The Nice Guy (Book 1)

Chapter 20

"No, Tin." Pete slammed his books down on the table. "I won't go out with you again." Tin placed his hand on Pete's forearm and pulled him closer. 

Hissing, "Is it the boyfriend from the lower class? Is that why, Pete? You know I'm a better match for you."

"I also know you have your own agenda, Tin. If you want to be my friend, I'll gladly still be your friend, but I've got no desire for you. You have no desire for me. I've seen you, Tin." Pete was shaking. He didn't handle confrontation well. "I've seen you." He repeated. 

"Seen me do what, Pete?" Tin asked curiously.

"Seen you be with girls! You like kissing them, you like making love to them. Why you want to be with me other than to protect your money is beyond me. So I won't be with someone who doesn't desire me." He slid his chair further away from him. "I have some self-respect, you know."

Ah! Tin laughed quietly. "It's only a body. They have tits. You have tits. They have a hole, so do you. Lips are all the same, Pete. The one difference is that you aren't interested in my money, so that makes you all the more attractive. Even more attractive to me." Tin was now even more determined to win Pete for himself. 

Pete sighed, turned and looked sadly at him, "Tin, I'm afraid for you. I feel sad and frightened. You've never loved anyone, not even yourself. You only think in terms of acquisitions. I'm not something to own. I'm someone to love."

He stood, picking up his books. "I'm skipping this class today. I don't feel like being next to you. I won't be sitting next you ever again. Have a nice life." He paused, with his armful of books and looked down. "I hope you find someone to love, Tin, you find the feeling of being wanted. Craving a simple touch."

Pete walked out of the room, not even pausing when the professor called his name as she entered. 

Tin sat there, stunned. Did the meek Pete really just blow him off? Pete noticed that he was unwanted and unloved and no one else had ever paid attention to that before. Tin had always got everything he wanted except love from his family. He wanted to be wanted and loved by his father. How did Pete know this?

The class went by in a blur. It didn't matter, he wasn't going to give up on Pete. He still had his detectives following both that scum and Pete. He knew what Pete had been up too and it really made no difference to him, virgins were not his cup of tea. 

That scum, on the other hand, was just bad news. He was so far into debt and owed the black market millions of bhat that he really had no choice but to go after Pete again. Drugs were bad business. Tin smiled. Pete would be back for his help. That low class nobody couldn't help Pete with that. Not one little bit... 

Now that Tin had his plan laid out, his jaunt and smile were back in place. A small, slender woman approached. She stood in front of him and gave a big smile. "Tin," she simpered, "I need some help with a project. You're the smartest in the class and well, could you help me?"

Tin sighed internally. Didn't these girls ever give up? He stood there with a blank look on his face, waiting for her to go away. Instead, she took it as encouragement. "Please Tin, I'm failing in this class. I really need some help."

Tin cast his glance around, looking for the gaggle of girls that usually provide support. There were none. Hmm, maybe she was sincere. If she was, maybe she could keep her mouth shut and he could get off at the same time. "If I help, what's in it for me?"

The girl paused, "What do you mean?"

Tin gave his evilest smile, "Little woman, nothing in life is for free. If I help you, what do I get?"

"Don't people do this from the kindness of their heart?" she stammered. Out of desperation, she had approached Tin, even though everyone had told her not too. Truth be known, she'd never expected him to talk to her.

"I am not kind. I don't need your money. So tell me, little woman, do you have anything special," Tin emphasised the word 'special', "to trade for lessons from me?"

"My name is not little woman. It's Bliss." Bliss narrowed her eyes at Tin. She had a fair idea of what Tin was after but her body was not for sale. "I had the distinct impression you were gay, Tin."

Tin laughed, actually laughed. "How can you be failing, Bliss? You seem quite smart to me." Tin turned and walked away. 

Bliss put her hand on his arm. "So does this mean you won't help me?"

Tin simply shrugged. "You've got nothing for me, so yes." He never turned to look and kept walking. 

Bliss stamped her feet in anger. Raising her voice, "Anyone ever tell you, Tin, that you're an asshole?"

Tin's voice floated back, "All the time, all the time, little woman." Ah, what a lovely day! Nothing like a good exchange of words to bring back his mood. A good plan, a good sparring match... 

Pete sat in the stands, watching Ae practice. He had spent the afternoon, hiding in the library going over his disagreement with Tin. Should he tell Ae? He hugged himself tightly and decided that his part of the relationship was to be brave. 

He would tell Ae. Everything.

"Hey you! I've been seeing you here quite a bit lately. I'm Pond." A tall, dark haired lanky fellow sat down next to Pete. His hand was stuck out. Pete shook it. "Aren't you the guy Ae helped a while ago?"

"Yes, I'm Pete, nice to meet you." Pete went back to hugging himself. 

"You cold? I think I got another jacket..." Pond asked.

"No, not really. Just trying to think through a problem." 

Pond laughed, "You came to watch football practice and figure out your problem? You're a funny guy."

"I'm waiting for my boyfriend, actually." Pete replied. "I think you know him, it's Ae wearing #22 (A/N no matter how I looked, I couldn't find the right number, sigh)"

Pond's mouth fell open. "You're... You're Ae's boyfriend?" He stood up to stand in front of Pete and shouted, "You're Ae's boyfriend?"

Ae looked up to the stands, and went, "Oh, fuck!" and took off at a dead run.