GREED Read online

  "Aren't your parents coming?" She asked, ignoring my entire heartfelt apology. I don't think I had another one in me, those words only come out of my mouth once a year, twice at most.

  "No, their flight got canceled, they'll be here tomorrow though. You can clean up as much as much as you want, lucky for you, I'll be home all day."

  "How is that lucky?" She laughed.

  "Come on drive home?"

  "Well my house is sort of locked at the moment." She cheekily grinned.

  "You know what I meant." I winked, "by the way, nice to meet you, I'm. . ." I began but she shook her head.

  "No?" I smirked. "Alright then."

  I walked back to my car, relief striking me as I felt a weight fall off and break free of my shoulders. I doubt she's ever been to a real party either.

  Summer Gray

  "Hey mom!"

  "Sweetheart. How is everything? Where are you staying?" Mom's worried voice echoed in my head.

  "It's going alright, I'm staying at Aiden's house." I bit my lip, starting my car, heading to Aiden's house.

  "You mean the same Aiden you said you hated?"

  "Let bygones be bygones." I laughed as she laughed along. I missed my mom. She'd be home by Sunday morning at the latest.

  "I certainly thought you'd be staying at Ryder's." She said.

  "He's going out of town this weekend so we couldn't even have our study group."

  "Uh huh. Study group. I know you're young people's slang." She laughed.

  "Hey mom I'm going to have to hang up right now, I'm driving. "

  "Okay sweetheart, I love you!"

  "Love you too mom." She hung up seconds before I realized I forgot to ask her how everything was in New Jersey.

  I drove behind Aiden's black Bentley, and forgive me if this sounds strange, but that car was sexy. I didn't know he actually liked driving cars.

  I checked the gas bar on my car, four ticks away from being completely empty, I'd have to get gas later.

  I parked in his driveway as he got out of his garage before it shut completely.

  I smiled a bit. A party seemed refreshing. Something I needed after these long few days. It never occurred to me that I had known Aiden for about as long as I'd known Ryder and never once, until this year of course, did he try to hit on me. Was I just too ugly for him to hit on me then?

  "So now that her majesty is at school, we have the whole house to ourselves." He smirked cockily, implying something he knew I wouldn't do.

  "Aiden, you've got something in your hair." I smiled as he began running his hands through his hair, messing up the perfect posture his hair was in.

  "Did I get it?" He asked, staring at me curiously.

  "Nope, here let me." I lied, smiling deviously, hoping he didn't see the look of mischief in my eye. I began ruffling his hair, smacking the side of his head lightly. I laughed like a maniac.

  "Saw that." He smirked, "you're a terrible liar." He laughed, placing his hands on my waist while my hands rested on his shoulders. Suddenly my knees locked, feeling as though someone had turned them into jello. I fell a bit, pushing my weight onto him as his arms tightened to pull me up.

  "Sorry." I whispered.

  "I think you need to see a doctor." He smirked, placing his arm behind my knee and lifting me up in one smooth swoop. "Because I can't help but notice how many times you've fallen for me."

  "Aiden!"I laughed as he began walking up the stairs.

  "The doctor knows what's best. Looks like you my friend, "he tossed me into his bed, "have a serious case of Aidenitis." He smirked cockily, lying down beside me.

  "What's the treatment doc?" I played along.

  "Party!" He exclaimed. He looked so genuine, so real. If this is the real Aiden, and not the bad boy cover story, then I guess I liked him. As a friend of course, actually more like a really annoying acquaintance. "So get dressed, you're letting loose tonight!" He chuckled, getting up and walking me to his older sister's room.

  "Pick whatever you like." He smiled sweetly, walking away as butterflies took their round around my entire body.

  I don't even know what to wear to a party, if it's at a lake-house, then I guess there will be swimming so instead of a swim suit I can wear a crop top and shorts.

  His older sister, although I've never met her, had exquisitely pretty taste in clothing.

  I found a cute top and wore some mid thigh shorts. I brought a hair band in case I accidentally fell into the lake.

