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  "Thanks Dr. Phil, I'll remember that tonight, when I'm getting down and dirty." I winked as she rolled her eyes.

  "Yeah, best time to ask her to date you. Maybe then she might say yes." She teased as I smiled deviously.

  "And why wouldn't she say yes any other time?" I smirked, waiting for her response.

  "Because any other time," she sighed, a silly smile on her face, she paused for effect, "you're being Aiden."

  "Alright that's it." I laughed, lifting her off the floor and tossing her over my shoulder, my early morning workout.

  "Put me down Aiden!" She laughed, not bothering to kick me this time.

  "You don't get the privilege of walking." I quickly tossed her in front of me as she screamed, I carried her bridal style.

  "Aiden!" She laughed as I heard footsteps approaching.

  "What are you doing?" Ryder's obnoxious voice popped up behind us.

  "She fell, twisted her ankle, taking her to a doctor. " I said, annoyed that the cheating, lying asshole was here to ruin our fun. I wanted to punch that annoying look off his face, I just wanted to punch him, or get someone to accidentally kill him. I despised this moron for cheating on Summer. My friend, Summer.

  "No I mean, why are you here?" Ryder glared at me. I glared right back as I felt eyes peeking from their windows.

  "Because I can be," I replied walking faster.

  "Ryder!" She giggled, there must've been some drug in the donut she ate because for her to say his name with that much enthusiasm, she must be drugged.

  Summer Gray

  Was that jealousy I heard all too clearly in Aiden's voice? I knew how to honk his horn and I was going to keep it up.

  "Ryder!" I shouted in Aiden's arms as I felt him tighten his grip. He began walking faster. "Aiden put me down." I laughed as we kept walking, we'd barely moved far from café, it was still in visible sight as we walked through rows of houses.

  "No." I looked up as he clenched his chiseled jaw.

  "Aiden I'm perfectly capable of walking."

  "You mean limping." He smirked.

  "Do what the girl said." Ryder said, challenge in his voice. I felt that a fight was about to break out, and Ryder was on the losing side.

  "Get the hell away man, nobody asked you to be here." Aiden said. Suddenly Ryder pulled his shoulder back. Aiden turned toward him, anger in his eyes.

  "Nobody asked you to mess with my girlfriend." Ryder said, I was just as surprised at Aiden as he looked at me.

  "You lost the privilege to call her that when you fucked three random girls."

  "Stop!" I shouted, flailing my arms wildly. "I'm. . ." Aiden decided he didn't want to hear me talk anymore so quickly he moved me from bridal style to over the shoulder. Again.

  With my butt so close to his face, I wanted to fart.

  "Aiden." He ignored me and kept walking.

  "Don't you have some girl to fuck? Quit following us." Aiden turned to Ryder.

  "Give me my girl back."

  "What the hell? She's not some possession." Coming from Aiden, it was the most ironic thing to ever hear since he used so many girls as a number to add to his list of how many girls he's done. I stifled a laugh.

  "Says you." Aiden suddenly stopped and placed me on my feet.

  "Your choice. But you're fired if you choose him." Wow, what an easy choice to make, sarcasm intended of course. This wasn't even a choice I was supposed to make. Chose a friend who supposedly saved my life 4 times or chose my ex boyfriend who just told me he loved me.

  I looked at both of them. Aiden was a million times hotter in comparison but all I wanted was to go home. I didn't need this right now.

  When did my life get so dramatic? Right, when I met Aiden Black days ago.

  I glared at them angrily and turned to walk in the other direction. I'd just walk the five miles home. I stubbornly limped away, feeling both their eyes on my back.

  Aiden Black

  "So you think you can just swoop in and punch me, then just walk off with my girl?" Ryder glared daggers at me, I'd bet if he actually had daggers he wouldn't hesitate to stab me. "She's not going to fall for it, we all know that all you want from her is sex, and she's not going to give it to you so leave us the hell alone." Ryder pushed past me, purposely crashing into my side as he began walking after Summer.

  I stared ahead of me, the café in the far distance left a faint shadow.

