"What did you do yesterday?" Aaron asked me.
Today, I got together with Aaron at the park. He asked me if I could hang out with him after school, so I said yes. I didn't want to fight Aaron and tell him because, honestly, he deserved better. He was nice to me and treated me with respect. If anything, I should hang out with Aaron more and make a plan to get rid of Jake.
Even though Jake made me feel tingles in my pants.
Dammit, Jane. What the actual hell is wrong with you!!
"Hello? Jane? I asked you a question." Aaron's voice brought me back to reality as I was fighting with my inner slut.
"S...sorry. Um...yesterday? Nothing crazy. I spent the day with Jake," I said.
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Is that right?"
"We didn't do anything nasty!" I quickly stated.
Aaron's lips twisted into a grin. "I didn't accuse you of anything."
"I'm just saying. He wanted to touch me inappropriately, but I kicked him in the nuts!" I exclaimed.
Aaron gasped. "You didn't! Did you? Is he okay? Can he still have babies in the future?"
I laughed and pushed him playfully. "I didn't hit him that hard. He'll be fine."
"Good," Aaron nodded and didn't say anything else for a moment. "So, what exactly did you do with him?"
Did I sense jealousy in his tone? It was his idea to share me with his brother in the first place! "Why do you want to know so badly?"
Aaron shrugged. "I'm just curious, that's all."
"I baked him a cake since he had to spend his birthday alone. And then..." I stopped. I didn't want to give him all the details. What if he got angry when he found out his brother tried to have sex with me?
"That sounds nice," Aaron said. He suddenly looked sad, so I felt bad.
"I can cook something for you too if you want?" I said. I didn't like how sad he looked when I mentioned making something for Jake.
Aaron's eyes brightened. "Really? You would do that for me?"
I smiled and nodded. "I'd love to. How about tonight? My parents are visiting my uncle in Phoenix, and Liliana will be at her friend's house for a sleepover. So we have the whole house to ourselves."
Aaron smirked, then leaned over to move closer to me. "Are you sure it's a good idea to invite me over, Jane?" he whispered in my ears.
I shivered as his warm breath touched my neck. "Hmm? Why would it be a bad idea?" I asked innocently.
"You, me, alone in an empty house? What if I try to do something nasty to you. Hmm?" Aaron said and looked at me. His bright green eyes twinkled mischievously as if he was already planning to do something bad to me.
I gulped. I didn't think about that. "You wouldn't," I said quietly.
"Oh no? What makes you think that? I didn't have the best reputation in high school. And even if I did..."
I lifted my hand to interrupt him. "You are being silly, Aaron. You are not a bad guy. I know this."
He laughed and ruffled my hair. "Alright, Jane. I will stop messing with you. You are right, I could never do anything to hurt you."
I knew that much.
**********
Later that day, I had the whole kitchen set up to cook for Aaron. My parents were already gone, and Liliana was packing up. She looked at me suspiciously as I excitedly prepped the food.
"What are you doing?" she said and looked at me with narrowed eyes.
"Cooking dinner!" I chirped.
"For who?"
I almost told her. Aaron's name was at the tip of my tongue, but I stopped myself. I knew Liliana. I knew she didn't give up on Aaron yet. If I told her he was coming over, she'd definitely want to stay and ruin my date.
"Eh...no one. Just for myself," I said.
She looked at me with suspicion. "You are cooking all this for yourself?" She tilted her head and stared into my eyes.
"Yes? You are leaving, so I'll be all alone. I figured, why not just treat myself with something nice?" I said, hoping I didn't sound as nervous as I felt.
Liliana shook her head. "You know Jane, you could come with me if you want. Ariana and Simone wouldn't mind if you slept over too."
Spending the night with Liliana's Barbie crew? No thank you.
"Thanks for the offer but I'll be fine," I let her know.
Liliana nodded and then left the house, leaving me all alone. I waited for Aaron patiently. I purposely told him to come late, so there was no run-in with Liliana. I'm sure he appreciated my gesture.
Someone rang the doorbell after a few minutes, so I jumped up from the couch to open the door. Aaron must be here!
Aaron stood before me, looking like a tall glass of fine champagne. My heart skipped a beat. Damn...he is so good looking!
"Hey, Jane. I brought you some sparkling wine since you are not the legal age to drink yet." He chuckled.
"Thank you. I wouldn't want you to go to jail either." I said, rolling my eyes.
"I am only joking. I am not even twenty-one yet." He shrugged.
Not that he was a good boy and didn't drink, I thought as I remembered the beer incident at the party.
But I didn't say anything about that. I stepped aside, letting him in.
"Hey, nice place!" he exclaimed.
"This? Hardly. Your place is so much bigger and luxurious," I commented.
His eyes turned dark. Did I say something wrong?
"What good is a big house when it's empty most of the time?" he said.
Did I sense a bitterness in his voice? Maybe I hit a nerve somewhere. I decided to change the subject. "Are you hungry? I made Salmon. I hope you don't hate fish or something. I guess I should've asked before..." I started rambling but stopped as I saw him laugh.
"I love Salmon. I am just glad you invited me over. For some reason, I always feel like you don't like me much," he said.
That's just absurd, I thought to myself.
I set the table and sat in front of Aaron. I suddenly felt nervous as I looked around the house.
I was all alone in an empty house with Aaron Morris!