Page 57 of Bid For Me
He shrugs, setting the book aside as he mutters, “I’d call it trash, personally.”
That’s it. No one disrespects my books like that. My cheeks flush with annoyance, and my hands tighten into fists. “I think it’s time you left, Seb.”
He glances at me, a little surprised, but quickly recovers. He lifts his hands in mock surrender, his grin back in place, but there’s an unease to it. Does he realise he’s annoyed me?
“Alright,” he says, clearly wrong-footed by my irritation. “I’ll leave you to your…charming hobby, then.”
“Take your damn shoes with you!” I snap.
With one last look around my closet, he turns and leaves, leaving me bristling, hands clenched, my annoyance simmering long after he’s gone.
I’m still fuming when Seb leaves, and I reach for my phone, scrolling straight to Candy’s number. If anyone will understand the sheer audacity of what just happened, it’s her.
The phone barely rings before she picks up. “What’s up, babe?”
“Sebastian, that’s what,” I huff, pacing around the living room, glancing at the mess of Louboutin boxes he dumped on me andfailedto take away with him. “He decided to ‘treat’ me with all the shoes I already own. It’s ridiculous. I don’t even have room for all these duplicates!”
Candy laughs, and I can practically see her shaking her head on the other end of the line. “What? He bought you the same shoes you already have? That is classic Seb. You’re lucky he even knew your size, Elle. Cut him some slack; he’s trying, in his weird, misguided way.”
I scoff, wrinkling my nose before my mother’s voice reprimands me in my head about needing botox.
“Oh please. He probably just asked Aiden. It’s not like Seb actually knows me well enough to get something right on his own.” There’s a beat of silence before I realise what I’ve said, and I cringe. “Oh…sorry, Candy. I shouldn’t have brought him up.”
She sighs, but when she speaks, her tone is light. “It’s fine, really. No need to tiptoe around it with me.” But I catch a trace of tension in her voice, and I know it’s not as easy as she pretends. “How’s he doing, anyway?” she asks softly. “Is he…is he getting help?”
I hesitate, unsure of how to answer that. “I haven’t spoken to him in ages, honestly,” I admit, biting my lip. “I mean, after everything with you…well, he pretty much went off the deep end. I think he’s a total arsehole. I don’t really want anything to do with him. Especially after he called me to yell at me about dating Seb. Like he has any right to dictate my life choices!”
Candy falls quiet, and I feel a pang of guilt for mentioning Aiden at all. I wish I hadn’t. But Candy, being Candy, waves it off, changing the subject back to Seb and his uninvited generosity.
“Well,” she says, “if you’re not going to keep those shoes, I’d be more than happy to give them a good home. I’ve been eyeing those black stilettos of yours for ages, anyway. And I’m sure any leftovers will be gratefully received by the girls at the clubs.”
I laugh, grateful to her for lightening the mood. “Consider them yours. Come by whenever – you’ll be doing me a favour by clearing out this mess.”
Candy promises to stop by later, and we hang up. But Aiden’s name still lingers in my mind, bothering me in a way I can’t quite shake. I take a deep breath, then, on impulse, dial his number.
He picks up on the second ring. “Elle,” he says, his voice stiff, guarded. “What’s this about?”
“Relax,” I say, leaning back on the sofa. “I just wanted to…check in. Heard anything from your best mate lately?”
He sighs, clearly exasperated. “Is that why you called? To dig at whatever’s left of my sanity?”
I smirk, savouring the irritation in his voice. “Oh, come on, Aiden. Don’t act so wounded. You’re just upset because Seb and I actually get on these days.” The words feel like a low blow, but it’s hard to resist when he’s already on edge.
He groans, and I can almost see him rubbing his temples. “Elle, please, just…don’t mess with him, alright? He doesn’t need that.”
I let out a laugh, cold and sharp. “Mess with him? Why should I take advice from you? You don’t have a friend left to mess with. You lost them all when you royally screwed up with Candy.”
There’s a pause, and I hear his sharp intake of breath. “Not fair, Elle.”
“Oh, really? Fair’s not exactly your area of expertise, Aiden.”
We fall into a tense silence, the weight of old betrayals heavy between us. I don’t apologise, and neither does he. Finally, I break the silence.
“Fine,” I say, barely hiding my frustration. “Just…keep out of my life, alright?”
He lets out a resigned sigh. “Believe me, I’m trying.”
I end the call, the mix of anger and hurt simmering inside me. Talking to Aiden always feels like reopening an old wound. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I’m not about to let him dictate my life.