Page 36 of Pretend You're Mine

Creed: Tokyo still treating you like a king?

I chuckled softly, the sound barely more than a breath in the quiet room. I leaned back against the couch, letting myself sink into the cushions, the tension of the day slowly unwinding. The memory of the long weekend when Creed and I played pretend came rushing back—how easy it had been to fall into the role of boyfriends, even when we were both pretending it meant nothing more. Sometimes, though, it felt like it meant everything. Like when we waded into that spring together, Creed’s laughter echoing in the stillness of the day. That moment had been… pure. Maybe even perfect.

Me: Something like that. It's not all it’s cracked up to be.

I glanced toward the window, where the city lights painted a kaleidoscope of colors across the dark water.

Me: But the view from this hotel room is pretty spectacular.

Creed: Never been to that part of the world. What’s it like?

I hesitated, then typed back.

Me: Crowded. Fast. But the city’s got this energy, you know? Feels like anything could happen at any moment.

I paused, chewing on my bottom lip before sending the next part.

Me: Wish you were here to see it.

More dots, then his reply.

Creed: Yeah?

Me: Yeah.

I grinned, warmth curling in my chest.

Me: You’d love it here, Creed. Maybe one day you’ll see it for yourself.

The thought of sharing this city, this life, with him sparked a longing in me that I hadn’t realized was there. I wanted him to see the narrow streets filled with cherry blossoms, the temples nestled between skyscrapers, the quiet peace of the gardens that dotted the city.

Creed: Sounds like a dream come true.

I stared at his message, that six-word message, and something in me nudged, telling me to dig deeper. It felt risky, maybe even too forward, but I typed it out before I could second-guess myself.

Me: Did you end up finding a place to stay?

This time, the pause felt longer. I imagined him frowning at his phone, weighing whether or not to answer me. But then his message appeared.

Creed: Yeah. It’s not much. A room in a rundown building, but it’s a roof over my head.

A lull settled between us, the screen going quiet. I stared out at the city lights, imagining what it might be like if Creed were here in this room, filling the space that felt too empty.

Then, impulsively, I tapped the FaceTime icon. My pulse quickened as it rang, the seconds stretching out like a tightrope. I half expected him not to answer, but then the screen shifted, and there he was.

Creed blinked at me, his face filling my screen, framed by the shadows of what looked like a cramped room. He wore a beanie—navy blue, a little worn at the edges—pulled low over his ears, and a smudge of dirt stained his cheek. It made him look rougher, yet so achingly familiar. My breath caught in my throat. He looked... good. Really good.

“Hey,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, looking almost sheepish. It was strange, seeing him like this. I’d had his mouth on mine, tasted his breath, sucked his dick, but now heseemed shy, his eyes darting away from the screen as if unsure where to look.

I leaned closer, propping my elbow on my knee. “Hey yourself. You look like you just came out of a photoshoot for rugged men’s wear.”

He snorted, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, right. You should see me covered in sawdust and sweat.”

“Now you’re just trying to get me hot and bothered.” I gave him a lazy grin, enjoying the flush that crept up his neck, warming his cheeks. He adjusted the beanie, tugging it lower, but I could still see the pink tinge spreading across his skin.

A moment of silence stretched between us, and I just drank him in, memorizing every detail of his face. He looked tired, but there was something else there, too—something softer, more vulnerable than I’d seen in him before.“I miss you,” I found myself admitting, the words slipping out before I could stop them. His eyes flicked back to the screen, widening slightly, but he didn’t look away this time.

“Yeah?” He ducked his head, but I caught the small, shy smile tugging at his lips. “I—yeah, me too.”

---