Chapter Seven

I think I was too tired to fight. It was the only reason I could think of as to why I let Tammy pour me a drink and why I accepted. It never occurred to me consciously that the reason I let Tammy pull me into her world was because I craved human contact in a way only a friend could give. Tammy was bubbly and energetic and magnetic, completely different from me but she drew everyone to her like moths to a flame.

I sipped the wine tentatively, not really enjoying the taste but finding comfort in the warmth that spread from my belly to my limbs. Tammy had almost immediately started playing with my hair.

"I didn't want to be a hairdresser when I was a kid." Tammy explained. "But now I'm glad I chose to do it. I love everything about it. You should let me cut your hair sometime, you have such beautiful waves. Oh and I could do your eyebrows and make up. Maybe for your birthday? Make you like a million bucks!"

"Oh, I was planning on working on my birthday." I replied quietly, watching the dark reddish purple liquid in my glass swirl around each time my body moved as Tammy gently tugged on my hair as she played with it.

"What?" Tammy paused, leaning forwards so she could look at me momentarily. "But you're going to be eighteen! You should be out celebrating it with your friends!"

I don't have friends. I wanted to say but I refrained.

"I know but I want to save up ahead of college." I reasoned.

"Hm." Tammy didn't seem convinced. "Oh I know! How about we do something when you finish work? We could have a girls night."

"I dunno…"

"Oh come on! We could have a birthday cake!"

Okay, that got my attention. "Chocolate?"

"Totally!" Tammy replied seemingly more excited than I was by the prospect. "Okay done!"

Standing up, I moved to the mirror on the wall in the hallway. I knew whatever Tammy had done wasn't a complete updo because I could feel some of my brunette hair on my shoulders and neck. Staring at my reflection, my brown eyes skimmed over the two Dutch plaits that held the top half of my hair along my scalp before finishing in a messy bun at the back. The lower half of my hair hung lightly around my shoulders and framed my face. It was simple but beautiful.

"Well?" Tammy asked as she stepped up behind me.

"It's beautiful, Tammy." I replied, mustering a smile of encouragement.

"I knew you'd like it!" Tammy smiled brightly.

Just as we stepped away to go back into the living room, the front door opened letting cool air in, followed shortly by Aiden who was carrying several grocery bags. His eyes instantly landed on me, seeming to linger for longer than necessary before going to Tammy reluctantly.

“You’re back!” Tammy grinned, leaping onto Aiden like an eager puppy, pressing a kiss to his lips before taking one of the bags and peering in. “Oh you bought tequila!”

Aiden’s eyes were back on me and I was frozen to the spot, feeling my cheeks heat up under his scrutiny. I couldn’t work out what he was thinking, his face giving nothing away but in that moment it made me feel like I was the only person there, like I was a rabbit in a wolf’s trap. Before I could find a way of breaking the circuit between our eyes, the front door opened further and a boy stepped in. He appeared my age with short blonde hair and golden brown eyes. He was shorter than Aiden but had the same style.

“Dude, are you going to carry on standing in the doorway or are you going to let me in?” He spoke, frowning at Aiden who hadn’t moved a muscle.

Snapping out of whatever daze he was in, Aiden headed into the kitchen wordlessly, Tammy following.

“Hi, I’m Kyle.” The new stranger introduced himself once the door was shut. “Aiden’s cousin.”

“Ellie.” I replied. “Aiden’s housemate.”

“Liam’s little sister, right?”

I nodded.

“Cool! Well it’s nice to meet you. Are you going to be hanging out with us tonight?” Kyle asked.

“Oh, Uh---”

“She is!” Tammy called from the kitchen before she popped her head out of the kitchen to give me a look that said she wouldn’t be taking no for an answer.

“Tammy, why are there two wine glasses in the living room?” Aiden called.

“Because Ellie and I were having a drink. Duh!” Tammy rolled her eyes.

“She’s not even eighteen yet!”

“So? We got wasted all the time at that age. Let the girl have a little fun.”

Aiden’s huff of frustration could be heard by everyone and while I couldn’t see the blonde-haired, tattooed god, I could imagine the darkness of his eyes and his jaw clenching in annoyance.

