It Would've Been You

VI

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 brings another round of drinks to Aiden, who is tipping her an unbelievable amount of money that I'm sure he'll regret spending tomorrow when he's not stone-drunk.

However, tonight, we're celebrating his official break-up with Vanessa by getting wasted with fake IDs in some expensive nightclub in downtown New York.

I hope this ends things with them for good. If Aiden dates her again, there's no chance Vanessa will be able to keep our little secret between us. She's boastful, and with a relationship built on fetishizing disloyalty, it could easily slip out in an argument.

I reach for a shot glass filled with vodka, taking the lemon slice off the rim, and squeezing the lemon into my mouth.

My eyes fixate on the salt crystals lining the glass. I'm trying to ignore the provocative conversation they are having about the lady not too far away from us. Aiden watches as she makes a cocktail for the couple who just arrived at the bar, staring too intently at her body.

"She's hot." He concludes, returning his focus to the rest of us. The woman in question is a brunette with Aiden's ideal body type: curvy and petite. If she dyes her hair and covers herself in makeup, I won't be able to tell the difference between her and Vanessa.

"What do you think?" He nudges my shoulder. "Would you hit?"

I shrug, swirling the glass in my hand. The lights lining the ceiling in the club are flashing neon purple. It's pretty modern. Women are dressed in short skirts, carrying drinks to middle-aged men who openly come here to stare at them.

Not my style.

"Look who's acting all mature now." His words slurred. Listening to him is almost irritating.

"Because I won't check a girl out and tell you if I'd sleep with her? Maybe I am." I down the shot of vodka and take another glass. "What, do you think I'm looking for someone to take home tonight?" None of the women here are of any interest to me. They're all too eager, too much of a sex appeal.

"You're the most sex-craved person here," Aiden argues.

Coming from him, of all people, is fucking ironic. Most of his conversations derive from comments about someone he finds attractive. Yet, I can't exactly deny his claim.

"Aiden, we didn't come here to see which chick you could get your hands on for the night." I sneer.

"I'm sure you know a lot about that. Don't you?" He stands up, knocking over the empty glass next to his arm. If I were to guess what he is referring to, his tone implies he might know what happened between me and Vanessa. Issac catches the glass before it falls, trying to de-escalate the situation.

"What's wrong with you two?"

"How about you ask Cameron that question?" He glares at me like I'm supposed to feel threatened.

We kissed. It didn't go any further than that. I didn't allow it to. Vanessa just wanted a reason to put her hands all over me, and I let her. She got what she wanted, and I used her as a distraction.

I grimace. "Vanessa came onto me. It's not my fault she's a whore."

He picks up an empty glass off the table, and I stand up.

"Save it, Cam," Zion says, grabbing the back of my shirt before I can step any closer. Causing a scene will get us kicked out, and I'm not in the mood to fight with someone unable to hold up by himself. I take another shot, hoping it clears my mind before I do something regretful.

I smirk at Aiden. My expression tinged with amusement. "What? Can't handle a little honesty?"

He grits his teeth, clearly struggling to contain his anger. "This isn't about honesty. It's about respect. Something you seem to lack entirely."