Sweet Damage ≫ jb & kj

Chapter 9 - I'm Sorry.

Justin's POV

The next morning I wake late. Kylie's still asleep, curled on her side, facing me. Her expression is peaceful, her lips are turned up, almost as if she's smiling, and I get a buzz from that, from the fact that I've made her happy. I get out of bed as quietly as I can and go downstairs to make coffee.

I go through the familiar process on autopilot, my mind drifting back upstairs, to yesterday. I'm certainly no virgin, and I don't think I'm particularly inexperienced for my age or anything like that, but being in bed with Kylie was a revelation. I've never spent so much time, gone so slowly, taken so much care. I've never before felt so conscious of the other person. I've never fully realised just what a beautiful, transformative thing sex can be. When I eventually take the mugs back upstairs Kylie's sitting up, the sheet pulled high and tucked under her arms. She smiles, lifts the doona for me. It's strange, but Kylie, naked like this, more exposed and vulnerable than she's ever been, is more comfortable, more at ease, than I've ever seen her. 

*

 Kylie and I stay in bed all morning and half the afternoon. A couple of painters arrive to fix a few bedrooms and I get up to let them in but I go straight back to bed and leave them to it. I only get up because I have to take a shower, go to work. I get to the studio at four, at least an hour later than I should, considering I'm on my own in the studio and have a lot of prep to do. But I'm on a sex high, full of energy, and I get everything done in record time. I think about Kylie as I work, what we did together that morning, the night before, what we'll probably do again tonight, and every time I think of her, I get a buzzy, happy feeling in my gut. I notice Scooter watching me from the Studio's doorway. I realise I've been humming and I have a big, dopey grin plastered on my face. "You're in a good mood," he says. "Brilliant gym session before work," I say. There's no real reason to lie, but whatever's happening between me and Kylie is still too new. I don't want to talk about it, spoil it by exposing it. "Yeah?" He looks surprised. "Where was that?" It's only then I remember that the gym was closed when I'd drove past on my way to work, and the entire northern beaches gyms are crap. "Scoot, Why," I say. "I pumped out a session at my home gym." "No kidding," he says. "You never work out at home? I swear that place has never been touched." "Exactly, thought I'd wear it in a little." I say, turning away, uncomfortable with the lie.

 *

Later, in the middle of singing, when my pitch is high and my concentration is in full effect, I hear a text come in. I only look in case it's from Kylie. 

'Justin – Sorry! Selena.'

I push the phone away, ignore it, get back to work. Another text arrives a few minutes later.

'Been thinking about it nonstop. I was totally and completely out of line. I feel terrible and I'm really, really sorry. Selena xx'

I'm still busy, recording songs, so I don't text her back immediately. When I finally get a chance to pick up my phone, another message appears. 

'Don't torture me. I really am genuinely sorry. I was being a dick. Can we let it go? Be friends'

'Not torturing', I text back. 'At work. Flat out.'

'Am I forgiven?'

'This time.'

'xoxo. Love you. Thank you. And SORRY.'

*

After recording I clean up faster and more efficiently than usual, and am ready to leave by half-past ten. Just as I'm turning the studio lights out, my phone buzzes again. Another message from Selena.