"Aiden" I state awkwardly when he finally reaches us, I jump off the truck to stand in front of him and instantly regret it, he stands at his full height and it intimidates me to no end.

"What the fuck are you doing here Emily?" he asks angrily, ignoring my attempt at a greeting.

"My fault," Luke calls guiltily stepping down to join us, he winces at Aidens glare now directed to him.

"What the fuck Luke, why did you bring her to hear she can easily get fucking hurt, or even worse" Aiden continues, is he serious?

"Oh fuck off Black, he brought me here because he is smart enough to realize that if he didn't bring me himself I would have found it myself and maximized the risk of being hurt, or even worse," I reply menacingly, using his own words against him.

He looks at me in shock for a while, so many emotions cross his eyes but they're so fast I don't catch any of them before he eventually smirks, "fine Collins, don't leave my side" he demands while smirking.

Bipolar much? A second ago he was yelling at my best friend and me and now he was smirking?

"And wear this" he demands, handing me his signature leather jacket which makes Blake and even Toby groan out loud.

"No way!! Why?!" I reject defensively.

"To cover up your ass and tits" he replies like it was obvious, this, however, made me even angrier. How dare he?! I was completely covered unlike all these other girls and he doesn't get to control me with his moody and bipolar self."

"Fuck off Aiden, give it to your slut or something," I reply in anger, I would never call a girl a slut in that content intentionally but the words just kinda slipped out during my angry state, I wasn't sure why I was so angry to be honest. Stupid men that are players and controlling, stupid fucking Aiden.

Aiden just smirks again at my outburst but throws his jacket at me anyways, I catch it on instinct and direct my deadliest glare towards his beautiful face.

"Emilia, maybe you should just wear it, it is probably a good idea" Luke cuts in awkwardly motioning to a group of boys obviously checking me out. I hadn't noticed them in all the action, I was never great at noticing when guys would check me out even when someone would point it out, but it wasn't like these guys were even bothering in the slightest to hide it, I think even Blake was more discreet.

I slowly slip on the jacket, feeling uncomfortable from the multiple eyes I could now feel on me, or more so my ass. I glare at Aiden who just smirks in triumph and angrily climb back up the truck and stand beside Toby, probably in a sulk.

"Aiden, can we actually speak quickly?" Luke asks awkwardly, Aiden looks at him before looking back to me and nodding.

"Collins, don't leave Toby, Blake and Carter" Aiden demands before walking somewhere quieter followed by Luke, not leaving any time for my inevitable arguing.

"Collins, don't leave Toby, Blake and Carter" I mimick in a high pitched voice still sulking, Blake, Toby, and Carter all laugh at my childishness and before I know it we're all joking about random things and my mood is completely lifted.

The second I saw her at the tracks with Luke I felt 2 emotions, worry, and anger. I can't believe Luke brought her here, he knows as good as anyone how dangerous the tracks are.

She looked incredibly hot as usual and I could tell that every male here agreed. Her jeans sculpted her ass and legs perfectly and her shirt was tight so it extenuated her perfect boobs and small waist.

I wasn't entirely sure why I had all but forced her to put on my jacket, I felt protective of her for some reason, why wouldn't I though, she was my friend now wasn't she? She was right when she insinuated that the other girls were showing more than she was, but I didn't care about other guys looking at them. Obviously only because she's my friend and if I ever do want to win my game, I need to make sure she trusts me.

Her feisty attitude made her even hotter for some reason, and when she got feisty I found my own anger completely disappearing and being replaced by lust. I think one of the reasons I found her attitude is incredibly hot was that she stood up for herself and didn't throw herself at me like all the other girls. Any other girl here would have loved it if I gave them my jacket, fuck, any girl anywhere would love it if I gave them ANY sort of attention or felt protective of them. But not Em, also the fact that she looked hot when angry helped but I think that chick would still be the hottest girl I ever laid my eyes on even if she was crying.

