Chapter 92

Chapter 92
Kaelen's POV

The audition for my first modeling shoot, is on Tuesday evening. I'm nervous the entire walk there, my heart pounding, wondering if I'll look ridiculous or if the bullet scar will be an issue. It turns out to be a unique feature that makes me stand out among the large number of male students at the auditions. I'm in even without trying hard.

When I finish, Jordan is waiting outside the studio. He pulls me into a kiss right there on the sidewalk. "You looked incredible," he says against my lips. "I snuck a peek through the window. How did you do?"

I laugh, still buzzing with excitement. "It was weird at first but kind of fun. I'm in."

"Really?" his whole face lights up. "That's my boyfriend!"
We walk back to campus together. Halfway there, I spot a small pop up stall selling a portable charger I've been needing. The guy quotes me a price that would put a serious dent in my tiny savings. I'm about to hand over the money when Jordan pulls my arm back and steps in smoothly.

"We will take it for twenty five."

The vendor's face darkens, clearly displeased. "Thirty five."

"Thirty, and that's our final offer," Jordan counters, calm and confident.

They go back and forth for a minute. I stand there, impressed and a little stunned. In the end, he gets it for half the original asking price. As we walk away, he bumps my shoulder.

"Lesson number one of living on a budget... every item comes at a lower price than the asking price."

I stare at the charger in my hand, genuinely thankful for the major save. "I would have just paid full price like an idiot."

Jordan grins. "You need to learn to stop living like an Ashford."

Oh well, that's going to need a lot of adjustments.

By Thursday, I feel more confident heading into the second shoot. Jordan comes with me this time. I'm required to use a new skincare product for a "natural glow" look. The assistant--- a friendly guy named Micah, is asked to help apply it on my torso and arms.

At first it doesn’t occur to me that it could be a big deal. Then I glance over at Jordan. His jaw is tight, eyes narrowed as he watches Micah's hands on my skin. The guy is professional... mostly. But his touch lingers a second too long on my chest, and he gives me a playful smile.

"You are really tense," Micah says flirtatiously. "Want some help relaxing those muscles?"

Before I can respond, Jordan is right there. He takes the bottle from Micah's hand with a polite but assertive smile.

"I'll take care of the rest of this body," he says smoothly. Then, right in front of everyone, he pulls me in and kisses me--- deep, erotic, and unmistakably claiming. When he pulls back, his hand stays possessively on my chest. "I always do."

Micah raises both hands and steps back, clearly embarrassed. "Okay... got it."

I'm burning hot on the inside, my heart racing, completely turned on by Jordan's boldness. I've never wanted to drag someone into the closet so badly in my life.

Jordan leans in close while applying the product along my neckline, his voice low against my ear. "Remember who you belong to." The possessive undertone makes me shiver.

By the time he is done coating my whole torso, I'm aching, half hard and desperate. I'm staring so intensely at him as he looks at me again that the tension leaks all around us. The shoot organizer clears her throat. "Let's keep it a little professional in here, boys."

Jordan steps back with a satisfied smirk. I have to take a second to compose myself before we continue.

★★★

Friday evening brings my first real paycheck. It's not a huge amount, but it feels massive in my hands. I'm buzzing with excitement when I show it to Jordan.

"We should celebrate!" I say. "Dinner and maybe get you something nice from the mall."

Jordan laughs softly and pulls me down to sit with him on the bed. "Let's look at the numbers first, babe."

He opens his laptop and we make a simple list of what I'll need for the next full week. Jordan walks me through it patiently, estimating prices for everything.

"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for seven days, laundry detergent, phone credit, maybe a new notebook for class..."

I wince at each number. "Wait, that much for just food?"

He nods, smiling sympathetically. "Welcome to real life."

We allocate the money item by item. By the time we are done, almost everything is accounted for. What's left is a painfully small amount, barely enough for a couple of cheap coffees.

I stare at the final number, stunned. "That's... it?"

He squeezes my shoulder. "Yeah. That's why we budget."

I lean back against the headboard, processing the reality hitting me harshly in the face. I seriously respect him and everyone else who has had to live on this kind of money their whole lives. I had no idea.

And to think I once looked down on him, called him mediocre. God, I've been a jerk! And him... he is an angel.

He kisses my temple. "You will learn fast. Don't worry," he says.

All I can do is pull him to my chest and hug him like I'm never going to let go. And when he questions it, I pull him even tighter. Going back in time, I'd probably treat him the same way I did. So, I don't wish that. I want the now, the person he has made me become. I wouldn't trade that for anything else.

We end up ordering cheap takeout--- noodles and dumplings, and watch a movie on Jordan's laptop. We feed each other bites between scenes, laughing when sauce drips onto the sheets. It's not perfect. It's not luxurious. But it is ours.

I'm content. Truly content.

Jordan's phone rings near the end of the movie. He answers on speaker when he sees it's his dad.

"Hey, Dad."

Mr Summers' warm voice fills the room. "Just checking in on my boys. How's everything going? How is Kaelen doing? And Elise?"

I smile. He said "my boys." Jordan glances at me as he responds. "We are all good. Kaelen is doing great. He just got his first paycheck from modeling."

"Modeling, huh? Good for him," Mr Summers says. "Tell him I said congrats. And bring him along tomorrow night. We've got a gig at the usual spot. Should be fun."

I speak up immediately, unable to contain the excitement of being included without question. "I'll be there, Mr Summers."

Jordan and I look at each other. No words are needed. Everything we feel right now--- pride, love, and excitement for what's ahead, is right there in our eyes.