  I laid the clothes out on the bed, placing some cute sandals to match. I took off my sweater and reached for the crop top just as Aiden walked in.

  "If you think you're winning this bet, think again." Aiden walked in, a hand over his eyes as he peeked through a gap between his fingers.

  "Get out! Aiden I'm not even wearing a shirt!" I yelled pushing him out.

  "I can see that and can I just say that. . ." He began but I cut him off before he said any more innuendos.

  "Nope you can't, bye Ace. " I shut the door on his face, quickly changing before he could barge in again.

  ¤¤¤

  "Ready?" His signature smirk played on his lips as he made it no secret that he was checking me out.

  "Perv." I muttered.

  "I was just relishing in memories of when my sister used to wear that." He covered, total lie. I laughed slapping his arm lightly.

  "Ouch." He laughed, feigning hurt. I smiled, staring at his leather jacket and jeans.

  "I'll go on one condition or you can call off the entire deal we made."

  "And that is?"

  "We take my car." I grinned proudly as I saw disappointment overtake his entire face, he groaned.

  "Fine."

  Chapter 7: Party Night

  Aiden Black

  As much as I dreaded sitting in that old bandwagon while Summer went on and on about her obnoxious time with Ryder, it was worth the while.

  We drove down the twenty miles of forestry until we found the crowded lakehouse. People were all around whether hanging out by the window or throwing toilet paper at newcomers. It looked wild.

  We arrived at 8:45 having trouble finding a parking spot in the place so we parked a few blocks away. This place was packed.

  I dragged Summer along, holding onto her hand in case we got separated. Her hands were freezing, I considered giving her my jacket, I was wearing a sweater under anyway.

  We stepped into a room of sweaty bodies, loud music, and the smell of alcohol tainting the air.

  "Do you want a drink?" I shouted above the noise, staring at her curious brown eyes. She seemed to be really taking in the whole experience.

  She nodded delightfully as I bombarded through the crowd to the kitchen.

  "Hey Aiden, I knew you'd make it tonight. " Some other girl who's name I had no idea of said, wrapping herself around me.

  I couldn't take it anymore. And Summer wasn't here to see so I grabbed her by the waist lifting her up as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I smirked, pressing my lips onto hers.

  Tonight was going to be wild.

  Summer Gray

  I stood bored in the large crowd of sweaty bodies. The faint smell of alcohol filled my nose. Aiden was taking too long. I needed to find the bathroom, I forgot to go before we left and now I could hold it in no longer.

  I pushed through the dancing bodies, trying to find the kitchen.

  "Hey cutie, dress like that for me tonight?" A stranger asked, I turned to look at the brown eyes and messy brown hair of a drunken casanova.

  "Um no." I said. Trying to walk past him, but he wouldn't budge. "Move." I said as he harshly grabbed my arm and pushed me against the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room.

  "You're hot." He said as his drunk sweaty lips tried to reach for mine, I turned my face to the side as his lips trailed along my body. I felt repulsed, not knowing what to do as his mouth slobbered on my shirt sleeve. My heart rate rising in fear. There was no where to go.

  "Stop." I said, fe
ar filling my eyes as I shut tightly. Disgust filling me. I wishing the nightmare would end.

  "Please." I gasped as his hands reached under my shirt. The slobbering over me stopped instantaneously. I opened my eyes to be met with the face of Aiden Black.

  "Next time, stay where I tell you to." Aiden's annoying face was centimeters from mine. The drunken idiot was lying on the floor fast asleep. My breath hitched and for once in my life I was actually glad to see that stubbornly handsome face of Aiden Black.

  "I was looking for the bathroom." I whispered , giving him a blank expression, trying to shake away the thoughts of the sweaty stranger who'd tried to rape me.

  "Come on then. It's probably upstairs." He held my hand tightly, something seemed different about him. I couldn't yet put my finger on it.

  We walked past couples getting to know each other better, if you catch my drift, and stood in front of four bedrooms. One of them was bound to have a bathroom.

