Page 44 of Collide
See? Platonic. “You would help me get with someone?”
“Of course. I’ve seen how hard you work. Clearly, you aren’t making use of the handcuffs in your drawer. You need a night of no-strings-attached fun.”
“They’re not—” I pause, not bothering to correct him about the handcuffs. “The last time I did that I ended up dating the guy.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “I thought Rai was your last boyfriend.”
“I dated one guy after him for like two weeks, so I don’t count it,” I explain. It was back when I thought I was free of Donny’s irritable presence. I realized soon enough that breaking up with him didn’t mean I got rid of him. He still cast me those judgmental glances whenever he’d see me out, and not in my dorm studying.
“And how long ago was that?”
“Junior year.”
He makes a tsking sound and shakes his head in pity. “Yeah, we need to amend that immediately.”
My skepticism grows. “Why is this so important to you?”
“Because as your friend I want you to have fun.”
“We’re not friends, we’re friendly,” I retort.
Aiden frowns, but he doesn’t let me diminish his determination. “I’mfriendly, you’re just you.”
“You’re making me out to be some grump.”
A serious look that I barely ever see, settles on his face. “I’m kidding. You’re a bundle of sunshine, Summer.”
“No need for sarcasm.”
“It’s not. You really are.” Although I’m sure he’s still fucking with me, the way he says it is so sincere I almost believe it. “I want you to let loose so we can see more of that Summer. Not the uptight scheduled one.”
“My strict schedule paid off. I finished my degree a year early.” All those nights I spent in my dorm instead of out making friends did mean something. They had to.
“So did I, but I let myself enjoy college,” he counters.
“And what’s your definition of ‘enjoying college’?” Though the answer to that is pretty clear. My first time in this room is proof of that.
“Girls.” When he sees my unamused expression, he chuckles. “I’m kidding, but I won’t lie, it is a plus. But mostly it’s making memories with friends, and not having to ask what the definition of enjoying college is. You just know.”
“Then teach me.”
The smile that spreads on his face almost has me backing out. “Alas, the student becomes the teacher.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m only giving you a trial run,Professor.”
“I’ll take it. But only if you keep calling me Professor in that sexy voice.”
“Oh my god. Shut up, Aiden.” I chuck my pencil at him, only for him to catch it.
14 | AIDEN
IDON’T HAVE regrets. Never have, never will. I decided early on that life is too short to let it pass you by. I won’t be eighty and unfulfilled, wondering what could have been. That’s a miserable life to live.
“You’re going to regret this.”
I move around Kian to snatch my keys off the kitchen counter. “Thanks for your concern, but I won’t.”
The house is empty because the guys are volunteering. I already had a dozen extracurriculars, so Kilner let me bail. Kian, on the other hand, has to take the team’s laundry to the utility center. He’s on duty to pick it up in an hour, so I was stuck with his squealing when he found out who I was going out with tonight. The location is undisclosed because he has too much interest in my personal life.
