Only Peter
I stepped out of the café, and went back to my place to find Logan leaning against his car, clearly wound up. He didn't say anything at first, just stared at the ground, but I could tell he was frustrated with himself. I let the silence hang for a moment before speaking. Told him to take a breath, that it wasn’t as big a deal as he was making it out to be.
He was quick to apologise; said he overreacted, that he didn’t mean to make things worse. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, so I let it slide. We talked it through, worked things out with Aaron on the phone too. It wasn’t some grand resolution, just a quiet understanding between us all. A few words, a couple of half-hearted jokes to break the tension, and things were smoothed over. By the time we got back to the usual routine, it was like nothing had ever happened. Logan was back to his usual self, Aaron too, and for all the tension, it was like we’d never skipped a beat. Things fell back into place, peaceful, simple, the way they always were. Thank God, I didn’t want the group to suffer from this ridiculousness.
I took a quick nap, then headed over to Peter’s in the evening. He had texted me during the afternoon, inviting me over to his place, saying I should bring pizza. I drove over to Peter’s place, taking the usual route through the town, watching the familiar streets blur by. His neighbourhood was always a little quieter, with tree-lined roads and sleek houses. When I pulled up, Peter was already standing outside, leaning against his front door like he was waiting for me. As usual, he had that casual smile, like everything in the world was cool, even though you knew he had probably had a rough day.
I got out of the car and tossed him a grin. « What’s up, man? »
« Not much, just waiting for my favourite idiot to show up, »he said with a wink. His eyes flicked down to the pizza box in my hand. « You better not have gotten anything weird. I’m not down for pineapple or any of that other bullshit. »
I shook my head. « Nah, man. I brought the classic: pepperoni and cheese. Gotta keep it simple. »
« Smart move, » he said with a grin. He stepped aside, letting me in. « You want a beer first, or are we diving straight into the pizza? »
« Beer. Always beer, » I answered, raising an eyebrow.
We walked into his place, and I couldn’t help but glance around as I kicked off my shoes. Peter’s apartment was pretty damn nice for a guy who spent most of his days hunched over greasy bike parts. It kinda looked like it could be an Instagram influencer's place if you took a few photos in the right lighting.
« Damn, man, been meaning to ask… you live like this on a bike mechanic’s salary? » I asked, flopping down on the couch as Peter grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge. He snorted, handing me a cold one. « You kidding? My salary’s barely enough to cover rent and food. I just got lucky with this place. The rent’s decent, and the landlord’s cool, so I’ve been here a while. »
I took a swig of beer, raising an eyebrow. « So you’re telling me a bike mechanic can afford this? It’s like a goddamn palace for a grease monkey. »
« Hey, don’t knock it until you try it, bro, » he said with a smirk, sitting next to me. « I got my ways. A little luck, a little charm… and a whole lotta bike fixing. »
I laughed, shaking my head. « So that’s your secret? You fix bikes during the day, and by night you turn into some kind of apartment-saint who gets by on good vibes? »
« Basically, yeah, » he said, his grin widening. « You have no idea how much money people are willing to throw at their bikes. A little chain lube, a quick tune-up, and boom… cash in hand. Easy money. »
I snorted again. « Yeah, sounds like it. You fix one guy’s brakes, and he hands you a hundred bucks like you're some kind of magician. »
« So, what’s been up with you lately? You look like you’re carrying some pressure, » Peter said, leaning back and eyeing me with a raised eyebrow, obviously trying to change the subject. « That whole drama with Logan earlier? » I sighed, putting my beer down on the coffee table. « Yeah, it got a little heated today. We worked things out, though. Nothing serious, just one of those moments where we all kind of let our egos get in the way. You know how it is. »
Peter nodded, his expression softening. « I get it, man. Happens to the best of us. » He leaned forward, cracking open a beer for himself. « I’m glad you guys sorted it out, though. Wouldn’t want to see you two fighting over some dumb shit. »
« Exactly, » I said, grinning. « Wouldn’t be the first time either. But that’s just how we roll. A little fight here and there keeps things interesting. » Peter chuckled. « Yeah, but if you two start getting all weird and sensitive on me, I’m out. I don’t have time for all that emotional bullshit. »
I laughed, grabbing a slice of pizza. « Don’t worry, we’re not that bad. Besides, if you ever need an excuse to bail, just tell me you’re getting some ‘me time’ with the bikes. Works every time. »
« Damn right. » Peter said with a wink.
