Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 128

Fourth Man

Zaid was right.

Aiden was more upset with the lying than he was with the fact that I was with Jake, or that I wanted to be with Jake. Things settled into a routine really quick and the next few days went by in a flash.

Next thing I know, it's Monday and I'm walking down the school hallways with my hand in Aiden's. It's just us here. Zaid is still expelled from Melview, so even though he didn't return to boarding school, homeschool is the only option for him. We stand in a circle during lunch. Nikki, Parker and some other of Aiden's teammates are with us, talking about break and what we did over the holidays.

Aiden slips his hand into my back pocket, pulling me closer to him until my hip bumps against his. He looks down at me, a smirk playing on his lips.

He leans toward me, his lips on the crown of my head, and he whispers so only I can hear. "You know, I kind of like this."

I glance at him, smiling. "Like what?"

He shifts, moving closer to me and running his lips down my face until he kisses my lips. We're ignoring the entire group, but they don't seem to notice. "Being the only one here with you. Feels like old times."

Something sharp twists in my chest. Old times. I try to hide the panic shuffling through me. Back when it was just Aiden and me. When I didn't know what it felt like to want

more.

To want all of them.

I force a smile, but it feels off. "Yeah. Old times."

But I can't imagine going back to just him. Things might be a bit more

complicated, but I'm happier.

Aiden's smile disappears as he looks over my shoulder, and he sighs heavily. "Oh, shit."

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Fourth Man

I can hear the blood rushing

us, her posse right behind her, including

his arm around my waist

Alina and her favorite Matthews." She rolls her eyes when she

up at Aiden.

half a second before I school my expression. She stops in front of us, her arms crossed, a smirk curling her lips. My chest tightens involuntarily, but I force my shoulders to stay loose. I try not to even let my eyes shift over to Will. Sadie tilts her

her hair between her fingers. "Now that I'm with Zaid, I

curls her lips as she speaks, but all I see is an insecure little girl. Aiden smirks, and a snort

arch an eyebrow, crossing my arms as I try to

looks down at her fingernails. "You really forgot he took me to the wedding

fight to keep my expression neutral. I press my lips together, but the hint of a smile threatens to slip through. I want

as much mine as

a short laugh, shaking his

she presses

fades away with every second, her girls closing in around her. They look at us like we're the heartless

can he be jealous if you're lying?" Nikki asks, stepping up to stand next to me. Her shoulder brushes mine and I'm thankful for

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Fourth Man

all of us.

put him on speaker,

cheeks turn red and her lips tremble. Her eyes go from Aiden to me to Nikki,

turn to see Nikki scowling like she wants to strangle Sadie, and I chuckle. "Thanks for standing up for

crosses her arms on her chest and turns toward me. "She's a

bubbling inside me.

her head, matching

up and head to class. It's then when the nerves in the pit of my belly start because Aiden isn't

1. me.

back, keeping my head down as

drops themselves into the seat beside me that I