The Art of Three

Chapter 5 - Callum makes decisions he probably shouldn’t-1

Chapter 5 - Callum makes decisions he probably shouldn’t

Jamie appeared in the makeup trailer shortly after noon and nearly asleep on his feet. Callum doubted very much he’d gotten more than a half hour of semi-unconsciousness on the plane back from Dublin to London. His hair was a mess, his freckles stood out against his pale skin, and there were dark circles under his eyes. The Irish complexion did not hide exhaustion, but Callum found the rumpled, sleepy-eyed look appealing in the extreme. Jamie wasn’t small or slight — he was quite solid, really, with the shoulders of a rugby player and a strong jaw — but seeing him this worn out by the world made Callum want to cuddle him close.

“You made it,” he said warmly in lieu of doing anything of the sort.

Jamie blinked as if he hadn’t even realized the other man was standing right there, but gratefully accepted the paper cup of coffee Callum pressed into his hands. He nodded as he drank and nearly choked on the scalding coffee in the process. “Thanks to you.”

“You’re the one who wanted to get home,” Callum teased.

“Yeah, but I couldn’t have asked. Wouldn’t have asked you to ask either.” Jamie stifled a yawn with his free hand. “So thank you.”

Callum hummed in acknowledgment.

Jamie blinked at him. Then seemed to startle. He dropped his hand. “Hey,” Jamie said quietly.

“What is it?” Callum prodded when Jamie didn’t say anything else. He leaned closer.

“Can we talk? Just us? Later?” Jamie asked, drawing out the words and the pauses between them. His pale cheeks were now streaked with a bright flush as if he were embarrassed.

“Of course,” Callum said easily, but as he straightened up, his thoughts were less calm than his outer appearance. Jamie’s request, although not unreasonable, was unclear. Was something wrong? Was Jamie upset? Callum wondered suddenly if Jamie were attempting to flirt. Helping Jamie get home to vote, whatever Thom might say, was one thing. A request for a just us talk might be another thing entirely. Or it might be nothing at all. “What about?”

“Nothing major. Just...I need to pick your brain about a thing. Yeah?”

“Sure. Tomorrow? After you’ve slept?” Jamie needed rest, but Callum also wanted the chance to call Nerea just in case there was a chance of something happening between him and this boy.

Jamie shook his head. “Tonight.”

Callum looked at him cautiously. Nerea wouldn’t mind hearing about whatever this was after the fact. She might even prefer it that way, although the lack of her good counsel would leave him at a disadvantage. He took a deep breath. “All right. If you think you can remain conscious.”

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