryk unexpectedly coming again made everything take a goddamn nosedive .

I could feel the pulsation of his intense pleasure suffocating my dick, and my body responded before my mind could tell me to stop- to pull out. To fucking do something

anything other than start to thrust inside him harder. Deeper .

The only thing I managed to do was let go of his hip before I hurt him, and reach for the bedcover again… but my grip there turned fucking lethal with these continuous thrusts into him, and I felt my hand shift slightly as I ripped the fabric open while just trying to get a balance.

I tried saying his name through a kiss that was nothing shy of all fucking consuming, hoping I could ask if I was hurting him- this wasn’t exactly the gentle I had in mind when we fucking started, but feeling his hands slip from my hair to my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin again as his body squirmed, meeting more of my thrusts…

My vision cut out around that point, along with all rational thinking for the remainder of the night.

I had no control over my body. I lost every last bit of decorum as soon as Ryk’s slowly building next orgasm cut through him again, and I didn’t know if one would call this flow state, but my thrusts were angled just right to make sure I brushed against that bundle of nerves inside him every single fucking time.

This space was easily filled with shallow, laboured breaths, thick, throaty groans, weak, muffled whimpers, and skin slapping against skin while I made damn certain his orgasm took the last of his energy, feeling his cum coat his and my own stomach this time, then his legs gently slipping from my back before falling to my sides.

I didn’t even fight it after that- the way my body begged for this.

I came deep inside him instead, breaking up our mess of a kiss to experience the most intense fucking orgasm of my entire existence.

Every single joint and nerve inside me felt like they’d been put into a boiler room. Somehow, I was sweating like all hell and shivering at the exact same time, heat and chills running both up and down my entire body. Whatever sounds I was making made Ryk tremble below me, but every bit of energy had been zapped from my reservoir. All I could focus on was not crushing him.

Instead, my head fell forward, and I tucked it into Ryk’s neck, trying to regain some of my blotchy vision. My ears were still ringing, and my body kept tensing- jolting from the havoc that pleasure wreaked on whatever still worked.

I had never, and I truly mean never , felt anything like that before. It was the type of shit you thought poor actors tried to convey on shitty porn-esque movies and shows. Raw intimacy and unimaginable pleasure.

I’d never understood the crying during sex thing. Never got the intense longing in one’s eyes. Surely thought the ‘I love you’ shit right after was corny as fuck, which is partially also why I told Ryk I was in love with him before we finally had sex last night.

And lastly, I always viewed it as what it was.

Sex.

Wasn’t till last night when I shattered my view of a few of those things.

When I understood what the term making love might have actually meant.

And since the term wasn’t ‘making in love’ or some shit like that, I decided I’d let Ryk know how I truly felt. What this… being this intimate, even though intimate felt like such a child’s play word for what he and I were with each other… this was more than just sex. And I was more than just in love.

Downside to it was that I was still a bit too in my head to admit it this early. At least not in a language he’d understand.

“Ryk?” I asked, feeling him stir a bit in my arms this early morning. His legs were squirming a little, but after having just walked myself through every last single detail about last night with him, I had to shift my lower half the farthest the fuck away because I was already hard as hell and it wasn’t time for him to wake up yet.

We also couldn’t do it again this morning.

I still needed to make sure he was alright after I lost control like that last night.

“Hmm?” He more or less moaned, shifting his legs again under this bedcover. Neither of us had bothered to do much of anything after I had eased my dick out of him last night considering Ryk was already half asleep by the time I tucked us in, and I didn’t fight him on it.

“Stop fucking moving,” I murmured, shifting a bit lower so I could nuzzle my nose into the back of his head, instead of having my chin rest right on top of it. Ryk moaned again, shifting his legs once more, and when he started to back his ass up again, that forced my right arm to move from his midsection to grab hold of his right hip, stilling him. “ Ryk ,“ I then warned, yet this time closer to his right ear.

His body shivered in my hold almost immediately.

But then this fucker reached back for my hand that was on his hip, rather suddenly, and yanked it forward so I could hold him by his lower stomach instead. It forced my hands to brush against something slick in the process, which made us both inhale hard as hell.

I was way too turned on for this shit.

His breaths grew heavier when I placed a bit more pressure on his lower stomach, unable to stop myself from pulling him in a little closer to me.

“You want me to-” I started mumbling, lifting my head more to whisper near his right lobe, but Ryk nodded his head right against mine, and I didn’t bother finishing that ask. Instead, I just chuckled, unable to mask how rough it sounded.

Then I slowly glided my hand down to feel his stiff cock, adoring how fucking sensitive he was to me with every single shiver that ran through his perfect, warm body, from his skin to his bones.

We’re not having sex , I reminded myself once I started stroking him.

We’re not fucking doing it, Mickey.

Seriously .

We’re not fucking-

“M-Mickey-” Ryk’s rough voice whispered through a throaty moan, reaching his hand behind him to quite literally grab my throbbing dick, and I just about started to choke on air, trying not to squeeze the hell out of his cock.

“R-R-” I tried getting out, yet this goddamn nympho used the fact that I had zero hands free right now, to press his perfect ass up against the tip of me. I let go of his cock in an attempt to hold his hips away, but his frustrated groan was about as raw and as pissed off as it got.

Then he turned his head back towards me and muttered quickly, “You said-…. You said I wouldn’t have to beg.”

…

Damnit.

Damnit.

Damnitdamnitdamnit, this fucking mother fu-

“Please?” He whispered, those large, doe-like eyes shifting to look at me as I withdrew my left arm just a bit so my forearm was still tucked under the curve of his neck, but I could prop myself up on the pillow we shared with my elbow.

He was looking right back up at me now, all while I was trying to figure out how the fuck I was going to do this shit.

“I…” I started, closing my eyes a sec to think because I couldn’t do that while this absolute fucker was looking at me like this. “Let me-… Let me stretch-”

“No,” Ryk whispered back. “I want it now.”

Jesus fucking Christ.

“Are you… does it-.. are you in pain at a-”

“No,” Ryk whispered back yet again, and this time I had to open my eyes to look down at him. His eyes were dead fucking serious about that. “I… I want it-… you .”

Jesus fuck

“Let me grab the oil-”

“No,” Ryk shook his head yet again. Then he backed himself up more, letting go of my cock to pull his ass cheek apart a bit, and when my hand finally left his hip to feel that part of him, I could feel exactly how fucking slick he was down here, the oil and probably my cum still pooled right around his entrance, simply reminding me of everything we’d done the night before.

I couldn’t help but slowly close my eyes again.

Hold it together, Mickey.

Hold it the fuck together, Mickey, hold the line-

“Just the tip,” I whispered finally. And just because I felt another ‘no’ coming from this hellish demon, I added a, “I’m serious, Ryk,” then opened my eyes again just in time for Ryk to nod up at me.

It was enough for my hand to slowly slip away from his slick entrance, and I shifted just a bit lower, using the same hand to angle my cock. Ryk didn’t move that hand of his, though. He kept his ass spread for me, making it easier to find his entrance before I returned my hand to his own cock in hopes that whatever discomfort he clearly wasn’t giving a shit about this morning would be soothed over by pleasure.

And I didn’t give a damn how badly he wanted this- me

• I still went very fucking slow while I started stroking his length.

Just pressing against his hole was making my whole body beg for release, but I couldn’t cum that quick again. The real issue was that Ryk’s head tipped back a little right next to mine, squeezing his eyes shut in the process as he started to moan. His left hand pressed up against the bedcover that was pulled over us, and I watched as it bunched up the fabric from underneath.

Shit, he looked too fucking good like this- sounded too fucking unreal.

The cover wasn’t pulled up high enough to mask the beginning of his chest, and very quickly, this fucker was breathing just as hard as I was. His tightness felt like heaven and fucking hell all at once, my mind insisting I show some control. That I don’t take things too far, even though I felt myself slipping as Ryk’s face got tighter with each stroke, all while I pushed myself in deeper.

I had meant to use just the tip.

I genuinely had…

But Ryk’s ass just-

I… I found myself doing one absolute trash job of showing I had even a shred of discipline when I pushed in just a bit more than what would be considered the fucking tip, groaning roughly as his tight walls sucked me in.

My left hand gripped the shit out of the edge of the pillow Ryk and I shared, and god, I almost snapped my fingers off when the fucker started to push back onto me, releasing a moan so broken I shut my eyes a second and completely stilled my body.

“R-Ryk-” I tried to reason with this devil.

“ P-Please -“ he gasped out. “ Please d-don’t stop- Mickey, you- … shit, you feel so fucking -“

Jesus fucking fuck-

I didn’t even have words anymore. My body just did what he wanted- what he was begging me for , and pushed myself in slowly, a bit deeper, all while the sounds Ryk made forced me to release the death grip I had on the pillow, and gently nudge the left side of Ryk’s face to turn it more so I could promptly bring my lips to his.

I missed the head nods from this fucker, I really did.

Instead, all I could do was try to silence whatever I could with this kiss, slowing my pace on his cock while I started to thrust in then out. His body was shockingly the most relaxed to this- his muscles weren’t resisting, only squeezing my length, making my orgasm fucking inevitable .

The thought of slowing this had crossed my mind in hopes that would prolong me coming, yet Ryk started moving those hips again, groaning into this wet kiss, and I couldn’t do it anymore. I made those thrusts deeper and harder, stroking his length faster in hopes he’d at least cum before I did…

But no fucking dice.

My mind was screaming at my hips to slow down, but my body moved without its reason, drowning in the sound of Ryk’s more desperate cries into this kiss. “ H-Harder -“ He fucking pleaded, and I squeezed my eyes so damn hard, I thought this darkness might’ve been permanent from the damage I caused as I came deep inside Ryk, pumping my fucking load into his tight, slick warmth.

His body started to spasm a little in my hold, but my arms refused to release him as I continued my desperate thrusts, forcing an orgasm from him not even a moment later when he finally had to break this devouring kiss to cry out.

Neither of us sounded even remotely put together- I mean, even with this bedcover pulled over both of us, the heat pooling right under it, our bodies shivered from that fucking intensity. I was gentle with slipping my cock out of him- I had to slip it out because I hadn’t gone soft, but there was no fucking way we were doing more.

Ryk needed the rest.

I probably needed a physical.

So when I felt him lazily turn himself around, snuggling his way deep into the front of my slightly sweaty body after I shifted up a bit more on the pillow, with both his arms curled against his chest, then buried his face right under my chin, directly into my upper chest… I welcomed the hell out of this with a light chuckle.

He was so fucking adorable , but I held my tongue as he tried to stabilize his breathing. Instead, I placed a soft kiss on the top of his head, into his soft curls, while my right arm held him against me tight.

Then we both easily fell back asleep… but I lingered awake just a little longer to hear his breaths slow first.

He didn’t know it yet, but in about two hours, he was going to hate my guts when I woke him up and reminded him of the plans he very much still had with Eve.

••

Now I couldn’t find the exact photo I was picturing for Mr. Hydran (Ryk and Mickey’s soon to be child/pet snake) but this one is close!

82. Bed Then Breakfast

Sorry for the wait, just been powering through final edits on Eyes Like The Sky in hopes of having the new edition out by the end of the week!

Enjoy, lovelies!

(It’s a long one)

xoxo

I woke up to a bright, warm light from the window behind me… and an empty bed.

What the fuck … was the very first thing I thought when I couldn’t feel a large warm body all around me, suffocating me just like I liked it.

Instead, while my eyes adjusted to the daylight, there was a note in place of where Mickey should’ve been when I half-assedly reached over the bedcover I was tucked in, with my left hand, to feel for him.

“ Mickey ,“ I groaned out, still drowsy, but with enough energy to bring the half page of notebook paper closer to my face so I could read it said.

Went to run an errand. Take the pills on the bedside table and stay your ass in bed till I’m back.

I’m fucking serious, Ryk.

Stay. Your. Ass. In. Bed.

My initial feeling was straight irritation… until I remembered a few things.

Like how I’d already made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t get pissed at Mickey for doing what he needed to when he needed to when it came to his work.

Then the slightest ache in my ass reminded me of the fact that this wasn’t actually the first time I’d woken up this morning.

And that shit alone had me set the note back down on the bed, my face red as all hell when I remembered the complete whore I woke up as- the shameless horniness I felt… and exactly what I begged for when my half-asleep self couldn’t take feeling him getting hard right up against my lower back at god knows what time that was.

“ Jesus, Ryk ,“ I muttered to myself before I slowly rolled over on my left side and noticed two pills placed in a small silver sauce cup, as well as a glass of water right next to it. The glass of water already had droplets dripping down the outer sides from how chilled the liquid was, leading me to believe it had probably been here for a little while, but I had no clue what the time was.

Mickey had successfully put me right the fuck back to bed after that round, and I definitely didn’t hear when he left.

My phone was still in my pants, and those were… somewhere.

I just slowly sat myself up a little on this matress, and reached for the pills to throw back, then set that little sauce cup down and grabbed the glass of water next.

My ass was a bit sore, but nothing near the pain I had felt when I usually woke up the morning after. Also felt real fucking good waking up without that shitty pain and a hangover, like I was used to. Plus, how good it felt with Mickey outweighed any bit of discomfort I had, which had me thinking I’d be fine to get up and take a shower since I still felt the mess down there between my legs…

Until I heard a familiar rumbling of an even more familiar bike nearby. That shit had me slipping back under the covers fast as fuck, not wanting to piss Mickey off by going against his very, very direct orders on that slip of notebook paper.

He’d even underlined the stay in bed part.

So I did as he demanded, listening to his bike pull into the lot as the garage door started opening for this warehouse. There was no doubt now that I was knocked the hell out after we first woke up this morning because I definitely didn’t hear the garage open before he left. Or his bike.

At first, I was going to call out to him after I heard him park his bike inside and kill his engine… but then pretty much every single detail about last night and this morning came rushing back to me, and my embarrassed self quickly shut my eyes, turning to my right side so I could pretend to still be sleep.

Mickey didn’t call out to me or anything. Instead, I heard footsteps moving across the warehouse floor and heading up the metal stairs, then I heard him kick off his shoes once he reached this level, probably switching them out for slippers.

“I know you’re up, Ryk,” Mickey said softly from somewhere near the foot of the bed. There was also a sound of a plastic bag or something rustling when it was tossed gently onto the bed, but I didn’t feel the mattress move or anything. Just more shuffling of feet.

And I decided I could probably fake sleeping a little bit longer.

“Should be wide awake by now. Those pills were Addies.”

That made my eyes snap open. “What?” I asked, sitting up fast as fuck to focus on this baker who was picking up the clothes we had pretty much ripped off each other the night before.

Mickey just as quickly started chuckling. “Kidding. Pain killers. Now lie back down.”

My eyes narrowed at this fucker still chuckling, but I had to look away once he caught my gaze with his own. His eyes were too warm, and I was supposed to be pissed at him right now for fucking with me like that. I think.

Now, just by looking at him, I wanted him to get back into this bed asap and put these pain killers to the test.

“Did you finish your errand?” I asked him instead to distract myself while he neatly folded our clothes and placed them on the corner of the bed near the white plastic bag.

I hadn’t meant to sound irritated, especially because I just fucking promised myself I wouldn’t be when I knew he had things to take care of, but it sort of came out that way still, which made Mickey look up at me from where he stood at the edge of the bed.

It looked like he had changed into a grey shirt and some navy blue joggers before he left, and that only added to my ridiculous irritation because I wanted him naked again.

“Yeah,” he nodded, but grabbed the plastic bag and started to walk around the bed to the side he should’ve been lying down at when I woke up a few minutes ago if he didn’t have a work call. Then he pulled the deep red bedcover back, climbed into bed, and leaned down to place a soft kiss on my forehead, whispering against my skin, “Sorry I left, Ryk,” and making this whole pissed at him thing reach difficulty level: impossible.

“It’s… okay,” I whispered back as my eyes glanced up at him while he pulled away, watching him shift himself up until he was leaning back against the headboard, right next to me, with the plastic bag in his hands.

“Just ran to the drug store in town. Wanted to pick up some cream to help soothe any pain,” he explained, and he was saying all this while he started rummaging through the plastic bag to pull out a tube of cream.

Safe to say I felt like a complete fucking asshole after that. My body pulled itself into a sitting position, absolutely ignoring the slight discomfort, to lean up and place a soft kiss on his left cheek while he quickly scanned over the back label. “…Sorry,” I mumbled, ashamed of my shitty attitude. “And… thank you.”

Mickey turned his head in my direction. Those warm eyes and charming smile made me just about melt into nothing. He first turned to set the cream, the note, and the plastic bag on his bedside table, then turned right back to me. I was just about to reach up and pull him down for a kiss, but he said something that distracted me.

“Get back under the covers.”

Safe to say I was slightly confused, but he was already shifting under the covers himself, so I just did what he did, letting out the slightest yelp when I felt this fucker turn onto his side and wrap an arm around my waist, pulling me into the front of him before I could fully lie all the way back down.

My right arm curled up between his chest and mine, but my left instinctively wrapped around his waist as my chin tilted up to him.

I could feel his left arm right under the side of my neck, and he must’ve bent it because his fingers gently slipped into my curls, massaging my scalp at the back of my head which felt good enough to damn near moan.

“Close those eyes,” he instructed.

…Were we going back to sleep or some shit?

I mean, I was never one to say no to sleeping more, but there was just something about this place that kept me up while I was up. Regardless, though, this shithead felt too good not to do whatever he was telling me to, so I slowly closed my eyes.

“Wait five seconds, then open them again,” he whispered.

Alright, that shit definitely had me confused.

For a second, I was trying to figure out whether he had some sort of surprise I just forgot about or some shit, but Mickey shut me up by saying, “Just do it, Ryk.”

So… I did. I gave myself a mental countdown from five, enjoying the way his fingers tangled into curls that must’ve looked wild right now, then slowly opened my eyes back up to him again. And I was met with those sharp, intense, yet warm eyes looking right back down at me.

“ Joh-eun achim nae salang … Good morning, Ryk… Jal jasseo? Did you sleep well?“

My face got as hot as it may have ever been, hearing that deep voice in that beautiful accent of his as his fingers tangled themselves deeper. Feeling his soft, calm breathing fan my face a little past his nose, which only added to the heat now spreading from my face, down. Pretty sure this was when words should’ve come out… but all I managed was a nod, and a pitiful, “…mhm.”

He smiled down at me, keeping his face just inches away. “Good. Now replace the shitty memory of how you woke up without me this morning, with this one. I won’t do some fuck shit like that- leave like that without telling you- ever again.”

My arm tightened around his waist, enjoying the feel of this soft cotton shirt he was wearing, beneath my skin, as I just nodded again. Words had definitely fucked off by now. I didn’t even know what I could say without sounding like a flustered idiot.

“Was… was last night-… was it okay?”

I gently nodded, seeing just a slight bit of worry pass through those dark eyes.

“And this morning, was- was that-”

I nodded quick as fuck at that shit, and Mickey breathed in deep before releasing a soft chuckle. His arm pulled me in even tighter right along with it. Then the hand slipped into my hair tugged my head back just a little, and he closed his eyes, tilting his head down to steal a soft, tender kiss.

I had made the quick decision that we were going another round, right here, right now, but then this fuckface just had to pull those perfect lips away again, and my rather displeased groan rumbled past me before I could stop it. This shit was going to put me in a mental hospital if he kept it up.

