He Was Never Untouchable, Just Untouched By Me Chapter 09

He Was Never Untouchable, Just Untouched By Me Chapter 09

I woke to Audrey pounding on the door.

I opened my eyes, still half asleep. Julian was already fully dressed, opening the door just a crack to block

her view.

Audrey’s eyes found me anyway. She blinked once, slowly.

“Why is Chloe in your bed?”

“She’s exhausted. Let’s talk outside.”

Julian had already snapped back into his usual armor: expression sealed, posture perfect.

I pulled the blanket over my head and played dead.

Audrey’s voice drifted through the door.

“It’s nothing. My mother… our mother wanted me to drop off some desserts she made. I left them on the

table.”

“Thank you.”

Even after he’d been back this long, Audrey still stumbled over anything that made them sound like siblings.

“Are you two dating?”

Julian’s answer was immediate. “I don’t know.”

Audrey’s voice sharpened. “Mom’s right. You’re heartless. All you know how to do is make money. You’re

exactly like Dad.”

Julian added, quiet and flat, “I don’t even have a label yet. The ball’s in Chloe’s court.”

Audrey pivoted, fumbling through a defense on my behalf. “Chloe just… likes having fun, you know? Can you blame her? There are a lot of good-looking guys out there…”

She heard herself, realized there was no saving this, and bolted.

The live comments were losing it.

[I’m CRYING laughing. Bestie, sometimes staying neutral IS taking a side, and you just proved it.]

[Why does everyone assume only the FL can help the ML with his family issues? The side character is the one who actually matters. Without Chloe, Audrey and her brutal social anxiety would’ve never reconnected with Julian at all.]

Julian had already made breakfast.

I ate, regained my energy, and finally checked my phone. Gavin had blown it up.

I’m sorry, Chloe. I’ll apologize any way you want. Please just get Julian to back off.]

[It was those guys at school spreading rumors, saying you go through a new guy every two weeks, saying someone that pretty had to be secretly seeing eight people at once. That’s why I assumed you were up for

anything.]

Those rumors were the same ones that had cost me the Homecoming Queen title. Vivian had beaten me by a

single vote because of them.

It didn’t matter anymore.

I was about to delete his contact when one more message popped up.

[I’m begging you. I’ll be your dog.]

I don’t know what circuit that tripped in Julian’s brain.

He took my phone, typed a reply, hit block, and deleted the contact in one smooth motion.

[Chloe already has a dog. That spot’s taken. Get lost.]

He typed that with a completely straight face.

It shouldn’t have been attractive. It absolutely was.

“Chloe, what did you see in him?”

“I never liked him. The dinner was a thank-you. That’s all.”

I tested the waters. “Are you jealous, Julian?”

Julian exhaled. His expression didn’t change, not visibly, but the corners of his mouth ticked up by maybe

two pixels. “No.”

He was in absolute denial.

…Then again, maybe not.

“Chloe.” Julian looked down at me, probably still rattled by Audrey’s visit. “What are we, then?”

I tried to deflect. “We’re… a guy and a girl.”

He dropped his gaze and let out a low laugh. “Fine. At least you won’t get bored of me too quickly now.”

The temporary peace didn’t make me forget what the live comments had said about my ending.

“Julian, I can’t get through my calculus review. I’m heading to the research lab to get help from one of the upperclassmen, Bye.”

Julian didn’t blink. “I’ll help you.”

“I’m standing right here. Why would you go looking for someone else?”