Page 91 of High Stakes

“Do you know the worst part?” he asks. “Not the fact you lapped up all the attention while I ran around after you. Not the way you had me grovelling for your forgiveness. Not even the way I let you call all the shots just so you’ll give me a chance. It’s that I didn’t even see this coming. It’s the fact you knew what Laurie did, and how that hurt me, and you were doing the exact same thing. Lying to get what you wanted.”

“It wasn’t the same,” I cry.

“She lied to keep me, you lied to keep me away. And once the problem was gone, you reeled me back in.”

“That’s not how it was.”

“Then tell me,” he yells, “Tell me how it was, Bella. Because it feels like you got everything you wanted. The shop. The baby. And now that hasn’t worked out, you’ve come for a second try?”

I shake my head, confused by his words. “What are you talking about.”

He slams a packet on the table. “Take it,” he hisses.

“What is it?”

“The morning after pill.”

My frown deepens. “I’m on the contraceptive pill.”

“You said that before and you got pregnant.”

“I’d fucked up a few times, missing them or getting sick. I didn’t get pregnant on purpose, Aiden.”

“Maybe not last time.”

“You think that’s what I want now?”

“I couldn’t work out how you went from hating me, to climbing back into bed with me,” he sneers. I slap him hard, immediately crying out as the pain burns my hand. I hold it to my chest, my tears falling faster. His jaw tightens and his eyes blade with anger. “Take the fucking pill and prove me wrong.”

“Where did you get it?” I sniffle, picking the packet up.

“I have a doctor friend, he’s good in emergencies like this.”

I arch a brow, “You use him often do you?”

“All the damn time. I just never thought I’d need him with you.” I pop the pill from the packet and swallow it, taking my bottle of water and washing it down. Aiden grabs my chin, “Open,” he orders. I do, sticking my tongue out. He shoves me away in disgust. He reminds me of how he was before, and I’m struggling to see who the real Aiden is anymore. “We are over, Bella,” he says firmly and my heart stutters. “Don’t contact me, don’t turn up where Iam, and don’t come in any of my bars or clubs. If you do, I’ll have you removed immediately.”

I stare open mouthed. “You’re not even gonna talk about it?”

“There’s nothing to say. You lied over and over, even when we agreed to no more lies. I can’t even stand to look at you, Bella. We’re done.” And he turns around, and leaves.

I send Aria a text explaining I’m sick and heading home. She’s busy and doesn’t rush round to see me. Which is a good thing, because I’m a mess.

I get home, drop my things by the door and go straight to my room where I crawl into bed, and close my eyes.

This morning, I felt happy. For the first time in months, things were looking up. And even after Aiden stormed out, I didn’t think it would end like this. I thought he needed time to cool off. The venom in his words and the hatred in his eyes, haunt me. My throat tightens and I make a grab for the waste bin, emptying the contents of my stomach.How many times am I going to let Aiden Tremos affect me like this?

A few hours pass before I hear Cal call my name. “In here,” I mutter.

He pushes the bedroom door open and winces, “It stinks in here,” he states. I point to the wastebin, not bothering to give an explanation. He screws his nose up. “You have a visitor.”

My heart leaps and I jump out of bed, rushing into the living room, my heart sinking when I see JP holding a box. He gives me a sad smile, letting me know that he knows. He places the box on the couch. “He asked me to drop this round.”

I lift the lid and see my things from his apartment. Cal lingers in the doorway, “What’s going on?”

“He said to keep anything he’s left here, or throw it, whatever,” JP adds.

I nod stiffly. I only have a t-shirt and now I’m wondering if he did that on purpose, never leaving anything so he wouldn’t have to face me when it all came to an end.

---