What we guard.

AIDEN’S POV. 

My cheek burned like it was on fire.

Ava pressed an ice bag into my hand before I could even say anything. “Hold this there,” she said, softer than I expected. Or heard her. “Don’t argue.”

I took it and pressed it against my face. The cold bit into my skin and I sucked in a sharp breath. “Thanks.”

She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

For a second, neither of us spoke. The room felt awkward, and neither of us wanted to say out loud.

Then she broke the silence. “You know… we’re friends, right?”

I glanced at her. “Yeah,” I said. “We are.”

She nodded, like she needed to hear me say it. “Good.”

She sat down on the edge of her bed and crossed her arms. “Your dad would be pissed if he heard that someone punched his son,” she added casually. 

My spine stiffened. “Don’t tell him,” I said immediately. “Please. Don’t tell my father. Or anyone.”

She looked at me for a long moment, studying my face like she was weighing something. Then she lifted both hands. “Relax. I won’t tell a soul.” She smiled. “And besides, your father and I aren't buddies to start a casual conversation. I'm not sure he could even maintain one.”

I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. She was right. The man had never once talked to me about anything that wasn't legacy or business.

I let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding. “Thank you.”

I leaned back against the wall, still holding the ice to my cheek. I thought we were done.

I was wrong.

Ava tilted her head. “But I do need to ask you something.”

My stomach tightened. “What?”

“I won’t say anything,” she said slowly, “if you tell me what happened.”

I frowned. “You saw what happened. He punched me.”

“No,” she said. “Before that.”

I stayed quiet.

Her eyes didn’t leave mine. “What did he mean when he said you two made out?”

“That’s not what happened,” I said too fast.

She raised an eyebrow. “Aiden.”

I sighed and lowered the ice bag slightly. “It was a stupid mistake. Nothing more.”

“Mistake how?”

“It just—” I stopped, frustrated. “It didn’t mean anything. I was drunk…”

“Drunk?!” She gasped, her eyes widened in horror. “Like alcohol drunk?”

Is there another way to get drunk?

I inhaled deeply, trying to hide the regret on my face. 

I shouldn't have told her that. Now she won't shut up. 

“I didn't know you drink?” 

“That's because I don't,” I said through clenched teeth. “No one is above mistake. And besides you guys always pressure me to try new things.” I said that part quietly 

“So…you were drunk then you two had sex,” she said. 

My fists clenched tightly as I turned to her with a death glare. 

“So who was up? Him? You?” She asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. 

Just when I was about to give her a befitting answer, she laughed. 

“I'm sorry, I know who was up,” she smiled, her eyes slowly falling down to my legs. “So how was it?” 

I inhaled deeply, swallowing down my anger. “We just kissed.”

“Oh, you admit it. You did make out with him.”

“I was drunk,” I defended. “I'm not gay. Just some drunken mistake.”

“I have never heard of straight men who had sex with men…mistakingly,” she muttered, her tone filled with mockery. 

“I'm not gay, Ava.”

She nodded, but her lips pressed together. “You say that like you’re trying to convince yourself.”

“I’m not gay,” I said firmly.

She leaned back on her hands. “I’m trying not to believe that.”

That annoyed me more than I wanted to admit. “What is that supposed to mean? I already told you, I'm not gay.”

“It means,” she said carefully, “that I can imagine a lot of things about you. You screwing up. You dropping out of school. You making a girl pregnant.” She glanced at my cheek. “Clearly.”

I didn’t respond.

“But you being gay?” she continued. 

“That’s the one thing I can’t picture.”

My jaw clenched. “Good. Because I’m not.”

She watched me closely. “Can you imagine what would happen if you were?”

I snapped, “I don’t need to imagine it.”

She sighed. “See? That’s what I mean.”

“What?”

“You shut down,” she said. “Every time we talk about your sexuality.”

I looked away. “You don’t get to question my life.”

She nodded immediately. “You’re right. I don’t.” Then, quieter, “But I had to ask.”

“Ask what?”

“I’ve never seen you with a girl,” she said.  “Not once.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“You don’t talk about them either,” she continued. “You don’t even make stupid comments like the rest of the guys do.”

“That’s because I’m not an idiot.”

She smiled faintly. “Fair. But you have never admired boobs or ass…”

I straightened. “The Millers are men with dignity.”

She nodded. “Right.” Then she leaned in and whispered, half-joking, “Men will be men.”

I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She stretched out her hand, palm up, like she was offering me something. “I’ve always wondered,” she admitted. “You’re… different.”

“Different how?”

“Controlled,” she said. “Closed off. Like you’re always guarding something.”

I didn’t answer.

She leaned closer. “So I’ll ask one last time.”

My heart started pounding.

“Aiden,” she whispered, “are you gay?”

“No,” I said instantly.

She studied my face. “You didn’t even hesitate.”

“Because I’m not.”

I swallowed, then added, “Peter is gay. And he still compliments girls. He talks about them all the time.”

She paused. “That’s true.” She sat back, holding her hands up. “Okay. I’ll drop it.”

“You can stay here until my roommate comes back,” she said, standing up. “But when she does, you’ll have to leave.”

I let out a small smile. “Deal.”

Her roommate hated me. Mostly because my father once made a sly comment about her ‘dreaming to be a judge.’ He’d said it like a joke. But it really came out offensive and my father, as usual, didn't apologize. 

“But I got to ask,” Ava said suddenly. “Have you ever had sex?”

“I should go,” I said and stood up.  “Thank you. For the ice. And for not telling anyone.”

She smiled. “Virgin glass god.”

“Don't ever call me that,” I warned and walked out. 

The hallway felt colder than before. I didn't have anywhere to go but I wasn't going to sleep outside while that prick sleeps in my room. 

I was still walking to my dorm when I saw Peter's boyfriend. 

I slowed without meaning to. He was standing near the stairs with another guy. And before I could process what was happening, I saw them kiss. 

My stomach dropped. 

Peter's boyfriend just cheated on him.