  "You might want to shut your eyes, I'll let you know if one has a bathroom." Aiden said as I quickly shut my eyes, peeking a bit curiously.

  He unlocked the first door which was full to the brim with people doing nasty things that shall not be named. He shut it instantly, turning to me, tightening his grip on my hand.

  He opened the second door quickly, we'd both hoped it was a bathroom and it turned out being the master room. There were about as many couples in there yet the room was larger so it was unnoticeable.

  "Come on, keep your eyes shut." Aiden commanded, tightly wrapping his arm around my waist, I shut my eyes tightly and suddenly I was being lifted off my feet, I opened my eyes in shock staring at Aiden's amused eyes and perfectly chiseled jaw.

  "Everybody out!" He shouted at everyone in the bathroom. People crept out, unable to keep"I'll stand guard." He smirked, shutting the door after me. When did Aiden get so sweet?

  Aiden Black

  I saw the asshole as soon as I walked in. The first bedroom had a bathroom too, I'd been here before, but I was searching for a certain somebody that I knew would be here. The one I found in the second room so I, being the jerk I am led her straight into my trap. Well, more like reveal.

  I stood outside the bathroom door, glaring at Ryder who was taking turns fucking the three girls around him.

  I heard the toilet flush then the sink water running. Summer stepped out of the bathroom. Now I had the proof that I could so easily destroy her relationship, unless I hid it. She smiled at me, then looked at the room. I wanted to cover her eyes, just to kept away the pain, but it was too late.

  "Ryder?!" She shouted, guilt strung through me, I was planning on making her cover her eyes and carrying her out.

  Who the hell am I kidding, I wanted her to see all of what her perfect boyfriend Ryder was doing behind her back. She ran over to him, he slung his arm carelessly over some girl's shoulder.

  I stared at her as her snot bag of a boyfriend stared at her in shock.

  Anger boiled in me as I watched the easygoing smile on his face as he tried to explain himself. She slapped him, running out. I guess I was too late to hide this from her, nor did I want to, but seeing her hurt would be the death of me.

  I looked at the three girls' confused expressions, walking toward the exit. I changed my mind.

  It was my turn now. I grinned, I would enjoy this as I walked up to him, punching the cheating asshole in his ugly face before making my exit.

  Where could she have gone now. It seemed like she was always running from me, and I was always following her.

  Summer Gray

  "Out of town!?" I yelled, staring at Ryder's naked chest, the rest of him covered with a blanket and the three naked women surrounding him.

  "I can explain, Summer," he said.

  "So explain then Ryder, explain why you're so willing to throw away two years of memories, did they mean anything to you, or was I just one of them?" I spat, gesturing to one of the three girls around him. I felt my heart tear into a million pieces and break on the floor as tears began streaming down my face.

  "Summer it's not like that, I just. . ." He began, a smile forming on his face as he watched tears flow down my face. How did I ever think he was perfect? That I ever wanted to marry him someday?

  "You what? Used me these last two years, did I even mean anything to you?!" I shouted, slapping him as he began opening his mouth. I ran out of the room. I just wanted to run home and cry to mom, she'd know exactly what to say.

  Too bad all I had now was Aiden and her majesty.

  I rushed out of the lake-house, feeling congested and in need of some air. I felt my heart shatter over and over again as the image of him lying naked on the bed with three women was stuck on replay in my mind. I angrily wiped away my tears storming to the car.

  "Summer!" Aiden's voice halted me in my tracks if only for a second before I continued walking. "Are you okay?"

  "What kind of question is that? How the hell am I supposed to feel, I just found out the guy I've been dating since I started this school is a cheating freaking liar, some way out of town he is!" I said avoiding eye contact, pulling out my phone to check the time. Nine twenty-two, it read before the battery went dead. Great. Just what I needed.

  "I'm sorry." Aiden said as though he were the guilty one.

  "Leave me alone." I muttered, really just wanting to curl up on my bed and cry.

