By His Rules by J. A. Rock

him now, Aiden reminded
    himself.
    He reached back to wipe the blood from his thigh.
    There wasn’t much, but brushing the wound sent pain
    ripping through him. He liked the feeling and did it
    again.

Chapter Eight
    Aiden was once again jacketless on the pier. He
    loved this little ritual—numbing himself to everyone and
    everything. Hera had tried calling him three times today,
    but he refused to pick up. She’d been upset when he first
    told her he was moving in with Scott, but had since tried
    her best to be happy for him. Now he almost wished he
    could enlist her help in getting himself out of his
    arrangement. But he didn’t want to admit he’d been
    wrong.
    There was snow in the air today, just a few flakes. It
    wasn’t even quite mid-October. Aiden watched the cloud
    of his breath merge with the gray sky. He ached
    everywhere. His muscles, from the gym. His ass, from
    Scott. His head, from hunger. He was used to ignoring
    hunger, but today for some reason he couldn’t stop
    thinking about food. The idea of eating made him feel
    nauseated, but his body overpowered his mind,
    demanding sustenance.
    What you want doesn’t matter, he reminded
    himself.
    If Scott ordered him to eat tonight, he would.
    Otherwise he could make it without food.
    He heard footsteps crunching in the frosted grass
    behind him, but didn’t turn. The sound stopped, and
    Aiden had the feeling he was being watched.
    “Where’s your coat?” an unfamiliar voice asked.
    Aiden almost laughed. Who the fuck cared about a
    coat? He was Shithead—he couldn’t feel cold without
    permission. He turned and saw Keaton Hughes.
    Keaton was wearing a fitted black wool coat that
    flattered his slim but strong figure. His glasses today had
    stylish black frames that matched the coat and made him
    look even smarter and more studious than he had at
    Obey. His hands were in his pockets, and a feeling of
    complete, utter warmth filled Aiden when he looked at
    the man, so that for a moment he couldn’t even feel the
    chill in the air.
    Keaton was taller than Aiden had realized, and
    positively statuesque. Aiden was so busy staring at him
    that he forgot Keaton had asked him a question. Aiden
    shrugged as best he could with arms stiff from cold and
    turned away.
    “I can’t even imagine how cold you must be.”
    Keaton took a couple of steps closer.
    “I’m all right,” Aiden replied.
    “Any particular reason you’re out here freezing
    yourself to death?”
    “I like it.”
    “You won’t like it so well when you have frostbite.”
    Aiden didn’t answer.
    “I have an extra jacket in my car. Will you let me
    give it to you?”
    Aiden glanced at him again. “I’ll be all right.”
    He found he couldn’t look away this time. Up close,
    Keaton’s expression was warm and calm. There was
    some amusement in his gray-blue eyes, but it was
    overshadowed by genuine concern.
    “Honestly I won’t be able to sleep tonight worrying
    about you losing fingers and toes.”
    “It’s not your problem,” Aiden said.
    “I guess you’re right.” Keaton sat on the long,
    narrow bench that stretched the length of the pier—not
    right next to Aiden, but close enough that Aiden could
    feel a slight heat from his body.
    “Keaton Hughes,” he said.
    Aiden sighed and closed his eyes. “Aiden Cole.”
    “Sorry,” Keaton said. “I’m intrusive. It’s a flaw of
    mine. I’m sure you can take care of yourself.”
    Aiden tried to focus on the water, but all he could
    think about was Keaton Hughes, sitting a few feet from
    him. While he wasn’t interested in further conversation
    about his lack of outerwear, it was comforting to have
    Keaton here. He was almost disappointed when Keaton
    got up and walked away.
    Like you know anything about him, Cole. Or want to. He
    could be a total asshole, for all you know.
    Aiden hugged himself as an icy gust blew back his
    hair.

    Keaton was worried. This boy didn’t look at all like
    the Aiden Cole who’d caught his eye