Stained Recovery

Busted || Chapter 13

REMINDER: THIS WILL BE A LONG CHAPTER, GET SOME WATER AND RELAX 🤣

Ariana

"Are you serious?!" Doug overacting yelled as if I was on the other side of the room.

We are currently hanging out inside the green room with the girls and Aaron. They decided to just head here after my rehearsals since we still have a few hours before the show.

Cleo on the other hand went shopping since her mom asked her to buy something for her. Whatever it was, I was sure that it cost a lot — Cleo was frowning the whole time she talked to her mother earlier.

"What? I just wanted to cuddle! She was so hell-bent on sleeping on the couch, I didn't want her to be uncomfortable. Besides, she was tired too!" I reasoned out.

We were talking about my bratty spoiled-ass attitude last night. I was the one who actually told the story and Jasmine laughed her ass off when Cleo caved in.

"Oh my gosh, Ariana. I swear, Clay was like, super traditional! It was actually a surprise she stayed in one bed with you. Knowing the kid, she'd probably stay on the couch until the end of your tour!" Jasmine was all giggles.

I rolled my eyes at her antics — I appreciate Cleo being a gentlewoman and all that... but, I want her close to me as much as possible.

Yeah... I'm that needy.

"Well, at least you didn't jump her bones. I'm proud of you girl." Alexa muttered before sipping her sippy cup.

Damn, this girl had some serious issues with her hourly fruit/milkshakes.

"Hmm... I was so tempted, but I held back. I don't want to rush things. Besides, she really respected me, like how perfect can a person be? She's always so mindful of my personal space and time." I dreamily sighed.

Just thinking about my baby makes me want to scream out of giddiness. Fuck — this is the first time I felt this way.

My friends all chuckled as they saw my happy and smiling face. However, when my eyes caught Aaron's look, I knew that he wanted to say something.

I expectantly stared at him, daring him to speak out. With a sigh, he placed the magazine he was holding back on the tabletop.

"I'm happy for you, Ari... but are you sure about this? You have a habit of jumping from one fling to another. What's the difference now?" And he hit the nail on the head.

I was actually waiting for them to directly address this shit. I hate it...but I knew that this was something that they'd assume.

It's normal... I just met Cleo and I look like I'm super crazy about her. Aaron crossed his leg over the other and cupped his chin with his palm.

He looked bored but still inquisitive.

"From what I heard, Cleo came from a long-term relationship. Meaning, she could stick to one person for a long period of time. She knows how commitment works.

"What about it, Aaron? We're both happy with what we have right now. We're not really moving fast... haven't you heard how she treats me? I wouldn't be entertaining her if I wasn't in it for the long run." His face says it all.

He thinks that this is another distraction.

Aaron hummed and everyone stayed quiet. They were like watching a tennis match on the whole court the ball was in.

"I'm not attacking you, aight? Chill — I just wanna make sure. Cleo looked like a great person. I just don't want you to make the same mistakes again and... you know, hurt another person and hurt yourself too." He said maintaining eye contact with me.