"Yo, where's Gavin at?" I rested my arm on the back of the couch and peered at Aaron for answers. "We've been waiting for a while now."

         "He's coming, fool," he replied.

         "Fool?" I moved closer to him, wanting to have heard wrong. "Look who's talking. The pot calling the kettle black."

         "Chill." Aaron patted my head, and I pushed his arm away. He grinned and pushed me back, too.

         "Calm the fuck down," I said while we roughed each other up.

         Right then, Gavin walked in with a paper and a plastic bag in his hands and a grin on his face. "I got food," he announced while closing the door.

Aaron and I pushed each other away.

         Gavin paused and quirked a brow. "Did I walk into something?" He sat on the table in front of us and set the bags down.

         That was when I noticed the familiar Shirley Shake's logo.

         My expression went blank. "You've got to be kidding me."

         "Shirley Shakes. That's what I'm talking about." Aaron pounded Gavin's fist in approval and grabbed a burger and some fries from the bag. Gavin grabbed his food and handed me mine.

         I reluctantly took it. "I got fired from that place. You guys shouldn't be giving them more money."

         "They fired you, not us." Aaron took a gigantic bite of his burger, and he moaned in approval. "Their food sure is on point." He made the A-OK sign.

         I couldn't deny that. Their burgers were the best in Shirley Heights. The patty, onions and cheese were grilled to perfection and the serving size could fill anyone up. The fries were even seasoned right, although smelling the food as much as I did diminished my desire for it.

         Aaron stuffed some fries into his mouth. "Sorry, Darian. The tummy beats you every time."

         "Like I give two shits," I huffed, and Gavin glanced between us.

         "You know, Aaron," he said, "if you were gay, you and Darian would be a cute couple."

         Aaron faked-gagged, and I rolled my eyes.

         "Yeah, right," I scoffed. "I have better taste than Aaron."

         "You don't date guys like Darian," Aaron said. "You only use them for a good fuck."

         "Why don't you tell me how you really feel?"

         Aaron shrugged as he continued eating his food. "You're not boyfriend material, Darian."

         I was slightly offended. I was boyfriend material. More importantly, I could definitely be a wonderful boyfriend to Kenji Kai.

         "Same goes to you, knucklehead," I bit back. "That's why Arya is only using you for a good fuck."

         "You two still have that thing going on?" Gavin asked Aaron as he started on his meal.

         Aaron nodded. "The girl's serious about keeping things casual."

         "She's using you," I stated matter-of-factly.

         There was no way Arya would ever be serious about a guy like Aaron. Arya either used you or she appreciated you. Very few people made it to the latter.

         "Hey," Aaron said while raising his hands, "I don't mind being used."

         "Idiot," I muttered.

         I was being a hypocrite. I didn't mind Kenji using me before either, until those disgusting things called "feelings" started creeping their heads. Casual was so much better. It was safe, fun and effortless.

         "You guys seriously should fuck." Gavin motioned between me and Aaron while munching on his fries.

         "Man, shut up." I scrunched up my face while he burst into laughter. "You joke too much."

         "Dude, don't make my food come back up. I don't fuck dudes," Aaron defended. "He can't even fuck Kenji, so how would he be able to fuck me?" I flipped him off. "And if anything, I'll top."

         I punched his arm. "Straight guys always say shit like that."

         "It's true," Aaron said.

         "You wouldn't know since you're not gay," I countered, and he paused for a second. "Exactly."

         "You guys are the best." Gavin continued laughing, finding this way too hilarious.

         "How's Danji by the way?" Aaron focused on me.

         "Kenji's back with Rosalyn," I replied.

         "I heard." Gavin winced. "Tough luck, man."

         "I don't mind the competition." They both froze, staring at me. "Kenji belongs with me—not that rip-off version of Camila."

         "Damn..." Aaron mumbled. "Mr. Steal-Your-Man up in the house."

         "You're seriously going to try stealing Kenji from Rosalyn?" Gavin leaned forward, full attention on me now.

         "It's not about trying. It's about succeeding."

         "That's my boy." Aaron patted my back in approval. "What's the motto?"

         "Put fuckers in their place,'" Gavin and I answered simultaneously, although my tone held more excitement than his.

         He continued to watch me closely. "I don't know, Darian. That's every person in a relationship's worst nightmare. Having some sucker waltz up in the place and steal your girl or man."

         "What?" I cupped a hand along my ear. "I don't waltz. I bounce up in that bitch."

