Let Life Happen Read online

  “Thanks for the ‘warning’.” Might have been childish, but I did air quotes back. “I’ll try to remember that. But next time I hang out with him, I’ll have to refresh his memory of the wannabe Barbie his dick accidently fell in.” I made a face at her, and her expression contorted even more.

  “Fuck off, you little bitch. You aren’t his type. Don’t even try. You’ll just embarrass yourself.” She then accidentally on purpose spilled her beer on my tank.

  “What the hell?” I felt like I was on a reality TV show. Being drunk and wobbly didn’t help either.

  Before I could do anything, one of Evan’s frat brothers I knew pretty well stepped in front of me and spoke firmly. “Bri, you need to leave. Now. Don’t come in here and start shit for no reason.” He turned around and spoke more softly. “You all right, Jenna?”

  “Yeah, thanks, Alex. Just pissed about my shirt. I need to take it off.” Her words were on a constant loop in my head. What did she mean not his type? Why did I care? Ugh. Goddamn Aiden.

  “Come on. Follow me. You’re not taking clothes off in front of these assholes. We’ll find something in my room.”

  I followed him toward the back.

  Maya stopped me, fuming. “Who was that bitch?”

  “No idea. Never seen her before. Just decided to stake her claim on Aiden, which is fine by me. I’m going to get another shirt from Alex so I don’t have to wear this shit.” I gestured toward my now soaked tank. I was wearing a bandeau, thank goodness, or I would’ve been screwed.

  In his room, Alex handed me a cut-off workout shirt which kinda made me look like a tomboy trying to be cute. “Sorry, this is really all I have that’ll fit you. You’re small.”

  “No, this is fine. I appreciate it. Mucho. I owe you.”

  “Well, there is something…” He paused, unsure of himself.

  “Name it.”

  He looked nervous, and I was instantly intrigued.

  “Could you talk to Maya maybe…about me? I’d love to take her out, but every time I ask her, she thinks I’m joking. I don’t know how to make her realize I’m serious.”

  “Maya’s a piece of work. I’ll do some investigating and get the fo’-one-one. Da info. Dem digits.” I burst out laughing at my own joke, and he rolled his eyes with an easy smile.

  “You need some water. If you even remember this conversation tomorrow, I’ll wait to get the dirt.”

  “Yeah, agua is a good idea.”

  I slowly stumbled back to the kitchen to talk with Kennedy and Garret. Odd, I didn’t remember Garret being there earlier. I took a big swig of water and spotted Maya talking to a couple guys wearing deep V-necks. “Who thinks wearing V-necks that deep is sexy? They just remind me of Andy Samberg from a SNL skit.”

  “You’re right. Don’t kill her moment, though,” Kennedy said. Her face was flushed, and she seemed happy Garret was there.

  “Some guys you just know are tools,” I muttered to myself.

  “Seriously. Drunk Jenna is the best.” Garret joked with me, and I attempted to give him a cocky smile, but I was sure it ended up looking like I’d choked on my tongue. I wanted to ask why the hell he was here instead of with his “date,” but Kennedy was giving me the back-off glare.

  I grabbed Kennedy’s hand, and Maya joined us walking toward the gross frat basement where the music blared. Someone came up behind me and start grinding. He had good rhythm, and Maya gave me a big, goofy smile, so I knew he wasn’t a total creeper.

  My mysterious dancer had good moves, and drunk Jenna liked to get down and dirty on the dance floor. He might’ve had a case of wandering hands, but hell, I was single and he was a decent dancer.

  After a couple songs, I was sweating and needed a breather. As soon as I looked up, I saw a pair of pissed-off gray eyes glaring at me from the bottom of the stairs. He met me halfway, and put his arm around my waist to yank me toward a private corner.

  “What the hell, Aiden?” I yelled through gritted teeth. “You have no right to jerk me around like that.”

  He didn’t look embarrassed or ashamed at all. It pissed me off more. He wasn’t some barbarian who could just manhandle me.

  He bent low enough that his mouth was near my ear and said, “I texted you multiple times, and you never responded. I was worried.”

