Broken Blue Eyes

Bailey - Sunshine

My whole body was on fire under the gaze of this 6'5 muscular guy. Aiden Graves.

I should've known it was him who sent me the friend request. And I should've known that everyone was watching my relationship with Liam. It was just about who was going to act on it and say something.

Aiden struck first.

His words swirled around my head until I felt dizzy.

"You're funny, kind, caring and you're gorgeous."

"Bailey, you're fucking sunshine."

"I know we haven't really interacted with each other, but Jesus... that's my biggest regret as of now."

How could he say these things. How could someone as strong, handsome and brave say things like this to me? I didn't deserve any of this. I wasn't funny. Or kind. Or gorgeous.

I shake my head, well aware of how close he was, leaning over me. His green eyes were so vibrant, and they glimmered with something I couldn't quite place.

Oh crackers.

"I-I'm not. I'm not pretty. Or nice. Or..." trailed off as his eyes narrowed. His accusatory gaze told me I was saying horrible things. But I wasn't. I was saying the truth. Sometimes, the truth hurt more, causing more whiplash than any other pain in the world.

"Liam has planted seeds of doubt in your mind," he said, his voice deep and rich. I shivered slightly as his thumb rubbed over my round cheek. "He has put you down so far in a hole and you can't see light to get out. I can show you the light you've forgotten."

He was giving me an out. An easy out. To good to be true. I wanted so desperately to take his hand, to let him help me escape, but I couldn't. something... someone... was holding me back.

"I can't. I'm sorry."

Aiden shook his head. "Don't apologize. If you're truly sorry, you'd let me help you."

Damn, he got me there.

I almost missed how his eyes widened a fraction as he stared at my cheek, pulling his hand back to see the concealer on his thumb. He glanced back at my cheek, and I felt my heart drop. Oh no, no, no, no...

I quickly covered my cheek with my hand as he raised an eyebrow.

"You have freckles?"

I squeezed my eyes shut. Damnit. I had put on so much concealer for tonight because Liam had complained about my freckles ruining his image. And now Aiden had seen them. He must've thought I was a freak.

But a soft hand rested on my hip and another below my chin, tilting it up.

"Bailey. Look at me."

I forced myself to open my eyes, obeying the deep voice that I felt vibrate against my body.

Aiden stared at me, with a certain softness. I felt my heart hammer and the corner of his mouth tipped up.

"Why are you hiding them?"

No answer came to me immediately, but I averted my gaze. "Liam doesn't like them."

The 6'5 man snorted. "Sucks to be him. They make you even more beautiful. Delicate almost. Like a tiger lily."

My heart was a competitor in formula one with the rate of how fast it was going. Oh jeez... why was he so close? Am I... cheating?

"Bailey!"

Electricity ran through my veins as my heart dropped to my stomach and I looked to the left to see Liam standing at the end of the hall. Aiden scowled. I felt the rage radiating off him, which shocked me. He seemed laid back and chill.