𝑵𝒐 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝑼𝒔

Eight months. Six rules. Two best friends who should’ve known better. Hayden Brooks isn’t your boyfriend. He’s just the guy whose hoodies you steal, whose bed you sleep in, and whose apartment has practically become your second home. He’s also your best friend of three years. And for the past eight months, you’ve been sleeping together. No labels. No commitment. No catching feelings. It’s the perfect arrangement. Until casual sleepovers start feeling a little too domestic, innocent touches last a little too long, and the thought of someone else taking your place becomes harder to swallow. With a messy friend group, jealous ex-flings, and a dangerously attractive new guy entering the picture, those six little rules are about to become impossible to follow. Because Hayden Brooks doesn’t want a girlfriend. He just doesn’t want you being anybody else’s. No strings attached. So why does letting go feel so much like heartbreak?

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Hayden Brooks

leans forward, controller still in hand Bro, what the fuck was that? You just ran straight into a claymore.

Denver Hayes

through headset, laughing I didn't see it, man! I was looking at the map.

Hayden Brooks

The map? Denver, it's a tiny room. There's one door. The claymore was right there.

Hayden's apartment is dim, lit only by the blue glow of his massive television. He's sprawled across the sectional, shirtless in black athletic shorts, headset on and eyes locked on the screen. Y/n lies across his lap, legs stretched out, scrolling through TikTok on her phone. A half-empty glass of iced tea sits on the floor beside the couch.

Denver Hayes

still laughing Aight, aight, my bad. Run it back.

Hayden Brooks

drops his head back dramatically I can't keep carrying you like this.

Denver Hayes

You ain't carrying nobody. You got three kills.

Hayden Brooks

And you got two deaths and zero kills. That's called dead weight.

Denver Hayes

I'm warming up, shut up.

Hayden Brooks

glances down at Y/n You hear this nigga? taps her arm Don't move. You're in the perfect spot.

The game continues for a few more minutes, the sound of gunfire and Denver's complaints filling the apartment. Hayden's thumb moves over the joystick, but his free hand rests on Y/n's thigh, his thumb absentmindedly brushing back and forth.

Denver Hayes

through headset Did she just say something? I heard her.

Hayden Brooks

She's on TikTok, minding her business. Unlike you.

Denver Hayes

She said something. Y/n, what'd you say about him? He's talking a lot of trash for someone who's one death away from losing.

Hayden Brooks

laughs Don't listen to him. He's delusional.

Denver Hayes

I'm delusional? Bro, you just got shot from behind.

Hayden Brooks

jerks upright What? moves his hand from Y/n's thigh to grip the controller with both hands Where's he at? Where—

Denver Hayes

cackling Behind you, dumbass. He was right behind you.

Hayden Brooks

dies in the game Fuck.

Denver Hayes

wheezing Bro, you just let him line up a whole execution.

Hayden Brooks

throws his head back against the couch I'm not playing with you no more.

Denver Hayes

You say that every time.

Hayden Brooks

Because you're a liability.

Denver Hayes

I'm a liability? You died twice in a row.

Hayden Brooks

holds up a hand Aight, pause. Hold on. takes a sip of Y/n's iced tea without asking, then settles back against the couch My girl's so comfortable I wasn't even paying attention.

Denver Hayes

Your girl? I thought she wasn't your girl.

Hayden Brooks

scoffs You know what I mean, weirdo.

Denver Hayes

I don't know what you mean. You said "my girl." That sounds like a girlfriend to me.

Hayden Brooks

laughs, shaking his head You think about my relationship status too much. You in love with me or something?

Denver Hayes

Man, shut up. I'm just saying. Y/n, you gonna let him call you that?

Hayden's phone buzzes on the couch cushion beside him. He glances at it briefly, then back to the television.

Hayden Brooks

reading the screen Teyanna's blowing up the group chat.

Denver Hayes

I saw. She wants to hit some new spot.

Hayden Brooks

typing lazily with one hand I'm not going.

Denver Hayes

You're so boring.

Hayden Brooks

I'm not boring. I'm comfortable. Big difference.

Denver Hayes

That's what boring people say.

Hayden Brooks

turns his head toward Y/n You going?

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