"He's going to murder us both," Aiden predicted grimly, as they were summoned to Aaron's office Monday afternoon.

"Then he's going to murder Ryan," Cameron agreed.

They felt like chickens headed for the chopping block. Aiden hummed a funeral dirge; Cameron wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. He'd just gotten a girlfriend, too. Joy was fleeting. "If he kills me, tell Jennica I love her."

"You love her already?! I haven't even told Nova that, and we've been dating for eight months!"

Cameron sighed. "I'm just being dramatic, Aiden. We're going to live; we still have our uses."

"I certainly hope so," Aiden muttered. This was not how he wanted to start his week.

Ever since Cameron's Thanksgiving warning text, he'd been on edge, even asking his mother to confiscate his phone so he could spend more time with visiting relatives. Anything to avoid facing Aaron unprepared.

Unfortunately, he still wasn't prepared. How was he supposed to explain that he'd known about Ryan the whole time he lived across the hall from Keeley?

Opening the office door was like entering a walk-in freezer. Aaron's fury was far more intense than usual.

Cameron let Aiden take the lead—he was more important to Aaron's operations and less likely to be murdered. He stepped forward with a carefree smile, as if nothing were wrong.

"What's up, boss man?"

"I think you know exactly what's up," Aaron said forebodingly. "Tell me everything you know now."

Cameron piped up, "I want you to know that keeping this from you was entirely Aiden's idea, and I had nothing to do with it."

How could his friend sacrifice him like this?! "Dude! Are you serious right now?!"

"I have something to live for!"

"And I don't?!"

"I. Said. Now." The chill in the air silenced their bickering immediately.

They both sat meekly on the couch, and Aiden began his explanation. He started with seeing Ryan around Keeley's apartment several times and ended with half-carrying a drunk Keeley to the lobby before Aiden intercepted her.

He omitted why Keeley was drinking; he didn't want to die today; he was supposed to play a game with Nova later.

"That's all he told me," Cameron said. "So when I saw him at the Halloween party—where I met Jennica—I didn't say anything."

"What did he do at the Halloween party?"

The co-conspirators exchanged glances. Aiden fully expected Cameron to take the blame after throwing him under the bus, especially since he'd actually been there.

"…they were partners in the couples' skate portion, and later, during 'Two Truths and a Lie,' I realized they must be closer than I thought because Ryan knew about Keeley's ex-boyfriend."

Aaron had never been told about Keeley's previous relationships. The icy storm in the office intensified.

"She's been friends with him longer! It's natural she'd talk to an old friend about that!" Aiden said hurriedly.

"You're digging your own grave; Aaron met her first," Cameron whispered.

Crap, he'd completely forgotten that. Technically, Aaron knew her longer, but not better, given their period of no contact.

Cameron showed mercy and bailed him out.

"Relax, Aaron, she doesn't like him. I saw them at the couples' skate; neither of them were having fun. In fact, Keeley looked angry! Aside from that, her interactions with him were no different than with her other friends."

'Thank you, Cam! I forgive you for betraying me earlier!' Aiden thought gratefully.

The icy atmosphere thawed slightly. "Are you positive? Don't lie."

"He seems on par with her roommates; doesn't that mean she doesn't see him as a romantic interest? He's like one of her girlfriends!" Cameron claimed, somewhat outrageously.

Would Aaron take the bait?

"I see your point. Still, Aiden, keep an eye on him. Cameron, pump your girlfriend for information," Aaron said with finality.

They'd gotten off easy. They saluted, bowed, and scampered from the office.

"I saw my life flash before my eyes," Aiden said dramatically.

"At least you got the easy job. How am I supposed to ask Jennica about this guy without seeming suspicious?"

"Yeah, that sucks. Don't know what to tell you."

"Very helpful," Cameron said dryly.

"I try!"

They returned to their offices, and Aiden couldn't concentrate. Should he have mentioned suspecting Aaron was the ex-boyfriend? That would have been more helpful than anything about Ryan Bradley.

However, if he was wrong, his boss would think he was crazy. To tell or not to tell? He couldn't directly ask Keeley her ex's name.

At the very least, he could warn her. He texted her:

'FYI Aaron is in a very bad mood today, so if you want to live, do something to appease him when he shows up with your dinner.'

She replied twenty minutes later, while he was monitoring an Alistair meeting: 'If I want to live, huh? Thanks for the heads up.'

A second text followed: 'What did you do to piss him off?'

How dare she assume it was his fault! Well, not entirely. She'd be surprised to know she was the source of his boss's distress.

'Your accusatory tone wounds me.'

'Ah, so I'm right. Don't worry; I'll calm him down for you, but you'll owe me one.'

Please let Keeley be their lucky star and save them from their temperamental boss!

(The promotional text at the end was removed as it was irrelevant to the story.)