TWO

I walked into the study. I didn’t even have time to take a look around the office, my eyes landed on Aidan immediately I walked through the doors.

“Dahlia, come…”

Aidan had taken a seat by the window and he had no expression on his face as he scrolled through his phone.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, taking a seat in front of my mother

“Of course not sweetie, we have an announcement to make.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re expecting a baby.”

My mother sputtered out in laughter and Mr Smith chuckled.

“We won’t oppose it if the moon goddess decides to bless us with a new pup but no, the announcement is that we’re going on our honey moon and we might stay for a while.” Mr Smith said

“How long is a while? A week?”

“Three weeks minimum.” My mum answered

I looked up and locked eyes with Aidan. He was definitely thinking the same thing I was thinking. No way we would be trapped together in this house, ALONE!!

“No, that’s not going to be possible. You can’t just leave me here for three weeks !!!”

“Lia, stop being dramatic. You have your brother, it would be nice if you two bond together.”

I was panicking. Bond, what kind of bonding!

Bile rose from my stomach and burned the back of my throat.

“I won’t be home anyways, I’ll be training for the new tournament and also, I’ll be preparing for college.” Aidan said to me.

He must have noticed my discomfort. I didn’t know how to feel about his answer.

“I don't want to discourage you from training. I know how hard you like to work but if you have any spare time, make sure to spend it with your sister.” Mr Smith said to Aidan

He nodded once but it didn’t seem like he was listening.

I smiled at Mr Smith and I hugged my mum.

“I’m sorry for being a brat, I hope you enjoy yourself.”

She hugged me back and when she pulled away, her eyes were glassy from unshed tears.

“You’re not a brat Dahlia. I’m so glad that I have such a supportive daughter. I love you.”

When they left the study, I turned to Aidan. I was surprised to see him staring at me, his phone was sitting on the table.

“Aren’t you going to apologize?” The question shocked me, I didn’t realize I had said those words out loud.

He cocked his head to the side.

“Apologize for what?”

I took in a deep breath, ignoring the pang of pain in my chest.

“I caught you… I saw what you were doing with my picture.”

“What was I doing?” He asked calmly, with a mischievous smile.

Before I could answer, the door opened and a girl with platinum blonde hair barged in. She stopped when she saw me and then she ran to Aidan with a hug.

I watched them kiss and it felt like someone had stabbed a fork in my belly.

“Is this the sister you were talking about?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, I didn’t see her at the wedding.”

Her heels clicked as she walked towards me.

“Hi, I’m Lisa, welcome to the Smiths family.”

She said that as if she was a private secretary for the Smiths.

“I’m Dahlia.”

She frowned “That name sounds oddly familiar,”

“ Let’s go.” Aidan said pulling her away

“I hope we get along.”

“Me too.”

“Wait, I’ve got to invite her to my birthday party. It’s happening tonight.”

She opened her purse and fetched out a card.

“Oh, thank you.”

“Make sure you make it. We’ll be family soon.”

What did she mean by that? How would she be family soon? Were they mates?? That would be the only explanation.

I felt another pang in my chest but I brushed it off quickly.

“I’ll be sure to make it.”

***

I looked at myself up and down in the mirror, wondering if the red dress would be worth it. I had gotten it some months ago but I've never had the chance to wear it anywhere.

I put my hair in a half up, half down. My lips were painted red and I was certain my lip combo was eating. I just wasn't confident enough.

This was Aidan's girlfriend's birthday party. I would be lying if I said I hadn't kept thinking about Aidan and Lisa. I've been unable to get her out of my mind. She was so pretty.

I grabbed my purse and ran out of the bedroom, knowing that if I stayed another second, I would change my mind.

The venue was packed. I could not count how many muscular guys bumped into me. Hockey players, they were all hockey players.

I looked around, searching for the one person I shouldn't be looking for. Aidan.

“Dahlia, , welcome to my partyyy.” Lisa said as she stepped in front of me. She appeared out of thin air and she was so beautiful. She was wearing a light pink dress and a tiara.

“I love your dress.”

“Thank you.” she said, giving me a hug.

When she pulled away, I looked behind her to see Aidan approaching us. His face was completely unreadable.

He wrapped a hand around her waist and whispered something into her ear. Her cheeks turned red and she bit her bottom lips.

“Dahlia please enjoy the party, help yourself with anything.”

I watched Aidan pull her until they disappeared into the crowd of people.

“Who wants to play truth or dare!” someone yelled and I followed the sound of the voice.

There were about thirteen people gathered around a table already. I took a seat and tried to get Aidan out of my mind but I kept looking back to where they had gone.

“Luke, go first! Spin the bottle.”

A tall guy with sandy blonde grinned as he spinned the dark brown beer bottle. I watched in complete horror as it stopped in front of me.

He looked up at me and his grin widened.

“Truth or Dare?”

I could feel my heart slamming against my ribcage.

“Dare.”