As we sat there eating and joking around, I couldn’t help but think about the apartment again. It still seemed too nice for Peter’s lifestyle. I took another bite of pizza, trying not to overthink it. Eventually it slipped my mouth again: « Seriously, though, you sure there’s nothing else going on with how you pay for this place? »
Peter’s expression went a little distant, like he was processing the question. Then, with a shrug, he said « Like I said, man. I got my ways. Let’s leave it at that. ». I narrowed my eyes, leaning forward a bit. « Come on, dude. I know you’re hiding something. You fix bikes all day, and somehow you’re living like some tech startup guy. What’s the real deal? »
Peter let out a low chuckle, but there was a sharpness in his eyes now, like I was starting to press too hard. He cleared his throat. « You think I’m pulling some kind of scam? I swear, I’m just a regular dude. »
« Yeah, a regular dude who lives like he’s got shitload of money » I shot back, not backing down. « Dude, what are you really doing? You selling drugs or something? » He laughed again, but this time there was something a little off about it. A quick flash of unease flickered across his face before he masked it with that usual smirk. « Nah, no drugs, bro. Nothing like that. »
I leaned back, thinking for a second. « Then what? »
He hesitated, then took another swig of his beer, eyes darting around the room. It was like he was debating whether or not to tell me. The silence stretched out for a little too long before he let out a sigh. « Alright, alright… I’ll tell you. But you gotta promise you won’t tell anyone. »
« Yeah, man, of course. I won’t say a word, » I said, a little too quickly, eager to hear what he had to say.
Peter ran a hand through his hair, looking around as if checking to make sure no one else was around. « So, uhm… » He paused for a second, dragging it out, clearly enjoying the suspense. « I make a shit ton of money... from OnlyFans. »
I blinked. « Wait, what? »
He sighed, obviously bracing himself for the inevitable reaction. « I know, I know. It sounds crazy. But hear me out. I’ve got a niche. People like to watch me fix bikes and work on gear, I guess. There’s something weirdly satisfying about it, and I get a shitload lot of tips for it… So, yeah. That’s how it works. Pretty simple.”
I stared at him for a second, trying to process what he’d just said. « So, you’re—what? Like, showing off bike repairs on the internet? And people… pay to watch that? » I asked innocently.
Peter nodded, his eyes suddenly avoiding mine, he obviously was embarrassed. « Yeah. It’s not just bike stuff, though. I do some other things too. Some more… intimate content, if you know what I mean ». I innocently didn’t quite understand. « Wait, wait. Hold up. Are you telling me you’ve got a whole thing going on where you show people… what, like, you fixing bikes? Or are we talking, like… something else? » Peter grinned, a little more at ease now. « You’d be surprised what some people really get off on… » he said.
I was unfamiliar with the whole OnlyFans thing back then. Of course, I had heard about it, but I thought it was just things where hot girls were getting undressed for money. And I wouldn’t have ever imagined someone I knew would actually have an account. My curiosity was peaked, I had to ask for more.
« So what kind of things are we talking about? Dude come on, show me » I said, ecstatically. Peter sat back in wonder « Dude, wow, nah let’s not do that. », he said, going back to embarrassed a little. I was still unsure of what to make of it all. « What? Why? What could you possibly do that you wouldn’t show me? ».
He sighed, as if he wasn’t really proud of it. « You don’t get it do you? » he said, with a little smirk. I shrugged, still wondering about pretty much everything of this situation. « It’s not exactly something I’d show to a friend » he said. I slowly began to understand what he was about to unravel. « Dude what exactly are you saying? » I said.
« I’m not exactly dressed in those videos… Not all the time at least. » he finally dropped. My jaw dropped, and my eyes were wide open, I was completely silent for a few seconds. Seeing my reaction, he felt the need to continue his story. « Like you know, I usually start wearing my shorts and at some point I just take ‘em off. » Of course, this explanation didn’t really bring my surprise down. I couldn’t help but let out a simple « holy shit, man », to which he simply shrugged. A few more seconds passed. « So you’re telling me you’re getting naked while fixing bikes and people are willing to pay for that? What the actual fuck. ».
« Told you, you’d be surprised how much people are willing to pay for that, » he said shrugging again. I felt he was getting a little more embarrassed, and I didn’t like that I was responsible for that, so I felt the urge to cool down the atmosphere with a joke: « No, yeah I get it, sometimes I also jerk off thinking about.. bikes. » and it worked; he grinned and told me I was stupid. He took some sips from his beer. I still needed to know more about that, and now that I felt Peter was being a little more comfortable, I point-blank asked all the questions at once: « So what, are you like hard in those videos? But how much are you actually making? And who the hell pays for that? ». Obviously a little more relaxed, he answered, in the same order: « Well, yeah… Hard, jerking off, those kind of things. And, like on average I make 2000 bucks a month, sometimes a little more; and to be honest I don’t know, but it’s mostly like, gay dudes from what I see in the comments. ».
