KnotMyProblem had sent several more messages since Aaron had last posted. As a new one came in, causing Gage’s phone to vibrate in his hand, Gage read them over.
KnotMyProblem: Good. You should be done. Go apologize to your bf for being an absolute dickwad and pray that he forgives you
KnotMyProblem: And I swear to god, if you come back and try to cause trouble, I WILL come fight you
KnotMyProblem: Fuck, I’m so angry. TD, if you’re reading this, your bf is a piece of work. You deserve better. And you, bf?
KnotMyProblem: you’re a scummy pos who doesn’t deserve TD’s love.
KnotMyProblem: So you’re back?
Gage’s icon must have been marked as online again. KnotMyProblem was still typing.
KnotMyProblem: Are you going to let me have it again, or are you ready to talk like men?
TeenDad2: omg Knot STOP
Gage’s hands shook. Terror and anger bled into one harrowing emotion that held him tight and refused to let him go. He typed furiously, his fingers flying across the screen.
TeenDad2: What the hell did you think you were doing, getting angry at him like that? You don’t know what’s going on. He was CONFUSED!
KnotMyProblem: He was an asshole, was what he was. Are you okay, TD? He didn’t hit you or anything?
The question floored Gage, and he stared, slack-jawed, at the conversation while he tried to make sense of it. Aaron would never hit him. The angriest he’d ever seen Aaron was after he’d discovered Bo, and even that hadn’t been all that bad. The thought that Aaron would do him physical harm was laughable. KnotMyProblem had no clue what he was talking about, and his ignorance was making the situation worse.
TeenDad2: omg
TeenDad2: I literally cannot stand you right now
TeenDad2: you provoked him when he was confused and you caused a fight. Are you happy with yourself?
KnotMyProblem: The guy is an asshole, TD. He’s been reading your messages. Either he’s insecure and afraid he’s going to lose you, or he’s controlling af and he’s going to start abusing you. You need to get out of there asap
TeenDad2: You know NOTHING
In a previous heated conversation, Gage had held back his temper and tried to be delicate. KnotMyProblem was his friend, even if Knot made him feel uncomfortable at times. He’d figured that with a little time, Knot would get over his crush, and he’d go back to treating Gage like an annoying older brother would. It wasn’t worth the potential friendship fallout to cause drama unnecessarily—they belonged to the same group of friends, and Gage didn’t want to put everyone in a position where they had to choose sides.
But this?
This was different.
Now, he didn’t give a shit what any of the Single Dads thought about him, or where their loyalties lay—KnotMyProblem hadhurthim by lashing out at Aaron, and Gage needed to make it strikingly clear that he was not going to put up with any more of his bullshit.
KnotMyProblem: I know enough to recognize trouble when it comes my way
TeenDad2: you didn’t even bother to explain the truth to him! All you did was attack him!
KnotMyProblem: He attacked me. All I was trying to do was check in with you about our wedding plans.
TeenDad2: Don’t you fucking dare pretend that you are innocent in all of this. You baited him. You’re trying to make it seem like he’s a bad guy, aren’t you? Because some desperate little voice in the back of your head whispered that if I’m not with Aaron anymore, I’ll come crawling to you.
It felt good to get it out. Gage bit the inside of his lip and exhaled noisily though his nostrils until his lungs emptied and his torso felt like it had flattened. He kept typing, too incensed to stop now that he’d started.
TeenDad2: Well guess what? That’s not happening. I don’t want to be with you, Knot. How many times have I told you that? I. Don’t. Want. You. Even if Aaron and I broke up, I wouldn’t want you. We’re FRIENDS. That’s as far as it goes.
KnotMyProblem: you’re really reaching
TeenDad2: Are you serious?? Did you read the same conversation I just read?
