B I T T E R

C H A P T E R EIGHTEEN

It was Friday evening and the girls and I were at Riley's house, preparing for her party. There wasn't much to do. We ordered pizza and put together a playlist. We finished an hour later and started to get dressed.

We all looked extremely hot. Riley was rocking a black dress with heels. Spencer was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but that was her usual attire. Havoc was wearing jeans and a dressy, green shirt. I wore jeans and a crop top.

Havoc's phone buzzed on the bed and from the look on her face, I could tell she was hiding something. I got to her phone first and unlocked it, since I knew her password.

Randy: I can't wait to see you bbg

"Oh wow, Havoc! You and Randy are a thing and you didn't bother to tell us?" I scoffed. I continued to read their conversation and it was a bunch of lovey dovey texts. It reminded me of how Ace and I texted.

"Really, Havoc?" Riley asked as she started to read their texts as well. I felt Spencer peering over my shoulder.

"I just hid it because I...," she paused. She honestly had no explanation why.

"Have you no words?" Riley gasped.

"I'm sorry." Havoc said.

"You do understand that there will be consequences, right?" I asked her. We all vowed not to hide anything from each other and getting caught was a punishable offense.

"I do." She lowered her head. I tossed her phone back and she caught it. We returned to normal conversation, but Havoc didn't speak as much anymore.

A whole hour later, Riley's house was packed. We were all scattered around. Spencer was stuffing her face in the kitchen, Riley was dancing with the same guy from the last party we attended, Havoc and Randy were talking in the back yard, and Ace and I were talking in the front yard.

"I saw that video and I just wanted to say thank you for rejecting her. I know we're not exclusive, but it meant a lot to me." I smiled.

"I don't want her anyway. I'm just interested in you." He rubbed the top of my hand.

I was leaning in to kiss him when I heard my name.

"Charlotte?" Aidan called me. He was standing there with flowers.

"Huh?" I was confused. I thought maybe I was seeing something. He couldn't possibly be here. He lived about four hours away.

"Charlotte, can we talk?" he asked.

"Who is this guy?" Ace inquired.

"An old friend." I said and it hurt. I guess I still hadn't let go completely. I walked to Aidan and we went to a secluded area.

"I was in town and your mom told me you were here. I had to see you." He said.

"I told you I was done with you." I shook my head.

"You and I both know that's a lie."

"No, Aidan. You hurt me a lot. It's not going to be this easy."

"I know you still love me because you're still wearing the necklace."

"I never take it off." I shrugged.

"But if you were really done, you'd have taken it off. Do you still have pictures of us?" he asked.

"Yeah, but don't think it means anything." I rolled my eyes.

"Well it means I still have a chance. I broke up with my girlfriend. You were right."

"I'm never not right. How long have you known me?"

"Long enough to know that you'll never stop loving me." He said before kissing me. I wanted to push him off me. I wanted to say that I was with Ace, but Ace and I weren't exclusive. I melted into his touch.

"Aidan, why?" I asked when we pulled away. He rested his forehead on mine and our noses were touching.

"Because I love you, Charlotte. Don't ever question that. I know I made a mistake but I never want to hurt you again. It was the first and last time." He promised. And just like that, I was in love with Aidan all over again. I don't think I ever fell out.

"I love you too." I whispered.

"Should I be worried about that dude?" he chuckled. He knew no one was a threat to him because he owned my heart.

"I think you know the answer to that."

"I do. I've got to get back to my hotel. You know how insane my parents are. I'm leaving tomorrow, but I promise we will see each other again soon. Goodnight, beautiful." He kissed my nose. I hugged him for a moment, not wanting to let go. He finally managed to convince me to let go and he left. My lips were stuck in a smile.

I skipped back to the party and went to find Ace. I didn't spot him on the dance floor so I went to check the kitchen. First, I saw the back of his head. Second, I saw him standing between a girl's legs. Third, I saw them tangling tongues.

"Ace?" I was a bit hurt. The flowers Aidan had given fell from my hands.

"Oh, welcome back." He said coldly.

"Why are you acting like this?"

The girl hopped off the countertop and awkwardly sauntered off.

"I saw the way you looked at that guy. You obviously have feelings for him." He crossed his arms.

"Aidan, don't start this. This is just like that time you left me to chase after your charity case." I pointed out. He had no right to be upset.

"And you know what, Charlotte? Just the other day, I fucking rejected her and you heard it on the video!" he raised his voice. He did that every time we argued and I hated it.

"We will finish this upstairs. Come on!" I led the way. We entered Riley's guest room and I locked the door.

"I don't want to be a second choice, Charlotte." He said.

"You're not! Why are so emotional?" I screamed. I was actually very angry.

"Why didn't you stay with me? You would chose him over me any day!" he yelled back.

"Literally, I went to talk to an old friend. Save me the drama!"

"Okay and Caitlyn was old friend, too. I went to talk to her and you gave me so much shit for it!" he stepped forward. Was he trying to intimidate me? Who did he think he was?

"Back off!" I pushed him away. He was stronger now and he didn't move. I continued to push on his chest. He took my wrists and held them tightly.

"Stop it!"

"Get off of me!" I said through gritted teeth.

"Or what?"

I struggled for him to release me. He backed me into the wall and picked me up. My back was against the wall and my legs were around his waist.

"What're you going to do?" he was taunting me.

I cupped his face and kissed him, biting his lips on purpose.

"If that's how you want it."

He threw me onto the bed and pinned my hands above my head. He was punishing me in a way, but it also felt so good.

I realized that night that I was at a cross road. There was Ace and there was Aidan. I had much thinking to do.