For the last few weeks I've been swamped between my practices, classes, games, my own study time and making time to tutor Riley. I haven't had five minutes to myself. I like keeping busy, I like not having a lot of down time. It keeps my mind going, it keeps me moving forward and not stalling backwards and thinking too hard, or not thinking at all. That's when I end up getting in trouble. Although I've been learning some things about myself that I don't think I like.

I don't think I ever realized just how much of a jerk I can be. Girls are pissed at me and I haven't done a damn thing to deserve it. Since I rescued Riley I haven't so much as looked at another girl. No flirting, no touching and no sex. But I'm the one who's in trouble. WTF!?!

These girls are crazy. They flirt and make offers for sex, they tease and rub me up. There's invitations to parties that normally I'd go to but I'm turning all of them down, I'm turning down girls in general. And they're pissed at me.

I've even explained that I have a girlfriend. Granted I wasn't the best about this before but I'm trying. They know about Leighton when they proposition me but they don't care. Then when I flat out say no, I'm the bad guy. Telling me that I didn't have a problem before, nothing has changed.

But it has changed, I've changed. Why?....

I don't know...yes I do, I can name the change in one word. Riley. I'm trying to be a better person because of her. I want to be free to go out with her. I want to know Leighton is the past, and Riley is my present. I don't want to be an escort service anymore, I want to be a man.

Leighton has been calling more and more lately. I've got a bye week next weekend and she wants me to come out to see her. I know why, there's a Broadway premiere she wants to go to that's opening. Here we go with her damn escort service again.

If I don't go, she'll just keep this up. I don't need this shit!

It's not that I haven't tried to end things. I have, several times. Leighton doesn't give me a chance to get the words out. Then she calls knowing I'm at practice or in class or with Riley and leaves me a damn message about me coming out and that my parents are planning to join us.

She's calling them now!

So I'm working on my strategy to finish this. I'm ending the relationship that isn't a relationship at all. I'm cutting ties on this stupid trip I'm being forced to take. I'll do the red carpet, give her a last night out and break it off when I take her home. I'll explain it to my parents before we go, I'll make sure everyone understands the situation and I'll end things.

Tonight though, it's Halloween. I promised the team I'd be here. We've got a big party planned for the house. A social obligation I've been neglecting the last couple weeks because I've been tutoring Riley. Not as much tutoring as getting to know her. The more I seem to know this girl, the more I like her. The more I like her, the more nervous I get. The more I think I'm going to screw this up.

So I've tried to keep myself as far from trouble as I can.

The guys have had their parties while I've been out meeting Riley at the library or the offices or at a restaurant off campus. Anywhere we can be alone for a good while and talk. Not that we aren't studying. She's been a stickler on that. I've learned more about contract law with her than when I actually took the class.

Tonight though, I get to have some fun

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. The horror movies and gore. The sexy costumes and the crazy. I love haunted houses and the family time we spent trick or treating then doing it up for the little ones when we grew up. I've never had a bad experience on Halloween.

We've been decorating the house up all morning. Spiderwebs have been laced in every corner, over the railings and windows. Orange, green and yellow lights are wrapped around the eaves and windows. There's skeletons hanging throughout the house, a graveyard setup in the yard. We've got the best Halloween party ready for tonight.

I made sure Riley was aware I had this going tonight. No games with her, no lies. I'm trying to be as up front as I can for her. I even asked if she wanted to come. At first she was excited about it but I knew as soon as I told her it was at the house she wouldn't come. Not after what happened at the last party. I let her know that I wouldn't let anything happen to her. I won't even let Mattox in the house for this one. It didn't change her answer. Riley doesn't want anything to do with a party here. She's uncomfortable and scared I don't blame her. Colby still has her moments from when she had a problem with Mattox, I understand.

We set up a big kids pool outside full of ice and bend over to load in the drinks. We've got all kinds of beverages this time. Shoving bottles into the ice, it's just Harper and me in the yard. We've all got our assignments to make this party happen. Harper looks around the yard before he leans down and says a word to me.

