The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Chapter 96

ARIA’S POV

He didn’t hesitate. Not even for a second.

The moment I said I wanted to leave, Brandon adjusted everything like it was nothing. Calls were made. Routes were changed. Plans dissolved and rebuilt within minutes.

Just like that, we were no longer heading to the hotel. We were heading to the airport. I didn’t thank him again. I didn’t speak much at all.

Because if I opened my mouth, I wasn’t sure what would come out.

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The city lights blurred past the window as the car moved, but I didn’t really see them. My mind was still stuck back there.

At the party. With Luca. With everything he said.

I made a mistake. My chest tightened. I squeezed my eyes shut briefly, forcing the words away. They didn’t matter. They shouldn’t matter.

And yet, they lingered. Because once upon a time, that was all I ever wanted to hear. Once upon a time, I would have given up everything for him.

And I did. The bitter realization sat heavy in my chest as we boarded the jet. This time, the silence between Brandon and I felt different.

Not awkward. Not tense. Just heavy.

I settled into my seat, my body exhausted, my mind even worse. The moment the jet lifted into the air, something inside me finally gave way.

Not completely. Just enough. My head leaned back, my eyes closing slowly as I tried to breathe through the mess inside me.

But it didn’t work. Because the memories didn’t stop. Luca. Julian. The way they had both looked at me once. The way they had both chosen something else in the end..

Different men. Same ending. A shaky breath left my lips before I could stop it. “Aria.” His voice was quieter

this time.

I didn’t open my eyes. “I’m fine.” There was a pause.

“No you’re not.” I almost laughed. Because that line I had heard it too many times before.

I opened my eyes slowly, turning my head slightly. “I will be.”

That was the truth. It was not now. But eventually I knew I would be fine. I just needed distance from everything, from everyone and from him.

12:23 Thu, May 14 Q

Chapter 96

71

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Another wave of dizziness rolled through me, softer this time, but enough to make me shift uncomfortably.

Without a word, Brandon moved again. “Lie down,” he said.

“I’m okay-

“Aria.” Something in his tone made me stop arguing. And a second later, I found myself in the same position as before.

My head rested on his thighs and my body angled toward him. I was too close, too familiar and the trust I had in him felt too easy.

I stiffened slightly at first, but I didn’t move away.

Because the truth was, it helped. His hand rested lightly against my arm again, steady and grounding, like he was anchoring me without holding me down.

And slowly, my body relaxed. But my mind didn’t.

That was the problem. Because lying there, wrapped in quiet and warmth and something dangerously close to comfort, I felt it.

That pull. That softness. That dangerous, creeping attachment I had been trying to ignore. I hated it.

My fingers curled slightly against his trousers.

Because I had been here before. I had gotten care, attention and protection from a man. It always started this

way.

And it never ended well. My throat tightened. Don’t do this again. The thought came sharp, firm and clear.

I had already learned this lesson twice. I wasn’t going to be stupid enough to learn it a third time.

By the time we landed, I had already made my decision.

I just needed to follow through with it.

The drive back was quiet. Brandon’s hand held mine all through the ride. When we arrived at the penthouse, I stepped out immediately, creating distance between us.

The penthouse felt the same. But I didn’t. Everything about it felt temporary now. Like I was already halfway

gone.

“I’ll have your things moved tomorrow,” Brandon said as we stepped inside.

I shook my head. “No.” He paused and turned to me. “I’ll do it myself.”

His gaze lingered on me, searching, like he was trying to understand something I hadn’t said out loud. “Aria

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“I’ll handle it,” I repeated softly. And this time, he didn’t argue.

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12:23 Thu, May 14

Chapter 96

(55 vouchers

I packed that night carefully. Like every item I folded was part of something I was forcing myself to let go of.

The room was quiet. Too quiet. And the more I packed, the louder my thoughts became. You’re running

agam.

Maybe. But this didn’t feel like running. It felt like protecting myself. There was a difference. I paused, my hand resting lightly against my stomach.

“I’m choosing us this time,” I whispered under my breath. That was enough. I finished packing long after midnight. And when I finally laid down. I didn’t sleep.

Because my mind kept circling back to him. The way he looked at me. The way he held me. The way he showed up. And that was exactly why I had to leave.

By morning, he was gone. I was sure he had gone to the office. He had work and this was his world, not mine. Besides, it made things easier.

Or at least… less complicated. I moved quietly, dragging my suitcases behind me, each step heavier than it should have been.

Then, I placed the note I had written the night before on the table. I didn’t want to leave without telling him. Even though I was running, it didn’t mean he hadn’t been there for me.

Then, I looked around the penthouse one last time and left.

The apartment was exactly what I asked for. It was clean, quiet and mine. There were no attachments at all and definitely, no Brandon or any other.man.

For the first time in months, I was alone. And that was exactly what I wanted. Or at least what I needed.

I had just finished arranging my things when I heard the knock. I knew without a doubt that it was Brandon on the other side. A part of me wanted to ignore him but I couldn’t.

So, inhaling slowly, I moved toward the door and opened it slowly. And there he was. He looked calm and controlled. But his eyes held questions I didn’t have answers to.

“What did I do wrong?” he asked. There was no greeting in his tone. The question hit harder than I expected. Because for a second, I almost told him the truth.

That he didn’t do anything wrong. That was the problem. I looked away briefly, steadying myself. “Nothing.”

“Then why are you here?” His voice was sharper now.

I met his gaze again. “Because I want to be.”

There was a pause. Then, “That’s not an answer.”

“It is,” I said quietly. Silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable. “I need space,” I added. “I need

to be alone.”

His jaw tightened slightly. “You had that.”

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