PART 3 – CHAPTER 149
JESS
I climbed the stairs slowly, each step feeling like a burden, weighed down by the storm swirling in my mind. Luke’s words echoed in my head, his touch lingering on my skin, the way he looked at me as if I were the center of his universe.
But despite that warmth, an impenetrable wall stood between us–a barrier I couldn’t break down, no matter how hard I tried. It hurt more than I could express, and I didn’t even understand why.
A cold wave of dread washed over me as I reached the landing outside my dorm. Aiden was leaning against the door, his arms crossed, a smug grin plastered on his face.
Perfect.
Just what I needed.
“Aiden, what are you doing here?” I asked, annoyed before even hearing his reply. I wasn’t in the mood–not after everything, not after the emotional whirlwind with Luke.
He shrugged, sliding away from the door with a self–satisfied smirk. “Thought we could talk. I’m surprised you are back here so early. Mr. Big football player couldn’t get it up?” Aiden was bitter, clearly and wanted to hurt me because… Did I hurt him?
“Talk?” I snapped, shoving past him to fumble for my keys. “There’s nothing to talk about. I told you–I’m fine. I can handle
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myself without you hovering around like some-” I took a breath, shooting him a glare that could cut glass. “Some stalker. Just leave me alone.”
Aiden didn’t flinch. “Well, excuse me for thinking maybe facing your past might take a toll on you. My fucking mistake. You are so pathetically broken, trying to convince everyone you are trying to remember when I know you are not. You feel relieved. You are just too scared to admit it.”
“The only person upsetting me right now is you!” I interrupted, frustration boiling to the surface. “You’re not helping! You’re making it worse. Just go home, Aiden. Please. Just go.
When I finally looked up, I noticed the way he swayed slightly, a hint of alcohol on his breath. He wasn’t just annoying–he was drunk.
“Seriously, Aiden? You’re drunk. Just go home before you embarrass yourself more than you already have.”
His expression shifted, the playful smirk fading into something more serious, almost hurt. “I’m not fucking drunk,” he replied, his voice low and steady. “And you don’t want me here because you are scared shitless of me. Of the feelings you have for me.”
“I’m not pushing anyone away! I am trying to remember! Also, I don’t have any feelings other than annoyance.” I yelled, the words bursting from me. My hands trembled as I fumbled to find the right key for the door, frustration seeping into every pore. “Just leave me alone!”
Aiden stayed put, his dark, unreadable eyes locked onto mine. “Are you sure about that? Because every time I come close to you, your body tells me something else. Maybe you don’t even
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PART 3 – CHAPTER 149
know what you need right now.”
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The dam inside me broke. “Just fucking leave!” I screamed, the words sharp and venomous, cutting through the air like a bullet. “Just leave me the hell alone!”
For a moment, silence enveloped us. The weight of my words hung in the air, a raw and jagged wound that neither of us could ignore. Aiden blinked, the drunken haze lifting slightly, revealing a deeper hurt in his eyes.
“Fine,” he said, voice strained. He stepped forward, and I instinctively backed against the door, my heart pounding. “But don’t act like you’re not the one who’s lost, Jess. You can scream at me all you want, but that’s not going to fix what’s really broken inside you.”
Staring at the floor, I bent down to grab the keys I’d dropped, my hands shaking with the weight of our argument. My vision blurred; tears I hadn’t expected began to spill over, hot and uncontrollable. I huddled on the cold floor, clutching the keys tightly in my hand as a wave of despair washed over me.
What was happening? Why was I crying? I barely even understood the feelings I had for Luke–why did it feel like my heart was fracturing?
“I don’t understand…” I whispered through my sobs, each word punctuated by an ache deep within me. I felt so small, so lost, hunched over as my shoulders trembled, all the fight draining from my body.
Initially, Aiden didn’t move. I sensed he might walk away, but instead, he hesitated. Then, unexpectedly, he took a step closer. “You’re stronger than this, Jess,” he murmured, almost as if
PART 3 CHAPTER 149
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trying to convince himself. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the empty. hallway.
I remained there, crouched by my door, the keys pressed tightly against my palms as the tears continued to fall. I couldn’t stop them, couldn’t halt the growing ache inside me.
PART 3–CHAPTER 150
