Kashmir [BxB]

Chapter 10 - A brotherly breakfast

I carefully close the front door behind me, careful to not make it creak the way it did if you moved too fast.

"You could've sent a text, you know."

Startled by Ravi's voice, I end up almost tripping over the shoes. He's standing behind the kitchen counter, leaning on his elbows and forearms with a cup in his hands.

"You hate it when I text you.", I reply, to which he rolls his eyes.

"Not me, idiot. Mum. She got really worried last night. I told her I got a hold of Nate and that you were fine, so you owe me one."

I rub my eyes and walk into the kitchen, hunting for a glass of water to soothe my parched throat.

I'd had way too much to drink last night, and after Kade disappeared I'd ended up sad and horny on a couch somewhere until Thomas found me. We'd made out a bit, but he stopped me when I tried going further. Good guy, it turns out.

Too bad my drunken mess of a self had to break down and yell at him for it.

I don't remember much after that, just the party and the music. I think Dan and I went to get burgers at one point, before I dragged my ass to Esme's. She smirked a little too widely when she found me passed out outside of her window, but she didn't charge a picture for a ride home at least.

"I'll pay you back.", I mumble, getting a glass from the cupboard, "Thanks."

Ravi nods and takes a sip from his cup, having turned around to face me by the sink. I turn off the tap and gulp the contents down.

"Coffee?", he offers, lifting his cup. I hum a yes, gesturing that I'll be back before heading to the bathroom to get a painkiller. My head is pounding, and my tongue feels too large in my mouth. It's like a bunch of cotton has been stuffed into my skull, pushing against my brain from all sides.

When I return to the kitchen, a steaming cup of coffee is on the counter, and I sink onto one of the stools and groan. I catch Ravi smiling by the stove where he's stirring something in a large bowl.

"So, what did you get up to last night? I didn't see you after the game.", he starts, casually picking up the conversation. I knew Ravi had attended the game too, it was almost mandatory for our students to do so.

I smile conspiratorially.

"You know Miller, the forward from Grannis?". Ravi nods, pouring some salt into his concoction. "He invited me to a party, and a blowie."

Ravi turns his head, lifting his eyebrows. Being just a year older than me, Ravi and I always shared stuff like this. He had been the one to tell me what went on behind closed doors, before mum and dad had the usual talk with a big T.

"Was he any good?"

"We didn't get that far.", I excuse, not wanting to get into how I berated the poor guy for doing the right thing and valuing consent. "But something else happened.", I bite my lip, unsure of how to voice my inner turmoil. The pounding of my head had made me realize just how drunk I probably was last night, and that made me question my memories. Kade and I had been about to kiss, hadn't we?

"You remember Kade, right?", I begin, sipping my coffee.

"The man you decided to steal from me, little brother?", Ravi jokes, throwing a glance my way, "I don't blame you, he's hot, but I don't think he's into guys. Totally blew me off."

Deciding not to ask about when Ravi even had the time to flirt with Kade, I continue.

"I don't know, honestly. It's like...", I can't figure out a way to voice my feelings without sounding like a petulant teenager, "Look, we've been talking for weeks, and there are all these subtle clues. Like, he'll seek me out, trying to talk to me, text me, and other small things like sitting next to me and spotting me at the gym. But then, when we got... close, last night... he bolted?"