"So where's the old ball and chain today?" Harper quietly teases me as we haul the big bucket of ice out of the wagon and toss it into the pool. "I thought you'd get your time with her before the party."

Standing up and stretching my back, I shake my head. "She was helping her roommates with some project today. She's still leery about the whole party scene. I told her we'd meet up tomorrow night."

We head back in and start loading more ice and drinks in the wagon to take out back. "So why not just tell her to stick with you. It's not like what happened with Mattox will happen again. I mean you'd keep a close eye on her."

"I asked." I tell him as we dump the next load in and start dumping in the bottles of beer. "She's not the party kind. Big crowds freak her out. This place gets pretty wild sometimes. It might be a little much for her."

"But you want her here don't you?" Harper stops and just looks at me. "You found a girl that you actually like? You don't want to give her a reason to walk."

He seems as surprised as me by the realization. Opening my mouth to deny it, I can only close it again and stare down at the ice. The truth hits me and my pulse races at the thought.

"I do." I can barely whisper the acknowledgment. "I do like her, and I won't do anything to screw it up."

It's an honest admission to my best friend. Riley is the first girl I truly like and don't want to screw up with. It's not painful to hear myself say it. There's a warm feeling flowing through me though and it feels good. That alone makes me nervous.

Walking back into the house we start the next load. Ice and beer are loaded in wagons. Bottles of the hard stuff and mixers are set up on the bar. Cups and more ice are put out and set up continues.

"So are you and the study buddy more than just that now?" Wyatt asks as we set the bar. "Have you tapped her?"

"I wish." I growl under my breath. Not willing to admit that it's killing me too.

I haven't gotten laid since the night before that party and I've never gone this long without sex. Not since I was fifteen. That's a fucking record for me. I haven't even kissed her again. Not that I haven't wanted to but I don't want to screw this up.

"So her not coming tonight gives you an out? You're going on the prowl tonight right? Clean those pipes before you get clogged." Casey, the rookie, joins the conversation.

Frowning at the idea, I hadn't even thought about it that way. The more I think about it, the more I wonder why I hadn't thought of it. It's not like we're dating. One kiss isn't a commitment. Besides I still have to break it off with Leighton before I can think about moving forward with Riley.

Wait! What? Where did that thought come from?

"Aiden! Well? What's the deal then?" Casey pushes the issue.

We hear the front door open and close. There's voices now in the kitchen. I can make out Sawyer and Landon but they're talking to someone else I can't hear. But those two are laughing, teasing and loud. It must be one of the girls the way they're talking.

"A party isn't her thing. She's shy. Ya know?" I've been playing my own interest down over Riley. I don't know how I feel about this but I'm not letting these guys know what's up. These guys see me as some kind of god sometimes. They follow every step I take and I'm not sharing Riley with them. "Besides she's not really my type. The bookworm can be a sexy little fantasy but in reality... you can only study so much before you need to test the groundwork. I like a girl with a bit more experience. On the job training only goes so far."

Casey laughs and slaps me on the back. "Ain't that the truth, man!" Yeah, right! Kiss ass! The dude hasn't gotten laid since the semester started. He's so full of shit!

"Uh, Aiden..." Sawyer is standing in the doorway glaring at me with my little bookworm looking like I just punched her in the gut. "You got company."

I can't move. It's kinda hard to do much with both of my feet shoved down my throat. Fuck! I just screwed up big time! "Hey! I thought you had plans today." I can barely think straight.

Try not to look any more like an ass! Idiot!

"I did. I'm just dropping this off. I didn't mean to interrupt." Her voice is soft and timid. But then there's that stick straight spine of hers. I know she's pissed but I'm gonna need to get past the hurt first. She heard me and now she's not sure about me.

God she looks so pretty standing there and so damn innocent. Sawyer looks like he's ready to kick my ass too. I don't blame. Right now I'd let him. I feel like a freaking idiot for saying that.

