Perish: Book Three (bxb) ✔️

19. I'm right behind you.

August Luna

"I can explain." Kayax lifted the remote in his hand and paused the very loud music that was playing. On his face was some kind of green mask, and he had an oversized gray sweater hanging off his arms. I wasn't sure that he was even wearing pants right now. "I was robbed, and the robber, he asked me to play Elijah Luna music at max volume so no one could hear him getting away... you're not buying this." He opened the door wider with a nervous laugh. "May as well come in."

I stepped into his apartment, still roaming my gaze over his entire ensemble. I had not expected him to be in the zone of comfort while blasting my Dad's music. Honestly, I admired that he held true to whom he admired even though my parents were not fans of him at all. I hoped they would be one day, though.

I'd do everything in my power to make it happen.

Kayax shuffled his slippers across the floor before he was in front of me, clasping his hands together in front of him like he was about to beg me for something. "Please forget you ever saw that. See? I truly need a backspace button for life."

"And why would I do that?"

"I'm going to be honest here." He stood up straight, waving his hands over his entire person. "This is not an attractive look, and this," He raised his two pointer fingers toward the ceiling. "It's not an attractive look to be playing your," He paused. "Do... I call you my boyfriend? In-between mate? Snuggle Bunny? Either way, I'm blasting your Dad's music through the speakers, and that's gotta be weird."

I snorted a laugh. "If I found it weird, then I'd find about sixty percent of the population weird. Well, I suppose I do, but that's beside the point. My dad was an international fucking superstar, and after your story, I can guarantee you that I don't find this weird."

"But he's your dad."

"Play the music, Kaya."

"Well, hold on a minute. Whatcha doin' here? Not that I mind. A heads-up would have been fantastic, considering I look like I stepped out of a wellness do-nots catalog. But I digress. So, whatcha doin' here?"

I crossed my arms as I started at those emerald beauties. He looked so fucking adorable right now. Even with that mucky green stuff all over his face. "You're leaving tomorrow, so I wanted to come see you before you left."

He popped up with a smile. "Oh! Well, I was going to call you before I left." He shook his hands until the sleeves of his sweater covered them, and he started twisting the excess fabric together. "I don't really know how to do relationships very well, so I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do here."

He was so fucking cute. "Play your music, Kaya, and I'll help you pack."

"Well, that doesn't sound very fun for you, but I suppose if I must."

He shook out his hands before playing my Dad's music. I saw him humming along as he skipped through the kitchen, not the least bit embarrassed any longer. He was getting a little more comfortable and even more sure of himself already. I'd seen it grow every single day I saw him since Davis was arrested. Minus the ten days that I didn't see him at all. I knew it was going to take some time, but he was doing great.

All I wanted was for him to be happy.

Kayax started dancing around the kitchen while putting things away, and I stood by, watching him with a smile on my face. He was finally at ease. I only wanted to be around him for a little bit before I lost him for five days to North Carolina. I knew he was excited to see his friends and family, and I couldn't wait for him to finally have something he'd wanted to do since he'd left North Carolina six years ago.