         He wasn't amused. "If some fucker tried stealing Honoka from me, whether they succeeded or not, high school Gavin will come out, and I'll beat that son of a bitch's face in so bad, they won't be recognizable."

         My eyes went wide. "Well," I drawled, "good thing I'm not stealing your girl."

         "Just saying." He took another bite of his burger.

         Putting my ego aside, I finally dug into my food, too, while Gavin reached into the plastic bag. Aaron's face lit up. "Beer?" He craned his neck for a look.

         I hoped not. If he brought beer, that would be the end of me. I couldn't resist beer bought for me. Why waste money, right?

         At least, that was what I told myself.

         I was doing so good, too. I'd even been using the e-cigarette Kenji got me, and I'd been cutting back on my smokes.

         I stuffed my face with my burger to contain myself.

         Gavin shook his head. "No beers." Thank goodness. Aaron's face fell, but he should have known better. This was the new Gavin, after all.

         "Then what do you got?" Aaron queried.

         Gavin handed him a Pepsi, kept one for himself before handing me my Dr. Pepper. "He knows what's up," I said to Aaron before we took swigs of our drinks.

         The three of us sighed in satisfaction at the same time. We continued eating.

         Gavin held a constant smile on his face the whole time, and when I couldn't keep it in anymore, I asked, "What's up with you?"

         He shrugged, his smile still intact. "Things are going good right now. My parents and I have been getting along lately."

         "Oh, yeah," Aaron said, "how're things with them?"

         "They're good," Gavin answered. "We've been talking and spending time together these past few days. They're starting to see me for the man I'm becoming." He shoved a fry into his mouth. "Not the nuisance I was in high school."

         I nodded in acceptance. "Good for you, man."

         Gavin put his burger down to give us his full attention. "I'm glad things are working out, you know. People think my parents are hard to be around, but they're not so bad. I love them, and I want to make them proud."

         "We all do," Aaron said. "Some of us may suck ass at it, but we all want to make our parents proud." His expression was dead-serious, so I kept quiet.

         "Yeah." Gavin nodded, licking his lips. "You and Darian are lucky though."

         "How?" I leaned back with one arm on the back of the couch while the other focused on my food.

         "You guys have siblings," he informed us. "Aaron, you have Reid, and Darian, you have Eva and River. If you guys fuck up beyond the point of return, your parents have other kids they can depend on to make something of themselves."

         "Thanks." The sarcasm laced my words.

         "Me?" Gavin continued. "I'm all my parents got. I fuck up like that, and that's it. I'm the only one they have to continue their legacy. The only one they have to make something of the Ross name after they're gone. It's all on me." He pointed to himself and looked down to the ground for a couple seconds. When he looked up, he said, "When Devon died, it was a wake-up call."

         I knew this was going to come up. Gavin never told us his cousin's death was the cause of his change, but it was obvious.

         "Devon," Gavin said, "was a great guy. He was smart, friendly and an all-around well-rounded guy. He could have gone places with his life. All that potential was wasted—all because of one mistake. Devon took meth once, and he died. That one decision ruined and ended everything, and it hit me." He glanced between me and Aaron. "What we do now isn't insignificant. One stupid decision can take away everything. That's why I'm straight edge now."

         "Straight edge?" Aaron scratched his head. "It's that serious? I thought you just didn't want to drink, smoke or do drugs?"

         I face-palmed. "That's what straight edge is."

         Gavin smiled. "Straight edge is just abstaining from tobacco, recreational drugs, and alcoholic substances. Some people go beyond that, but each individual decides what's best for them. Also, most are also into the hardcore punk scene."

         Out of the three of us, Gavin was the only one who wasn't into rap. He was into that rock, screamo, punk shit.

         "Wow." Aaron nodded in understanding. "Straight edge." He said this as if he just discovered something amazing. I chuckled.

         "I know you guys may not get it, but this means a lot to me," Gavin said. "I'm not going to let what happened to Devon happen to me." He stared us dead in the eye with a new found determination. "I'm not going to risk my parents enduring what Devon's did, for the sake of temporary pleasures. I'm not going to ruin my future when my cousin will never have one. I'm going to make something of myself because I get the chance to have a future. I'm not going to allow my potential to be wasted when I still have it." 

         He pressed his lips together and stared down at his burger while Aaron and I stared at him. Wow. I'd never had so much respect for Gavin until that very moment.

         I used to judge him for his sudden change, and I thought he was selling out on us, but I was wrong.     

This was the real Gavin.

         Aaron clicked his tongue. "You have a way with words, man. You give me the courage to be a better man." He clutched his chest and pretended to be moved to tears.

