Chapter 3: Confessions and Consequences

After lunch with Dad, I hurried back to the dorm.

We had a double room. When I arrived, the door was locked—Eli wasn’t back yet.

I checked my phone. It was already 12:57. Our last class had ended at 11:30.

Known: Eli went to lunch with Adrian at 11:30. Now it’s 12:57. Who’s he with now?

Adrian!!!!

A flash of anger ran through my mind.

I gripped the doorknob, thoughts whirling—

The door opened from inside.

Eli was towel-drying his hair, looking at me in confusion. "Why aren’t you coming in?"

I was stunned. "I…"

He pulled me inside and pushed me onto the bed. "Go to sleep. You have to run later."

He tossed my student ID at me. "Your card’s out of money. I put a thousand bucks on it."

He grumbled, "You’re broke and still treating me to lunch."

He pouted. "This meal doesn’t count. Treat me to something big tonight."

I barely heard him. Water droplets in his hair slid down his neck to his collarbone, some pooling in the hollow, others trailing down his chest.

He’d just showered. His face was pale with a flush, lips moving as he spoke—

My brain was a mess of fireworks.

Realizing where my thoughts were going, I jolted.

The option box popped up again.

[Based on your future data, here are two options:]

[Option 1: Take off his clothes. (70.52%)]

[Option 2: Ask if he can take off his clothes. (29.3%)]

The moment my hand moved toward option one, I jerked back.

How could I even think that?

No way.

My mind was a jumble, but then my hand clicked option two.

I lost control again. Propping my chin on my hand, I looked at him seriously. "Can you take off your clothes?"

Eli stared, eyes wide in shock.

He seemed completely thrown by my question.

When I regained control, I hurried to explain. "I…uh…"

Lately, whenever I faced Eli, my brain just crashed.

I stammered, "It’s just…isn’t the fitness test this afternoon? I wanted to help you…relax first."

As soon as I said it, I wanted to smack myself. People relax their muscles after running, not before.

Embarrassed, I grabbed the comforter behind me.

I watched him carefully, but inside, I was hoping he’d react a certain way.

Eli froze for a few seconds, looking like a boiled shrimp. He put his hand on his shirt buttons, paused, then said firmly, "N-no, that’s too fast."

My face was on fire. I turned and hid under the covers—

Trying to cover up, I mumbled, "I’m going to sleep."

That afternoon, the sun was blazing. Our two classes did the fitness test together—management and economics, as usual.

As fate would have it, I ended up in the same group as Adrian.

On the bright red track, guys in one group, girls in another.

Adrian came over, full of attitude. "Wanna compete?"

He was imposing—six-foot-three and fierce. On the court, we were rivals: he played center, I played guard at six-two.

I had no idea why he was so hostile, but honestly—

I didn’t like him either.

I glanced at Eli warming up nearby.

"Sure," I agreed.

Adrian grinned. "Let’s make a bet."

I frowned. "What kind of bet?"

"If you lose, stop trying to win over Eli."

Me, chasing Eli? Since when?

Ridiculous.

I snorted. "If you lose, get out of Maple Heights."

Adrian laughed, but before he could reply, the PE teacher called us over.

On the track, we lined up. The teacher blew the whistle.

Anyone who’s ever run knows you can’t sprint from the start. I took an early lead, then slowed to a jog. From basketball, I knew his endurance wasn’t as good as mine.

With one lap left, I started sprinting—

The sun was scorching, the ground practically steaming.

I was just a few steps from the finish when I heard a shout behind me.

Eli had fallen.

I was less than 100 meters from victory, and about to beat Adrian. But behind me was Eli.

I hesitated.

Adrian was catching up fast.

I turned and ran to Eli.

As I passed Adrian, I said, "He’s all yours."

I rushed to Eli. A stray soccer ball had struck his calf, making his leg buckle and causing him to fall.

I pulled up his pant leg—the blood had already soaked through the fabric. The teacher came to check. Adrian arrived late.

I scooped Eli up and ran to the nurse’s office.

"Coach, I’m taking him to the nurse!"

"Ow—" Eli whimpered.

I looked down. "Does it hurt? Is it uncomfortable being carried like this?"

He looked at me, tears in his eyes from the pain. "Maybe hold me tighter? I feel like I’m going to fall."

I instinctively tightened my hold. "Okay. Tell me if you feel uncomfortable."

I couldn’t understand myself. Holding Eli in my arms, I actually felt…content.

At the nurse’s office, the doctor cleaned and bandaged his wound. It looked nasty, but wasn’t serious.

Eli smiled at me. "Carter, sorry to trouble you."

My face felt hot. I scratched my head. "It’s nothing."

His scent drifted to my nose—

I’d always wondered how a guy could smell so good.

I was quiet for a moment, then wrinkled my nose as I set him down on the bed. The scent faded.

I looked at him lying obediently on the bed. "My dad wants you to come over for lunch this Saturday."

"Huh? Mr. Brooks wants me to come over for…what?"

He looked confused, then paused, as if something occurred to him.

"Isn’t it…a bit soon?"

I glanced at his flushed face. "My dad said it’s about your grad school recommendation."

He froze. "Oh, okay. What time?"

"Come for lunch. I’ll send you the address later."

Just as I finished, my phone buzzed.

[Adrian Cruz wants to add you as a friend.]

I glanced at Eli, then accepted.

"I’ll go buy food. What do you want?"

He thought for a moment. "Anything’s fine. I’ll eat whatever you get."

On the way, Adrian messaged me.

[Bet’s off.]

[Me: ??]

[Adrian: I said it’s off.]

[Adrian: You’re a man. I respect that.]

[Adrian: My childhood friend’s in your care now. From now on, you’re my bro. Go to the campus store and say my name, you’ll get 20% off.]

I laughed.

[Okay.]

When I got back to the nurse’s office, Eli was chatting with the nurse’s kid. The setting sun shone through the window, giving him a soft halo.

My heart skipped a beat.

He saw me and immediately smiled. "Carter!"

I held up the food. "Your favorite sides. Eat light—mom’s chicken noodle soup."

My mom made it. I don’t know how she found out, but she called and had me pick it up.

She even held my hand and, for once, dropped her usual tough act. "Take good care of your partner."

I was speechless. "No."

"Fun fact: stubborn people never get girlfriends."

……

Eli took the food, hesitated, and pursed his lips.

"I want to tell you something."

He looked a bit shy. I got a bad feeling.

"What is it? Does it still hurt?"

He took a deep breath. "Carter, let’s be together."

I was stunned, taking two steps back.

Instinctively, I blurted out, "I’m straight."

The air instantly went dead.

You could hear a pin drop.

I stared at him, and he stared back. I couldn’t say a word.

My mind was a mess.

Suddenly, I thought of all my blushing and weird thoughts in the dorm.

After half a minute of silence, Eli finally exploded. "If you’re straight, why do you flirt with me?"

His eyes were red. "Are you insane?!"

Tears streamed down his face.

He glared at me. "Are you treating me like a joke?"

I was startled. He was genuinely angry.

"No, Eli, I can explain."

"You thought Adrian was gay…"

"So what if he is? I’m gay too."

"You mock gay people but flirt with me every day. You! Carter, you—"

He broke down. "Get out."

"Eli—"

"I don’t want to talk to you."

He spoke sharply. "Get out."