The Book Fight

CHAPTER 6: Eating cake with boys

SEKANI

“You’re late.” Aston’s mother greets when she opens the front door. “Oh sorry, I thought you were my husband.”

“It’s okay,” I step in when she motions for me to enter. “Good evening Mrs. Parker.”

“Sekani, I told you to call me Kim.” She clamps an earring to her ear and I nod to hide how weird I feel about that.

A lot of adults in Rooksville are old school, Mrs. Parker’s new school ways will take getting used to.

“Aston! Your friend is here!” She calls towards the stairs and pauses, “wow. I never thought I’d say that again.” She says more to herself as she clamps another earring on.

I’m about to ask what she means but a suited man walks through the front door and immediately begins apologizing.

“There was traffic honey,” he wraps his hands around her.

“Yeah right, we live in a town with less than 10000 people. There is no traffic.” she hits him with a purse as he kisses her cheek. “Stop, you didn’t even greet Aston’s friend.”

“Friend? Aston doesn’t have friends—” Mr. Parker turns and finally notices me “You’re a girl?”

The shock is comedic.

“Actually, I’m Sekani.” I extend my hand and the shock increases.

“You’re Sekani,” he looks at his wife for confirmation and she nods. “Does—does Aston know Sekani is here?”

Why is he stuttering?

“I called for him but I’m not sure heard me.” Kim ruffles through her clutch.

“Oh, he’ll hear me.” Mr. Parker walks to the stairs and holds the railing. “Aston! Sekani is here with your parents!”

I’m confused when he repeats the sentence again, this time louder but a door opens and closes upstairs. Aston appears on the second floor shirtless and in black shorts.

“Sekani?” He pulls down the headphones from his head.

“It’s 7pm.” I give him a tiny wave as all the color drains from his face.

“I’m Martin by the way.” Mr. Parker introduces as his son runs down the stairs barefoot and I nod to acknowledge it.

“Hi,” Aston greets me before facing his parents. “I thought you guys were going to a medical banquet tonight?”

“There was traffic,” Kim muses and Martin nearly combust with laughter.

“Personally, I’m glad there was traffic because I got to meet Sekani.” He motions to me. “A very pretty Sekani.” He adds and Kim nods to agree.

I’m clearly missing something here because Aston gives his parents an annoyed look before saying, “mom.”

“Okay-okay Martin, let’s go and leave Aston with his friend.” Kim picks up the car keys as Martin grins like a kid.

“You mean leave him with Sekani,” he sings my name and Kim giggles.

“Dad, come on man.” Aston opens the door and points out.

“Okay-okay, we’re going.” Martin raises his hands in surrender and Kim kisses his hair with a “we’ll be back by midnight. Love you.”

“I love you guys too, now go.” Aston gives his father a side hug.

“Bye Sekani,” Martin waves from the door and I wave back before Aston slams the door on them.

“Cool parents.” I knew his mom was nice but I didn’t expect his father to be such a goofball.

It was like they’re brothers instead of father and son.

“Yeah, they have their moments.” He scratches the back of his neck as I try to look at everywhere but his naked upper body.

This is my second time being in his house and again, I’ve found him half naked. For someone who is supposed to be a ‘pot head’, Aston is pretty ripped. He might have a swimmer’s lean built but it looks like he works out every day and who knows? He probably does.

He is a mystery to us all.

His arms are not big but lean and toned, his chest is defined and his 6pack is complimented by that v-line leading to his pelvic area. I was right to assume he wasn’t some scrawny boy, his jawline alone, gave him away.

It would give anyone a cut, it’s so sharp and defined but his face.

Handsome doesn’t even cover it. The styled buzz cut works for him and since he is clearly a natural brunette, it complements his warm beige skin tone but his hazel and almond shape eyes are literal perfection.

“So cake?” I clear my throat when I realize what I am doing.

He didn’t even stop me and dare I say, I think he liked that I was checking him out.

“This way,” he turns around to give me a view of his back tattoo but I focus on his back dimples.

I contain my shock as we walk into the biggest and prettiest kitchen I have ever seen. White marble counters, an island in the middle, black plywood cardboards and drawers with a huge double door fridge that matches the stove.

The Parkers must like to cook because they have two sterling silver ovens on top of each other and they match the dishwasher. The black microwave matches the espresso machine while the red toaster matches the kettle.

I sit on one of the suede black stools by the countertop as Aston opens his fridge and brings out a half-eaten, 2-layer white cake in glass casing. I watch him move around the kitchen, getting whip cream and rinsing two forks before getting a bowl.

Aston is doing the most minimal tasks but he looks kind of hot doing them.

“No plates?” I ask when he starts removing the strawberries on top to put them in the bowl.

“No, dad isn’t a fan of sweet things in general and mom can’t keep anything down.” He hands me a black metal fork, “you can take home whatever is left.”

His muscles contract in a weird way when he cuts a huge slice and slides it to the side that was already empty. I’m guessing this is the slice we’re eating.

I pick a strawberry and asses. “This looks fresh for a cake that’s a week old” I bite and extract drips down my lips.

