TRISTAN "Where the hell is the Boss?!" I growled, slamming my fist against the thick glass demarcation. "You fucking tell me where the Boss is right now!" But the goon keeping watch only took a long look in my direction, shook his head, and walked out the door. My throbbing fists clenched against the glass. This… all of this was frustrating. Being dragged here, Nico ignoring me, throwing me into this compartment that felt like a damn asylum… and worst of all, not knowing how Myles was faring. All of it fueled my pacing, my yelling—despite knowing no one could hear me. There was a telephone on the wall at my side, the only way to communicate with the outside. But in my rage and fear, I couldn’t think clearly. I’d tried pleading once, but the goons had looked straight through me, as if I were a ghost, before stepping out. There was no way to escape. This place didn’t even have windows. Punching the glass was useless—my knuckles had already begun to bleed. I raked my finge
My fingers dug into the edge of the table, knuckles white, as I leaned in. "All I ask is for a chance to prove myself, and you won’t fucking let me!" "Mind your language, Myles Astor," Coach Daniel snapped, his gaze flicking up briefly. The words were cold, indifferent. Like I was some kid throwing a tantrum. Outside the office, cheers roared from the party in full swing. Each burst of laughter and clinking glass grated against me, a reminder that while my life was falling apart, everyone else was having the time of theirs. They were celebrating *him*—Tristan Medici, the golden boy with the golden ticket, stepping right into my spot, *my fucking spot*, on the team. My chest tightened. I wasn’t breathing. "Please." My voice cracked, more fragile than I wanted it to be. I hated myself for it. I took a step closer to his desk, my hand resting on the edge for support. "At least let me play the next match." The next match meant everything. NHL scouts would be there, watching, eval
The shrill sound of my alarm clock wasn’t what jolted me awake. It was the yelling. My stepfather’s voice cutting through the walls. I stared up at the ceiling, straining to hear my mom’s voice fighting back, but it never came. It never will.. “If this was toast, the whole of America would be fucking dead!” His voice boomed again. I sighed, sitting up in bed. Pain shot from my hips and... lower down, a raw reminder of last night. It wasn't a dream. It happened. *“Changing the list?” The phone camera clicked. “You little devil.”* “Listen, it’s not what you think,” I had said, heart pounding. “Oh, I know *exactly* what I think.” His voice dripped with amusement. Shit. “But I’ll keep my mouth shut," he whispered, stepping closer, "if you fuck me." I shook my head, the memories flooding back with nauseating clarity. The worst part was I didn’t even know who he was. Yet, I had agreed. “Myles?” My mom’s voice, soft and hesitant, floated through the door. “You’re late for school
“Yes, Myles, what’s the answer?”I blinked, yanked out of my trance by the teacher’s voice. The whole class turned toward me, eyes wide, some barely stifling laughter. I stood up, trying to shake the fog from my mind.“Sir… could you repeat the question?”“Repeat the question?” He raised an eyebrow. “Caught you smiling. Figured you knew the answer.”If only class made me smile that much. But no, my smile was all because of the little chat I had with Coach Daniel earlier."I had a nap and realized I wasn’t fair to you. There’s a way to get you back on the team, but it’ll cost you your dignity."That “dignity” translated into being the water boy during training, just so I could hold on to a sliver of a chance of rejoining the team. It was humiliating, but at least it was something.“Sir, I have no idea.”“The answer is ‘cell,’” a soft voice offered from behind. “The smallest unit of life.”Natalie. My brows furrowed as I turned to see her offering a small, sympathetic smile. I nodded in
I dropped my gaze to my still throbbing fingers, feeling Coach's eyes on my face. It was the day after the brawl at the rink, and I hadn't even fully entered the school gate before Coach's voice came over the speakers, demanding to see me in his office. "...We had a deal, Myles. What were you thinking?!" I had no clue, but I knew what I thought after it all happened: run! And I did—taking my bag and the strange money home after the biology teacher discovered no one else's was missing. Things to worry about just kept multiplying. Now Coach stood up straight. "All you had to do was lay low." "Which I did." "That wasn’t laying low, Myles." "He fucking came at me!" When Coach said nothing, I quickly toned down my voice. "I know you're trying to help, but goddammit, it gets hard when you're punched in the midsection." Coach sighed and sat down. "I understand." He gestured for me to sit down too, but I didn’t. "That’s why I said it’s going to be hard. George doesn’t want y