         This was serious, and this punk was making a joke?

         Gavin seemed to be amused by it though, based off of his smile and the joy that took over his face. "You should," he said. "You're not a lost case, Aaron. You can be anything you want. You just have to want it bad enough." He looked to me. "Darian wants Kenji, so he's going after Kenji. Is it morally right? Probably not, but it's what he wants. Me. I wanted to get my shit together, and I got my shit together. You can do the same, Aaron." Aaron's expression became serious. "If you want to travel, you can find a way to travel. If you want to make your family proud, you can make them proud. Just want it. Want it bad enough and fight for it so hard, that not getting it wouldn't be an option."

         "Man, Gavin." I stared at him. "What happened to you?"

         He thought about it for a second. "I woke up. It took seventeen years, but I finally woke up. This is the real beginning for Gavin Ross."

         I smiled. "If this is the beginning, dude, then we've been with you since conception, and we're not going anywhere."

         "You better not." We pounded fists. "Or I'll kick your asses."

         I peeked at Aaron who held his firm expression with his burger clutched in his hand. "You good?"

         "Yeah." He waved me off and continued eating his burger. "Why wouldn't I be?" Gavin and I both didn't look convinced. "After this, why don't we head to the gym?" His playful look returned. "It's been a while since we've all gone together."

         "Can't," Gavin and I both said.

         "I have work today," I elaborated.

         "You've finally escaped unemployment?" Aaron asked as all focus zeroed in on me.

         "Unemployment isn't for your boy," I said. "I finally have that job at the gas station, and I've been good so far."

         "Hopefully it lasts." Gavin almost sounded like a father. "No more getting fired, right?"

         "I'll try."

         "It's not about trying. It's about succeeding," Gavin said, imitating me.

         "Oooohhhh," Aaron teased, "he got you, dude." He turned to Gavin. "What about you? What's your excuse for ditching?"

         "Training," he answered. "I can't lose another tournament. Your boy isn't a loser."

         "Better not be." I didn't even want to think about it.

         "We gotchu again," Aaron said. "We'll be screaming so loud, the whole place will shake. Your opponent may even get a TKO from the vibrato of our screams. What's the motto?"

         "Put fuckers in their place!'" Gavin and I hollered together as the three of us stood up to pump each other up.

         "Damn straight," Aaron said while we settled down, chuckling, before continuing to finish our burgers and fries.

         I didn't know what I would do without these boys, and I smiled while finishing my food, even if it was from Shirley Shakes.

"Today is a slow day, huh?" Gyan clasped a hand on my shoulder while we stood behind the counter, staring at the empty gas station.

        "Seems like it." We'd had customers here and there, but they were far between today.

         "It's all good," Gyan said. "Less work for us then." He released me, and we smiled at each other.

         Gyan Gupta was Arya's cousin. He was twenty-one and finished college a year earlier than most people, so now he managed part of the family business. Gyan was a pretty cool guy and an even better boss. He wasn't on my ass, and he was chill and let things be. He would even greet me whenever we ran into each other at the gym.

The only thing that pissed me off a little was the fact that he was taller than me. I hated guys who were taller than me. The only guy I didn't mind being taller than me was Kenji because it was sexy on him, and I got used to it.

Gyan was a good-looking guy though. He had bronzed skin, defined features and nice hair, although Kenji's was better.

         Kenji's hair was long and thick, and it smelt so clean and—

         "Earth to Darian." Gyan waved his hand in my face, snapping me out of my daydream. "Come on. You can't leave me hanging." He cupped his left hand over his right fist. "This place is a ghost town. You can't abandon me, too."

         "Sorry," I said, getting the register in order, even though everything was already in place.

         He stopped my ministrations with his hands. "It's already in order," he said. "Why waste the effort?" I could sense a smirk creeping up as we stared at each other.

         Gyan was a really attractive guy.

         I removed my hand from his. "You're right."

         "I rest my case." He leaned against the countered as we turned to face each other. "I'm kind of glad you work the same shift as me. It's great to have someone else to talk to. The others who work here are either too shy or they're just weird and old." Gyan leaned forward and whispered, "Don't tell them I said that though."

         "Got it." I chuckled.

         "You better not." He turned to face the front and glanced at me. "Because I'll just deny it." He winked my way.

         I stared at him.

         I could definitely get used to working here.

         All I had to do was not mess it up. Okay. I could do this. I faced the front as well.

         Before I could keep the conversation going, the door to the gas station chimed, meaning we had a customer. Our gaze gravitated to the person, and I spotted an Indian guy in a polo shirt topped on Levi jeans. The large ears and the faint facial hair he always sported confirmed it.

