Chapter 30 30: The Sober Lie
Saint slowly leaned forward and placed his hand on Baby's forehead, frowning slightly.
"Your temperature is normal. But you're talking crazy," He chuckled dismissively, cocking a questioning brow at Baby.
Baby balled his fists, "Trust me, Saint, I know what I'm saying. All I need is for you to tell me why you kissed me with a perfectly clear mind. Don't you see how fucked up it sounds?" He snapped, his face slowly flushing with anger.
The last thing he needed was anyone messing with his mind, his mother's presence was enough to fuck him up for an entire year.
Saint saw that Baby was really getting angry and sighed.
"Relax, Baby. What I told you is the truth. Last night, I had a few sips of strong alcohol, and when we got home, my mind was a little hazy. I barely recalled how one thing led to another, but I know what happened between us, and I confirm that it was a mistake, a drunken mistake. It won't happen again," Saint explained, his voice as calm and convincing as it could get.
He needed Baby to drop the topic for good. He couldn't keep looking for excuses to give over something he willingly participated in with a clear mind.
Baby bit his lower lip, thinking deeply about Cam's words. Could it be that Cam was wrong?
"Drop the matter, Baby. Whoever told you such an absurd thing is clearly trying to mess with your head," Saint sighed, briefly touching Baby's arm.
"Cam would never lie to me," Baby murmured.
Saing frowned, hating Cam for that one second of trouble he had caused in his life.
"And believe him?" Saint questioned.
"Come on, Baby, it's me, Saint. Why would Saint want to kiss Baby?" He scoffed quietly.
No one spoke, the question hung between them like a taboo topic that was forcefully brought up amid a fun discussion.
Baby blinked, glancing at Saint's scowling face, "Right..." he murmured, "That would be crazy." He stated.
"See? Cam was just drunk and imagined things, I drank just as much as you did. Now drop it, and don't make it seem like you can't forget the taste of my lips on yours," Saint teased, smirking.
"Fuck off," Baby shoved him away and walked out of the basketball court.
Saint released a huge sigh the moment Baby walked away, his pulse that had been racing throughout the discussion suddenly slowed, returning to normal.
"Shit," he murmured, glancing behind him to check if Baby had left.
He had forgotten to ask him about his mother, but that could wait. He needed to distance himself from Baby for some time, until the incident was properly forgotten.
But, could they ever forget it? How could either forget it when their skin burned from a simple glance?
Saint knew it was dangerous, whatever had started between them was dangerous, and he could sense a huge trouble emerging from it if they ever dared to stoke that dwindling fire.
___
Baby almost called Elena to cancel their date that evening. His mood was completely ruined by his mother and Saint.
'Attend a charity gala with Saint?' He sighed, staring at the dark screen of his phone that was lying on his bed, the urge to just cancel the date and lie idle on his bed was getting stronger.
But he was a gentleman, at least for Elena. She didn't deserve to be stood up.
He took a deep breath and walked over to his wardrobe. He initially planned to dress charmingly, but, not anymore.
He pulled out a pair of black jeans and a white top. If Elena really liked him, she wouldn't mind him wearing unbranded clothes on their first date.
And, honestly, he prayed that the date would make him forget entirely about kissing and touching Saint.
He felt very disappointed in himself for doing that.
"What the hell was I thinking... God..." he covered his hands on his face, groaning quietly.
"Knock, knock," Cam gently opened Baby's door and peeked in his head, furrowing his brows as he saw Baby talking and groaning into his hands.
"Are you okay?" Cam asked, walking into the room.
"No, it's Saint," Baby snapped, glaring at the bed as if Saint had morphed into it.
Cam frowned, "Um, I know you don't like the guy, but I never knew he got you fretting in secret. He must have done something unspeakable this time because you look really, really worried. What did he do?" He asked slowly, placing a hand on Baby's shoulder.
'Shit!' Baby immediately realised what he had done.
He had given Cam an opening to probe into the situation, and he was almost ready to blurt everything out; that was how badly he was affected.
The secret was choking him and the more he tried to pretend that nothing happened, the more it clawed at his chest and mind, demanding immediate attention.
He sighed, shaking his head, "I just hate him. I need him to move out of my apartment." Baby lied, hating that he had to keep it away from Cam. But, it was something no one should ever hear of, a secret he and Saint would take to their graves... an embarrassing one at that.
