Page 112 of Collide
He chuckles. “If you want me to be the toxic guy who tells you I’ll fuck up anyone that comes near you, I will. But that’s not the kind of guy you deserve, Summer. I won’t dictate how you live your life.”
My entire life I’ve been on edge about every decision I’ve made. Every turn feels wrong, but the conviction with which Aiden believes that I am capable, no matter the circumstance, leaves me with a blooming sensation in my chest.
I meet his eyes. “So, you don’t care?”I ask, despite being unsureif I want him to care. My life would be a whole lot easier if he doesn't, or if I can convince myself that I don’t. But the truth simmers below the surface like a pot ready to overflow.
His jaw tightens, and that once calm expression slips from his face like melted ice.
“Oh, I care.” He steps forward, and his palms rest on either side of me to cage me in. “The thought of some other guy getting to see your smile.” His thumb leaves a warm imprint on my lip. “Making you laugh or touching you. Drives me. Fucking. Insane.” Aiden steps back like he didn’t just steal every ounce of my personal space. “But I’ll deal. Because I know you’re only going on dates to distract yourself. You can pretend all you want, Summer, but we both know it’ll be me in the end.”
Something obscure flickers past his features but I can’t discern it through the hum of my body. I bite my lip, drawing his attention to my mouth. “And if he kisses me?”
The pad of his thumb tugs my bottom lip free. “Then when you finally come to me, I’ll make sure there isn’t a memory in your head of any other guy’s kiss or touch.”
The words settle in my stomach like rocks, and my once heated body cools. Aiden assesses my reaction with a look of curiosity.
“You don’t get it, do you?” I give him a blank look, and he smiles. “Well then, let me make it really clear, Summer. You could strip me of every championship and every award I’ve ever earned, but if I had you none of it would matter.”
His words cling to me like leeches as he unlocks the door and walks out.
37 | SUMMER
AMANDATORY LUNCH date with my mom is something I try not to schedule until I have every ounce of mental energy available to deal with her questions. However, crappy luck seems to be the theme for this afternoon because when I enter the formal restaurant, my parents are seated at the table.
I halt a few feet from the table, making the server behind me stumble with the tray in his hands. I debate whether my appetite is more important than protecting my sanity. I don’t get to decide because my mom stands and pulls me in for a tight hug.
“It’s so good to see your face. Come, I ordered your favorites.”
I’m so stunned, it takes me a minute to hug her back. I can’t help but melt into her warm embrace. Avoiding my dad has been my main objective, but that means I barely see my mom.
“I missed you too, Mom.” I pull back. “You should have told me he was coming.”
“And listen to your excuses?” She raises a brow. “Your father did call, but you never answered.”
I walk over to the table where my dad pulls out my chair. “Thanks,” I mutter.
“No problem, Sunshine.”
The nickname guts me, and It hurts when I try to breathe again. “Where are Serena and Shreya? Didn’t they come with you?”
My sisters, although much younger, are the only buffer I have between my parents and myself. Without them, I tend to suffocate.
“They couldn’t make it. Your grandparents are staying with them in Toronto.”
I nod, knowing they must be exhausted from all the training. My sisters are training to qualify for the Olympics in figure skating, so they don’t have much leisure time.
When the food arrives, the sound of utensils scraping against plates is our only conversation. My responses to my mom’s questions are limited to yes and no. My dad doesn’t ask me much, and I’m grateful for it.
When my phone vibrates with a text, I grab it like a life raft.
Amara
Amara: How’s it going?
Summer: I’m being held hostage.
Amara: It can’t be that bad. Divya Preston is anything but boring.
Summer: My dad’s here. He’s spoken two words to me.
