Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 168: "For both your sakes..."

Chapter 168: "For both your sakes..."

Chris pulled the hoodie over his head, ruffling his already messy hair as he exhaled. Damn, it smells like Sky.

It was the hoodie he had bought yesterday. He found it neatly ironed and folded on the bed when he returned after breakfast.

He didn’t know whether it was only the detergent or Sky had also used his cologne on it. But whatever it was, he liked it.

He wasn’t in a rush to leave as he had nothing to do, but staying here any longer felt... off. He had already stayed the night—something he could not remember ever doing before, not even at Wilson’s.

He had also worn Sky’s clothes and slept in them. He had totally forgotten about that until he returned to the room. He suspected it must have also been the reason he got some sus glances at the table. He hoped no one noticed though.

As he neatly folded Sky’s clothes—haphazardly—and placed them on the bed, then came the knock.

"I hope you’re not naked. I’m coming inside."

Chris barely had time to react before Rain pushed the door open and stepped in. She didn’t close the door all the way, but she also didn’t seem to care much about giving him an option to turn her away.

Chris arched a brow but his tone was light. "You ever heard of waiting after knocking?"

Rain’s gaze swept over him and there was a flicker Chris recognized but couldn’t quite place. It was gone quickly, though, masked with practiced ease.

"Guess not," she said, her tone also light but unreadable.

Chris forced himself to stay casual, shoving his hands into the hoodie’s pockets. "What, you checking if I stole anything?"

Rain smirked. "If you did, you’d be dumber than I thought. My mom would hunt you down herself."

He snorted. "Terrifying."

She leaned against the wall, arms folded, watching him in that way that made him feel like she was calculating something.

She was really the female version of Sky. Even the way she stared. And it made him uncomfortable.

Also, he could tell she hadn’t just come here to make casual remarks.

"So..." she began, her tone deceptively casual. "You had a good night?"

Chris gave her a dry look. "You mean, did I sleep well? Or are you asking something else?"

Rain’s smirk didn’t waver. "Just making conversation."

Right. A Conversation that made him feel like he was walking a tightrope.

Chris didn’t reply, but she didn’t seem to need him to. She nodded toward the clothes on the bed instead.

"You were comfortable."

He followed her gaze and shrugged. "Had no other option. Unless you wanted me walking around in just my boxers."

Rain hummed. "I think my dad would’ve killed you."

"Probably," Chris agreed, forcing a chuckle.

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. For the first time since she walked in, Chris actually felt the weight of it. Because Rain was thinking something. A lot of things, probably. He could almost hear the gears turning in her head.

And then she spoke.

"You know," she said lightly, "it’s funny how things change."

Chris stilled. "How so?"

Rain’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "A while ago, I thought you were the coolest guy ever."

Chris tilted his head, slightly amused. "And now?"

"Now, I think you’re still cool. Just... different than I expected."

Chris held her gaze, trying to decipher the undercurrent in her words.

He knew Rain had liked him—probably still did in some way. And he had subtly turned her down, not even bringing himself to properly denying it when she had guessed there was someone. She had taken it well, or so he thought. But now? The way she looked at him, the way she was noticing things... The way she was looking through him.

She would be dumb if she didn’t have suspicions now. And he knew she was anything but dumb.

She knew something. Or, at least, she suspected.

Chris sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Rain—"

She cut him off. "Relax. I’m not about to get all dramatic on you."

"Good," he muttered. "I’m bad with drama."

She chuckled softly, but her eyes didn’t quite match the amusement in her tone.

"You know," she said, tilting her head slightly, "you don’t seem like the kind of guy to stay over at just anyone’s place."

Chris didn’t respond.

"And yet," she continued, "you slept here. In my brother’s room. Wore his clothes. Ate breakfast with the family. Even helped my mum in the kitchen—"

He exhaled heavily. "You’re really not gonna let that go, huh?"

Rain’s smirk returned, but her eyes stayed sharp. "I’m just connecting dots."

Chris leaned back slightly, his expression dry. "And?"

"It’s him, isn’t it?" she asked, her voice softer now, but with an edge of something... knowing.

Chris raised his brows, feigning confusion. He knew what she was asking. And he knew she knew that he knew. This dance of unspoken truths was exhausting.

"The person you like," she added, her gaze unwavering.

He didn’t know what he was supposed to answer her. The words caught in his throat. He didn’t know what Sky would expect him to say in this case. Also, he could not simply admit that to Rain when he had not directly confessed to Sky yet. With the boy still confused and trying to settle, he didn’t want to confuse him further and give him any pressure by confessing.

Chris kept his face blank. "He’s my friend."

Rain studied him for a second before shrugging. "If you say so." A beat of silence hung in the air, thick with unspoken questions. Then, she dropped the casual facade.

"Just... be careful, Chris."

Chris frowned slightly. "Be careful?"

Rain smiled, but this time, it was softer. Not teasing. Just... real.

"Yeah," she said simply. "For both your sakes."

Before he could formulate a response, the door fully swung open, and Sky walked in.

He paused as he looked at Chris and then at Rain and then back at Chris. His expression shifted, a silent question passing between them. Are you okay?

"See you around," Rain said to Chris as she head for the door.

As Rain passed Sky on her way out, she murmured, "We need to talk."

And then she was out. Sky looked at her back until she was out of sight before he closed the door.

"Hey," Sky said, his voice casual. "Everything alright?"

Chris shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Yeah, just the usual."

Sky frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on Chris. "What did she want?"

"Just... you know," Chris mumbled. "Girl stuff."

"You are not a girl, Chris." Sky reminded him, his lips then forming a thin line.

Chris let out a chuckle.

"She was just surprised I was here. She didn’t say anything else. So do not worry about it."

Sky gave him a long look, as if wondering whether he should believe him or not. But if Chris didn’t want to say anything, there was nothing he could do anyway so he nodded slowly, seeming to accept the non-answer.

"Breakfast was good." Chris remarked. "It’s nice to have a meal with the family. Makes me miss my own sometimes." He paused. He missed his parents for real. He took a mental note to call them tonight.

"Do you want to visit them this holiday?" Sky asked him quietly.

Chris shook his head. "I’ll just talk to them later. For now, I have to return to the dorm." He pointed at Sky’s clothes on the bed which he wore last night. "Sorry I’m not washing them. You can always just wear them when you miss me." He teased.

Sky scoffed at him but Chris could see the tiny smile on his face.

"I can give you a ride home," Sky offered.

"Nah, I’m good," Chris replied. "I’ll grab a cab or something." He paused before adding. "And... you need to speak with Rain."

The mention of that seemed to have his face rigid.

As much as Chris wanted to know the details about what happened with Rain and also know about his grandmother, he didn’t ask now. He would wait.

"See you tonight then?" Sky said after a moment of hesitation.

Chris paused, a flicker of something – anticipation? – going through him. "Oh yeah?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual. "You coming over?"

For some reason, he had thought that Mr. Sato and his comment about Henry would have unsettled him a bit and make him come to his senses or maybe lose his sense and try to avoid him again.

Sky shrugged. "Unless you don’t want me to."

Chris chuckled, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Do whatever you want."

Sky’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he didn’t quite like that answer, but he let it slide.

"Alright," he said. "I’ll see you tonight." He gave Chris a long look before turning away quickly.

Chris was almost stunned.

Had that been a blush on Sky’s cheeks?