My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,42

pulls me into her arms, and I do everything possible not to cry. I keep swallowing my sobs down—I will not cry.

I shuffle out of her arms, needing to escape. A knock at the door gives me my chance. I step back as Parker heads to the door. I don’t want to look at Addison’s concerned face right now. It only makes it sting even more. I can’t even bring myself to look over at Aiden, because that hurts way more than it should.

“What’s up, people?” Willow’s high-pitched voice bellows through the doorway. It seems like forever since I’ve seen them.

“Hey, bitches, nice of you to invite us to your little getaway,” Addison replies dryly.

Willow waves. “Oh, you’ll get over it. Plus, I didn’t think you’d want to leave your man.”

My brow furrows. “What about me? I don’t have a man.”

I place my soda on the bench and go give them a hug. I’m so thankful for their arrival and distraction from the previous conversation.

Willow and Jane give each other a knowing glance. Then, Jane responds, “That’s not the rumor on the campus.” She shrugs, and my head spins.

“Ah… what rumors?” I push.

Willow’s head turns to Aiden, who is still sitting silently on the floor. “News is that you guys have been busy locking lips.”

“So, does that automatically mean I’m in a relationship?” The words are harsh when I don’t mean for them to be.

Willow’s mouth hangs open, then she shuts it but gives me a small smile. “Don’t worry. Ignore what I just said.”

Yeah, right. Annoyance ripples through my veins. Stupid rumors. I can’t even hang out and kiss a guy without people assuming I’m in a relationship. Of course, I’d love to be in one with Aiden, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s only asking for trouble, and like he said before, he’s going to move on eventually and go to some other place and probably lock lips with other girls, add another notch to his belt.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Sorry, guys, I’m feeling pretty wrecked. I’m going to call it a night. Got stuff to do before tomorrow.” I walk past Addison, who narrows her eyes at me. My lips form a thin line. I collect my bag from the doorway and toss it over my shoulder. “I’ll catch you all tomorrow.”

I walk back in and grab my soda from the bench.

When I turn, Aiden is waiting at the door, and my step falters. “I’ll walk you back to your dorm.”

“No, it’s all right. Thank you, though.” I step around him and through the door. I hear the others shout their goodbyes, but I don’t wait and see what Aiden does. I need to escape.

“Please don’t hate me.” Aiden’s voice comes from behind me.

My head whips around. “Why would I hate you? I always knew that this wasn’t anything special.” Emotion catches my throat, and I blink a few times to clear it away.

“Elsie, wait! Please.”

I don’t stop. I hear a rush of footsteps, and then Aiden is standing in front of me. His pinched eyebrows and the look of pain in his eyes shows me that this hurts him too.

“Aiden, I think it’s time to just call this what it is… nothing. Friends with benefits—or whatever term you use. But I need to put an end to this thing between us, because it hurts too much.” The lump is back, bigger than ever, and my chest tightens with each word spoken and breath taken.

“Don’t do that,” he growls. His face goes slightly red under the streetlamp.

“Do what?” I reply with as much frustration as he has.

“Shut me out. Is this what you do with everyone?” His words slam into my chest.

“No. I’m just the girl who’s only good for a one-time show.” I raise my eyebrows and purse my lips then step around him and pick up my pace. I’m sure the others can probably hear us having this argument on the footpath. “Now, can we stop making a spectacle of ourselves outside your place because, to be quite honest, I don’t need more rumors starting about me,” I call over my shoulder.

Aiden races up to walk with me as he lets out a groan. He reaches for my hand, and I let him, even though I shouldn’t. I want his touch more than anything right now. To know that he would catch me if I fell and put the pieces of my heart back together if he broke it means so