The sun shines brightly through Jay's curtains and it makes it incredibly difficult for him to fall back asleep despite how early it is. He groans and considers buying a darker shade for the curtains and slowly pushes himself out of bed. It's the weekend, and yet he's unable to sleep in.
He's surprised to find another body in the kitchen at six in the morning on a Saturday and would have preferred to eat alone. He doesn't talk much to others and doesn't quite care to make acquaintances.
"What's got you up so early?" Ryland asks, yawning. His sweatpants are slightly below his waist and his shirt is nonexistent.
"The sun," Jay answers simply and reaches for a box of cereal from the cabinet.
Ryland laughs. "Too bright, huh?"
"Mhm."
"Wanna go buy some curtains?" Ryland asks. "I got up early to buy the new Fifa game anyway."
Jay doesn't have anything else going on, but doesn't know how to decline.
"Sure."
"Sweet," Ryland says with a grin and nudges Jay's arm. "We can play some Fifa after."
Jay loves soccer and has played Fifa in the past. He's also been itching to try the new one.
"Don't be mad when you lose," Jay says.
"You have no idea who you're talking to," Ryland says. "Let's have a little bet."
"What's on the line?" Jay asks.
"Hmm," Ryland thinks. "If I win, you gotta teach me how to lift."
Jay frequents the gym often and Ryland can tell by his physique that he is knowledgeable about lifting.
"I'd teach you anyway," Jay says. "You don't have to beat me in Fifa."
It's the most Ryland has ever heard Jay talk before, but he doesn't want to make it awkward by pointing it out.
Perhaps Jay finds it easy to talk to Ryland and is slowly opening up to him.
"I'll think of something else then," Ryland says. "Let me get dressed in the meantime and then we'll head out."
"Okay."
"Finish up those Coco Puffs."
———
Ryland unlocks his car doors and the two boys slide in as Ryland scrolls through his playlists.
"What should we listen to?" he asks Jay who shrugs and doesn't give an answer.
"What do you normally listen to?" he tries again.
"Crazy shit," Jay says and Ryland snickers.
"Let's hear it," Ryland says.
"If you beat me, I'll show you my playlist," Jay says.
"Just showing it isn't enough," he replies. "You're gonna have to sing it to me."
"Sure," Jay says. "Too bad you won't be winning."
"And what do you want if you happen to win?" Ryland asks, clicking on a random song before pulling out of the driveway.
"I haven't decided yet," Jay answers.
"Think of something good," Ryland says. "The crazier, the better."
"Weirdo," Jay says and Ryland laughs again.
The two walk around the store when they arrive and Ryland points to a box of Coco Puffs and grins.
"Your favorite," he says.
"Shut up," Jay says jokingly as a small smile spreads across his lips. It surprises Ryland who watches him for a moment before focusing back on their goal.
"Let's get the curtains first," Ryland says as Jay follows him.
They pick out a pair of dark blue curtains and Ryland picks up speed as he practically runs toward the video game section at the back of the store.
"There it is," Ryland says and points at the Fifa game. "Your destiny to lose."
He quickly purchases the game and the boys head back to the house to determine which one will win the bet. Before they begin, Ryland offers to help Jay set up the curtains in his room.
"We can do it after we play," Jay tells him.
"You don't need to tell me twice," Ryland says. "Feel free to use my room until we get those up if you have trouble sleeping again though."
"Thanks."
Ryland inserts the game into the console and beams at the screen in excitement as Jay quietly takes a seat beside him on the couch.
And finally, the match begins.
———
Meanwhile, Zion is hunched over a client, carefully tattooing a portrait of the man's dog on his thigh when Cade walks through the door of the tattoo shop. The bell rings, announcing his presence, and Zion looks up, raising an eyebrow at his boyfriend.
"Is everything okay?" he asks Cade, halting the needle in his hand.
"Yeah, sorry," Cade replies. "I'm just here for inspiration. Don't mind me."
Confused by Cade's arrival, Zion continues to work on his client while Cade flips through a book filled with pictures of tattoos from the artists at the shop. He admires the ones he sees done by Zion and wonders how someone could be so talented.
Which is why he's come here to have Zion create another tattoo.
Cade patiently waits for Zion to finish up his session and walks over to him afterwards.
"You want to get a tattoo?" Zion asks.
"I've considered it only a hundred times," Cade jokes, grinning at Zion. "But, I think I finally made my decision."
"Did you design something?" Zion asks.
"No," Cade says. "You did."
"Huh?"
Cade shifts his hand around in his pocket until he pulls out a crumpled piece of paper. He unravels it and shows it Zion.
"The dragon you drew during the game yesterday," Cade says.
"I want you to tattoo it on me."
———
thx for reading (:
YOU ARE READING
Housemates 2
RomantikBXB Second book of Housemates Vincent's older brother, Jay has just moved into the house next door. While he navigates through his new life, Jay gets to know his new housemates and spends time with Vincent's friends as well. New romances will arise...