It astounded me how she didn't notice all the lust-filled stares on her wherever she went, even her own best friend was so obviously in love with her.

"Thanks for speaking to me" Luke praises awkwardly, I nod my head briefly but look at him with an expectant look waiting for him to continue.

"Um so I was talking to Em earlier and she made me realize that I should probably apologize to you for everything that happened with that girl, I overreacted and I didn't even care about her so I'm sorry I guess" he continues unsurely.

Wait Em convinced him to apologize? She cares?

Honestly, I know what I did was a dick move, he wanted her but I got the opportunity and slept with her anyway, but my ego wouldn't let me admit that to him. I felt as though there was another reason or so why he hated me so much but if I can be cool with him then whatever.

"Yeah no problem, we cool?" I reply genuinely.

"Look, for Em's sake we are and also for everyone else's sake but just for the record, I still don't approve of your lifestyle and I'm still never gonna condone it" Luke sighs after a minute.

He and Carter had never loved my lifestyle, and by lifestyle, I mean how I fuck girls and then I'm done with them but Luke has always hated it more than Carter, or at least Carter had come to terms with it. I don't think any of the guys apart from Blake really approved if it, but as my best and longest friend, Toby had come to terms with it ages ago.

"Yeah man, it's whatever, we cool?" I repeat on again genuinely, I did want to be cool with him again, I liked having him around.

"We're cool, but not good," Luke says smiling a little, I smile back at him and nod before doing the bro shake and walking back to the group where Em, Carter, and Toby were laughing hysterically about something and Blake was looking at them all with confusion, but nonetheless still smiling.

"What?" Luke asks smiling at Em with so much love I wanted to shove him away from her, rolling my eyes at his predictable behavior I looked at them all expectantly also curious. Instead of answering, Em and Toby exchanged a glance and then once again burst out laughing, Carter chuckling beside them. Blake shrugged in confusion but I didn't ignore the fact that he was staring at her ass in the same lustful stare as every other guy at this stupid place.

"As lovely as this little party is, I think that it's time Em went home, so shall we Collins?" Aiden says harshly, what's his problem?

"What about your other races?" Blake asks.

"The race can wait, she needs to get home" Aiden replies, leaving no room for argument and motioning to me.

"Um excuse me, right here, and I want to stay and watch another race" I interrupt stubbornly, they can't talk about me like I'm not here, I'm not an object.

"We're going, let's go Collins" Aiden replies rolling his eyes but grabbing my wrist, expectantly to drag me away from this sketchy place. A part of me knew he was just trying to be a good friend but that didn't stop my stubbornness from appearing.

I pull my wrist out of his grip stubbornly, he rolls his eyes and glares at something behind me. Was he really having a tantrum?

Before I can make a smart comment something, or rather someone taps my shoulder from behind me. I turn around and notice a guy with scruffy blonde hair, probably in his mid-twenties. Aiden continues glaring at the guy and I now realize he wasn't having a tantrum and glaring at this guy. The guy might actually be attractive if it wasn't for his sketchy vibe or the creepy smile situated on his face.

"Hi babe, what do you say we ditch these losers and go back to my place," he smirks. I mean, points for getting straight to the point?

"Um sorry, I don't think my boyfriend would like that" I reply awkwardly, I don't think guys understand how much girls have to use that.

"Oh really, which one of these lucky guys would that be?" The guy continues to smirk.

I turn around towards Luke or even Toby for help but instead feel a presence beside me, I look next to me and smile at Carter.

"That would be me" Carter replies smiling, slowly snaking his arm around my waist. I knew he was only doing it slowly as if to ask my permission, I smile up at him and move closer to his body, showing Carter I was grateful and hoping to add to the illusion.

"You're a lucky guy" Scruffy smirks before giving me one last look over and walking away.

I sigh in relief when he leaves and thank Carter, who smiles politely in response, "how often does that actually happen?"

"More then I wish it did" I admit, it's uncomfortable and degrading to be completely honest.

"Okay great, now let's go Collins" Aiden speaks, for the first time since Scruffy made his move.