  I jogged home and got in my black Bentley. I needed a stress reliever, I'd never had so much drama in my life. That is, until I met Summer Gray. And I needed to release that stress somehow.

  "Ace, we have to talk to you about something." Stella said loudly, I opened my window.

  "Later." I clenched my jaw, starting the engine and driving off.

  I began my drive to the Luzerne. Maddie would be waiting or whoever else was there, I don't care.

  I parked a few streets away. Summer would probably be home by now. I had no phone on me, but I'd buy a new one, none of the numbers on my old phone mattered anyway. I had Amy to take care of and that's the only person I needed.

  I walked into the club, it was almost ten a.m. We opened two hours ago. As soon as I walked in, I pushed some random girl against the wall as she gasped at my touch. I felt nothing. No excitement coursed through me. I pressed my lips onto hers. Still nothing. Maybe I had gone impotent. I looked at her eyes as they seemed to mold to that of Summer Gray.

  Was I hallucinating. I pushed away from her as she stared at me confused. I sat on the ground, running my hand through my hair in frustration.

  She walked up to me, placing her legs on either side of me as she kissed me. Excitement ran through me as I flipped us over. I was back in business, feelings thrown out the window along with thoughts of Summer Gray as I kissed the random girl.

  Summer Gray

  I stared into the brown shaded blue eyes of Ryder King as he reached me. I turned around to face him as I looked at Aiden from afar. He stood there, his back to us. He had a model like figure, probably from all the exercise he gets at the Luzerne. Secretly, I had hoped Aiden would be the one to be in Ryder's place right now. For being such a bad boy, his reputation was just that. A reputation.

  Aiden was sweet, kind, and considerate, a side of himself he showed to almost nobody. His heart's mask that he dared not move.

  I stared at him for a while until he began jogging past us, the bag of donuts he had was left on the floor, he didn't even bother to glance in my direction as he sprinted the rest of the mile. I stared after him, watching his muscles move while he took long strides. I turned my attention back to Ryder.

  "I need to get home." I bit my lip shyly.

  "Yeah, 'course, I parked my car back at the café if you wouldn't mind limping the rest of the way with me." He laughed at his own joke as I politely smiled along.

  We slowly began walking back to the café as a sudden wave of guilt overwhelmed me. The possibility of ruining my friendship with Aiden truly hurt.

  Finally we arrived at the café as he held open the door of his all too familiar Ford. I stepped into the passenger seat, more memories of us flashed through my mind. The time he and I made out in this car in the middle of a parade brought a smile to my face, recalling the people knocking on our window, telling us to get out of the way.

  "Lots of memories in here." He laughed, starting the engine and began the drive to my house. He stopped a block away.

  "Yeah." I said, as the thought of Aiden and I kiss this morning snuck it's way into my mind. Butterflies began fluttering in my belly.

  "Summer, I want you to know that I'm truly sorry and I love you, so damn much, all I could think about was how much I hurt you and that I couldn't stand myself. And I know I've asked you to take me back. But I don't want to lose all the memories and good times we had, so instead, I want to ask you on a date. Tonight, will you come with me to eat out somewhere as my girlfriend? I know we never technically broke up but please Summer. I need you." I felt hesitant to respond.

&nbs
p; Two years ago, if he'd asked me this question, I would've eagerly said yes. But now, I was contemplating, wondering whether it was a smart decision. I could see the agony in his eyes as parked in front of my driveway. My mom walked out of the house, a huge smile on her face.

  "Yes." I said as he kissed my cheek.

  "Thank you Summer. For giving me this chance to prove my worth to you. I love you." He whispered, trailing his lips to mine. He pecked them lightly. "See you tonight babe." He smiled.

  "Bye." I hopped out of his car and headed into the arms of my mom. I smiled happily as a picture of Aiden's half smiled played in my mind.

  Oh god no.

  Chapter 12: Luzerne

  Ryder King

  I wore a pair of jeans and a shirt, putting on some cologne and deodorant. I walked past my sister and her boyfriend making out on the couch and sat in my ford. I had nothing planned for Summer tonight.