Shit! What the hell was I thinking?!

"Then don't." Casey grumbles earning himself a slap on the back of his head for the comment from Harper.

"You're not interrupting." Giving Casey a glare that tells him to shut the hell up. I keep talking. "Curls..." I take a step forward but she backs away from me. She looks so good. It's only been a couple days since I saw her, but damn! Taking a good long look at her now she's no ordinary bookworm.

Riley has her long ringlets up in a long curly tail, those big emotional depths looking so sad and hurt at me. In her arms is a big platter covered with Halloween cupcakes with orange, purple and green frosting. Little Oreos are cut into what looks like gravestones and crushed chocolate that looks like dirt with gummy worms that are crawling out of each grave. She put a lot of work into each one.

She did that for me?

"These are awesome girl! Can I get one now?" Sawyer rests his arm around her shoulder. He's standing for her. God, I'm a fool.

"They're for later. But I'm glad you like them." She won't look in my eyes. Shit! Shit!

"I love them. They remind me of the ones my grandma made when we were kids." Sawyer points out and I see the same thing. We used to have stuff like this all the time from my family for holidays.

"My roommates had the idea. I thought you'd like them for your party." Her voice is strong and that stubborn chin raises as if she didn't hear us, but I know by the look in her eyes and the grim line on Sawyer's face they heard every word.

"Curls... I didn't know... thank you for doing this." Her eyes hardened and the hurt was instantly replaced by anger. "Here let me help you with that." I need to get her alone and explain my screw up.

"I've got it. Us little bookworms learn too. Maybe it's time I test my groundwork." Her words echoing the harsh words I'd just used.

"Riley..." I take a step towards her as my head shakes back and forth, but she steps back into the kitchen. "Shit!"

I hear the platter land on the counter with a loud crash and the front door opens and closes so quietly. It broke my eardrums. I could feel the panic rise up. The cold sweat slicks up my spine.

This can't happen. I won't let it.

Racing out the front door, I ran down the drive to stop her, to make her listen but I was too late. Getting to the end of the drive just in time to see her drive away in her old beat up piece of shit car. I feel a hand fall hard on my shoulder and look next to me to see Sawyer, Landon and Harper. My conscience, my heart and my humor.

"You fucked that up good, buddy." Sawyer shakes his head at my screw up. "Sucks to be you. You are planning to get her back."

"I know." I really messed up. "And yeah, I'll fix it."

"Too bad you've got a party tonight, or you could go over to talk to her." Harper adds. "Do you at least know where she lives now?"

"No... I don't know." There's a throbbing in my chest. I'm sweating like I just ran ten miles. My ears have a whooshing making it hard to hear.

What did I just do?

"Damn, Aiden. You really need to keep your mouth shut. It's almost as big as your ego." Landon puts in his two cents. "That means she's free right?" He looks around at each of us and gets a big shit eating grin on his pretty face. "I call dibs!"

Sawyer shakes his head and plasters his entire hand over Landon's face. Just like he used to do when we were kids and pushes him away by his face. Landon swats at his arms as the guy's wrestle around me I can only think about what Riley must think of me now.

Sawyer and Harper saw me drive up and helped me into the house. I had my hands full so I was glad they were out front of the house. It definitely looks like a haunted house now. These guys really do go all out.

As I went into the kitchen the two were so busy talking and laughing I could barely hear my own thoughts. They kept joking around until we turned the corner and heard Aiden and his buddy talking about me. I assume it was me and by the look on Aiden's face I'd say I was right.

I don't think I've ever been so humiliated. I thought I was doing a nice thing. I mean he did give me a basically brand new laptop and we made a deal that I would cook for him to pay it off. Granted cupcakes are baking, but it's still food.

I didn't think to call him to tell him I was stopping by. I wanted to surprise him. Just because I didn't want to go to the party doesn't mean I can't do something to help them. I thought it was a fun treat. The girls loved the idea and wanted to help me. They were just as excited as I was to do it.

