CHAPTER 4
4
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**POV Kylie**
My phone buzzed, signaling a new message.
*Aidan:*
*It takes like 3 to 5 days for periods to end, I think… So, in a week, kitten.* 😘
I froze for a second, rereading the message over and over.
*How the hell did that asshole get my number?!*
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**POV Aidan**
I'd barely stepped out of Kylie's place and, fuck… I had to admit it, she really did something to me.
From the second she opened the door in that tight-ass top and those tiny shorts, I knew I was gonna have a hard time holding myself back. Seriously, what was she thinking? That if she greeted me dressed like that, I wasn't gonna try something? And on top of it, she wasn't even wearing a bra… *Fuck!*
I tried to calm myself down as I walked over to Brody's place, where the guys were probably just hanging out like always.
When I got there, I tossed my bag onto the couch and dropped into an armchair, a smug grin on my face.
— *Alright, boys, I'm calling it — Kylie and I, it's gonna be a done deal real soon.*
Everyone looked over at me, some skeptical, some amused.
— *For real?* Brody raised an eyebrow. *You got her falling for you already?*
I shrugged, a cocky smirk tugging at my lips.
— *Not yet… but she won't hold out for long.*
And I was dead sure of it.
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**POV Kaylee**
**Sunday night**
I was on a video call with Taylor. We were chatting about random stuff, until I ended up telling her what happened with Aidan last night.
Taylor burst out laughing, shaking her head.
— *Wait, wait… You actually think he's into you? Oh, honey, no!* she said, laughing even harder.
I narrowed my eyes, a little annoyed.
— *Why not? I mean, I'm hot… and funny too.*
She rolled her eyes, snickering.
— *Yeah, yeah… and I'm Cinderella, girl.*
I sighed. Maybe she was right.
— *Maybe you're right…*
Taylor sobered up, her expression turning a little serious.
— *Of course I'm right. Did you know he made a bet with his friends?*
My heart skipped a beat.
— *What are you talking about?*
— *My brother told me. Aidan made a bet — if he manages to sleep with you and date you, he gets ten grand. Or something like that.*
I went silent for a few seconds before murmuring:
— *That's a lot of money…*
Taylor nodded, crossing her arms.
— *Anyway, you should just get back with Malcolm. You two were made for each other.*
My stomach twisted instantly.
— *How can you say that?!*
— *But you loved him!* she shot back. *And seriously, stop messing around — get back with him and stay away from my Aidan. He's mine.*
My jaw clenched in shock.
— *"Stop messing around"?!* I felt anger boiling up. *You want me to go back to him? Taylor, he used to beat me! And you have the nerve to say shit like that when you know damn well what he put me through?!*
Her face fell instantly.
— *I'm sorry… I didn't mean it like that…*
I shook my head, still fuming.
— *And for your information, I don't give a damn about your Aidan. He's the one chasing me, practically stalking me, wanting to screw me… or as he so romantically puts it, "make love to me for an indefinite period."*
Taylor dropped her gaze, clearly embarrassed.
— *I'm really sorry… I got carried away. You know I'm crazy about Aidan… and seeing him pay attention to you when he won't even look at me, it just made me… nervous.*
I exhaled slowly, trying to ease my irritation.
— *Yeah…*
She gave me a sheepish smile.
— *We cool? See you tomorrow? I'm really sorry…*
— *Yeah, sure… tomorrow.*
I hit the hang-up button, falling back onto my bed. A bet? Ten thousand dollars? I clenched my fists and shut my eyes.
*What a fucking asshole…*
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**Monday**
Weirdly enough, Taylor avoided me all day. And honestly, I should be the one pissed off. Since yesterday, she's been acting strange. Like, first she dropped that bullshit on me, then had the nerve to still call herself my best friend? If she wasn't my only friend, I would've ditched her ages ago.
I shut my locker and spotted Aidan casually leaning against a wall a little further down. He was watching me, probably waiting for me to look his way so he could come over and try to sweet talk me. Bet he thought his charm would be enough to get me to fall for his stupid little wager.
After a few minutes of this silent standoff, he finally walked over. He started talking, but I was barely listening. I was too busy figuring out the best way to let him know I was onto his game.
Screw it — might as well go straight for it. I slammed my locker shut and stared him down.
— *Ten thousand dollars, huh?*
A flicker of panic crossed his face. Bingo — he's scared.
— *How'd you find out?*
I burst out laughing. The look on his face was priceless.
— *What??* he blurted out, thrown off.
I straightened up and crossed my arms.
— *Ten grand's a lot of money.*
He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.
— *I've got a deal for you: you can tell your buddies we're together, but we split the money. Fifty-fifty, babe.*
A smug grin crept back onto his face. He was regaining confidence, thinking he had the upper hand.
— *So you like me after all, kitten? No one can resist my sex appeal. I'm flawless, head to toe.*
I cracked up.
— *Seriously, how can one person be so full of themselves?*
— *It's part of my charm, kitten.* He winked. *So, this the part where you officially ask me out?*
— *Oh no, sweetheart, here's the thing — I need a fake boyfriend to get rid of my ex. He's kind of… clingy, you know?*
Aidan pulled back a little, raising an eyebrow.
— *Yeah, no thanks, I don't do that kind of thing, sweetheart. Ask someone else. Brody, maybe. Or Gavin.*
I gave him a sly smile.
— *You know, babe… I might've already told him we were together…*
He stared at me, realizing the trap.
— *No. I don't wanna do this.*
I shrugged, pretending not to care.
— *Then kiss your money goodbye…*
He frowned, thinking it over for a second.
— *80/20.*
— *60/40.*
He shook his head.
— *Nah, kitten. 75/25.*
— *70/30. Final offer.*
He mulled it over for another second, then sighed.
— *Fine… So, when do we start?*
I smiled, triumphant.
— *Tomorrow. Thanks a lot, babe. You're a doll.*
I stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his cheek — just as Taylor walked out of the teacher's lounge. Our eyes met. Perfect, my little payback for what she said yesterday. I saw her expression twist, her face warping with jealousy. Serves her right.
Aidan sighed.
— *Can you stop calling me 'babe,' please?*
I gave him a teasing grin.
— *Of course, babe. I'll stop right away, babe.*
I spun on my heel and headed for the exit, satisfied.
— *Bitch,* he muttered behind me.
I turned around, amused, and blew him a kiss. He pretended to stomp it under his foot.
What a child.
But I have to admit… he's kinda cute.
And maybe… just maybe, I kind of like him.
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