Set 55

Posted by AdminHHAdmin, ? Views, Released on August 20, 2025

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I woke to the sound of yelling.

I don’t know how long I had been asleep but I still felt awful when I finally woke up. I did feel a bit better though so I took that as a win. As the fog cleared from my thoughts, the events of earlier slowly came back to me. My cheeks heated as I remembered Aiden’s lips on mine; their softness, the heat of his skin against mine, the scent of his cologne and the soft scent of cigarettes. He had been wearing his leather jacket that day and even though he had taken it off at the door, I could still smell it faintly.

But it was his words that had cleared all fog from my mind. He wanted me. He wanted to be with me. He wanted to…

The yelling was increasing in volume suddenly, pulling me back to reality.

I was still wearing the cycling shorts made out of soft material that I had put on for bed. Long socks had kept my legs warm but my knees clear so the wounds weren’t irritated by anything. Pulling on an oversized sweater, I grabbed a hair tie and headed to the door to find out what the hell was going on. I had only caught glimpses of myself in the mirror. The bruising was coming out like stains on my skin and dark shadows sat under my eyes. It would be some time before these cuts and bruises healed but the seed of fear and vulnerability would take much longer to fade.

“She wouldn’t have been hurt if you hadn’t insisted on her going to that party!” Aiden barked, his voice travelling from the kitchen up to my ears as I slowly made my way from my bedroom to the stairs.

“How was I supposed to know this would happen?” Kyle’s voice came next, as harsh and angry as his cousin’s.

Knowing Kyle was here perked me up but it didn’t take a genius to know they were arguing about me and that I couldn’t handle. It wasn’t anyone’s fault except my own for leaving my drink unattended and letting whoever it was drug me. Despite the stiffness and the pain in my body, I picked up my pace, taking the stairs as carefully as I could but wanting to diffuse the situation before it got any worse.

“She could have died, Kyle! Did you think of that?” Aiden growled and I could imagine his eyes darkening in rage, his hands balling into fists as his anger boiled over.

“But I didn’t die.” I spoke up as I hobbled into the kitchen, breaking the tension as if it was glass. “I’m okay. It wasn’t Kyle’s fault.”

“Jesus, Ellie…” Kyle’s eyes were wide, the shock clear on his pale face as he took in the state of me. “I didn’t realise how banged up you were.”

“It’s worse than it looks.” I lied, aware of the stitches in my temple and the gauze on my palms and knees. “You should see the other guy…”

It was a terrible joke but it seemed to help even though none of us laughed.

Aiden was in front of me in a flash, one arm snaking around my waist to pull him close to him gently, while the other hand cupped my cheek, tilting my head so I was looking up into his ocean eyes. “You should be in bed.” Aiden muttered,

studying me with a soft frown.

“I wanted to get up. I don’t want you two arguing over this.” I replied softly, leaving out the part that I hurt so much I could no longer sleep. “You know this isn’t Kyle’s fault. He just wanted me to have a bit of fun.”

I could tell Aiden was struggling to admit I was right. It wasn’t because of pride or arrogance. The torment in his eyes spoke volumes of how he was just lashing out. He needed someone to be angry with and because none of us knew who it

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Chapter 55

was that had attacked me, he had gone with the next logical person – Kyle,

Eventually he let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes. I felt the tension in him slowly released, thick muscles relaxing as he rested his forehead against mine. Seeing and feeling the effect I had on Aiden left me somewhat breathless, I never imagined I could provide comfort to someone like the man before me and yet here I was, watching as my presence and words soothed the rage in him like a balm to a wound.