  "I kind of can't," he chuckled lightly, "you're my ride." The loud music seemed to soften as we walked farther away from the horrid lake house.

  "Find some other ride." I said, feeling like I would explode if he said another word.

  "Again, can't do that, the only people I know would make me pay them, and not with just money if you know what I mean." He winked.

  Of course, same old Aiden would just want to keep on talking. I remained silent as I kept walking, "and remind me not to take you to any more parties." He intended for it to be a joke, but in my fragile state, I couldn't handle anything.

  "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I directed my anger toward him.

  "Just that you're a party pooper." He said, in another situation I would've laughed but right now, the only person I despised more than Ryder King was the annoyingly arrogant Aiden Black. I looked at him for a millisecond, an amused look on his face.

  I hopped in the car and began driving back to his house. It was silent in the car as we began driving past miles of trees.

  The car began slowing down no matter how much I pushed the gas pedal until it came to a complete stop. Smoke began flying out of the car. The car engine huffed one last time loudly before completely shutting itself off.

  "No, no, no! Summer, when was the last time you had this checked?" Aiden immediately ran out of the car. His worried face staring at the smoke as he began waving away the smoke. "Pop the lid." He said while I gave him a confused look. He ran his hand through his hair.

  "Pull the little trigger that. . .you know what let me just do it." He walked up to my side and pulled a little button. "And you left your tank empty! Excellent job Summer, now we're stuck out here for the next few hours!" He yelled, seemingly upset.

  "Call a tow truck." I suggested as I watched him dig into his pockets, a sly smirk appeared on his face.

  "I must have left my phone in the kitchen." He rubbed the back of his neck.

  "Great Job." I said sarcastically, stepping out of the car and shutting the door. I walked up to him to see what was going on.

  "You fried the engine and on top of that there's no more gas, ." He said, shutting the hood of the car and began walking to the passenger side. He pulled the door. "It's locked," he said. I reached into my pocket searching for the key until I realized I'd left it inside.

  Today just went from horrible to hellish.

  "I left it inside." I murmured, a cold breeze flowing through the air before I realized how terrible this situation really was. It was like anything bad that can happen, will happen and did happen.

  "Summer, we're stranded in the middle
of nowhere with nobody passing this road any time soon, neither of us have phones, and you locked us out of the car, am I the only one here who is worried about this?" Aiden asked.

  "Thanks for pointing that out Mr. Obvious." I said, "at least it's not raining."

  Aiden stared at me in disbelief as it began sprinkling.

  I was cold, wet, broken, and lost. He ran his hand through his hair.

  "Great job genius." He tried to unlock the door again. Hitting it hard and sitting on the ground beside it.

  Chapter 8: Stranded

  Aiden Black

  We lay on the roof of her car staring at the darkened sky. Beside us was tall, wet trees and an empty road. I was soaked and shaking, holding her closely for warmth.

  "We could break the window." I suggested, turning to look at her as she shook her head. It was way past midnight and it was freezing cold. I felt like we were on the titanic, only worse. The silent forest was filled with the noises of the rain showering us.

  "Aiden," she whispered, her lip quivering not only from the cold but also because of what had happened at the party, she'd been crying. I took off my jacket placing it over her as she shook her head again, "I don't need. ."

  "My help, I got it, but that's what you're getting." I said facing her as we lay on the car roof. I intertwined our legs, she must be freezing in those shorts and placed my jacket over her freezing body.

  "Why would he do that to me?" She whispered tears streaming down her face as I scooted closer, hugging her.

  "He. . .he was my first kiss and my. . ." She began balling and it seemed the weather was in her favor as thunder struck and earth connected with Summer's emotions. This can't be good. The rain poured down quickly and heavily, neither of us moving. She bit her lip, staring at me, water soaking her entire face and hair.

  "He doesn't deserve you, Summer, you're beautiful and witty and any guy would be lucky to have you." I said as she looked at me, her hair was soaked and it became hard to tell apart the tears from the rain.