“Good,” I heard him whisper as my eyes opened up to his again.

That beautiful face of his was the only thing stopping me from pinning him down right now, I swear to god.

“We’ll talk about what you liked and what you didn’t, later today. Pain killers’ll kick in soon, and when they do, go take a shower. I’m heading down to make some coffee, then I’ll apply the cream after, before we gotta head out… only have about an hour and a half to get to your place, then mine, since Eve’s expecting you at 10 and it’s a little after 8:15 AM now.”

…Shit.

Shit .

I’d completely forgotten about the library- the plans we still had.

“Think you should wear this one,” Mickey held up a beige tutleneck sweater with a hand he stuck out of his walk-in closet.

We’d just barely made it to his flat in time to change when Xavier called him to let him know he’d be here in 30.

Because of how quickly I shot up to my apartment to grab my school shit and some extra clothes once we arrived there, I didn’t really pack all that well, and us being a bit behind as a whole was actually the reason why Mickey stayed outside near his bike, waiting for me to rush everything down from The Brookside.

Thankfully, I made the right choice Friday night to leave everything I had bought as a surprise for Mickey today, in my car. Otherwise, I would’ve been fucked trying to hide some stuff from him as he watched me sprint to my car with my backpack and duffel bag in hand.

Once I gave him a quick wave, he and I were off in the direction of his home.

And today was another beautiful day out. I enjoyed a cigarette with my windows rolled down- taking my time to savor Mickey’s preferred brand- while following closely behind this baker on his bike. I half expected him to cut in and out of the little bit of traffic we hit, but he stayed right in front of my car, not rushing or anything, even though we probably should’ve been.

Time definitely wasn’t on our side as this damn baker tried to decide what I should wear for my day with Eve.

“It’s just breakfast and the library,” I tried to remind him. “And I don’t like turtlenecks, remember?”

Right now, I was wearing the massive hoodie he had me change into at the warehouse, along with the jeans I quickly threw on at my place since I had to wear the pants from dinner on the ride there- the only pants at the warehouse that actually fit me.

Xavier first dropped by CiCi’s to grab the clothes and sneakers I left last night before dinner with Mickey, so I could change into the sneakers once he got here.

Which was going to be in literally less than ten minutes now.

But Mickey wanted me to wear something else that fit me better, yet was still his. He insisted on it even after I explained that I had a more fitted hoodie in the duffel bag I brought up here from my car, along with my school bag.

“Fine,” this insistent fucker sighed, retracting that muscular arm back into his closet to find me something else.

I, on the other hand, was trying to plan out how my surprise for this shithead would work. It would have to be after the library, but I was hoping I wasn’t messing up whatever plans he had for us. He didn’t mention any more surprises, yet who really knew when it came to this fucker.

“This one,” I heard him say, and looked up from where I was sitting at the edge of his bed just in time to see Mickey stick his arm out again. It only took about a fraction of a second before I told him no.

“I’m not wearing a sweater vest.”

“With this,” he added, sticking out another shirt, which was a light brown, almost beige button-down shirt to match the deep brown sweater vest.

“Still a no,” I shook my head firmly like he could see it from his walk-in closet.

Mickey sighed, but retracted those muscular arms along with the clothing I’d sooner die than wear.

At this point, I just kept my head turned towards the closet entrance because he was wasting too much fucking time with this. I’d call it bullshit on principle if anyone asked, but his commitment to wasting time on this still made me all mushy inside, and after the last 24 hours we had together, I was literally just letting him do whatever the fuck he wanted.

Our first time having sex together last night… then our second time early this morning had me fine with just about everything he did. But the shower we took together and the care he put in placing that cream around, well, that area- the rim of my entrance…

Yeah, if he wanted to cycle through his entire wardrobe right now, I’d sit here and let him.

“Alright, these two,” this baker suggested next. He held up the same button-down, but this time there was a chocolate-colored, knitted cardigan to match it.

Truth be told, I don’t think I’d ever worn a cardigan before, but because of the time, I muttered out a “fine,” and Mickey emerged a second later, wearing his casual black t-shirt and some black Nike joggers, to toss both articles of clothing on his bed. I stood, already pulling off my hoodie so I could quickly change.

Mickey’s phone started ringing again in his front pocket, so he dug it out while I grabbed the button-down shirt off his bed, and he added, “Leave a few buttons at the top unbuttoned,” before picking up the call with a, “Hey X.” Then he headed towards the kitchen next.

Still didn’t understand why this was so serious- what I wore today- but after buttoning up a few buttons and ripping off the tag this shirt still had, I found myself fucking with how soft the thick cardigan was.

The whole fit was surprisingly comfortable. It went with the black jeans I was wearing, but my train of thought was interrupted by the sound of Mickey’s front door opening mere seconds after I finished getting dressed.

“X is here, Ryk! Time to get a move on,” the baker called, so I did a quick check for the keys, wallet, and phone that were in my pockets, and made my way over towards Mickey’s front entryway to greet the big guy.

“Looks like the night ended well,” Xavier said once the call he took with Eve was finished, and he pulled us out of Mickey’s visitor parking space. Judging by whatever bits of conversation I heard while X was on the phone as he led us out of Mickey’s apartment, Eve was already waiting for us at hers.

“Yeah,” I mumbled, trying to distract myself by how fucking insane Xavier’s interior was for his Mustang, admiring it while I sat in the passenger seat. And I noticed immediately that he hadn’t lied to Mori that night about custom floors in here. He had custom seats installed, too.

“Good. Few things with Eve, so listen up, Ryk.” That got my attention. “She’ll have questions bout last night. Answer them or don’t, she’ll live either way.”

“…Questions?”

“Yeah,” Xavier nodded, “bout you and Mickey’s first time.”

My head whipped over at him in the driver’s seat like he’d just told me he was about to crash this car or some shit.

“We… didn’t-”

“All over your face,” this big guy shrugged. “And Mickey’s. Definitely Mickey’s. Other thing to note,” he continued, just breezing right the hell past that like he didn’t just drop a war-ending bomb on me. “Don’t let her rope you into drinking if you’re not feeling it.”

…And all that left me with was even more fucking questions. Such as, “Aren’t we going to a library?”

Xavier just shrugged again. “Never stopped her before.”

I was absolutely about to follow that shit up with even more questions, but this big guy’s phone started ringing again, and I was unfortunately left with my thoughts while he picked up, sped across town, and headed towards Eve’s.

There was no way Xavier could just… tell… right?

I mean, Mickey was a bit more touchy while we showered then got dressed to leave the warehouse, but as soon as we reached his flat, he’d been pretty preoccupied.

Xavier had mentioned he’d be heading back there to Mickey’s to join the baker for some work while I was busy switching out of the plush house shoes for sneakers at Mickey’s entryway, so I guess they were both a bit busy today.

And while I could feel the obvious shift between us- me wanting to get that baker back in bed as soon as possible- I thought I toned it down a little once Xavier arrived.

Guess not.

I’d gotten so spacey, I barely realized this sexy ass car had slowed until Xavier spoke to me again. “Need anything before I pick you up later?”

That forced my attention to this big guy and our surroundings. He was pulling into the lot of an apartment building I somewhat recognized. It was definitely only a street or two over from the cafe. And at first I was going to shake my head no, but then I thought about it a sec.

“You cool if you and I stop by a grocery store on the way back to Mickey’s?”

Xavier slowly nodded. “Sure. What for? Mickey’s fridge is pretty stocked for today.”

“Shit,” I mumbled more to myself. Yeah, he’d definitely had something planned. “I, uh… well, I wanted to make something- like cook something for him this time. A surprise.”

“That’s nice. You any good?”

Great fucking question.

“Guess we’ll see,” I half-joked. But Xavier just chuckled before throwing his Mustang into park.

“Sounds like a plan. Now come on, Eve’s jogging down those front steps already.”

And I looked over through the windshield where Xavier pointed with his chin. Sure enough, a tall, green-haired woman in fitted deep blue jeans, a white V-neck shirt, and a deep grey cardigan was jogging down steps with a canvas tote bag strapped over her right shoulder, heading in the direction of this car.

She had a wide grin on her face, which seemed to help with my stupid nerves a little.

“Sorry for running late,” I told Eve right after Xavier gave her a quick kiss goodbye, shot me a ‘good luck,’ and sped back to his car. That left Eve taking the lead, still keeping a comfortable distance from me as she walked us towards the breakfast spot she had in mind.

I sorta regretted not thinking to bring some cigarettes on this little adventure since it was so gorgeous out today, but I told myself it was probably a good thing.

That pack was too expensive to chain smoke like I wanted to. 

“Fashionably late,” Eve replied as she turned her head over, then down to me. “And fashionable you are. You look nice.”

I glanced down at my outfit. Today definitely had a slight chill to it, but this cardigan was keeping me warm. Also smelled like Mickey, which was an obvious plus.

“Thanks. Mickey talked me into his clothes. Minus the jeans.”

“Looks like he’s mastered talking you outta them,” Eve replied, sending me a wink, but before I could even begin to figure out how the hell I’d answer that shit, this tall woman was already leading us toward a glass door for a cafe-style place. My mind was still shot from her slick comment; I didn’t even notice the name of the place as we headed inside.

My feet felt like they were on autopilot, just following her toward a small, two-seater table near the front window of this modern-looking place. She gestured for me to take a seat on one of the leather seats, then set her bag down on the windowsill, and took a seat herself, right across from me.

“Anticipation’s killing me. How was it?” She asked before I even got a second to look at one of the menus that were already on all the empty tables. There was also a small notepad and a pencil to accompany them. It wasn’t too crowded in here, either, which was nice. Only about six other people. The vibe actually felt pretty easygoing, with a barista working behind the counter and not a single waiter in sight.

“Was… what?” I asked her, but picked up the menu to busy myself.

“The sex,” Eve said all matter-of-factly as she picked up the second menu. “Xavie told me.”

My eyes snapped up at her fast as hell. “He-… he what? When did he-”

“Not those exact words,” Eve clarified. “Or… words at all. Just the look in his eye telling me to behave.”

“…Oh… okay…” I slowly nodded.

“So?” She then continued, but reached for the notepad and pencil first to jot a few things down on it.

“Um… it was… good,” I sorta settled on. Shit, I sounded way too fucking awkward.

“Just good?” She asked suddenly, whipping her head up to look at me from across the small wooden table.

“No,” I shook my head, and glanced right back down at the menu so I could figure out what the hell to say. I couldn’t necessarily tell her it was the best fucking experience of my entire life because that was way too fucking detailed, so instead, I went with, “Perfect.”

But when I looked up, Eve had set the pencil down and had lifted her phone, snapping a quick photo of me.

“Uh…” I started, not sure what to say or how to react anymore.

“Memorabilia,” Eve explained like that explained everything. Safe to say I was even more confused, yet she tapped at her phone a few times with her thumbs, set it on the table, then slid a notepad and pencil across the small table towards me. “Write down your order here. I’ll bring it up front for us.”

My head slowly nodded again, but my eyebrows definitely creased in straight confusion. “There are no waiters here?”

Eve shook her head no and cracked a wicked grin. “Place is called Bad Waitress for a reason, Ryk.”

Right , I thought, slowly nodding again while my eyes finally read the name of this place printed at the very top of the menu.

Bad Waitress Cafe.

Eve and I might’ve started this day together a bit awkwardly- mostly on my part because she sugar-coated jack shit when it came to asking about Mikcey and me- but breakfast was actually really good. Sitting next to the window let us soak in the sun from outside, and her getting up so she could put our initial orders in allowed me a sec to actually get my shit together.

But once she returned, all she did was remind me why I said yes to today in the first place.

Talking to her was easy. Whatever silence that settled between us was comforting. Not awkward.

Even after her question about how the sex was.

Breakfast felt casual, and the waffles I ordered, even though they were gluten-free, were actually delicious. This place also had, no joke, an entire page on their tri-fold menus simply dedicated to hot and frozen coffee. Eve ordered us a coffee float, something I didn’t even know was a thing, so she and I could decide on what we liked best before ordering.

We did speak about work for a bit, but she kept it short. Well, we both did. The nerves of starting at the front tomorrow were getting to me, but Eve made a solid point that they weren’t just going to be throwing my ass to the wolves right away. There’d be someone up front with me through my whole shift.

Then she got us on the topic of the snake Mickey and I would be co-parenting… sorta… and I ended up giving her an update there, letting her know Mickey would be picking Hydran up on Tuesday. Eve seemed genuinely excited, but I told her he was a bit shy when we picked him out yesterday, and it would probably be a few days at the very least before I’d try taking him out to hold.

He needed to get adjusted to his new home first.

I also still needed to explain a bit more about the care to Mickey. I knew feeding Hydran was a hard no for him, but to keep the little guy healthy, we’d need to monitor the warmth and humidity of his new home.

I tried to ask Ronnie what the cheapest option was for a PVC enclosure, but he told me not to worry about the price on anything. That Mickey already said to get me hooked up with the best of everything the little guy needed…

So now I was left with sort of trying to break down how much all this could run for before my boyfriend had a goddamn heart attack at the reptile store come Tuesday. He and I hadn’t even talked yet about when he was picking it up, but I thought it would probably be better if it was after work, so I could be there too.

Mickey didn’t handle our last visit well, and I couldn’t picture him trying to transfer Hydran to his terrarium once he got it set up at his place. I still had to explain the coconut substrate again because his eyes were on my lips during that initial explanation while I was sitting in his lap at the restaurant.

Honestly, having Hydran at his place was probably the best plan he could’ve had to get me to basically move in. At least temporarily. And I would’ve protested… if I didn’t already kinda like the idea of being at his place a hell of a lot more.

Then, after talking about Hydran with Eve, this green-haired woman pivoted to some of the literature she was into. There were a lot of authors that weren’t on my radar at all, and as she ran through a few, I jotted them down in the notes app on my phone to remember to check out later once we reached the library.

She then let me throw out a few books I fucked with. Besides reading some stuff online, I didn’t have much access to physical books. I didn’t own a public library card, and I hadn’t been in school a whole lot before this year to check anything out at Averin High’s library. Still, Eve seemed pretty impressed by what I liked.

She definitely took a few digs at Mickey since he didn’t really care to read, and I couldn’t help but laugh because I was well aware of that already.

The conversation was so seamless while we ate that I didn’t notice we both finished our food until she slapped her hands down at the table and said, “Let’s get a move on, then.”

I gave her a warm smile and nodded, standing up right along with her, and when I reached for my wallet, I expected that we’d probably just pay at the front counter, but Eve was leading us right out the door instead with her canvas tote strapped to her shoulder again.

“Don’t… aren’t we going to pay?” I asked her- well, her back- as she led us out onto the sidewalk.

“Already did,” she shot back over her shoulder.

Between this woman and Mickey, I seriously questioned why I even bothered bringing my wallet anywhere with them.

“You didn’t- you should’ve-”

“Don’t worry bout it, Ryk,” she said seriously while turning to give me a smile. She still kept her distance on the sidewalk, soaking in the stellar warmth of the sun and the bright blue skies. I assumed she was now leading us towards the library… but what she said next shouldn’t have surprised me the way it did.

Especially because Xavier warned me about this. Her.

The woman whose steps were already slowing when we’d barely made it a few shops down from Bad Waitress.

“First round’s on you,” she added, then gestured with her hand for me to look right past her to the very right of the sidewalk.

What her feet eventually slowed to a stop at was a bookstore. Not a library. And the name of the place was called Book Cellars. The sign was massive, in bold print above the front entrance, with a wine glass as the logo right next to it.

Yeah… this definitely wasn’t a library.

“Don’t worry. We only buy one glass each for ourselves, then,” Eve removed a handle of her tote that was over her left shoulder to hold the bag open enough for me to peek inside. And sure enough, right inside that thing was a rectangular cardboard box big enough to hold a wine bottle. “One glass gets us entry, then I got us on refills.”

…

…Was this chaotic?

Yes. Yes, it was.

…Did I still follow that tall, slightly off her rocker woman inside with a smile on my face that complemented the devious grin on hers?

Also yes. Yes, the fuck I did.

••

83. Focusing On Thyme-Sensitive Shots

Enjoy, lovelies!

(Got a migraine so it’s been rough the last few days (might have some errors because this one’s long and my eyes are still a bit sensitive) but we’re getting back to normal… and then ofc I got my period today, but it still might be a double upload!)

xoxo

“Hey, X?”

“Sup?”

“…How often do you and Eve do it?”

“Do what?”

“Sex. Make love.”

The chuckles X let slip made me look up from my laptop to eye this fucker sitting across from me.

He was supposed to have met me back at my flat after dropping Ryk off at E’s, but I decided to ride back out to the warehouse instead.

For starters, I needed to strip the bed here. I didn’t even bother setting it in the wash bin for the dry cleaners; I just tossed everything out, sheets and all, considering I had ripped both the bedcover and the undersheet last night, then Ryk and I probably just made that shit worse this morning

After that was thrown out, I grabbed the unused bedding set from my walk-in closet and put that on instead- A deep evergreen color I somehow wound up with from CiCi’s, which looked too fucking festive, so I made a note to buy a different one until the wretched holidays were over with.

“Make love? Like intimate slow shit? Maybe about two or three times a month. Give or take. She’s gotta be in a more sensitive mood, and that’s fucking rare, but we fuck pretty much every night I’m over.”

…Definitely should’ve seen that answer from a mile away. “And you’re cool with that?” I asked him. X wasted zero time giving me a firm nod.

“Love’s the shit we do for each other. Inconveniences, but we do it anyway. Our intimacy’s in the banter from the shit we do, so it doesn’t feel so mushy and shit. The banter that sometimes leads to heated arguments is the tension. And hot sex is the release of that tension. Then the perfectly balanced cycle continues.”

I shrugged, easily accepting that as a slow nod followed. That honestly worked for these two.

“Must’ve been serious if you and Ryk got that intimate on the first night, talking bout making love and shit. Not your M.O. Mic,” he added, chuckling while I tried to hide my own smile by looking back down at my laptop, forcing myself to focus again.

Right now, I was in the process of locating Dimitrov my damn self so I could then orchestrate a wild goose chase for the twins. Didn’t want them stumbling upon that bastard too soon, but my trying to find him in India, of all places, was proving to be a challenge.

Like to the point where I was starting to question whether he was still fucking alive. It had been a few years after all.

“Yeah… I’m still-” I started, before I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, and reached for that instead.

The photo I received was the second one so far today, with Ryk taking what looked like the last bite of his waffle with his eyes fixed on something out the cafe’s window to his right. Shit had me smiling like crazy while I saved this one to my personal file, simply titled Ryk .

“Ryk know you sent him out with your very own personal photographer?” X asked me, chuckling again as he eyed me, smiling down at my phone screen like an idiot.

He was sipping on a cup of coffee right along with me, washing down the breakfast he brought to the warehouse since I didn’t feel like cooking, and another reason I wanted to head back here was to utilize the multiple screens this warehouse had to offer for my work.

Would’ve been a beer in the big guy’s hand instead of coffee, but now it was a little past noon, and in a few hours, he’d probably be leaving me here to go pick up Ryk from Eve’s.

“’Course not,” I replied.

“That why the kid’s looking awfully hipsterish today?”

