Page 87 of Collide
“Good, but I’d do this forever if I had to,” he says. “You’re my best friend, Summer, and I don’t take hurting my friends lightly.”
I glance at him. “I thought Aiden was your best friend.”
“Yeah and all the guys, but you’re my best and only girl friend.”
“Wow, what an achievement,” I mutter.
“I’d call you my sister, but I don’t want to draw that hard line just yet in case Crawford fucks up.”
The joke might have been funny if I was in a better mood. “Hey, you never told me what it was like.”
“What?”
“Being dropped on your head as a child.”
He scowls.
As stupid as Kian is about ninety percent of the time, hearing him call me his best friend feels like a warm hug. It’s rare that I get this close to anyone, but with him, it feels natural. I won’t tell him now, but he’s one of my best friends, too.
29 | AIDEN
HOW SOON IS too soon to text someone after a hookup?
I’d say I’m well versed in post-hookup etiquette, but when it comes to Summer Preston all my experience out the window.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting a text from her the morning after she left—snuck out in the dead of night—to tell me she had fun or to schedule another romp in the sheets. That’s usually how morning afters work for me. But of course, this girl is going to be different.
Last night in itself was different. It was the best sex of my life, and I don’t really know how to move on after knowing that. With itching impatience, I pull out my phone and text her.
Summer
Aiden: Get home safe?
It’s a cowardly move, but I’m not confident I’d get a reply if I texted her anything else. I’m not sure if caring about her safety will get me one either, but it’s worth a try. I’m banking on her feeling bad about disappearing. The last thing I expected in the morning was seeing the right side of my bed empty, especially since it still smelled like her. SinceIstill smelled like her.
Summer: If I didn’t there would be cops at your place right now.
Aiden: You think I’d be a suspect? I guess yesterday's noise complaints wouldn’t help my case.
Summer: I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Aiden: Maybe I can remind you. When are you free?
The grin on my face is embarrassing, but the memories replaying in my head definitely aren’t. Checking my phone three times a minute doesn’t seem to garner a reply, so I put it away. The desperation to touch her or hear her voice is debilitating. Not ideal because I have a meeting with Kilner today.
Our first-line defense has been slacking, so Kilner wants to pull someone up. As captain, I’ve been given the responsibility of compiling names, despite the guys being pissed about the sudden change.
Downstairs, I see Kian slip on his shoes. “Where are you going?” I ask.
“You’re kidding. Even my professors know about tonight.”
Seeing his outfit, I recall, “Your date with Cassie.”
It took Kian three days to choose an outfit. Summer helped because apparently, she forgave him. Which is annoying as hell because she’s never forgiven me that easily.
Kian fixes his tie and nervously heads to his car. I do the same, except my night is going to be spent with an angry Coach Kilner, who won’t be happy that I can’t help but zone out every few minutes.
PEACH-SCENTED SILK slips through my fingers. “You have amazing hair.”
