Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 197: Don’t mess with me...

Chapter 197: Don’t mess with me...

"I just had the worst week of my life, and you brought me... homework?"

Cory didn’t even flinch. "Knowledge is invaluable."

Wilson was dying at this point. "Cory, my guy. Did you even consider—oh, I don’t know—flowers? Candy? Something normal?"

Cory’s brows lifted slightly. "Would that have aided his recovery?"

Chris squinted at Cory, then at the book in his lap.

"Cory, don’t take this the wrong way," he said, tilting his head. "But do you... ever plan on dating someone?"

Cory blinked. "Excuse me?"

Chris gestured vaguely. "You know... a relationship? Love? Holding hands? Kissing? Maybe even—God forbid—liking someone?"

Wilson snorted. "Oh, now this is getting good."

Chris leaned back, arms crossed. "Because, from what I can see, you’re about as single as the ’I’ in ’single.’"

Cory’s expression barely shifted, but the slight twitch of his fingers gave him away.

"Oh wow! Mr. CEO is dating someone?" Wilson asked, looking obviously shocked.

Cory gave them both a calm, unreadable look. "I am not dating anyone. And... that is not relevant to this conversation."

"Oh, but it is." Wilson grinned like he’d just found his new favorite game. "C’mon, spill. If you are not dating, then you like someone. Who is it? Do we know them? Are they just as nerdy as you?"

Cory sighed, brushing invisible dust off his pristine sleeve. "You’re both getting off-topic."

Chris smirked. "Am I, though? Because I think this is a perfectly fair exchange. You came here judging my resilience and life choices—I think it’s only right I dig into yours."

Cory exhaled through his nose. "Fine." He turned the conversation right back. "Are you... truly dating a guy?"

Chris didn’t even hesitate. "Got a problem with that?"

Cory held up a hand. "Not at all."

Wilson muttered under his breath, "You hesitated."

Cory ignored him. "I’m just... well, surprised. But not entirely surprised. You always had that tendency."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Tendency?"

Cory gave a small shrug. "High school stories. But... I just assumed you’d switch to women at some point."

Chris let out a short laugh. "Switch? What am I, a light bulb?"

Wilson let out a low whistle. "Damn, Cory. I thought you were smarter than that."

Cory adjusted his cuff, unbothered. "I simply meant that human attraction can be fluid."

Chris rolled his eyes. "Well, news flash, I’m not ’fluidly’ switching anytime soon."

Cory sat with perfect posture, hands folded neatly on his lap. "So... your parents are fine with you dating a... boy?"

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Why are you so interested in that?" Then a thought struck him, and his lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Wait... is the person you’re interested in a boy?"

Cory looked horrified. He actually flinched. "Of course not!" He smoothed down his sleeve like the very idea had unsettled his soul. "I like a girl."

Wilson snickered. "Well, that was defensive."

Cory shot him a look, then exhaled, his perfect composure faltering just slightly. "Not that it matters."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

Cory hesitated. His fingers curled slightly, gripping his knee. Then, finally, he sighed. "Because it would never be possible."

Chris and Wilson exchanged glances.

Wilson frowned. "Why? She got a boyfriend or something?"

Cory shook his head. His lips pressed into a thin line, as if forcing himself not to say anything.

Chris leaned in, intrigued now. "Then what’s the problem?"

A long silence stretched between them before Cory finally muttered, almost reluctantly—

"My family would never accept it."

Chris frowned. "That doesn’t make sense. Your parents aren’t the type to discriminate against anyone."

"That’s true..." Wilson agreed. "Well, unless it’s the Cowlings."

The moment the words left his mouth, Cory’s entire expression went rigid.

Chris’s eyes widened. "Wait. What the hell?" He sat up straight. "You like the Cowling girl?"

Wilson let out a low whistle. "Ohhh, damn."

Cory said nothing. His clenched jaw spoke for itself.

The Cowlings and Cory’s families were well-known enemies. Everyone in their social circle knew about the long-standing rivalry between them. Wilson, trying to make sense of Cory’s confession, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, the Cowling kids are twins, right? If I remember correctly, weren’t you and the Cowling kids always at each other’s throats?"

Cory tensed up, visibly irritated by the mention of his sworn enemy. "I only dislike—I mean, dislike her brother! And anyway, I haven’t had to deal with him since he’s been abroad. It’s been peaceful." He muttered under his breath, "I just hope he stays wherever he is...forever."

Wilson snickered. "Wow. Drama much?"

Chris, however, couldn’t help but feel the weight of the conversation bearing down on him. The mention of the Cowlings, and the tension between Cory’s family and theirs, immediately brought his thoughts back to Sky. He felt a dull ache in his chest, the kind of ache that came from worrying about someone who was far away.

Chris leaned back, a sad smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Sky’s a twin too," he said quietly, almost as if the words themselves weighed him down.

Wilson rolled his eyes. "Oh, here we go again with Sky."

Cory, who had been watching them both with mild curiosity, suddenly looked confused. "Who’s Sky?"

Chris’s voice was soft, but the weight of his words hit Cory like a freight train. "Sky is my future boyfriend."

Cory paused, a flash of recognition crossing his face. "Wait... I think I’ve heard that name before." He furrowed his brow as he thought. "Does he have piercings? Tall?"

Chris blinked, suddenly paying attention. "How do you know that? Have you seen photos of him?"

Cory gave him a blank look. "Actually, I came across someone named Sky on my way here. He was standing at the security entrance. He said he knew you and wanted to see you, but they didn’t let him through."

Chris froze, his heart skipping a beat.

"Don’t mess with me."

Cory frowned. "Why would I do that?"

"Are you... fucking for real?" Chris asked just as Wilson also appeared right in front of Cory.