  All I wanted was to regain her trust, and possibly destroy Aiden Black in the process.

  I ignited the engine and began my two mile drive to her house.

  She stepped out of the house with an elegant dress on. She looked stunning, as usual. I was the luckiest guy in the world.

  I needed to have her home tonight before nine or else her mom would freak out. Tomorrow was another Monday.

  "Hey babe," I walked up to her with a bouquet of roses behind me, she hugged me as I pecked her lips. I handed her the roses as she smiled sweetly.

  "Oh. Ryder," she smiled, kissing me again and handing the flowers to her mom.

  "You kids have fun!" She called as we made our way to my car. I was on gentleman mode right now, tonight had to be perfect.

  I took her to a fancy restaurant, that cost me over forty dollars on our meals. I tried to convince myself that it was worth it, but the food was crappy and I hated it. What a waste of money.

  Afterward I took her for a walk around the area, she seemed to really enjoy it.

  "So, what happened to your leg. . .s" I smiled, extremely curious.

  "Oh, I fell off the roof of a car for this one and a snake bit me for that one." I laughed as she pointed at her battle scars. She was too cute. I didn't want to ruin the night by talking about Aiden, but I couldn't help feeling like I wanted to squash that bug and get the weight off my shoulders.

  "So. Uh, Summer I was wondering, just out of curiosity." I began, not knowing the best way to ask this.

  "Just ask, I don't bite," she smiled.

  "What were you doing at that party with Aiden?" I asked as her eyes seemed to suddenly harden and her heart turned stone cold.

  "Nothing." She said.

  "Because, you know he's not the greatest of guys and hopefully he didn't deflower you." I said, rambling.

  "Aiden isn't that bad, and no he didn't deflower me." She smiled playfully as her hand went onto my cheek, mashing our lips together. All thoughts forgotten. I smiled, pulling away.

  What was I even thinking having a threesome with those girls when just a simple kiss from Summer felt way better.

  And now that Summer was mine again, I would have the privilege to flaunt her in front of the asshole, Aiden Black.

  Summer Gray

  My mom drove me to a school this morning. I hopped out of the car, a bright smile on my face as I prepared to start the day.

  "Bye mom! Love you." I smiled. After she'd gotten home yesterday she'd told me about how dad would be getting a business opportunity in Japan and how she was going to be there with him in three weeks for two days to support him. I was happy for her, and dad of course, who I never got to see anymore.

  Ryder walked up to me pulling me close and kissing my forehead. I smiled at him as my eyes landed on the dangerous icy blue ones of Aiden Black. Ryder quickly turned me to face him and pressed his lips on mine. I was confused at the sudden kiss but I didn't mind. When I looked back at Aiden. He was nowhere in sight.

  I got a ride home from Ryder since Aiden still hadn't brought my car back to me. I quickly got in my mom's car and drove to Aiden's house to be the maid I was.

  On arrival I saw him backing out of the driveway and going else where.

  "Where's he going?" I asked Amy, walking into the house. Their parents had left and so did his older sister.

  "Away from you, obviously." I looked at her wide eyed, hoping she was joking. "I need you to clean my new dolly. Don't burn her this time." The evil little girl threw her doll at me and stomped upstairs, her iPhone in hand. Personally, I think she's too young to have a phone, but I won't judge the judgement of my bosses.

  I began searching in Aiden's room for any clues on what he's been up to. Each day I cleaned his room was the same mess, a disheveled bed and a pile of used condoms on the floor. He was bringing his work home, I assumed.

  But this continued for three weeks, each day I'd arrive at his house, he'd either be leaving or already gone.

  I didn't have his phone number so I couldn't ask him why he was avoiding me. The only place I could think to go to was the Luzerne. I'd never been to a strip club, nor did I want to, but I just wanted to talk to Aiden, to know the reason why we'd suddenly stopped being friends.

  I didn't know the route so I parked in front of a flower shop to ask for directions. My conversation with Ryder from three weeks ago played in my head about Aiden deflowering me. It was a silly thing to bring up.

