Chapter 4

Aiden’s POV

The second I finally got my headphones back on and the bass hard enough to rattle my teeth, I thought maybe, just maybe the universe was giving me a five-minute break from being its personal punching bag.

Laptop open, I was trying to prepare the materials concerning my scholarship, I was so out of it and confused, I felt as if my life was hanging by a thread and my eyes started feeling blurry because they were still puffy from earlier crying but whatever, at least the music was drowning out the echo of Dr. Harlan’s voice in my head, drowning out the subway hands, drowning out everything. I leaned back in the chair, but I was powering through. One problem at a time. One breath at a time. I could do this. I had to.

Then the door exploded inward.

Not opened, exploded. Ethan kicked it so hard the knob slammed into the wall and bounced back. He stumbled in laughing, arm locked around this blonde girl who was already half-climbing him like a tree, legs hooked around his waist, crop top bunched up under her boobs, skirt flipped up enough that I got an immediate eyeful of lace thong before I could look away.

“Yo Aiden! What’s good?” Ethan yelled over her giggles, kicking the door shut behind them with his heel while still holding her up. “You studying? That’s what I love about you darling!”

I yanked one headphone off. “It was peaceful until two seconds ago.”

He grinned big, sweaty, post-practice glow still on him and carried her straight toward his bed like she was a trophy. “This is… uh… shit, what’s your name again, babe?”

“Kayla,” she said, biting his earlobe. “And you’re an idiot.”

“Hot idiot,” he corrected, tossing her onto the mattress. She bounced, laughing louder. Ethan ripped his shirt off in one yank, abs popping, sweatpants already tented. “Aiden, headphones back on, man. We’re about to get loud.”

I stared. “You’re seriously doing this right now? Here?”

Ethan shrugged, climbing over her. “Dorm life, baby. You got music. Crank it. You next hottie?.”

Kayla glanced at me, smirking. “He’s kinda cute when he’s mad. Red hair’s doing things to me.”

“Back off,” Ethan laughed, already tugging her top up. “He’s fragile. Might shatter. He won’t agree to you without agreeing to me. Right boo?”

“Fuck both of you,” I muttered, shoving the headphone back on. Volume to max. World gone.

Didn’t work.

The bed close to em started creaking immediately loud, obnoxious, springs protesting like they were getting pissed too.

Ethan’s groans kicked in fast like a deep animal. Kayla’s moans pitched higher, breathy and performative. Every thrust sent the headboard banging the wall like someone was trying to break through from the other side. I tried to focus on the screen. Tried to type. Fingers froze every time Ethan growled “fuck yeah, like that” or Kayla gasped “harder.. god, Ethan… ”.

I slammed the laptop shut. Stood up. Paced three steps. Paced back. The rhythm got wetter, sloppier, faster. Ethan started talking, loud and filthy.

“You like that? Yeah? Take it all… ”

“Yes… fuck… don’t stop… ”

I ripped the headphones off. “Can you at least pretend other people live here?”

Ethan didn’t miss a beat. Just laughed through gritted teeth. “Sorry bro! Biology emergency! Join or mute!”

Kayla moaned extra loud definitely on purpose. “He’s jealous!”

“I’m not jealous,” I snapped. “I’m trying to sleep. Eventually. In my own fucking room.”

“Study my form,” Ethan called back. “Free masterclass!”

I flipped the room off in general and stormed toward the bathroom. Door slammed behind me. Locked. Leaned against the sink. Cold tile under my palms. Breathed. In. Out. In. Out. Ethan’s bed still thumping through the wall like a heartbeat from hell. Kayla’s giggles turning into sharp cries. I turned the faucet on full blast, white noise. Better. Not great, but better.

I splashed water on my face. Once. Twice. Stared at my reflection, red eyes, red hair sticking up, hoodie knot coming loose, looking like I’d been dragged through the day backward. Which I had.

The thumping outside got worse . Ethan’s voice cracked low and desperate. “Fuck…. I'm cuming again…”

Kayla laughed breathlessly. “Do it…. inside…. ”

I couldn’t listen anymore. I turned the water off. Unlocked the door. Stepped out into the hall.

And opened the bathroom door wider.

Jovian.

Standing there in the middle of the tiny space naked, skin still damp from an earlier shower, freckles standing out sharp against flushed chest. One hand braced on the counter. The other wrapped tight around his cock, stroking slowly , eyes half-shut, head tipped back. Mouth open in this quiet, wrecked little gasp.

And in his fist clutched like it was precious black undies. Mine. The ones I’d left in the hamper this morning.

The very same one I soaked this morning while dreaming about being fucked by Chris, stiff with my own dried messes.

My brain lagged. One second. Two. Everything fuzzy around the edges, like the world had gone soft-focus. I blinked hard. Thought I saw my underwear. Thought I didn’t. Couldn’t tell. My head still ringing from the hallway sex symphony. Eyes playing tricks. Had to be.

Jovian’s hand kept moving slowly , steady until his eyes flicked open.

He saw me.

Froze.

Hand stilled. Face drained white then flooded red in seconds. “Aiden.. shit… ”

He scrambled, tried to turn away, tried to cover with one arm while the other dropped the boxers fast. They hit the tile with a soft slap. He was still hard, flushed dark, tip shiny. Towel on the floor forgotten.

“I… fuck… this isn't… ” Words tripped over each other. “It’s not what it looks like… I swear… ”

I stared at the floor. At the black fabric crumpled there. My underwear. Definitely mine. No one else used such cheap brand of undies for this long till they faded right?

I finally opened my mouth.

But nothing came out.

Just silence.

And the crumpled black fabric on the floor between us, waiting for whatever came next.