Spring Knight: Young Adult Romance Novella (A Seasons of Change Standalone) by Mia Hoddell Page A

something, but I can’t promise it’ll be in your favour. It depends on how she feels. I know she likes you, but she’s been single for a while and I don’t know if you’re the first guy she should date.”
    “Elliiieee ...” Aiden hated begging, he very rarely had to in order to get what he wanted, but he knew it would prove a small amount of what he was feeling.
    “We’ll see, okay. I told you before I’m not going to let you hurt her. If you want my help you have to trust me. Show her you’re serious and that you care. Actions are far better than words.”
    Before he could ask what kind of actions or gestures he could perform, Ellie was walking down the hallway to the stairs. He thought about following her for a moment, but quickly changed his mind. The last thing he wanted to do was irritate a potential ally.
     
     
     
     
Kayleigh had just slipped into her pyjamas and finished making popcorn when Ellie knocked on her door. For some reason she was late, but it had given Kayleigh a few more minutes to decide how to phrase what’d happened between her and Aiden. There was a part of her that was worried about what Ellie’s response would be, as she knew Aiden better, but she needed some help.
    “Hey! I brought chocolate, I thought we’d need it.” Ellie hugged her tightly once she’d opened the door.
    “I made popcorn, too, but what made you think we’ll need it?” she asked hesitantly, a sense of dread filling Kayleigh as she wondered what had happened.
    “Aiden caught me on my way over here.”
    “Oh, God, what did he say?”
    “Nope, I want to hear your side of things first—”
    “And then you’ll change what he said to agree with what I think. I can handle it, Ellie. Just tell me.” Kayleigh couldn’t understand why Aiden would have gone to see Ellie about her, but by the stubborn expression on her friend’s face, she was going to have to wait to find out. “All right,” she grumbled and grabbed the bowl of popcorn off the counter and headed over to her bedroom door. None of her flat mates were around, but she still liked the extra layer of privacy.
    Sitting cross-legged on the bed, bowl on her lap, Kayleigh took a deep breath. As she exhaled she leaned back against the headboard and dipped her hand into the salted snack. “I can’t figure out what he wants. He comes into the auditions, shocks everyone by being good, and somehow I ended up fighting to cast him as male lead. Now he’s suddenly spouting all of this crap about being serious with me. What game is he playing? He knows I like him, but this all feels like a big set up, only I don’t know why he would.”
    Ellie was studying her carefully and the constant gaze was making her uncomfortable.
    “I haven’t let him in, I’m not stupid. I know all about his reputation and I’m not going to be one of his conquests, but is it the truth or a game? Does he want me or am I a challenge?”
    Ellie shrugged, throwing a piece of popcorn up and catching it in her mouth. “I don’t know what’s going on, Kay, but I know Aiden and he wouldn’t play you like that. This isn’t what you want to hear, but Aiden doesn’t need tricks to get girls to sleep with him; it’s not his style. They fall at his feet and I have never seen him chase somebody before.
    “It’s true that he’s never had a serious girlfriend, but Aiden doesn’t lead people on. The people he’s with ... well, they know what it is before anything happens. Sure, they always want more, but Aiden’s always up front.”
    “So what are you trying to say?”
    “I’d love to tell you to go for it—that he’s being genuine—but I don’t want to see you hurt. However, despite that, I think he’s being serious. He doesn’t play games with people’s emotions, Kayleigh. I can’t tell you what you should do, it’s a risk you’re going to have weigh up and take by yourself.”
    “So you think I shouldn’t? You’re calling it a risk.” Kayleigh’s hand froze in