**TRISTAN** My phone buzzed. One new message. *"You're sick… Use that money to get your head checked."* And right below it: *"This person is not contactable."* I pinched the bridge of my nose, holding back a chuckle as the coach stood in front of me. There was something about the brown-haired rascal that amused me—something I hadn’t quite figured out yet. Maybe it was the way he overflowed with emotion. *"You hate emotions."* Maybe. But they suited him—better than those coffee-brown eyes or the slight athletic physique hidden beneath oversized hoodies. *"He hates you."* Why should I care? At first, all I felt was guilt. The morning after, when I placed a hand on his shoulder and he flinched, I realized—his first time. And I hadn't even noticed. It was no coincidence he was the first I laid my eyes on when I walked into the school that evening. The brunette surrounded by friends and staring at the wall. Habits died hard, so once again, like the life I kept a secret from e
**MYLES** I gripped the marble sink, glaring at my reflection. The image of his smug smile wouldn’t leave my head. He’d looked at me like I was some kind of snack. *Snack?* Was that the best I could come up with? Christ, Myles. What the hell have you done? I staggered back until I hit the wall, sliding down to the floor. Never in a million years would I have guessed he was the one. Now that I knew—and had a clue where the money came from—there was only one option left: leave the country. I clutched my hair, frustration boiling inside. But that wasn’t possible. The next choice? Return the money and tell the bastard to back off. But I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him yet. A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts, followed by my mum’s voice. “Myles, are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been acting strange.” I raised my head, catching my pale reflection again. “Yeah... I’ll be out in a minute,” I called back, the words sounding distant even to me. There was a long silence b
Was I really doing this? I stared at the entrance wide-eyed, hoping it stayed this quiet, stayed this still while I deciphered my thoughts. That was too much to ask. "Hey!" Diego yelled from where he was pressed to his stomach by the men on top of him. "That's you fucking daydreaming again?" One of the men palmed him hard against the back of his head. "Can you just shut the fuck up for once in your life?" Their words were like echoes, shadows. Ones I wished would just cease existing. The old man slowly limped up to me while I struggled with my thoughts, and I wasn’t aware until he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Myles, I hate to tell you this, but stalling won’t help you people." "I'm serious," I insisted, then swallowed when he raised a brow at me. "Wait here," I announced, sprinting back into the room. Hurling the bed up was quick, but at the first sight of the money, I froze again, desperately dragging my hands through my hair. One feel of that money, and I'd have a le
TRISTAN "Where the hell is the Boss?!" I growled, slamming my fist against the thick glass demarcation. "You fucking tell me where the Boss is right now!" But the goon keeping watch only took a long look in my direction, shook his head, and walked out the door. My throbbing fists clenched against the glass. This… all of this was frustrating. Being dragged here, Nico ignoring me, throwing me into this compartment that felt like a damn asylum… and worst of all, not knowing how Myles was faring. All of it fueled my pacing, my yelling—despite knowing no one could hear me. There was a telephone on the wall at my side, the only way to communicate with the outside. But in my rage and fear, I couldn’t think clearly. I’d tried pleading once, but the goons had looked straight through me, as if I were a ghost, before stepping out. There was no way to escape. This place didn’t even have windows. Punching the glass was useless—my knuckles had already begun to bleed. I raked my finge
TRISTANThe phone pressed to my ear wasn’t mine, but from it seeped my uncle’s voice. He sounded strange—void—and with every word he spilled, it dawned on me why there were three goons behind me, pressing a gun to the back of my head. "Follow them peacefully," the boss ordered. My brows hardened and knit together, my eyes narrowing at the florist, who kept giving us nervous glances, but not once did she reach for the phone to call the police. They had warned her… or she understood the atmosphere’s language and realized it was better to stay out of it. "Cut it out, Uncle," I gritted out, the flowers hanging loosely in my hold. "Can we do this later? After I take Myles to the hospital?" There was silence for seconds before his voice came on again. "Look back at the car, Tristan. Do you really think you're in a spot to negotiate right now?" What did he mean by—? Myles was staring at me, his jaw set, his eyes soft yet unreadable. Beside him, Jade was climbing out, her hand
EROSWhat was there to look at? Nothing interesting at all. Just his father strolling out of his brother's apartment, expression sullen and knuckles dripping blood that wasn't his.Guess there was a limit to the incompetency love makes you take. Sometimes you just get to hit your favorite things even when it hurts you.He was curious what his reaction would be when he found that thing dead.On the fence shrouded by tall trees, Eros watched his father wipe the blood off his hands. Then, flinging the hanky behind him, he turned to two of the goons, barking out orders.Eros pulled his hoodie up, eyes still a little drowsy from his escapade at Tristan's condo. He waited... patiently... any moment now.The old man's eyes scanned the house one last time. Then his phone rang, and he slipped into the car with his men, and the car sped off.Eros smiled... this was it.With a couple of moves, face mask set in place and the smooth, cold steel against him, he dropped down to the floor, still shro
