All Chapters of A Taste Of Him: The One I Was Never Meant to Want : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter 11 Aurora povI wasn’t expecting anyone to stop by my locker this morning. Resting my head on the locker, I was still half-asleep, half-annoyed, and entirely determined to forget the way Jaxon’s eyes had burned into mine last night.All thanks to the very drunk Layla—thank goodness for the booked room that saved us a mess of awkward moments.Then Jefferey appeared.Appeared—like the hallway lights had been waiting for him.Leaning against the row of lockers beside me, one hand shoved into his pocket, the other pushing his soft brown hair back. The sunlight pouring in from the courtyard hit him just right—glinting off his perfectly emerald braces as he smiled.God. He looked unfairly good todayA charming dimple that popped only when he genuinely grinned.Morning, Aurora,” he said, voice smooth and warm, laced with an edge I hadn’t noticed before.I blinked. Once. Twice.“Jefferey? You… look different.”He laughed softly, that effortless, heart-tugging laugh that made the w

Chapter 13 AuroraBy the time Jeff dropped me off.i pleaded with him again for ruining the night. “ You're such a sweet guy by the way” I told him and promised to make it up to him.Emotionally. Physically. Mentally.I was doneI stepped inside my quiet house, calling for my mom—“Mom? Are you home?”Nothing.Just the hollow echo of my own voice.I shut the door and leaned against it, breathing shakily. My mind kept replaying everything I didn’t want to think about—Jaxon kissing that girl like she was oxygen, looking at me while he was done with his bullshit.Jaxon being… Jaxon.My chest tightened.I took two steps toward my room and a familiar pain exploded in my lower stomach.“Oh—shit—” I breathed, bending forward, trembling.My period.Of all nights… tonight?The cramps hit like fire curling inside me. I was suddenly feeling sick.I dropped to my knees, gripping the floor, breath coming out in small, broken gasps.Tears flooded my eyes instantly.Fresh Hot tears, my head was split

CHAPTER 15 (Aurora POV)I woke up quite earlier with the full light stabbing my eyes.Sitting up, My head throbs,my body aches, My body feels too warm, My brain is too full.Last night shouldn’t matter.It was just a party. Thank God I told mum that I might not be coming home last night.But the moment my eyes scanned in Layla’s room, looking for something to relieve my head.the one thing that hits me is—Jaxon.Calling me a “dummy”The way he looked like he hated me… and something else I can’t name.I sit up slowly, fingers brushing the edge of my hair.And now I want to disappear.I slip out of bed quietly, not wanting Layla awake yet, not wanting questions, not wanting to think about the fact that her brother was probably somewhere in this house. And tiptoe into the hallway.The house is still.Too still.Like it’s holding its breath with me.I turn the corner—And my breath lodges in my throat.He’s there.Jaxon stands in the hallway holding a door that is not to his room, shi

Chapter 17THE CROWD, THE PANIC, THE TAKE-OFFPeople watching from the bleachers stood, murmuring.“Oh my God—Aurora!” I heard Layla's voice Holding my hand “Is she okay?”“That fall looked bad.”Coach knelt beside me, checking my leg.“It’s not deep, but you’re done for the day. We need to clean this properly.”I nodded, blinking fast.Jeffrey was there.Appearing out of nowhere like gravity called him to me.He jogged straight through the cluster of bodies, eyes locked on me with sharp, protective worry.“Aurora,” he breathed, crouching immediately.His tone was soft, but his jaw was tight like he was holding back explosion-level anger.“Let me see,” he murmured.I tried to hide my knee with my hands — stupid pride — but he gently pushed my fingers aside. His touch wasn’t rough. It was careful. Warm.The cut stung.“It’s not deep,” Coach said, bending beside us, “but she’s done for today.”Voices muttered all around:“Damn…”“That fall was crazy.”“Mia, what the hell?”“It was an a

CHAPTER 19 Aurora's povThe front door clicked behind me, and I barely had strength to twist the lock before my mom’s voice drifted from the kitchen.“Aurora? You’re home? I thought you were staying at Lay—”She stopped.Her eyes dropped to the bandage around my knee.Her face crumpled in instant worry.“Oh my God, baby—what happened? Why are you limping? Aurora, what—”“Mom, I’m fine,” I whispered, even though my throat was tight and my chest ached in a way that had nothing to do with my injury. “Please… I’m fine.”Of course she didn’t believe me.Her hand slid under my arm, guiding me carefully up the stairs. Each step sent a dull ache shooting up my leg, but it wasn’t the kind of pain I could admit to. Not after… everything.After Jaxon’s hands around me.After the way his voice sounded when he said “Try leaving yourself then”After the way something in me almost broke at the idea of him walking away.I hated thinking about it.Hated how warm he felt.Hated that my body remembered