Page 37 of Spin The Bottle
I laugh, running a hand through it. “I need a haircut.”
He nods. “You do.” He brings the can to his lips again, licking them when he takes a sip.
“So Rosie invited her friends over?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says, nodding. “She said we’re spending too much time together, and she needs some girl time.” He rolls his eyes.
“She’s right. You two have been glued to each other’s side.”
“I get it,” he says, running a hand through his long, dark hair. “I do. It’s just… When I’m not with her, I miss her.”
“She’s in the other room, bro.” When he glares at me, I let out a laugh. “So is that why you’re in here? You’ve been kicked out of your own living room?” I ask him, filling up the glass with water.
He shrugs, taking another sip of his beer. “It’s her house too now.” He says, a smile sprouting on his face. “I like having her here. So if she needs to spend time with her friends without me there, then so be it.”
I nod, only one thought running through my mind. “And all of her friends are here?” I ask him, taking a sip of my water.
His face drops. “Aiden,” he sighs. “Are you kidding me?”
“What?”
He sets the can on the counter behind him, crossing his arms as he narrows his eyes at me. “This is about Leila, isn’t it?”
I take another sip, my throat all of a sudden feeling dry as hell. I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “I was just wondering if she was here.”
He laughs, shaking his head at me. “That’s not all, is it?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. No, but I don’t let him know. Leila was so demanding on this being just between us, I wouldn’t want to give her any more ammunition. I sip my water instead. He knows, though. He nods a few times and grins at me. “So, everything I told you last time went in one ear and out the other?”
I scoff. “The day I listen to you will be a cold day in hell,” I joke. “I didn’t get involved in your relationship with Rosie, don’t get involved in mine.”
He presses his lips together, trying not to laugh. “From what I can tell, she can’t stand you.”
“Yet.” I grin.
He shakes his head, laughing. “And that’s bullshit,” he says. “You told me to stay away from Rosie, that she couldn’t handle what we were doing, and I should cut it off with her.” His eyes narrow. “Remember?”
I shrug, rubbing the back of my neck. “I didn’t know the girl,” I sigh. “And I sure as hell didn’t know you’d turn into a sappy shit.”
“Fuck you.” He laughs. “If I listened to you, I wouldn’t have her.”
I nod. “And you didn’t listen to me,” I tell him. “So why should I listen to you?”
He shrugs. “Fair enough.” He reaches behind him, grabbing his beer.
“So, is she here?”
He sighs, wipes a hand down his face mumbling under his breath. “Yes,” he exhales. “She’s in there.” He points at the living room door, taking a swig of beer before he starts walking out of the kitchen, turns back and glares at me. “Just make sure you know what you’re doing.”
“I do,” I tell him.
His eyes narrow for a second, assessing me before he sighs and walks away.
I down the rest of the water, heading towards the living room. The sound of laughter hits me before I’ve even opened the door. It makes me wonder what Leila sounds like when she laughs, when she really opens up and lets herself be happy.
My knuckles hit the wood before I push the door open, peeking inside. The noises stop as they look back at me. I offer them a grin. “Hey.”
“Did Grayson send you to spy on us?” Rosie asks.
I hold up my hands, shaking my head. “I came by my own accord. I swear.”
