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

and I can hear the

posse right behind her,

his arm around

well, if it isn't Alina and her favorite Matthews." She rolls her eyes when she

up at Aiden.

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 head, her gaze flicking between Aiden and me. She

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

see is an insecure little girl. Aiden

arch an eyebrow, crossing my arms as I try to

rolls her eyes, like I'm being ridiculous, and looks down at her fingernails. "You really forgot he took

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

much mine as Aiden

his head. "Yeah, my brother is not

angry, and she presses her

girls closing in around her. They look at us like we're the heartless

Nikki asks, stepping up to stand next to

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Fourth Man

looks between all of

if I call him up, put him on speaker, would he say you two

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

nothing as Sadie walks away with her little group. I turn to see Nikki scowling like she wants to

chest and turns toward me. "She's

are bubbling inside me. I'm not

head, matching

and head to class. It's then when the nerves in the pit of my belly start because

1. me.

back, keeping my head down as I ignore everyone

themselves into the