Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Laney
Ayden Carson swept me off my feet in ninth grade when he performed a whole promposal and kissed me in front of the cheerleading squad. Fourteen years later, a simple kiss on my hand has me feeling the same way.
“I’m really happy you found me and came here, Laney,” he tells me when he parks beside my rental car. I’ve been dreading this moment since I woke up this morning.
“So am I,” I admit. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him one of the secrets he’ll inevitably learn once he comes to Beaumont, but I’m too scared it’ll make him change his mind about visiting.
We didn’t talk nearly enough about what he’s missed the past ten years, and once we do, it’ll change everything.
“I’ll get with Garrett to get time off within the next few weeks. Do you want me to book a hotel?”
“Oh, um...no. Serena would love for you to stay with us.”
And so would I.
He nods. “Okay. Will you text me when you get home so I know you made it safely?”
I smile. “Of course.”
When he reaches for his door handle and jumps out, I do the same. As I wait for him to come around, butterflies in my stomach have me ready to throw up. I hated saying goodbye to him ten years ago, and I hate it just as much today.
Ayden approaches and swarms me in a hug.
His thick arms envelop my body and press me to his chest as if I were a puzzle piece made to fit perfectly into his.
I wrap mine around his waist, grasping tightly to his T-shirt, and then inhale his cologne.
My breath catches when he leans down and presses his lips to my forehead, placing a soft, subtle kiss there.
For a moment, I think about lifting my head so my mouth collides with his, but then he steps away too quickly, and my moment to decide dissipates.
“Have a safe flight, Laney.” He opens my door for me and waits until I’m buckled in before closing it. Then he flashes a boyish smile and gives me a gentle wave before walking back to his truck.
The heaviness in my chest doesn’t fade until long after I’m on my flight.
The anticipation of seeing Serena floods my veins.
The only time we’ve spent a night apart is when she’s had sleepovers, but she was only five minutes away.
Being states apart spiked my anxiety even though I knew she was in good hands.
As soon as the plane lands in Houston, I turn on my phone and check my messages.
Ayden
I was being a gentleman this time, but when I see you next, I might not have the willpower to keep my lips off yours. I hope you have a good flight.
My heart lodges in my throat as I reread his message for the fifth time. How can he just shoot out these one-liners and think they won’t affect me? How am I even supposed to respond?
How do I even begin to comprehend that my feelings for him never faded? Though we’re different people now with very different lives, I haven’t forgotten what his touches feel like.
Laney
I just landed. Flight went great.
Ayden
Glad to hear it. Drive safe back home :)
Laney
How is it you’re even more charming now than you were back in high school?
Ayden
Aw, you think I’m charming, do ya?
I roll my eyes.
Laney
You know you are.
If we were being honest, that’s what got me pregnant in the first place. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
Ayden
I can promise that it’s only ever been for you. No one else.
The heart that was in my throat moments ago sinks to the pit of my stomach. I’m battling whether to guard my heart or allow myself to open it back up to the man who tore it apart before. Am I strong enough to give Ayden another chance?
Laney
I want to trust you, Ayden. I really do. But you broke my heart, and I’m scared you’ll do it again.
Ayden
I know, sweetheart. I have a lot of making up to do, and I promise I won’t stop until I do.
I send him a blushing-face emoji, then send my mom a message to let her know I’ll be in baggage claim soon.
As soon as I grab my carry-on and walk off the plane, I’m eager to find them.
“Mom!” I hear Serena shout. She rushes toward me with her arms open and slams into me.
“Hey, baby!” I squeeze her tight. “You grew an inch overnight!”
“I did not!” She pulls back and looks up at me. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I kiss the top of her head.
“You two are inseparable.” My mom chuckles.
It’s true. Even with Howie around, Serena and I always took on the world together.
Once I grab my suitcase, Serena takes my hand and leads me out to the car.
“Tell me everythin’,” she says dramatically once we buckle in. “What’s it like up in Ten-naw-see?” she purposely drags out the word, making me laugh.
“Pretty similar to Texas,” I admit. “I met a lot of the family there.”
“Don’t they have the best accents?” my mom asks with a grin.
I chuckle and nod.
“They don’t talk like us?” Serena asks.
“They do, but they have more of a twang in theirs, and it’s more distinctive.”
“Do I get to go up there?”
“Yeah, baby. Eventually. Ayden’s gonna come here first in a few weeks.”
“Oh my gosh. Can we go to the beach? And a rodeo? And the zoo? Will he be here for the Fourth of July?” Her whole face lights up as she bounces in her seat.
“Sweetheart, slow down. Once he finalizes the dates he can come, we’ll make plans for all that, okay?”
I love that she wants to experience so many fun, family-filled days, but I worry her heart will shatter as soon as he leaves. It’s not hard to fall in love with Ayden, and I have no doubt she’ll love him the moment she meets him.
“Is he excited to meet me?” Serena asks.
“So excited, baby.”
Mom catches me up on store stuff between Serena coming up with more things for us to do. A giddy smile stays plastered on her face for the rest of the ride home. I can’t stop replaying every interaction we had over the past twenty-four hours.
I only hope we get many more.