The Nice Guy (Book 1)

Chapter 15

Pete was definitely avoiding him, Ae decided. He had his new phone and although he had been trying several times a day, there was no answer. He had no choice now. It was time to go hunting - again. 

Football was beginning to drop to second choice in his life, well behind chasing after Pete. He'd lost all ability to focus on in it anyways. Seeing Pete in a bar with a very handsome man had crushed his confidence somewhat. It still wasn't enough to destroy his ability to fight for what he wanted though, only Pete telling him to his face could do that.

Pete felt like this past week, he was simply a shadow walking through his own life. After what had to be the most embarrassing night of his life, he wanted to disappear. He couldn't so he did what he did best. He hid. He ghosted Ae and sat as far from Tin in class. 

The fangirl's whispered about the two "lovers" having a tiff. Pete's damn blushing made things worse and so did Tin's inevitable smirking. He winked at him and patted the seat next to him for the first several days. Pete couldn't even LOOK at him.

Even after Ae telling Tin they were dating, he wouldn't back down. Tin was determined to "protect him from himself." Pete sighed and hung his head, hugging an armful of books as he hurried to his car.

He walked into something solid. "Sorry." He mumbled, and tried to move around it. 

Hands held him in place. "Pete, We need to talk."

Pete's head shot up at the sound of Ae's deep voice. Oh shit. He could not do this right now. He couldn't. Shaking his head "No", he tried to break free and get to his car, his safety net. 

Ae stood his ground. "No, Pete, you had more than enough time. We do need to talk." Ae kept a firm grip on him and guided him to the car. Pete glanced at him and opened it. Taking the books, Ae placed them on the back seat and after snatching the keys, let Pete get into the driver's seat.

He took a deep breath then, and looked at his shaking hands. So far, so good! He thought. I wonder if he realizes I'm more terrified than he is? Does it show? Shrugging those negative ideas off, he slid into the passenger seat and did what he'd been craving for weeks. 

He kissed Pete. He felt the gasp escape and used it to enter Pete's mouth and his tongue began to familiarize forgotten tastes and textures. He moaned or was that from Pete? Did it matter? He deepened the kiss, pulling him closer and angling his head to better explore.

After the shock of the sudden kiss, Pete felt wanted. Loved. His blood was warming and bringing life to his body again. His hands needed to feel Ae's solid body and he couldn't deny himself. He moaned and Ae gave him what he wanted.

His breathing quickened into heavy pants as Ae's lips traveled to his ear and down his neck and sucked, hard. He twisted his hands in his hair and almost screamed as desire shot through his body. 

Ae pulled back and looked at Pete. He flipped him his keys and said, "Drive. We need to talk, not fuck."

Pete flushed, Ae was right. He wouldn't have stopped him today. He was too turned on by him that he even forgot where he was. It wasn't fair that Ae had the power and he had none.

Pete put the car in gear and drove aimlessly for a while and said, "Where too?"

Ae laughed, "How should I know? I've never had a boyfriend before?"

Pete gripped the wheel so tightly. That boyfriend stuff again. What does he mean by it? Sighing, he spotted a coffee shop a block away. "Any coffee shop will do?"

Ae nodded and then realizing Pete was driving, "Yes, fine."

Pete parked the car and Ae hopped out and walked around to open his door. Pete looked up and wondered why. It didn't matter. He got out and Ae held his hand tightly, refusing to let go even though Pete tugged a few times. So, hand in hand they entered the coffee shop.

It wasn't a chain coffee shop like Starbucks, but a small private one. It had small nooks, with big comfy chairs and sofa's, with waiters who took your orders and brought your coffee to the table. Ae looked at Pete, "I like your taste in coffee houses, this is nice." 

He dragged Pete to a secluded corner with a nice soft sofa in front of an electric fire place. Pete didn't reply, he'd never been here before. They were silent until they ordered. Pete kept his order simple, an Iced Coffee while Ae went fancy. He wanted something he'd never tried before: a Nitro. He liked the sound of the name. 

Pete smiled at him. "This is a traditional coffee house. It doesn't use the fancy names the other shops do. And by looking at the menu, it only serves basic teas and coffees. For example, any where else, I'd order an Iced Americano not Coffee."

"How do you know that?" 

"Oh," Pete's smile suddenly dropped. "I spent time in Germany with my dad after my parents divorced. The coffee shops all have menus like this." His face was somber. He really didn't want to remember those days.

Ae didn't want to talk about that anyways but he needed to fill in the time until their drinks arrived and they wouldn't be interrupted further. "Do you still see your dad often?" He had something he wanted to talk to him about if he ever had the chance.

"No." Pete left it there. 

"Oh." Ae definitely got the message. Pete wasn't willing to discuss his dad any further. Damn it. What had gone on between the two of them that had messed Pete up so badly? He only had part of the story... 

Pete sighed and twisted his hands. The warmth of Ae's thigh pressed so close to his on the sofa was doing things to body and his brain. It was making it hard to stay focused. What did he want from him anyways?

Ah! The coffee arrived. Pete took his from the waiter with a grateful thanks, cradling it in his hands like a lifeline.