All Chapters of CRAVING THE BAD BOY: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Ariana POVIt was late, too late to still be awake, but I was. Lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My room was quiet, too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes your thoughts louder. And mine were very loud. My thoughts drifted to Nick again. Of course, it was always him.His voice from earlier kept replaying in my head and how he has assured me everything is under control. I turned to my side and sighed. “Why does that sound like a lie?” I whispered. I didn’t want to think like that. I didn’t want to doubt him. But something felt off. And no matter how hard I tried to ignore it…That feeling wouldn’t go away. My phone was beside me. Screen dark. Silent. I kept glancing at it. Waiting. I didn’t even know for what. A message, a call, something, anything.“Stop it, Aria,” I muttered. “You’re overthinking.” But even as I said it…I knew I wasn’t. I reached for my phone and unlocked it, yet no new messages, no calls, just silence. I exhaled slowly. Then locked it again and dropped it bes

Ariana POVSomething was changing. I didn’t know exactly when it started, or how, but I could feel it. I stared at my phone again. Nick’s last message was still there."I’ll call you later."That was hours ago. I had replied. "Okay." Short, simple, that was it. Before, I would have sent more. I would have asked questions. I would have waited. I would have cared more. Now? I just…didn’t. I dropped my phone on the bed and leaned back against the wall. My room felt quiet, too quiet. But this time, it didn’t feel peaceful, it felt empty.I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath. Why does this feel different? That question had been sitting in my chest for days now. Ever since everything started. The videos, the attention, the tension in his voice, the way he kept saying everything was fine, when it clearly wasn’t. I wasn’t stupid. I could feel it. Something was wrong. And no matter how many times he said he had it under control…I didn’t believe him, not fully.My phone buzzed. I opened m

Nick POVI stared at my phone for a long time before calling her, too long. My thumb hovered over her name, moving away, then back again. I had already opened our chat three times, typed something, deleted it, and locked my phone. Then unlocked it again.I didn’t know what I was doing anymore, or maybe I did, and that was the problem. I needed to tell her, everything. No more hiding. No more half-truths. No more "it’s fine" when it clearly wasn’t.I leaned back on my chair and closed my eyes for a moment. Just tell her. It’s not that hard. But it was. Because the moment I said it out loud…everything would change. My phone felt heavy in my hand. Still, I pressed call. It rang once. Twice. Then..."Hello?"Her voice sounded soft and familiar. And suddenly, everything inside me tightened."Hey… Kitten," I said quietly."Hi," she replied.There was a pause, not awkward, but not the same either."Are you busy?" I asked."No," she said. "I just got back.""From work?""Yeah."Another pause

Ariana POVI saw his message the moment it came in. I just didn’t open it. My phone lit up beside me on the bed, vibrating slightly, the screen flashing his name like it always did. For a second, my chest tightened the way it used to. That small pull. That habit of reaching for him without thinking.But this time, I didn’t move. I stayed where I was, lying on my back, staring at the ceiling. Then slowly, I turned my head away from the phone. I knew what he was going to say. I could already imagine it. Where are you? Why aren’t you replying? Are you okay? Same cycle. Same feeling. Same confusion.I exhaled slowly and sat up, pushing the thoughts aside. I had things to do. Real things. I moved to my small table and set up my phone stand. The kitchen counter behind me was already arranged. Ingredients lined up neatly. Flour, sugar, butter. Everything in place. I tied my hair into a loose bun and pressed record."Hi guys," I said, forcing a small smile. "Today I’m making something simple…

Ariana POVMy phone kept buzzing. I didn’t pick it up immediately. I was sitting on the floor this time, my back against my bed, my laptop open in front of me. I was editing my video from earlier, cutting small parts, adjusting the lighting, adding captions. Something I actually enjoyed. Something that was mine. Buzz. I ignored it. Buzz again. I paused the video and sighed."God…" I reached for my phone and checked it. Nick. Again. Nick: answer me. Nick: Ari. Nick: why are you doing this. I stared at the messages. My chest didn’t tighten like before. It didn’t rush. It just…stayed still. I pressed call.If he wanted to talk so badly, then fine. Let’s talk. He picked up almost immediately. "Ari,""Stop texting me like that," I said calmly. There was a pause."What?" he asked."Stop telling me to answer you," I added. "I don’t like it."Another pause, longer this time. "I was just trying to get your attention," he said."I saw your messages.""Then why didn’t you reply?""Because I didn