I found the door of the mini bar open, and with a loud sigh, I walked in. Eros, who was raising a half-filled tumbler to his lips, paused for a second, then shrugged it off before he took a mouthful, wincing when it hit too much. "The Boss has been looking for you." I broke the silence. "Where have you been?" His lips twitched bitterly, neck twisting a bit to catch a glimpse of me, then shaking his head. "Quit pretending you care. It doesn't suit you." I stopped. It’s his voice. It holds no malice, just exhaustion, like the sight of me is something he can't stomach. Even in the dim light, I saw it all—the fragile state he was in. "Of course I care. You're my—" "Friend?" He chuckled, dropping onto the stool and resting his forehead on the counter. "You were the worst thing that ever happened to me, Tristan." He paused. "I mean, my life was shit before, but you came in and..." "What the fuck are you saying?" I snapped. "I'm saying don't ask silly questions. Don't shift th
"You pick up that call," he murmured, "and I swear to God, I'll kill him."A smirk tugged at my lips. "Noted."He raised his head to stare into my eyes, then leaned in, kissing the smile off my lips, trailing down until he nibbled the hollow of my neck. I caught my breath, drowning in his touch. In the back of my mind, a voice whispered, reminding me to pull away like last time, to let him heal. But how could I, when he looked at me like that? When I drowned in those soft grays that called to the darkest part of my soul.He fumbled against my zipper, hands slipping and digging into my hips, as if pressing hard enough would merge us and make me forget the phone ringing in the background. I arched into Tristan's touch, my back hitting the wall as his hands finally freed me from my jeans, but despite his ragged breath, he wasn't fully into it. More times than once his gaze narrowed to the buzz.His body stiffened every time the phone rang, like it was a nightmare he'd rather not face.
MYLES The way he looked at me—it was as though he couldn’t believe I was here, touching him. As though he was waiting for the moment he’d wake up from this nightmare. As though I was too good to be true. He looked at me like he was broken, and I was the only one who could fix him. And that scared me. Not because the future looked bleak, not because I couldn’t trust myself, but because I dreaded the day he’d stop looking at me like this. Like I was the reason he still held his breath. Tristan made me weak. Weak enough to turn away. *Never stop needing me*, I wanted to scream. *Keep me so much it hurts*. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it… “I don’t believe you,” Tristan muttered, taking my hand and pressing it against his chest so I could feel his racing heart. “I don’t believe anything you say. But…I’ll take anything you give me. As long as you don’t leave. "You’re all I ever wanted.” I tried not to shiver as he leaned in. The first press of our lips was slow, gentle, nu
TRISTAN *You’re so damn heavy…* I wasn’t sure what had my lids fluttering open—the bright light in this room that smelled too familiar or the feminine voice scraping at my nerves. My lips were dry, cracked, and when I ran my tongue over them, I tasted something medicinal. My body felt like I had walked through fire, my head pounding—not in the unbearable way when the voices grew loud and screeching, but like I’d knocked it against a wall on my way to bed. My eyes cracked fully open to my room. The intricate design of the ceiling sharpened in my vision, the cold air caressing my bare upper body as the woman’s voice became louder. Christ… what happened last night? The last thing I remembered was tumbling down the stairs until I hit the floor… then… what? *Don’t wake up. Don’t leave me.* *Come on. I’ll take you home.* Of course, my chest tightened. Myles. I hallucinated so damn hard about him I could swear I smelled a whiff of his scent. Now, I was lying here alone, waitin
NICO At the top of the stairs, leaning against the balustrade, he watched it all happen—the organ in his chest clenching so hard it was painful. The pain intensified as he watched Tristan leaning into the Latino’s touch like he was life itself, like he was his own fucking breath. His grip around the boy’s ribs was so tight, Nico wished he’d press even harder and crush the brat. That touch... Nico stared down at his own hands—soft, without the fucking callouses—proof of how little he had held a gun in the past seven years. And now, Tristan flinched away from his touch. His touch... The sharp pain seared past his chest again. Yet, the way Tristan clung to Myles, even in that state… and yet, he flinched. He should have known. He came with Victor’s strength. Of course, he came with his weaknesses too—threefold, even more intense. Let it burn. Nico’s jaw clenched as he released his hold on the lit cigar. Let it all burn. It didn’t matter anymore. But a hand snatched past him
MYLES Throughout the journey back to the hospital, we rode in silence. Not once did the mayor turn to look at me—his focus fixed on the road outside the windshield—while mine remained on his back or outside the window. And suddenly, I felt it… shame. In the few hours I had stayed in Elysium, I knew more about my family and understood why Mum had kept it all a secret from me. I now understood why she’d been so concerned about how I moved, what I did. But all those times, I remembered it grating on my nerves; I remembered the scorn I felt each time she did nothing about Diego. I remembered thinking Father would have done a better job than her if he were around, but… it was her all along—the reason I was still alive.My sight blurred; I had pushed everyone away—everyone who was concerned for me, everyone who was after my well-being. And I was still doing it: moving alone, making stupid decisions. How would Mum have felt if I came out of Elysium missing two fingers, or if I never cam