Chapter 21
AIDEN
“Imiss you,” Aiden murmured into the phone.
Lily laughed. “You saw me yesterday.”
“And it’s been almost a full twenty-four hours since I’ve been able to hold you in my arms.”
The other end of the line went quiet. Aiden knew she hadn’t hung up on him. Lily wasn’t like that. Even so, he breathed easier when she finally spoke.
“You’re ridiculous.”
Her voice was sweet and soft, with just enough longing beneath it to make him smile.
“No. I’m in love, and I can’t wait to see you when my shift is over.”
“I hate when you have to work a double, but I understand,” Lily said. “I can’t wait to see you again, either.”
A soft rustling came through the phone. At the same time, movement in the corner of Aiden’s vision caught his attention. Mathew entered the break room looking worn down, though no more than usual. Their eyes met briefly before Mathew made a beeline for the vending machines.
Aiden frowned. Too much time had passed since they’d spoken. How long did Mathew need before he finally came to terms with the fact that Aiden wasn’t going anywhere?
“Look, angel, I have to go. There’s someone I need to talk to.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll bring you coffee.”
“Mmm. I can’t wait.”
Lily ended the call, and Aiden slipped his phone into his pocket.
He watched Mathew, waiting for him to turn away from the vending machine before he spoke. The distance between them had gone on long enough. If Aiden planned to remain in Lily’s life—and he did—he couldn’t keep avoiding this.
Mathew seemed to feel Aiden watching him. His shoulders tightened before he glanced over one shoulder. “That Lily?”
Aiden fought the urge to answer sharply. Of course it was Lily. He hadn’t lied when he told Mathew that he loved her.
“Yes,” was all he offered instead.
Mathew pressed a button, and a bag of chips dropped from the metal coil inside the machine. It landed with a thunk at the bottom. Mathew crouched to retrieve it, and Aiden half expected him to take the chips and leave.
Instead, Mathew leaned against the machine and studied him.
The moment felt like one of those old Western standoffs, where the first person to reach for his gun decided the outcome. Except neither of them was armed, and Aiden didn’t want to lose his closest friend simply because he’d fallen in love.
Clearing his throat, Aiden leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs. The couch was one of the most comfortable options in the room, and Mathew used to sit beside him there all the time.
Before the secrets came out.
The speech Aiden had prepared vanished the moment Mathew spoke.
“You going to Lily’s birthday party next week?”
Aiden nodded. “Yeah.”
“Me too.”
Mathew pushed away from the machine and crossed the room. Aiden watched him warily. Part of him expected Mathew to deck him so they could finally get the anger out of their systems.
Instead, Mathew sat beside him and let out a long breath. “You’re still with her. Even after everything.”
Aiden cut him a sharp look. “Of course I’m still with her. I’m not backing down just because you wanted me to.”
The corner of Mathew’s mouth twitched, and Aiden had to fight a smile of his own.
“Yeah, well. You haven’t exactly had the best track record.”
Aiden lifted a brow. “You thought I’d lose interest if you gave me enough time? Is that what all this avoiding me has been about?”
Mathew shrugged. “I figured you wouldn’t stick around. I didn’t want us to get into a fight over something that might end on its own.” His expression softened. “But you proved me wrong.”
“Darn straight I proved you wrong. Lily is everything to me.”
Mathew gave a dry chuckle, and Aiden flinched.
That only made Mathew laugh harder. “Sheesh, man. I’m not going to hit you.”
“Forgive me for valuing my life. I have no idea what you’re capable of when you think you’re right.”
Mathew continued smiling, and Aiden felt his own grin break free. Slowly, the tension between them eased. The familiar quiet they used to share settled back into place.
Aiden leaned against the sofa, and Mathew did the same.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” Aiden said.
“We don’t know that telling me right away would’ve gone any better,” Mathew admitted. “What if the relationship hadn’t been as strong then? One fight between us might’ve scared you off.”
Aiden considered that. “Maybe.”
Mathew frowned. “That doesn’t make keeping it from me right.”
“No. It doesn’t.” Aiden glanced down at his hands. “But I’m starting to believe some things happen the way they do for a reason.”
Like the fact that Reese had been out of town while everything with Mathew unfolded. One step at a time. Now there was only one hurdle left to go.
“He doesn’t know, does he?”
Aiden turned sharply. “Who?”
“Reese.” Mathew’s expression said he already knew the answer. “You haven’t told him you’re dating his ex.”
Aiden blinked, fighting the urge to shoot to his feet. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t considered that Mathew knew about Lily and Reese. Mathew and Reese weren’t especially close, but they’d all hung out at one point or another.
