Page 54 of Five Days

Mother had left a voicemail, and internally cringing, I hit play.

She’d heard I’d run off to some tropical island, so of course she had to remind me to be careful. Her tone suggested I not forget what I’d done before.

As if I could. That shit haunted me to this day, dictated my choices while in public and otherwise.

Father’s current goal was to get back into politics, and he didn’t need any more fuckups from his only son.

How had she found out? Who all knew that Callum and I had gone on vacation?

It was bad enough my parents hated two single gay men living together, and while they claimed to be LGBTQ supporters, I wasn’t even sure they would feel any better even if we were in a committed relationship or married.

My mind paused on that word as I stared out the slider windows to the rising sun glinting gold over the deep blue ocean.

Was marriage something that Callum wanted? Would he agree if I got on my knees and begged him to stay with me for the rest of our lives? He’d already promised he would never leave me. Putting a ring on it might help to ensure he stuck to his word.

But he would only own half of me. There would be an empty spot on my other side, one Zack owned. A space, last I’d been aware, he wasn’t interested in occupying.

My mind began a spiral, which would lead to depression and an inability to focus on anything other than feeling sorry for myself, but I had shit to do.

Me: Hey, Cal, when you’re done with Zack, would you mind grabbing me some breakfast? I’m going to start tackling those edits this morning.

Without waiting for a reply, I hopped in the shower, needing more than just bright sunlight to get my gears fully turning in my head. I’d taken a peek at Cyn’s email, so I’d gone to bed knowing the task ahead of me.

My muse had simmered while I’d slept, and I had a somewhat clear idea of how to fix the mess of my latest manuscript.

A shiver slid over my body, raising the hairs on my arms.

Callum’s shadow darkened the curtain a mere heartbeat after I’d felt him in close proximity. “Mind if I join you?”

Butterflies leapt into flight in my chest, which also enticed my dick to plump back up since Mother’s message had killed my morning wood. “Please do.”

Callum stepped in behind me, all warm skin and soft hands wrapping me up. He’d come to me alone, which I was surprisingly fine with. A soft kiss beneath my right ear made me sag against him. “Are you okay? he whispered, his breath hot on my skin.

I clasped my hands atop his over my belly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because I didn’t come back to you last night.” Thankfully, he didn’t sound as though guilt ate at him or like he’d been sent away from Zack’s bed unsatisfied.

“Did you fuck?”

“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate in answering.

“Did you like it?”

“God, yes.”

Elation swept through me, even more so since his cock thickened against my ass.

“Good. Get your fill, because there’s going to be a serious lack of dick in your future unless Zack comes home with us. I’m a total bottom, Cal.”

He snickered while trailing his lips over my neck. “I expected as such, but you’re enough, Lan. I don’t need anything but you if Zack sticks to his guns.”

Talk about a swoon moment. I turned to goo, a smile curving my lips.

Callum and I hadn’t discussed our return to Rhode Island or what it would look like. We needed to in greater detail, but I didn’t want to potentially ruin the sweet moment between us. In comfortable quietness, we washed each other before once more embracing, but this time, face-to-face.

I’d been abandoned once before by a man I loved, but Callum wasn’t the type to run. He’d stuck by my side countless times throughout our friendship, proving I could trust him with every aspect of my life.

“Can I touch you?” Callum asked, his tone low and as arousing as his hard length against mine.

---