Page 106 of Collide
He laughs. A sardonic, low chuckle that flips my stomach. “I don’t give a shit about what we’re supposed to do. We’re the ones making the rules here, Summer.”
“I know, and that’s why we’re fu—"
“I dare you to say fuck buddies.” Warning swims in his forest green eyes.
I sigh. “Look, I’ve never done this before, but I’m pretty sure not being exclusive means seeing more than one person.”
He shakes his head in disbelief. “This is what, a regular fling for you?”
I chew the inside of my cheek, unable to answer him.
His long fingers comb through his hair. “For someone who looks down at athletes and sees them as players, you’re being pretty fucking jock-like right now.”
“I’m not playing anyone.”
“Really? Because when you’re in my bed your words are a lot different.”
A cramped sensation blooms into my chest. “I’m not saying I don’t mean them. I would never lie to you.”
His eyes flicker. “I thought you trusted me.”
The words settle like rocks in my stomach, and I have the need to reject them. “You think because I told you about my dad, I need you to prove something to me? That’s not what this is, Aiden.”
Tension crackles when he sighs. “Talk to me, Summer.”
“I am! I don’t know where you’ve been for the past few months, but I’ve been in reality. The reality where we’re having a good time, but it would be beneficial for us to see other people, too.”
Just when I think he might walk out, he pierces me with a heavy look. “You were with Donny yesterday. It’s him, isn’t it? He made you feel this way.”
As much as I try not to, I can’t help thinking that I’ll be left with nothing if I continue this. There is no going back if my heart takes that reckless leap. Especially with someone who won’t even be here in a few months. “He’s not wrong. I can’t let what I’ve worked so hard for be on the line for—for this.”
“Forme,” Aiden says. “What are you telling yourself? That this is just a fling and we’re justfucking? Because you know damn well that’s not all it is.” My words are stuck in my throat. That’s when Aiden grips my chin to look at him. “Tell me you know that.”
His touch breaks a barrier, and I cave like a sandcastle. “I do. But I’m scared that if I don’t get into the program, it’ll be because I let myself be distracted by you, and Donny will be right.”
“Summer, you’re the most focused and determined person I know, and I’m constantly surrounded by guys who are headed to the NHL.” He steps closer. “Just forget him for one second and tell me how you feel about us.”
“I like what we have, Aiden,” I admit.
His expression smooths with relief. “Good. That’s good, I can work with that.”
“But we shouldn’t keep all our eggs in one basket.”
His forehead creases as if I’m speaking a foreign language.
“We should explore our options,” I clarify.
Everything slows when green eyes meet mine. “You want me to fuck other girls?”
My shrug makes the crease between his brows deepen.
Aiden takes several steps away from me. “I haven’t even looked at another girl since I’ve been with you.”
I bristle.
“I’m not sleeping with anyone else,” he says, making it even clearer. My logical thoughts scatter like pigeons. “I don’t care about metaphorical eggs or what we should be doing. I already know what I want.” His eyes flicker with an intense emotion, and a wash of panic floods through me. Aiden searches my face, and his heavy expression changes. “But you’re right. We’re not exclusive. So, if you want to explore your options, you should.” His words are as rough as sandpaper.
My panic drains, but the sudden switch in his demeanor makes me skeptical. “You’re okay with that?”
