Chapter 18 18: Burning Saint 🔥
"Are you sure you're okay? We could step out for some air," Oliver's smooth voice spoke close to Baby's ear.
Baby gulped his drink and set his cup down, his pulse spiking as the object of his attention approached the booth.
"I'm fine," He murmured a reply to Oliver, blinking away from Saint's figure.
For some sick reason, he felt something different in the way Saint stared at him, and that dark look made him feel like he'd been caught doing something very bad, which he wasn't.
He grabbed another drink and glanced at Saint, frowning as he imagined many ways his fun could be ruined because of Saint's presence.
Rode led Saint over, his face clearly unwelcoming towards his new guest.
Saint's eyes were on Baby, who was now looking in another direction, pretending he hadn't noticed him. And very slowly, his eyes narrowed at the guy beside Baby, taking in the way Oliver's gaze hungrily asked Baby's body.
He frowned.
He didn't like it.
"Make yourself comfortable, Captain," Rode spat in sarcasm.
Saint tilted his head ever so slightly and nodded at Rode, "Thanks for the hospitality, Rode." He said.
From his side eye, Baby saw Saint approaching the girl beside him, his signature cologne drifting into his nose.
He faced Oliver, his closest distraction from the uncomfortable feeling he was getting with Saint's presence
"You've got a lighter?" Baby asked, pulling his cigarette box out of his pocket, sliding it between his lips.
Oliver smirked, "Sure." He retrieved a lighter from his side pocket and leaned closer to Baby.
"May I?" Saint smiled at the girl beside Baby.
She nodded, smiling seductively at him and adjusting to make space for him on the leather sofa.
As he lowered himself beside Baby, he caught Baby leaving his face close to Oliver, and before he could stop himself held Baby's hand and tugged him to himself.
"What the –"
"What do you think you're doing?" Saint asked, voice as tight as his clenched jaw.
Baby scowled, taking out his unlit cigarette from his lips, "Get your hands off and stay the fuck away. Do not ruin my night." He gritted through clenched teeth before he subtly withdrew his hand from Saint.
Saint was about to speak when Oliver's hand gently came up to Baby's arm, turning him back to face him.
"I got you," Oliver said and finally lit Baby's cigarette.
"Thanks, man," Baby said and dragged in his smoke, leaning away from Oliver.
He could feel Saint's eye on him but he didn't give a fuck. Saint could shove his stealthy advice up his ass for all he cared.
Tonight, he partied.
Fuck Saint.
Fuck his advice.
Saint was quiet, but his head was loud.
He stumbled upon a dangerous realisation a few seconds ago when he thought Baby was about to kiss Oliver.
He could ignore Baby kissing girls, but Baby jussing guys?
He lifted his face, looking past Baby to glance at Oliver, and suddenly felt hatred towards the guy he had just met.
Why?
Because allowing Baby to kiss a guy will bring a monstrous scandal their way.
THC would drop them in an instant. The organisation was homophobic and such a thing would blacklist them for life.
So, yeah, that is why.
It was enough reason to hate Oliver or any other guy who shows even the slightest interest in Baby.
"Yeah! Rode never disappoints!" Stella's sudden shout drew Saint out of his thoughts.
He glanced at the long table where Rode had placed bottles after bottles of alcohol.
"To my best friend, Oliver," Rode lifted a bottle to Oliver, smiling, "we hope your parents keep splashing their cash on you, more parties ahead!" He growled.
"Yeah!" Stella and the rest cheered, grabbing a bottle from the many.
Baby laughed, "Parents' money, huh?" He spoke casually, his cigarette between his fingers.
Oliver shrugged, "Most of it. I own an autoshop, school shit ain't for me. So, they are quite... supportive," he smirked.
Baby chuckled, "They always are, aren't they?" He took his cigarette to his lips, idly placing it between them.
"They are, only when you've shown them that you really can stand on your own," Oliver said, sipping his alcohol.
"Tell me about it," Baby muttered.
It was casual, but Saint sensed an edge to Baby's voice. For the first time, he saw something akin to vulnerability flash across Baby's eyes.
He saw Baby reaching for another drink and reached for Baby's hand, bringing it back to his side.
"Excuse you?" Baby frowned, staring from his hand to Saint's eyes, "First, unhand me, Saint. Second –"
"You're getting tipsy," Saint stated calmly.
Baby smiled, a fake smile, "That's the plan, Saint. Now..." he slid his hand out of Saint's hold and retrieved the drink he was reaching for, "If you can just mind your business and, you know what?" Baby paused and took another bottle from the table.
"Here, Saint. Get high, find some dark corner, and fuck some chick." He placed the bottle in Saint's lap, chuckling.
He leaned in, close enough so Saint could hear his whisper amid the loud music, "I haven't seen you with one since you transferred, maybe that's why you're so uptight." He grinned and leaned away, focusing his eyes on the crowd as his hunt was about to start.
Saint didn't touch the bottle on his lap; he just kept staring at Baby, wondering why he was being such an ass to him when he was only trying to be nice, as the therapist had instructed.
"Who is he?" Oliver quietly asked, staring at Saint's unsmiling face.
Baby looked away from the crowd, unsatisfied with what he was seeing.
"Him?" He darted a finger at Saint but didn't look at him.
"Someone I know... kinda," Baby shrugged.
Oliver nidded slowly, "Oh, why does he act like your chaperone?" He raised a brow at Saint who was looking at him with calm, unsettling steel-grey eyes.
Baby chuckled, "Ah, you noticed? He's like tick I can't scratch off, annoying. Pay him no mind, else your mood will get ruined." He patted Oliver's shoulder, sending Saint a secret satisfied smirk.
"Indeed," Oliver nodded.
"Excuse me," Baby suddenly stood and walked away, leaving both men to stare intensely as he made his way toward a girl standing quietly by the corner with an empty cup in her hand.
Saint moved, but suddenly felt a hand on his wrist.
He glanced down to find Oliver's hand holding him.