Against All Odds?

20. Who Is She?

                                   -♡♥︎♤♥︎♡⁃
𝗝𝗔𝗬𝗗𝗘𝗡

𝑨𝒔 I stay positioned beneath the car, fixing the loose oil filter, I can't help but smile at the thought of seeing Aleesha tonight. After so many years of waiting and planning out our dates in my head, I can't believe it's finally happening. We're finally together, and yet it feels so surreal.

How did I manage to do that? How did I finally find the courage to tell her how I feel, to let her in despite the fear that kept holding me back?

To say I'm smitten by her would be an understatement. She's got me smiling foolishly like a love-struck teen—it's crazy.

I'm fully aware that this would hurt Corey even more if he ever found out, but I can't help what I feel for her. I can't tell my heart what to feel; trust me, I've tried for years to convince myself to forget about her. Yet, I keep coming back, needing her more than the night needs the moon.

Lost in my thoughts, Dustin's voice pulls me back to reality, and I finally catch on to what they're talking about.

Hearing Dustin tell Alex about the night he caught me kissing a mysterious girl at the party—thankfully, he doesn't know it's Aleesha—makes my heart rate spike instantly.

"It's true!" Dustin chuckles softly in response to Alex, who still sounds doubtful.

"Nah, that can't be Jayden. I haven't seen him with anyone since he quit his old ways," Alex says.

"Well, I was surprised when I saw him," Dustin replies, then walks over to me. "C'mon, Jayden, tell Alex I'm not lying."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I lie. Luckily, he can't see my face; otherwise, he'd know I'm not being honest.

"Nah, man, don't do that to me. You know what I'm talking about."

I hesitate, torn between admitting he's telling the truth and pretending I have no idea. If I admit it, the guys will bug me until they find out who the mysterious girl is—and I can't let that happen. I can't risk anyone knowing about Aleesha and me. In a town this small, news like that would spread like wildfire, and it wouldn't be long before Corey found out. I can't imagine how furious and hurt he'd be.

However, if I keep pretending, I don't know how long I can maintain the lie. Besides, Dustin would sense something's up, and that would only make him more curious—likely putting him on a mission to uncover what I'm hiding.

But maybe if I admit it, the guys won't pry as much. It's not like they're invested in my sex life anyway besides who my next fuck buddy is. Plus, with Aaron not around, I'm less worried about anyone digging too deep.

Sliding out from under the car on a creeper, I let out a sharp breath and finally admit the truth. "Fine, you win," I confess. "Yes, I was kissing someone at the party, but that's all there is. I don't even know her name. So, that's that—happy now?"

"See, I told you!" Dustin grins at Alex, who's staring at me in shock, mouth wide open.

"Dude, what?! Why didn't you tell me?"

Of all the guys, I'm closest to Alex, so I understand why he's surprised I didn't tell him, considering how close we are.

"I didn't think it was a big deal. It was nothing serious," I lie again.

If anything, it was a big deal—it was everything to me. The way her fingers delicately brushed my skin, how her lips felt soft on mine, the sweet taste of her tongue—all of it meant so much. But I can't let them know that, even though I hate keeping Aleesha a secret. She shouldn't be hidden; she deserves to be out in the light, with me telling the world how much she means to me.