“Yeah. Can’t fucking wait to see the photos of him in the library.”

“Highly doubt they’re going,” X replied before taking another sip of his coffee, and that earned him a quick glance up again.

“Why the hell not?” I asked.

“Evie had a wine-sized box in that tote she walked out with to greet Ryk and me when I dropped him off. My guess is she’s headed for that wine bookstore right by Bad Waitress.” That made my eyes sharpen a bit, narrowing at him.

This wasn’t what the hell Eve and I agreed on when I texted her this morning, making her promise to get me some cute candid photos of that shithead in the library.

“Take it up with E, Mic. Place is pretty cute, though. I’m sure Eve’ll send you some pics from there.”

I wasn’t concerned with Ryk drinking or anything. I was just pissed because that library had a specific spot on the second floor that was all glass, stained windows. I wanted a particular photo of the fucker right in front of it, and Eve promised she’d deliver.

“Should I ring her?” X asked, but I slowly shook my head no. If this psychotic gal wanted to switch plans up, odds are Ryk would still have fun. I didn’t want to step in on their time together; that would fuck up why I said yes to their plans in the first place. I wanted Ryk to get more comfortable around people I trusted. Right now was a lowkey season, but work would shift come summer. More trips out of town.

I knew he’d be safe, but I wanted him to have people he could hang with- call up when I couldn’t take a call.

Then, once he graduated, we could talk about him coming with when he wanted to.

“Not sure when I’ll get outta here today, but it should be by 5 PM at the latest. When you pick Ryk up, check if he’s hungry and grab something on the way back to mine if he is.”

“Got it,” X replied. “But knowing E, she’ll have him fixed up with something before I can ask.”

That made both me and this big buy chuckle. He wasn’t wrong.

“We’re headed to the cabin for the holiday party next weekend. You select a ride?”

That made me pause my typing for a second. “Spacious. Something reliable. Good traction for the roads. They’re predicting shit weather that weekend. Eight to twelve inches.”

“ Goddamn it, “ X sighed, irritated as shit. “I’ll get my bike parked in before then… motherfucker .”

“Not happy bout it either, big guy.”

“I say we relocate to fucking Miami or some shit.”

“Not me you gotta convince,” I reminded him, making X sigh even harder. Eve would never leave this city. Ever . And Xavier knew damn well he wasn’t leaving her.

“Let’s take a vacation at least. You, me, Eve, and Ryk. Somewhere warm.”

“Ryk’s got school,” I reminded X.

“Winter break?” He offered.

“We’ll see. Coldest months would be January and February. Ryk’s off on the 21st of December, back on January 4th, but Jade’s bringing some rides in- winterizing them- and it would be a good chance for him to start earning some extra cash if he wants to.”

“Got it,” X nodded while I continued my search for a needle in a haystack. “New Year’s falling on a weekend then?” I nodded at his question. “Let’s go somewhere. Fly our bikes out. Get a ride in.”

“We’ll see,” I said again. “New Year’s is Ryk’s favourite holiday. I wanna spend it with him.”

“Technically, you would be,” X suggested with a slight smirk.

“ Alone ,“ I added, chuckling a bit myself. No way in hell was I admitting that I wanted him all to myself that whole holiday. The making love shit already gave too much of how I felt away.

“Hey, I promise you’ll get that time. Think it over.” He suggested, and I was about to agree, but my phone vibrated on the table again, yanking my full attention away from my work. When I opened up the next photo from Eve, I instantly grinned.

Ryk was standing in a row of books, sipping a glass of wine with a book in hand.

And he had the most beautiful smile on his face as he scoured over boring ass literature.

Then I got another picture, but this time it was of Eve. My guess was that Ryk took it, but I just forwarded that shit over to X since he’d appreciate it more and refrained from texting that woman to remain fucking focused .

The smiles on both their faces were enough. They were clearly having fun, and I clearly needed to stay focused on this work myself.

“Don’t forget that list from the kid,” X reminded me. “Gotta put an order in for the equipment ASAP.”

“I’ll get it to you early this week,” I promised. “Hopefully by EOD, but…”

“Don’t stress it today,” this big guy cut in, making me look up at him yet again.

“You sure?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Spend the time with Ryk.”

“ How generous, “ I teased him.

“You rather get a list started for shop parts, or make sweet, sweet love-’

“ Alright ,“ I cut in, shutting this big guy the hell up. “I get it. Tomorrow then, yeah?”

“Works for me. And just saying, Mic. Something tells me Ryk would prefer that to researching hydraulic lifts.”

And while X teased me a hell of a lot, arching his left brow a little to really send it home, he seemed pretty damn sure of that last statement.

Eve did her part by updating me a fair amount while X and I locked in on work at the warehouse.

He cleaned a few guns, then some cash, moving around an upfront pay for the twins for when they got back from Mexico as an advance if they took this next job in India. I focused on my own shit, and eventually had a trail to work with on locating Dimitrov, getting close but not too close.

I was careful, always, but didn’t want to take chances on tipping him off. Instead, I worked backwards after narrowing his location in, planting false sightings for common execs in his network, creating fake drops on shipments, paper trails that didn’t exist, etc.

I’d make sure those two found that fucker eventually, because there’d be problems if they didn’t get that pay, but I just needed them busy until after the New Year. That was when I’d know what the next move was.

Time seemed to pass just like it usually did between X and me when we both had shit to do.

He got up, grabbed some snacks from the kitchen area, then tossed me a bag of chips after he made his way back. After that, we worked in otherwise silence, the sounds of our fingers tapping keys and the hum of the generator in here keeping us focused. Only background sound we ever needed.

I hadn’t expected Xavier’s phone to ring, cutting through the balanced, soft sounds, and that’s what pulled both our attention away from our laptops. We’d started work with him sitting across from me at this table, but after cleaning his guns, he brought his laptop over and sat at my right, both of us connecting to the hung monitors to use as extended screens when needed.

My head turned to my right now as this big guy pulled his phone out the front pocket of his jeans, checked the screen, then picked up.

“Hey, babe… Yeah, be there in twenty.” Then he hung up, slipped his phone back in his pocket, and got to his feet.

“Eve?” I asked.

“No, Mic. Stripper named Candy I’m cheating on my girl with,” he replied, giving me a look before we both chuckled, and comfortably broke the tension of work as he shut his laptop. “Looks like they’re getting ready to check out, then walk back.”

“Shit,” I muttered. “Eve covered breakfast, but I didn’t know they’d be heading to a bookstore. Check if Ryk needs-”

“On it,” X nodded to me, already slipping on the leather jacket he had hung on the back of his chair. “Eve would get it if he couldn’t. I’ll replenish either way.”

“Thanks, man,” I nodded up at him. Then I glanced down at my laptop screen to check the time. It was 3:15 PM. “I still got about two hours tops here. Just make sure Ryk’s good, then you can take the day. We’ll pick this up tomorrow.”

“Got it,” X nodded again, “and anytime, Mic. We still picking up that snake Tuesday morning?”

“Think so, but I’ll check with Ryk. I need a refresher on all the shit he was explaining over dinner last night. Something about moisture and coconut shavings or whatever, so we might need him.”

While Ryk technically could sign himself out of school after the shit X and I pulled almost a month ago, pretending to be Don and authorizing him permission after that mess of a morning when we had to call in his absence… no way in hell was I allowing that shit.

Or telling him he could do that shit to begin with.

I trusted Ryk, but he still had a long way to go before I trusted him that much. Especially with all the just five more minutes he loved to give me when his ass needed to get up in the mornings.

So that meant he’d only be free after we closed at the café.

I made the decision that I’d run through exactly what was needed by tonight, then call up Ronnie tomorrow and ask if we could pick the snake up after hours, around 8:30 PM. If we could, X would be off the hook since Ryk had his car.

Then Ryk could just spend the night , I thought, nodding to myself at that plan.

“Cool. Can’t wait to see it,” Xavier replied, pulling his keys out his pocket for his Mustang.

“ Him ,“ I corrected without even thinking, which earned me a look and a rather hearty chuckle from this big guy. “And since when did you like snakes?”

“ Like’s pushing it. I’m indifferent, but Eve’s curious. She probably already asked Ryk about checking it- him out.“ I could already hear the teasing tone in this fucker’s voice with that intentional correction.

X had parked his Mustang inside once he got here earlier, next to my bike, so I heard the sound of the garage door opening a second later by the opener he had pressed, attached to his keychain.

“She’s pretty hyped you’re seeing someone she likes for a change.”

“Yeah, let’s just remember he’s my boyfriend, alright?” I snapped, earning me yet another chuckle and an easy-going grin.

“Who seems to like Eve. Can’t change that, Mic,” he reminded me, and chuckled harder, more to himself this time as he headed towards his ride.

I spent all two of those remaining hours working.

The best idea I had was to set an alarm, because when that shit went off, I was almost startled by how quick the time passed. Work wasn’t done, but I sure as shit was. A whole day without Ryk near me had me packing up quick as hell, ready for the ride home.

I’d shot Ryker a text about thirty minutes after X left to get him, letting him know my ETA this evening, and he said it was cool. Asked if he was hungry, even though I trusted Eve and X would take care of it, but he said he was good and that he’d wait for me at my place. So that gave me the motivation to really lock in and get more done.

I didn’t want to think of work again until tomorrow.

The sky was already dark by the time I got out on my bike and headed home. Ryk had parked his car right outside my garage like he usually did, but left just enough space for me to pull my bike in from the side, which I did once I made it into the secured lot.

Didn’t take long either; there weren’t many cars on the streets this Sunday evening. Everyone must’ve been gearing up for the new work week.

After parking, killing the engine, and locking up the garage, I headed on in quickly. Ryk would’ve only been left alone for about two hours, but still, it had felt like I hadn’t seen him for a week or some shit.

When we had made it back to my flat earlier this morning, I checked in to see if he had any homework he needed to get done, but besides his online classes, it sounded like the rest of the periods were good. Thought he might work on that today if time stretched for me and I couldn’t get back from the warehouse sooner, which was was probably what he was working on now.

I made my way up to my flat fairly fast, got that front door open, and the first thing to leave my lips once my eyes adjusted to the mood lighting in my clean flat was, “Ryk, I’m home!”

But before I even heard a response, my eyebrows furrowed at the delicious, smoky scent filling my humble abode- something that had me shutting the front door behind me, then kicking my shoes off a little slower at the entryway to change into my house slippers.

“In here!” He called back from my kitchen, just behind this short wall to my right. I set my helmet down at the entryway next, but once I took a few steps past the wall, turning to my right, looking directly into the kitchen, my feet slowed to a somewhat abrupt stop.

Ryk was in my kitchen, alright. He was standing at the main stove, cooking something in a large stock pot.

Now, for starters, my kitchen looked a bit of a mess… really just the kitchen island, and some of the counter space on his left, hidden by the pot a little…But I wasn’t even paying the slightest bit of fucking attention to any of that shit right now.

Not when Ryk was in an apron…

…Just a fucking apron.

“ Ryk …“ I practically fucking groaned , my eyes absolutely devouring every last bit of this- him , dragging meticulously over every single thing, from his slightly damp curls under my warm kitchen lighting, meaning he must’ve taken a shower at some point after he got back here… down his bare neck, really making sure I took my fucking time on examining those fading hickeys… then his firm shoulders, leading down to those toned- very fucking toned

• arms…

The apron was similar to the ones at the cafe, except for the fact that this one was a dark navy, with burnt-orange, almost brown straps- one looped over his head, while the other two were wrapped around his back and tied in the front.

It wasn’t one of mine, which begged the question when he got it.

Also raised the question whether this was a thing now, because I was absolutely setting time aside tonight to start scouring the internet for more. The shithead was about to have a whole collection here by end of week.

The apron also covered his front, besides those muscular, incredible legs, and as my eyes shifted a little, then fixated on his bare ass, I barely registered I was already starting to yank my fucking hoodie off, tossing that shit on the floor wherever, while Ryk reached his hand down to adjust the heat of the stove.

My quick movements must’ve caught his eye because he looked over just in time to see me reaching for the hem of my shirt next.

While I probably should’ve had some fear that he was cooking, it genuinely smelled fantastic in here, and my kitchen was still intact, so I didn’t give a damn about right now.

Right now, I just wanted to fucking touch him. Be inside him again.

“How was your wor-” he started, but cut himself off as his eyes took in the sight of me tossing my shirt on the wooden floor before reaching for the drawstrings of my joggers, unable to mask the way my eyes raked over him like an animal in fucking heat.

He had the cutest fucking smirk playing on his lips, but when my eyes finally found my way back up to his for the first time, really getting a good look at his large eyes… my hands froze before I could finish undoing my drawstring.

His eyes were the slightest bit red and puffy.

“Ryk… what’s wrong?” I asked, which forced his gaze up at me again, and not all over my half-naked body he was currently eye-fucking.

Then he sort of turned back to the chili awkwardly, looking the most uncomfortable. That desire worn on his face was now hidden by the slight uncertainty he had whenever he never knew how to answer something.

“Nothing, what do- I… I mean-” he started to mumble, doing his best to dismiss my question, damn near blowing by it like I was asking about the damn weather, but he seemed to remember something, perhaps the promise he already made to be honest, even if I could tell he probably tried to hide whatever it was long before I got here. And I wasn’t having any of that.

“What’s wrong, Ryk?” I asked again.

“Nothing- nothing serious, Mickey, I’m fine now. I just…”

“ Ryk ,“ I pressed, but a bit more gently now.

And he adjusted the temperature again. Then again. Then again . Then reached for the wooden spoon on the plate near him to stir what he was cooking for a few seconds. I didn’t rush him, though, just stood here patiently. I could tell that he was trying to find the best way to explain whatever it was.

“Just some… well, I guess phone calls that weren’t expected?”

That one sorta got me. Wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but it definitely had me reaching down to the floor for my shirt so I could throw that on.

“Who?” Was what I asked him next as I slipped the material back over my upper body.

“Isiah,” Ryk admitted, and my body slowed once again. It was almost like Ryker was processing in real time that I was going to need a whole lot more information than just that, because he whipped his head over at me fast, and rushed out, “That went fine though. He’s just swinging by the cafe tomorrow after school so we can talk and stuff. He’s back from Texas with Dylan now.”

I slowly nodded, still not understanding, but working to. “That went alright then?”

Ryk firmly nodded. “We didn’t talk long. He had homework to catch up on, and had to unpack and shit. Thought it would be better to like talk in person.”

I slowly nodded again, thinking to myself that that sounded pretty reassuring. That Ryk had decided to do that. “Then… then what else happened? Who else called?”

And Ryk took a moment to answer, turning back to the deep pot again. I wasn’t sure what was cooking, but when I spotted a few open cans almost completely hidden by some produce bags, things started to click a little. And what Ryk said next just about made my heart drop right to my ass.

“Um… my uh… well, my dad. He called.”

…

I… I just stared at him…

Like a silent, dead stare… just watching him stare into the deep pot set to a simmer, still a bit in thought himself.

That was some shit I was not fucking expecting.

“H-He… he… he what?” My voice more or less whispered while a varying degree of emotions settled over me, much like a killer would settle a damn plastic bag over their victim’s head, before pulling at a strip of duct tape to secure it.

“He-… well, it… it was a number I didn’t recognize, honestly. And it… I don’t know, the call was…” his voice trailed off again, shaking a bit towards the end there, and when my eyes shifted to his hand, I noticed the slight tremor there as he held that wooden spoon a bit tighter, still stirring.

That was when I got my feet fucking moving, finally entering my kitchen to close some distance in the quickest strides.

I switched the stove off first in one swift go, gently removed the wooden spoon from his hand, setting it on the plate where it was before, then pulled his entire body into me and wrapped both my arms around him, holding him against me.

His body shivered slightly… and it took him a little bit to settle… but eventually I felt his body slack into my hold, and his arms slowly lifted then wrapped around my torso, gripping the material of the soft t-shirt at my back.

As my own anger built up fucking easily inside me, I thought of the questions I knew I wanted answers to. The most pressing was, what the hell did he say exactly? Followed up by, what the fuck did that piece of shirt bastard fucking want? The first question was so I knew what shitty fucking words he probably said to Ryk. The second was the reason. Because Simon Parker had a reason to call, and I knew damn well it wasn’t to just say hi.

Not with the situation he was currently in.

…But right now, for however long passed, I just held Ryk, keeping one arm wrapped tight around his upper back, while my right hand slid up into his damp locks of deep brown hair, pressing his head further into my firm chest.

At this point, there was no doubt in my mind that his father and I were going to have a moment or two alone in a locked room together. Some place he couldn’t escape from until I felt even a bit of this anger seep out from me.

No guns.

No weapons.

Just hands. Preferably wrapped knuckles so I could go as long as I wanted without risking a boxer’s fracture.

It was Ryk gently wriggling out of a hug I hadn’t even noticed I was slightly starting to suffocate him in, hearing the softest chuckles escape his lips as I allowed him to tilt his head up to me.

And when my eyes easily found his, looking down at him, they were softer. Warmer . Those large eyes looked less pensive and heavy.

“Wasn’t all bad,” he assured me quietly in that raspy voice of his.

“The call?” I asked, and he nodded, confirming. “You want to talk about it?” I continued. He slowly shook his head no, but a small, faint smile tugged at those full lips next.

“Right now, I’d rather figure out this goddamn chili recipe for my boyfriend. My dad was fucked up on enough to try explaining some of it. He definitely did too much coke, though, can’t piece together the spices he rambled about.”

I… I honestly didn’t even know what the hell to say to that.

Any of that.

Ryk just…

This was the first time he’s spoken with his dad since…

And he still managed to do something so fucking unexpected- so heartwarming, that I couldn’t wrap my head around any of it. Let’s just say the chili recipe would’ve been given through a bloody mouth filled with zero teeth if I had to retrieve it.

“When’d you get all this?” I asked softly instead, referring to the groceries spread between the island and the counter. As my eyes shifted slightly for a fraction of a sec, I even noticed an unopened bottle of wine, but it was the brand that put it all together before Ryk did.

“X drove him and me to the store before we headed here. He helped bring shit up. I, um… so I wanted to do something for you. Like, since you’re always doing shit and cooking and all that for me,” he explained, but his face was definitely getting more heated than usual.

My right hand slowly slipped down from his curls to the nape of his neck, before it followed the outline on the left side of his lower jaw, tilting his head up a little more.

“You didn’t have to-”

“Shut up, Mickey,” he murmured instead, holding my gaze with a boldness that contradicted the shade of red his face was turning.

“Any more surprises I should know about tonight?” I asked him instead. My eyes dipped lower to those lips of his for just a moment, craving the feeling of them on me… all over me … but this?

Him wanting to make me chili?

That brought my eyes right back to his.

And for possibly the first time in my entire life, there was no place I’d rather be than in this kitchen with him. Which was saying a whole fucking lot considering my bed was right there, to my left.

“Well…” Ryk continued. “After chili, I’ve got a surprise- a couple- but that’s after I sort out this fucking recipe. I hung up on him and blocked the number after my dad said some shit about lemon pepper wings.”

I slowly nodded, still not even sure where the hell to start when it came to his dad, but unable to stop my fucking smile at the fact that Ryk could muster such a warm one and he still chose to block the number.

Then my brain did what it always did.

It set a game plan.

