So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(57)

Then he glanced out at the party, people going back to their lives now that the fight was over. His eyes met mine for a second, and I felt it. The loneliness. He did love Jenn. But she didn’t choose him. She chose her boyfriend.

Before I could smile my support, he turned and limped toward the door and out into the dark Washington night. I sighed heavily, about to turn away, when I saw him.

My entire body reacted. Aiden was standing out on the lawn of Chris’s house, dressed in a wrinkled tracksuit, his short hair messy. He held up his hand in a wave, looking solemn.

I blinked back the burning in my eyes but couldn’t look away from him. He was here for me. He had come to see me.

“Is that—” Kira stopped, her head snapping toward mine. I could feel her stare on my cheek. “What are you going to do?” she asked. Her words hung in the air because I wasn’t sure how to answer.

“Go talk to him,” Leona murmured. “Guy looks pathetic.” She glanced back over her shoulder and then leaned forward to whisper to me. “I’ll distract Chris.”

I nodded, not caring what she did with Chris. Aiden was outside. And I had no idea what to say to him.

SOS CHEASTER CONFIRMATION

CASES: 001 and 002

CLIENT: Riley Richards and Jenn Duarte

STATUS: Case closed

This is a notice that the cases against Riley Richards and Jenn Duarte have been completed and closed.

Both were confirmed cheaters and both were exposed. The fact that they stayed together, and made out at Chris Townsend’s party, is beside the point.

One of the accomplices, Megan Wright, has decided to switch schools, which we feel is for the best.

Remember, cheaters never win. Especially with SOS on the case.

Keep kicking ass,

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

AIDEN WAS STANDING THERE IN THE GRASS WITH sneakers and running pants, looking natural—the way I loved him. Or at least, the way I used to love him.

He looked me up and down, and when his green eyes met mine, I could see how sincerely sorry he was. “Can we talk?” he asked.

I looked back at the house party, glad I’d shut the door when I walked out. I didn’t need to become tonight’s second show. And I didn’t want anyone to see my heart break. Shoot, even I didn’t want to witness that.

Walking across the soft grass, I stopped in front of Aiden, my lip already trying to quiver. But I tightened my mouth so that it wouldn’t. Looking at him after actually witnessing him kiss another girl…it was a surreal moment. Like maybe this was all a dream. I nodded, letting him know he could talk.

“You look pretty,” Aiden said quietly, bending his head toward mine. “I always liked you dressed down like this.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, unable to blink away the tears before they fell. He wasn’t allowed to compliment me.

“I should have told you about Mary,” he said, his handsome face breaking. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

There was a stabbing pain in my chest, and I stared down at the grass, wishing I could just sink into it and forget about Aiden and Mary. I hated her name in his mouth. I hated her in his mouth.

“I never wanted to hurt you or lie to you. I never meant to—”

“How long have you been dating her?” I asked, my voice croaking from the choked-back tears. I wouldn’t look up at him. I couldn’t.

He sniffled. “A month.”

I gasped, stepping back from him, my hand at my neck. “A month?” But it only came out in a whisper. “Aiden, a month!” I covered my face with both hands, unable to keep it together. All the time he’d been with me, making out and cuddling, he’d been dating her. He was with somebody else. It hurt too much to comprehend. “Did she know? Did she know you and I were…”

His arms were around me, holding me. His warm whispers were in my ear, saying he was sorry. But I just cried. I didn’t hug him back. I didn’t reach for him.

“Tessa,” he murmured, his hand protectively at the back of my neck. “I’ll do anything. Please, I’m so sorry. I love you.”

I choked, gasping for air as I pulled back to look up at him. “What?” I breathed. “What did you say?”

Aiden’s face was streaked with tears, his normally green eyes now red. “I love you, baby. I love you so much. Please.” He reached up to touch my arms, but I couldn’t react. I didn’t know how.

“You can’t hate me, Tess,” he pleaded. “You’re my everything. I need you.”

Confusion pulsed through me. “I saw you,” I murmured. “I saw you kiss her.”

“I know.” His voice cracked. “And once that happened, I broke it off with Mary. I promise you. I don’t know what I was thinking. It was just…Mary was at school, she was there. And in a way, it was like being with you, Tess. Especially since things between us had been so weird—”

“Oh my word,” I squeaked, and backed out of his hands. The realization hit me. “Aiden, did you…did you sleep with her?” Please no. Please no.

His breath was jagged. As the boy I’d loved since the moment I met him stared back at me and nodded, everything left me. Everything I ever cared for was suddenly ruined. I felt…completely betrayed. Completely alone.

Aiden started saying something, but I wasn’t listening anymore. I was looking past him, into the street. I wanted to go home.