“I’m going to get changed.” I finally broke the awkward silence, realising I was still in the diner’s uniform. “I’ll be down soon, I guess.”

I dragged myself to my room, hoping to prolong my time upstairs so I could avoid Aiden and his intense gaze. If it wasn't sending teasing chills down my spine like his voice did then it left me feeling exposed. It was as if Aiden could see all of my flaws and secrets.

The problem was, I craved it. I was starting to crave having his eyes on me.

Pulling my jeans and t-shirt off, I found one of Liam's hoodies from training camp and pulled it on with some leggings and thick socks. It was warm and comfortable but completely frumpy compared to Tammy. No wonder Aiden was all over her. I envied her confidence in her body, she didn't care what people thought, her only concern was how she felt and what made her feel good.

Huffing, I tugged the hem of my hoodie. I couldn't bring myself to go back downstairs. I shuffled as I felt my heart thrumming in my chest like a bird in a cage. Part of me wanted to go down and join in. Much to my shame I craved some form of human contact. But a bigger part of me wanted to hide under the covers and disappear. I would be happy just reading or playing a game.

My subconscious had begun to move me towards the bed only to freeze when there was a soft knock on my door.

"Hey Ellie? Are you in there?" Kyle's muffled voice called through the door.

"Uh, yeah. Just a minute!" I replied shakily. I self-consciously checked myself in my mirror before opening the door, eyes wide as I realised how close Kyle suddenly was. "Is something wrong?"

Kyle chuckled, a quiet but deep sound, his eyes creasing with his smile and eyes sparkling. "No. I wanted to check on you. You've been a while and I was worried you were upset because of how Aiden was acting earlier."

"Oh." I blinked. "Oh no… I was actually thinking of heading to bed."

"Really?" Kyle's face dropped in disappointment. "That's a shame. I was hoping for some company. The two love birds downstairs are making me cringe."

"Are they really that bad?" I chuckled.

"Oh they really are." Kyle grinned. "So how about it? Will you keep me company?"

I sighed, feeling my resolve crumble like a leaf to a flame before nodding gently. "Okay."

Kyle's eyes lit up as he grinned. "Great!"

He grabbed my hand before I could say anything more, guiding me back downstairs seemingly over the moon with my decision. As we headed downstairs, the sounds of music and Tammy's light floaty voice met us, guiding us into the living room to find Aiden on the couch with Tammy curled into his side. His eyes found me instantly, closing a circuit with me that felt hot and tense. His eyes studied my face for a moment before they landed on my hand still locked with Kyle's. In an instant, his gaze darkened and I felt the air leave me as if I had been hit by a freezing cold blast of air.

"Look who I found hiding in her room!" Kyle announced, tugging me to a seat.

"You were in Ellie's bedroom?" Aiden's face had become a mask of indifference yet his voice dripped with venom.

"No!" I gasped, feeling heat flood my cheeks and the tips of my ears. I pulled my hand away from Kyle's quickly. "He was in the hallway. Outside of the door, in the hallway…"

*Smooth going, Ellie. *

Tammy's giggle burst into the air, breaking the tension that seemed to be building.

"Aiden, chill out will you?" She rolled her eyes and nudged the blonde.

"Yeah bro'." Kyle quipped. "If you hadn't been an asshole earlier I wouldn't have had to go find her and coax her out of hiding."

I could see Aiden was getting annoyed, his eyes flicked to Kyle with enough heat to put his cousin six feet under and yet Kyle seemed oblivious, goading Aiden further. I shifted uncomfortably, chewing my lip nervously. Aiden's eyes were on me in a second, his gaze lowering until he was focusing on my mouth. My heart stuttered and heat pooled into my core causing my stomach and thighs to clench.

I wanted to look away. I needed to look away but I couldn't. All I could do was stare at Aiden as his eyes finally moved away from my mouth and met my eyes. The darkness in his eyes hadn't left and it's intensity sent a shiver down my spine.

"Are you cold?" Kyle asked, making me jump. "Here, use my jacket."

"Oh, uh thanks." I took the denim jacket.

Just as I went to put the jacket on, Aiden slammed his whiskey tumbler down making me jump.

"I'm going for a cigarette." He growled before storming out the back door.