Chapter 4

My entire body froze.

What did he just say?

Stealing my girlfriend wasn't enough?

Now he's coming after me too?

What the hell does he want?

I forced myself to stay calm.

"Man, we're both guys."

"This isn't right."

Ethan's eyes darkened.

He wasn't listening at all.

My heart pounded wildly.

My skin burned for no reason.

I shouldn't have provoked him.

The difference in our builds was too obvious.

If we fought, I'd lose.

"Calm down first."

I tried reasoning with him.

"Two men together goes against nature."

He smirked coldly.

"Wasn't it you who said love has no gender?"

"Changing your mind already?"

So he was testing me.

He'd even resort to this kind of trick.

I almost fell for it.

Noticing my distraction, Ethan gripped my chin.

Forcing me to meet his gaze.

"Who's better looking—me or him?"

Truthfully, Ethan was more striking.

But I couldn't let it show.

I swallowed hard.

"My boyfriend, obviously."

Ethan's expression turned icy.

"Boyfriend?"

"Don't think I don't know you're faking it."

"Then why are you doing this?"

Suddenly, his voice softened.

"Julian."

"Don't leave me for someone else."

"I can't stand seeing you with them."

"I went about this wrong."

"It won't happen again."

"Since when do bros get jealous?"

"Actually, I've always—"

Before he could finish, the dorm door slammed open.

Our roommate stood there holding takeout.

"Julian, I came to apologize—"

He froze when he saw Ethan pinning me against the wall.

His expression shifted from shock to understanding.

Setting down the food, he backed away.

"Don't mind me."

"I'll just go."

I shoved Ethan off and yanked our roommate back.

"Don't even think about spreading rumors."

After dealing with him, I turned to find Ethan sprawled across my bed.

No amount of shaking woke him.

Totally intentional.

Our roommate cautiously slid under his covers.

"Just share."

"I'm not sleeping with a dude."

Sighing, I pushed Ethan aside.

Barely making space for myself.

I regretted befriending him in kindergarten.

Our roommate couldn't resist asking.

"You two are nothing alike."

"How'd you become friends?"

"Hence the falling out."

"Why'd you stop talking?"

"Why does he keep stealing your girlfriends?"

"Did you piss him off?"

"No idea."

"Probably bored."

Truth was, Ethan used to treat me well.

Same age, yet he doted on me like a son.

Always shared the best things with me.

Shielded me in fights.

Took the blame alone when teachers caught us.

Even my mom said:

"With Ethan around,"

"I never worry about you."

I thought it'd last forever.

Until my family went bankrupt in high school.

I started avoiding him.

My dad warned me:

"Rich people only care about benefits."

"Lose your worth, and they'll discard you."

When Ethan noticed my distance,

He turned on me too.

Once when I refused to see him,

He ambushed me at school.

Dragged me into the restroom.

Grabbed my throat.

His gaze looked ready to devour me.

"Julian."

"I don't want to be brothers anymore."

In that moment, I believed my father.

His kindness had all been fake.

I shoved him away hard.

"Good."

"Don't contact me again."

"I've hated you forever."

"My dad made me suck up to you."

"Now that he's broke,"

"No need to pretend."

After that, we cut ties completely.

I started dating nonstop.

Normal teenage stuff.

Plus I inherited my parents' looks.

Not as dazzling as Ethan,

But charming enough for girls.

Yet every time a relationship began,

Ethan ruined it.

A month after our fight,

He showed up outside my house.

Eyes bloodshot.

From crying or sleeplessness—who knew?

My resolve wavered. I stepped forward.

But he glared at my girlfriend behind me.

His voice raw with betrayal.

"You blocked me for this?"

"Julian, even wood has feelings."

"How can you have none?"

"Am I really nothing to you?"

Remembering his family shutting me out,

Remembering the girls around him,

I snapped back:

"Don't come find me again."

"I don't want to see you."

That night I sobbed into my pillow.

Mom thought I got dumped.

How could I discard over a decade of friendship?

But if it was all fake,

Why bother continuing?

By morning, Ethan was gone.

I took out my phone.

Saved his number under his name again.

Then Zachary's message popped up:

"Was that guy your boyfriend?"

"Can we meet?"

I didn't reply.

The guy was clearly delusional.

Couldn't even tell who I was dating.

As weather warmed, I switched to short sleeves.

At breakfast, our roommate noticed.

His eyes widened.

"You got a new girlfriend?"

"What?"

He dragged me to the mirror.

A hickey glared from my neck.

I stood there, stunned.