Chapter 4: Who is that French Guy?

Elliot walked me home the next morning. The city was just waking up, sunlight spilling lazy and golden through the trees, casting long shadows across the sidewalk. His curls were damp from a quick rinse, his voice still husky from sleep. I was wearing his hoodie, he’d pulled it over my head before we left, said I looked better in it than he ever had.

We didn’t talk much. Just soft glances and light touches, his hand hovering at my lower back, the brush of his knuckles when our arms swung too close. We paused at the gate. He leaned in, kissed me like the night hadn’t ended, like it was still stretching out between us, warm and slow.

“I want to see you again,” he murmured against my lips.

I nodded, trying not to grin. “You will.”

And I meant it.

I watched him walk away.

Didn’t even notice the eyes burning down on me from across the street, from the first-floor balcony where Dylan stood, jaw clenched, shirt damp from a workout, watching it all unfold like a show he hadn’t bought tickets for.

I had barely dropped Elliot’s hoodie over the chair when the knock came: three sharp pounds that rattled the doorframe.

I opened it and Dylan was already pushing his way in.

He looked like he’d just come back from hell, still in his workout gear, chest rising fast, sweat clinging to the curve of his throat. He didn’t say anything at first. Just looked at me. Looked at the hoodie. His eyes followed the shape of me; bare legs, morning hair, the smug little glow I must’ve still been wearing from last night.

He shut the door behind him without breaking eye contact. “Who the fuck was that?” he asked.

My throat tightened. “What?”

He took a step in,. “Outside. Curly-haired French guy.”

“He’s Elliot” I said quietly.

“Oh, really?” Dylan laughed. “Did Elliot fuck you good, Troy?”

I blinked. “What?”

He stepped closer. “Is that where you were last night? With him?”

My breath caught. “Yeah, I spent the night.”

“Did. He. Fuck. You?” Dylan asked again, biting each word like it tasted bitter.