I had to beg them to let me drop off the cupcakes alone. I haven't mentioned Aiden's name to them. I mean I know he's the quarterback of the football team. I know he's out of my league. If my roommates knew who I was getting tutored by they'd laugh. Those girls are more his speed. Wouldn't they just think the same thing he does?

I'm so glad they didn't come with me. Talk about total humiliation. The last thing I expected was to be getting talked about that way. I know I'm not the kind of girl he dates but I didn't think Aiden would be talking about me like I was nothing. I definitely didn't think he would be calling me a bookworm and admitting that I'm not his type.

But isn't that the truth?

It's not like he said anything that wasn't true. I am a bookworm and I don't like the parties. I don't fit in there and I'm definitely not his type. He only has been spending so much time with me lately to help me study. And I'm guessing he felt sorry for me with the whole laptop fiasco.

But he kissed me

Maybe he was just curious. I doubt he's kissed a bookworm before. Maybe that single kiss is all I'm going to get. It's not like he's tried to kiss me again. He figured out he wasn't interested and is just continuing with the tutoring because he has to.

It's fine, I'm fine

Driving away from the house I make the mistake of looking in the rearview mirror and see Aiden rushing out to the middle of the street with his friends right behind him. He actually looks like he's sorry about what I heard. My mistake, my problem. Not his fault. I thought just maybe there was a chance for me. I own my mistakes and this was a doozy.

That's on me

I go straight back to the dorm and walk with my head high. Only a couple people know what was said. No one here knows what happened or that the captain of the football team just rejected me to his friends. It's not like my roommates know him. I haven't said his name or who was tutoring me. I didn't even tell them about the party tonight since they've got their own party with their family they're going to. I should have just let them have the cupcakes.

I ignore the people around me when I walk in. I only notice the redhead cheerleader because I recognize her laugh. But I pay them less mind than they do me. I don't exist to people like that. My eyes close in the elevator as I ride up to my floor. I can do this. I can act like it was nothing too. I can just say I have no interest in him either if the subject ever comes up.

I can do this

"I think this makes my boobs look flat! What do you think, Riley?" Walking into the apartment it looks like a costume store threw up. There are clothes everywhere.

I look at Hunter who is still waiting for an answer from me. Her hand on her hip, she pushes her chest out and raises one eyebrow waiting for a response. "You need a push up bra for that. Colby, wear the mermaid one, it's more your color. Emery you should be the mouse."

There! The problem is solved now they can clean all this up. I head straight to my bedroom and closed the door. Setting my bag down and plopping on my stomach on the bed. I can hear my phone vibrating in my purse. It's been doing that since I left the house.

Ignoring it, I grab my pillow and cover my head with it as my door slowly opens. Colby sticks her head in and looks at me. "I take it didn't go well. He didn't like the cupcakes then?"

"No, they liked them, just not me." With a heavy sigh I tuck the pillow under my head and curl up on my side looking at Colby sitting on the edge of my bed. "I made a mistake and I feel stupid for it. It's no one's fault but my own."

Laying down next to me as the other two walk in, Colby motions for them to join us. The girls snuggle up with me and I feel better having females to talk to about this. Growing up with just my dad, I was never comfortable talking to him about boys. So I stayed awkward dealing with them to this day.

"Is this about the guy that's tutoring you?" Hunter asks me, only getting a nod in response. "He blew you off after all the hard work you did for him!? What a creep!"

"It's not his fault. I misread it. It's not like it's the first time I've done that. I thought he was interested in me, but he isn't. According to him, I'm not his type." I tell them knowing I shouldn't be upset it's not like we were dating or anything. It was only one kiss. A kiss that only Aiden and I know about and I'm keeping it that way.

"Riley, you've been seeing the guy for what, three times a week for almost a month now? That's more than most of us see guy's we are dating. I mean our cousin hasn't seen his so-called girlfriend in well over a month! I don't think they've even talked to each other since the semester started. I'd say you've got a right to be upset." Emery adds.