Page 63 of Muse (Fighting Fate)

We walked out the front doors and kept going, heading to the coffee shop down the street. Aiden and Matt walked ahead a little, but Dean hung back, probably to make sure I was okay, knowing him.

“You really going to ask Mia out?” he said quietly.

I could hear the weariness in his voice and it pissed me off. I could tell he thought it was a bad idea. “Dude, Mia and I have already been seeing each other since Aspen.”

Dean gaped at me. “Are you fucking serious?” he hissed.

“Yeah, I fucking am.” I gave him a look, daring him to challenge me.

He stared at me like he’d never seen me before. “You seriously like her?”

I met his gaze front on. “I’d do fucking anything for her.”

“Well shit.”

We followed Matt and Aiden inside and I grabbed myself a flat black before joining them in a booth. I decided I should warn Mia about what went down with Aiden, just in case. Pulling out my phone I tapped out a quick text.

I should warn you. Aiden knows about us.

I sipped on my coffee, listening to the guys talk about our gig on Friday night while I waited for Mia to text me back. It didn’t take long. My phone vibrated in my hand only half a minute later.

What? How?!

She sounded panicked by the look of that text. I read over what I’d said and quickly responded.

Sorry. That probably looked a lot worse than it should’ve. What I should’ve said is: Aiden knows we like each other.

Hopefully that put her at ease.

Was he mad?

I could almost see her biting her lip with worry.

Maybe a little, but it’s not his fault. He’s worried about you. Said he’d beat the shit out of me if I ever hurt you ;)

OMG pls tell me you’re joking...

I frowned. I expected her to find that amusing.

Uh....

“Fuck. You’re texting Mia, aren’t you?” Aiden groaned from the other side of the booth.

I shoved my phone into my pocket, choosing not to answer. Aiden sat there, glaring at me, while Dean smirked, a little pleased I think, and Matt stared at us all like he couldn’t give two shits.

“This is fucking weird. You know that, right?” Aiden said.

I shrugged. “Get used to it.”

He shook his head, mumbling something under his breath. Dean laughed, causing Aiden to glare at him.

My phone hadn’t vibrated again, so I knew Mia hadn’t text me back. I hoped she wasn’t pissed off Aiden had found out. I needed to know she was okay.

Dean pushed himself to his feet and threw his empty cup in the trash. “I gotta get back. If I miss another class, Dad’ll fucking have a coronary.”

I stood up too. I wanted to find Mia before her next class started.

We filed out the door and walked back in silence. I knew Aiden was still stewing over this thing with Mia, but I wasn’t sure if it was because of me, or because she’d told me about their dad. I had a feeling it was the latter.

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