Aria
The holidays are over, and honestly? Fuck this. I don’t wanna think about going back to class, dealing with professors and their surprise-ass emergency tests. Like, why? Why do they do this? Can’t we ease back into it like normal human beings? Ugh.
“Are you done?” Lucas steps out of the closet, fully dressed and looking all kinds of hot.
I smirk. “I should be asking you that. You took forever getting ready. I’ve been done for thirty minutes.”
“But at least it’s worth it, right?” He pouts, then does a little spin like some kind of runway model.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t deny the truth-he looks insanely good. His biceps are practically screaming in that blue t-shirt, and I’m getting way too distracted. Yeah, I need to do something about this.
“Yeah, you look great,” I say, walking over to the closet. “But I think I’ve got something for you.” I grab a denim jacket and hand it to him. “Here, wear this.”
He lifts a brow but takes it anyway, slipping it on and checking himself out in the mirror. “Looks good,” he says. Then he gives me a knowing look. “But why do I feel like the t-shirt was better?”
“This is perfect.” I cut him off before he can argue.
He scoffs, crossing his arms. “You’re being weird. I know what you’re doing.”
I lift my chin. “Uh-huh?”
“You don’t want me showing my arms.” His lips twitch into a smirk. “You.”
“Okay, fine! You caught me.” I throw my hands in the air, grinning. “I don’t want other girls drooling over your arms. My arms.”
Lucas chuckles, stepping closer. His hands slide around my waist, pulling me against him. “Your arms, huh?” His breath is warm against my lips. “I fucking love being your man.”
And then he kisses me. Soft at first, teasing, but then deeper, harder. My whole body ignites, and fuck, it’s so tempting to just say, screw class, throw him on the bed, and ride him like a damn cowgirl.
But I force myself to pull back, panting. “We need to go.”
He groans, resting his forehead against mine. “Why?”
“Because I know how this ends, and we need to get to class.”
“Ugh,” he whines dramatically. “I was dying for some hot morning fuck.”
I snort. “Lucas, we literally fucked twice this morning. And I still don’t know why I let you cum inside me.” I give him a pointed look. “I might get pregnant.”
His smirk turns downright sinful. “Because you like the feeling of my warm seed in your pussy.”
“Lucas-”
“What?” He grins. “You said you love when I talk dirty to you.”
I shake my head, grabbing his hand. “C’mon, let’s go before I actually murder you.”
We’re almost out the door when I remember. “Oh, and don’t forget…it’s tomorrow.”
Lucas freezes. Then he turns, eyes narrowing. “What?”
I cross my arms. “Lucas.”
He exhales sharply, looking away.
I sigh. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Your dad. We’re supposed to go see him tomorrow. You promised me.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll go,” he mutters, brushing past me. But I don’t miss the way his shoulders tense.
I grab his wrist. “Lucas, we’ve talked about this a million times. You need to see him. I promised Sarita you’d come.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have.” His voice is tight. “I didn’t ask you to make promises for me, Aria.”
I blink. “Lucas, why are you being like this? We talked about this on New Year’s. Your dad is literally on the brink of death.”
“And I don’t fucking care!” He snaps, yanking his hand away. His jaw clenches, eyes dark with anger. “I’m sick of you and Sarita playing fucking mediator between me and that man. Just stop.”
I stare at him, stunned. “Why are you yelling at me? I’m just trying to help you.” My voice wavers, but I push forward. “And I don’t want it to seem like I’m the one keeping you from home-”
He lets out a sharp laugh, running a hand through his hair. “That’s what you care about? How it looks? Are you fucking serious, Aria?”
My stomach twists. “Lucas, that’s not-”
“You always do this,” he cuts me off, eyes blazing. “Always acting like you have to walk on eggshells around my family. Always putting their feelings over us.”
“Don’t fucking say that!” I snap, fists clenching. His accusations hit way too deep.
“You know what? I’m sorry I even bothered. Find your own damn way to campus.” I glare at Lucas, my blood boiling, and storm out of the apartment, slamming the door behind me.
