Denial has a witness.

AIDEN’S POV.

I sat there, frozen, while Ryder pulled back from Peter and laughed like nothing had happened.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, smiling wide, like he’d just won something.

The room was quiet for a second — too quiet. 

Then his phone beeped. Ryder looked down at it, his smile fading just a little. He checked the screen, typed something fast, then stood up.

“Duty calls,” he said lightly. “I’ve got something important to handle.”

Ava groaned. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yeah,” he replied. “Rain check.”

He grabbed his jacket, turned to me with a proud smile, before walking out. 

Oh, the urge to punch that smug face in front of everyone. He knew Peter was taken, yet he kissed him. He knew I liked Peter a lot — that didn't stop him either. 

I sat still, my hands clenched on my knees, my heart still beating too fast as I watched Peter instead.

He was smiling.

That made my stomach twist.

How could he smile when Ryder kissed him? Does he know who Ryder is? I don't, but I knew he was the kind of guy that you should stay away from. 

Goodness knows where that mouth has experience. 

Riss cleared his throat. “Uh… guess the game continues?”

Ava grinned. “Hell yes. Spin the bottle.”

The bottle spun again, laughter filling the room like nothing strange had happened. Like Ryder hadn’t just kissed Peter in front of all of us.

I tried to laugh along. I really did. But my eyes kept going back to Peter.

He was relaxed — too relaxed for someone who just cheated… on me. 

Every now and then, his smile would soften, like he was replaying the kiss in his head.

That pissed me off more than it should have.

The game dragged on and time passed into a blur. 

By the time the movie credits rolled again, I felt tired. 

“Alright,” Peter said, standing up. “I think that’s enough for tonight.”

Ava groaned again. “Party pooper.”

“You love me,” he replied.

“I do,” she said easily.

They stood up and started grabbing their things. I stood up and headed towards the door. 

I was too angry to spend another second here. 

“Thanks for coming,” Peter said when I reached the door.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Thanks for inviting me.”

He hesitated, then smiled. “I’m glad you came.”

I nodded and left before I could say something stupid.

I went straight home to confront Ryder but he wasn't there. 

Good. I had enough time to practice the best way to knock out his teeth. 

An hour turned to hours and there was no sign of Ryder. 

I lay back, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything in my head. And the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. 

I must’ve fallen asleep at some point because the next thing I knew, my alarm was screaming.

I checked the time and swore.

I was late. 

I rushed out, skipped breakfast, skipped thinking, and barely made it to class.

All through lectures, my mind was elsewhere.

By the time evening came, my head hurt.

I walked back to the dorm, tired and angry.

I pushed my key into the hole, but the door was unlocked. 

I pushed it open—and froze.

Ryder was in the living room with some guy. 

Is this the “important thing” Ryder ran off to?

Of course, it had to be. Ryder was literally the male version of a slut. 

The guy was laughing, leaning too close, his hand on Ryder’s arm.

Something snapped inside me. “You,” I said sharply.

They both looked at me.

The guy blinked. “Uh—”

“Leave,” I said. “Now.”

Ryder raised a brow. “Wow. Straight to threats?”

“I said leave,” I repeated, my voice low.

The guy stood up slowly. “I don’t want trouble.”

“Good choice,” I said.

He grabbed his jacket and rushed out.

Ryder laughed and flopped back on his bed. “You didn’t have to scare him off. I was enjoying myself.”

“I don’t care,” I snapped. “I need to talk to you.”

He sighed dramatically. “You’re killing my mood.”

“I’m serious.”

He stared at me for a long second, then waved a hand. “Fine. Go. Shoo.”

The guy hesitated at the door.

“Go,” Ryder said. “I’ll call you.”

The guy nodded and walked out, slamming the door behind him. 

Ryder let out a long sigh. “I wanted to sleep with him, you know. But I guess it’s good you stopped me. He was damn boring.”

I clenched my fists. “Stay away from Peter.”

He laughed. “That’s it? That’s why you’re acting like my dad?”

“Stay. Away. From. Him.”

Ryder sat up. “Why are you so concerned?”

I swallowed. “You don’t need to know.”

He tilted his head. “Are you fixing him?”

I frowned. “What?”

“You think something’s wrong with him?” he asked. “Because there isn’t.”

“There’s nothing wrong with Peter,” I snapped.

Ryder grinned. “Funny. Didn’t you say gay people are gay because they need to be fixed?”

I froze.

I couldn’t answer.

He stood up slowly. “You know what’s fun? You have so many gay friends for a white supremacist.”

My jaw tightened.

“Your friend,” he continued. “His roommate. Your former roommate.”

He leaned closer. “Be careful, Aiden. People might think you’re gay too.”

“This war is between us alone,” I said coldly. “Leave Peter out of it.”

He laughed again. “You’re too little to be at war with me.”

“I just want you away from him,” I said. “A playboy like you shouldn’t be near him.”

Ryder’s smile faded just a bit. “What’s your issue? You’re not gay. You hate gay people. Yet here you are stopping them from loving each other.”

I knew he was baiting me, and I wasn't going to let him trap me. 

So I straightened. “Peter is my friend. I’m looking out for him.”

Ryder smiled slowly. “Exactly. I know he’s your friend. That’s why I’ll go after him.”

He turned to grab something from his desk.

My fist clenched, and immediately I swung.

He turned fast, and caught my fist mid-air.

My eyes widened. 

How the hell did he do that?

He pulled me closer using my own hand until our chests touched. He was taller, so I had to look up.

He smiled. “Careful,” he whispered. “I can feel you getting harder.”

My breath hitched. Immediately the door opened.

I shoved him away just as Peter walked in.

“Oh,” Peter said quickly. “I’ll come back later.”

“No,” I said fast. “Stay.”

“Are you sure?” He asked. 

I nodded. “You need something?” 

He hesitated. Then locked eyes with me. “I didn't know where else to go.”

“What happened?” 

“Daniel and his ex just made up,” he forced a sad smile. “I caught them together.”