Page 107 of Collide
“It’s not for me to be okay with. It’s your life, Summer. You make the decisions.”
The details of our amended arrangement flutter in uncertainty, but I straighten with renewed confidence. “Right. You're right. Maybe I will.”
He plasters on a smile, and there’s a split second where I wonder if he’s tricking me.
“Good,” he says.
“Good,” I affirm
.
35 | AIDEN
SUMMER SHOULD HAVE just punched me in the face because every word out of her mouth was salt on open wounds. For some reason when I’m around her everything stops being logical and clear-cut. Instead, it blurs into a turbulent storm.
She wants to see other people.
Why the fuck did I agree to that? I couldn't exactly throw a fit and demand we become exclusive. Her panic when I told her I know what I want, was enough for me to reel in the caveman act. I’m clinging onto hermaybelike a rope from a cliff. But if I’ve learned anything about Summer, it’s that she’ll set her own path. Pushing her into something would only hurt me in the long run.
Yeah. I’m thinking about the long run now.
No ice time means I can bury my feelings under a bench press.
When Kian enters the weight room, he holds up a neon green helmet that has a dozen modifications. “Ta-da!”
“What is that contraption?” Dylan drops his weight to look.
“It’s protective headgear. Got it custom-made after that brain dysfunction seminar.”
“Doesn’t seem like you’ve made much use of it,” jokes Cole.
Kian aims a sharp eye at him. “Watch it, Carter.”
Cole’s shoulders slump, the joke not holding up in a group of seniors. I would have found it funny if I wasn’t sulking.
I zone out when Kian explains his helmet, and I don’t realize I’m simmering until Dylan stands in front of me.
He tilts his head in observation. “You’re a mess.”
“Thanks,” I say dryly.
“All this over some girl?”
I’m hoping my middle finger conveys my thoughts on him boiling Summer down tosome girl.
“Jeez, I thought I’d never see the day you were off your game. You’re Aiden fucking Crawford, man. There isn’t a girl on campus who doesn’t have you as her hall pass.”
His useless pep talk only reminds me of Summer’s sordid words. “Keep running your mouth and see what happens.”
He raises his hands in defense. “And moody too. I’ll run to the store and get you some tampons. What kind do you like?”
“You’ll need them when I make your nose bleed.”
“Heavy flow it is,” he snickers. “I’m kidding, man, I can see why you’re so bent out of shape. If it makes you feel any better, I’d consider monogamy for her too.”
His words are comical because monogamy for Dylan is as repellent as bug spray to a mosquito.
“I mean she’s smokin—”
