Aria and Aubrey { A TLS} : Book Two

Chapter Eleven: Trust In Me

**Aria POV**

I walked back into the party and went directly back to Ace’s station. Once I got there, I was immediately greeted with stoney looks from both Tammy and Ace.

“What?” I looked between them sheepishly.

Tammy narrowed her eyes. “You gave him your number….didn’t you?”

I hesitated. “I-I…”

“Damn it Ari! Has your past depression phase not taught you anything!? This nigga caused you emotional pain, and now he gets to have your number? Wow.” Tammy shook her head and walked away, leaving me and Ace. I took one look at him and he just shook his head.

“Just take me to the hospital.” Ace murmured. I nodded slowly and helped him out the party to the car. I strapped him in the passenger seat and got into the driver’s seat myself. As I began to drive, there was an uncomfortable silence between me and Ace.

“Ace. Talk to me.”

He looked out the window. “What the fuck do you want me to say? ‘Congratulations for completely being a dumb ass and giving your ex-finacee your number?’ Shit…”

I rolled my eyes. “Ace, it wasn’t like that...I-”

“Then what was it like? Because I don’t know what else I’m supposed to think when my girlfriend is outside with her ex, having a conversation and then all of sudden gives him her number? What….ya’ll going out for tea or some shit? Please, let my ass know.”

“Number one, I don’t appreciate the way you’re talking to me. Calm that shit down. You don’t even know the whole story, so don’t say shit until you do. Number Two, Yes, I gave him my number. I’m a big girl, I know what the fuck I’m doing. Even though he hurt me so bad, I’m still willing to now forget the past and embrace the present.”

Ace scoffed. “I bet that’s the same shit he used on you.”

I stopped at a red light and gave Ace a look. “Shut the fuck up. He didn’t use anything on me. I can handle myself around him Ace. Why are you acting like I can’t do shit for myself now?”

Ace looked at me. “Because for some time, you couldn’t.”

The light turned green as I stared at Ace for a few more seconds. The cars behind us began to honk, knocking me out of the trance I was in. I looked away from Ace and began driving. I remember what Ace was talking about. I was depressed after I left Aubrey, even if he did deserve it. The connection I had with him left me such a damn mess that I couldn’t even function properly. I wouldn’t speak, I would keep everything bottled up and never out in the open. I was scared of facing the reality of my life at that point. I still wanted my fairy tale wedding, my happy ending with Aubrey Graham, but of course nothing ever works like that.

Once again, the silence consumed Ace and I. I cleared my throat and glanced at Ace.

“I need you to trust me Ace.”

“I can’t. I have trust issues.”

“Ace.”

“Yes?”

“I’m serious. I need you to trust me. Aubrey has no affect on me now. I loved him once...but now that love has dwindled. I’m with you Ace, not him. I just figured that part of me forgiving him, we could catch up with one another. You know, see where we’re at.”

Ace never looked away from the window. “If you say so. The hospital’s on the right.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled into the hospital parking lot. “I know where the damn hospital is.” I parked the car and helped Ace out. We walked into the hospital and I let the nurses take him from there. I walked over to the receptionist’s desk and signed Ace in. As I caught up with one of the nurses who took Ace away, I followed her into Ace’s room. She laid him down on the bed and then left us to go find the doctor. I sat in the chair next to Ace as he clutched his side.

“Ace.”

He looked at me and rolled his eyes. “What Ari? Don’t you have Drake to go talk to? Why don’t you go and sit up another little date with him while I’m getting fixed up, iight? I really don’t want to talk about him, see him, hear him, nothing. Matter of fact, this is THE last time I or you will ever see this nigga, you understand? He is nothing but bad news and you don’t need that. At least listen to someone who really gives a fuck and really loves you.”

I bit my tongue to keep from giving him attitude. “I am listening, but bae, I’m fine. I promise, I swear I am. I don’t give a fuck about him anymore, it’s just a little get together that lets us recap about our lives alright? Then after that we don’t have to talk about him anymore at all. I promise.” I smiled up at Ace.

He smiled at me and leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I love you baby...I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you iight?”

I nodded. “I love you too Honey. Now I just want you to get better so we can go home and cuddle in bed together…” I raised my eyebrows.

“Oh...I see.” Ace winked at me and laughed. I laughed as well and smiled. I just hope everything goes well whenever I see Aubrey again...and not a recap of what happened tonight. Seeing Aubrey really shocked me, and I didn’t think I’d take it that well, which of course I didn’t, but….Yeah. Let’s just see how this shit goes...