Page 29 of Vain

“My girlfriend. Tell me about Kellen.”

“Your girlfriend?” she screeches. “She can’t be your girlfriend. I am.”

Aiden snorts. “Fuck sake, Cora, you haven’t been my girlfriend since I came home and found another man’s dick inside you.”

“I said I was sorry. I keep saying it. He meant nothing?—”

“No. I meant nothing, or you wouldn’t have cheated. Now tell me about Kellen’s condition.” His voice is cold, far colder than anything he’s ever used around me before.

“No. I refuse to give up. We were good together. I love you.”

Aiden chuckles, wrapping his arm around me. I won’t lie, I’ve never felt so fucking uncomfortable in all my life, and I’ve done sex scenes in front of a room full of people.

“I didn’t love you, Cora. I liked you and hoped something might develop and grow between us. But now I know it would have just been a waste of both our times. Hell, I should be thanking you. If you didn’t do what you did, I wouldn’t have met Tilly.”

I wince at his words, but Cora physically flinches back.

“Why are you being so mean to me?”

“I’m not trying to be mean. I’m trying to tell you the truth so you stop fabricating some great love story in your head. I’m half in love with this woman.” he nods his head at me, stunning both his ex and me. “I never felt anything like this toward you.”

The silence that blankets the room is suffocating. Just when I think I might scream, the door bangs open, and a police officer walks in.

“Only two visitors at a time,” Cora spits out, glaring at me.

“I’ll wait outside.”

“I can come back,” the cop offers, sensing the room’s tension. I shake my head, needing a moment to take a breath anyway.

“No, it’s fine.” I look up at Aiden, who is clenching his jaw. His grip on my hand tells me he wants me to stay. I step up on tiptoes and kiss his jaw. “I’ll be just outside, I promise. Spend time with your friend. I’m not going anywhere.”

I step away, but he tugs me back, planting another kiss on my lips, not giving a single fuck about anyone else in the room.

“Don’t leave the hospital.”

I roll my eyes. I already told him I wouldn’t. “Aye, aye, Captain.”

The cop snorts, and the nurse gives me a death glare, but I leave the room with a smile on my face and the taste of Aiden on my lips.

Chapter Thirteen

AIDEN

I wait until the door closes and Tilly moves out of sight. I hate not being able to see her but I trust her not to leave.

“It’s good to see you, Aiden. Sorry it’s under such shitty circumstances.” Wade holds out his hand to me. I shake it briefly before heading over to Kellen’s bedside, ignoring Cora completely.

“You know what’s going on?”

When he doesn’t answer, I see him look at Cora, who is just standing there with her arms crossed over her chest.

“You supposed to be doing something other than making everyone feel uncomfortable?” he asks her.

She stamps her foot like a toddler. “I’m doing my job, and that’s to monitor Kellen’s vitals.”

“I’m pretty sure if he hears it’s you watching him, he’ll have a heart attack,” I mutter under my breath.

“Well, as you can see, Kellen is doing okay. If any of that changes, we’ll be sure to let you know.”