“You didn’t need to do that.” I blushed, looking away to focus on the cutlery in front of me. “Where were you, anyway?”
“California.”
“California?” my eyes widened in surprise at this, looking at him again. “You came all the way back from California to see if I was okay?”
Aiden shrugged a playful smile brightening his eyes. “Well you are my girl, Ellie. Of course I’m going to check on you.”
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I frowned at this and looked back down at the counter top. I couldn’t help but feel confused by that statement. Part of me wanted to melt into a puddle of emotions and swoon in that way that movies show girls doing but another part of me couldn’t help but remember that he was dating Tammy.
“You shouldn’t say stuff like that.” I mumbled, certain I was going to have first degree burns from the number of times my cheeks heated up embarrassment. “You’re dating Tammy.”
“Am I?” Aiden raised an eyebrow at me.
“Yes!” I huffed, not understanding why he wasn’t taking this seriously.
“Interesting.” Aiden looked amused at this further infuriating me. “Well if you say so.”
Really? Was that honestly his response!?
“When does your shift finish?” Aiden asked me, changing the subject before I had a chance to say anything further.
“In just under twenty minutes.” I muttered, frowning at Aiden further.
“Okay, well I need to make a couple of phone calls but how about I give you a lift home?”
“Uh…sure.” I nodded a little. It was a terrible idea but my mouth wouldn’t form the words to decline. “Can I get you something while you
wait?”
in
“Just a coffee, please.” Aiden replied.
That last twenty minutes seemed to crawl by and I found myself in desperate need of a distraction and finding nothing that would help. Why did I feel like I was heading towards my doom? Was it because I didn’t trust myself around Aiden when we were alone? Or was it because despite trying to do the right thing, I was craving another taste of Aiden and I wasn’t sure if I had the ability to resist him if he made any advances? He was bad news but my life seemed to be all about bad news at the moment. I thought this was something I could control.
“9pm.” The timbre of Aiden’s voice broke through my thoughts, casting my attention in his direction before glancing at the clock above the door that led to the kitchen. “Home–time, no?”
I nodded dumbly, feeling my heart flutter in my chest like moths trapped in a jar. This was going to be torture and Aiden seemed to be ejoying how worked up I was getting over something as simple as being in a car alone with him. I was starting to think he was doing this on purse. Did he think it was funny that his best friend’s little sister had a crush on him and this was him taking advantage of that?
I went to grab my things and say goodbye to those still working before heading out. By now Aiden was standing and waiting at the door. His blue eyes watched me with a glint I wouldn’t work out as I drew closer and closer to him like a moth to a flame. He towered over me, the scent of his cologne, leather jacket and cigarettes engulfed me, filling my senses and making me shiver a little. His ocean blue eyes met mine and a smile tugged the corner of his mouth as if he could read my mind.
The drive didn’t take long and I avoided speaking and took to staring out of the window, trying to suppress the shudder that threatened to run down my spine when the old mechanic workshop that Noah had dragged me behind came into view. My stomach still hurt but the pain had dulled thanks to me probably being incapcitated with a migraine for a few days. It was just another reminder of the circus my life now was hadn’t told anyone what had happened. I knew if I told Kyle he’d flip and do something he would surely regret. It wasn’t worth it. Noah wasn’t
Chapter 44
worth it.
“I need to head back to California for a few more days.” Aiden finally broke the silence as the house came into view and he slowed the truck to a stop outside. “We should talk when I get back. Clear up a few things.”
“Like what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“We’ll talk when I get back.” Aiden repeated, leaving no room for negotiation. “I’ll also get Kyle to come and hang with you for a few days
“You don’t need to do that…”
“Humour me.” Aiden interjected. “You were ill and I don’t want you all on your own in case you fall ill again.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, not utterly convinced by what he was saying.
Aiden rolled his eyes, holding his hands up in surrender. “Alright, Liam asked me to do it since you know, your mom is about and he doesn’t want her getting your claws into you.”
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes.
“We will talk when I get back to town.” Aiden reaffirmed.
I simply nodded and grabbed my bag from the foot well and mumbled a goodbye as I got out
A/N: just a reminder I am on holiday for the next two weeks. I will be writing while away but can’t promise how regularly I can post. Once I’m back, I’ll be posting more regularly. Things are about to start getting crazy again so hold onto your butts! feel free to follow me on Insta @ZaydaWattsWrites
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Alice Fuller
Small thing – if you’re writing this to be set in America then washcloth should be used instead of flannel.
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