I can’t fucking believe this. Did he seriously just accuse me of putting everyone else before our relationship? Like, is he for real?
I stomp to my car, get in, and speed off. We were supposed to go together, but screw that. He can figure it out himself. Maybe take an Uber. Or walk. I don’t give a damn.
The entire day, I can’t focus on shit. Glenn’s class is just background noise because all I can think about is Lucas. Did he really mean that? That I don’t prioritize us? That I always put others ahead of him? What a load of bullshit.
And you know the worst part? After Professor Glenn’s class, when I was chilling with Mia and Lily, avoiding him like the plague, we actually crossed paths in the hallway. I slowed down just a little, expecting him to say something. But nope. The asshole just looked at me. No words. No “Aria, let’s talk.” No “Hey, I fucked up.”
Nothing.
I scoffed loudly and walked past him. Unbelievable.
“Aria!” Mia’s voice snaps me out of my head. She waves a hand in my face. “What the hell are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I lie, shaking it off. I glance outside…it’s already getting dark. “I should head home.”
“Aren’t you leaving with Lucas?” Lily asks, raising an eyebrow.
I cross my arms. “No. I’m going to my Aunt Esther’s house.”
Mia sighs, tilting her head. “Okay, what’s going on? Trouble in paradise?”
“You wouldn’t fucking believe what he said,” I huff, launching into the whole story.
Mia snickers. “Ah, a lover’s spat.”
I shoot her a glare. “Mia.”
Lily, always the peacemaker, shifts uncomfortably. “Maybe instead of avoiding him, you should just talk it out?”
I roll my eyes. “If he wants to talk, he knows where to find me.”
“Oh, it’s Theo!” Mia suddenly waves.
We all turn as Theo strolls up to us, looking way too relaxed. “Hey guys,” he greets, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You’re all still here?”
“We were just leaving,” Mia says. “Where’s Damon?”
“Professor’s office. He had to handle some stuff.”
“Is Lucas with him?” Mia asks, and my ears practically perk up.
Theo shrugs. “Nah, he already left.”
My jaw drops. “He what?”
“He left,” Theo repeats, looking at me like I just asked if the sky was blue.
I scoff so loud it echoes. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Aria, calm down…”
“No, Mia!” I snap. “That fucking jerk left without me!”
‘You were gonna do the same,’ my wolf chimes in.
I mentally flip her off. ‘Whose side are you even on?’
Without another word, I spin on my heels and wave Mia and Lily off. “See y’all tomorrow,” I mutter, walking away.
By the time I get to Aunt Esther’s house, I have to take a deep breath, force a fake-ass smile, and knock. No way in hell I’m letting her interrogate me.
She opens the door, eyeing me suspiciously. She’s already dressed for her second job of the day. “Aria? What are you doing here?”
I slide past her into the house. “Just wanted to check up on you. Spend some time.”
Her gaze narrows. “And you didn’t bring any clothes?”
“I still have some in my room.”
She folds her arms. “You and Lucas had a fight, didn’t you?”
I groan. “It’s nothing serious.”
“Uh-huh.” She doesn’t believe me for a second.
“You wanna talk about it?” she asks, leaning against the couch.
I shake my head. “I just wanna rest.”
She sighs but lets it go. “Food’s in the freezer if you’re hungry.” She kisses my forehead before heading for the door. “See you later, kiddo.”
After a long, hot shower, I throw on some comfy shorts and an oversized hoodie, collapsing on my bed. I check my phone…no missed calls. No texts. No mind-link.
I narrow my eyes at the screen. Is he seriously giving me the silent treatment?
Just as I get up to grab something from the kitchen, the doorbell rings. My stomach flips.
It has to be him. Lucas. He must’ve come to his senses. Probably here to beg for forgiveness, tell me he was a dumbass, that he misses me.
I practically sprint to the door, flinging it open…. and almost have a fucking heart attack.
Ethan’s standing there.
I freeze, my pulse skyrocketing. “What the fuck-what are you doing here? How did you find me?”