All Chapters of HATE HIM, TILL I NEED HIM: Chapter 11 - Chapter 19

RYDER’S POV. My phone buzzed, and I answered it quickly. I knew it was going to be my cousin—I had been waiting for this call all day.Her mother called me earlier to report her missing. She said she fled with some boy, whom she clearly disapproved of because he had no interest in education. This wasn't the first time she ran away from home. But this was the first time she ran away from home because of a boy — wasn't surprising though. Her father was a bit stricter than my father. If he was my father, I wouldn't have dared come out. He would have disowned me in a public meeting — that's if I'm lucky. Unlike my father, who simply didn't acknowledge my existence. Mei Ling was the only family that I could talk to. She was still little when I figured I was gay, and she was the first to know of it.We were also the bad egg of the family. Everyone knew about it, so the other family members stayed away from us. And since we grew on each other, anytime her mother had issues with her, she

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

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.“Morni

AUTHOR’S POV. Aiden’s living room was messy but warm.Empty soda cans were on the table. A big box of pizza sat open in the middle. The smell of cheese filled the air. The TV was on but no one was watching it.They were all sitting on the floor. Peter sat between Riss and Ava. Ava was almost glued to him. She had one arm around his shoulder like she was protecting him from the world.“You don’t deserve that idiot,” Ava muttered, biting into her pizza. “Daniel is trash.”Peter sighed. “Can you not?”“No, I cannot,” Ava snapped. “He cheated on you. I am allowed to curse him.”Peter rubbed his face. “Ava, please. I’m already tired.”Riss leaned back against the couch. “She’s been cursing him for the past hour. I’m surprised Daniel hasn’t felt it spiritually.”Ava glared at him. “This isn’t funny.”“I didn’t say it was funny,” Riss replied calmly. “I’m just saying Peter said he’s fine.”Peter nodded. “I am. I’m happy I’m here. With my friends. And my favourite cousin.” He bumped Ava ligh