“After chili,” I started, “you and I are going for a walk in the courtyard. You’re going to tell me about how your day was with Eve while we both have a much-needed cig, then we’ll come back here to smoke a joint, pour some wine, and eat, following that up with the rest of your surprises. Depending on what they are, we’ll go from there. Sound good?”

I only asked that at the end as a pleasantry, because Ryk was fully grinning by now, before he gave me the quickest, firmest nod, making my smile widen.

“But first,” I continued, “you’re gonna go put some fucking clothes on.”

That successfully made that grin on Ryk’s face falter significantly while his eyebrows furrowed a bit, definitely confused as well. “But I- I thought this was one of your fantasies, right? I was trying to like… you know, make it a you night-”

“Oh, it is, “ I assured this fucker, quick as hell. If this conversation hadn’t taken such a wild turn, Ryk would’ve been face down ass up on my bed right now, with my face buried between his cheeks, eating him out. “But unless you want the rest of the evening in bed, out of commission indefinitely , and starting right the fuck now … I suggest you put some fucking clothes on, Ryk.”

Then I found myself leaning down, bypassing his lips to bring mine right near his left ear.

My thumb brushed over the edge of his jawline, making him shiver in my arms as I whispered, “Don’t fucking tempt me, Ryker Parker … We’ve got a chili recipe to figure out.”

••

84. That’s The Yeast He Could Do

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/74513945d1d354f33a5f9752c13b5c2b541e0107/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f375a36474f455178427a614479513d3d2d313632323839353038392e313861386334336438393436333037303730393432363231393431312e6a7067)               

Eve and I definitely finished that bottle of wine.

But honestly? It was hands down the best time I’ve had with someone alone, other than Mickey, for actual months. Getting buzzed on a Sunday in a bookstore that had less than fifteen people in it, while they were also getting buzzed, was definitely not something I’d ever see myself doing a few months ago… and apparently I’d been missing out.

The whole afternoon was Eve and me running through each aisle slowly, pulling out and exchanging different books based on our favorites or our recommendations for each other. She snapped a few photos, which I wasn’t really used to, but was fine with, and soon enough I joined in, taking a few of her too.

She was effortlessly beautiful, really, minimal makeup today but I think that was because of her allergies. She complained about her itchy eyes a few times while we walked around in here.

I didn’t really have many photos taken of myself. Wasn’t safe to keep that kind of evidence around with the people I used to hang around. But I had to remind myself now that I wasn’t with my dad- whatever shit I did that he’d think was gay, didn’t need to be hidden anymore, and I wasn’t around the drugs and alcohol lifestyle any longer to get caught up with the cops…

Then lastly, I was dating Mic. And today, I was hanging with Eve, someone close to him.

I didn’t have to move like that anymore- constantly cautious. Not trusting whoever I was around.

And as we spent more time together this afternoon, snagging the two bean bag chairs at the very back of the bookstore so we could read and chat, I felt myself getting more comfortable around her physically.

My body didn’t recoil when she leant in a bit too close, even though she corrected herself quickly. Instead, I’d lean in a few times myself to point out a quote from what she was skimming through, and one thing Eve really wasn’t was touchy. I really liked that.

At some point, there was this one guy who came up to us while we were sitting, drinking a wine I realized was a brand they already sold here, so Eve had kept the bottle out in the open since no one else could tell that we hadn’t just bought it here- a subtle yet dope move on this woman’s part- and it was pretty clear from the jump that whoever this guy was was trying to flirt with her.

Now having seen some shit, I definitely knew when to mind my business…

…but when this tall, green-haired woman said with the straightest fucking face to him that she had recently contracted syphilis… I realized that Eve was the farthest from stable.

And genuinely in the best of ways.

Those were her first and her last words to the guy who immediately excused himself from the corner we were tucked in, away from others. After that, we were left alone to enjoy each other’s company again.

I asked her once we made it to the short checkout line whether that was her go-to, saying she had syphilis, and she replied, telling me that it was the most effective one. She apparently used to say she had HPV before more people became aware of the odds of contracting it.

So yeah. Syphilis it was, I guess.

Eve bought three books, and I bought two, so I didn’t spend too much. I still had to get some groceries after this. But I was surprised when I got rung up after her, set the wine glass in the tray like she had in front of me, then joined the green-haired woman at the front doors after paying, and she passed over both a canvas tote I hadn’t even noticed she bought, along with one of the books she bought.

It was a poetry book that I’d picked up as well, but couldn’t bring myself to spend that much on, and immediately I tried to say no, but Eve wasn’t having it.

“I already have a copy,” she insisted with a grin, convincing me to just smile and thank her as I accepted the gifts in her outstretched hand and placed my books in the tote.

She’d bought the bag that said:

I TRIED TO FORM A GANG, BUT IT TURNED INTO A BOOK CLUB

That shit had me chuckling, holding the bag in one hand and giving one of the bookstore clerks who gave us a warm goodbye, a quick wave with the other. Everyone seemed to know Eve here, making this visit a pretty relaxed one.

After that, we started walking back. With the wine in my system, and heading back out to the beautiful sun which was gearing up to set soon, I couldn’t help but think how good a cig would be right now, but discussing the romantasy book Eve picked up, which she admitted was part of her annual attempt to get into that genre, kept me distracted enough.

I simply smiled and nodded, walking comfortably beside her as I asked her to tell me more about the other attempts that failed.

Apparently, she ripped all the pages out of one book two years ago and used them as gift wrapping paper for a year, which I found pretty hardcore in all the best ways possible. Eve liked making cool rings with stones she found or purchased online, so the book pages were perfect to wrap the small boxes she put the rings in and gifted to friends.

I think that was one of the things I loved most about this weird woman.

I’d learn something new about her in the strangest of ways.

By the time Xavier picked me up, I still had a good buzz from the wine, but was en route to sober up so I could figure out this damn chili I wanted to make for Mickey.

“Let’s get some liquor. What’s good for what you’re making?” Xavier asked.

I was so hung up on trying to get us in and out of this store quick, I almost didn’t register what he was asking. “Oh… didn’t think about that,” I then admitted. “Know anything good for chili?”

Xavier nodded. “Got just the wine.”

And that was how we ended up back in his Mustang with everything for chili and some wine, all about an hour later.

Now I didn’t necessarily know how Xavier could be so chill all the time, but I definitely understood that he, Mickey, and Eve were all cut from the same fucking cloth in more than just that department because he’d managed to swipe his card to pay before I could even reach for my wallet once we’d got to the cash register and had everything rung up.

Like I swear, I’d never seen anything like it.

To the naked eye, I genuinely thought he might’ve been hiding it in the sleeve of his jacket, but when I tried to insist I pay, he gestured slightly with his chin to the ID the register worker was handing back to him, and I realized this was the easier route.

He would’ve had to pay for the wine since I was 19, and this wasn’t like the liquor store down the street from my old place, where they never ID’d me because of my dad.

Call me crazy, but I think his insisting he come in with me, and recommending the wine, was because he had no intentions of letting me pay for shit anyway.

But Xavier pulled it off in such a nonchalant way, I just rolled with it.

Then he helped me take out both the groceries from his whip and the stuff I’d bought for Mickey that was in mine, and brought those all the way up to Mickey’s flat. The key Xavier had for Mickey’s place, getting us inside the front, looked basic enough, but when he scanned it, a keypad popped up on the touch pad where he typed in, I’m not fucking joking, about twenty numbers to unlock the door.

I had… so many fucking questions, but I just shut up. That baker had already told me about how much he valued his privacy and security. This shouldn’t have been as shocking as it was.

I only hoped that if I ever got a key to his flat, he wouldn’t expect me to memorize that many fucking numbers.

Xavier opened up Mickey’s front door after we made it up through the elevators, this time no code required, then we kicked our shoes off, switched into slippers- the big guy had his own pair, which I found cute- and brought everything in.

“You want me to stay? I’m a shit cook unless it’s grilling, but decent company,” he offered after helping me unload stuff from the bags.

I shook my head no, ready to let this guy loose. Dragging him around a grocery store was more than enough. “I got it. Thanks, Xavier. Seriously.”

“Anytime,” he told me with a slight smile, heading toward the entrance next. “Mic’ll be back before 6. You need anything, call me first. Mic’s tryna lock in with work to get back here to you ASAP. I’ll have E text you the number to reach me on.”

“Got it,” I nodded to him, but couldn’t mask the smile well enough, and that made this big guy chuckle.

“Have fun tonight,” was all he said before he disappeared behind that short wall and got his shoes back on to leave.

The first thing I did once I heard that door close was set up everything in Mickey’s art studio.

I grabbed the green comforter I bought Friday night and laid that right on his hardwood floors, not worried about putting a tarp down first because his floors were clean enough to perform open-heart surgery on.

Then I grabbed a few spare pillows from the ones I saw in his storage closet in the hall, stuffed them into the covers that came with the comforter, and tossed them along the edge of the wall where his massive window to this space was.

Considering he already had these industrial lights strung across his vaulted ceiling in here, I didn’t have to worry about lighting. I just wanted to make the floor comfier since that was where we’d be sitting for a little while.

After that, I placed the plastic bag filled with the four gifts I had for him, down near the pillows, double bagging it with the larger bag the comforter was in so he could see what was inside, and gave the room one final glance before closing the door and heading back out towards the kitchen.

I did, in fact, pour a small shot of soju for some liquid courage next because I truly had no idea what the hell I was doing in here, but I still tried to remember bits and pieces of the earlier memories.

Of when I used to watch my dad in the kitchen, making this.

I knew the basic ingredients, but it was the spices I didn’t pay attention to. Regardless, the beginning parts were easy. Sautéd onions and ground beef. Mickey’s kitchen was also incredibly organized, so it took no time at all to figure out where a pan and a stock pot were. Then I placed both on the stove and moved back to the onions to dice first.

Thanks to Mickey, I now knew how to dice onions the right way. Before that fucker, I didn’t even know there was a right way, but apparently it mattered how you halved them and shit.

I swear, the amount of random stuff I was picking up was wild. But still, the onions got chopped, and since I was already at the chopping board, I went ahead and diced then minced the garlic cloves. After all that, I brought the chopping board to the stove, setting it on the counter right next to the cans of beans, and started opening up the package of ground beef.

I splurged a bit on the quality of beef, mainly because I wasn’t actually a huge fan of beans, so my old man used to use less of that and more of the beef. I knew it pissed him off- having to use more meat since it was pricier- but deep down, I knew he liked it better this way too. This was how he’d make it for his drinking buddies when he went out for a few days. He’d just never admit it.

I was in the process of getting the raw meat into the heating pan when I felt my phone vibrate, and once I noticed this pan was actually a non-stick, I started the hunt for a plastic or wooden spoon while also picking up the call.

“Hey,” I answered without checking who it was. I assumed it was probably either Eve, Mickey, Xavier, or Don because those were the only people who would call, and honestly, Don was a stretch. I assumed he must’ve been busy with it still being Thanksgiving weekend and shit.

“Sup, man,” a voice replied, which made me slow my movement. Then I pulled the phone away from my ear to check it quick. It wasn’t a number I recognized, but I quickly brought the phone back to my ear once I heard some muffled noises coming through the line.

“Izzy… you get another new phone?” I asked him.

“Nah, sorry. I was mid-texting you when mine died, so I’m using my dad’s. I thought it would be easier to call.”

“Oh. Got it.” I nodded to the drawer I pulled open, finding a wooden spoon easily, and I also grabbed the can opener that was in there. “What’s up?”

“Just made it home. I was visiting Texas with Dylan and his parents.”

“Cool,” I nodded again, this time in front of the sizzling meat I was starting to break up with the wooden spoon to evenly brown. My guess was that most people broke up the meat into small, even pieces… but either my dad liked it chunky or was lazy as shit because we did chunks in our home- well, what was our home. Not chunks big enough to be meatballs, but the largest was about half that size. And nothing was ever even. “Welcome back.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to hear about it- him and Dylan- I just didn’t really know what to say to that. And luckily, Izzy wasn’t about to put me through thinking of something better.

“Thanks. I’ve got some homework to get done, but why don’t we hang this week? Catch up and stuff?”

“Sure,” I replied. “But I’ve got work. I won’t be free till 8:30ish.”

“ Shit ,“ Isiah mumbled, “you cool with me maybe stopping by the cafe? I’ll explain later, but I’ve been trying to stay on my parents’ good side. Late nights are a no-go till graduation.”

I thought about that a second, then nodded. I’d probably be able to step out for a smoke with him. “How’s Tuesday?” First, I was going to say tomorrow, but then I remembered that Ms. Kluntz was stopping by after school got out, so Tuesday was probably a better option. 

“Yeah, Tuesday works great. I’ll have my mum drop me off, I think she’s off work that night.”

I was about to offer him a ride from school, but stopped myself. It was probably best we talked first. Dtlan probably wouldn’t be cool with it. “Cool,” I replied instead. “Just shoot me a text when you’re on the way. My shift starts right after class.”

“Bet,” Izzy replied. “I’ll-… well, we’ll talk then?”

His voice sounded a bit awkward, but it was obviously better than whatever our last call was, so I just sort of looked past it.

This was probably going to be mad awkward for a while. And I still didn’t know how he’d react to me dating Mickey…

But there was that part I wanted us to get to eventually. The part where I could talk about Mickey with a friend. And we could hopefully put whatever happened between us behind us.

“Yeah,” I confirmed over the phone. “We’ll talk then. Take it easy.”

“You too, man,” Izzy replied before the call ended.

Then I took a deep breath, giving myself a second to decompress after that. While it probably would’ve been easier to chat over the phone, something in person was probably better. And now that I was pretty much fully healed, this was definitely a better time for us to link. I didn’t look like I had been jumped anymore.

My hand moved to shove my phone back in the front pocket of my jeans, but then I felt it vibrating again. Since Izzy had just called me, I thought he might’ve been calling back for something, maybe to change the date, so I didn’t bother checking the caller ID.

I’d soon find out that was a fucking mistake. One I wouldn’t be making again.

“Sup, Izzy,” I answered, mixing the meat with the wooden spoon. It was starting to brown, so I killed the heat to drain the oil.

“Hey kid,” a deep voice replied… making me drop the wooden spoon into the pan suddenly.

The only place that voice existed this last month was in my fucking nightmares.

I felt my hands slowly start to tremble a little, my heartbeat picking up, but in the worst way possible. I removed my phone from my ear to check the number next. It was one I definitely didn’t recognize- an area code of +55, which I knew was international. I also knew it was from Mexico, because I always handed the phone to my dad whenever we got a call to the shop from a +55 number. I wasn’t sure if this exact number had called before, but I knew who this voice belonged to.

“Dad.” My voice came out as a broken whisper, unsure of what to do or say.

“Been a minute. How’ve you been?”

I could tell just from the pace and tone of his voice that my dad was fucked up. Probably on some white girl. Probably some liquor, too. And that question alone was rich considering how the fuck we left things. Don picking me up off the shop’s floor. My dad rolling on said floor in agony, his cussing barely drowning out Vinny’s cries from being shot at.

Everything had been so chaotic that night. And having it all flood back to me now left me silent on this call.

I didn’t have a fucking reply to that.

My dad sighed. “Listen, I know we left things bad. I didn’t… listen, Ryker, I know you’re just confused-”

“What do you want?” I cut in, already knowing where this was heading, and through the varying emotions cutting through my whole body right now, denying my heart a sec to settle… the final feeling I reached for and grabbed hold of because I refused to let my fear win out, was simply: over it.

Right now, I was over this conversation.

I was over this feeling.

And most importantly, even as my eyes burned at just hearing his voice again, tears threatening to fucking fall… I was over my father when he was fucked up.

If he wanted to talk about the shit show that night left everything in, he was going to do it sober. And if I knew my father as well as I believed I did, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon, if at all.

“I’m away right now. Vinny and Johnny haven’t checked in with me. I need you to get into the shop and get me some paperwork. I’ll be back in about a week, and we can meet somewhere.”

I stared down at the meat, processing what the fuck he was asking. I felt the warm liquid running down my cheeks, but these tears felt wasted. Especially when I knew he’d ask me some shit like this. The reason for the call couldn’t have just been me.

“I… can’t.” Those words fell past my lips with as little confidence as I felt. I’d never told my dad no, not for as long as I could remember.

“Fuck you say?” My dad spat back expectantly.

“I ca-”

“I don’t want to hear that shit, Ryker. I’m in some shit, and I need those sale documents.”

My mind told me to say no. At this point, it was my dad who was grasping onto that fear he knew he instilled in me… but I wasn’t there anymore. I wasn’t under his roof anymore. I wasn’t the one who needed him anymore, either; he needed me. And this was the first time he couldn’t hold anything over me- not the car, not the job, not the home.

I’d even gotten used to the beatings, but he couldn’t threaten me with that anymore, and he knew it.

He’d fucked up the second he made this a Whittaker-Jones problem.

So I decided to use this leverage.

“What’re the spices for your chili?”

“… The fuck? “

“The chili, Dad.”

“You cooking?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Jesus fucking Christ . “Just tell me the spices.”

“You’re a shit cook.”

“The spices. You want the documents, then tell me the spices.”

“Where ya at?”

“The spices, or I’m hanging up and making sure you never get me on this number again.”

I heard my dad scoff. “Look who’s grown some balls. Doubt you’d say that shit to my face.”

The cooking dig already pissed me off, but the wine sent it to hell. “A simple tip to the feds and I’ll say it through a phone separated by some glass, now last chance on the spices,” I spat his way. The threat was real, and he knew it because he knew that while I’d never go to the cops… I could leave a variety of tips that would make my dad’s life hell these next few months. Probably years.

“Don’t say some fuck shit you don’t-”

“Bye, Dad-”

“Wait! Fucking spices, right?” He cut in before I could finish my goodbye. This time, I managed to hold the phone to my ear with my shoulder so I could quickly drain the oil into the sink, then I brought that back to the stove and opened up the cabinet back here that was completely filled with spices.

Like on all three shelves inside.

This was why the only thing I bought was the ground beef, some yellow onions, a few cloves of garlic, sour cream, grated sharp cheddar, canned tomatoes, beans, and beef broth. And after draining the meat, I scraped the chopped onions into the pan, turning up the heat a little while my dad tried to recall something other than his own name.

He never did find the perfect balance between coke and liquor. One always won out, and today, it was the liquor.

“Ah… garlic powder,” he started.

“Already minced cloves,” I replied.

“Fancy shit. Where ya cooking all this?”

“Spices,” I fucking reminded him. We weren’t doing this. I knew what he was doing, and we weren’t doing it.

“Then fuck the garlic powder. Chili powder…” he continued, so I quickly found some in Mickey’s cabinet, but he didn’t really have much left. Still, I set that on the counter. “And… ground cumin.”

“How much?”

“Fuck if I know, kid. Taste as you add. Figure it out.”

That phrase: figure it out. That was his go-to for fucking everything… and it pissed me off in ways I couldn’t even describe. That was all I’d been doing after my dad fucked this up. My mistake was kissing Isiah that night. My dad’s was going after me in the first place. He had no right after missing RXX for my birthday.

“Make sure it’s less than the chili powder,” he added. “Dried… yeah, dried oregano, too. And light on the beans, you know you don’t fuck with-”

“I know,” I snapped, not ready to go there with him either. I just needed the spices, not a trip down memory lane.

