“Jade…” His voice trails off for a second. I turn to look at him. “I’m sorry. I was a fucking idiot. Those girls never meant anything and I shouldn’t have cheated on you. I was young and didn’t know what I wanted, but I really did love you. I swear I did.”
Jesus, this is like the same speech he gave a few years ago. He must be looking for a quick fuck while he’s in town. He knows I live in Hillford. Hell, he has my number and I never hear from him.
“You know, after we first broke up, I was a mess. I was so upset. I couldn’t figure out what I did wrong or why you didn’t want me. Why the hell I wasn’t good enough for you, but they were.”
Aiden opens his mouth to speak and I lift my hand to silence him. The bartender comes back and eyes us both as she sets down my card and Ellie’s, along with the receipts for us to sign.
I grab the pen, sign my name on the paper and tuck my card in my wallet. “I don’t think I ever really loved you.”
Aiden’s eyes go wide. “What?”
“I was in love with the idea of you. With the version of you I created inside my mind.” I shake my head at him, not giving him any room to get any other words in. I know Aiden. He’s going to want to defend himself. “The person you are and the person I convinced myself that you were are not the same one.”
“I don’t buy it,” he argues, taking another sip of his beer. He’s irritated now. “You loved me. I know you did.”
“I loved the picture I painted of you inside my head.”
Ellie reappears at my side. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yep.” I hand her the pen to sign her receipt as I get up from my seat. I look back at Aiden. “Bye, Aiden.”
“Jade, wait,” he says, turning on his barstool. “Come on. You don’t have to be like that.”
“There’s no reason for me to stay and talk with you. There’s no reason for us to talk again.” I stare at him, my face void of any emotion. “There is nothing between us. We’re not friends. We never will be. I’d like to keep you in my past, where you belong.”
Aiden’s pissed now. He stares at me, his face contorting in anger. Instead of waiting for him to say anything, I spin on my heel, striding toward the exit with Ellie in tow.
I will not waste my time entertaining or engaging with that asshole anymore.
“Are you okay?” Ellie asks me as we step onto the sidewalk in front of the bar. “He’s such an asshole.”
I am okay. I’ve been okay for years. Seeing him doesn’t bother me like I once thought it would. If anything, he ruined my dinner. There’s no sadness, no anger. I’m just mildly annoyed now. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“I’m proud of you, Jade. You handled that like a bad bitch.” A smirk tugs on her lips. “You were totally Candy Stone in there.”
“Come on,” I laugh, linking my arm through hers. “Let’s go before he ends up coming outside looking for us.”
She laughs, falling in step with me. “He’d be making a grave mistake. I didn’t wear the proper shoes to kick his ass,” she says, lifting her leg to show her heel. “Fuck, I hate men sometimes. If Matty ever acts like that turd did, I’ll step on his throat with these.”
A string of laughter falls from me. “It’s not like that with him and me. We’re just friends.”
Ellie chuckles, shaking her head. “You know that, like, never works out, right?”
“This is different,” I argue, adjusting my purse on my shoulder. “It will. He doesn’t do relationships and I don’t do athletes.”
Ellie snorts. “You could. He’s definitely fuckable.”
My chest tightens, my stomach knotting with jealousy. “Friends with benefits is the furthest I’d go.”
I know better than to get romantically involved with someone like Matteo Ford… physically, however, is a different story.
Ellie’s laughter dies and she squeezes my arm. “Just be careful,” Ellie says softly.
I give her a small smile. “I will.”
I know she’s just being a good friend and I appreciate her concern. There’s nothing for either of us to worry about. I’m too guarded to make a mistake like I did in the past.
I know better than to give my heart to someone like him.