  “Who cares? Why would you be worried? Why would that make you think coming here was the best decision? I’m here with friends. Why do you look so good in a towel? I’m confused! Ugh!” I threw my hands up in the air dramatically. My word vomit was out of control.

  “You got drunk at my place, and I felt responsible. I know frat guys, and I didn’t want you to get into a bad situation. You didn’t answer your phone. I was worried. It’s been over three hours without a response.” He still looked pissed, and boy, the man wore anger well. I was slightly turned on by how his gaze roamed my body in a possessive manner. “And as soon as I walk in, I see some creep groping you.” He looked down at my clothes. “Whose shirt is that?”

  “Funny you should ask. It’s my friend Alex’s.”

  “Are you sleeping with him?” His jaw tensed, and his hand bunched in a fist at his side. I didn’t understand why he was acting like this.

  “Jesus. Boundaries, Aiden. You need to learn them. You can’t just ask people things like that, but no, I am not sleeping with him. He’s a friend.”

  “Why are you wearing his shirt?”

  “Uhh, because your good friend Bri decided to warn me away from you and accidently spilled beer down my shirt. So…I wasn’t going to spend the night in a wet tank.” I shrugged.

  “Shit!” He dragged his hand through his hair, his jaw still tensed, making his face appear even more dangerous. “Look, I’m sorry. She won’t bother you again.”

  “If she does, then I’ll beat her ass! I know I’m not your type, but she made it clear you were hers. I have no plans to try and get in her way.”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “Are you always so audacious?”

  “You know it, baby.” I was beginning to feel sick and knew I needed to get out of there. I looked around and didn’t see Maya or Kennedy anywhere. “Ah, jungle juice is not feeling hot right now.”

  He took my arm, gently this time. “I’m walking you home. Please don’t argue. I feel bad enough you got drunk with me and then had beer thrown on you.”

  I nodded. “Probably a good idea. I need to go, and my ladies need to stay to pick up some hot guys. Let me just…find them and tell them.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Here, put my shirt on. It’s cooled off out there with the rain. I’ll find them and let them know.”

  I didn’t fight him at all. Bed sounded amazing. I pulled on the plaid shirt and soon saw him walking back toward me.

  “I told them you were about to pass out, and I needed to take you home.” He growled. “Your friend Alex offered up his bed, but I told him to fuck off. You may have to deal with him tomorrow.”

  I didn’t really hear the way he sneered Alex’s name or feel the way he put his arm around me as we began the walk home.

  “I would love to make beer. How fucking cool? Like, to have your own supplies.”

  “I could see you making your own beer sometime. What’s your favorite kind?” he asked, keeping the conversation going.

  “I think a lager, but sometimes I like a nice dark ale. Working in a bar has really helped me figure out my favorites. I hate Hefeweizens. I think they taste like earwax.”

  Aiden made a face. “Earwax? Really? Haven’t heard that one before.”

  “Oh shit!” I stumbled on the curb and fell to my knees. “Damn feet feel huge. Ouch.”

  “You’re a mess right now. Want a piggyback ride?”

  “This is too flirty for me. You’re flirting.” Yeah, I had no filter whatsoever.

  “I’m really not. You’re drunk, stumbling, and your legs are short. This’ll quicken the pace.”

&nb
sp; “I’m not sleeping with you. Nope. I won’t do it. Even though you probably know a lot of tricks.” My verbal diarrhea was past the point of being stopped.

  He chuckled lightly, but I was for sure going to get sick soon. “Okay, maybe a ride would be better. I may be sick.”

  “Hop on, shorty.” He turned and helped me onto his back. Then he added, “Don’t you puke on me.”

  It wasn’t that long of a walk, but I enjoyed breathing in his masculine scent and how safe I felt with him. “You’re not so bad, you know? Even though you wear V-necks, you’re not a tool.”

  Chapter 12

  There’s a First Time for Everything-Aiden

  “STOP the hammering. Ugh.”

  “What?” I was stirred awake by Jenna squirming around in my bed. My dick sure remembered she’d slept there with me, because he was wide awake, trying to escape my boxers. I adjusted the blankets to hide him.

