Chapter Eight

The internet has done wonders: music, communication, and videos. The list is endless. It held power, probably the most powerful thing that had humans in shackles. A mere five seconds of disconnection would have them emerging from rooms they'd been hidden in.

Beneath all that glitter and gutter of its usage held all the embarrassing things that would last for generations. For some, it was pictures that, at the time, made sense. It was fashionable, cute, and made a statement. The captions, chefs kiss. Unbeknownst to them, they forget the passwords to such timeless pieces that don't make much sense now.

For Ace, it was a video. The dyed hair, the questionable fashion choice, the attempted dance moves, and a voice void of talent there was so much going on in one video it was hard for Nash to focus on one thing.

"This is a hundred percent draft material. You made the right decision." Nash said. "This was someone's attempt to convince me that they know you and not some stalker who knows everything about you. Moonbeancactus still doesn't ring any bells?"

Despite their willingness to send the video, share the backstory, and attempt to clear their name, Moonbeancactus refused to tell Nash their real name, a huge red flag.

"Moonbeancactus," Ace repeated. Realization dawned on him as he reached for his phone, calling someone but not getting through. "I'm going to kill her,"

"I get it," Nash said. "I also have a voice made for singing in the shower. Something about my voice echoing gives me the confidence to think I could match Whitney Huston."

"Delete the video," Ace demanded. "I was young, dumb, and overly confident. Laugh it up all you want, but delete the video."

"Relax, I'm not going to do anything with the video. I'm not the type to get a kick out of embarrassing people." Nash took his phone, deleting the video as requested. As much as he would like to hold on to it, Nash wasn't the type to hold something over someone's head. He wouldn't do something that he wouldn't want done to him. "Do you know a Moonbeancactus or not?"

"I have an idea of who it is, but I'll have to check." Ace looked at his phone. "Seeing as they won't answer my call."

"I just wanted to confirm if you knew this person. I thought you had a stalker." Nash confessed.

"Is this the price I pay for being looked out for," Ace replied, inching closer to Nash. "You're the third person to see that video. I'm dying from embarrassment." He dramatically grabbed his chest.

"On the bright side, you glowed up," Nash spoke.

"Do you like my face that much? It's all you ever talk about. It's all yours if you date me." Ace teased. "What about my personality?"

"You're an okay guy," Nash didn't have much to say about Ace's personality. He was a nice, outspoken, and honest guy. Maybe Nash did have a lot he wanted to say.

"I don't want to be just an okay guy," Ace responded, holding Nash's hand. "What's my limit with physical contact? Holding hands seems fine. What about hugging or kissing?"

"I don't kiss on first dates," Nash hasn't been on any dates. "Especially not in public." Nash could feel his heart picking up speed. He desired to suppress the effect Ace had on him when he came in close contact and flirted with him.

"How about a hug?" Ace requested. "A kiss is a bit too much for us first-timers." Yet, you always joke about it. "I want it to be enjoyable."

"You're so sure that you'll be my first kiss."

"Am I not? I'll be disappointed if you're not my first. I believe I was saving it for you."

Nash was amazed by how Ace really wanted to be in a relationship with him. Despite his reluctance and attempt at keeping a wall up, Ace kept pushing forward. He must really like me. His efforts made Nash want to give in completely. He was starting to enjoy the little touches, the words. "Aren't you embarrassed to say things like that?"

Ace shook his head. "Do you know how much I held back since you arrived at the bookstore? It was hard acting the villain."

"You should get into acting."

"Maybe I should. So, how about it? What's my physical limit?"

Nash decided to give in to the flow. That was how life was sometimes, just going with the flow. He didn't need to think hard like he did on all his tests. There was no need to force himself to conjure up the blurry image of the page written with the answers. All he had to do was rely on his feelings. Not the hard-headedness that kept a particular narrative between him and Ace, but the emotions that slowly made him nervous and flush at the cheeks. He'll give in just once.

"A hug is fine," Nash told him. "No French, but on the cheeks and lip is fine."

Ace smiled warmly, surprised that Nash gave him the okay. He initiated the hug, wrapping his arms around Nas. Nash felt Ace's taller and toned figure against him.

How did we get to this point?

Nash hesitantly put his arms around Ace, hoping he didn't notice his nervousness. While Nash may speak a big game, there were moments when he was vulnerable when experiencing something for the first time, especially in romance.

"That's enough," Nash said.

"Let me savor the moment. You never give in like this." Ace tightened the hug. "While I'm at it, I'll have a two-for-one special." He placed a kiss on Nash's cheek, hurriedly backing up afterward.

"You," Nash didn't know how to respond. Ace smiling fondly at him made Nash wonder if he always smiled like that. He was starting to like it. "Stop giving me new emotions. I'm starting to think weird things."

In an instant, Nash suddenly remembered that one book in particular that he loved. He could never forget how the main character didn't choose the sweet childhood friend that they grew up with. They were the better choice in Nash's eyes. They knew the main character best, had been there for him, and were the dream guy. Nash couldn't understand why. He couldn't jump into the book and tell the main character who to pick. The sheer disappointment Nash felt the moment Mr. Perfect wasn't the end game. Nash felt like he was the one he rejected. He complained about it for days, writing an essay on BookNerd Forum stating why Mr. Perfect was the blatant choice and remembering that disappointment whenever he saw the book on the shelve.

Seeing Violet evoked a similar sense of disappointment and irritation in him. Something about her irked him, and he knew exactly why: that mouth of hers. If she saw what happened, she wouldn't live it down. Nash's creeping smile disappeared.

"What are you doing here? Violet asked, approaching. "Who's this?"

"A friend," Nash replied, creating a noticeable distance between him and Ace.

"I didn't know you had a friend this good-looking," There's no way she would know. They only met recently. Nash spoke little of himself to her. She only knew what she saw. "I'm Nash's older sister, Violet."

"Ace," He introduced himself.

"I'm heading home after work. Not easy busting my ass out here," Violet chuckled. "How did you two meet? I know you're definitely not one of his high school friends cause I've met the two of them, and it's been years. College perhaps; I don't think so."

"He just happens to cross paths with a handsome CEO," Ace chuckled, unable to hide his playfulness. "I'm on a mission to win him over."

"Aren't you lucky? Let me be the one to tell you," Violet began. "He's a hard nut to crack, or rather, he refuses to open up; The type to always be in his room, head in a book or on his phone, has a mouth on him, and has no social interactions. He's my brother, but good luck."

Nash sighed. Violet was always like this: constantly having something to say, putting her mouth where it didn't belong, while refusing to let anyone know her business. She was a supporting character in Nash's story but refused to stay in the background.

"Did you stop to insult my personality or put your nose in my business? Sorry, I don't need social interaction to feel good about myself. Not my fault I enjoy my own company."

"That's what I like about him," Ace spoke. "He's confident in himself. I'm starting to put some cracks on him. Give me a week, and he'll be all mine."

Amused by Ace's boldness and confidence in his skills to make Nash his, a chuckle escaped Nash's lips. The interaction was a bad one, and Nash appreciated Ace speaking in his defense.

"Not everything is an insult, Nash. You're always so defensive. Anyways I should go. It was nice meeting you. Hopefully, I'll see you around." With that, Violet left after stirring up a storm with Nash.

"She's different," Ace said.

"I don't like her either," Nash replied.

"Our moment got ruined. I almost had you." Ace placed his arm over Nash's shoulder. "My love for you is unwavering just so you know."

"Let's go get something to eat," Nash said, walking away to hide his smile, feeling his frustration melt away.