ACE

Chapter 23: Mine

Playlist for this chapter: Quit by Ariana Grande 

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I stared at a very furious Nicholas standing in front of us, in an all black suit, his jet black hair slicked back neatly and his jaw clenched as he took me in like I was his prey.

He looks really hot. Like sun, hot.

"Hello, how can we help you?" Daniel asked him and put his hand forward for Nicholas to shake but he didn't bother to even look at Daniel, rather, he was looking at his arm draped over my shoulder. 

His jaw clenched tightly as his eyes flicked to mine and I quickly shrugged off Dan's arm when he frowned and looked over at me.

"What's wrong?" He asked me and I gave him a quick nod, tearing my gaze from Nicholas and glancing at him briefly.

"Yeah, yes, I'm fine." I said in a voce I didn't recognize as my own and we all stood there in awkward silence until Kade came forward.

"Mr. King, it's good to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked him and Nicholas glanced at him briefly, his eyes taking a darker tone as he looked at Kade who stepped back quickly. 

I noticed Jake standing behind Nicholas when he gave me a small wave and I smiled and waved back at him.

"Hey, Jake." I said and Nicholas cleared his throat, my eyes snapping to his.

"Do you know these people, Dovey?" Daniel asked me and I nodded my head slowly.

"Yeah, I uh— I do. Um—" I looked at Nicholas and shot him a smile. 

"This is Ava, and Daniel, Ava's boyfriend and Dan, this is Nicholas. He's—He's my—" I looked at Cole and Abby who looked at us with eyes wide and shook their heads mouthing 'no', but I was too late to speak.

"Boyfriend." Nicholas said calmly but I could hint the anger in his voice as I turned to look at him with wide eyes.

Shit. I mentally face palmed myself.

"Dove? What is he saying?" Ava came up to me and suddenly Nicholas grabbed my waist and pulled me towards him, holding me by my waist while I glared at him.

"Nicholas." I warned but he didn't even bother looking at me.

Asshole.

"I'm Dove's boyfriend, Nicholas King." He said and held out his hand to Ava who shook it hesitantly, her eyes snapping to mine.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked me with wide eyes and I shook my head when Nicholas looked at me and I glared at him.

"He's not my boyfriend." I gritted out when he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Yet." He hissed at me and my eyes widened, my heart beat picking up its pace.

"What?" I stated in surprise when he sighed.

"You didn't tell her about us?" He asked me and I hinted the disbelief in his voice.

"I didn't find the right time." I told Ava who nodded when Cole and Abby came towards us.

"Don't worry Ave, she's in good hands, we know him. I think." Cole told her, smiling nervously.

"Dove said she wanted to tell you herself, so we didn't say anything. She really was going to tell you today but then we went out and she never got the chance to." Abby said and Ava looked at me.

"I trust you Dove, but are you sure?" She asked me, warily glancing at Nicholas and I nodded my head, smiling a bit.

"I'm sure." I told her and Nicholas' tense body relaxed a bit.