"Fine," I mutter, I did want to stay but that guy turned me off staying, at least for tonight. I had every intention to make Aiden bring me back here, but maybe another night when scruffy wasn't here.

"I'll take her" Luke speaks up, he had been strangely quiet throughout this whole encounter.

"I live next door to her, it's stupid if you take her" Aiden demands, obviously not knowing he was staying at my house tonight.

"I'm staying at her house, I'll take her" Luke continues, I had never really seen him so adamant about anything before. Aiden looks like he is about to argue when Toby slaps him on the back, he instantly nods stiffly and Luke and I awkwardly make our way back to his car without saying goodbye to anyone.

***

We had been home for a few hours and Luke was asleep beside me, it had been fairly awkward between us after his and Aiden's ego battle. I couldn't fall asleep no matter how much I had tried. Nala lay between Luke and me with her head on the pillow, taking up a lot of space like usual and even cuddling her didn't help. Groaning I stand up and walk towards my window, already planning on climbing to the roof.

I wasn't sure why, but something about Luke was making me feel a little claustrophobic and overwhelmed. Climbing up the familiar branch was easy, but as soon as I could see the roof, I could also see Aiden's familiar mop of brown hair. He hadn't noticed me just yet and as much as I hated to admit it, I spent a moment admiring him.

He really was extremely attractive, he was running his fingers through his hair which made the view even more appealing, his arm tensed as he ran his fingers through his hair and it would be extremely hard to ignore his muscles. His tan skin looked like it was glowing, even in the dark and he wore a worried look on his gorgeous hair.

"Do you need to be alone or can I join?" I ask once I realize that I had been admiring him for far too long.

He instantly looks down at me with a surprised expression on his face before he smiles gently, "come sit," he proposes, moving over a little and tapping the spot beside him. I smile at him and pull myself up.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask after a couple of minutes of silence.

"The tracks," he responds immediately before a confused look crosses his face briefly before it is replaced by his familiar confidence.

"Can I come with you next time you go?" I ask instantly.

"No" he responds bluntly making me pout.

"Why?" I demand.

"Because it's not safe" he responds, smirking at my reaction.

"I promise I'll stay with you the whole time, and if not you then the other guys" I attempt. I wasn't sure why I was asking his permission or agreeing to stay with him, I would end up going anyways.

"No" Aiden repeats.

"If you don't take me then I'll go myself and without your protection, I could get hurt" I continue, using the same lines I used on Luke.

Aiden looks at me and mumbles some choice words under his breath before turning to face me with an annoyed expression on his face; "fine, but you stay with someone the whole time and I get to choose when you come."

I cheer out loud but Aiden just looks at me with an unimpressed look on his face.

"Why do you race anyways, why do you need the money?" I ask after another minute of awkward silence.

Aiden glances at me but continues fiddling with the leaf in his hand before he finally looks at me again; "Let's make a deal, I'll tell you why I race when you tell me why you get panic attacks."

Although he was smirking I could easily see the curiosity behind his words.

"Touche" I reply smiling.

We fall into another minute of silence before Aiden speaks up curiously; "why do you even want to go back to the tracks?"

"I don't know, it made me feel alive, and I haven't felt like that since, well yeah" I speak absentmindedly, quickly stopping myself before I could give myself away. I don't know why I almost slipped up, I've always kept everything to myself, there was just something about Aiden's presence that made me want to open up to him. Which really made no sense because he was literally the bad boy player of Pearlacre High.

"Since what?" Aiden pushes looking at me.

"I'm really tired, I think I'm gonna go to bed" I smile as convincingly as I can manage. Without waiting for his reply I quickly climb down the tree and crawl into my room quickly shutting my window and letting out a heavy sigh.

This can't happen, I can't begin to open up to Aiden, not about my dad, or about Maddi, not about anything. I need to watch myself around him, I can't do that to myself, I can't be vulnerable with the player, and I'll make sure I won't.