us, AJ was a gentleman, not pushing any boundaries.
As much fun as I was having, I was starting to get tired, and without having to look at the time, I knew it was late.
I stopped dancing and turned to look at AJ with a tired smile.
“I need something to drink,” I told him.
“Me too.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bar where he ordered a glass of iced water for me and some alcoholic drink for him.
“Are you ready to go home?” he asked, watching me as I drank the water. “You look tired.”
“I am. I was up early this morning. Why are you here, by the way?”
“My dad met with his business partners and wanted me to come along. Since I won’t have a future playing any sports, he’s starting to introduce me to his world of owning a million-dollar business.”
I puckered my lips, feeling compassion and hating that there was no way he could decide his own future.
“And how did it go?”
He shrugged, a smug grin appearing on his face. “I’d be lying if I said I knew exactly what they talked about. That shit is boring, but I guess I’ll have to please my father somehow, and this is one way.”
“Hey, at least you can hang out here with other rich people. Isn’t that the dream of most students at Central?” I asked jokingly.
“Can’t compare me to those guys. Besides, you’re here too.”
“Because of Evie,” I simply replied.
His eyes were glued to mine, and after a few seconds, he finally spoke again.
“You look happier,” he said, his voice low.
“Happier? What makes you think I wasn’t this happy before?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know what changed, but I can see it in your eyes. They haven’t glowed like this when we hung out.”
As sweet as his words were, I didn’t want to tell him about Wells and what I was starting to develop for him.
Hell, I didn’t even know exactly what it was
“I think that’s just my tiredness, AJ.”
I emptied my glass and sat it down on the bar, then smiled up at him. “Ready to go home?”
He nodded hesitantly, then finished his drink and placed the glass next to my empty one.
“Let’s go.”
We had lost Evie, but I was sure she was safe with some random guy she happened to meet on the dancefloor.
When we got to my car, Aiden opened my door like the true gentleman he was, but I knew he wasn’t trying to impress me.
That’s just who he was.
“Thank you,” I told him with a smile and got inside the car.
Once my door was closed, he walked around the front while I turned on the engine and waited for him to get in.
The drive to campus was quiet, and in all honesty, I was happy about that.
Thoughts about Wells were running through my mind, and when I checked the time, I knew he wouldn’t be up anymore.
It was almost two a.m., and I needed to get sleep myself.
I parked in front of the frat house and looked over at AJ as he loosened his tie. “Thanks for the drive home.”
“Of course. I had fun tonight,” I told him.
“You did? You seemed a little…distant. At least with your mind. Is there something you wanna talk about, Rooney?”
“No. I’m fine, AJ. I just…have a lot to think about. Have a good night. I’ll see you around.”
He studied me for a while, then leaned in to kiss my temple before getting out of the car. “Goodnight,” he said with a gentle smile, then he closed the door and left.
A sigh of relief escaped me.
As happy as Wells made me, even after only a few days we spent together, I didn’t wanna be too open about it.
I was scared that if I talked too much too soon, I would be disappointed if things with him wouldn’t work out.
“But for things to work out you have to talk about your feelings,” I whispered to myself.
Not now.
I still had time, right?
I drove home and parked my car next to Evie’s empty parking spot, and after getting out and locking the car, I walked inside the building to head upstairs.
I missed my bed.
I missed Wells.
God, I missed him so much!
And that’s why I stopped in front of his door, standing there like a total fool and wishing he’d suddenly open up the door to let me in.
I wondered what would’ve happened if I stayed instead of leaving for the club.
He was kissing my neck and squeezing my hand tightly, showing