Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina) novel Chapter 35

My Favorite of Aiden’s Girlfriends

I laugh at something Nikki says, throwing my head back.

I’m elated, excited and the ends of my fingers tingle from the rush of emotions that have been passing through me all night.

The night air is warm, and yet cool with slight breeze. We’re standing outside the gym, waiting for Aiden and Parker to finish showering and changing in the locker room.

The energy from the game is still in the air, and we can hear music blasting from cars as

they pull out of the parking lot.

“That game was insane. I mean, Parker was so good, and then Aiden? That was awesome,”

Nikki squeals, her eyes sparkling as she looks at me.

I nod, trying to focus on the conversation. “They were both amazing, I didn’t realize

basketball games could be so exciting.”

“Girl, wait until they start getting closer to state.”

“I can’t imagine.”

The lights from the gym cast long shadows on the ground and I wrap my arms around

myself. The noise has quieted enough for me to start getting nervous. We’re probably the

last ones here apart from the team.

I glance at the doors, eager for Aiden to come out so we can get out of here and do

whatever they have planned to celebrate.

Nikki starts to say something, but my ears stop working. Her voice is muffled as I focus on

the figure that emerges from the shadows, rounding the corner of the building.

“Alina,” Jake’s voice cut through the night, making my heart race.

“Hey, Mr. Matthews,” Nikki chirps from beside me, smiling wide at him.

He throws her a casual face, his gaze returning to me with a heated glare. He takes in the jersey I’m wearing again.

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My Favorite of Aiden’s Girlfriends

A wave of tension crashes over me and I try to steady my breathing as much as possible before speaking. “Mr. Matthews, what are you doing here?”

His throat moves with his heavy swallow and he shrugs. “I just wanted to thank you for coming out to support Aiden. It means a lot to him.”

I nod stiffly, hoping Nikki doesn’t notice my unease, hoping she can’t read my mind as it practically shouts out that I’m standing in front of the man I basically had a sex

marathon with.

Who also happens to be my boyfriend’s dad.

“Uh, yeah, of course. It was a big game.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and step back, closer to the wall behind me.

Nikki glances between us, her eyebrows slightly frowned. “Uhhh, how have you been, Mr. Matthews?”

Jake peels his eyes away from me, the struggle evident in the way his jaw clenches. “Good,

Nikki. How have you been?”

“Great. Busy with school and everything, you know.”

He smiles, stiffly and it doesn’t reach his eyes. “That’s good to hear. Like I always say,

you’ve been my favorite of Aiden’s girlfriends. I remind him every day how he fumbled the bag with you.”

Oh god, I just want the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

Nikki awkwardly laughs, grabbing my arm. “Oh, trust me, Alina is perfect for Aiden. They

look good together, don’t you think?”

My body feels like it’s going to fall apart from how nauseous I feel and how much my

stomach flips. My eyes flutter to Jake, and there is nothing but anger and jealousy in his dark eyes.

“Sure,” He mutters.

My hands turn sweaty and I offer Nikki as much of a smile as I can muster. My composure is holding on by a thread and I hate the feeling of my control slipping away. I swipe my

“Are you okay, Alina?” Nikki asks, concern in her voice and a hand patting my back.