  “Shit.” She sat up but immediately grabbed her head. “I should not have done that. Nope. God, I hate drinking.”

  I lifted myself, resting my head on my hand, and knew the moment she realized where she was. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly.

  It took everything in me to not kiss her. I pushed down my insane desire because she was two seconds away from panicking. I had two options: make her squirm or come out right away and tell her what happened. I wasn’t a nice guy despite how I’d been acting.

  “Did you enjoy yourself last night?” I somehow managed to hold back my smile when her face paled.

  “Uh, what do you mean?” She closed her eyes and nervously bit her lip.

  “I had a really good time. Unexpected, honestly, but good.” I stretched and continued to watch her. Her cheeks paled even more, and she was clutching the blankets up to her chin.

  “I hate myself. I fucking promised myself I wouldn’t sleep with you. Damn it. I’m afraid to even pull the blanket down to see if I’m naked.” She groaned into her hands before throwing them down. “Thank God!”

  She was wearing the same clothes as the night before, but I had taken off her shoes before dropping her in my bed.

  Relief flooded her eyes before she snapped her head to me. “Hold up. We didn’t sleep together, did we?”

  I laughed and positioned myself to sit up against the wall. “Jenna, when we sleep together, you will remember. Trust me. Also, I don’t sleep with women who are half as drunk as you were last night.”

  She nodded slowly, careful not to stir her headache. “Presumptuous and admirable at the same time. Too many feelings right now.”

  I laughed. “I have to say, though, I don’t think I’ve ever slept in a bed with a girl before. You know, without the sex part.” I laughed again softly and added, “It was actually kind of nice. Well, besides the snoring.”

  “I do not snore!” she said loudly and immediately winced. “Fuucck.”

  “Here, take some Advil and drink this.” I leaned over the side of my bed and opened the drawer to get the pills.

  “Thank you. Maybe I’ll feel normal again.”

  “You will. Believe it or not, I don’t get hung over.” I shrugged.

  “You lucky asshole.”

  “Most of the time, yes. Always, no. Do you remember the party last night?” I put a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her.

  She closed her eyes and was quiet for a minute. “Yes, I remember having some girl spill beer on me, and then you showed up. Wait, why would I leave with you?”

  “Besides my good looks? What other reason would you have?”

  She glared at me and shook her head. “As modest as you are, I wouldn’t have left with anyone, ever, on looks alone. I’m not that shallow.”

  “Duly noted. You are not a morning person. You were drunk, and I wanted to make sure you got home safe. I might or might not have demanded you leave.”

  “Ah, yes. Caveman Aiden is fresh in my brain.” She lay back down and sighed. “Why did I want to get drunk?’

  “Celebrating not having class Thursday morning, I believe.”

  “I achieved my goal, then. Yay me.”

  I laughed at her dismayed expression. “Yup. You barely stayed coherent the walk here, but you are a funny drunk.”

  “So I’ve heard, but that’s embarrassing,” she said with a frown. “Thank you, seriously, for helping me out. But why am I here and not at my apartment?”

  “You lost your keys, and you were barely hanging on. I made a judgment call.”

  “Wow. I’m pissed at myself for being vulnerable. I’m really glad you were there, Aiden. Thank you.” She closed her eyes and smiled.

  My expression fell for a minute before I replaced it with a fake grin. “Ah, no worries, baby. Anything to help out a woman in distress.”

  “Why do you do that?” she asked in a low voice.

  I was confused. “What do you mean? Do what?”

  “You have this thing you do. I don’t know how to describe it; my brain’s a little slow this morning. Forgive me. But I’ve seen you do it a couple times. It’s like the real you is out, and then suddenly, you put up this mask. It’s not really you. The pet names and smooth talking. It’s fake.”

  I hated how she saw through my complete bullshit. “Not sure how to respond to that. Uh, I think I’m always charming.”

  “You are. It was one of the reasons I hated you on sight. Sorry.” She blushed and waved her hand like the comment meant nothing anymore. “But you have these oddly admirable traits you don’t let out a lot. You don’t have to ass-kiss me. I’m not trying to get to your money or bed.”

