your body is a weapon → brad simpson | ✓

sixty nine

A few days had passed since I had been to Aiden's house. He knew I was safe and at home so he didn't really worry about me. Currently, I'm on the phone to him while I make myself some coffee to keep myself awake.

"Are you free tomorrow night?" Aiden asks as I pour the coffee into a flask for me to take to school.

"I'm always free. Why?" I ask. Brad's been called in a lot by Aiden to do some of his 'work' so hasn't been able to hang out after school. It wouldn't surprise if it was Aiden's way of making sure we don't ruin the plan.

"I'm throwing the fundraiser tomorrow night," Aiden says. "For Den's Diner—I just wanted to make sure you can go before I confirm anything."

"Sounds like a plan," I say, hugging my phone between my ear and my shoulder as I screw my flask lid on. "Can I invite Brad?"

I'm met with silence. Awkward.

"I don't see why not," Aiden mutters. "But you'll have to stay by me—a lot of people will be there and I don't want a scandal regarding our relationship."

"Our relationship is a scandal," I remark. Once again, I'm met with silence. I suppress a sigh. "I've got to go and get the bus for school, I'll talk to you later."

"Alright," Aiden says. "Are you coming back here tonight?"

I pause. I think I'm over his surprise wedding date drop, and that I've calmed down since. Maybe I'm not as likely to punch a hole in his face now.

"I don't know. I'm not sure."

"Just let me know, Jamie," Aiden says before we bid goodbyes. When the call's ended, I let out a small sigh.

For the past few days that I've stayed at home, my dad hasn't been home once. He's aware I'm here, and he apologised that he can't be here too. I was hoping I could vent to him about everything since I've not had the chance to see Luna properly and rant to her instead.

Brad starts calling me as I take a sip of my coffee and a small smile reaches my face as I pick it up. "Hey, what's up?"

"I'm on my way to pick you up," Brad says. Aiden thought I got the bus to school everyday but secretly Brad had been taking me and sometimes dropping me off back home.

"Okay, I'm ready for you."

"You? Ready on time? I must be dreaming," he teases me and I roll my eyes, glad he can't see me.

"Whatever. Hurry up."

"I'll be super quick, just for you."

I wait for Brad to get to my house and when he arrives, I walk down to his car and climb inside. He takes ahold of my hand instantly, one of the only ways we've really been able to touch each other recently.

"You're free tomorrow, right?" I ask once we're on the road to school.

"Yeah, should be," Brad nods, a small smile on his lips. "Why? Are you inviting me round yours for the night?"

He'd been bugging me about us sleeping over together at my house or his—he didn't mind—and I kept saying no in case we got caught together by either Aiden or my dad.

"No," I shake my head. "But Aiden's hosting a fundraiser at Den's to help keep it afloat since its sales are falling. He said I could invite you."

"He did?" Brad asks, his eyebrows raised and his voice laced with surprise.

"Yeah," I nod, a small smile on my face. "He said I have to stay with him, but that's not to say that you can't stay with us."

"Great," Brad mumbles, a sigh escaping his lips. "Just what I want—to be stood with the girl of my dreams while she pretends to love a man who gets to show her off like a bloody prize."