Only gay men date gay men.

AIDEN'S POV. 

I couldn't contain my excitement. This fake relationship was an opportunity for me to completely destroy the chance of Peter ever getting back with Daniel. And it was also an opportunity to finally confess my feelings to him. 

“Feeling good about today,” Ryder teased. “You and your lover are going to spend some quality time together.” He paused as if remembering something serious. “Oh, I almost forgot, gay people are broken so you might try to fix him.”

I walked over to him, my fists clenched so tightly that I could have sworn I heard my bones crack. “What's your problem?” I growled. 

God forbid I make one angry statement. But I really shouldn't have said that. Right? 

He closed the gap between us, staring deep into my soul. I wanted to move back but my legs were frozen to the ground. 

“You know exactly what my problem is,” he replied coldly. 

Peter walked out of the bathroom, but froze, seeing us standing so close together. 

“If Aiden was gay, I'd have sworn there is something going on between you too,” he laughed. 

I quickly moved away, clearing my throat. 

“Hey,” Ryder nodded to Peter. “Are you still coming to the party?” 

“Yeah,” Peter laughed and gave him a high five. “Won't miss it for the world.” 

What party? Seriously, when do they have these conversations?

“What party?” I swallowed hard, flicking my eyes between them. “Did Ava throw a party or something?” 

“Nah,” Peter smiled, wearing his shirt. “It's this party some guy invited Ryder to. And Ryder invited me.”

I slowly turned to Ryder with a death glare. He was intentionally getting on my nerves. 

“Who's throwing the party?” 

“Uhmm,” Peter exchanged confused glances with Ryder. “I'm not sure. I think it's the Alpha guys or something.”

“My friend is throwing a birthday party for her boyfriend,” Ryder added.

“Her?” 

Ryder turned to me. “You sound surprised. Aren't gay people allowed to have female friends?”

My mouth opened to defend myself but Peter jumped in between us. 

“Woah, woah, woah,” Peter frowned. “Aiden is a good guy. He's father… not so much to gays.”

“Or black. Or Asians,” Ryder added to the list. 

“Aiden and I never had issues while leaving together,” Peter defended. 

“Guess that part of Aiden left with you,” Ryder muttered and turned to pick his books. “I have classes to attend.”

“But it's a Saturday,” Peter said. 

Ryder let out a faint chuckle and walked to the door. “I never said academic class,” he said and walked out. 

The room turned silent for a while — I could almost hear our neighbors moaning. 

“Ryder is a great guy.” Peter broke the silence. “He's funny and so my type. Too bad he refused to become my fake boyfriend.”

That broke the last form of restraint I had. 

“Ryder is a fucking asshole! There is nothing to like about him!” 

“I don't get why you guys are always fighting. He's the coolest guy I have ever met.”

That felt like an insult to my generation. 

“I hope you guys resolve whatever tension between you two,” he muttered. “So are you coming to the party?” 

“No.”

“Yeah, I'm sorry I asked.” He smiled, and gently patted my shoulder. “See you around, buddy.”

In the evening, I sat on my study table, staring blankly at the books in front of me. My eyes were reading it, but my brain was not picking the words. 

My mind was on the party Peter and Ryder went to. I kept asking myself, “What if Ryder and Peter get together? Or worse, what if Daniel and Peter see each other at the party and get back together?”

Fuck no. I couldn't allow that. 

I picked up my phone and dialed Ava's number. She was the only one I could trust to keep Daniel away from Peter. But Ryder? I can only pray he isn't into blonde dudes. 

“Hi, what's up.” Ava's voice came through. 

“Hey, Ava…”

“Just kidding. I'm currently unavailable right now. Because either I'm having sex or I'm on my periods.” 

Damnit, voice note. 

I quickly dialed Riss number. But it also went straight to voicemail. 

Reluctantly, I picked up my coat and rushed out. I had no idea where the party was held but I knew I had to find it some way. Or I was going to go mad from thinking about Peter hooking up with Daniel or Ryder. 

After walking around campus for a long time, I was tired and annoyed. I was about to give up when I heard loud music in the distance.

The bass was heavy and strong. It made the ground feel like it was shaking. I followed the sound. The closer I got, the louder it became.

Soon, I saw flashing lights coming from a house near the edge of campus. Cars were parked everywhere, some not even properly. The front door was wide open.

That had to be the party.

As soon as I stepped inside, I covered my ears immediately. It was so loud I could barely think. The room was packed with people. The air was hot and smelled like sweat and alcohol.

People were dancing everywhere. Some guys had no shirts on. Some girls were wearing very small tops and short skirts. 

The place looked nothing like a place for students. 

I walked through the crowd, earnestly searching for Peter. The moment I saw him, I froze. 

He was talking to some guy — their body language told me it was more than just getting to know each other. 

“Waiting for you to crash the party,” a voice said behind me. 

I turned to Ryder. 

“What took you so long?” He mocked, taking a sip of his wine. “Trying to figure out if you are gay enough for Peter.”

“I'm not gay,” I spat. 

He nodded. “I know,’’ he smiled. “That's why I talked Peter out of a fake relationship with you and focused on himself and meeting new people.”

I swallowed hard. 

If we weren't in public I would have punched him. 

“Look,” I growled, leaning closer to him. “I know you have a problem with my family, but I was trying to look past the hatred we have for each other's family. But now I'm beginning to see why my father hates all of you.”

He nodded. “Yeah, Romeo,” he nodded, towards Peter's direction.  

I slowly turned to Peter's direction and froze. The guy was kissing Peter. 

I felt my heart shatter. 

Ryder leaned closer. “Only gay men date gay men,” he muttered. Then walked away, leaving me with a broken heart.