Page 7

Chapter 7

Aiden

“I can’t believe you’re asking me that bullshit,” I grumble, striding to my car. “You know me better than that.”

Cameron strides alongside me, his long legs easily keeping up. “What I do know is that the guys never act without your approval. In fact, pranking Scarlett into quitting was your idea.”

“Harmless pranks, not disgusting, unsanitary shenanigans.” I swing my car door open. Cameron shifts to avoid getting hit. “What Noah did was out of line.”

Especially when we’d already done enough yesterday. Scarlett is scared of confined spaces. I thought that would be enough to have her high-tailing it out of here. Her showing up for work shocked the hell out of me.

I can’t help being impressed by it, too.

“You don’t approve, but you’re not going to talk to him about it, are you? I mean, it still serves your endgame. In fact, it’s more likely to get that poor girl out of here.”

Without replying, I slide into the driver’s seat and connect my cell phone to the Bluetooth. Cameron leans down, his arms resting on top of the roof.

“Your silence tells me everything I need to know,” he says. “You’re just as heartless as the rest of them.”

I sigh. “Cam, I already expressed how disgusted I am by what they did, but there’s no use being mad about it, especially since it didn’t affect her one bit. I saw her a few minutes ago and she seemed fine to me.”

“Yeah well, maybe she’s just like you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re good at hiding your true emotions until you’re someplace safe.” He shrugs. “I can’t imagine anyone being fine after almost getting assaulted.”

My index finger hovers at the start button. I narrow my eyes at him. “Who almost got assaulted?”

“Scarlett.”

“By who?” I press, easing out of the car. Cameron backs up with his hands raised.

“I told you. Noah attacked her.”

“No, you told me Noah took a dump on the laundry for her to handle. You said nothing about him touching her.”

“Well, he did. I went in and he was trying to take her shirt off.”

“Like hell,” I mutter, moving forward. Cameron grabs my arm with both hands, digging his feet in the dirt.

“The fuck are you doing?” I try to yank myself from his grip, but my best friend holds hard and fast.

“When I told you to confront Noah, I meant with your words, not your fists,” he puffs, grimacing to keep me in place.

“I’m just going to have a word with him.”

“Right after you bash his face in. Not good for team spirit, my friend, especially with the upcoming game.”

His last words sober me. With a huff, I relax, and he lets me go.

“I told them not to lay a fucking finger on her.”

Cameron rolls his eyes. “And I’ve been telling you that Noah is a ticking time bomb. Give him a reason to act violently and he will. You should’ve never gotten the team involved.”

“This is my fight as much as theirs,” I point out.

“You threw that girl under the bus without any proof. The security team didn’t even confirm it was her that made the call, yet you blabbed her name to the guys. You put a target on her back. Telling them not to lay a finger on her is like telling a dad not to beat up some guy who’s bullying his kid.”

“Cameron, all I want is Scarlett out of here, because I don’t trust her. She’s up to something. Call me paranoid all you want, but my gut feeling is never wrong.”

“You want to get her out, but at what cost?”

“I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure she’s not harmed. You have my word.”

“Your word has lost its value since you started butting heads with that asshole Noah. You were a better friend back in high school,” he mutters.

Well, that guy in high school didn’t know his father was no good . Forcing a smile, I squeeze his shoulder. “You can count on it, dude. Your little girlfriend will be safe with me.”

He doesn’t smile back. My own smile dwindles. “That was a joke, Cam. This is where you come in and say, ‘I don’t have a thing for Scarlett’.”

“I don’t,” he replies, not meeting my eyes.

A heavy sensation drops in my gut. “Seriously?”

“Dude, no! I’m not into her like that.”

“I mean, it would be fine if you were,” I reply, ignoring the crazy voice in my head yelling, ‘Fuck no, it wouldn’t be fine!’ .

“Scarlett’s not even my type. You know I don’t like blondes.”

For some reason, his reply floods me with relief. I pat his shoulder. “You really need to get back out there, though. I don’t understand why you’re celibate, anyway.”

“I already told you; I’m done getting played by these women out here. I’m saving myself for the right woman, someone who won’t rip my heart into shreds.”

He keeps saying that, but I can’t recall Cameron ever getting his heart broken. “Look, whatever floats your boat, brother,” I reply, easing back into the car. “Catch you tomorrow.”

Cameron waves faintly at me as I drive off and he stays on my mind until I get to the outskirts of Hempton. He has always been my voice of reason, ever since we were kids. Maybe he’s right about being too hard on Scarlett. Maybe she didn’t have an ulterior motive for calling security that night. Maybe she thought we were some hooded thugs about to rob the place.

Nah.

She saw me.

She knew exactly what was happening. Cameron probably has a point, though. What’s done is done. If Scarlett wanted revenge for whatever reason, she got it. Unless she gives me a concrete reason not to trust her this time around, I should probably give her a break.

Maybe.

The sudden blaring of Linkin Park’s ‘Numb’ has me glancing at the screen on my dashboard. Although, there’s no need to look when I’d set that ringtone specifically for her. I’ve spent the last week and a half ignoring her calls and it’s only a matter of time before she shows up at my front door.

“Casey.”

“Don’t Casey me,” she replies. “Playing hard to get is not a cute look on you, Aiden. You’re more attractive when you chase me .”

I snort. “I wonder how Liam would feel if he finds out you’re flirting with your ex.”

“Liam and I broke up a month ago. If you took the time to answer my calls, you’d know that.”

“One month? Wow, and here you are, ready to climb on a new horse. Well, an old-new horse. Typical Casey.”

“As if you’re no better. I’ve seen those tags on your Instagram page. You’ve been quite busy.”

Pausing at the stoplight, I glance over at Scarlett’s neighborhood before replying. “The difference is, I’m not in a committed relationship. I’ve never cheated on anyone.”

“No, you only change women every week. They better move over, though, because the queen is coming back.”

“Casey, that’s never going to happen. I told you a year ago and I’m reminding you now. There’s no going back after what you did to us,” I reply.

She sighs loudly. “I get it. You’re still hurting after all this time, but are you really going to punish yourself for a mistake I made?”

“Punish myself?”

“Yes, Aiden. You’re doing everything to smother your feelings for me and it’s only hurting you.”

I pull up to my front gates and wait for them to open. “The only thing I feel is regret for taking this call,” I reply.

She sighs again. “Okay, maybe you’re a tiny bit cute playing hard to get, but it’s already getting old. My birthday party is next month, just in case you’ve forgotten. I expect to make my grand entrance on your arm, got it?”

“That bossiness was sexy when I thought you were faithful,” I throw back, cutting the call. She rings right back, but I ignore it. Mom will have a fit if she finds out I just tanked her only plan.

Not my problem. It’s not hers, either. My mother doesn’t know it yet, but my plans include her, too. When I finally leave Rosedale, I’m taking her with me.