Chapter 16 16: Bruised Lips & Hidden Desires
"Alright, I was informed by the school to find the root of the feud between two co-captains and dissolve it. By the end of the year, they expect you two to become best buddies. You think we can achieve that?" She looked from one man to the other.
"Sounds impossible, " Saint smirked, looking at Baby.
"Not happening," Baby assured.
Elena nodded, her face a mask of professionalism.
"Do you mind telling me why you never want to be friends with your co-captain, Baby?" She questioned, glancing up briefly from her notebook.
"It's simple, my lady. He took after his proud parents, he's controlling, he's dumb, he believes he's better at everything, and he thinks he looks cool when he does the most annoying things," Baby listed easily, tapping his foot on the floor.
"Seems like someone's been paying extra attention to me," Saint commented, his face unsmiling.
He hated everything Baby said. If that's how Baby truly saw him, then he feared they would never make it to THC.
"You wish," Baby scoffed.
"Alright. Baby, thank you for your openness, it tells of a better future." Elena spoke softly.
"Saint, tell me why you think you can never be friends with Baby," Elena turned her eyes to he best friend, watching every single body language and eye movement.
Saint hands on his lap slightly clenched as he glanced at Baby, his eyes narrowing.
"I hate loud and lousy, arrogant, too. That's exactly what Baby is." Saint spoke simply, nodding at Elena.
"Okay..." Elena cleared her throat softly.
"Have you both tried to talk? Meet at a level ground?" She suggested.
"There's never going to be level ground between us. You don't understand. We don't just click." Baby snapped his fingers together for emphasis.
"I told you, he's arrogant," Saint sighed.
"Can you take off your mask?" Elena suddenly asked, moving away from the conversation.
She diverted from the conversation as she noticed that her patients were getting tense and ready to fight. She needed to deflect the tension before continuing.
"Why?" Baby asked simply.
He fancied the therapist and wouldn't want to give the wrong impression on the first meeting.
Elena shook her head, "Just so I could see my patient's face and read their emotions and reactions. They are key to our success, so, please, can you take it off?" Elena smiled softly.
"Sure," Baby said and reluctantly took off his face mask.
The moment the mask came off, Saint's heated eyes were already on Baby's lips, taking in the sight he wanted to see in the waiting room.
It looked tender and red, causing him to feel guilty and entrapped at the same time.
He had done that, he had his lips that close to Baby's.
"Um, I do not mean to pry, but if there is something you two are not telling me, I suggest you bring it to the table so that I can really understand your issues and address them properly," Elena said, looking from Baby to Saint.
Baby furrowed his brows, "What are you talking about? I meant what I said earlier. I can never be friends with Saint. He oisses me off." He answered.
Elena sighed, "I'm your therapist, and I'm the last person to reveal your secrets to the world. Tell me honestly, did you two kiss?" She questioned seriously.
"I saw that coming," Saint commented with unnerving calmness, folding his arms.
Baby paused for a second to process the information. He couldn't believe anyone with their right senses would ever imagine such a thing.
"That is the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard, my lady. And I'm quite offended. Me? Kiss him?" He pointed his thumb at Saint, pulling a disgusted face.
"I really did bite his lip, Elena. I would love for you to drop this conversation," Saint spoke up, his face suddenly unreadable.
Elena slowly nodded, "Forgive me for concluding things on my own. It's just that you two have the same red marks on your lips, there was only one thing that came to my mind." She cleared his throat.
"But that is cleared now. However, I'd like to know if you got yours from a bite, too," She couldn't help asking Saint.
"I'm no psycho like him, I'd never bite his lip. I punched him." Baby provided calmly.
Saint nodded in agreement.
Elna he tky closed he book and leaned forward, "So, he punched you?" He pointed to Saint, "And you in retaliation, you bit him?" She asked slowly, just to make sure she got all the information right.
"That's right," Saint nodded.
"Was there no other way to retaliate?" She questioned opening her notebook once more to jot things down.
"Given the situation and the position, there wasn't much I could do. He had me... straddled."
"Wasn't much you could do? You had me pinned, Kross," Baby was exasperated, eyes locking with Saint's heated ones.
"Alright, guys, calm down," Elena inhaled deeply and smoothed out her suit.
"I see that the problem is more than just ice and pucks... I have to take it from a different angle," She smiled at them, observing their stiff bodies.
"So, I'm going to give you two a little assignment. Go home, try to be each other's best buddies for the week, and on our next weekly session, I shall review the progress so far. Thank you for your time," She said, stood, and walked over to place her notebook on her desk.
Saint was the first to stand, he walked over to Elena and kissed her cheek, "We'll keep in touch, Elena." He said and walked out of the office, leaving Baby with Elena.
"Um, I'm sorry if our first session wasn't that promising," Baby said, standing and fixing his hand in his pocket.
Elena faced him, "You're wrong. Actually, it was very promising. I might not conclude for now, but trust me, I'm good at my work. I'll have you both eating your own words before the year runs out." She smirked at him.
Baby chuckled, "I guess I'm talking to just Elena now?" He smiled.
Elena nodded, "Yeah, the therapist disappeared the moment I stood from the chair." She replied.
"Then, can I ask you for dinner, tomorrow night? I promise I'm not always like that," Baby said, referring to how he was with Saint.
Elena laughed softly, "Friends, Baby. Just friends. Send me the address here," she handed him her card.
Baby smirked, "Sure, Elena. Just friends... for now," he kissed the back of her hand again and left the office.