MILE
The call comes at midnight.
I've been up for hours, just watching Barcode sleep and now that we've had sex, I can't turn my brain off. My head's been swirling around with thoughts so when my phone starts ringing, I am relieved for the brief distraction.
I climb out of bed and slide my pants on before walking shirtless to the spot where Barcode left my phone earlier. I grab it from the ottoman chair and walk to the balcony, sliding the glass door to the side before slipping out.
With my gaze locked on the Barcode, I slowly slide the door closed so I don't wake him before finally receiving the call.
"Apo," I say into the speaker, staring into the night.
"Barcode is missing," Apo spits and I can hear the anxiety in his voice. "His parents called his friends who said he left in a company car and when they called the company, no one had a clue. I called Jeff and Bible and they said they haven't heard from him."
I close my eyes and breathe out a sigh, turning around to see the brat roll around on the bed to face the other side.
Although Barcode is an adult, he still lives with his parents and it was pretty reckless of him to not call them and let them know he was sleeping out. Now this brings a whole load of complications.
"He's not missing," I tell Apo.
"What do you mean?" the man sputters. "His phone is off and no one knows where the hell he is."
"He's with me."
Long beats of silence pass by and I almost think the call has ended but when I pull it from my ear to look, it's still connected.
"Mile, what do you mean Barcode is with you?"
"I mean exactly that," I say, wracking my brain for an excuse to give him. "He called me and told me that he got rejected by a crush and he was in such a mess that he didn't want to go home."
"What do you mean he got rejected by a crush and why would Barcode call you and not me or Jeff? He is closer to us than he is to you."
"Because I am the only one who does not pry into his life. You would probably force him to open up to you."
It's a low blow and a cheap shot from my side but we both know it's the truth. If Barcode did indeed have a relationship issue, Jeff, Apo, and the rest of the guys would probably pry the truth out of him. Out of everyone, I am the one person who would not question him.
It's not because I don't care...
Or that I hate butting into other people's business. Last year saw me butting too much into Jeff and Bible's business for that to be true.
When it comes to Barcode, I am the only one who does not view him like some kid who can't handle anything on his own. A case in point is what's happening tonight. He stays away from home for one night and everyone freaks out.
"I... I'm just surprised that he came to you. The two of you never talk," Apo scrambles to say I hate that I am lying to him but I know he will not like the truth if I voice it out.
"Barcode is fine," I say instead of addressing our sudden closeness. "I'll tell him to call his parents when he wakes up tomorrow morning and they can scold him then."
"Okay," Apo says but I can still hear the questions in his head except, well, I have no answers for him.
I wish him a goodnight and hang up the call, sliding into one of the chairs on the balcony. The master bedroom's balcony gives me a perfect view of the garden down below and I breathe in the fresh night air as I stare down below.
There will be a lot of questions tossed at Barcode and me when we meet the guys next. This sudden closeness will raise a few brows and I need to prepare a Barcode for it. I know I can handle myself well but the kid will probably falter under the pressure when Apo and Jeff crowd him for answers.
I shake my head. No, maybe I am just worried about nothing.
Barcode had a crush on Jeff before. Surely he wouldn't want this crush to know he's slept with someone else, right?
Fuck, I don't know anymore.
"P'Mile?"
The soft voice comes from behind me and I turn my head to see Barcode standing behind the glass door, watching me and it seems he's been there for a while. His brows are furrowed and his eyes still heavy while sleep.
"Did I wake you?" I ask when he slides the door open to join me, taking the other chair on the balcony.
"I'm not sure what woke me," he whispers and we both fall into silence as we stare into the night. The silence is awkward and air, heavy with tension and I realize Barcode must have something in his mind so I turn to face him.
"I can hear the wheels in your head turning. Go on, tell me what's on your mind."
He turns to me, chewing his lower lip before finally speaking. "I want to do it again."
Not what I was expecting him to say. "That's not a good idea," I say.
His eyes immediately fill with hurt before quickly looking away but I see it. Fuck, this is not good. "It's okay if you don't want me."
"Get rid of that sad hurt look on your face, Kitten. I meant it's not good for you, not me."
"Why not?" he blinks prettily at me and fuck, I have to force myself to look away to avoid getting sucked into those pretty brown eyes of his.
"You're sore, Kitten. I tried to be gentle with you but it was your first time and should probably wait a couple of days before we go again."
I realize too late what I have said. "But we don't have days," he says, getting off his chair and climbing onto my lap. "We only have four days left before we break this off. Besides, I don't want to wait, I want you now. Please."
Fuck, telling him no is not an option. Perhaps it would be easy to stand by my decisions if I didn't want him just as much.
With little to no effort on his part, I give in. Wrapping my arms around his hips, I stand with him in my arms and carry us back inside.
I plan to make it a long night.