“And… And… shit-… cinnamon, I think?… Yeah… but not much. Taste after…”

My dad’s words were starting to stretch out, and at this point, I should’ve cut my losses. I knew he was on his way out, probably nodding off at this point, but I foolishly held out for what he said next.

“And…. the… the lemon? Lemon pepper… wings, wait… yeah. Twelve piece…”

Yeah… that was when I hung up. It was my final straw, and nothing my dad said from here on out was going to make any fucking sense. That was something I knew from experience. Then, as my last act before setting my phone back in my pocket, I blocked whatever number this was that he was calling from. I made sure I had every number he could reach me on blocked.

I’d gotten what I needed… sort of… and whatever my dad wanted my help with, he was on his own for. I didn’t plan on setting foot back in that shop or our home above it, and if Vinny and John were MIA while my dad was out of town, some shit had popped off to put them all wherever they were now.

What I was choosing to focus on was where I was now. In Mickey’s flat. In his kitchen. Making him dinner. And while I started mixing in the spices with the meat and onion, an idea popped into my head for another little surprise for my boyfriend.

A surprise I knew he’d love.

And it made me happy knowing I could still do something for someone who handled everything else.

“Whatcha think?” Mickey asked, watching as I finished chewing.

What had started with this handsome devil stripping right at the entrance to his kitchen… somehow snowballed so wildly into me now dressed- something I didn’t predict for myself, considering he walked in on me wearing nothing but an apron and looked about ready to fuck me right in this kitchen… 

But Mickey was absolutely serious about telling me to put clothes back on. And it was moments like these- this baker knowing what I needed but didn’t want to ask him for- that made me fall more madly in love with him.

This was supposed to be his dinner that I made, but instead I changed into some boxers and one of his shirts, only for him to pick me up once I entered the kitchen again, and sit me down on the back counter near the stove, having me take on the only job he’d be offering for the night.

Taste tester.

I could tell the work day had worn him out a little, but the more time we spent together in this kitchen, the more that light in his eyes cranked up a few notches.

Honestly, I did my best to try explaining what my dad said over the phone about the spices, but considering I had zero fucking measurements, and I wasn’t even sure I had all the spices, Mickey had me taste test every few minutes to check the flavour.

“Maybe a bit… maybe spicier?” I offered, just eyeing the hell out of this baker’s body. He was now wearing a basic shirt and those joggers, but there was just something about it- seeing him over a stove- that really fucking did it for me. He even tied the top part of his hair back, and just… god , I was realizing how much I regretted crying over that phone call.

We could’ve had sex if Mickey didn’t see the redness in my eyes that not even a shower had helped clear, and now I was even more horny because he insisted we figure this out together. The chili.

So he was over here looking fine as fuck, being the sweetest fucking boyfriend, and I was over here squirming every few seconds because my dick was uncomfortably hard.

And this fucker knew it, too. The way the edges of his lips twitched into the slyest grin, his eyes lingering on my crotch for far too long. “Alright with me adding a Korean kick?” He asked in that deep voice of his, and I nodded so goddamn fast, locking my ankles that were dangling over the counter, just trying to make myself go soft.

We were taking a walk after this, before eating, so I needed to calm the fuck down a bit. But Mickey just… I could see him starting to get a bit hard himself when he opened up the spice cabinet, and his shirt rode up a bit, revealing what it was covering before, which was the clearest fucking imprint of his own hard-on.

He was right, though… if we moved things to the bed, we weren’t leaving said bed. And I wanted to give him something that wasn’t just my body. He’d be getting that, too, of course… just not before everything else.

So I kept my ass planted here, and had a whole silent convo with my dick, telling it to fucking chill out while Mickey got to work by adding more spices.

The bed would be the end goal… just not the next course of action.

Plus, a cig on our walk was all too tempting to pass up after the day I just had.

••

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85. Just A Taste

I’m backkkkkkkkk :)

Did ya miss me?

Also, this chapter is definitely unedited because I heard the cries and I understand I’ve been gone too long, lol. Wattpad is giving me shit right now with editing any chapters but I’ll try to double back around later today

Enjoy, lovelies!

xoxo

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I was trying my damn best not to drag Ryk off to my bed every single time I made the fucked mistake of glancing over…

But the look on his face after his final taste test brought me so dangerously close I had to take a physical step back when he licked the wooden spoon clean, just devoiding my thoughts of any sense of decency…

It was a given that, after last night, the ways I wanted this fucker had drastically shifted.

When I looked at him now, clothed or not, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of how intimate the night before and this morning was. Being inside him felt like the sweetest fucking torture- wrecking my balance between wanting more and going slow. I’d almost taken things too far this morning. Shit, I probably did, but fuck, being inside him just-

Then coming home to him, whether he was clothed or not, honestly made work feel the most worth it its ever felt. I can’t remember the last time I’d fallen into such a domestic beat.

After this gorgeous fucker’s stamp of approval on the chili, I got us both bundled up to head out for an evening walk. I’d promised I’d show him the courtyard forever ago, but I got the alert while working today that the lights had been installed for the holiday season, and while I didn’t give a fuck about that, I wanted him to see them.

Romantic shit, and whatnot.

I know I’d said it wasn’t my thing, but this fucker was starting to make a lot of things my thing. We were starting to make a whole lot of shit our thing.

Heading out for a bit was a solid idea because Ryk had brought his cigs upstairs at some point, probably when X dropped him off this afternoon, and my guess what he was feigning for one. Couldn’t blame him after a call with his dad; if he wanted to chain smoke the whole pack, I’d let him.

We took the back stairwell down to the lobby to save some time on waiting for the elevator, then headed around to the side door that led out to the courtyard. Ryk ended up slipping his cigs out of the hoodie he was wearing this morning- my hoodie- and when I glanced down at his hand, my permanent smile definitely fucking widened…

He’d bought my brand.

“Like em?” I asked, gesturing to the cigs while I led us toward the metal back door, passing the lobby of this building on the way. Ryk turned his head up at me and nodded. “Don’t buy them again,” I snapped back. “Take a pack from my bedside drawer instead when you need another.”

“ Mickey -“ He started to protest, but I shook my head no, then reached for the door and held it open. The next words out of him was what I wanted to hear. “H-Holy shit…”

The sky was pitch black now, the chili having taken a bit more time than anticipated to get right, and the wind was a bit biting, but my large hoodie on this beaut seemed to be doing its job. I knew he was warm since I was wearing the same one, but in brown instead of black. I’d made sure we were both dressed warm enough even though we wouldn’t be out here long.

Instead of dragging him down the path, I waited patiently for Ryk to take it all in first while he stood here at my right.

The lights illuminated the patio area just past him. Some outdoor seating, a glass coffee table with a switch on the side to turn on the built in fire pit, and a few grills lined up.

The usual industrial bulb lights hanging above the patio were on, but now the leafless trees had string lights attached to what seemed like every individual branch, making this place even more whimsical than the fountain right in the middle already made it. Then there were paths that looped around, passing artistic metal benches for tenants to sit. I noticed the bird feeders were missing, my guess was they were packed up until next spring.

It was a good thing this place liked to remind its unit owners we weren’t fully contributing to a fucking money laundering scheme with the price of the units here.

Ryk simply stared at everything, but because I wanted to hold his hand, I plucked the pack out of it, took two cigs, then stuffed the carton back into the front pocket of his hoodie and reached over for the lighter in his right hand next.

Then I lifted a cig, placed it between his soft lips that gently parted, and watched them slowly close around the filter as he turned his head left to look up at me again. His head tilted a little further, allowing me light his preferred poison for him once I raised the lighter.

“You like?” I practically breathed out. The struck flame flickered, burning the end of his cig, and Ryk inhaled slow to get a good burn on the tobacco. Not sure how he made something so simple look so goddamn sexy, but after he gave me another nod, I forced myself to get my own cig lit before pocketing Ryk’s lighter.

A decision was made right here and now that I was going to be lighting his cigs for him from now on whenever we were together. And he definitely noticed me slipping his lighter in my front pockets, but turned his head right a little to mask his smile before taking another hit and blowing the thick smoke out. Then I slipped my right hand in his left so we could start walking.

“Is this place always lit up like this?” He asked as he easily laced our fingers. His fingers felt cool to the touch, fitting perfectly in the spaces between mine, and he was the first to lock them tight.

I slowly shook my head no. “Just for the holidays, pretty sure. We’ll come out here whenever you want. And I’ll grill for you once the weather warms up again.”

“What do you like to grill?” He asked, matching my slow pace. Dare I say he might’ve slowed our pace just a little more, which made me smile even fucker harder. This, coupled with that curiosity in his tone was making me lose my fucking mind, I swear.

“Smoked salmon. Shrimp kabobs. Like any of that?”

Ryk slowly shook his head no. “Don’t think I’ve had any of that, honestly.”

My eyebrows raised some, but I tried to hide it a little. I didn’t want him thinking that was weird- him not having tried that stuff. Just meant we’d get to learn what he did or didn’t like, together. Just like we figured out the chili together tonight, and how we were going to figure out this goddamn snake together this week.

Still couldn’t believe that thing was going in my fucking home. But this meant that Ryk would be over more, and that was getting me through the disgust I fucking felt for it- him . That thing- Jesus fuck.

“Can we make pork belly, too?”

I nodded quickly, then took a hit from my own cig, filling my lungs with smoke before blowing out. “Sure. But I’ll be honest, I like grilling that in my kitchen with you. Don’t want to give folks out here a show.”

Ryker chuckled, the rasp matching his voice while we followed the paved path. This warmth from the lights made his large eyes even more absolutely breathtaking. And the redness from the irritation had fully vanished. “You’ll probably have to refrain from shoving the Perilla burritos down my throat then.”

“See, and I’m not willing to do that,” I answered, “so it’s your choice whether you wanna take that risk.”

He rolled his eyes, chuckling again, then took another hit of his cig, lifting his right hand up so he could ash it. He was savoring each hit, which let me know he probably really fucking needed this. More than he’d say. “We’ll play it by ear,” was his answer, then he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. What came after, though, took me by surprise a little as his steps slowed more. “So… the call with my dad…” He started, turning his head up to me again.

“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” I reminded him. Whatever that call was had shaken him up, and I didn’t want that piece of shit ruining more of our time together right now.

I was curious, but nowhere near that fucking curious.

Not tonight.

“Its alright. And I don’t plan on doing it or anything, but he wanted me to get him some paperwork. He can’t get ahold of the guys from the shop, and it sounds like he got himself in some shit. He said he’ll be back in town by next week.”

…

Well… shit .

Now I knew the why for the call.

And I was somewhat responsible for it.

“Don’t worry,” Ryk rushed out, probably mistaking my silence as doing just that, when in all actuality, I was trying to figure out how to clean up this goddamn mess as easily as possible. Judging by the look on his face, Ryk was dead serious about not helping his dad in any capacity, and that was good… yet my curiosity for what paperwork that piece of shit needed gnawed away at me a little.

“I’m not worried,” I said instead, giving his hand a firm squeeze. “But if he reaches out again, I’ll need to know.”

Ryk was quick to nod, adding the word, “Promise,” and I found myself slowing us down just enough for me to bend down and place a gentle kiss on his forehead, right over his soft curls. I smiled a bit against them when I felt his hand grip mine tighter, tugging me a little closer.

So far this evening was yet another reminder that this wasn’t the textbook relationship. We weren’t the greatest people, and everything from both our pasts were starting to trickle in… but I didn’t give a shit. And it was probably on this walk that I decided I’d find the moment to be more forthcoming with the truth tonight.

Not all of it… but more.

Ryk kept surprising me with how much he really could handle. And it only reminded me of how much he already had.

We stayed out in the courtyard just long enough for a cig, and a brief explanation of how E had talked Ryk into day drinking. Something Ryk looked a bit embarrassed about, but that smile on his face said it all. He had liked spending time with that giant.

I honestly didn’t give a shit what he and Eve did, as long as he felt safe and he was having fun. Day drinking disguised as errands was E’s specialty, anyway. And I more than trusted this fucker to know his limits. Plus, X would’ve handled anything I couldn’t have while I was working.

We kept the walk brief enough since I still had the stove on in my apartment, set to a low simmer, and didn’t want to leave that shit unattended for too long. So after we finished, and I gave him one good, solid fucking kiss under those beautiful string lights- one that was dangerously close to leading to more when he pressed his body to mine quickly, making sure my wandering hands felt all of him under his large hoodie- I ushered us back inside and up to my flat again before I took shit further.

Ryk seemed much lighter after explaining the call with his dad, and while I was pissed that the fucking bastard had somehow made this evening more stressful on my boyfriend and me, especially after the long day I already had, dealing with more bullshit that piece of shit was the reason for, my excitement over what surprises Ryk had in store tonight had me moving us fast as hell in my kitchen.

Ryk was getting two bowls of chili together, sprinkling on the cheese, some of the cilantro I chopped up, and a nice dollop of sour cream. I, on the other hand, was on wine duty, so I got the bottle opened, and poured two decently sized glasses. The only thing I forgot to do was spark up a j, but Ryk suggested we smoke after he showed me my surprises.

“Is it something we gotta do sober?” I asked, waiting patiently for him to scoop up both bowls so he could take us where we were headed. Considering the only other room here was my art studio, I wasn’t shocked in the slightest when he led us down the short corridor, stopping at the only door on our right. I transferred a wine glass to my left hand, then reached my right hand out and opened it for him to step through first.

As he entered, turning to place the two bowls on the table adjacent to the door, my eyebrows raised, completely fucking surprised by how cozy he made the space in here.

“Ryk… you-”

“So I didn’t lay a tarp down because your floors are really clean,” he tried explaining, turning and slipping off his house shoes to step onto the forest green comforter that was laid out on the floor, I even noticed the extra pillows up against the farthest wall, like a little nest for us. I quickly set the wine glasses on the table next to the food so I could join Ryk, and kicked my house slippers off in the process, discarding them near the door.

There was a large plastic bag that clearly held a few things, but before I could advance my boyfriend, he pointed to the spot right across from where he sat, crisscrossed, and gestured for me to sit down.

Now that we had a surface below us, I wanted to do some taste testing of my fucking own, my meal being this fucker right in front of me, wearing only one of my shirts and some briefs. I had ordered him to change into less once we got back from the walk, refusing to have him covered up in my home  after I had just walked in on him in nothing but a goddamn apron hours ago… but Ryk seemed pretty serious about this: us waiting first before I got to show him just how much I missed his stubborn ass.

“Alright, alright, alright,” I folded, then sat down right across from him. “Sex later, surprises now. I hear you, my little dictator.”

“Good,” Ryk grinned, then started rummaging through his bag. “I didn’t have time to wrap-”

“Don’t care, Ryk,” I assured him, cutting this fucker’s words right off. His face definitely got a shade or two redder, and he absolutely didn’t rip his eyes away from this large plastic bag, but he nodded at my words.

“Okay, so… this first gift is just something that made me laugh,” he tried explaining, before dishing out and forking over a folded black shirt to me. And when I opened it up, I cracked an immediate grin. The front read: Aerospace Engineer. It’s not rocket science. Wait. Yes. Yes it is.

“ Oh now this is a fucking keeper ,“ I chuckled, feeling that warm fuzzy feeling inside, spread a little more. Jesus, this shithead really knew how to get to me.

“You like it?” Ryk asked. He was smiling, but he looked a bit nervous still.

“Fucking love it,” I replied, easily putting those nerves of his to bed. “This’ll be worn with the greatest honor. And in the least appropriate scenarios. You’ll have to explain the future photoshoots for our holiday cards, to Ci, cause it’s about to be a running joke for the coming years.”

And I was serious as hell about that. I just left out the part where this shirt definitely climbed the list of shit I wanted to see Ryk in at all times. And nothing else. Unlocked a new kink, honestly. How fucking cute he’d look lounging around here in it.

“Cool,” Ryk mumbled a bit, hiding more of his smile, then stuck his hand back in his bag of goodies. “Next is this. Not sure how it works, but I wanna build it together,” he explained, removing a rectangular box and passing it to me. I folded up the shirt first and set that aside, but my smile only grew once I caught sight of what this fucker had bought.

He’d gotten a rocket kit and launcher.

“ Jeez , I haven’t seen these in years,“ I chuckled warmly, flipping it over fast as hell to get a feel on the pieces included.

“If… If you think it’s a bit childish, we don’t-”

“ Shut up, Ryk,“ I told him seriously, looking right up from this box to meet his gaze with a sharp one of my own. And the tips of Ryk’s ears turned the brightest shade of red. I watched his legs shift a little, his hand trying to pull a bit more of the shirt’s fabric down to better hide whatever stirred just below it, but I caught that shit before he could. “Can’t wait to show you some mods we can do.”

“Y-You’re-… you’re going to mod a fucking- never mind ,” he mumbled, avoiding my gaze in full which just made me chuckle yet again. He had no fucking idea what I had planned, especially with what I had in that storage closet just right outside. “Okay, so promise to sit there and shut up while I make it through these last two,” I heard him mumble. Those large brown eyes were then forced to flick up at me once more.

And that caught my full attention. I quickly set aside the rocket build and turned right back to Ryk, but he didn’t move an inch until I said, “Promise.”

That seemed to do it for him, even if it was a whole lie. His right hand reached right back into his plastic bag, and first pulled out something small- rectangular in shape, then something large.

I recognized both instantly, and lets just say my excitement was fucking palpable. I mean my body was starting to get the jitters. Actual fucking jitters.

“ Okay, slow down ,“ Ryk said quickly when he caught the hunger in my eyes. I wasn’t sure which gift I wanted to open first anymore: what was in his hands, or simply him. “This is a double face deck of cards,” he explained,. holding the small pack up a little. “Tonight I’ll teach you how to do a few deck cuts, then I’ll… Well… I’m going to show you how to do that magic trick-”

“Take your fucking clothes off,” I spoke excitedly, but Ryk dropped both gifts onto the comforter and put his hands up fast as hell already anticipating the ways I was about to pounce on this fucker. Whatever he wanted to say right now would have to wait until after I got my fill. The gifts would be here for later. The chili could be reheated.

Well, that’s what I thought at first.

“ Hold

on , Mickey ,“ this fucker insisted, his eyes wider as I shifted into a position I’d easily manage to lunge at him from. “After you master that, you and I’ll mess around with this poker set. I, um…” Ryk then glanced back down at the deck of cards and the poker set between us, stalling a little. “So… I crunched some numbers, and- I’m not saying we won’t get our asses banned, but… well, if you were genuinely serious about us going together, I can probably afford a ticket to Vegas around New Years for a weeken- Mi-Mickey!”

My hand had already cleared my path, pushing the poker set and cards out the way, before I leaned forward, wrapped my fingers around his neck, and tilted his head back till my lips were on his. I didn’t even give him a second to finish that fucking sentence.

My body pressed his all the way back, down to the comforter, snatching a nearby pillow for me to rest his head on as this kiss was nothing short of devouring, moving against his unsuspecting lips with nothing but pure intent. I’d already decided what I wanted to unwrap first as my legs pushed his open.

And Ryk sure as shit wasn’t expecting it as he tried to keep up with this kiss, but he should’ve been. From how dismantled he’d had me all night tonight, he should’ve prepared for the worst of my insane fucking need.

