Dare You to Hate Me

I don’t mind if she spreads her mayhem around me because I think it’s one of the things I missed most about her.

When I glance up again, I see Caleb smirking at me. I lift my middle finger enough for him to see and he has to clear his throat to fight off the chuckle that escapes his lips.

Fucker.

Chapter Fourteen

Aiden

By the time I get home from Everly’s, it’s pitch-black and quiet. Most of the guys are off doing their own thing, and Ivy is already curled up on her side of our bed. Christ. Our bed.

Dropping my shit onto the desk in the corner, I peel off my sweaty shirt and dig through my dresser for new clothes. “You’re in bed early.”

The bedding shuffles. “It’s not that early.” A moment passes. “I was tired but wanted to wait for you to get back. Caleb said you were mentoring someone tonight when I was making some dinner.”

I huff out a noise, tired from the long day and sore from the rough practices we’ve been having. “What else did he tell you?”

Silence greets me as I collect the rest of my things. When I turn on my heels, she’s sitting against the headboard and watching me with hesitation.

Lowering my clothes, I ask, “What?”

Her tongue runs across her bottom lip. “I don’t talk to him that much. I made dinner and some dessert for everyone and then I came downstairs after. There are peanut butter energy balls on the counter up there. I tried following a healthier recipe knowing you guys probably have to watch what you eat.”

Fuck me. “You can talk to him however much you want, Ivy. Caleb’s a good guy. He just has loose lips. Worse than DJ sometimes, which says a lot. If the guys weren’t chill, I wouldn’t live here. Doesn’t mean I’d trust those fuckers if you decide to hang out with them though.”

A small smile threatens to move her lips upward at the corners. “Worried your friends will like me more than you?”

I walk toward the door, gripping the edge before giving her a once over. It isn’t until then when I realize she’s wearing one of my shirts. It may not be my jersey, but the sight still goes right to my dick. “I know they will. There’s no competition.”

Blinking back her surprise, she grips the blanket in her fists and then flattens out the wrinkled material. “Oh.”

I snort at her dismal reply, not gracing her with one in return as I walk to the bathroom to get ready for bed. I’m hungry and need to grab something before settling in, but the stronger hunger gnawing at the pit of my stomach isn’t for food.

Deciding on just a pair of boxers and a t-shirt, I throw my clothes in the hamper and head back to my room. She’s on her side facing the door, her eyes trained on me when I enter and not leaving as I click the lock into place, turn off the light, and walk over to my side of the mattress. Her attention brands itself to my skin, and the feeling is nothing like when other girls follow my every move.

“I talked to my mom today,” I tell her cautiously, pulling the blanket back.

A few seconds pass. “Yeah?”

Humming, I settle my back against the pile of pillows. “I told her about you.”

I can hear a couple guys raising hell upstairs, someone shouting outside, and a car going by with their radio blasting. Glancing in her direction, I clear my throat when she makes no effort to reply. “I know you’re not sleeping, Chaos.”

She rolls over to look at me. “Why would you tell her about me? Why now?”

“Because you’re sleeping with me.”

Not that I can tell in the darkness, but she’s undoubtedly scowling. “You let your mother think we’re fucking?”

My cock twitches, but I settle it down despite her lips forming my favorite word. “Not exactly. I’m sure that would make Thanksgiving awkward when we go.”

“Come again?”

“You know my mom. She has a heart of gold and won’t let anyone celebrate alone. So, no. I didn’t tell her we were screwing. I’m not a liar, and I like to avoid having that sort of conversation with my parents.” This isn’t how I wanted to broach the topic, but it’s now or never. “Before you tell me no, hear me out.”

“Absolutely not.”

When she throws the covers off her, I grab her wrist before she can bolt from bed. “No. I’m not done talking.”