Page 86 of Veiled

“But seriously, tell me what you’re thinking so we can work through it all together.”

Ugh, where to start…

“What are you going to tell Lucas? I don’t know how much you know about our history, but I can tell you he’s going to lose it.”

“No, his best friend dating the girl he was in love with that cheated on him probably won’t be easy for him to take, but that was a long time ago—”

The cackle that bursts out of me cuts him off completely.

“Oh my gosh, please tell me you’re joking.” He just stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You have to be joking. That cannot be the bullshit he’s telling people.”

Aiden frowns, glancing at me like he’s not sure whether to be confused or offended. “What are you talking about?”

I can’t stop laughing, half in disbelief, half in frustration. “Lucas wasn’t in love with me, Aiden. We only dated for a couple weeks; he only asked me out because he was scared of my dad. And I never cheated on him, or anyone else, to be clear. I didn’t date or even mess around with anyone for a few years after that.”

“Your dad? I'm so confused.”

“My dad is the sheriff back home. Lucas wanted to take my V-card but was scared of what my dad would do if we weren’t dating. Dumbest logic ever.”

Aiden’s expression softens, his thumb tracing idle circles against the back of my hand. “So you never…?”

“Cheated? Definitely not. Had sex? Not even close. His ego got bruised after I overheard him talking shit, broke up with him, and wouldn’t take him back. After that, he started spreading rumors and trying to humiliate me whenever he could—which is actually how Josh and I became friends.”

“Josh? Who the hell is Josh?”

“The guy from riding class.” I shake my head, “So worked up and you didn’t even know his name. I’m actually surprised Lucas didn’t mention their history. They grew up rivals in pretty much every sport.”

“He hasn’t said a word about knowing him, only said he was acting cocky the first day. But anyway, how did their rivalry make you two friends?”

I tell him the same story Matt told Sasha the other week.

“Let me get this straight, you’re telling me you just ran over to Josh—practically a stranger—mid warm-ups, demanded his jersey, and then he kissed you?”

“No, of course not. I ran up to him mid-warm-ups, told him I was Lucas’s ex, and asked if he would be willing to play along. The kiss wasn’t exactly planned, but it really sold the whole thing perfectly.”

“Uh-huh. And does Josh still like to unexpectedly make out with you?”

“Considering he’s gay, that would be a hard no.”

Aiden slowly nods, taking in the whole story, then leans back in his seat, “So we’re on the same page, Lucas tried to manipulate you into having sex with him under the guise of dating, got mad that you wouldn’t fall for it again, and has been terrorizing you ever since. Did I get that right?”

“Pretty much sums it up, yeah.”

“And what about you coming to Scion? I was there when he confronted you about trying to steal from your dad to run off and marry Matt, and trying to kill him when he caught you. He showed me an article about your arrest, even.”

“Uhm, that’s a little more complicated. Matt and I didn’t try to steal anything, and we definitely were never getting married, but that is part of what we were sentenced to Scion for. I know it’s confusing, but can I tell you that story tonight, too? You are going to have a lot of questions, and it’s a bit heavy for a car ride.”

“Okay. What about you and Matt? What do I need to know?”

“Uhm, you’ll get the full picture with the Scion story, I think—but I can tell you that he’s the single most important person in my life. I obviously want you to get along with all my friends, but Matt is my family. I’ll understand if that’s too much for you. I can’t even honestly say if our roles were reversed that I could accept it easily, but hopefully after tonight, you’ll understand.”

“I can’t say it’ll be easy to get used to, but I can try.” Aiden’s voice is quiet, almost like he’s absorbing the weight of it all. “So, I’m guessing he’s not going to be thrilled with the idea of me and you, huh?”

I laugh, though it’s a little bitter. “After the backlash from the dining hall and then your pig stunt, he’s definitely going to need some time to warm up to the idea. But he hates Lucas so knowing us dating will piss Lucas off will give you a tiny step up.”

“I’m sorry, pig stunt? What are you talking about?” Aiden’s whole expression shifts. Not angry or offended. Just…blank, like he genuinely has no idea what I’m talking about.

My stomach twists, and I fold my arms across my chest. “Seriously? We’re still doing this?”