Leila swallows, looking up at him. “I know. You’re leaving me.”
Aiden’s face falls into a frown, and he gently cups Leila’s face in his hands. “I’m leaving Redfield,” he assures her. “I’m not leavingyou. I’ll never leave you.”
“It’s the same thing,” she replies with a shrug. “Girls will be flirting with you all the damn time, and it’s going to be ten times worse than it is here.”
Aiden shakes his head, brushing her brown hair out of her face. “How many times do I have to tell you that I only want you?” he says. “Doesn’t matter who flirts with me. My only thought is, ‘my girlfriend is so much hotter’.”
Leila rolls her eyes. “Don’t patronize me. I just wish you’d call them out and tell them to get lost,” she admits, swallowing hard.
Aiden purses his lips thoughtfully. “Do you want me to wear your face on a t-shirt?” he asks with a hint of humor. “Because I will if that’s what it takes. I’ll do anything to earn your trust.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “I do trust you,” she says. “It’s just… hard.”
“I know,” Aiden murmurs, pressing his lips to her forehead. “But it’s only one year, and then you’ll come with me.”
Leila raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her face. “How are you so certain I’ll want to come with you?” she teases.
Aiden smirks back, knowing full well his girlfriend loves to tease him. “Because Ineedyou to survive, gorgeous,” he says with a smile. “My heart beats for you. Are you going to stop my heart?”
Leila lets out a sigh, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I guess not.”
Aiden leans in and presses his lips against hers.
Chris grazes my chin with his hand, turning my head to smile down at me. “How are you feeling after that love confession?” he says teasingly. “Any nausea?”
My stomach churns, but not because of Leila and Aiden. It used to bother me seeing all my friends in love when I thought my feelings were unrequited, but not anymore.
I love seeing them happy.
They deserve it.
But the churning in my stomach is the realization that I’m going to be alone all over again.
Aiden will only be an hour flight away in Chicago, and will come to visit Leila often. Grayson will be nearby, working at the garage until Rosie graduates, and Lucas will still be here at Redfield.
But Chris...
I swallow down my emotions. “I need a drink.”
Chris frowns, searching my eyes. “Are you okay?” he asks warily, knowing our history with using alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. It’s been a while since we’ve leaned on those crutches.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I assure him. “I just need a drink.”
His frown deepens, but he stands up and lets me pass. My body feels hot, my face feels puffy, but I squeeze my fists, determined not to cry.
I reach the bar and flag down the bartender, ordering a vodka.
Chris appears by my side, lifting my face to meet his eyes. “Gabi, I know you,” he says, his eyes searching mine.
I close my eyes briefly. He knows me better than anyone. Always has. Of course, he’d know when I’m on the verge of a meltdown.
“I know you do,” I admit with a sigh.
He furrows his brow. “Which means I know when something’s wrong.”
I shake my head, tears threatening to spill over. “There’s nothing wrong,” I lie. “I just want to go home.”
His frown deepens. “You want to go home?” he repeats. “Now?”
