CHAPTER 5

WILLOW

The last time I had spoken to Aiden was at an Omega party. He had smiled at me flirtatiously, pouring me a beer. That was a year ago, few weeks after I’d started dating Theo.

And because I knew how hostile both brothers were towards each other, I didn’t let myself linger at the alcohol stand. I had accepted my beer and made my excuse.

Since then, we’ve avoided each other, even though we run in the same social circles.

I never thought I would get so entangled with a guy like Aiden until today. And now, he’s sitting on my porch, shit eating grin in place, eyeing me speculatively as I approach.

“What the hell was that about today?” he asks, once I’m close enough. “The ice rink. The public kiss. That nasty little fight with Theo.”

“I’m sorry,” I blurt, hating the timing of this conversation. My plan was to talk to him tomorrow, once I had perfected the details of my apology. I guess I’ll just have to wing it. “I know I took you by surprise with that kiss. I never meant for it to happen. It just sort of did.”

“Thompson.” He gets off the porch, rising to his full height. He stands over a foot taller than me. I’m grateful for the space between us. I don’t think I can bear close proximity with the pseudo-stranger I had kissed for revenge’s sake.

It seems ridiculous now. The kiss. The public fight with Theo.

“Do you know what everyone is saying?” he asks. Without waiting for my response, he continues. “They are calling you my girlfriend.” He laughs sarcastically. “I don’t do girlfriends, Thompson. How the fuck are you going to fix this shit?”

“I don’t know right now but I’m sure I’ll think of something. Give me until tomorrow and I’ll find a way to remedy this situation.” I swallow down the lump in my throat, unnerved at the speculative way he’s staring at me.

“My brother must have really done a number on you, seeing as how you stooped low enough to use me in making him jealous.”

“That’s not—” I grit my teeth. “Fine. I used you to make him jealous. You must be aware about the rumors he’s been spreading about me.”

“Are they true though? You being a prude and all.” He looks like he’s fighting the urge to laugh.

“That hardly matters right now. Thanks to your co-operation, those nasty rumors have been laid to rest. Like I said, I’ll find a way to kill the girlfriend rumors tomorrow. You have my word. I also owe you a favor for helping me. I’ll try to pay you back as soon as I can. I could treat you to lunch or score tickets to a basketball game. My dad knows all sorts of people. I’m sure he can get me the tickets if I asked.”

“Hmmm,” he muses. “I must admit, that sounds tempting.” A pause. “So, it’s really over? You and my brother?”

“Yes,” I answer, without hesitation.

“In that case, how would you like to keep the ruse going for a little longer?”

“What?” I must have misheard him. “I don’t understand. Did you just say what I think it is you said?”

He’s leaning against a pillar, lazing grin stretching the corners of his mouth, eyes half drooped in amusement. “Yeah Thompson. It’ll be fun.”

Aiden is handsome in a bad boy sort of way. Wild, black locks. Scorching dark eyes, that somehow have specks of gold in them. A hard mouth that breaks into frequent grins. He’s a walking bag of contradictions, yet for some reason, he’d saved me today and now, he wants to keep the ruse going.

“But what about that thing you just said about not doing girlfriends?” My breath hitches as he approaches me, getting all up in my personal space. But he doesn’t touch me. He merely takes my duffel bag, slinging it over his shoulder.

“It’s not a big deal, sunshine. You want revenge on the dick who dumped you. I want the fun that comes with shoving our fake relationship in all of their faces. Think about how pissed Theo’s gonna be when he sees you at the frat house, wearing nothing but my shirt. He’s gonna lose his fucking marbles.”

His eyes are gleaming as he thinks about it. For all his talk about wanting to do this for fun, deep down, I know it’s personal on some levels. A cheeky, devious way to get back at his most heated rival.

”Let’s say we do this,” I exhale. “Exactly how long are we keeping up a ruse like this?”

“A month, give or take.” He shrugs. “That should be enough time to ruin Theo, as well as his new-found relationship.” That sounds like music to my ears and of course, Aiden knows it. “So, you in?”

“I’m in.” I square my shoulders. “We can start by going to a basket ball game.”

“What is it with you and basketball? You a fan?” Is Aiden Cross mocking me right now?

“Actually, I’m not. Theo’s a fan though. He’s been moaning for weeks about been unable to score front row tickets to the NBA finals.”

“And you can?” his brows shoot up and he doesn’t seem to be mocking me anymore. If anything, he sounds impressed.

I grin. “Yeah. I can get us front row tickets to the NBA finals. Theo’s going to die when he finds out. We’ll post pictures on I* and everything.”

“Wow Thompson. You’re more devious than I thought.” He matches my grin and throws in a wink for the fun of it. “I like it. So, when’s the game.”

“Two days from now.”

“It’s a date then…” he pauses for a moment before he adds, “… girlfriend.”

I know he’s playing around and that none of this is real. Yet, I can’t help the way my insides react to being called his girlfriend.

“I’m not a prude, by the way.” I purse my lips. “Just in case you were wondering.”

I’ll never know Aiden’s response to that tiny bit of information, because the house lights come on just then, lighting up the entire front yard.