Five minutes too late.

AIDEN’S POV. 

“What are you doing here?” I asked, still holding the blanket tight to my chest.

Ryder brows furrowed. “What do you mean?” he asked. “This is my room. And that is my bed.”

I blinked.

My brain felt slow, like it was still asleep.

“Your bed?” I repeated.

Oh, I was a dumb fuck. 

I slowly got up from the floor and wiped my forehead with my hand.

“Don’t ever do that again,” I said.

“Do what?” Ryder asked, still smiling.

“Kiss my forehead.”

He laughed louder this time. “Oh relax,” he said. “You looked cute. I couldn’t help it. You almost remind me of the time you slept on my bed at the club.”

I glared at him. “Shut your cunt up,” I said through gritted teeth, my fists clenched. “The next time you do that, I swear I'll kill you.”

“Okay, okay,” he said, raising his hands. “You’re so dramatic in the morning.”

Right then, the door opened and Peter walked in.

He looked fresh, like he had just washed his face. His hair was still a little messy.

“Good morning,” he said softly.

“Morning,” I replied quickly.

Ryder stretched. “Morning, Peter.”

Peter looked between us. “Did I interrupt something?”

“No,” I said fast. “Nothing.”

Ryder smirked but said nothing.

Peter walked closer. “I slept well,” he said. “Thank you for letting me stay.”

“You’re welcome,” I said. “Anytime.”

He smiled at me, and my chest felt warm again.

“Are you okay?” I asked him.

He nodded. “Yeah. I think so. I have an important test tomorrow, so my mind is on that now.”

“That’s good,” I said. “Focus on that. Daniel is just an ass.”

Peter gave a small laugh. “You really don’t like him.”

“I never did,” I said honestly. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

Peter looked down for a second, then looked back at me. “It still hurts.”

“I know,” I said softly. “But it will get better. One day, you’ll look back and laugh at him.”

“I hope so,” he said.

“I promise,” I said. “You’ll be fine.”

He nodded slowly. “Can I use the shower?” he asked. “I have class by eight.”

“I also have class by eight,” I said. “Go ahead.”

Before Peter could move, Ryder suddenly walked between us. “I’ll go first,” Ryder said casually. “I woke up earlier.”

“You were literally still in bed,” I said.

“And now I’m not,” he replied.

Peter laughed. “He’s fast.”

Ryder winked at him. “Always.”

I rolled my eyes. Ryder was this close to becoming my first murder victim. 

Minutes later, the door opened and Ryder walked out of the bathroom — naked. 

“Put something on!” I snapped. 

Ryder looked down at himself. “Why? We’re all boys here.”

“That doesn’t mean you should walk around like that,” I said.

Peter burst out laughing. “Aiden is a shy guy. He doesn't even move around shirtless.”

Ryder turned to me with a disgusted look. “Well, that's because he hasn't met me. I'm not going to cover up my precious rod because someone's jealous.”

I rolled my eyes. 

“And it's also a confirmation that gay people don't have small dicks,” he added, locking eyes with me with a knowing smile. 

My heart skipped a beat. 

“Who said that?” Peter frowned. 

I cleared my throat avoiding Ryder's eyes. He better not say a thing. 

Ryder sighed, picking up a towel. “A dumb fuck who's still in the closet.”

“It's always them,” Peter hissed. “They are too scared to come out and they criticize us. I hate those assholes.”

I inhaled deeply — very deeply, as I turned to Ryder with a cold glare. 

He just had to say it, didn't he?

“We are going to be late,” I interrupted. 

“Yeah,” Ryder nodded. “I would leave you two lovers to prepare.”

An hour later, we were all dressed — except for Ryder who decided that a silly game was far more important than his education. 

Peter wore a simple shirt and jeans. He looked good without even trying.

When we were ready, Peter and I left together.

As we walked down the street, the air felt cool and fresh.

“Thank you for yesterday,” Peter said quietly.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I replied. “I care about you.”

He smiled at that. “You’re a good friend,” he said.

Friend?

The word hit me harder than I expected.

“Yeah,” I said softly. “Of course.”

After a few steps, Peter spoke again.

“Ryder is kinda hot,” he said casually.

I stopped walking for half a second. “What?” I asked.

He laughed. “I mean, objectively. He’s good-looking. And he's not bad. We spoke last night.”

Last night? Where was I?

I raised a brow. 

“I couldn't sleep so I went to the living room and we had a little talk.” He sighed. “He's a nice dude. You should see past his gay side. Like you did to me.”

Before I could defend myself, Ava rushed toward us the moment she saw Peter.

“Peter!” she said, pulling him into a tight hug.

He hugged her back.

“I heard,” she said softly. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Peter replied. “I’ll survive.”

Ava pulled back and looked angry. “Daniel is trash. Absolute trash. I swear if I see him again, I'm going to give him a piece of fists.”

She was joking. She was extra defensive when it came to her gay cousin. She was the only one who put his parents in place when Peter first came out. And they were just fourteen. 

Peter gave a weak smile. “Thanks cous.”

Right then, someone approached us. 

“Peter.”

We all turned.

Daniel stood a few steps away.

My jaw tightened.

“What do you want?” Ava snapped.

Daniel ignored her and looked at Peter. 

“Can we talk? In private.”

Peter shook his head. “No.”

“Please,” Daniel said. “Just five minutes.”

“I’m late for class,” Peter replied calmly.

Ava stepped closer to Peter. “You heard him. Leave.”

Daniel looked annoyed. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“It concerns me when you hurt my cousin,” Ava shot back. “You dumb fuck.”

“Ava,” Peter said softly.

“No,” she continued. “He cheated on you and now he wants to talk? Who do you think you are? Have you forgotten what I told you would happen if you hurt my cousin.”

Daniel looked desperate. “It’s not what it looked like.”

“It looked exactly how it was,” I said coldly.

Daniel finally looked at me. “Stay out of this.”

I stepped forward. “Make me.”

“I have class,” Peter said again. “I don’t want to talk to you… please, just give me some time.”

Ava grabbed Peter’s arm. “Come on. We’re going.”

Peter looked at me for a second. “I’ll see you later,” he said.

“Yeah,” I replied.

He walked away with Ava.

Daniel turned to me. “Look, I know you hate gay people. Or you simply don't care,” he started. “But you gotta help me. I didn't cheat on Peter. I love him.”

I scoffed, adjusting my bag. “I saw you the other day kissing some guy,” I frowned. “Isn't that cheating?”

His face turned pale. “I'm sorry,” I stuttered. “But you got to help me. Peter is a great guy. I can't lose him.”

Yeah, Peter is a great guy. And as the Millers say, always go for the best, never let it slip out of your sight. 

I don't believe in God — although I grew up in a church, but I know this is God giving another opportunity — maybe my last, and I was going to use it wisely. 

I'm going to go for Peter. I'm going to tell Peter about my feelings. 

Peter will be mine. He is mine.