"You can't be jealous of her. She's a fan. I'm a celebrity. People are going to ask me for pictures, they're going to hug me and sometimes even do weird, inappropriate things that I wish they wouldn't. You have to be okay with that, because it's a part of me - a part of who I chose to be."

I don't say anything. He isn't breaking up with me, but maybe it would have been for the best if he did. Now, it's my turn to make a choice. I should be the one to let go if I want to go.

I sigh. I'm not going anywhere. I love him. But it means I'll be forced to keep internally hating myself for being the jealous, insecure type - and it's all because I'm dating Aden Arrington.

"Let me check what time my bus leaves." I say.

Aden frowns and holds my chin.

"I was hoping for something different - like you coming to New York with me - only for a day. I'd like for you to be my date to the Cosmo party tomorrow night."

I should be excited, but instead all I can think about is how this is a recipe for disaster.

"I don't think you want to be around me."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because I'm insecure and immature - all those things you said about me. Why would you want to be around that? Why would anyone, really? I'm messed up."

"I'm the one who's messed up. Remember last night?"

"No, you don't get it, Aden. There will be tons of hot girls I'm going to get jealous over if I'm there."

"I don't care. Go crazy. I want you to be with me in any case."

"But why? All-"

"Because you're the best part of my life right now - you have been from the moment I met you. You make me laugh, you understand me, you care about me. And I love doing anything I can to get you to smile that beautiful smile of yours or make you giggle in that horrific little boy way.
"Because I love you and I want to wake up next you one last time this month - maybe this year."

"Well, when you put it that way." I scowl, prompting Aden to smooch the pout off my lips. "But no more hand jobs for you, your royal highness."

"What if I beg?"

I burst out laughing at the puppy face he makes.

"Am I meant to be tempted? Because if so, I'm highly unimpressed."

"Oh, that's all? No worries, Princess. I know how to make a good second impression."

He swivels my thighs open and wraps his waist in them, so he can easily grind against me. I immediately feel licks of fire on my skin.

He lowers himself, still applying pressure to my crotch while sticking wet languid kisses on the bit of skin he exposes upon lifting my shirt.

I sigh, but he doesn't let up until there's a knock at the door.

"Room service!" says a female voice. I giggle as Aden stands up grumbling.

"This is why I need a house - then I can fuck you properly without any disturbances."

I don't say anything as we get our bags and leave to the bus station, but I was perfectly happy to not be in a home of his, because had he continued, I probably would've really let him fuck me properly.

The bus ride to New York is relatively quiet. As I lie on Aden's chest, I'm reminded of the privilege that it is to be able to love someone like him. Yes, he's famous, but for all the ways I understand him, he understands me. We view the world through a similar lens despite coming from completely different worlds.

He has never judged me for being too demanding. He instead does his best to meet my expectations. I'm genuinely impressed and in awe of his bravery when it comes to love. I want to love that boundlessly one day. I want to love him like that and give him what he has gifted me with - patience.

New York bursts through the quiet bubble we're in. I'm dazzled by the lights, but don't even get time to fully appreciate it because as soon as we're off the bus, we're pulled out by some crew member and driven to the hotel the boys are staying in.

In the lobby, we find a tight-faced Trudy. She leads the way for me while Aden confirms to the hotel manager that I'm his official guest.

"So, you two are back together then."

I cringe. Of course, Trudy is going to question my decision.

"Yes, I know I'm being as naïve as they come, but I love him."

"This is the same guy who was making fun of you behind your back."

"He's changed. He loves me now."

"Is that so?" She stops in front of one of the doors and turns to me as Aden appears. "All I can say to you is, when people show you their true colours - believe them."

She then addresses Aden.

"It's too late to book another room."

"No problem. We won't wake him."

I watch Aden open the door with both our bags on his back once she's gone. He looks back at me and his gaze tells me everything. Whatever the colour of love is, he encapsulates completely. And I might have ulterior motives, but the way we feel about each other is still the biggest reason I'm here.

We go in and find Callisto fast asleep. We do our best to keep things quiet as we get ready for bed. I lie in the single bed with Aden and try to remember that tomorrow is another day. We can always have sex then. I tell Aden to book us a suite for after the party. He sleepily agrees, not knowing what awaits him.

In the morning, Aden proves himself yet again. I stir awake as he coaxes me off his body, so he can get out. That's when I hear Nathan's voice behind me.

