A week has gone by and Rowan was getting settled in his new home. Althoough Aelin is still as hot headed and irritable around him, he managed to dodge every lethal glances she's giving him making her more irritated. But the good thing is, Aelin also stayed out of his way, much better, he thought.
In the week that has gone by, he has mastered managing the Mistward Cafe and he's knowing everybody well except for one stubborn, cocky girl. In their home, Aedion and him are getting along pretty well, it's a good thing that they knew each other before so it's not so hard for him to adjust. Until he thought back to Aelin, he noticed that even though Aelin leaves early each morning, she's always late for her shift at the cafe, then there are nights that Aelin has trouble sleeping, he can hear her crying or sometimes screaming, sometimes it sounds like she's in pain. There are nights that Aedion is home early and he'll come to Aelin's side once the nightmares happen. But when Aedion is gone, Rowan is left alone to listen to her, he debated if he should check on her, but his mind gets back to the day she attacked him. And thought that he's the last person Aelin wants to see when she wakes up. But then when morning comes, Aelin is back to her smart-ass comments and cocky self as if the girl who's having nightmares and the cocky girl is different from each other.
Rowan knew that Aedion and Aelin grew up together and had a rough childhood, but he didn't inquire much about it, besides he has more things to worry about. Like his aunt Maeve, who doesn't even have an idea that he has taken over one of her prized businesses. Good thing he was quick to stop Emrys from contacting Maeve about Rowan's progress at Mistward. As long as Maeve is out of the country, he'll be fine. And he has to do what's he's planning before she comes back.
His thoughts were interrupted when a black sports car parked in front of their house. A dark haired handsome guy emerged from the slick car, followed by an excited golden dog, he opened the passenger seat and a pretty girl with a kind expression on her face got out. He was about to open the door when Aelin, beat him to it.
"Fleetfoot!" Aelin exclaimed and rubbed the dog's beautiful fur. "I missed you too! You feel a little thin, is that spoiled princeling even treating you well?" Aelin asked.
"First time we meet after a couple of months and this is what I get?" The dark haired guy said, his blue eyes has nothing but adoration at Aelin's remark. "And spoiled princeling? really? That's the insult you've come up with?"
Aelin stood up and hugged the dark haired guy "You know I'm kidding right? I missed you Dorian, your father is really trying to make you stay away from a trouble maker like me huh?"
Dorian laughed "He wouldn't be able to keep me away from you. Not with all your charm." Dorian said, and released Aelin from his arms "This is Sorcha," Dorian said, taking Sorcha's hand in his own."Sorcha, this is…Aelin, my most esteemed best friend,"
Aelin raised her eyebrows at Dorian, then turned to look at Sorcha, "Nice to meet you," giving the Sorcha a quick hug. "I like your name."
"I've heard so much about you Aelin," Sorcha answered back.
"Well, I hope Dorian chose what stories to tell," Aelin said. Dorian and Sorcha both turned to Rowan, waiting for Aelin to introduce him.
"That's Rowan, our new housemate." Aelin said flatly. Rowan both shook their hands.
"And the reason why we invited y'all here!" Aedion said emerging from the kitchen, handing both Dorian and Sorcha ice cold beer. "The others will be coming soon, I'm just finishing off dinner."
"You're cooking?" Dorian asked Aedion, giving him that man-handshake.
Aelin rolled her eyes and said "Aedion's idea of preparing dinner is calling up chinese take out or pizza and waiting for it to arrive, taking it out of their containers and replacing them on plates."
Soon enough, everyone arrived just before Aedion's dinner delivery arrived. They even brought their own share of food, Chaol brought pasta, Lysandra prepared, beef casserole, Dorian, being a rich kid and all that brought 6 bottles of expensive wine, while Sorcha shared the dessert, a classic apple pie. Everyone is enjoying the night and everyone, to Aelin's dismay just loved Rowan instantly. But she didn't mind it tonight because she knew she's with her friends, not only friends, but she considered them her family.
A couple of hours later, they were all sitting in a circle in the middle of their living room, and were passing shots of tequila around, when Aedion suggested they play "Never Have I Ever". Everyone groaned but Aedion insisted that it would be fun now that Rowan and Sorcha is new to their group, so everyone obliged.
At first, the phrases are simple and non-personal, they laughed at the small things that surprised them. Every one had their turn and everyone is undoubtedly tipsy or in Chaol's case, drunk.
"Never have I ever seen anyone in this room naked." Chaol said.
Aedion, Lysandra and Rowan drink their shot glasses. Aelin's eyes turned to Rowan in pure horror as she saw him drink his shot glass. Everyone else knows what's happening between Aedion and Lysandra but… Rowan? Aelin looked around the circle, Dorian's blue eyes are wide in shock, Chaol's face is so red from preventing himself from laughing out loud.
Lysandra's eyes shot through Aedion's and back to Rowan, Aedion yelling "Hell no!" to Lysandra then saying "What?" to Rowan, and the sweet Sorcha is just so confused. And Rowan, is grinning as wide as his mouth will allow then shrugged at Aelin's general direction. And this happened all at the same time.
Oh the nerve of this guy Aelin thought, fuming at Rowan, she'll tear him up to pieces.
"Okay," Lysandra said slowly, starting to laugh "Someone should start explaining." She looked pointedly at Aedion.
"I said hell no, i'll burn in hell before that happens." Aedion explained raising his hands.
"Rowan?" Lysandra asked.
Aelin looked at Rowan dreading the oncoming explanation and planning how to kill Rowan so slowly he'll regret he moved in this house, hell, moving in this city.
"The first time I came here…." Rowan trailed.
"BULLSHIT, Aelin was home that day!" Aedion's expression was between disbelief and wanting to laugh out loud but he just can't because Aelin is his cousin and she'll skin him alive just by laughing at this one, but everyone instantly knew what he was saying and they all laughed and cooed and hooted .
Chaol even clapped Rowan's back. Even Sorcha laughed at this, Sorcha, the kind, quiet Sorcha laughed at her because of Rowan! Aelin can feel her blood thrumming from embarrassment but more on anger.
"But, it was an accident," Rowan explained but chuckling "and it wasn't that bad of a view."
"You son of a bitch!" Aelin screamed as she lunged for Rowan, not knowing what to do, all she knows is that she wants to strangle him.