Rivals Redemption

Chapter 21 : Aiden's Party

Rowan Cortez

Aiden Finn’s parties were legendary. The guy knew how to code a killer app and throw a wild party with equal skill, and tonight was no different. His apartment was packed, music thumping so hard I could feel it in my chest. The place was filled with a mix of university students—some tech geeks, fashion enthusiasts, musicians—everyone from different walks of life, all mingling in the chaos that only Aiden could orchestrate.

Tina and I arrived together, though not as a couple. Not officially, anyway. We still hadn’t defined whatever was going on between us, and part of me wondered if we ever would. But tonight, we weren’t here to figure that out. We were here to blow off some steam after weeks of NASA prep and internships. And maybe, just maybe, something would shift between us with the right mix of alcohol and Aiden’s absurd party energy.

As we made our way through the crowd, I spotted Nash and Grace in a corner, Nash holding an acoustic guitar, looking like he might break into an impromptu set at any second. Grace was laughing at something he said, her face lit up in that way only Nash could manage. A few feet away, Sevia and Louis were huddled together, both of them sipping drinks and looking out of place in the madness but still comfortable with each other.

"Looks like everyone's here," Tina said, leaning in close so I could hear her over the music. Her breath was warm on my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Yeah," I replied, glancing at her sideways. She looked incredible tonight—casual but effortlessly stunning in a way that was becoming annoyingly distracting. "Typical Aiden, pulling together half the campus for one night."

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "He does know how to throw a party."

Aiden himself was nowhere to be seen, but knowing him, he was probably holding court somewhere, flirting with every girl in sight while Lemi kept an amused eye on him. They had a strange but undeniable chemistry, and somehow, it worked. It wasn’t long before I found them, though, when I stepped outside onto the balcony for some fresh air.

And there they were, in the corner of the balcony, Lemi practically pressed against the wall, Aiden kissing her like it was the last time he’d ever get the chance. I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head as I turned back inside. Some things never changed.

When I returned to the party, I found Tina standing by the kitchen island, pouring herself a drink. Her eyes flicked to me, catching the smirk still lingering on my face.

"What’s so funny?" she asked, handing me a cup.

I took it, raising an eyebrow. "Just caught Aiden and Lemi making out like they’re in a rom-com out there."

Tina laughed, a low, throaty sound that sent another jolt through me. "That sounds about right. Aiden is so full of himself, but they make it work."

"Yeah, I’ll never understand how they balance that chaos." I leaned against the counter, watching as her smile lingered.

We stood there for a moment, the music loud but fading into the background as the air between us felt suddenly heavier, charged. Tina took a sip from her cup, her eyes meeting mine over the rim, and I could feel the heat rising between us, unspoken but undeniable.

"So, what’s your take on all this?" she asked, her voice low enough that it was just for me. "The party, Aiden, all of it?"

I shrugged, keeping my tone casual even as my pulse quickened. "Typical Aiden. But you and me… this?" I gestured between us. "I’m not sure what this is yet."

Tina set her cup down, leaning in a little closer, her gaze sharp but teasing. "Maybe we don’t need to define it tonight."

There was something about the way she said it, the way her voice dipped just slightly, that sent my mind racing. My eyes dropped to her lips for just a second before I caught myself, but I knew she noticed.

"Tina…" I started, but before I could say more, she took a step closer, her body brushing against mine.

"Rowan," she said softly, her hand resting lightly on my chest, "we don’t have to figure everything out right now."

Her eyes were dark, filled with something I hadn’t seen before. It was like all the tension that had been building between us was finally breaking through, the weight of the past melting away in the heat of the moment. I wasn’t sure who moved first—me or her—but the next thing I knew, our lips met, tentative at first, then deepening as the fire between us ignited.

The room spun for a second as I pulled her closer, my hand slipping around her waist as I kissed her with the kind of intensity I’d been holding back for too long. There was no turning back now.

I could feel her fingers slide up my chest, curling around the back of my neck, pulling me even closer as the world around us faded into the background. It was just us now, everything else forgotten in the heat of the moment.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathless, she looked up at me with a small, knowing smile. "Guess we’re not enemies anymore."

I laughed softly, still catching my breath. "Yeah, I think that ship sailed a while ago."

She took a step back, her fingers brushing mine before letting go. "We should probably get back before anyone starts looking for us."

"Yeah, wouldn’t want Aiden to think we’re stealing his spotlight," I joked, but inside, my mind was still reeling.

As we made our way back into the main room, I spotted Aiden and Lemi rejoining the party, looking just as disheveled as we probably did. Nash and Grace were still talking, and Sevia and Louis were in their own world, laughing about something.

But for me, nothing was the same as it had been an hour ago. I’d crossed a line with Tina, a line I wasn’t sure we could ever go back from.

And strangely enough, I didn’t want to.