Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 88: Still. Thank you.

Chapter 88: Still. Thank you.

As the evening wore on, the atmosphere shifted, taking on a more celebratory tone. Laughter echoed through the room, and the soft hum of conversations created a comforting backdrop to the scene.

Chris still felt out of place since this was not the kind of party he was used to. Either there were really rowdy or it was a calm meeting of elites where they just drank expensive wine, wore expensive suits they wouldn’t wear again, and acted like they were better than everyone else.

But this party was different. Everyone was chatting with everyone. All of them had something to say. The snacks were also very delicious, and even Sky’s father, who had arrived much later, seemed like a pleasant man too. Although Chris was able to notice the slight change in the man’s attitude towards Henry when they had gone to say hello to him.

Chris found it uncomfortable, but at the same time, he almost laughed, especially when the man seemed rather pleased with him when Rain did the introduction. How would the man react if he knew Sky was not only not entirely straight but also wanted his son?

Well...

He tried to act like a decent human, at least as he spoke with the man, both engaging in a light conversation before they parted ways.

"He likes you," Rain said with a pleasant smile.

"That is surprising considering parents hardly like me." He answered. And no, he was not trying to be modest.

"How’s that even possible? You are really good-looking and smart, and you can ride a bike," she winked at him.

He was arrogant. Reckless. The boy every parent wants their sons and daughters to avoid. Because if he so much as had a little interest in them, he wouldn’t stop. And unfortunately, he already had an interest in one person and was not willing to lose this time. Even if it meant doing something as ’assholey’ as using his sister.

He flashed her a smile and shook his head, his eyes unconsciously trailing to where Sky was. This time, however, Sky was not looking at him. He seemed to be in a deep conversation with his father, and from the look on Sky’s face, it wasn’t a happy conversation.

Chris was very curious.

"I told him," Rain said, getting Chris’s attention. He noticed she was also staring in the same direction, and she tilted her chin towards them. "Je is probably getting scolded for those rings. Told him to take them off before he arrived, but he never listens."

"Rings? You mean his nose and earrings?"

She nodded. "My dad hates those stuff."

Chris frowned. "I don’t see anything wrong with it."

He looked at them again and noticed Sky was frowning, then he turned and walked away.

Not the normal kind of walk away, but the type you’d know when a child was rebelling against their parents.

"My dad doesn’t think that way. He can be really annoying sometimes." She sighed.

That sigh sounded like there were a lot of stories about the relationship they had with their dad. But Chris reminded himself that it was not his business. He needed to know about the stupid witch that was engaged with Sky, why it had happened, and why Sky didn’t seem like he liked it.

"Have you... settled your differences with Sky?" Chris asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

She shrugged. "Hard not to. I hate the stupid family bond."

It took everything Chris had in him not to go further in that conversation and ask her why she had reacted that way so he could know more about their relationship with Ash’s family.

He didn’t want to seem suspicious, so he changed the topic, and they just said other random things. She also chatted with some friends in between until she excused herself to join a group of friends, leaving Chris standing alone amidst the crowd.

He found himself scanning the room once again, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ash or any sign that could shed light on Sky’s unexpected engagement. He was so curious, and it was eating him up.

He even considered flirting with Henry to get some information, but he knew how tight guys’ lips could get for their buddies.

Just as he was about to lose himself in his thoughts, a familiar voice called out his name. He turned to find Sky approaching him, a mixture of emotions dancing in his eyes. "Hey," Sky greeted, his smile tentative.

He looked exhausted.

"Hey," Chris replied, his heart fluttering despite his attempts to keep his emotions in check. The tension between them was palpable, and it felt like an unspoken conversation was taking place beneath the surface.

Awkward.

Both could not even keep eye contact, and Chris turned around to look at others instead.

Sky stood beside him and also looked everywhere else as he said, "I wanted to apologize for how things have been lately," Sky said, his voice soft and genuine. "I know things have been confusing and overwhelming."

Well, yeah. It’s been a lot to process. A whole lot.

Sky sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I wish I could explain everything to you, Chris. But there are reasons I can’t."

A surge of frustration welled up within Chris, but he pushed it down. He understood that there were likely deeper complexities at play, and he didn’t want to make things even more difficult for Sky. He turned to look at him, seeing all the emotions in Sky’s eyes and realizing there were far too many things he was going through. He instantly felt sad for him.

"I get it. Just... know that I’m here, okay? If you ever need someone to talk to." He said in an honest tone.

Sky’s eyes held a mixture of gratitude, and he managed a little smile. "Thank you," he whispered. "That means more than you know."

Chris looked at him and could not help but smile back. However, the spell was broken when Sky’s friends approached them.

As the night continued, Chris found himself drawn into various conversations with Sky’s friends and acquaintances. They exchanged stories, laughed at jokes, and gradually started to feel like he was becoming a part of Sky’s world, even if it was just for a fleeting moment.

At one point, he found himself engrossed in a discussion about art and literature with a girl named Lily, who turned out to be a fellow student at the university. They shared their favourite books and debated the merits of different painting styles. It was a refreshing diversion from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed him earlier. The others were surprised he had good knowledge in that aspect, and even he hadn’t thought it was a big deal since he knew about some of this from his high school classes and his mother’s art collection.

Throughout the evening, Chris couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. He would catch glimpses of Sky’s gaze on him, a mixture of emotions flickering across Sky’s features. It was as though Sky was trying to convey something, but the message remained elusive. Rain was also watching him. But he could still feel an additional gaze from an unknown person.

As the evening drew near, the celebratory mood reached its peak. Sky’s father stood at the centre of the room, raising a glass in a toast. "To family, to friends, and the journey ahead," he announced, his voice carrying a note of sincerity that resonated with everyone present.

Chris lifted his glass, joining in the toast with a mixture of emotions. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the people around him, even if his connection to Sky remained shrouded in uncertainty.

As the festivities continued, Chris found himself intrigued by watching the others dance to the upbeat music that filled the room. They laughed and twirled, allowing themselves to be swept up in the joy of the moment.

Eventually, the night began to wind down. Chris observed as Sky said his goodbyes to family and friends, his movements weary yet determined.

Chris didn’t want to trouble any of them and decided to leave quietly, but When he stepped outside, ready to leave, Sky approached him again, and the awkwardness resurfaced.

"Thank you for being here," Sky said softly, his eyes reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude.

Chris met his gaze, his own emotions swirling. "I didn’t do anything, though, but thank you for inviting me." He said in a light tone that made Sky’s lips quirk into a half-smile.

"I know. But still, thank you."

They stood outside, the quiet around them allowing their emotions to take centre stage.

"I’ll... see you around," Chris said, his voice a mixture of uncertainty and finality.

Sky nodded, his eyes holding a mixture of regret and understanding. "Yeah. Take care, Chris."

But none of them moved immediately.

Chris brazenly reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, ignoring the confusion on Sky’s face, and then he let it go before he walked away, determined that no matter what Sky was going through, he was going to fix it for him whether or not he wanted his help.