Page 139 of Collide
He chuckles and takes my bag. I grab the handle, and we play a childish game of tug of war in the hallway until he lets go, and I stumble back.
“You’re serious,” he says. Aiden looks exhausted. He was probably looking forward to just falling asleep with me. “This is ridiculous. Don’t be stubborn.”
“It’s one weekend. Your balls won’t shrivel up.”
Aiden frowns, running a hand over his face. “Summer, my grandma doesn’t care.” I still don’t budge, so he continues. “She’s the same woman who filled my bag with condoms when I left for Dalton. And the one who told me if I got you pregnant, she’d kick my ass, but if we got started early we could fill an ice rink. Trust me, she’s messing with us.”
I shift on my feet. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea. This is your childhood home. I’m not tainting it’s sanctity.”
“It’s not a church, babe.” He takes a step closer. “Come on, I’ll even read your porn to you.”
I clutch my bag tighter, a hot flush rising to my cheeks. “I don’t need you to narrate my porn. I have apps for that.”
When his brows raise, I realize I’ve said too much. But Aiden didn’t fight me further because I put my things in the guest room.
Dinner with the Crawfords revolves around stories about Aiden’s childhood and his parents, Lorelei and Aaron. My cheeks start to hurt from smiling so much, and when I ask his grandparents to reveal his embarrassing stories, Aiden squeezes my thigh in retaliation.
If I could look inside my chest, I’m sure it would glow tonight.
After dinner, I race up the steps before him and lock my door. But I regret it as soon as I’m thrashing around, unable to sleep.
When my phone buzzes with a text, I know who it is.
Aiden
Aiden: I miss you.
Summer: You just want me to feel bad, so I’ll sleep with you.
Aiden: Not true. I want you to feel bad so you’ll come spoon me.
Summer: I’m screenshotting this and sending it to the guys.
Aiden: Go ahead. Tell them how much I love to beg on my knees for you, too.
Aiden: I’ll rub your back until you fall asleep.
Summer: Nice try.
Aiden: I can bring up some tea.
Summer: Not gonna work. Good night, little spoon.
WAKING UP EARLY the next morning is easy because I didn’t sleep. Downstairs, Edith’s in the kitchen, and when I try to help, she bats me away.
“Is Aiden still asleep?” I ask as she fixes me a plate.
“You didn’t sleep in his room?” When she sees the look on my face, she bursts into laughter. She places a hand on my shoulder to catch her breath. “I’m sorry, honey. I was just trying to mess with Aiden. I’m not that old-fashioned.”
“Oh,” I chirp, feeling stupid.
She’s still chuckling when she heads to the stove. “Aiden’s out with Eric to check on the diner. They’re probably on the frozen pond now, though.”
I drink my orange juice. “Does Eric play too? Aiden’s never mentioned it.”
“Not at all. But Aiden’s parents used to take him, so Eric’s learned enough to hold his own.”
Tenderness colors my heart. “You know, Aiden would love for you guys to come to a game.”