“That’s what I thought.” Mathew sighed. “Aiden…”
“I’m working on it, okay?” Aiden pressed his lips together and drew in a slow breath. “He’s coming to the party. I’m going to tell him before he gets to town.”
He hated the disappointment in Mathew’s eyes. It added one more reason to the growing list of ways Aiden had fallen short.
But maybe this wasn’t about whether he was worthy of Lily. Maybe it was about finally doing what she deserved.
“It’ll be okay,” Mathew said.
Aiden stared at him. “What?”
Mathew crushed the empty chip bag in one hand. “I’m getting over it, aren’t I?”
“Are you?”
Mathew frowned. “Fine. I’m getting there.
It’s taken me a while to wrap my head around the person you’re becoming.
The Aiden I knew wasn’t interested in settling down.
He was the guy who just wanted to have a good time without any commitment.
” He gave him a pointed look. “Do you know how many women I’ve heard complain about you wanting nothing serious?
And not only the women who work at the hospital. ”
Aiden winced. Mathew had a point. Long-term relationships had never interested him before Lily. She had changed that. She made him want to settle down, have a white picket fence and kids.
“That being said,” Mathew continued, “I can see that you’re trying. You’ve changed. I’ve never seen you so dedicated to anyone. And if Lily is part of the reason for that, then I suppose I should be happy for both of you.”
“You suppose?” Aiden teased, hoping to lighten the mood.
Mathew didn’t let him off that easily.
“Give me some time. I care about my family.” His gaze held firm. “But I care about you too, even if you are a reformed player.”
His mouth curved into a grin, and Aiden smiled back.
“Thanks.”
“But you need to clear the air with Reese. He should hear it from you. Isn’t he still close to Lily?”
Aiden nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then call him… today.”
Aiden nodded again.
Mathew slapped a hand against his knee and stood. “Good talk.”
He tossed away the empty bag and headed for the door. Before leaving, he paused and turned back. “I really am happy for you, Aiden. No one deserves to find love more than you.”
Aiden couldn’t find the words to answer. He hadn’t expected that from Mathew. The words slipped through the walls Aiden had spent years building around himself.
No one deserves to find love more than you.
They stayed with him long after Mathew disappeared through the door.
The following morning, Aiden showed up at Lily’s house. Instead of handing her coffee when she stepped onto the porch, he told her to get dressed.
She returned wearing a sundress, her hair curled and a bright smile on her face. Before Aiden could speak, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Aiden reveled in the way she melted into him, allowing her to deepen their kiss. When she finally pulled back, he stared at her in a daze.
“What was that for?”
Lily tapped the tip of his nose. “I wanted you to know how much I love you.”
“I love you, too.” The words came without hesitation.
Lily went still, her eyes widening.
Aiden smiled. “Now let me show you how much I love you with some pre-birthday brunch.”
Her smile grew until it nearly stole his breath.
He took her to a restaurant in the next town, and they spent the entire meal talking about their future. He wasn’t sure how they got onto the subject, but somehow they discussed everything from where they wanted to live to how many children they imagined having.
Even more surprising was how well their plans fit together.
They wanted the same things.
Lily would go to school to pursue veterinary work. Aiden wanted a small piece of land close enough for her to remain near her family. He told her about his conversation with Mathew, and she was so thrilled that Aiden couldn’t help feeling as though everything was finally settling into place.
After he dropped her off, he remained in his truck and stared at his phone.
Reese’s contact information glowed on the screen.
He would be back in Copper Creek within the next couple of days. Lily planned to introduce them, and if Aiden wanted any chance of repairing the hurt this secret would cause, he needed to take responsibility before the truth came out another way.
For one brief, shameful moment, he wondered whether Reese might agree to say they were old friends who hadn’t spoken in years. Technically, that part was true.
Aiden shook his head.
No more half-truths. No more hiding. No more secrets.
He drew in a shaky breath and tapped the screen.
His hand felt numb as he lifted the phone to his ear and listened to it ring. Morning sunlight stretched across the hood of his truck, bright and clear, while his heartbeat climbed with every unanswered ring.
Then Reese’s voice mail picked up.
“You’ve reached Reese Crawley. I can’t come to the phone right now, so leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
Aiden opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
He ended the call and groaned, dropping his head against the seat. Sweat dampened the back of his neck, and his courage was feeling deflated. He couldn’t send this in a text. It was too important.
But he should have left a message.
Aiden closed his eyes. A few minutes ago, he had believed everything might finally work out. Now the warmth of the morning felt farther away, and he was left wondering what would happen when the truth finally caught up with him.