Chapter 8 I Want You Alone

• OLIVIA
• "Nathan," I called out, blinking fast as I tried to focus on his face.
• Could this day get any worse? Running straight into your crush like some kind of clumsy fool. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. He probably thought I was the most awkward person alive. Normally I could manage walking without bumping into people, but lately my nerves had been all over the place. Every little thing set me off.
• "Sorry, does it hurt?" Nathan asked, his eyes scanning my forehead.
• I reached up and touched the spot where we'd collided. It stung a little, but nothing serious.
• I shook my head. "No, I'm fine."
• "You seem a bit off today," he said. "Everything okay?"
• "I'm fine," I repeated.
• The words came out automatically, but we both knew they weren't exactly true. Physically I was okay. But inside my head was another story. Thoughts kept spinning around and around, and I couldn't grab hold of any single one long enough to make sense of it.
• Nathan shoved his hands into the pockets of his denim jeans. His golden hair fell across his forehead, and he looked like he belonged on some magazine cover. Those blue eyes locked onto mine, and I felt my stomach flip.
• I'd never had a boyfriend before. Never even been on a proper date. But one thing I knew for certain; I had excellent taste in the guys I crushed on. Every single one had been absolutely gorgeous. If this wasn't a win, then I didn't know what was.
• "Olivia? Are you listening to me at all?"
• Nathan's voice cut through my thoughts, and I realized he'd tapped my shoulder. I blinked, startled.
• "Yeah?"
• "You seem really distracted," he said. His eyes studied my face carefully. "What's going on with you?"
• What's going on with me? I repeated the question in my head. That was exactly what I'd been asking myself for days now. I couldn't seem to figure out my own thoughts anymore.
• "I'm fine," I said again, forcing a smile onto my face. "Just stressed, that's all."
• "Where are you headed?" he asked.
• "The snack shop."
• I'd left Ashley alone there. She probably thought I'd gone to the restroom. I really needed to get back before she started wondering where I'd disappeared to.
• "I'll walk with you," Nathan said, his voice friendly.
• I nodded, and we started moving toward the snack shop together. Nathan talked about some book he thought I should read, but his words just washed over me without sticking. I couldn't focus on anything he said. Honestly, I wasn't in the mood for book recommendations right now. All I wanted was to get through my last class and go home. I'd curl up in my bed and forget about everything for a while. After today, nothing would stop me from leaving this school.
• But even as I thought about going home, a small part of me wondered if Aiden would still be at the snack shop.
• I hated that he made my heart race like that. Hated how his eyes could make me feel like I couldn't breathe properly. It was so wrong to feel this way about my sister's best friend. Especially someone I didn't even like. He was just some guy who flirted with every girl he met.
• Nathan's hand closed around my wrist, and I looked up. I let out a relieved breath when I realized we'd reached the snack shop.
• My eyes swept across the room, searching for those familiar brown eyes. But they weren't there. A wave of relief washed through me. Aiden had already left. For now, I was safe from his gaze.
• ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
• I'd spent days trying to avoid someone, going out of my way to make sure we never crossed paths. And then the universe decided to play some kind of sick joke on me.
• I nearly tripped over my own feet when I opened the front door and found Aiden standing there. His face was completely blank. After everything I'd done to avoid him at school, he shows up in my own house. He even had the nerve to open the door for me. I felt like I'd stepped into some kind of nightmare where nothing made sense anymore.
• "What are you doing here?" The words came out sharp, faster than I'd intended.
• "Why would you ask my best friend that question, Olivia?"
• Sarah's voice drifted from the living room. I clenched my jaw and forced myself not to roll my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the living room, muttered a quick "hello" to my sister, and headed straight for my bedroom.
• I stumbled inside and collapsed onto my queen-sized bed. Why was I so angry? Was it because I'd run into Aiden after spending all day trying to avoid him? Or was it because my sister had been sitting in the living room wearing nothing but a towel?
• What exactly was going on between Aiden and Sarah?
• Water ran from across the hall; my sister's shower. I should get something to eat while she was busy.
• I walked downstairs and spotted Aiden in the living room, scrolling through his phone. I steeled myself, determined to pretend he wasn't even there. But my palms were already sweating. My body reacted before my mind could catch up. I had to figure out how to stay calm whenever I saw him.
• In the kitchen, I grabbed some biscuits from the fridge and a soft drink. Eating something simple might help settle my nerves.
• I turned to leave and found Aiden standing in the doorway. He walked toward me, every step making my heart beat faster. He stopped and leaned against the kitchen counter.
• "Are you angry with me?" His voice was quiet.
• I raised my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
• Aiden closed his eyes briefly, then reached out and cupped my cheeks with both hands. "What is it about you that's driving me crazy?" he murmured.
• I swallowed hard. "I... I don't understand."
• His touch sent tingles through my entire body. I couldn't think clearly anymore.
• "Fuck, I want to be alone with you," he said softly.
• I looked up at him, my heart pounding wildly. "Why?"
• "Because I know you want the same thing." His breath warmed my ear.
• "I…"
• "Text me."
• Aiden turns and walks out of the kitchen before I can answer.
• I stay frozen, his words playing over and over in my head.
• Fuck, I want to be alone with you.
• Alone.
• Just the two of us.
• No Sarah. No one watching. No one to stop us if he gets too close again.
• My mind immediately goes back to his lips, his hands, and the way my body reacted the last time he touched me.
• Heat rushes to my cheeks.
• What exactly does Aiden want to do when he gets me alone?
• I reach for my phone and stare at his name.
• I shouldn't text him.
• But God, I want to find out.
• My thumb hovers over the screen.
• Maybe one text wouldn't hurt.