Chapter 23 Royal Edition
Caleb
This was not his first date. Nor did he hope it would be his last. Though Caleb couldn't admit it, even to himself, he was hoping this would be the first of many dates, but it was more than that. He wanted every single date in the future to spent with the very same person from here on out. He felt like his head was buzzing and the ringing in his ears wouldn't go away. Maybe it was just the blood pumping hard in his ears.
Caleb was in the middle of fixing a cuff over his right wrist. He had on a white dress shirt, the top half unbuttoned. He was using a pair of silver headphones while listening to music, to keep himself steady. It felt like he was in a dream, close to that of an out of body experience. Did he ever experience an out of body experience? Is that what it felt like? Like this?
How could he have fallen so quickly? When did it start?
If only there had been a book on How To Handle Yourself For First Dates For Dummies: Royal Edition.
Nothing could soothe the nerves he was dealing with right now. Caleb probably should have shaved but it was too late. He was due to pick Jason up in under 15 minutes. It would take about that long to get there. He buttoned up more of his shirt but still left a couple of buttons undone. He checked his armpits because not only would that have been nasty, but it would have been flat out embarrassing.
Classical music wasn't doing it for Caleb so he switched over to a random channel. He was barely paying any mind to the rap music, but it did manage to calm him down a little more. He lifted his matching silver apple phone in the air, as if it held all the answers he sought. Then he looked back into the wide golden rimmed mirror at himself. He took a vow not to mess up. Like ever again.
Caleb was heading down the stone steps, leaving the house without a goodbye. He figured this was something he needed to do on his own. He knew he wasn't a part of a normal family. The kind that would want picture after picture as if headed off to prom. Caleb made sure he wasn't going to arrive in anything like a limousine. Nope, he was taking the very same vehicle Mr. Bateman used to drive to him to school and back.
He wasn't stupid, he knew Jason well enough by now to know he wasn't into flashy things. Caleb was going to do the opposite of what was usually expected of him, and he found it refreshing.
It didn't take an announcer to announce his departure. That would have been horribly embarrassing despite Jason's absence. Caleb had already taken comfort in getting around life without someone shouting his arrival and departure. Surely the household would make do just fine without him.
"Hold it!"
Caleb thought about acting like he hadn't heard anything but this was Samantha for goodness sake. It would only make matters worse if he tried escaping.
His big sister, accompanied by Mr. Bateman, was running down the steps, or about as close to running as one could manage dressed the way she was. She was wearing a white dress for starters, the kind that hugged her lower half more than the upper, along with 3 inch heels. It was almost comical watching the Princess try to run with a dress and heels that restricted the very way she ran. A large white sunhat was yet another thing she had to hold onto, because a breeze blew out of nowhere. There wasn't enough people watching or she would have been doing the opposite, but then Caleb would've been waiting for hours.
"You're not getting away that easy." She said while watching her step. Her hair was straighter today, with an extra shine. For a moment there, Caleb could have sworn he saw a moment, ten years ago when they were kids. Back then Samantha was simply known as Sam and she was a tomboy that liked to play in the mud with her little brother.
Augustus... not so much.
"I know you're trying to make a clean break but word here gets around fast." She said once she was only a few steps away from him. "But you can't leave without my blessing. I'm proud of you little brother. Not even I could have stood up to the entire family and Parliament like you did. It was bold but I would rather use the word brave."
Caleb didn't want to come across as unappreciative but he was already late. What would Jason think of that? A Prince being late? For their first date?
Come to think of it, what was Jason thinking about right now? Was he nervous too?
Probably not.
That seemed to be what Caleb needed the most to chase away those butterflies in his stomach. Caleb figured he could be (he was going borrow his sister's word) brave for the both of them.
"You grew up. I mean really grew up. Mom and dad would be so proud of you." Caleb felt his face scrunch up in disbelief but as usual, she saw through it.
They could have been here to tell me that themselves, he thought.
Samantha only narrowed her eyes for second before saying, "Don't make that face, you know that's not fair."
"Sam, I'm sorry but I'm already late." He tried to turn away. It was his first time driving, here, in the city.
"Well then give me a nice big hug before you go."
Before Caleb could protest, his sister already had him in a deep embrace. "I'm proud of you baby brother." She said right by his ear, smelling of all things nice. The things a Princess would smell like.
Caleb hid his blush when it was time to pull away. He was already driving off towards the city where he could see the golden gates off in the distance, hidden in fog.
When Caleb arrived, Jason was right on time. He was already shutting the door like it was set to blow up at any moment. When he spotted Caleb after he rolled the window down on the passenger side, he looked greatly relieved. Then he started to run towards the car like someone was chasing after him.
Caleb never got the words out when Jason shut the car door, panting a little but also looking very nice. Caleb could smell the cologne but didn't comment on it. Jason was dressed in a nice checkered blue button up shirt with black skinny jeans. His hair was gelled back but now looked a little messy at the back. He had unknowingly rubbed his head up and down on the head rest.
