Chapter 5
Aiden
The black suit jackethangs over my chair, and I try to hold my composure while the reception continues. My eyes meet hers a couple more times, and it’s confirmed. The spark is still there, surging through my veins.
It irritates the piss out of me that after everything we shared—a child, a bond, that she stayed away for all this time. Why can’t I get over her? Believe me, I’ve tried, for many years, yet no matter what I do, she is still there in the back of my mind.
“So, what was all that about?” Liam asks, handing me a beer.
I never told my brothers about the baby, because I was worried about what they might think of me. Fucking stupid, but it’s not like I didn’t want to keep him. Was I ready to be a parent at eighteen, no, but didn’t want him to be raised by strangers. He deserved to be raised by us, loving parents, who created him.
“Seeing her later. No big deal.”
He turns to look at me, eyebrows arched. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you crazy?”
I take a step back, a little irritated from his reaction. “What’s the problem?”
His eyes find her on the dance floor. “Don’t get sucked in again. She’s only visiting, Aiden. Be smart.”
He acts like I’m an idiot. I can’t turn down the opportunity to catch up with the one woman I want to be with more than anything. Massachusetts is where her life is now. I’m not naïve, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the little time I have with her and get some answers. I still consider her a good friend as well, and friends catch up when they are in town. Right?
“Stop acting like I’m that kid again. I can handle it.”
Liam shrugs his shoulders. “Just remember, I advised against it.”
Hazel must have a sixth sense, because she’s staring at me with an inquisitive look. That’s when some guy puts their hands on her hips, and they start swaying. Whoever this man is, he better get his paws off her. My primal instinct to pounce kicks in, wanting to pummel his ass, but I chug my beer and go see the newlyweds instead.
The fact is, she’s not mine which means she is free to dance with whoever she wants, without me interfering. Nothing good will come from me confronting the guy, it will only piss her off more and our meetup would be cancelled.
“Enjoying yourself?” Damon asks, not taking his eyes off Tessa, who is making a fool of herself dancing.
“More than I thought.”
“And could that be because of Hazel’s attendance?”
He knows how I feel about her, and even more so how being around her affects me. Even in high school, I never had eyes for anyone else. Hazel was it for me. Many people told me I was being dumb back then, believing that Hazel and I were soulmates and nothing would break us a part. They always said, “no one stays together after high school. Who wants to go to college with a ball and chain?” It irritated me for a while, until graduation day came and Hazel proved them right.
“You don’t have to answer. It’s obvious, brother.”
Her being here tonight and the fact she agreed to dinner means she missed me, right? No matter what though, I must be careful. We aren’t getting back together and she’s going back to her life in Massachusetts. So, I need to reel in my excitement a bit. If anything, this dinner will at least give me some insight into her new life, and if she is happy. That’s all I truly want to know.
Of course, the hurt is still around from her denying my proposal, but it’s been eight years and it’s time to get the fuck over it. This can be my chance for closure.
Liam and Damon have been telling me for years to move on it’s not that easy. Why would I want to date anyone else? My heart is still hers, whether she wants it or not, and stringing someone else along is a fucked-up thing to do. I might like to sleep around, but I always let them know it’s not going to turn into anything serious. My brothers can say what they want, but I’m upfront and honest when it comes to that.
I try to keep my attention away from her and that guy. It makes my blood boil to think about his hands being all over her like mine once were.
“Why aren’t you out there picking up girls?” I ask, sitting down next to Jeremy.
He laughs. “That’s your thing, not mine, remember.”
I guess he’s right, but with Hazel in town, the urge to find someone to take home tonight is gone. Usually, the reason I do that is to keep my mind off her.
“How’s your dad doing?” I ask, trying to make conversation. Anything to occupy my time. The last time I saw their dad was when she left.
“Fine.”
Jeremy didn’t seem in the mood to talk, so I moved on to Harper. She came off the dance floor, and is sweating profusely, chugging a bottle of water.