His eyes narrow slightly, as though commanding me to stare into his sharp features, not seeing my humor. “Just–” He cuts himself off with a shake of his head. “Where is your boyfriend?” His tone has a hint of accusation.
“Upstairs,” I say nervously, questioning myself. What if he isn’t happy to see me?
Aiden straightens, his height is intimidating. Crossing his arms, he surveys me. “Maybe he’s sleeping? We could go?” He offers, but I don’t know why.
The idea of him sleeping during a party makes me laugh. I shake my head. “I’m going to go find him in a minute.”
Deep in thought, he bites his lip. Then, as if a switch has been flipped, he shakes his head once while directing his attention back to the other side of the room. A crooked smile plays on his face. I follow his line of sight to where a girl stands. With her eyes trained on him, she gives a small wave at his acknowledgment.
“I’ll be over there with Ash. Just don’t accept drinks from strangers.” He deadpans, walking away from me without another glance.
In a slow calculated movement, he stands before the girl. She giggles when he talks to her. Of course, he’s the type of guy to hook up with random girls at a party where he knows absolutely no one. I look back to Ian’s friends and ignore the odd feeling in my chest.
My nerves settle as I get lost in conversation, enjoying a few more drinks that I make myself in the kitchen.
Deciding it’s time, I stand up and smooth my dress down.
I wanted Ian to randomly find me, maybe come downstairs and get the hint of my surprise visit, so I don’t have to make the first move. But screw it, I feel strong and confident. I’m ready to find him myself.
I turn towards the staircase, watching Aiden follow my movements with alert eyes while propped against the wall. The striking girl from before is still demanding his attention, which is now on me. His narrowed eyes never leave me as he lifts a beer bottle to his full lips and takes a smooth sip.
Averting my gaze, which seems to keep wandering in his direction, I rush up the stairs, my feet hitting the boards in sync with the thumping music. Anticipation and puzzlement fill me as I turn the knob to Ian’s room.
Why is his door closed? Maybe he is asleep?
I throw the door open and my breath hitches at the sight before me. The chaotic noise from downstairs fades away as I discover sounds of nightmares I never knew existed. A drowning pain soaks into my chest.
I urge my legs to move as I watch him thrust into her naked body, but they remain rooted to the ground. He hovers over her, his hips pumping, eliciting hideous moans from her so loud that it masks the tiny whimper that slips past my lips.
As I watch him kiss her, my legs buckle, and I collapse to the floor with a thud. Yet, the pain is nothing compared to the shattering of my heart.
His head snaps back. “Get the fuck ou–” He cuts himself off when he sees me and pushes the girl away. Wrapping a sheet around his waist, he reaches for me.
Unable to stand being in his room for another second, the images from earlier now burnt into my mind, I bolt. Bursting through the front door, I inhale deeply.
Stupid honeysuckles.
The lawn is still riddled with drunken people but in my frantic state, they part as I shove them away.
I need to get out of here, to get away.
“Emma!”
Anger courses through my veins at the sound of his voice, still thick with lust. I shake in disgust as I turn to face Ian, my arms crossed. He has a pair of basketball shorts on but is shirtless still.
I hold a finger up. If eyes could kill, he’d be dead.
“No! Don’t ever talk to me again. I was coming over tonight to...” I shake my head with a scoff. “Oh my god. This is fucked, Ian.” I scream, running my hands through my hair and destroying my perfectly placed curls.
A crowd has gathered around us, but I don’t care. I only see red and the longer he looks at me with a confused expression the deeper the shade of red grows.
“You were coming for wha–”
I cut him off with a slash of my hand.
Ian stands before me within a few strides. He smells like her and pungent alcohol. I stamp down the sudden wave of nausea. The emotions coursing through me are overwhelming.
“I have been nothing but good to you! But then I come here tonight to find you in bed with some skank?” I bellow out my desperation and betrayal.
In one quick movement, I slap him across the face. The sharp crack echoes in the now quiet night. A wave of satisfaction washes over me when I see the red bloom on his skin. I want him to feel a fraction of the humiliation I feel. Plus, I know how much he hates it when he’s embarrassed.
With one menacing step, he closes the gap between us. I move to take a step back, but his large hands grip my shoulder tightly, a dark look forms in his eyes. I’ve never seen this side of Ian before. I try to squirm out of his grip, but I’m stuck.
“How dare you embarrass me in front of all these people.” Ian spits out.
My head lowers slightly, momentarily regretting my hasty act. But when I close my eyes, all I see is him on top of her, their moans echoing in my ears. Rage rushes through me and I lift my hand subconsciously.
With a growl, Ian grabs my wrist so hard a gasp escapes my lips.
“Don’t even fucking think about it.” A deep voice demands from behind me, and I begin to worry I pissed off one of his stupid