  "Hey!" The store owner smiled at me as I walked in.

  "Hi! Do you happen to know the way to the Luzerne?" I asked, staring at the older lady. For her age, her dark complexion seemed to make her look younger.

  "Honey. Are you a stripper?" The lady asked, walking over to me.

  "What? No."

  "Then why on earth are you looking for that hell hole?" She raised an eyebrow.

  "I'm looking for someone." I said.

  "Would that someone happen to be Aiden Black? That boy's always there." She laughed.

  "Yeah, actually."

  "Why would a young pretty girl like you want to find him, don't you want to stay innocent? Well I mean if you're not then I recommend you don't waste your time with that boy. He goes through girls like he's riding his motorcycle, Vroom, Vroom, if you know what I mean." She laughed loudly.

  "Yeah, look I just need to know where the Luzerne is, please?" I said, my patience running thin.

  "Just down the street from here and take a left, make sure you leave before midnight, that's when the police show up. I just don't understand why you would want to go there."

  "Thank you!" I said, feeling extremely grateful.

  "Oh and don't park your car too close, it might make getting caught more easy."

  I smiled at the lady, waving goodbye and walking out of her flower shop. It was eight thirty, plenty of time before midnight.

  I walked down the street until a big sign with casino like lettering spelled out Luzerne. I made the left even though the sign was on the right and entered into a humid place. A faint smell of cigarettes and sweat filled the air.

  I stood there feeling out of place as bodies lay around everywhere doing the nasty. Four women stood on stage stripping down while a group of men watched. I shut my eyes.

  Gross.

  I don't know what I was thinking coming here, I didn't want my eyes deflowered so I thought it would be best if I left.

  "Hey there baby girl." A random guy grabbed my hand and spun me to him, "strip down for me?" He winked, his breath stunk of alcohol. It seemed like every time I was in the same place as Aiden, something like this always happened. And I wasn't even sure if Aiden was here.

  The man pushed me against the wall, as I tried to turn into a ghost and go through the wall. The man inched closer, I pulled myself closer to the wall. And suddenly, as though my prayers had been answered, he was pulled back by none other than Aiden Black.

  Chapter 13: Confrontations

  Aiden Black

  I had been avoiding her for the past three weeks. It didn't help that we went to the same school and every time her asshole boy
friend saw me, he'd kiss her. Not that it mattered to me. Not that I cared.

  I tried to convince myself that all I wanted was to get in her pants, but none of my actions went with these words. I'd do as many girls as I liked and the only annoying eyes I'd see would be those of Summer Gray. The only voice showering words in my mind would be that of Summer Gray.

  Each day Amy would ask me to stay and each day I'd tell her that I'm busy. I'd go to the Luzerne and have a good time, then I would usually bring one of them home with me. It was a routine I'd developed throughout the last three weeks. I'd found my stress reliever.

  But today of all days, my birthday, she just had to barge in with her cute innocent eyes and confused look as she looked around. For me.

  I was standing by the drinks table monitoring everything going on in my place. This month had been our best. We'd made over three grand a day.

  I guess heartbreak was in season and people wanted relief here.

  I watched as she turned around, about to head out the door, something urged me to talk to her, but I couldn't bring myself to. I took a gulp of alcohol and threw the cup onto the floor. I poured myself another cup, watching her, admiring her physique.

  Not until one of the drunk idiots in this establishment mistook my innocent Summer for a stripper. She was wearing layers of clothing, it was freezing out. How could he have mistaken it?

  He pushed her up onto a wall, before he could get his meaty hands on her, I grabbed the collar of his shirt and easily threw him on the ground.

  He landed harshly and began snoring.

  She stared at me for what seemed like forever, studying me as though I'd transformed into a penguin and she was trying to figure out how I was there.

  "Hi." She said, a worried look on her face, a small smile twitching it's way onto her lips.

  "What are you doing here?" I whispered sharply. Placing my arm around her shoulder, about to lead her out.