Caleb smiled.
"Please hurry. My mom wanted pictures. Why are you shutting off the car? Don't you get it? My mom is worse than the paparazzi. I'm not even kidding."
Caleb didn't chuckle but he almost did. He simply cupped Jason's face gently between his hands without warning before kissing up. Jason's body seemed to slack in seconds as he fell into it and returned the favor. Caleb even started to feel more relaxed, like why was he ever nervous to begin with?
"What was that for?" He appeared breathless, eyes half lidded and his words slurred as if drunk.
"Where we're going doesn't particularly require a car." He said not bothered to answer. "At least, not the way I planned things."
Caleb figured he earned the highly suspicious look he was getting from Jason. Then he chuckled but before he could catch Jason off his guard again, Jason caught on. They kissed once more, but this with more uneven breathing. Teeth gnashed against each other and Caleb knew he was getting hard. Caleb took a quick peek to find Jason doing exactly the same thing. His eyes were fully dilated and drove Caleb insane with desire as he cupped the back of Jason's head with one hand.
Caleb had to break the kiss because he sure Jason was about two heartbeats away from getting on his lap. If Jason did that, there would be no stopping Caleb from doing what came next.
They took a cable car. It might as well have been risky but no one seemed to recognize either of them. Jason looked excited, even though he was clearly trying to hide it. He hung by the bar with one arm near the entrance and leaned his head back. Caleb felt himself tense up, unable to relax the entire time. You'd think that as a kid who grew up here in San Francisco, that he'd long since gotten used to taking cable cars. Jason was acting adorably childish, as if this was his first time.
Oddly enough, Jason admitted that it was his first time despite that he'd spent his entire life in this city.
Caleb was seriously about to edge his way over, to hold onto Jason for safety. Jason might start drawing too much attention if he didn't end up getting himself seriously injured first. Someone was bound to recognize them. Caleb made sure to make himself look uninteresting with a pair of sunglasses, like so many around them.
"I know you won't tell me where we're going since you haven't already told me yet, but can we just pretend I asked anyway?" Jason said with a breathless expression once they stopped and it was time for them to get off. Caleb could still feel his heart hammering against his rib cage but hid it well. He found himself casually touching the back of Jason's arm with the back of his fingers. The sensation alone made Jason look at him as if Caleb had called his name out loud.
They walked a couple of blocks. They weren't supposed to get off where they did but Caleb couldn't relax after watching Jason hanging off the pole like that. Like, why didn't anyone say anything? Didn't anyone realize how dangerous that was?
"We're heading to the ocean aren't we?" Jason made it sound like a question but Caleb could hear the statement. It was almost accusing.
"Expecting a private jet?" Caleb managed to keep his expression neutral. He was thinking about a particular scene from a Gary Marshall flick. A movie he once got struck watching with his mother and sister a long time ago.
"When it comes to you, I don't ever know what to expect. But you know what? I don't think I mind that about you. Its exhilarating."
That's when Caleb felt his neutral expression slip, exposing amusement, but only for a moment! He could almost say the same thing about Jason. Jason appeared to have many layers and that was something Caleb rarely encountered. It kept him interested in Jason as a person. Whenever Caleb thought he had Jason figured out, he was proven wrong.
Jason might have seen a look on Caleb's because he managed to quickly look away.
They continued their walk in silence. Jason gazing at the sights around them, and Caleb enjoying the surroundings of people who didn't care (or have a clue) who he was.
Their first stop was at Fisherman's Wharf. Jason claimed he used to come here with his mom all the time but it had been a while. "Ever since she took on that new job," He said right when they were by the entrance, "we started seeing less and less of each other. At least we're still close. Gosh a lot has changed since the last time I've been here. Hi! How're ya doing?"
Caleb couldn't help but let his body freeze. Didn't anyone tell Jason he shouldn't talk to strangers?
"Want to eat at Cioppino's? Never eaten there before. Do you know the menu?"
Jason was a like a puppy, easily able to switch from one mindset to another. "It's known to be one the most recommended restaurants here."
They dined outside, it was Jason's only request. Neither of them could get enough of people watching. Caleb felt like he was looking at the real Jason, not the shy kid who kept mostly to himself in high school. It was nice.
They walked by a wall marked The Cannery but Jason suddenly rushed forward. Caleb had to run after him. They ran for a little while, the whole time Caleb worried someone would shout at them. "This is the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Had one of my best memories here." Jason managed to say once he stopped.
Caleb managed to hold his balance. Amazingly.
Before he could ask what he had meant, Caleb grabbed a hold of Jason's hand to make sure he didn't run off again. He figured his legs probably couldn't take much more. "Now I have a new best memory." Caleb said without meaning to.
Jason only looked questionable at first, but smoothed it away.