“My mom replaced them after I told her you were coming over for a slice,” he stabs the top layer of the slice when his eyes darken for a second.

“So let me get this straight.” I swipe cream with my finger and lick. “The reason I’m here is because you told your father about me, now mom too?”

I’m flattered they even consider me his friend.

“Basically,” Aston answers after taking a second to think about it.

“Well, I’m flattered.” I insert the fork on the bottom layer and connect it to my mouth.

Of course, its moist and tastes amazing. We manage to get a few bites of cake and fruit in before Aston drops his fork abruptly.

“Are you having s*x or eating cake?”

“Excuse you?” I wipe cream on my lower lip with my tongue.

“You’re moaning,” he points. “I mean the cake is good but it’s not that good.” He hands me a napkin.

“I told you I love birthday cake.” I wipe the corners of my mouth. “Plus your one to talk,” I look at his v-lines again and I bite my lower lip. “Why are you shirtless again?”

He has outie belly button.

“Excuse you?” He licks the cream off his fork and this time, my eyes darken.

“It’s my second time here and I’m finding you half naked, again.” I put my napkin down. “I know it’s hot but it’s not that hot.”

Aston actually laughs and I can’t help but join in.

“Do you want me to put a shirt on Sekani?” He bites a strawberry topping and I watch as liquid drips down his lower lip before his tongue peeks out to catch it.

Do I want Aston to put a shirt on? No, never but this is getting out of hand.

“Yes, I do. Where do you even get that body, are you on steroids?”

He laughs again and I curse myself for my forwardness. I blame the juicy strawberries and the sugar rush.

“I work out when I can’t sleep. I used to play soccer. I barely eat sometimes because I’m always high and I get in a lot of fights. Take your pick.” He walks to the fridge and removes a bottle of water. “Do you want anything?”

A cold shower.

“Water is fine, thanks.” I fan my face because it is really hot,

“And the reason I’m shirtless is because I was going to go swimming but Buck called and we somehow ended up playing Fortnite.” He sits on the stool next to mine. “I swear he can talk a saint into murder.”

“I don’t doubt that,” I face him. “Remind me again, how you went from beating each other up to literally being best friends.”

“Same way the school princess went from passing me in the halls, to coming to my house and meeting my parents.” The fork freezes in front of my mouth. “What I mean is, everything has a weird way of turning out.”

Tell me about it.

ASTON

Sekani and I are in my king size bed with books opened and scattered in front of us. She is laying on her stomach while I lean against my headboard to face her.

Yes, we are doing homework.

Never in a million years would have imagined the first time I’d have a girl back in my bed, that it would be because of school assignments.

After barely making a dent on the slice of cake we were supposed to finish, I went upstairs to put on a t-shirt and found her working on a spreadsheet. A few jokes later and now we’re tackling our weekend homework.

“No more please,” I cover my face with the History textbook and groan.

It’s been 2hours, I’m calling it.

I love having a pretty girl in my bed as much as the next guy but not when she quizzes me till my head explodes. We’re home alone and doing homework, Buck would never let me live this down if he found out.

I am even embarrassed for myself.

“Fine,” Sekani closes her books and sits up. “I should get going anyway,” she pulls her bag from the floor and starts packing.

“What? No, I meant no more letters and numbers, it ruined my buzz.” I pull out a joint from my headboard and she gives me a look. “Let’s just go swimming.”

I point at my window. I can see the entire back yard of our house from up here and in the right spot, one can also see the pool.

“Now?” She looks down at her clothes.

She’s in a plain white t-shirt, black denim biker shorts, white ankle socks that go with her white Nike AF1’s that are by my door.

“I’ll obviously give you something to swim with, come on.” I walk to my closet for swimming trunks, “do you want a t-shirt too?”

I skim through the shelves.

“Do you really expect me to go swimming with you?” Sekani walks in with her arms folded, “do you know how many boys have tried that and failed?”

“Tried what?” I hold the trunks over her lower body, they might be big on her but they should do since they have an adjustable waist.

“Trying to see me half naked by offering me a ‘quick swim’.” She has a scowl on her face, “I never fell for it and it won’t start now.”

Sekani snatches the trunks and throws them back on the shelf.

“Well, it’s only fair. You saw me half naked, twice now.” I kid but she gives me that look that honestly scares me.

“I’m going home.” She turns but I hold her elbow to stop her.

“I was kidding Sekani.” I turn her around, “look you’re gorgeous and all but I just want to go swimming. If you want to wear a baggy body suit that covers you up then go crazy.”

“Why can’t you swim alone?” She jerks her elbow out.

“I’m moderately high and about to smoke some more. I could drown and my mom’s pregnant Sekani, she doesn’t need more trauma.”

“You’re really not trying to make a move?” She double checks.

Maybe in a couple of months and probably with the help of Basic Instructions will I be ready to consider dating or girls in general. But as of right now, no. I have too much baggage.

“I just want the company,” I pick up the trunks and hand them to her. “Tee’s are behind you.”

Sekani is smoking hot and all but its humid and I’m sobering up, the last thing I want to do is be alone.

“Nah, I’ll just go in my underwear.”