I couldn’t help but let out a (very) loud « TWO FUCKING GRAND ?! ». He chuckled, « told you you’d be surprised ». I took a sip of my beer to digest that news, « Damn man, I think I’m gonna start fixing bikes » I said as a joke. He went quiet for a couple seconds, before hesitantly saying with a smirk « Well, you know… collabs are a thing. If you want to we could… », I stopped him before he could finish « Wow, wow, dude I was kidding, I’m not getting hard on the internet with you. ». A little offended by my reaction, he said « Alright, calm down, just a suggestion. And just saying, you have a nice physique, it could bring us some big money. »
« Yeah, I’m good man, I don’t really need the cash », I replied, a little embarrassed myself. « Alright, man, that’s cool ». He said, leaned back, a grin pulling at his lips. « But still, aren’t you afraid that someone you know might come across one of your videos? » I asked. « Nah, I’m mostly big in Europe. And whatever, what would they say anyway? It’s not like they would come to me saying ‘dude, I love watching you fixing bikes with a hard-on’, right? ». I admittedly was amazed by how cool Peter was with his parallel activities, « Yeah, you’re probably right. »
« But again, let’s just keep this between us, alright? I’d rather not have the whole crew finding out. You’re the first and only I have ever told. » Peter said.
« Don’t worry, » I replied, raising my beer in a mock toast. « Your secret’s safe with me. Just don’t expect me to start following you on OnlyFans anytime soon. » Peter burst out laughing, the tension easing between us. « You’re probably better off, man. ».
As I sat there, processing what Peter had just told me, I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief. I mean, who the hell would've ever guessed? Peter, the guy who could barely keep a straight face, was out here pulling in two grand a month just for fixing bikes and getting naked for a bunch of strangers on the internet.
It didn’t make sense, but then again, nothing about this world seemed to anymore. I had heard about those websites, sure, but I always figured it was just a place for influencers and attention-seekers, not someone like Peter. Hell, he didn’t even seem like the type to be into that kind of thing. But now that I knew, I had to admit it was kinda impressive, in a weird, almost surreal way.
And yet, the more I thought about it, the more questions kept popping up. How could he be so casual about it? Was I supposed to be weirded out, or was I just impressed? And who the hell were these people paying to see him in action? It was a lot to take in.
The silence hung between us for a moment, the weight of the conversation still sinking in. I finished my beer, trying to make it look like I was more at ease than I felt. « Alright, well, I should probably get going »" I said, not sure whether I was trying to convince myself or him. I stood up, grabbing my jacket from the back of the chair. « Got some stuff to take care of at home. »
Peter nodded, that usual grin back on his face, though there was still a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. « Yeah, man, sure. Thanks for not freaking out. And seriously, don’t tell anyone, alright? You’re the first person I’ve ever told about this. »
« Your secret’s safe with me, » I said, raising my beer in a mock toast. I grabbed the pizza box, heading for the door. As I stepped out into the night air, the cool breeze did nothing to shake the surreal feeling that had settled in my chest. As much as I wanted to process everything, I didn’t think I could do it all tonight.
As I drove home, the headlights of my car blurring the lines between the road and the night around me, my mind wouldn’t settle. The more I replayed the conversation, the more confused I felt. I mean, Peter was just Peter, and now he was pulling in two grand a month by doing... that.
It didn’t add up. It felt like I was living in some bizarre alternate reality where nothing made sense anymore. I couldn't help but think about what he said: the stuff, the tips, the money…all of it.
But then there was that whole other part of me that couldn’t stop wondering.
What would it be like to see those videos? Was it just the curiosity talking, or was there something more to it? I tried to shake it off, but the thought lingered. Peter had made it sound like a joke, but... what if it wasn’t? What if I actually could find his account somehow, take a look, see what all the fuss was about? Maybe I’d just be curious, right? It wasn’t like I was planning to get into it myself, but the idea of seeing him in action? Doing whatever it was that people were paying to see... my brain couldn’t let go of the thought.
It felt like a weird little obsession growing in the back of my mind, something I didn’t really want to admit to, even though the idea was as intriguing as it was ridiculous.
I shook my head, trying to focus on the road, but the pull of it didn’t go away. What the hell was I even thinking?
This story is part of a series exploring the outrageous adventures of a tight-knit group of friends. It delves into the chaotic mix of bromance, experimentation, and discovering new boundaries of friendship and pleasure. While purely fictional, some moments may be loosely inspired by the author’s personal experiences. Feedback is always welcome!
Thank you for reading.