When he felt my right hand slip right under his shirt to touch bare skin, that was the switch in his body that flipped, and his hands quickly tangled in my hair, involuntarily arching his back up off the floor. That simply gave me more space to slip my hand into the arch of, while pushing his legs even further apart.

His lips were just a little cold from being outside, yet this kiss quickly changed all of that, heating him up more than enough once I took his bottom lip between mine and grazed it roughly with my teeth.

Ryk let out a moan so fucking sexy, that my plans for just a taste were shot down by a whole goddamn firing squad. Once that hand of mine dipped lower, cupping his perfect, plump ass for a firm, hard squeeze, I felt his legs wrap around my waist tight, no protests of his own anywhere near this building heat between us. Just his breathless fucking moans meshing into this kiss- their way of begging me not to stop.

So imagine my fucking surprise when I felt him pull me away a little by my hair, separating this kiss for a second.

“ Ryk ,“ I fucking growled at him. We weren’t doing this shit right now.

“V-Vegas, then, is that-” he inhaled deep, still all types of fucking breathless from that soldering kiss. “Is-s that-”

“I’ll take care of it,” I whispered back before the elbow I was using to keep myself up right near his head, shifted, and that hand gripped some of Ryk’s locks to tug his head back a little, giving me enough space to bury my face into the left side crevice of his neck. Ryk’s whole body clenched around mine in response to that shit.

“Y-Y-You’ll-” he tried hammering out, but my teeth on the delicate skin here, breathing in my body wash on him as my kisses turned rough as hell, cut him off hard.

“Fuck your calculations,” I pretty much snarled against his skin, my voice the coarsest thing I’ve ever heard. “They’re probably wrong anyway. I’ll take care of it.”

This already felt like Christmas fucking morning for me, minus the nauseating decorations. Ryk suggesting Vegas was enough for me to fuck him into next week, but I knew he was serious about showing me all this first, so after much deliberation between what my body wanted and what my heart wanted, I decided on only just a taste.

The rest would come after.

And Ryk finally decided the talking was over with because the only thing I fucking heard from him once I pulled away to get his damn briefs off, were the moans he was trying desperately to limit.

And when I caught sight of him as that thin fabric peeled off his perfect legs, his cock was a leaking mess, telling on him more than his moans had been as he tried to avoid my gaze a little in embarrassment.

He was holding back, too. He felt that switch as well. If we went all the way, dinner plans were getting scrapped.

Just a taste, Mickey, I reminded myself. Just a fucking taste .

Then I started a very quick, heated decent down his body, pushing this large shirt up first and pressing the bunched up fabric to his lips. “Bite it.”

Ryk did as he was told immediately, and bit down on this fabric with his teeth before I lifted him up a little from the arch of his back and placed him back onto more pillows.

Once I was sure he was laying back comfortably, with me still between his legs, my hand reached up into my hair to remove the small hair tie so my front strands fell forward, and Ryk didn’t need to be told to tangle his hands back in them, he did that of his own accord right away.

What had started as some slight embarrassment in his eyes, had shifted to straight fucking lust. He didn’t give a damn how needy he looked, and this was exactly how I liked it.

I wanted to see that constant want in his eyes just begging for more, even if he knew what that would lead to. Tonight I’d keep the pace… though the way he bit down on that shirt fabric, his fingers tightening in my hair as I started laying kisses down his bare chest, made me want to cum all over him. In him. Fucking fill him again .

“Sh-Shit-” Ryk groaned, trying his best not to push me lower, but I felt his precum coating my chest, seeping through the fabric of my shirt and searching for some kind of release. The lower I got, the less control Ryk had. His back pushed off the comforter and pillows a bit, shaking below me once both my arms shifted his legs from around my back to right over my shoulders. The friction of the shirt I was wearing was doing wonders to keep his shaky legs there while I neared this blushing, wet tip of his.

“No silencing shit,” I told him, locking eyes with his just a fraction of an inch away from his cock, and Ryk’s whole body fucking trembled at my words, but he nodded quickly, not daring to look anywhere else but down here.

At what I was about to fucking do to him after all the care he put into tonight.

••

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/ac063c5c9b36c0a996f80738dd0ee5b4970cc8b5/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5437636c4d6f51385242536d56673d3d2d313632333736323039312e3138623535623666353738653763613637363538343633323932312e706e67)               

86. Criminally Sweet

I swear every day I’m in the fight of my life with this app. I lost like four chapters because they had an update to story categories and requires I go through every one of my stories to update them all correctly as well as update the mature rating so I did that all day yesterday.

Anyways, bear with me through this unedited chapter lol I’ll be back around later to sort it out

Enjoy!

xoxo

“ Ryk? “ Mickey murmured near my right ear.

“Mmm?” I mindlessly hummed, snuggling even farther back into his body as his warmth meshed with my heated skin. He just chuckled, pressing me directly against him more by using his left arm looped around my waist, right under both my arms, then continued to screw something into whatever the fuck he was making.

My mind wasn’t nearly clear enough to give a damn, my toes curling in a little, catching some of the comforter below us as more tingles dragged across my sensitive nerves. I was too busy…

Wait… which fucking ques-

“Question 10. And fix 9 before you dare hit submit.”

Jesus, he sounded so fucking good right now .

My body was still a vibrating wreck after every single thing this baker had literally just done to me, and the fact that we were now both sitting on the floor of his studio, my back pressed into his bare chest while he worked on the rocket and I tried to finish the last of my homework…

Yeah, if he hadn’t just given me the best oral sex of my entire fucking life, I would’ve been beyond pissed the fuck off.

Instead, I was acting like I was straight up high. And shit, I felt like I was.

I had the most goofiest smile plastered on my face, my curls probably a whole goddamn mess from the pillow I was forcing the back of my head into as Mickey made my spine arch completely off the soft comforter he’d pushed me back on. But I didn’t give a shit. Not when I could still feel his fingers inside of me. I could still feel his mouth there, pressing his soft tongue past-…

My hands trembled a bit over the keyboard keys, just thinking about it all over again, forcing more heat to my face. Breathing was already a mission to figure out, I didn’t need this too.

Then Mickey made it considerably fucking worse by tussling the curls on the right side of my head with his chin and giving them a soft kiss while he continued what he was doing.

I loved how he was still using both hands, and how I felt the muscles in his left arm tense every few seconds.

Truth be told I had no idea what he was doing, but after he had made me cum- twice , might I fucking add

• then cleaned me up… with his mouth, might I also

fucking

add… he kissed his way back up my trembling body, gave me a scorching kiss on the lips that made me absolutely forgot all plans for the rest of the night, then pulled away way too fucking soon and abruptly asked if I did my goddamn homework.

Yes.

After giving me the best head of my life, eating me out, cleaning my cum off my stomach with his tongue after making me cum twice , and following the hickeys he’d already left all over my body, back up to kiss me so hard he just made me hard all over the fuck again… all while growling how fucking perfect I am against my swollen lips… he then had the fucking nerve to pull away and ask me some fuck shit like if I finished my homework.

Safe to say he had turned my brain to literal mush already, because all I managed was a slow head shake no while fighting to figure out my breathing. What I wanted to do was pull him closer and talk him into sex. Sex sex, like the kind of sex that would satisfy me for weeks, the kind of sex that would remind me of how he felt inside me every time I sat down…

But that was when Mickey pulled away completely, and I knew I’d fucked up. Royally . My brain was too jumbled to realize I should’ve lied straight through my fucking teeth.

Fast forward about ten minutes later, I was now sitting between his legs, my back directly to his chest, with the laptop he grabbed from my school bag out in the living room propped up on my bent knees.

Mickey was using his right leg which was stretched out on the comforter, keeping the rocket propped up, but he had his left leg rested on the comforter under my knees, wrapped around me just like his left arm was as he made sure I stayed right here.

Trust and believe I didn’t want to be anywhere the fuck else right now, and the more he held me like this- like a koala- the more I kept snuggling into him, trying to see just how close I could get.

He’d also grabbed this black plastic container of stuff from his closet. Wasn’t sure what it was, but while I got situated in his arms- his hands efficiently yanking the shirt that now had my holes from my teeth in the material, right off me- I finished getting logged into the laptop to complete the rest of my Algebra homework. All I was wearing now were briefs.

Mickey then alternated between rummaging through the box and feeding us both spoons of chili from one of the bowls he brought down to the comforter.

Honestly, I’d forgotten about the chili. I forgot all about it the second Mickey yanked me down harder using the firmest grip on my hips to angle my body, holding my lower half up high so he could push his tongue inside me at a better angle.

I’m pretty sure that was when I forgot everything else planned for tonight. Including the fact that Mickey was once again gaining the upper hand in being the giver.

At this point we both sorta also forgot about the wine, but it was probably for the best because I already felt like I was fucking twisted- high and drunk off the way he had my body fucking folded up.

I think I was starting to finally understand what this baker meant about me healing first so we could do more together.
The way he manhandled my hips …

Then there was the fact that whatever the hell Mickey had in this black box, it looked like complicated wires and a bunch of unmarked pack things. I didn’t know how to explain it, but I didn’t see a single page of instructions in sight, so I just let him do whatever.

Right now I had to figure out what the hell was going on with question 9. And when I scrolled back up, I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t have question 9 wrong at all.

I left that shit completely unanswered. Just blew right past it.

That shit alone made my face hotter, especially knowing that Mickey was paying this close attention even though he had barely looked over since he started his build.

“So…” I mumbled quietly, trying to distract myself from how spacey I clearly was and the way this fucker chuckled near my right ear again, picking up on how embarrassed I felt. “Um… so New Years in Vegas then?”

The question was meant as a distraction, but truth be told, I wanted the details. I wanted every last fucking detail and in a very chalant way. I also didn’t want this baker to have to deal with paying for my ticket, but I knew he wanted to. I also knew he’d shut down almost anything I said about it.

“You want us on or off the strip?” Mickey asked instead, making my stupid smile widen. Focus, Ryker, I then snapped because whatever this shithead was building wasn’t taking him long, and I still have one more quiz to submit.

I didn’t even know how to answer that question, though. I mean, a part of me was worried about the congestion… the amount of people. And yet… “I know it’ll be busy and shit, but…”

“I’ll get something private,” Mickey said, simply understanding. No inkling of a question there or anything, which made me squirm a bit, pressing my body even harder into him. “Private suite. Private floor,” he added, which made me pause a sec.

“It’ll be New Years,” I reminded him because whatever this fucker was promising couldn’t actually be a thing. New Years had to be Vegas’s busiest time of the year.

“So?” Mickey asked, slowing his hands while I turned my head away from the laptop screen to look back at him a little.

“Well, that’s… isn’t that… like won’t that be hard or something?”

“Private suite?” His thick brows creased a little, those sharp eyes holding mine.

I shook my head no. “Private floor.”

The edges of Mickey’s mouth twitched up a bit into the slyest grin next. “You want a private building?”

I quickly shook my head no even harder as my face got even more freaking warm. There was just no reason for this fucker to be and sound and fucking look this fucking hot right now while suggesting all this.

And when his smile widened, I knew he knew how down bad I was already tonight. He should’ve known from how desperately I was crying out his name through teeth clenched onto his shirt. I couldn’t even stop myself from pressing into him more, and Mickey’s body remaining firm enough for it as we sat like this just made me want to turn around and push him back onto the comforter.

I still didn’t know how being on top felt like, and I wanted to find out tonight. I wanted to find out right the fuck now, actually. I wanted to make him lose it for a change.

“I just… Okay,” I finally mumbled, which made Mickey’s smile grow. Then he leaned forward just a little more and placed a soft kiss right on my lips before tightening his hold on me and turning back to the build.

“Settled then. What’s on your list of shit you want to do?” He asked me, and I made sure to turn back to my homework. Honestly, at this point, I was ready to risk one or two wrong answers so I could be done with this shit and get to focus on my smart boyfriend doing smart shit beside me.

His question made me think for a second, before I eventually shrugged. Truth be told, I hadn’t even thought about all that. I just knew Mickey wanted to hit up the casinos and I wanted to do whatever he wanted. “What do you want to do?” I countered.

“My only non-negotiable is a kiss on New Years. And I want confirmation that your school shit is complete first before we board any plane to leave this state,” he replied.

He definitely had me grinning in the first half, but that faded fast as hell in the second.

I was about to groan until he ever so softly whispered into my right ear, “ Najjunge geu kkachilhan taedo, naega masajiro da pureojulge … which means: later, I’ll massage all that attitude right out of you .“

And that silenced me in a goddamn heartbeat.

Instead I nodded, feeling him place another kiss near my temple before returning to whatever he was doing. And at this point, I made the decision for the both of us that I wanted sex.

Like right the fuck now.

My dick and mind and heart and whatever important parts of me all took a vote and agreed in an instant that everything else could wait…

But before I got the chance to start to turn around, Mickey grunted out, “don’t even fucking think about it, Ryk. Finish your homework.”

By the time I actually finished with my work, so had this shithead. Admittedly it felt good knowing it was done, but my attitude only reached new highs when Mickey spent the next few minutes bundling both him and me in more clothes.

I had hope that after I completed all that math shit, we’d move things to the bed, even for just a small quickie. The entire time I spent doing homework, I felt his imprint pressed to my lower back, and nothing about being in his arms even made me remotely soft, especially not after hearing him whisper to me in Korean… but that wasn’t the case.

Instead, we finished the wine that was poured, and Mickey set the rest of the chili in the fridge while I changed into everything he laid out on his bed for me.

As my last resort, I took my time changing, hoping he’d get the message that I wanted him to fuck my brains out now . I mean my body was still fucking reeling from his thank you , and he hadn’t even let me touch him during any of it. He was honestly making a damn mockery of how much I wanted to be the giver here tonight. The chili. The gifts. Me walking around in an apron. All of it was to do something nice for him, as was everything I now needed him laying in bed naked to receive…

And the worst part of it? His subverting all my attempts?

It was that I liked that shit.

This constant battle we were in…

How hard he made it…

How hard it made me

“Hurry it up, Ryk. We’ve got a window.”

My eyebrows furrowed a bit when I turned to him. He was already back in his clothes from the art studio, and the hoodie he wore out earlier, just wiping down the kitchen island in his now spotless kitchen. I was in the middle of pulling up some jeans, then all that was left was his windbreaker, and when him and I locked eyes, I gave him a quick nod, moving a bit faster.

Did I know what he meant by that? Absolutely not. Did I even know where exactly we were headed? Also a no.

Considering neither of us were getting ready to ride, I just assumed it must’ve been somewhere around here. And when I finally finishing pulling on the windbreaker, then making sure to transfer the cigs from the hoodie I had on before, to it, I finally got a good look at the rocket Mickey now had in his hand near his kitchen island.

The thing was a fucking unit.

Like this had to be when the post-nut clarity was finally hitting for me, because I had been blissfully fucking unaware that this fucker was building a bomb. The cool rocket now looked like something he could detonate instead of launch… and it was in this moment I grasped that the window he spoke of might’ve actually been a window of time to let this thing off without risk of us getting arrested.

So that shit made me quicken my pace, realizing the sex would actually have to come later.

Right now I wanted to see whatever Mickey put together while feeding me chili. And when he started heading towards the door, I quickly followed.

“Where we headed?” I asked, slipping my soft slippers off and nudging them right next to his, directly side by side, before getting my sneakers on next.

“Rooftop,” Mickey replied. That made my head snap up at him.

“Rooftop?”

He nodded. “Not for the public. I’ll break us in.”

And as if I thought my heart couldn’t beat any fucking faster today, that shit got it going. Fuck it, it got me going, both sexually and physically as I all but jammed my other foot into my sneaker and pretty much rushed Mickey out of here first, making him chuckle as he locked up his apartment door behind us.

“Look who’s all eager-”

“Shut up, Micah,” I grumbled, tugging at the hem of his hoodie when he started to intentionally slow his pace. “You just said we don’t have time for this shit.”

“Well, I’m sure we’ve got a little-”

“Shut up ,” I tugged harder, and Mickey chuckled more, but after locking up, he transferred the rocket to his right hand. Then he turned and used his left to detach my right from his sweater so he could lace our fingers and pull me along towards his elevator.

Well, that was where I thought we were headed at first, until he continued right past it, leading me towards a door at the very end which I wasn’t sure if I noticed before.

There was a plaque near it that said STAIRS . That was when Mickey let go of my hand to yank down on the metal door handle and open it up. He first held it open for me to pass through- the lighting in here now a florescent white instead of the warm yellow like his apartment floor- then he signaled for me to head up the concrete steps that spiraled in this tight back stairwell.

I wasn’t really sure what the hell Mickey meant about breaking us in, until I finally made it up to the door the stairs led direct to, a couple flights up, and saw that there was a scanner pad near the handle. I stepped aside a little to let Mickey finish climbing and handle it… which he did so easily.

Thanks to his own scanner, he was able to show me in real time how it worked by passing over the rocket and launcher so he could use both hands. First he slid his white key card out, placed it over the scan pad for the door, held it there for a few seconds, placed it back in his reader, then pulled it out again, and when he brought it to the door for the second time, the scanner pad flashed green, unlocking it.

All it did was turn me on. So there’s that.

I sort of looked around while the door opened, though, noticing that there was a security camera up here, but Mickey definitely already knew that. At this point, it wasn’t even worth asking about, and more than anything, I wanted to see what this thing in my hands could do. He’d made the rocket considerably heavier, and it looked like he had completely restructured the three legged launcher.

Once this baker got the door pushed open, slipping the scanner back in his pockets, he stepped out first then held it open for me. And that was when I finally got a good look at everything up here, which blew my fucking mind straight away.

It was dark out for sure, a little past ten at night, but the neighboring buildings had enough light, as did the glowing blue glass that spanned the entire length of this building. I recognized what the glass dome was immediately, but that didn’t stop me from practically jogging over to it on the left, staring straight through the ultra thick panes at the pool down below.

“H-Holy… holy fucking…” I whispered. I couldn’t even finish that sentence because this arial view alone left me absolutely speechless.

“Pretty dope, huh?” Mickey asked, approaching my left side before he gently removed the rocket and launcher from my hands.

I quickly nodded, just fucking blown away. I was so mesmerized by the vibrant blue water below, the water and glass itself reflecting off each other thanks to the lights in the empty pool, that I hadn’t even realized this baker was getting things set up until he called my name again.

“Come here, Ryk,” he said, and I eventually forced my eyes away from the glass to turn and head over. He had set everything up on the concrete ground in the middle of this rooftop more or less, but a healthy distance from the door area, and from the glass above the pool.

Then I watched him take something out of his hoodie pocket, and realized soon enough that it was a carton of cigs. He pulled out two, placing one between his lips, before turning left to hand one to me.

Well, I thought he was handing one to me.

It came as no surprise when I reached for it, and he pulled his hand back, watching my hands eventually lower to my sides and my lips gently part for him instead.

The look in this baker’s eyes, even with such minimal light, told me just how much he fucking liked that shit.

And just when I thought this man might actually start something up here- something devilishly indecent from the way those eyes of his sharpened- he pulled my lighter out from his hoodie and lit his cigarette before turning left to me more. Then I could only watch as he bent down a little and brought the burning tip of his cigarette to mine.

