ログインAARON'S POVJay's eyes lingered on me for another moment. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His eyes brightened with amusement. "Maybe." He said simply.That single word made my chest sink.Maybe.That meant there really was someone. Someone special enough that Jay made time for them no matter what.Someone he never rejected. Something inside my chest tightened before slowly sinking.I hadn't expected that. I didn't even know why it hurt.For a while, I couldn't find my voice. I simply lowered my eyes, staring at my own hands as they rested on my lap.So there really was someone...Someone Jay always chose. Someone he enjoyed spending time with. Someone important enough that everyone else got turned away.My fingers curled together.Who was he? Had I seen him before? Had we crossed paths out there in the club without realizing it? Was he older?Richer? Better looking?The questions started piling up one after another before I could stop them.What if Jay a
AARON'S POVFor a few seconds, neither of us moved.Jay's eyes stayed fixed on me, still clouded with sleep as though he hadn't fully returned to reality yet. He blinked once... then again, his gaze never leaving my face."Aaron?" The way he said my name was so quiet that I almost thought I had imagined it.I gave him a small, awkward smile. "Sorry..." I said softly, keeping my voice low. "I didn't mean to wake you."He continued staring at me.It almost felt like he wasn't really seeing me. Then, as if something finally clicked inside his head, his eyes widened slightly.Without warning, he pushed himself upright.“Ahh…” A sharp wince crossed his face as he immediately stopped, one hand flying toward his side.My body reacted before my brain had time to think. "Careful!"I reached out and caught his arm to steady him before he could lose his balance.The moment my fingers wrapped around him, both of us froze.Jay looked down at my hand. Then back at my face. I followed his gaze and r
PLEASE DON’T HATE MEAARON'S POVI quickly shook the thought away.Stop it, Aaron. You're overthinking again.Maybe those men were talking about someone else. Maybe Jay simply had his own reasons for rejecting their bookings. Whatever those reasons were... they had nothing to do with me.At least, that was what I kept telling myself.By the time I reached the quiet part of the hallway leading to the private rooms, the pounding music had faded into nothing more than a distant hum. The flashing lights from the main hall barely reached this side of the club, leaving the corridor dim.I finally stopped in front of the assigned room.For some reason, my heartbeat picked up again. I stared at the door for a moment before taking a slow breath.Then, tightening my fingers around the handle, I gently pushed it open.My fingers froze around the doorknob.Jay was inside already but he was asleep.The room was dimly lit, the bedside lamp casting a soft glow across the bed. Jay lay on his stomach
AARON'S POVI sat quietly in the back of the cab with my phone resting in my hand. My eyes haven't left the screen since I got in.Reservation Confirmed. Host: Jay.I read those words over and over.Jay accepted my booking? I still couldn't believe it. I honestly hadn't expected him to.After everything that happened yesterday... after seeing the condition his back was in... I had convinced myself he'd cancel every booking for tonight.There was no way he could possibly work with that injury.So… why did he accept mine?A small smile found its way onto my face before disappearing almost immediately.I was happy. Of course I was.It meant I would get to see him again. But the happiness didn't last because worry quickly replaced it.What if he actually accepted it because he needed the money?What if he was actually planning to perform tonight?My chest tightened.Please don't force yourself onto that stage. Your back needs rest. You don't have to do this.I sighed quietly and locked th
JACK'S POVI had taken Maya's advice and gone to see a doctor that morning.Thankfully, the injury wasn't as serious as I had feared. After examining my back, the doctor told me it was a deep bruise with a few torn muscle fibers. He prescribed painkillers, told me to keep an ice pack on it as often as I could, and warned me to avoid lifting anything heavy or making unnecessary movements for the next few days.His final instruction had been simple.Rest.So that's exactly what I was trying to do.I was at home.I leaned back against my headboard and let out a slow breath.Easier said than done.Even with the medication, every slight shift sent a dull ache across my back. It wasn't unbearable anymore, but it was enough to remind me that throwing myself in front of that piece of wood hadn't exactly been one of my smarter decisions.But still, I couldn't have just stood there and watch Aaron get hit.I reached for the ice pack lying beside me and adjusted it against my back with a quiet h
AARON'S POVSick.The word kept echoing in my head. My throat suddenly felt tight.So, he really did get sick because of me.I could already picture it.Jack riding through the rain after forcing his jacket onto me, refusing to let me shiver while he stayed exposed to the cold.Then, waking up this morning with a fever.Fuck.My chest squeezed painfully. "I'm..." I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."Claire frowned slightly. "For what?"I quickly shook my head. "N-Nothing."She continued looking at me, clearly confused.I couldn't tell her what I was thinking. How could I?I was already feeling guilty enough. If I had just refused the jacket… If I hadn't accepted it...Maybe he wouldn't be sick right now.Shit.I really was nothing but trouble.Claire shifted her weight onto one leg. "Anything else?"The question snapped me back to reality."Uh..." I stared at the floor.Should I ask?No, that would be weird. She was his girlfriend. What if she misunderstood? What if she thought I was trying
AARON'S POVI held the folded paper tightly in my hand as I walked toward the cafeteria. My thumb rubbed slowly against the edge of it while the words inside kept replaying in my head.“Keep your eyes open, Aaron. You’re missing something obvious.”Missing what exactly?Then the signature beneath i
AARON'S POVMy dad once said, if something is worth having, you don’t let it slip away without a fight. I used to think it was just one of those things parents say to sound wise. But now I understand it differently because nothing about this scholarship has been easy. And I’m not about to lose it w
JACK'S POV “The way you sound when you say my name.”I shouldn’t have said that, but it was true. There was something soft and careful in the way he said ‘Jay’.But that wasn't my name. A flicker of irritation surged through me. I looked away, running a hand through my hair.I wanted—just once—to
AARON'S POV My arms tightened around him.I didn’t even realize how hard I was holding on until my fingers curled into his coat, gripping like I was afraid to let go.My face was buried against his chest, my breathing uneven, my heart still racing from everything that had just happened.For a mome







