Just for tonight

I hesitated for only a second before stepping aside.

“Yeah, come in.” My voice shook slightly.

Aaron walked in without another word.

I closed the door, fingers lingering on the handle before turning back.

He had already moved into the living room, leaning casually against the table by the window.

But his eyes… were on me. Slow. Intentional.

My breath caught.

It wasn’t his usual teasing look. It felt deeper. Like he could see through the thin fabric of my robe.

Heat crept up my neck. I crossed my arms unconsciously.

God.

Why does he always do that?

“You didn’t answer my texts,” I said softly.

“Ethan’s fine,” he replied.

I stepped closer. “Fine?”

“He’s stable.”

Something in his expression shifted. Not broken… but not okay.

“What happened?”

He looked away. “Wrong place. Wrong time.”

That was it.

Silence settled between us.

Then he pushed off the table. “We should sit.”

I nodded and moved to the couch.

He sat beside me—close, but not too close.

“My house wasn’t ideal tonight,” he said.

“What does that mean?”

“Too many people. Too much noise.”

A pause.

“I needed somewhere quiet.”

My chest tightened. Out of everywhere… he came here.

I studied him. For once, Aaron Briggs didn’t look untouchable. He just looked tired.

Something in me softened.

Before I could think, I shifted closer… and leaned against him.

My head rested lightly on his arm.

I froze for a second. But I didn’t move.

Neither did he.

His arm adjusted slightly under me. Warm. Steady.

“I heard about my scholarship,” I said quietly.

“It’s handled.”

No explanation.

“Thank you.”

“That was the deal.”

Silence again.

“There’s something else,” he said.

“What?”

“There’s a party tomorrow. At my place.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Saturday.”

I sat up slightly. “And?”

“My parents will be there. And people from school.”

I stared at him. “You’re serious?”

“I need you there.”

My heart sped up.

“I don’t think I belong in that kind of place,” I admitted.

“You belong wherever I say you do.”

My breath caught.

“Fine,” I muttered.

A faint smile touched his lips.

The silence returned—but softer this time.

My eyes grew heavy. The warmth. The quiet.

I should move. But I didn’t.

And slowly… I drifted off.

I woke up, disoriented.

The TV was off. The house was quiet. Aaron was gone.

My phone buzzed.

Aaron left a message

“I had to leave early.” “Thanks for last night.” “Be ready. I’ll pick you up later.”

My heart skipped.

Later that evening, I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my royal blue dress.

My curls fell loosely around my shoulders, light makeup softening my features.

Why was I nervous?

This wasn’t just a party.

It was his world.

My phone buzzed.

“I’m outside.”

Of course he was.

I stepped out.

The black Mercedes waited.

Aaron got out and paused.

His gaze moved slowly over me.

Approval. Interest.

“You clean up well,” he said.

“Is that your way of saying I look nice?”

“If that helps you sleep better.”

I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself.

The drive was quiet.

“Stick close to me tonight,” he said.

“Why?” I frowned a little.

A pause.

“Not everyone will be on your side.”

That didn’t help.

The Briggs estate came into view.

Massive. Bright. Intimidating.

This wasn’t just a party.

It was a statement.

Aaron opened my door and held out his hand.

“Ready?”

“Yes,” I lied.

He pulled me closer, fingers tightening slightly.

“My parents already know about you,” he said.

My breath caught.

“And they want to meet you.”

The doors opened.

A woman stood there—elegant, sharp.

Watching me like she had already judged me.

“Too late to turn back now,” Aaron murmured.

The music was loud.

But it didn’t settle my nerves.

Aaron’s hand slipped from mine.

“Stay here. I’ll be back.”

Before I could respond, he was gone.

And suddenly I was alone.

The stares. The whispers.

My fingers tightened around my dress.

Breathe.

You’re fine.

A sudden splash hit me.

Cold. Sharp.

I froze.

Gasps erupted.

Slowly, I looked up.

Paige stood in front of me.

Empty glass in her hand.

“Well,” she said calmly, “let’s see how long this little act lasts.”

My throat went dry.

My fingers trembled slightly.

And for the first time since I got here,

I felt it.

Not nerves.

Humiliation.

Raw. Burning.

And the worst part?

Aaron wasn’t there.

My fingers trembled at my sides.

The cold liquid clung to my skin, my dress ruined, my pride worse.

Paige smiled like she had just won.

Then the whispers started shifting.

Not toward me.

Behind me.

The room went quieter.

Someone had just walked in.

And judging by the way everyone suddenly went still, this wasn’t just anyone.

And for the first time since the drink hit me, Paige looked nervous.