NovelEnglishJESS
"We're late," | say, trying to keep my voice even as | glance at the dashboard clock. The digital numbers stare
back at me, accusing. We were supposed to be at my family twenty minutes
ago.
Aiden doesn't even look over at me. He just adjusts his
sunglasses and shrugs, keeping his attention firmly on the road. "Relax, Jess. It's just a family thing. No one's
gonna care if we're a little late."
| bite my lip, frustration bubbling under the surface. | open my mouth to argue but stop myself. It's not worth the
fight.
The car slows as we approach my parents' house, and my breath catches when | spot the sleek, black Maserati
parked in the driveway. Aiden notices it, too.
"So, you're rich? Never toldyou were that rich, hun?" Aiden teases, his tone light, but | can hear the
undercurrent of something else in it.
| roll my eyes, trying to push down the irritation building inside me. "It's probably one of Josh's friends from the
team or something," | say, keeping my tone casual. "Not the kind of car people from this town drive."
Aiden hums in response, clearly unimpressed. "The house begs to differ...". My heart sinks a little when | don't
see it-the black
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22.10D
PART 3 CHAPTER 158
Jeep that's been haunting my thoughts for months now.
Luke's Jeep.
1288 Vouchers
| don't even realize I've been holding my breath until | exhale slowly, my chest tight. A part ofis sad he's not
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇthere, that | won't have to deal with the rush of emotions that always hitwhen | see him. But another part of
me? Relieved. | was relieved because | was not ready.
Not yet.
Aiden parks the car and hops out, walking around to my side and opening the door for me, flashing that sweet
smile I've cto expect from him when he knows he's
pushedtoo far. It's always like this he'll say something to knockdown, to remindthat he's in control,
but then he'll do something nice, something thoughtful, and I'll convince myself it's okay. That it's just who he is.
But lately, I'm starting to wonder if I'm making excuses for him.
| force a smile and take his hand as | step out of the car. "Thanks," | murmur, even though the gesture feels
hollow.
We walk up to the door, and it swings open before | can even reach for the bell. Josh stands there, grinning like a
fool.
"Fucking missed you, sis!" he exclaims, grabbingin a bear hug and liftingoff my feet. He spins me
around like | weigh nothing, and | can't help but laugh for a moment.
This, at least, feels familiar, even if just a little.
"Josh!" | gasp, trying to catch my breath as he finally sets me
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PART 3-CHAPTER 158
down.
1 288 Vouchers
But then Aiden clears his throat behind me, and the moment shatters. | can feel Josh stiffen, his arms loosening
aroundas he pulls back. He glances over my shoulder, his smile faltering
"Oh. Sorry, man," Josh says, his tone shifting as he looks at Aiden. "Didn't know you were coming. Welcome."
Aiden smiles that perfect, practiced smile, the one that makes everyone think he's charming and sweet. He steps
forward and offers his hand. "Thanks, man. Glad to be here. Sorry, we are late. Jess here was taking her sweet
tat the airport bathroom."
Josh hesitates for a second like he's trying to figure out if this is real or not before he shakes Aiden's hand. He
steps aside, gesturing for us to cin. "Everyone's in the kitchen," he mutters, but
as soon as Aiden walks past him, Josh turns towith wide eyes, mouthing, "The fuck?"
| shrug, not sure how to explain any of this. "He insisted," | breathe, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on
Josh looks like he wants to say something else, but | don't give him the chance. | follow Aiden into the kitchen,
the sound of laughter and conversation spilling out from the other room. Everyone's already here, and | can feel
the tension building in my chest again. I'm late. | hate being late. | wasn't the one who took more than an hour to
choose the right rental car-that was Aiden.
| glance over at Aiden as he walks confidently into the room,
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22:10
PART 3-CHAPTER 158
288 Vouchers
smiling like he owns the place and
belongs. He slides his hand.intor
mine, RY saaeeaing as if to
réindthat he's here. That he's
sweet. That he cares. The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
| look at him, really look at him, and
for the first time, | wonder if this ig
what love is suppgdedtd eel tke. If
is BonStSnt push and pull, this
constant second-guessing and
doubt, is normal. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
But then he squeezes my hand again, smiling down at me, and | push the thought away. I've ctoo far to
question things
now.
| just need to get through today.
| followed Aiden and Josh into the
kitchen, my heart thudding in my
chest like it was trying to make a
break for it. The pli Eels of\my
ms soaking Filed the air-garlic,
i) herbs- but none of it calmed
the unease gnawing at my insides.
My brain knew it was hers
immediately, but | kept that little
detail to myself. If | gave them even
the slightest bit of hope, they
wouldn't let it go. And then | saw him.
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