I damn near forgot how to fucking breathe for a second… until I realized I had to breathe in to light mine with his. And at this point I just wanted him. I knew now wasn’t the fucking time, but I craved more intimacy. I wanted him inside me again. I wanted his hands all over me again. I wanted him to hold me again like he always did- careful but beyond fucking needy and possessive.

I… I wanted to hear him say he was in love with me again.

And again.

However needy it fucking sounded. I just wanted to hear it like he was stuck on repeat.

Mickey then turned, and crouched down. He used the lighter in his hand to spark something before taking a few quick steps back, but what surprised me was the left hand that wrapped around my waist and pulled me right along with him, allowing my body to stumble right back into his sturdy frame from the quick distance he put between us and the launcher.

I damn near expected us to both fall back, but this shithead didn’t even waver.

And I swear I was about to start asking questions here.

I sure as fuck had many considering just how far he pulled us away, but as soon as I managed to adjust myself in his arm, reaching for the cigarette wedged between my lips with my left hand, Mickey had pulled something else out of his pocket with his right hand, pressing down on a button, and whatever the fuck he’d put together had launched itself into the air, forcing my head up quickly as I watched it pierce through the darkened sky.

Mickey’s arm tightened a little more, making sure I was snug against him, and my eyes didn’t dare to leave that burning light shooting up. I saw something else break apart first, but that was when the real magic fucking happened. That was when I finally understood what the fuck he’d been putting together like second nature on the floor of his art studio with me.

There was a loud burst of sound as fireworks suddenly detonated, bright colors of yellow shooting off against the black backdrop of night, and all I could fucking do was watch, completely stunned. I didn’t even realized I had started to laugh a bit, still in shock that Mickey wasn’t joking about mods. He wasn’t joking at all.

It was by far the coolest fucking thing I think I had ever seen built, that bright yellow light fading into other flickers of green.

I… I didn’t even know how to explain it, but I genuinely felt like a fucking kid again for a few seconds, even if I had no idea how Mickey made any of that work. It was something too unbelievably fucking dope, yet it only lasted a few moments which I’m sure was due to the fact that the rocket I bought definitely wasn’t meant for any of this…

But I still pulled my cig away from my mouth and used my free hand to grip Mickey’s arm around my waist, tight, a massive grin shooting across my face as I noticed a small little parachute slowly making it’s way back down.

“You like it?” Mickey asked, bowing his head down a little to whisper near my ear, and I swear I almost head butted him from how hard I fucking nodded.

We watched as the inner body of the rocket eventually floated into the top of a tree nearby, but what Mickey said next before I could ask if he liked it, triggered my already racing heart.

“Good. Now let’s get the fuck outta here.”

And that was pretty much all the direction I got before I felt his arm detach from around me.

He quickly separated himself to go grab the rocket launcher, all while I managed to get my last few puffs of this cig in before I twisted out the burning tobacco and placed the bud in my jean pockets. It was all I managed to do before my right hand was being grabbed and Mickey was rushing us right off that damn roof, pulling me along right behind him.

I wasn’t sure if it was the adrenaline of this being this sudden, or the first illegal thing I’d done in a while, besides those rides with this fucker, but uncontrollable laughter started bubbling, tumbling out past my lips as this shithead unlocked the door again and pulled us both through.

We bolted down the first flight of stairs, heading towards the second flight that would put us on the seventh floor, but Mickey was the one who stopped us rather abruptly, pretty much absorbing the impact of me crashing into his back a little when I couldn’t stop my legs as fast.

“What- What’s wrong?” I asked through my laughter, noticing Mickey hadn’t let go of my hand. And he didn’t stop those sexy ass chuckles either. Instead his chin jutted up a little at the door to our right. The same door I passed on the way up to the roof.

Then that gorgeous fucking smile of his stretched, and I heard two simply words leave his lips.

“Wanna swim?”

••

87. Bitter Coating

I’m back, lovelies!

These chapters will be coming to you just a bit unedited because my whole week has been busy with fair stuff (volunteering) but I’ll double back around later.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Shit, this view really was worth the price , I couldn’t help but think, glancing up at the glass dome.

I’d already disabled the cameras, feeding it looped footage of the back stairwell until the reset would happen at 3 AM, something I initiated while Ryk was taking his sweet fucking time getting ready to head out up to the roof.

He’d been tempting the complete hell out of me. But I wanted to spend more time with him doing things he might enjoy- besides sex, of course. Especially after the day he had.

The way he looked now, though, wasn’t helping fucking anything.

“ Shit ,“ I heard him mumble softly, forcing my eyes back on what I was trying to avoid like the plague: him standing at the edge of the pool’s deep end in nothing but briefs. The blue hues from the water reflected on his bare skin, and as he started to stretch out his arms, pressing them side to side, I felt my resolve just getting weaker and weaker.

Fuck, he looked fucking unreal tonight.

The irritation around his eyes was finally gone. Instead, he seemed relaxed- something I wanted to witness more of. I was getting tired of how worn these situations left him. I wanted to prove that our time together could recharge his energy. And that smile, too- the one he had right after I launched that rocket… It seemed to linger tonight, making my body feel warmer than usual.

He looked like a kid when those fireworks went off.

And that was what I loved most about him. That he seemed happier up there with me than in any fancy restaurant.

What this fucker hadn’t prepared me for was when he took a casual, small step forward, raised his toned arms, and dove straight into the water.

I wasn’t stressed about his injuries anymore, I knew they’d been fine considering I had his body folded up like a lawn chair to eat his ass out about an hour or two ago, but I found myself stumbling back a bit, watching as Ryk managed to clear the distance from one end of the pool to the other in fucking nanoseconds.

His body cut through water like it was built for it- zero hesitation, just powerful strokes I wasn’t expecting from him.

It made me realize something I should’ve earlier.

That this was probably the first real bit of exercise he was getting.

His body had been more or less idle for months.

And as his hands reached the shallow side of the pool, he grabbed the ledge with both, pressed his feet up against the side wall, and pushed himself back, following his free form with the cleanest back stroke I had ever fucking seen.

Shit, was he fast.

He kept a perfect line, reaching the other end right as I started to yank my shirt off and tossed it in the pile of our clothes near my feet. Then I crouched down and carefully lowered myself into the water in hopes I wouldn’t disrupt the laps he had easily settled into.

This was the first time I’d ever seen his muscles activated like this, growing more defined with every powerful stroke, and at this point it was safe to say that I was fucking salivating.

I felt like I’d just caught myself a damn merman when he made it to the shallow end again, only to push off it once more, moving into a dolphin kick next.

When the hell did he mention being this good?

He barely even took breaths as he swam. I mean his breath control was absolutely insane. And when he did reach the deep end again, I watched him submerge himself completely before pushing past the surface, and running his hands through his drench curls to drag them away from his face.

Shit, I was so stunned I barely registered how cold the water was in here tonight.

Then Ryk looked around a bit before turning back to lock eyes with me, that wide smile now the clearest on his gorgeous face.

Jesus fucking hell- what the fuck-

“Why didn’t you tell me you could swim?” I barked at him without thinking. That smile didn’t falter, but his thick brows creased a little.

“I did. Community pool,” he answered between easy breaths before swimming closer to me.

“You learned all this at a goddamn community pool?” I asked, already moving closer in this water to meet him halfway.

It was an absolute sin how fucking sexy he looked in here right now. Just unbelievably blasphemous. The blue from the water made me reach for him rather quickly, yanking him into my arms, and that light raspy chuckle he let out just made me want him.

Right now. In here.

I was willing to take responsibility for how fucking irresponsible that all would be, especially as my hands reached low below the water for his ass and forced his legs around my waist.

“There was a guy who used to practice there-”

“I don’t want to hear about another guy,” I told him freely, making Ryk chuckle even harder.

“He was like thirty, Mick-” this dipshit tried to argue, his face mere inches from mine, but I brought my lips down to his lightning fast before he barely got his arms over my shoulders, and gave him a kiss, shutting him up.

Ryk pulled away a little first, still catching a bit of his breath, yet I was already pressing his whole body right against mine, just making sure he felt exactly how turned on I was. he was going to have to take some responsibility tonight.

Shit, his dry chuckles were making my head spin . His toned body in my arms cleared all my thoughts of whatever holiness was left.

I was already walking us across the width of the pool towards the other side so I could press him against it. My hands were all over his ass, gripping and squeezing, not making breathing any easier for this shithead.

I’d already put up with Isiah and his dad interrupting our day. If this fucker mentioned one more person from his past right now, my jealousy with not owning every thought of his was going to snap my resolve. I wanted claim over every last bit of this fuckers mind tonight. That was only way tonight could be what he wanted- a night about me.

A night where he got to spoil me, as if he hadn’t already.

“If my dad had shit to do, I’d go swim. I’m not sure what you’re imagining, but the guy who taught me was genuinely in his thirties, balding, and married with kids. He just showed me some stuff. And I was like eight or something. I reminded him of his son when he was little.”

God, this motherfuckers eyes had me in a tizzy right now . Those long eyelash with water droplets dripping off them like crystals… I was trying to get ahold of myself as I pinned him back against the pool’s wall, my body overpowering my mind.

“You went to the community pool alone?” I then asked, not liking the sound of that. Not in the neck of the woods he was from.

Ryk simply nodded. “I mean, lots of parents were there, too. There was only like one weird incident where my dad stepped in. Other than that, it was fine.”

For a second, I paused, questioning whether I even wanted to know.

Killing Simon Parker kept sounding better and better, but this was how things always happened whenever Ryk spoke about him. One moment, I wanted to bludgeon the piece of shit to death, and the next, I understood it- why Ryker had gotten so tangled up in everything.

“What happened?” I asked, deciding it was something I should know for no other reason than the fact that it was still part of Ryker’s childhood. As much as it ruined me to hear any of it, I knew this was his way of being open.

It was this openness that made me trust the words he said.

Ryk just shrugged a little. “Some old creep wanted to give me a ride home or something. I blew him off, but my dad was picking me up that day on our way to a hiking trip. I mentioned it once I got in the car since he asked who the guy was that was standing next to me, and he told me to wait while he got out and headed inside.”

Ryk hesitated for just a moment.

“He… He came back with bruised knuckles and blood on his wife beater but I’d long since stopped asking questions when I saw him like that.”

I had to force my hold not to tighten more. Not to crush him against me.

Hearing that shit just-… it put me in a place.

Knowing Ryk had dealt with all that-

I felt arms tighten just a little, unable to help it, before Ryker pulled himself up a bit and placed a soft kiss on my left cheek. His wet, cold lips sent a shiver through my body. And when he pulled his head away so those beautiful brown eyes could find mine, he mumbled, “It’s fine, Mickey. It’s just the way things were. And I never saw the old fucker again.”

I hated reacting like this. I hated Ryk having to comfort me when he deserved said comforting instead.

“Did that happen often?” I asked instead.

“Pedos in the community? I think that happens everywhere-”

“No,” I shook my head carefully. “Your dad handling shit like that.”

Ryk slowly nodded, not really emotional towards any of this. “I mean… he didn’t build his reputation off of act of kindness and good deeds,” he joked. I mustered a smile, but the way Ryk’s arms tightened a little told me I was doing a shit job of looking unaffected.

“I’m glad he kept an eye on you,” I still tried to admit.

Ryk nodded again. “Well… his-… I guess his motto was that no one else could lay a hand on me but him. I still started a lot a shit with people, though. Easier to explain the bruises that way. I didn’t bother correcting whatever people believed at school, either. It just… it made things easier that way.”

I found myself nodding this time, trying to mask the tightness in my chest.

God, I must’ve been doing such a shit job, because Ryk just pulled me in closer with his legs, letting me press into him again.

“I want to tell you something,” I started, still unsure of my words, “but… well, I don’t know how you’ll react. I don’t want you to be-”

“I won’t get mad,” Ryk answered quickly as he dropped the volume in his voice to match mine. “If I didn’t have the energy to get pissed at my dad tonight, I promise you I don’t have it in me to be angry with you.”

Jesus, that just made me feel worse . “You can punch me or something you know.”

Ryk surprised me by huffing a little. Then a smile formed on his soft lips. “I thought we established I don’t like seeing you get hurt.”

Well.

He wasn’t wrong about that.

I still remembered the worry in his eyes at Fight Club after Dante landed a clean hit to the side of my face. The straight fear in Ryk’s beautiful eyes.

Ryker didn’t like violence. And there wasn’t a single part of me that could blame him for that. For why.

But still. The way those large eyes looked at me now- the patience in them… I found myself gently dropping my head to his left shoulder, turning it slightly into the crook of his neck.

Fuck . This honesty shit was just…

“What is it, Mickey?” Ryk asked gently as his wet hands shifted up into my dry hair. The feeling made my whole body shiver, just wanting to hold him tighter.

“…Those guys at your dad’s shop…” I forced the words out into the soft skin of his wet neck, and enjoyed the warmth it emitted.

Ryk paused a little before clarifying. “Vinny and John?”

“…Yeah,” I nodded into him. “They won’t be coming around anymore.”

That made Ryk’s body completely still. I swear I felt his heart stop beating for a few seconds, the throbbing just under his jawline coming to a halt.

And it just made my heart beat all the faster.

There was so much I couldn’t explain to him. So much I was already involved in… but this was a choice I had made on my own- coming after those guys. It was one of the few pleas I’d every made with Don: to give me the names.

“You…”

“I handled it.”

Ryk’s body remained still. But his arms didn’t let go. He hadn’t pushed me away yet and I clung onto that. After this- what I just revealed to him- I made silent promise to myself that I’d start asking for permission more instead of forgiveness. My anger couldn’t win like that again.

Ryk didn’t need a mercenary… he needed honesty.

All he ever asked about were my intentions.

“Like are they… did you-”

“They’re alive,” I answered. “They just won’t be coming around anymore.”

It took Ryk even longer to react in any way. And I wanted to pull my head back to get a good look at him, but right now I was too much of a fucking coward to. I didn’t know what look he’d wear if I faced him.

I didn’t know what assault it would enact on my heart.

But Ryk’s next few words wasn’t what I was expecting.

“You… you found out, then, didn’t you?”

I didn’t know how to answer that.

It could’ve been his question for a lot of things right now.

“About that night, I mean. About… those two being there.”

“…Yeah,” I eventually replied. “Yeah, I found out.”

This next question, however, forced my head away from his neck.

“…Why didn’t you kill them?”

My eyes found Ryk’s quickly, but he adverted his gaze, looking a little to my left now, towards the water behind me.

“I…”

Well, how the hell was I supposed to answer that shit? How the hell did he want me to answer?

“I didn’t think that was what you wanted,” I finally replied, my voice now just barely a whisper. “Was it, Ryk?”

Ryk took a moment before slowly shaking his head no.

“Would… Would it have been easier?” He asked in almost an inaudible voice. And for a second, I had to think about that. Not about whether it would have been easier, but about the complications surrounding telling him the truth.

And yet I still did. He deserved this much.

“Yeah,” I whispered back into this otherwise quiet space. It would’ve been easier, but it doesn’t matter whether that would’ve been easier. It’s not what you would’ve wanted, so-“

I didn’t even finish that before Ryk quickly dropped and tucked his head into the left side of my neck, locking his entire body around mine ultra fucking tight. So tight, I could feel his body start to tremble a little.

“I’m sorry-” he started mumbling against my skin, but I cut him off, not even remotely ready to stomach a fucking apology from him right now.

“You don’t want anyone dead, do you?” I whispered.

Ryk eventually shood his head no, still keeping it nuzzled into me. I felt his wet curls on dry skin.

“Then I won’t kill anyone. Not yet.”

Ryk nodded this time against my neck, but his body continued to shake slightly. I didn’t know what was running through his head right now. Hell, I questioned why I even brought this up knowing how much of a fucking mess it would be. All this was was more stress on him than he needed.

Fuck.

“Have you done it before?” He asked, making my whole body freeze up. “Wait, don’t answer,” he then rushed out, and my heart just about fucking flatlined.

Fuck. Fuck , I knew I shouldn’t have fucking-

“It’s alright if you have. And it’s okay if you haven’t. You don’t have to answer.”

It felt like Ryk was crushing me with the hold he had on my body, but I would’ve accepted this over him pushing me away any fucking day and at any fucking time. I just found myself not wanting him to let go.

“Have you… Have you thought about… ki-… handling my father?”

“Every fucking day,” I replied, not caring to sugar coat that one at all.

To my surprise, though, Ryk just snuggled into my neck more, making me press him just a little harder to this wall as I barely registered the water all around us anymore. “Your father’s bad habits are starting to overlap with my work. But you don’t want that, either, do you? You don’t want him gone.”

I expected him to shake his head no, but it genuinely took a bit longer than expected before he actually did.

And my next question came out a hell of a lot gentler as I whispered, “What is it you want, Ryker Parker? Tell me, and I’ll make it happen.”

I felt him borrow his head deeper, forcing my body to relax. The question was the most weighted, and yet that simple action alleviated so much stress. “You know that old pedo I mentioned? The one at the community pool?”

“The one your dad took care of?” I asked.

Ryk gently nodded.

“My dad… he still gave me a black eye once he got back into the car that afternoon. He told me my perception of vermin like that needed to be sharper. Couldn’t have someone thinking they could shove their old wrinkly dick up Simon Parker’s kid’s ass or some shit.”

I…

I genuinely had no words to say to that.

Literally fucking none.

I just kept reminding myself that my hands were on Ryk right now and I couldn’t tighten my hold any more like my anger wanted me to. I couldn’t crush him, even if I wanted him as close to me as humanly fucking possible right now.

“So if you’re asking what I want, Mickey… then my answer is this,” I heard him mumble against my sensitive skin. “Being with you. This is all I want. And I’ll… I’ll stomach whatever it takes- whatever you have to do to keep things just like this.”

••

88. Dessert To-Go (M)

I have zero excuses besides the fact that I started reading the manhwa ENNEAD and I have been OBSESSED. If I didn’t have so many projects going at the same time right now, istg my next book would be about the gods of Egypt.

Tell me a story about an archeologist going back in time to ancient Egyptian days wouldn’t absolutely EAT like omggg why do I do this to myself

Anyhoo, enjoy lovelies!

xoxo

Warning: Explicit Content ;)

I didn’t know what the hell I was feeling anymore.

But as Mickey held me, his hold borderline bone-crushing, I knew it wasn’t anything as shitty as I thought it might’ve- should’ve been for what I’d just said. About my father.

Instead, I just felt… loved.

Not the kind of romantic love, at least not only that. I think this might’ve been the first time I actually felt Mickey’s intensity. It was the first time I felt something almost shift, like something flipped his defensive position to offense.

I kept wondering what extent he’d gone to in the past, with his work, and the choices he’d made… but seeing him like this now- open and honest, letting me decide what he’d do next…

I don’t think I’d ever been more attracted to something.

I let his tight hold crush me all he wanted as I kept my head tucked into his neck. My body already felt more alive after the few laps in this pool, and this was one of those rare moments where he wasn’t treating me like I could break.

Reminding him that I’d gone through a lot with my dad even before that night wasn’t my intention, but if he was right- if something my dad did was mixed in with his work- I knew it was probably bad. Worse even than what Mickey was letting on.

This was still new for me though.