  “I know. That’s why this friendship might be good for us.”

  “I agree. It will. Very glad right now I didn’t sleep with you.” She said it so nonchalantly and with a smirk, and it pissed me off.

  “Why would it be a bad thing if we slept together?” I hated how pathetic my question sounded. “You can answer honestly. You won’t hurt my pretty feelings.”

  She rolled her eyes but looked up at me. “It would be a terrible thing. One, you’re kind of slutty, and I don’t want to catch anything. Two, I would be another one in your harem of women.”

  I nodded briefly before responding, “I don’t have a harem of women, crazy, and I’m always safe. I’m not going to chance hurting my goods.” I looked at the length of her in my bed and hated how great she looked there. “Plus, we’d have to see each other all semester, and you know I don’t do repeats.”

  “My point exactly. I wouldn’t want to mess up my grade in our class, and I prefer to be in a relationship with someone before screwing them. But that’s just my opinion.”

  I let her answer sink in, but her response did piss me off a little bit. “Come on now, Jenna. Don’t say shit like that. I would never mess up your grade for any reason. Comments like that piss me off.”

  “Just being honest.”

  “I know, but I’m being honest, too. I would never do that, and I know you wouldn’t either.”

  She bit her lip again, bringing my attention to it, and she caught me. “Stop checking me out. We’re only going to be friends.”

  I barked out a laugh. “My bad. You look good in my bed, though. I can’t help it. You’re hot.”

  “Ugh. Knock it off.”

  “Friends can think each other are hot. Plus, you did say I was uncontrollably attractive.”

  “I regret it immensely. But sure, I’ll give it to you. You are incredibly hot, but you also know it, so it makes you undoubtedly less hot. Did that make sense? My brain is still foggy.”

  “I got it. Thanks for the ego check.”

  “It’s what I’m here for. Hey, really, though, why did you come caveman me last night?”

  I ran a hand through my hair as I thought about it. I wasn’t sure why I was so affected or concerned about her safety, and I didn’t want to lie to her. “Truth?”

  “Duh. Once you lie, I have a hard time ever trusting again.”
r />   “I’ll remember that. But you were drunk, and I know some assholes, like really take-advantage-of-women assholes, at the Delta house. I know I’m an asshole for sleeping with women, but I would never take advantage of one. Ever. And I know you can take care of yourself, but I felt responsible because you got drunk here. I’ve never had a friend who’s a girl, so I might have overreacted.”

  “You think?” She laughed and grabbed her phone. “Thanks for letting my friends know. They found my keys. And hey, Alex isn’t a bad guy.”

  “Yeah, I know him. I was a dick last night because you were wearing his shirt. I’m new at this friend thing, so my bad.”

  She stretched her arms above her head, exposing part of her stomach, and my mouth watered. Shit. She made a moaning noise, and I jumped off the bed.

  “Ah. No quick movement. You made my head spin.”

  I laughed and took in her appearance. Her hair was all over the place, face frowning. “You want me to grab some coffee for you?”

  “No, I should head back. God. It’s like I’m doing the walk of shame from a frat house.”

  “Like you care what people think?” I scoffed, expecting better of her.

  “Good point. At least I know my frat virtue is still intact.”

  “Come on. I’ll take you back.”

  “No, you don’t have to do that.” She sat up, slowly, and ran her hands through her long hair before putting it up in a high ponytail. “Is my hat here?”

  “You mean your hideous Yankees one?”

  “You mean America’s baseball team? Yes. The one and only. Where is it?”

  I frowned and crossed my arms over my Diamondbacks shirt. “Hate to tell you this, but, uh, you kind of threw up in it last night, so I threw it away.”

  “You’re lying. No. I wouldn’t do that.” Her eyes widened in panic.

  “Yeah, I’m totally joking. It’s in here somewhere.”

  She sighed and looked around the room, spotting it on my chair. “Thank goodness. My grandpa would have killed me if I lost my hat.”

  “Crisis averted. Let’s go. I’ll drive you back, but you’re buying breakfast. You owe me.”