Madison
I don’t think I can make it. *sad face emoji
Olivia
booooo!
Nova? Are we going? Pls tell me ur going.
I don’t think I have anything going on this weekend, so yeah. We can go together.
Olivia
Yes! Maybe we can save Maddy from whatever affair she’s being dragged into so she can have fun with us.
Madison
You’ll have to talk to my father, and you know how stubborn he is. *eye roll emoji
I purse my lips and tap my finger against my phone’s protective case.
Researching how to get a guy to like me didn’t work, so maybe the next best thing is to talk to my closest friends and get their thoughts while we’re at the fair. Of course, that’s if Olivia and I can kidnap Madison. If not, I’ll talk to Olivia.
I’ll leave out the information about meeting Brandon online. And not knowing his last name. Or where he works. I can already see the disgruntled expressions they’d wear if they knew those little details.
What they don’t know won’t hurt them. I just need some help learning how to be less awkward and more?—
The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand seconds before arms wind around me from behind. Large, tattooed hands settle on my stomach and squeeze a roll. Familiar sweet and clean scents envelop me, and like every time he holds me, the tension in my body bleeds out of me until I’m sagging against Aiden’s chest.
“Morning, pretty girl,” he whispers in my ear, then kisses my cheek. “How’d you sleep?”
“Meh.” I throw a smile at him over my shoulder before returning my attention to my phone. My fingers clench tighter on the case.
Maybe I should say something about needing help in our group chat. It’ll be easier to consider my explanation than to be put on the spot in person.
Aiden squeezes my stomach and drags my focus back to him. “Nightmares again?”
I shiver and put more of my weight against him as he holds me. “Yeah, but it’s nothing new. What are you doing up this early?”
I type a different response in the group chat instead of growing a pair and asking for help.
Aiden hums and strokes mindless circles on my stomach, like it’s just as relaxing for him as it is for me. I love it when he touches my softer parts. It’s like a little reminder that the weight gain from my meds doesn’t mean I’m less likeable.
He drops his chin to my shoulder. “Gotta prepare for Hellfire Night today. Mickey is difficult to catch alone, and that’s making it harder than it should be to capture him.”
The blender stops, bathing the kitchen in silence.
I check the text thread with Brandon for a new message. The one I sent last night before falling asleep is still left on Delivered.
I sigh through my nose.
I hate this. This constant need to talk with Brandon makes me feel so clingy. Deep down, I want to be on his mind. I want to be special to him like he’s special to me.
Aiden plays with a lock of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. His fingers drag over my throat, like he can’t stop himself from touching me. I bite my bottom lip and lean my head toward his hand, silently urging him to continue playing with my hair because it feels good. He’s always been affectionate with me, and I pray I never see the day he stops.
“You okay?” He curls a lock of my hair around his finger and gently tugs, a silent demand that I pay attention to him.
“Mm-hmm.” I lock my phone screen with a defeated sigh.
