Cheating in Love [Completed]

Chapter 14

Beckett basked in the gentle pattering of the rain on the roof. The soft chill of the wind ran around his feet and tickled his toes. He shivered slightly under his coat.

"Hey, didn't know you were going to wait for me."

"I had some stuff to do at school, so it wasn't a big deal."

He could feel Sawyer's warmth as they scooted closer together, huddled under Beckett's old, worn umbrella. Sawyer seemed more relaxed than he had in a couple of weeks, his hair gelled in place and the wrinkles on his shirt pressed out.

"Didn't you have your exam today?" Sawyer asked, his eyes warm and inviting. Beckett nodded and let out an exaggerated sigh. Sawyer grinned, "how'd it go?"

"Better than I thought it would," he gave a small shrug. "Best I can ask for."

'Yeah," Sawyer said softly. "So I've been reading this play by George Bernard Shaw-"

"Because I totally know who that is," Beckett interjected.

"You love to tell me about all your mathematicians and physicists so don't judge," Sawyer pointed a finger in joking accusation.

"Okay, okay," Beckett held up his free hand. "You've got me. Continue?"

"It's about these two guys and class struggles and accents, too," Sawyer said. "And it's so funny." Beckett was paying more attention to the way his eyebrows furrowed when he talked than how the umbrella was slipping sideways in his hand. Water droplets plopped themselves one at a time on his head like teenagers on a couch.

"Accents?"

"Yeah they're trying to teach this girl how to talk without her accent," Sawyer winked.

"I can not have an accent, too," Beckett protested in his best impression of a British accent. Sawyer let out a snort. "I'd like to see you do better."

"You want me to be American?" Sawyer cracked his knuckles. "Howdy partner, 'ahm walkin' here!"

"Those are two very, very different accents," Beckett managed to say between laughs.

"Doesn't matter, I still did better than you," Sawyer raised his eyebrows.

"If you say so," Beckett conceded.

The rain picked up and the pounding on the roof got louder. The pedestrians all huddled under the awning to escape the worst of the onslaught, their feet and ankles already drenched. Beckett was only half covered and he struggled to use his umbrella to keep the rest of him dry. It threatened to blow away with each gust of wind, no matter how gentle. He tucked his jacket tighter around him.

The murmur of voices had nearly disappeared to the rain's roars. Sawyer stood with his hands in his pockets. Beckett could see a book-sized lump under his jacket. They made eye contact and for a brief moment, Beckett wasn't worried about the rain.

Sawyer pulled his hood over his head and muttered something under his breath. He bounced on his feet, clearly miserable in the rain. But even miserable, Beckett couldn't help thinking, he was still cute.

"Hey, um," Beckett said awkwardly. He paused, the world slowing. "I wanted to uh..." Sawyer was watching him carefully, his eyes round with gentle concern.

Beckett shifted his feet and pulled his umbrella lower. His heart skipped a beat and the words that had been so clear in his mind a minute ago turned to mush. He tried to steady his hands, but the cold made them shake even more.

"Is everything okay?" Sawyer asked.

"Yeah," Beckett barely squeaked out. "I just, um... would you ever consider dating me?"

"What?"

"I know it's odd, because we're flatmates and all but I couldn't not ask," Beckett stumbled over his words and tripped over his syllables. "I just kind of really like being around you and-"

"Beckett."

He felt his blood run cold and the next chill that ran down his spine came from inside, and not the wind. Sawyer had scooted as far back as the crowd would allow. The space between them felt colder than the wind.

"What?" Beckett asked, barely more than a whisper.

"You know I can't."

"Why not?" his voice cracked and he could almost hear it shaking. Beckett wrapped his free arm around himself to keep warm.

"Because... I just... I'm not... no," Sawyer tensed his hands in his pockets. "No. Why... would you even..." he buried his head in his hands and made a sound between a groan and a sob.

This was a mistake, Beckett thought. Why did I even think that was a good idea? He spared a long glance at the head of blond hair before scooting back into the rain. He felt the rain start to soak into his pant legs and the water began to squelch in his shoes.

Beckett folded his beanie down over his ears and put his umbrella away so he could hold his jacket closed. The zipper had broken earlier and he didn't know if he would be able to fix it.

He watched the bus come around the corner and come to a stop at the bus stop. He spared a split second glance. Sawyer was watching him. The crowd couldn't have cared less.

Might be time to start looking for a new apartment again, Beckett thought. I doubt I'll be welcome back there anymore. Scenarios danced in his head. Water danced between his toes. The rain drowned out the sounds of the city, but it served as lovely accompaniment to his inner worries.