in front of Aunt and Uncle.
The bastard is ruining me and I have no way to stop it.
Since Aunt and Uncle work over the weekend, I decide to sleepover at Kim’s on Sunday. We have a math test in a few days, so we spend some time studying.
Kim’s house is on the upper-class side. Their neighbourhood screams of wealth and it’s filled with aristocrats and new money. I stand in Kim’s bedroom and stare out the balcony. Xander’s house is across from hers. I can’t begin to imagine what it feels like to be neighbours with your bully.
Aiden’s house is down the street. It’s huge and imposing and… lifeless. No one comes in or out.
Aiden must still be at his camp.
Not that I care.
Yellow by Coldplay blasts from my phone and Kim hums along with it as she fishes into her closet.
We just put Kirian to bed after we goofed around with mac and cheese. Kim’s mother is in her studio and is not to be disturbed when she’s chasing after her next masterpiece.
Kir seemed pretty happy with just Kim and me for his Sunday dates.
“What are you doing?” I finally focus on her and all the outfits she’s tossing on the bed.
“Ronan is throwing a party this weekend. He just texted me.”
Since when does Ronan text her?
“You’re really going to Ronan’s party?”
“It’s senior year, Ellie. We won’t live it twice.” She grins, posing with a faux plume scarf around her neck. “Come on, pick something.”
“Pass. I’m not interested in those parties.”
“Stop being Frozen and let’s go.”
“No.”
“One of these days, I’m going to convince you.”
“Never, Satan.”
I’m about to change into my PJ’s when my phone vibrates.
My pulse nearly erupts when I see Aiden’s name.
Aiden: Let’s meet.
I can almost imagine his bossy tone if I heard him say those words. I guess this confirms that he’s back from the camp.
Aiden: I miss you.
Something squeezes so hard in my chest, it’s painful.
How can he say words like that so easily? How can he rattle me just as easily?
Aiden: I know you miss me, too. You don’t have to say it.
Arrogant bastard.
And no, I don’t freaking miss him.
Who misses their tormentor?
Their bully?
Their nightmare?
Aiden: So? Are you coming to meet me or should I improvise?
No idea what that means, but it can’t be good for me.
Elsa: Don’t you dare.
He doesn’t reply.
Goddamn the psycho and damn me for showing that I care.
My gaze strays to Kim. If he’s out of camp, then he must be going to Ronan’s party, right?
“Kim.” I throw my phone on the bed and walk to her. “Don’t go and I’ll watch a Korean soap opera with you.”
She laughs, pulling out two dresses. “We can do that when I return.”
Damn it.
“Xander is back from camp,” I blurt. “You don’t want to run into him at the party, right?”
“Xander can go fuck himself.” Her lips twist in defiance. “I won’t let him ruin my life anymore.”
Well, shit.
It looks like I have to party tonight.
Chapter Nineteen
As Kim and I walk out from her car to Ronan Astor’s huge house, I try telling myself that I’m only here because of Kim.
There’s no way in shit I’m leaving her alone at a party where Xander Knight is present.
Deep down?
I’m at the edge of myself with that damned awareness slicing and clawing at the bottom of my stomach.
This is the first time I’m seeing Aiden after he pushed me against the hood of his car in the rain.
After he wrenched an explosive orgasm out of me where anyone could’ve seen us.
Could’ve seen me.
What would’ve happened if Aunt looked out? If Uncle returned home? If one of the neighbours passed by?
Getting all tangled with Aiden is provoking parts I never wanted provoked.
Because at that moment? All I thought about was chasing the sensation he was pulling out of me.
God. I hate him.
Kim’s eyes sparkle with excitement as we walk through the front door of Ronan’s mansion. Loud music thumps from the walls even before we get in. A butler who looks straight out of Downton Abbey, all complete with the uniform and the tight smile welcomes us in.
Ronan is a lord’s son, but the butlers and servers at a teenager’s party are too much.
I smile, imagining him forcing his parents’ staff to serve at his endless parties.
Almost everyone from RES is here. It’s weird to see them out of their uniforms, laughing, drinking, and grinding against each other to a hit pop song.
This is a normal Sunday night to them. Kim and I are about the only