It was the first time my dad’s involvement didn’t leave me scared for the person I liked. There was no hesitation when Mickey said he’d thought about killing him. And while I wondered for how long- questioned just how much Mickey knew already- something told me he wouldn’t be able to answer that.

At least not now.

“If it gets to that point,” I heard Mickey whisper near my ear, “you’ll know before I do anything. I won’t ask for forgiveness like I am now, alright?”

My hands had already started to shake a bit, and iIf this fucker said anything else right now, I was going to start crying again, I swear to fucking god. Even on a night like this, where this shithead was supposed to be strapped down in his bed with his cock in my mouth… he still made me fucking putty in his hands instead.

It made me realize I was going to have to fight harder on the days I wanted to make our time be about him.

“Okay,” I found myself mumbling against his skin, before forcing my head back out from the crook of his neck. I would’ve unpacked my shit and made a home there if I kept this up- kept hiding like this. And Mickey’s soft gaze did nothing to help it.

“For now, I’ve got some shit in place to buy me- us time. I want to spend this December with you worry-free. I want to see you win the holiday contest. I want to spend next weekend with you at that cabin. Or a hotel if Wilmoria’s staff doesn’t know how to fucking act-”

“You have to promise that we’ll stay,” I blurted out, making Mickey’s eyebrows raise a little.

“Damn it. They got to you, didn’t they?”

I couldn’t help but smile, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on his lips. “I met everyone already. And I got to see Eve drunk. I think it’ll be fine if we stay.”

“Trin can get too touchy when drunk,” he argued.

I shrugged. “Do you get touchy when drunk?”

“You’ll never know,” Mickey answered, smirking a little. “I won’t let her touch you, though. Arlo’s also a goddamn mess when he drinks.”

“Violent?” I asked, but Mickey quickly shook his head no.

“Knocks out just wherever the fuck.”

“That’s nothing,” I assured him. “Since we’re doing Vegas, this’ll be my first taste of you playing poker, right? And Eve said we might be dressing the part. 1900’s gangsters or something.”

Honestly I hadn’t really thought about it when Eve mentioned it at the book store. I knew I was going with Mickey- that he’d be driving me- but I hadn’t thought about what I’d wear.

“I already have your outfit picked out,” this baker said, making my eyes widen a little.

“When did you even-”

“Second I told Ci it was mandatory weeks ago. Eve and I planned on sending out texts to everyone this week now that Thanksgiving’s over. Her and Ci have put most of everything together already.”

“ Where the fuck to you all find the time …“ I found myself more of less mumbling that, but Mickey just chuckled.

“Seeing you in suspenders with your curly hair slicked back? I’d make time at any hour for it.”

My eyebrows raised a bit. “Will I get to see you-”

“Yes. Sold yet?”

I nodded fast as hell, already picturing just how fucking sexy Mickey would look like that.

“We’re supposed to get a snow storm over the weekend. Jade’s also bringing some cars in soon to get winterized, so by tomorrow, I want a finalized list of everything you’ll need in the warehouse to start work. Think you can manage that?”

“Yes,” I answered quickly. Shit, that feeling- the warm feeling all over my body- started taking over again.

“Good. Will Hydran be okay with us gone for a night this weekend?”

I nodded again. “I’ll get everything set up Tuesday night. You should… well, you should know that things can get pricy with-”

“Shut up,” he snapped, and I looked away a little, doing one terrible job of trying to hide my smile. “You excited for me to meet Ms. Kluntz tomorrow?”

“Mhm,” I mumbled, damn near biting the inside of my cheeks to stop this mushy-as-shit grin.

“Can I tell you a secret?” he asked, forcing my eyes back to his.

I hated how fucking perfect he looked in the water. I hated how much the glow from the pool reflected on the deep skin tone he had, just turning me the fuck on.

“I peeked inside your bag when I brought you your laptop tonight. I got to see all those pictures-”

“ Mickey! “ I snapped, but this fucker’s soft laugh zapped my anger in an instant.

I tried to look away, but felt one of his hands leave my ass, breaking through the surface of the water, and reached up. He tangled his fingers into my wet curls then tugged my head back to look at him.

“You weren’t joking-”

“Shut up,” I grumbled.

“I’m excited to hear what your teach-”

“ Shut the fuck up. “

Mickey’s laughter was making my face heated with embarrassment, but when he leant in for a kiss, smiling against my lips, my legs tightened around his waist regardless.

At this point, I wasn’t even sure how much time had passed with us in here like this. But I wanted to stay as long as we could, and something told me Mickey would say when it was time to leave.

Honestly this was the first time I’d ever been this grateful he forced me to do my homework first. There was no way I would’ve done that shit after all this.

“What do you think CiCi would like for the holidays?” I asked this fucker, trying to change the subject instead.

“Another hug might just seal the deal. But if you aren’t comfortable with that, and you really are dead set on getting her something, just get her anything that screams Christmas.”

I slowly tipped my head down a bit, thinking about that. I already thought of a gift for Eve. For Xavier, I noticed a few upgrades I could try and find for his Mustang when we were driving around earlier. This would be my first Christmas buying gifts for anyone besides my dad, and I wanted to get the people around Mickey something. Especially if I could earn a little extra cash while working with Jade.

Maybe Dante and Sammy would-

“Eve and Xavier are it, Ryk,” Mickey cut in, reading my thoughts. “That’s your limit. I’m drawing the line there.”

I swear my face just got hotter, but I nodded anyways.

“Now enough about anyone else. Tonight is my night, remember?” He asked, pushing his crotch right up against mine a bit. I tried to stifle a moan but it was a piss poor attempt. “Remember that shit you said about getting matching tattoos?”

My eyes snapped up to this baker’s immediately.

“Are we-”

“Fuck no. But I’ve got something in mind I want done. Jade said she could do one for you, too- whatever you wanted. Did you want your arm touched up?”

I glanced down at my right arm, looking at the botchy tattoos I’d gotten done there by some random guy at a house party.

Sometimes I forgot I had them. They were pretty basic- just some clouds and what was supposed to be a snake which that random guy turned into tree roots when he got too drunk halfway through the night.

Honestly, I just got them done to get them done. I was wasted that night.

“They’re pretty shitty,” I found myself muttering, almost a bit embarrassed having seen the work of art on Mickey’s neck, chest, upper arms, and his whole back.

He was like a walking museum. While my stuff looked like shitty graffiti on an old freight train.

“You never said anything about them, so I haven’t really asked… but if you want ’em covered up, Jade’s got you. No rush, though. Offer’s good for whenever.”

I smiled, liking the sound of that.

“You think she could make the branches into a snake?”

I glanced back up at Mickey, but the muscles in his face twitched a little. “A snake?”

“Yeah. That’s what they were supposed to be. The clouds could easily be flowers or something. I guess Jade would know best.”

“We’ll talk about that bullshit later,” he replied, reminding me real fast why he seemed to hate the entire idea. Still, he was working hard to not look completely disgusted by his hatred of snakes, and I just found that really cute.

“What design are you getting?” I asked, grinning more now.

“Secret,” he replied, damn near making me roll my eyes. If it wasn’t for the fact that this jackass was stripped down to just his briefs in this water, body pressed against mine, he’d be getting a whole lot more attitude.

“If you won’t tell me, fine. I want something else, then.”

“What’s that?”

“Sex.”

“You’re already getting that-”

“ Now ,“ I clarified, grinding my crotch into his a little this time. That hand on my ass just squeezed me tighter.

After all this tonight, I decided it was my turn to take care of him again. Confident, in control Mickey was getting on my nerves- I was supposed to see him a mess right now, begging me for mercy.

“…Here?” he asked, but that voice of his sounded a bit strained.

“Yeah.”

“W-We can’t-” he shot back, yet I heard his words catch as I rocked my hips into his a little again.

“Why not?”

I felt Mickey’s hand slip away from my wet locks and both his hands reached for my hips instead, easily pinning them back against the pool wall, before he leaned forward and brought his lips to my left ear.

“Because water isn’t lube, my little nympho ,” he whispered between clenched teeth, sending straight tingles through my whole goddamn body. “Until you get used to my size, we-… we can’t do it here.”

I turned my head slightly, whispering into his left ear, “But I want you inside me.”

Mickey’s fingers started digging into my hips a little, making me smile.

“And am I really a nympho if I only like doing it with you? I only ever want to do it with you, and you made me like this… so take some goddamn responsibility Micah Jack- “

I didn’t even get to finish that sentence before those strong hands raised me right  out of the fucking water, ripping my arms away from my neck and my legs away from his waist to plop my ass right onto the edge of the pool.

“M-Mic-”

“Get dressed. Now . We’ve got five minutes to make it to my apartment before I fuck you wherever the fuck we both end up.”

“M-M-” I poorly got out against hasty lips meshing with mine. Large hands wrapped around my waist, holding me up against him as Mickey slammed the door to his flat shut with a foot. Then he started yanking off my soaked sneakers, tossing them somewhere on the wooden floors, before setting my bare feet down onto hardwood and separating his lips from mine.

That was when I finally had the opportunity to actually inhale any type of oxygen. My head felt light as shit, dizzy from that kiss that started as soon as we got into the elevator and didn’t stop right up until now.

“ Take your clothes off .“

The sound of his deep voice made my entire body fucking vibrate as I rushed to yank off the wet hoodie and soaked jeans as Mickey quickly did the same. He was a hell of a lot quicker getting himself down to his wet briefs, that by the time I at least got my jeans about halfway down, around my knees, Mickey was already on his knees helping me take the damp, thick fabric off.

I didn’t expect him to reach for the waistband of my briefs next. I definitely didn’t expect how fast he pulled that fabric down either, not giving me a sec to at least get my dick under control.

Then again, he definitely saw how hard I was by how all this wet fabric molded to my skin. I didn’t even get the time to attempt to dry myself down after being plucked from the pool with how this man rushed me the hell out of there.

“Sh-Shit-” I hissed, stumbling back unexpectedly when Mickey straight up swallowed my dick into that warm mouth of his. I couldn’t stop myself in time from stumbling backwards onto his floor, but somehow Mickey still managed to hold me up my my lower back, softening what would’ve been  a not-so-graceful fall on my ass, all while continuing to suck my dick. He hadn’t even bothered to yank my briefs off yet, yet just kept them around my upper thighs.

And the sounds that came tumbling past my lips as his strong hands made sure I rested back onto his floor before slipping down my back, were something I didn’t even have the brain power to be cautious about anymore.

Not when he was fucking deep throating me.

My hands felt around the smooth floor for anything to grab onto, but nothing was nothing here. and when I tried sitting sitting up a little to reach for Mickey’s hair, he brought his lips right down to the base of my cock again, forcing my back off the floor in an arch as I just about cried out.

I was far too fucking gone to realize that this baker’s floor felt heated- something I hadn’t noticed before because we always had our house slippers on, but it was warm against my bare, wet skin.

“M-Mick-” I gasped again. My legs were lifted by his large hands next, making sure I latched them around his neck. My body had already started to shiver a jolts of pleasure dragged along nerves, heating up my cold skin- the feeling of his hot tongue felt fucking insane after the cold water.

Shit, he was going to make me cum .

I hadn’t even noticed how tight I’d shut my eyes until I felt something enter my mouth, pushing past my parted lips, and when my tongue wrapped around his thick fingers, I start to suck as I felt the weight of his arm on the length of my body.

He pushed his fingers in further, making sure I coated them well enough before yanking them out of my mouth, and I lifted my head just in time to watch him bring those slick fingers around my left thigh, down to my ass.

I could feel how fucking turned on he was as he placed his free hand down on my lower stomach to make sure I kept my body still, but as his fingers started to prod my entrance, that was when I really fucking lost it.

“W-W-Wait- Mickey- I-” I moaned out, gasping again as a finger pushed past my tight rim, but my warning wasn’t nearly as early enough as my body tensed. This felt too fucking unreal right now- whatever control I had fucking vanished as my cum shot past my tip, directly into Mickey’s hot mouth and right down his throat.

My heartbeat was off the fucking walls as I trembled in his hold. My eyes were shut again, not daring enough to even look at this baker right now as he started to stretch me out. I wasn’t sure how loud I was being anymore. All I knew was that he was sucking me fucking dry

• he didn’t let my dick go until nothing was left in me as my head fell back onto the wood again.

“You’re still stretched from earlier, Ryk,” he whispered in a voice that made me squirm a little, but he just placed more weight down with that hand, telling me to be still.

That was probably when I lost control completely.

Both my hands gripped onto Mickey’s thick strands of hair for dear life, and I yanked this fucker up with all the strength I had left. The two fingers he had started to stretch me out with slipped out of me as he let me drag his whole body up mine by his hair, and when I finally got to see those sharp eyes of his that knotted up my insides, he had the sexiest fucking smirk on his lips, probably catching every last bit of the hunger in my eyes.

“I-I want-”

“I know.” His smirk widened. “Come here.”

My hands let go of his hair to wrap around his neck as Mickey scooped me up off the floor with an arm, lifting him and I up.

Honestly, I was about to give him shit for this.

He was the one who said he’d fuck me wherever we ended up, and that should’ve included the floor, but he must’ve read my mind as I tucked my head into the side of his neck, keeping my legs wrapped around him on the journey to the bed, because he whispered this near my ear next.

“We’ll need the bed for the positions I’m about to have you in.”

Yeah…

Mhm .

That shut me right up, alright.

And when he lowered me again, I felt a soft bed quickly aligning with my spine.

My eyes opened up to Mickey finally yanking the my briefs the rest of the way off. I was going to say something about me being soaking wet on his bed, but then I remembered the fuss I made about his sheets weeks ago, and said absolutely nothing now.

I wasn’t ruining this shit for me tonight.

Mickey then straightened up, pushing his own briefs off him, and when I saw just how hard he was, I felt my mouth water. He had leaned over to his bedside table, pulling a small bottle from it, but before I could even reach out for his cock, wanting a taste of it myself, he gave yet another order.

“ Shift further up the bed and spread your legs for me .“

Best fucking believe I did exactly as told, scrambling my shaking body a bit and spreading my legs open as Mickey squeezed a good amount of oil into the palm of his right hand. Then he closed the bottle cap and tossed it on the bed, making my heart stutter.

God, and the view I got of him stroking that oil onto his large dick had my body fucking quivering. It felt like it had been months since we last had sex, not hours, yet I felt my own tip leak back onto my stomach at how I remembered him feeling.

The way his eyes consumed every fucking inch of me as he slowly climbed back onto the bed, made my needs feel all the more fucking desperate.  And when he finally crawled on top, positioning himself between legs that I probably couldn’t spread any further, the first thing I felt was his lips on mine as he lowered himself down completely.

My arms wrapped around his neck lightning fast, but this kiss of his wasn’t like the one we shared when he was demanding whatever oxygen I had left in my lungs.

This one was far more tender.

It was slow. And he murmured into it gently, “ Tell me if anything hurts. “

I nodded against him, expecting him to pull away, but he didn’t. He had one arm doing the work to keep him from crushing me, and I felt his other hand carefully align his tip with my entrance, slowly pressing himself into me.

That made me break the kiss as I left out another dry moan, but Mickey’s demanding lips back on mine muffled the sound. His pressed his soft lips to mine harder, slipping his tongue past them as he gently entered me, and the fucking groan he released had my body fucking trembling. I bit down on his tongue a little, panting at the sheer feeling of his girth.

He was massive, but the oil he’d slicked himself with made the discomfort feel like absolutely nothing. I just locked my legs tighter, encouraging him to go deeper in case he was second-guessing this.

Mickey buried his head into my shoulder and neck, whispering, “R-Relax just- just a bit for me, Ryk… you’re squeezing the hell out of me, baby .”

That shit had me in a goddamn puddle as my whole body shuddered around him. His voice and those words near my left ear sent fucking shivers all up and down me- Jesusfuckingchrist he sounded so impossibly sexy. Like that shit alone almost made me cum again.

But I nodded against him as the hand that was holding his cock let go and gripped my left hip firmly. I tried to relax as much as I fucking could as he pushed himself in more, filling out this feeling.

“ F-Fuck -“ Mickey groaned, and at this point I had to shut myself up by pressing my face into his shoulder, trying to shut the fuck up as more relentless moans fell past my lips. “R-Ryk?”

“Hm-” I damn near whimpered into his shoulder.

“C-Can I- does it hurt?”

I shook my head no quickly. “K-Keep- going-”

Mickey didn’t even wait to hear more before I felt him sink deeper into me, filling whatever space could’ve possibly been left. I sank my teeth into his skin a little, but my legs tightened, not wanting him to pull away just yet as my body adjusted to this.

What I wasn’t expecting was for Mickey’s hand to let go of my hip and wrap around to my ass instead as he lifted my lower half up a little more and pushed his cock in deeper. Both our heavy breaths filled out the air around us, but the sounds he made against my neck as he pulled out slightly only made that building pressure mix in with how fucking incredible this felt, and my cock was starting to act like this wasn’t my nine thousandth time coming today thanks to this fucking fucker.

“ Y-You’re gonna make me fucking cum, Ryk ,“ his deep voice flooded my ears, and at that point, not even his shoulder could silence my desperate moans and my legs released some of their hold, hoping he’d get the damn picture and just start moving already.

He did .

Mickey slowly pulled out just a little, only to thrust into me again, brushing up against that spot inside me that just about made me cry out.

He sounded so fucking close to coming, but I didn’t know how close until he thrust into me once more, only for his body to tense up hard . He started fucking shivering against me as warm liquid quickly filled me up inside, forcing my head back at the sudden feeling.

It was so fucking intense I couldn’t stop shaking as my own sudden orgasm smashed against my core, forcing my cum all over both our stomachs. “M-M-Mickey-” I gasped at the feeling, but he didn’t stop- his hard dick slammed in deeper, pushing more of that warm liquid inside as he continued thrusting.

And each thrust was turning my mind to fucking mush.

I couldn’t even fucking think straight as he started whispering things in Korean into my ear. The way he said whatever he was saying, however- his lips cemented to skin as he bit and licked those sensitive spots- had to be the most dirtiest shit because they had me spreading my legs wider instantly, giving him every bit of access to me.

My skin felt like it was on fire as I felt him throbbing inside, fucking me a hell of a lot harder than he had before. I heard it in his voice- felt that shit in the way he gripped onto my ass cheek, spreading it- his hunger.

It was some of what he’d been trying to hold in- not everything because I still felt a bit of his restraint, but as he unexpectedly sank his teeth into the side of my neck, mixing that jolt of pain with this unbearable pleasure, I knew this was him taking far more liberties.

He was finally showing me just how much restraint he’d had before.

And I wanted more of it. I wanted more of his hunger.

My hands slipped from around his neck, shoving Mickey back a little which made his body slow mid-thrust.

“R-Ry-” I heard him start, but he barely managed to lift his head from my neck before I flipped us quickly, throwing him onto his back with me on top this time.

Thanks to this fucking giant, it took damn near all my strength just to do that, but when Mickey registered the position we  were now in, with just the tip of his dick still in me, I sank myself lower, swallowing the rest of him as I sat back, and Mickey looked up me like he was about to fucking pass out.

I had never seen his face this tight before. His skin had never gotten this red.

“R-Ry-R-”

“Sh-Shut-… shut up, Micah ,” I breathed out as my body trembled on top of him. “This… t-this is my last gift for you tonight… so shut up and take it. “

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