Cam narrowed his eyes at Baby, "I don't know, Baby. I just feel like you're withholding the truth from me, but hey, I understand, not everything is supposed to be shared with a best friend –"
"I'm not hiding anything from you, Cam. I'm serious, the guy is just so annoying. I haven't had a proper sex because he keeps interrupting me each time. And right now, I need sex, you know it's my only diversion," he said, looking into Cam's eyes.
Cam slowly nodded, "Sorry, I almost forgot your mother visited today. How are you feeling? Did she say anything to you after all that show?" He asked, concerned.
Baby chuckled dryly, "She did say something," he frowned, recalling the short, annoying farewell his mother had bid him.
"She asked me not to disappoint her and my father. Same shut she told me at the airport two years ago... for fuck's sake I'm her fucking son not her employee!" Baby screamed in the end, throwing the clothes he was holding to the floor.
Cam slowly pulled Baby into his arms, hugging him gently and patting his back.
"It's alright, Baby, you're doing just fine," Cam murmured, rubbing Baby's back in slow circles.
Baby shut his eyes, letting his friend's words and touch soothe him. He was normally in control of his emotions after meeting his parents, but this time, he was too vulnerable. He wished he could tell his mother about Saint, get some motherly advice, but, it would never happen.
They didn't have such a relationship, and he would forever wonder how it would feel to have a mother who was caring and genuinely loving.
"What are you guys doing?" Saint's voice cut sharply into the room, sounding demanding and sceptical, the slight drop in volume suggesting annoyance at finding the two friends wrapped up in an intimate hug.
Cam gently released Baby, turning to face Saint, his hand gently tapping Baby's arm behind him, gesturing for him to calm down and not react to Saint's intrusion.
"In case you've recently turned blind, Captain, what you saw us doing is valley hugging. Did that answer your question?" Cam asked calmly, his eyes sharp as he stared at Saint's scowling face.
Saint looked from Cam to Baby, his eyes immediately drawn to Baby's red eyes. It looked like Baby cried or he was super angry, which left him wondering which and why.
He wanted to ask, but he knew the two friends would never answer him. They already looked kissed off for interrupting their emotional moment.
But, he couldn't stop himself. The moment he entered the house and found Baby's door slightly ajar, he started walking towards it on impulse, and when he heard someone murmuring in a soft, soothing voice, he was already pushing the door open before he realised it.
Cam was hugging Baby, they were best friends, but why did Saint find it annoying? Why did he suddenly feel threatened? Why was he feeling a sudden need to protect and own?
'Protect and own who exactly?' A voice asked in his head.
"Get out," Baby's clipped voice commanded.
Saint raised his head and realised that Baby was glaring hatefully at him.
He opened his mouth to ask him what the problem was, but Baby's angry face forbade him from saying a word.
Quietly, he stepped out of the room and closed the door.
Baby sighed, dragging his hand down his face.
"Are you okay?" Cam asked.
Baby shrugged, "I'm always fine, Cam. I'm Baby fucking Danvers... I'm always fine." He replied, picking his clothes from the floor.
"Now, if you'd excuse me, I have a date to prepare," Baby pushed Cam toward the door, "Don't look for me till tomorrow, I might be busy with Elena, wish me luck." He smirked.
Cam blinked, trying to wedge his hands between the door to keep Baby from pushing him out of his room.
"Um... good luck, but, don't you think you should take a rain check? Your mood is not-hey!" Cam snapped as he suddenly stumbled out of Baby's room from the dismissive shove, immediately turning to glare at the culprit.
"Baby! How dare you –"
Slam! Click!
The door was slammed and locked in his face.
Cam stood there, staring at the door in confusion.
"Just you wait, Baby, I'll get you-Hey!" Cam gasped as he felt himself being snatched into a room, and it wasn't Baby's room.
"Saint! What the fuck?!" Cam glared up at Saint who was now pinning him against his door, his grey eyes sharp and scrutinising.
"Look, Baby can shove me out of his room, but you," he poked at Saint's forehead, "Cannot snatch me up like some Dorito pack. Do you understand?" He wanted to move but Saint pressed his arm against his chest, narrowing his eyes at him.
"Saint, you'd better let me go or –"
"Tell me about Baby's family and I'll tell you what he's hiding from you," Saint cut in sharply, his tone indicating seriousness.
Cam blinked slowly, confused, "What?" He muttered quietly.