Page 46 of Crazy in Love

“No, I want nothing, thank you. The paintings are enough,” I tell him as I look back over my shoulder as Anika are Jason talking. “We are going out tonight. These two are making me go,” I say with a laugh.

“Where are you going?” Aiden asks.

“I have no idea, probably just the bar.”

I have no idea what they have planned, but I don’t think they will take me anywhere crazy, the bar is normally where we go.

“Well, I hope you behave.” Aiden and I both start laughing.

“I’m always good,” I tell him, and that makes him laugh even more.

“Of course you are. How are the classes going?” Aiden asks. I’ve been looking at a few more studios too. Some he found for me, and others Anika’s dad found for me, and I’ve got two that I’m torn between.

“Good. I’m hoping Mr. Jones stays a regular for me. He said he would let me know after next week if he wants to continue. Then I’ve also got a full class every day next week.” I’m excited about it.

“Saylor, that’s amazing. And Mr. Jones would be crazy not to continue working with you.” Aiden runs his hand through his hair, and I wish I could do that for him.

“I’m hoping you get some sleep.”

“I’m going back to sleep for a few hours. Who knows, I might find something I like for you. See you on Monday, beautiful.”

“See you Monday.”

I lick my lips, smiling at the thought of seeing Aiden again. It’s only been four days, and I’ve missed him. Heading back into the house with a smile, I want to see the paintings again, still not getting my head around the fact that he got them for me.

* * *

I’ve been so excited to see Aiden. The weekend seemed to drag on, and all I wanted was for him to be next to me.

I’ve fallen hard for him, and I don’t think he knows just how hard. Everything seems so good between us. I don’t want to tell him I want this to move to the next stage, scared it would change things between us.

“What time is Aiden coming over?” Anika asks. He wasn’t at work today, as his flight was landing late afternoon, but she told me David was making sure everything was being done to his standards.

She even laughed, saying if he wasn’t a jerk, he might be worth sleeping with, but she would never even think about it. This job is her dream job, so she won’t risk it for anything.

“He said he would be over about six,” I tell her, taking out my phone to see what time it is. I look over at the door, and Jason walks over to open it.

“Aiden.” Jason looks over at me, and I stand to make my way over to, but stop the moment he looks at me. Something is wrong with him. He’s not happy about something, and whatever happened at work, I really don’t want to be that person, because I bet they got nothing but rage from him.

“I wouldn’t come closer to me, after what I’ve seen today. I’m not in the mood.” He puts out his hand to stop me from getting closer. Loosening his tie, running his hands through his hair, he continues “Was all this some kind of game to you?” Aiden asks, and I just stand there, looking at him blankly.

What the hell is he talking about?

“Game?”

“Yes, were you hoping I’d fall in love with you? Because, well, done, because I fell in love with you, and fucking hard,” he shouts, and my hand moves to my stomach… he loves me? “What was the rest of the plan, Saylor? For me to tell you about my work? Well, fuck, I told you, because I thought you felt something for me too.” He slams his hands on the kitchen counter, making me jump a little. “What are you going to do next?” Aiden takes a step closer to me, and I take one back. He’s scaring me now, and I don’t even know what I’ve done.

“I should have stepped back from you when I had the chance. You said the age would be a problem, and I thought no, she seems to understand me so well. She acts so much older than her age. This started out as fun for both of us, then I started to…” Aiden stops, rubbing his face. “I should have known, you’re still an immature child and have growing up to do.” Aiden stops and hands me an envelope.

With a shaking hand, I take the envelope from him and look at the pictures of me with Mr. Jones. I look back up at him and then back down at the images. They are all from today, after our class.

“You sold me out. Was this the game from the beginning, or did they offer you money? Sa... I worked so fucking hard for this, and-”

“Mr. Kane-”

“Anika,” I stop her, as I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks.

Aiden is accusing me of something, something I’ve haven’t done, but it's what he called me that hits the most. A child, he called me a child. An immature child. I’m fucking far from that. He has no idea that for the last three years I’ve had nothing but responsibilities, but he thinks I’ve cheated on him with a student.

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