Surprisingly, yeah. It is.
Why is it surprising?
I didn’t think pretending to be in a relationship would work
Oh it’s a common phenomenon that happens as soon as u aren’t available. Everyone comes out of the woodwork suddenly interested in getting with u.
I’m glad it’s working. u deserve the best. But if this guy fucks with u, I’m cutting his dick and balls off.
Give me updates! If u decide to get with Aiden instead, we’ll be here rooting u on. But my threat stands with him too. As soon as he fucks up…
Snickering, I close the thread and stretch my arms above my head with a tiny groan as the stiff muscles loosen. I slept like the dead after Aiden left my bedroom, and I don’t think I moved once after passing out.
My phone pings with several more texts from Olivia that I don’t bother reading. If I were to guess what she’s talking about, it likely involves murdering either Brandon or Aiden if they so much as hurt my feelings.
I love how protective she is of me—just as I am with her and Madison. However, I wouldn’t want them to hurt anyone on my account. Especially Aiden.
The conversation with Olivia helped lift some of the weight from my shoulders, lessening the worry of being judged for doing something controversial with my brother. She won’t speak to anyone about this. And as much as she wants to support me if I get with Aiden instead, nothing will come out of this relationship.
I like Brandon, and it seems he likes me too.
I also can’t forget that Aiden made it clear I can’t fall for him. It’d be stupid of me to overlook the streak of flings he tangles himself in. I refuse to be another notch on his bedpost. Once a player, always a player, as they say.
Besides, I have doubts that he wants to do anything more with me. Last night was a onetime thing that will never happen again. He refused to let me return the favor and said he got his happy ending. In my mind, that’s his way of rejecting me as nicely as possible when he realized I was open to doing more with him.
Aiden has always been flirtatious. Not just with me, but with everyone. So of course, the moment I showed interest in him, he recognized his mistake and backpedaled.
After dressing for the day, I leave my bedroom and pass by Aiden’s open door. The lights are off, and his unmade bed is empty. He probably headed out earlier this morning to get back to his usual schedule of helping his friends prepare for Hellfire Night.
After checking the time, I blanch.
It’s past noon. Jeez, I slept in late.
My feet shuffle on the floor as I enter the kitchen to make a smoothie. I pause mid-step, my eyes widening a fraction at the sight of Aiden lounging at the table, shirtless and wearing black alt pants and boots. His head is bent as he scrolls on his phone, engrossed in whatever has his attention.
My gaze drags over his naked chest, drinking in all his tattoos and muscles. The ink swirling over his abs dips beneath his waistband, and I loathe his clothes for hiding his body from me. He got to see me naked last night. All I saw of him was his bare ass.
Rude.
Aiden’s head rises and turns toward me. His eyes brighten as they land on my flushed face, and he sits straighter in his seat. “Morning, pretty girl. I didn’t think you were getting up at all at this point.” He smirks and looks me over, then tips his chin toward the two toaster strudels on the table. “I made you breakfast.”
I take the seat beside him and pick up a strudel with a large bite on one end. I give him a half-hearted scowl. “You couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
He grins and rubs his nape with a sheepish look. “Everything tastes better when it’s yours.”
Well, there goes the hope of forgetting about last night. Knowing Aiden, he meant that as a double entendre and is keeping his promise of rubbing what we did in my face.
His smile broadens, and he’s clearly pleased that he made me squirm. He tips his head to the side and eyes the strudel as I inspect it. “They should still be warm for you. I made them five minutes before you walked in.”
“Why did you put the frosting in the middle and not on top?” I scrunch my nose at the obscenity.
“If you don’t want them, I’ll take them.”
I snatch the pastry as he reaches for it. “No! These are mine.”
Aiden chuckles and settles in his seat as I eat. My eyelids slide shut as a mixture of sweetness bursts on my tastebuds. A moan creeps up my throat.
“That good, huh?” Aiden’s amused voice snaps me out of the moment.