"Want to go down by the beach?" Caleb offered. He figured he could use some ocean gazing time. It was still high noon and looking at the ocean would help clear his thoughts but never his feelings. He figured his is feelings for Jason would never settle down at this rate. Jason kept doing adorable things with his face and Caleb could only stare.
Jason simply nodded but had to redirect the way. Jason running off like he had took them off course. There was a lot backtracking and zig zagging. The whole time though, their hands never pulled away from one another. No one bothered to stare. So at least they weren't drawing too much unwanted attention.
There was a man playing a piano, in the ocean. At the least the very shallow end of it. The waves lapped the piano and it completely blindsided Jason that he kept looking at Caleb as if he had planned this.
"I didn't." Caleb had to awkwardly shrug while pointing out the obvious, "But I wish I did plan this."
The man had ear length hair that was white. Caleb could see he also had a white beard. A few tourists were taking pictures. The man was wearing a long sleeved white shirt like Caleb but with his sleeves rolled up to the elbow. His shorts were cut below the knee and he wore nothing on his feet. Some of the younger crowd took video footage with their phones. Caleb was an inch away from changing his mind about hanging out here. He felt he wanted Jason to look at him that way, but one look at Jason's at-peace expression, he figured he could take on anything thrown his way. He felt he could rule the country.
Jason inched his way closer without causing any interruption. "Do you... by any chance know what he's playing?"
Caleb paused, listened, thought, the tune did sound familiar and finally he had the answer to it. "Boston." He stated. He had it on his phone and on all the phones before that. It was on his top favorite five's list.
Jason still looked lost. "That doesn't make any sense. Boston is like on the other side of the country."
"By Augustana?" Caleb hedged.
Jason still didn't get it.
"I guess it's an oldie but goodie now huh."
"I guess." Jason said now having to look away.
"Let's sit and listen." Caleb suggested.
"But there's no blanket."
"We don't need one."
"But we'll probably get sand all over people and in your car."
"I'm sure everyone will get over it and I won't mind." Caleb was already sitting, knees up and arms resting over them.
Jason sat, mirroring the way Caleb sat, after a full minute of just standing. They both drank in the moment watching the man continue to play the piano. It was completely otherworldly. Caleb felt like he was in a dream. Piano music always seemed to put him in weird trances but this was different.
He was here, with a guy. Not just any guy or person, but Jason. His fiancé. The Prince's Fiancé.
"I've never seen anything like this." He heard Jason say.
"Just relax." Caleb said in an even tone as he watched the man's fingers glide over the keys. Easier said than done, but Caleb wouldn't have it any other way.
Jason turned his head, ever so slightly, regarding him as if he wasn't sure the words were really said or not. "I know." But Caleb wasn't stupid. He could see the doubt clouding in Jason's eyes.
"What I mean to say is," Come on now Caleb, say it, "I don't want to let you go. Could you scoot closer please? The distance is like an itch that can't be scratched. Isn't that a saying around here?"
Jason didn't move and Caleb felt his face pull into a frown. He needed to start getting used to being denied simple requests.
"Not really." He said causing Caleb's frown to deepen even more. He didn't know which question he was answering yet. "The saying is something I heard some time ago, but no one I know really says it anymore."
Caleb's frown lessened, and Jason scooted closer. Only it wasn't close enough. Caleb looped his arm around Jason, pulling him closer so they could be touching now. He closed his eyes, letting himself drink in the moment because for the first real time, he felt more comfortable than he had in a long time. Jason laid his head over Caleb's chest and Caleb was sincerely hoping Jason couldn't hear the thumping of his own heart. It would slightly embarrass him if that brought up questions. How would he answer them?
"Aren't there people watching?" Jason asked after a little while.
"No." Caleb replied. "No one knows we're here."
"How did you...?"
"I let it slip about three other directions that I planned on taking you." He was sure his voice vibrated enough to cause Jason to stir. Caleb hoped that wouldn't cause Jason to pull away.
"That's... smart." He said with uncertainty.
Celeb's brows knitted together, though Jason would never see. "You didn't think I'd put you in the center of the media for my sake did you?"
"I, uh, don't know."
Caleb managed not to sigh. "Look, I'm telling you, trust me. You know, actually scratch that. Now I'm not trying to tell you to do anything." Why did Caleb struggle with words whenever Jason was near? He knew he wasn't making any sense but Jason remained still as he gazed out at the ocean. Thankfully he started to find his footing again. "Let me rephrase this. Trust is something to be earned, not freely given."
"And do you trust me?"
"Absolutely." He responded with no conviction.
"Well then," Jason started and then made sure to tilt his head up to get Caleb to look at him. Caleb did. "I trust you more than most others."
Caleb figured that was about as much of a yes as he was going to get. For now, but Caleb couldn't let on that he was onto Jason.
Though there wasn't any hard evidence to be sure, but Caleb was certain they were falling in love. If there was anything evident, Caleb had already fallen for Jason. He just wasn't planning on saying it out loud until Jason did.