Jock Next Bed (BL) Chapter 140: Throwback (2)

"I’ll get the doctor," i’s mother choked out. Then she turned to Sky, her voice breaking. "Take her to her room, please. Keep her safe."

i shook her head frantically, panic flashing in her eyes. "I... don’t want to stay here," she pleaded.

Her mother’s face fell, guilt shadowing her features. "You can’t leave, not like this. If anyone sees... if they find out..."

Sky’s anger simred beneath his calm exterior. He understood the implication: the family’s reputation mattered more than i’s safety. Still, he didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded.

"I’ll stay with her," he said firmly.

Her mother gave him a grateful look before rushing out to call the doctor.

Sky helped i to her feet, holding her close as they left the wrecked study. When they reached her room upstairs, he locked the door behind them before leading her to the bed.

i sat down, her body trembling as fresh sobs wracked her chest. Sky knelt in front of her, his hands resting on her knees, his presence steady and reassuring.

"I’m here," he said softly. "I’m not going anywhere." he promised.

And he kept to that promise.

Sky stayed by her side long after the doctor left. The doctor had reassured her that she was fine, advising her to rest. A bandage covered her temple, and small patches adorned her arms where cuts had been treated. Painkillers rested on the bedside table. Yet despite the care, she looked pale and fragile, the events of the evening weighed heavily on her.

Sky sat on the bed beside her, holding her hand firmly.

"Are you disappointed in ?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The question startled him. His brows furrowed as he turned to her. "Why would I be disappointed?"

"Because... I... I kissed a girl," she admitted, her gaze dropping to her lap.

His surprise softened into understanding. "Why would that matter?" he asked gently.

She hesitated, her lip trembling. "Because... look at . Look at what happened."

Sky squeezed her hand, his grip steady and reassuring. "What happened wasn’t your fault. And no, i, I’m not disappointed in you. Not for that. Not for anything."

Her eyes filled with tears again. "Thank you," she said, her voice breaking. "Thank you for saving my life. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t co when you did."

"I’d do anything for you," he said simply. "You know that."

She looked at him, guilt flickering in her expression. "What... are we going to do now? After what I said... after we lied. My father... he won’t let this go."

Sky’s voice was calm, resolute. "We’ll keep up the act. I don’t mind."

"But..." She bit her lip, unsure. "What if you like soone? Won’t this ruin things for you?"

"i," He called her na softly, pulling her gaze to his. "You know better than anyone else. I don’t... like anyone. I doubt I ever will. And I do not look forward to it. So if there’s anyone I’d want to be with, I wouldn’t mind it being you."

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she tried to suppress a sob. "I’m so sorry, Sky. I didn’t an to drag you into this." Her voice broke.

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing away her tears. "Don’t apologize. I’ll always protect you, i. If playing this ruse keeps you safe, I’ll play it for as long as I can. You can live your life however you want. I’ll always have your back."

A sad chuckle escaped her lips. "What if it’s forever? What if this isn’t just temporary? I... I don’t know how to escape this..." she cried.

His voice didn’t waver. "If it’s forever, I don’t care. As long as you’re safe, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to . So stop crying. You’ll make yourself sick."

She stared at him, her heart aching. "What about you? What do you get out of this?"

"Your happiness," he said simply. "That’s all I need. You know that."

She nodded, her throat tightening with emotion. "And your parents? What if they find out?"

"If they hear I’m dating you, they’ll probably be relieved," he said with a faint smile. "They’ve been worried. And my dad... he’s especially been wondering so many stuff by now."

Even though he was still only 16. And i, 18.

Her walls broke. She threw her arms around him, clinging to him tightly. "I’m so so sorry, Sky. I love you. I really do."

He hugged her back, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t already know that." He rubbed her back. "I love you too, i. Always."

*****

Now, i glanced at Sky, the mory of their past flashing vividly in her mind—the night she had pulled him into her life so tightly, tying him to her struggles. Her chest ached with guilt, though she quickly pushed it aside. Right now, he needed her.

They were in her small studio apartnt, a cozy place she’d gotten for herself during her visits, separate from her family. Sky had access to it and often ca here when he needed space to breathe.

He sat on the edge of the couch, dressed in the warm clothes she had prepared for him. His hair was still damp beneath the towel draped over his head, and steam curled lazily from the untouched cup of tea on the table in front of him. His face was buried in his palms, his shoulders tense.

i had been sitting across from him, unsure how to start, how to comfort him. But the weight of the silence was too heavy. She stood, moving to sit beside him, and gently rubbed his back.

"What... are we going to do?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a tenderness she reserved only for him.

It hadn’t been that long when he had almost gotten himself into trouble. A girl had been bugging him, trying to use him to get through to Chris, and he had almost squeezed the life out of her before he ca to his senses.

He had called her, panicking. She had to travel imdiately to make so settlents before it got to the police or other sources.

And she had spent money to get that done, even trying to use her family’s influence to make so threats so she wouldn’t break their deal.

No one else knew about this. Not even the other 3 musketeers— Henry, Noel, and Collin.

Chris didn’t know about any of this.

And he never would know.

That his roommate was crazy.

And also crazy about him...