         Aarav Gaurav. 

         He approached us with his hands in his pockets. I frowned.

         Kenji was the one who did that.

         "Aarav?" Gyan appeared taken aback. "What are you doing here?" That was one of the things I liked about Gyan. He practically read my mind.

         Aarav stopped at the register and planted his hands on the counter. "Just here to check on my favorite cousin."

         Gyan rolled his eyes. Another thing I liked about him. He was like me and didn't take bullshit.

         "Aarav, cut the crap," Gyan said. "I don't have time to waste. Actually, I do." He caressed his chin as he glanced around the empty gas station before refocusing on Aarav. "I just don't want to waste it on you, so why are you really here?"

         "Fine." Aarav's gaze moved to me. "I'm actually here for Darian." My eyes went round as I pointed to myself. "You're the only Darian here, right?"

         I forced a smile to prevent myself from decking this jackass in the throat. I didn't appreciate smartasses but, man, I needed this job.

         "Hopefully you only need him after his shift is over because I get to use him for a few more hours," Gyan reminded. "Isn't that right, Darian?" He glanced at me for confirmation.

         I met his gaze. "Right." Our gazes lingered on each other's for a few seconds before they locked on Aarav again.

         "No need to get feisty, Guy." Aarav chuckled. "I wanted to invite Darian over to dinner tonight, that's all."

         "Really?" I asked, and Aarav nodded.

How many dinners was your boy going to get invited to?

         "You and Arya have been talking on the phone lately, and she's been talking about you a lot in general." The corner of his lips twitched upwards.

         Arya and I had been talking more lately. Honoka and I had been calling each other more, too. I didn't know why it was a big deal.

         "I just thought," Aarav started, "it'll be a great way to get to know you better. Me and you can get a feel of each other, and my mom and Varun-ji would love to see you, too."

         I hadn't seen Mr. Gupta and his annoying wife in a while. Even though Arya always had beef with her dad, I always thought he was a pretty cool man. It would be nice to see him again.

         I watched Aarav, trying to decipher his true motives. There had to be a catch, but I couldn't wrap my finger around it. Either the guy had an extremely good poker face, or I was missing something.

         "Sure," I told him. "What time?"

         "Eight o'clock tonight," Aarav said. "At our house."

         "Cool." I nodded. "I'll be there."

         He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

         "See you then." He walked backwards in the direction of the exit with his hands returning to his pockets. "It'll be great getting to know you, Darian." He smirked at me and glimpsed in Gyan's direction. "See you later, yaar."

         Aarav opened the door and walked out.

         "I don't know why he always calls me that," Gyan said after he was gone. "We're not 'mates' or 'buddies.'"

         "He's your step-cousin."

         "That whole conversation was just weird."

         "Tell me about it." I couldn't agree more.

         Aarav never showed an interest in me before, even back when me and Arya were friends. The guy never showed interest in anyone but himself. I wondered why the sudden change.

         "I don't know. There's something off about Aarav." Gyan crossed his arms with his lips pursed.

         "You think?" I agreed with him a hundred percent, but I didn't want to admit that out loud.

         What if it was a trap?

         Man, this was going to be hard. Keeping a job was a lot of mental work. I actually had to think about the things I said and did.

         "Yeah," Gyan said. "I've never trusted him. There's something sinister about the guy. I feel it. I know it's a terrible thing to say about my step-cousin, but something is up with him. I just don't know what."

         "Thanks for the warning," I joked in amusement.

         "Keep an eye on him." Gyan watched me tentatively and moved closer to me. "All I can do is wish you good luck tonight." He patted my arm with a reassuring smile before walking past me to the back.

         "Thanks," I said, and his words stuck with me. I always felt uneasy when it came to Aarav, but knowing someone else felt the same way only made the feeling stronger.

         If this dinner was anything like the others I'd been to in the past couple months, it sure was going to be something.

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* What did you guys think about the Three Musketeers little hang out? This new Gyan guy? Aarav and the upcoming dinner?

* This part was more of a transition to the next part, not filler because I don't do filler (they're a waste of time), so the next part will be coming up soon.

* Chapter is dedicated to @Majestic_Cat. Thanks for supporting and appreciating this book as much as you do, and I really love having you as a reader. This one goes out to you and keep being wonderful! 😊

* Song is "Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots. Whenever I hear this song, I think of the goons for some reason, and this chapter had a lot of goon moments. And I'm so pumped for Suicide Squad!