"Now that's what I'm talking about."

"Why are you such a fucking pervert, dude? she's asleep."

I smile to myself. Aden might have allowed other people to make fun of me in the past, but he's different now for sure. He's even defending me against a fellow band member; someone who would really create problems for Aden if he got upset by what's being said. But Aden took that risk for me.

I get out of bed a while later and head down to get myself some breakfast. I ask around and find out that the boys are in a nearby studio for their scheduled rehearsal. I eat alone then go back to the room, trying to figure out what I should do. Then a knock sounds at my door. It's Yves.

"Aden asked me to come get you. What do you say we go to the movies?"

"Why would he say that?"

"Aren't you bored in here?"

"I was planning on going out and exploring-"

"Bad plan. You'll get lost faster than you can say New York. Come with me. Am I really that bad?"

I grin at him.

"Alright. What movie are you watching?"

He starts telling me about some action movie franchise he's obsessed with which is incredibly boring to me. But watching the movie is a completely different experience. I love it, and it's exactly what I need to not focus on anything else that's happening around me.

Soon thereafter, Yves takes me to a shop where the assistants take my measurements. Yves assures me they'll have a few options lined up for me by the end of the afternoon, so I let go of the anxiety and relax as we sit down for some ice-cream.

"So how did you and Aden get so close?"

"You don't hold back I see."

I smile at him innocently.

"I think we got close because my son is such a big fan of his."

"You have a son?"

"I don't look the part, right?" I don't say it, but he really doesn't. All the buckles, the black, the heavy eyeliner and most of all, his signature spiky pompadour cut. "I had Kelly very early, but I wouldn't take it back. He's the best thing I've ever made."

"Well, you definitely sound the part."

"Glad to hear it."

"So, he stays with his mother."

"Uh, no. She died giving birth to him. That's why his name is Sheldon Kelly. We wanted the gender of the baby to be a surprise so, we picked two names - Sheldon for a boy and Kelly for a girl.

"But I felt awful when she passed away without meeting her baby. I wanted her to at least have known the baby's name - so I gave him both names. It's funny. Once Kelly found out that his mother had been secretly hoping for a girl, he began telling everybody to call him Kelly."

"He's so sweet. And what you did was really sweet too."

"It felt right. I loved her so much. I've met other women since then, but only two stuck."

"How come I haven't seen her around?"

"No, I'm single now. Aden, Callisto and you are probably the most human contact I get."

"I hope I'm not too disappointing."

"Hardly. You're my favourite. I know we've never spoken much but hearing everything that Aden tells me about how you help him already tells me you're a great person. Plus, I, and everyone else, saw you rescue Trudy. You care. That's important - to me, at least."

"Thank you, and I'm really fond of you too." I grin. "And Aden is very fond of Kelly, I suppose."

"He was smitten the minute they met."

"That's great. At least you know Kelly can get funding for college when he needs it then."

"I'd have to speak to our fast-tracker, Phineas, first. Not that I'd need Aden for any of that."

So that's who I need to get to today. That's easy. I'll ask around. I divert the conversation before Yves can suspect anything.

"Still doesn't hurt to have him love your son."

Yves smiles.

"He used to swear up and down that he dislikes children until that day. I often brought Kelly to see him after that. Eventually, Aden knew me well enough to ask for favours - mundane then specialized. Soon enough, he was coming to me for advice, which I've always loved giving."

"That's such a cute story. I'm happy that he has you. I'm not sure if you're a peer or father-figure or-"

"Oh no, Aden has many father-figures. I have no desire to be one of them."

"He's never told me about anyone that fits that description."

"The main one is Dr Regulus, his father's long-time friend. You should ask Aden about him."

"I doubt he'll say anything. He doesn't even say much about his own father."

Yves looks away, then sighs, realising he gave himself away.

"Flynn is never going to be a topic of discussion between you two. Their relationship is complicated at best; destructive at its worst."

"If the situation is so serious, why doesn't Aden ever talk about him?"

"All I can tell you is that while Aden might seem like an upbeat guy who has it all together, he comes with a lot of baggage."

"I can handle that."

Yves assesses me carefully.

"Maybe you think you're in love with him, but-"

"I am in love with him."

"You don't know him, McKenzie. You can't love someone you don't know.