“I’m sorry, you did what?” Chad asked, looking at Peter across the dinner table in pure shock.
“I hired Aiden to head up your temporary security.”
Peter emphasized the word temporary, as though that was the part of this arrangement that had Chad’s hackles up.
“Aiden Halsted?” Chad’s voice went high pitched and squeaky at the horrible name. He couldn’t believe Peter would do this to him.
Peter nodded. “He’s one of the best, and he’s my best friend. He won’t let anything happen to you.”
Chad’s lip curled down in a sneer. That Aiden was Peter’s best friend was by far Peter’s worst quality, and one Chad did his best not to think about.
“No. Find someone else.” Chad tried to make his voice firm the way Peter did when he was laying down the law. Becausethis? This wasn’t happening.
“I’ve already hired him. He’ll be here in the morning.”
Peter lifted his glass of water to his lips and stared at Chad over the rim like he was daring him to object.
“Then un-hire him,” Chad demanded. He wasn’t going to be cowed. “Tell him I’ve decided to stay home until this is settled. Topher and Mick can take turns keeping me company.”
Peter smiled and shook his head, like Chad’s objections werefunny.
“I’m serious,” Chad said. He was holding the handles of his knife and fork so tight his knuckles were white. “I’m not going to let you put Aiden in charge of me.”
Peter sighed. “He’s not going to be in charge of you, just your security.”
“Same thing,” Chad snarled. He was furious, and Peter not taking it seriously was just making him angrier. He knew how Aiden would play this. The creepy douche would torment him, just because he could and because he knew that Peter would ignore it.
The fact that Aiden still called him puppy—to his face and in front of Peter—was proof of just how useless Peter was in defending him from his friend.
“Watch it,” Peter said, the smile slipping off his face. “I’ve hired Aiden and that’s that. He’ll be here in a professional capacity, and you’ll both be on your best behavior.”
Chad took a deep breath, knowing from the tone of Peter’s voice and the set of his shoulders that he wouldn’t budge. He put down his knife and fork and rose from his chair.
“Fine. But I’m sleeping in the guest room until he’s gone.”
Peter gave him a look like he was being ridiculous, and Chad stiffened his resolve. He wasn’t being ridiculous. Aiden treated him like shit and Chad had every right to be angry that Peter would hire him.
“No you’re not,” Peter said, like he was speaking to a child.
“You’re not my dad, Peter,” Chad said. “I get to decide if I want to sleep in the same bed as you.”
Peter’s nose scrunched up at Chad’s words, and Chad reviewed what he’d just said in his head. Then he growled in frustration.
“You know what I mean!”
“You’re seriously going to sleep in the guest room,” Peter said, his voice flat. “To punish me for hiring a security team to keep you safe.”
Chad ran his hand through his hair, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
“I’m angry with you because you hired the guy who bullies me every time we’re in the same room while you just stand there and watch.”
“He doesn’t bully—"
“Were you like that too?” Chad interrupted, making Peter snap his mouth shut and frown.
“Like what?”
“Like a bully. Is that why you don’t think it’s a big deal—because it’s something you would have done if you didn’t like me?”
