My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,16
shirt, pulling him toward me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it wasn’t my place. That’s for them to let everyone know. I’m surprised Parker hasn’t noticed. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out,” he whispers. Why is he whispering?
“I think it’s great. They’re a cute couple.” And now I’m whispering.
The lights haven’t fully turned back on in the cinema, and we are so close. I can see his eyes scanning my face.
Abort, Elsie! Abort!
When his eyes rest on my lips, that’s my cue to fall back in my chair.
“I mean, I still can’t believe it,” I quickly keep talking.
Damn, the chemistry between us is heated. I can’t allow myself to go there.
Do I like him? Yes.
Does he have a girlfriend? Yes.
Am I willing to break that up? No. Never.
Can I be happy with just being friends? I have to be. That’s all it can be.
Aiden stands. “We should go find the others.”
I stand and lead the way out of the row of seats. My senses are heightened; I’m so hyperaware of Aiden walking behind me.
On our way down the stairs, Parker, Addison, Dane, and Paislee catch up to us.
“What did you think?” Addison asks.
“Girl, why would you do that to me? I’ve got to go home tonight and sleep on my own.” I’m petrified about being on my own, even though I dorm with another two girls. Addison, I’m sure, will be staying at Parker’s tonight, and I’ll be left on my own in our dorm room, because the others will be out doing something.
Addison laughs.
They all do, even Aiden.
“Shut up, all of you.” I turn to Dane, who’s near Paislee, and give him a knowing look, glancing between him and Parker’s sister. His eyes widen. I nod. He shuts up right away.
“Why don’t you stay at the house and crash on the sofa bed in the living room?” Parker suggests.
“Oh, yes… do that,” Addison excitedly agrees.
Do I really want to sleep on a couch that has who-knows-what left on it? These guys have so many sleepovers.
“Is it clean, if you know what I mean?” I ask skeptically.
“No. It’s got stains all over it.”
My face drops at Parker’s words.
“I’m only kidding, Elsie. No one sleeps on it. We bought it before Aiden arrived because we weren’t sure about space in the house. So, it’s brand new.”
Oh, thank goodness. “Okay then. Thanks, guys.”
We step out into the night. The boys go in one car, and us girls go with Addison.
On the drive back to the house, I turn around to Paislee. “Where are you staying tonight?”
“She’ll most likely be in Dane’s bed and then pretend to have been sleeping with you in the morning,” Addison voices her thoughts. I wonder if she meant to say that out loud.
Paislee’s face is one of shock sitting in the back seat.
“How?” she chokes.
“You should really be careful. I saw you both locking lips at the end of the movie.”
“Oh, I saw that, too,” I say.
“You’re not going to tell Parker, are you?” There’s fear in Paislee’s voice.
Addison answers, “It’s not my place to say anything. But know that I don’t want to be lying to Parker, either. So, if he asks me, I’ll tell him the truth.”
“What about you, Elsie?” Paislee asks.
I shake my head. “I’m dealing with my own stuff right now. I don’t have time for someone else’s. Your secret’s safe with me. Although, Aiden knows as well.”
“Are you serious?” Paislee cries.
I turn in my seat to catch her head fall into her hands. “I’m sure he won’t say anything. If he was going to, he probably would have already. I don’t think he will, though.” Aiden doesn’t seem like the type to get involved in that kind of stuff.
“Oh, good.” She sighs. “But if you get a chance to talk to him privately tonight, can you tell him to keep quiet about it?”
“Yeah, if I get the chance. I’m pretty tired, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep after that monstrosity of a movie. It has left me thinking a psycho may burst through the door and kill me at any minute.”
We all laugh.
“How are things between you and Aiden?” Addison asks.
I look toward Addison, who gives me a side glance. “There’s nothing to tell. He has a girlfriend.” I give a fake smile. I’m not going to sit here and tell them how he held my hand or how his closeness affects me in ways I’ve not experienced before. Trust me to go falling for a