He jerked back. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you aren’t my fated.” I didn’t want to hurt him, but he was forcing my hand here.
“Well, that’s not likely to happen.” He smiled like he thought I was being adorable. “But I can change. You only need to tell me how. Hell, even your parents want us together.”
“That’s the thing. I don’t want to be with you.” I would have to be cruel to end this.
“What?” His brows furrowed, and he sucked in a breath. “You don’t want to be with me?”
“No, I don’t.” I couldn’t show any vulnerability, or he’d try to push harder. “I haven’t been happy for a while.”
“But I thought…” He blinked several times.
“You’re a great guy.” That was the truth. “And you’ll make someone very happy someday. But that person is not me.”
“Emma, what the hell?” Coral hurried over and waved her finger from side to side. “I told you we’d meet you outside the classroom.”
“Crap, I forgot all about that.” I’d just wanted to get away from Aidan. Just thinking of him made a chill run down my spine.
I glanced and found him twenty-five feet away, leaning against a tree as he watched my exchange with Jacob. He was wearing a smug grin on his face.
Great. He had to think I was breaking up with Jacob because of him.
I stomped over to him and pushed my finger into his chest. “Don’t be so smug, asshole.” I came so damn close to growling at Aidan. “I don’t want you either.” Electricity coursed through us, but I ignored it.
The smile fell from his face, and fear flickered in his eyes. “Emma.” His voice was low and held promise.
“Now, let’s go grab lunch.” Coral looped her arm in mine, pulling me away from Aidan. “Food might do us all some good.”
We headed toward Jacob, who looked broken. His eyes were glassy as if he might cry, and he watched as we walked by.
“Emma,” Aidan called behind me, but I didn’t give a damn.
We reached Amethyst, who placed her hand on my arm, dragging me toward the Student Center. She called over her shoulder, “Glad you’re feeling better, Jacob. We’ll see you around.”
These two girls had saved me twice within an hour. I at least owed them a cup of coffee. I glanced back to find Aidan still watching me. He looked broken, too.
Aidan
Fear circulated throughout my body. I’d never felt petrified before, but I did now. I’d fucked up and so badly.
She wouldn’t stop hanging around the witches, and I didn’t have the strength to walk away from her again. I’d been stupid to think I could.
Why had it taken until now for me to realize I couldn’t lose her? Had I lost her already? She didn’t need me anymore. She’d finally realized she was strong enough to make it on her own, but dammit, I couldn’t live without her.
I had to try one last thing and pray to the gods I wasn’t too late.
Chapter Twelve
Emma
The three of us headed into the Student Center to grab lunch. My phone buzzed, and I considered not even checking it, figuring it would be Jacob. However, Beth’s name popped up on the screen.
I just passed Jacob. Where the hell are you?
Great. I typed out my response: In the Student Center with Coral and Amethyst.
Her response was immediate. On my way.
“Now, what do you want to eat?” Amethyst smiled as her eyes sparkled.
“I still don’t see how you’re so skinny.” Coral adjusted the bag on her shoulder.
“Oh, be nice.” Amethyst waved her off. “I’ll go get us each a latte and some cookies. I’ll be right back.” She danced off toward the cafe.
“How is she always so happy?” Granted, I’d only been around her a handful of times, but there was this sweet, happy soul inside her.
“That’s just her.” Coral waved me over to a corner table. “Enough about her. Let’s talk about what went down out there.”
I laughed. That probably wasn’t a normal reaction toward someone who’d just broken up with her boyfriend of two years. “Let’s wait. I’d rather tell the story once. Beth is on her way, and I’m sure Amethyst will want to hear it as well.”
“Well, fine.” She crossed her legs and lifted her pointer finger. “But, I’ll have you know patience is not my virtue.”
“I guess I’ll help you out with that flaw, then.” Hanging out with them felt so natural. Even though Aidan thought I was making a huge mistake, I wasn’t.
“Oh, look at you.” Coral laughed as she sat at the round table and pulled out the chair beside her for me.
As I sat, Beth came rushing up. Her eyes widened, and she pointed right at me. “What is going on?”
“Here we go.” Amethyst carried a drink carrier with four lattes and a bag of cookies. “Now, we’re ready to hear it.”
“You caught over half of it.” Those two had gotten me out of a potentially awkward situation with Jacob.
“Well, I caught none … other than Jacob rambling that he had to get home.” Beth threw her bag on the ground and sat next to me.
“Thank you,” I said, taking my latte, and glanced at the three girls staring at me, ready for me to begin. “I mean, I broke up with him.” There really wasn’t more to the story than that.
Coral ran her finger across the table. “Well, that’s obvious, but why?”
“We all know she isn’t into him.” Amethyst took a large sip of her drink and put it down. “Otherwise, she’d be freaking out right now.”
Coral grabbed her drink too. “So, why does he want to go home?”
The reason was crystal clear to me. “He wants to tell his dad and my parents.”
Beth rubbed her temples. “Why?”
“Because his dad is the alpha.” I hoped I was wrong. Jacob surely wouldn’t be going home to get my parents and his dad to try to force us back together. That would be messed up.
“He’s acting like a child.” Coral picked at her cup. “Will your parents get involved?”
“Maybe, but they’ll support whatever decision I make.” Mom had pulled me aside before we’d come here. She’d noticed I wasn’t happy, and she’d apologized for any part she’d had in it. She’d said that no matter what, she was on my side. She must have realized how I felt about Jacob.
“There is that.” Amethyst gave me a sad smile. “I do hate it. He is hurting really bad.”
“Hell, I picked up on it the night of the game. I could see you weren’t nearly as into him as he was into you.” Coral flipped her hair over her shoulder. “He didn’t care as long as you stayed with him.”
“He brought up that I’m the only reason he decided to come here.” I couldn’t feel bad about that. I’d never asked him to do that. In fact, I’d told him not to come to Crawford if he was only coming because of me. “You know what? It doesn’t matter now. I want to move on.” My skin buzzed, but I ignored it.