Chapter 51 51: The Familiar Scent Of forgiveness
Saint waited it out in silence, expression blank, eyes still fixed on the closed door at the end of the hallway.
When her breathing finally slowed and her grip on him loosened, he carefully withdrew his hand, wiping his fingers against the side of his sweatpants without ceremony. Kora turned in his arms, flushed and glassy-eyed, lips parted like she wanted to kiss him senseless.
She reached for his face, but Saint caught her wrists gently and guided them back down to her sides.
"Go sleep, Kora," he said quietly, voice low and even — almost kind, but completely devoid of heat.
She blinked up at him, confusion cutting through the post-orgasm haze. "But… you didn't—"
"I'm fine." He stepped back, creating space between their bodies. "It's late. You should rest."
Kora searched his face, the dreamy glow fading fast. "Saint…"
He gave her the smallest, tightest smile — the one he used when the conversation was already over. "Goodnight."
She stood there a moment longer, lips trembling as if she might argue, might cry, might beg. But in the end, she only nodded once, shoulders curling inward. She turned and walked slowly back toward the room, the silk of her nightdress whispering against her thighs with every step.
Saint didn't watch her go.
His gaze returned to Baby's closed door.
He headed for the bathroom to wash the scent of her off his skin. He needed to scrub until his hands were raw.
He didn't look at Baby's door as he passed. He couldn't risk seeing it open.
After a minute, he returned and dropped heavily onto the sofa. He threw an arm over his eyes again — same position as before — but this time sleep felt miles away.
The taste of guilt was bitter on his tongue.
Worse than smoke.
Worse than blood.
And somehow, infinitely worse than anything Kora could ever give him.
___
Morning came fast and Baby was already at the locker room, changed and ready for practice.
He had left the apartment awfully early as usual. His eyes were red-shot from lack of sleep, but how could he sleep when the sound of Kora's moans haunted his dreams?
He lowered himself to the floor, resting against the locker, his face buried between his legs.
He tried so hard not to think about it, but he couldn't help imagining how Saint dared to please his girlfriend in his living room. He realised that Saint was rubbing it on his face, telling him to go to hell in the harshest way ever.
He was so disoriented and wasn't sure if he was ready for practice or even class. All he wanted was to stay away from Saint forever, seeing Saint again would definitely make things worse.
He heard footsteps but refused to lift his face just in case it was Saunt.
"Morning, Captain," Wong greeted, walking past Bsby to get to his locker.
Baby only hummed, keeping his face lowered.
He didn't want anyone seeing how wrecked he looked, he wouldn't know what say if they asked what was wrong.
"Hey, Cam, what's wrong with your bestie?" Wong asked.
Baby stiffened, he didn't realise Cam was there as well.
He hadn't spoken to his friend in a week, and he missed him so badly. He thought he could keep everything in, but Kora's arrival had him spiralling out of control with his emotions.
"He's okay. Last time I tried to care, I got shunned out," Cam stated, walking into the bathroom.
"Oh..." Wong murmured, realising the tension between the two friends.
"Morning, Captain," Ricky greeted, breaking the growing tension in the locker room.
"Hey, man, what's up?"
Baby Heard Rode talking to Ricky and Wong.
"I'm good, but I don't think the Captain is," Wong replied.
Baby lifted his face, narrowing his eyes at them, "Everyone out already, this isn't the time for chitchatting –"
"Relax, Baby," Rode said, walking over to Baby and squatting in front of him.
"What are you doing?" Baby questioned, frowning.
Rode sighed, "You're our captain, but you're also our friend. If we don't care about you, who will?" Rose asked raking Baby's hand in his.
"I know you won't tell me what's going on with you, but I know there's something because you look really bad," Rode murmured.
"Really bad," Wong added, shaking his head.
Just then, Saint walked in, scowling as he saw Rode with Baby.
"Just tell us if you want to skip today's practice. You don't always have to be perfect, Baby... we love you no matter the flaws because we all have ours, right?" He asked the team.
"Sure, I mean, I don't recall anything cool about me, but yeah, sure. I want to believe I have some good sides, too." Ricky replied, shrugging.
"Come on, Captain. Do you need me to throw a party tonight? I'll call all the girls..." Wong suggested, smirking.
Baby scoffed, the thought of girls suddenly irritated him.
He just wanted to be left alone.
"Just be quiet and get ready for practice," Baby said, taking his hand away from Rode's.
He stood, picking up his stick, "I don't know what you guys are talking about. I'm fine." He assured, heading into the bathroom.
In there, he found Cam washing his hands in the sink.
The silence was awkward, heavy.
Baby slowly moved closer, stopping two feet away from Cam.
He was about to speak when Can cut him off.
"You don't have to order me, Captain. I was just about leaving," Cam turned off the tap and turned to leave.
"Cam," Baby caught Cam's arm, blocking his way, "Don't go..." he spoke quietly, hating himself for feeling like he was about to storm tears like a fucking woman.
Cam stared at Baby's face, noting how tired Baby looked.
He sighed, "Come here." He muttered and pulled Baby in for a hug.
Baby hugged Cam with all his strength, burying his nose in his neck and letting the familiar scent of his best friend calm him down.
"You look like shit, and that's what happens when you act like shit to your best friend," Cam stated, gently patting Baby's back.
"I know now," Baby quietly chuckled.