2. Aurora
Chapter two
Aurora
Y ou ever feel like life’s playing a cosmic joke, and you’re the punchline? Yeah, welcome to my world. Here I am, twenty-four, suddenly newly single, jobless, and unpacking boxes in one of my big brother’s spare rooms. If you’d ever told me my relationship with that asshole would’ve landed me here, I’d have laughed in your face.
My whole script was rewritten without warning. One minute, you’re the lead in a rom-com where you’re lying to yourself about the happy ending, and the next, you’re stuck in some weird indie film where nothing makes sense. And as for me? I’m just trying to figure out my lines in this new role I never auditioned for.
It’s not that I’m ungrateful. Jax is a lifesaver, really. But there’s something surreal about watching your carefully constructed future crumble, only to find yourself back where you started. It’s like I’ve been on this long, winding road, thinking I knew the destination, only to end up right back at the beginning. Except now the landscape’s changed, and I’m not sure I even recognize myself anymore.
I mean, not even a year ago today, I was planning seating charts and cake tastings. Now, I’m planning how to avoid awkward run-ins in the hallway. But it’s worlds better than the alternative, living with my parents. No, honestly, I adore them. They’re the best cheerleaders a girl could ask for. But right now, their pom-poms are dangerously close to smothering me.
It’s like they think I’ll melt into a puddle of bad decisions if they blink for too long. I mean, Mom’s still convinced I need nightly reminders to eat my vegetables.
I get it, I do. Their baby girl’s picture-perfect future just got flipped upside down. But hey, at my age, I’ve already mastered the art of not shrinking my laundry, and I can whip up a mean meal.
That’s adulting 101, right?
Of course, some days I feel like I’m doing it all wrong, ‘How to Mess Up Your Life in Ten Easy Steps’. But it’s mine, and we all know life can be messy.
I just wish they could see that I’m not some delicate flower wilting in the sun. I want them to see me as I see myself- resilient, bright, more like... a dandelion. You know, those stubborn little weeds that pop up everywhere and you can even make wishes on them? That’s me - Aurora the Human Dandelion. That’s what I’d rather be known as.
As embarrassing as all of this is, it’s not half as embarrassing as standing in front of Aiden Weller in nothing but a towel, trying to contain my size 12 curves while my tendrils of wet hair create small puddles on the floor. My embarrassment is only made worse by Jax trying to hold an entire conversation while I do my best to blend in with the fake wood paneling under my feet.
“So that’s why he’s moving in.”
I frown when my brain catches up with his words.
“That’s why who is moving in?”
Jax cocks his head to the side, looking like the golden retriever we had as kids. “Aiden.”
It takes me a moment to comprehend just what he’s saying.
“Wait…what?”
I can’t stop the shrillness of my voice as I glance over at Aiden’s back. He turns around, thankfully giving me time to readjust my towel and pull it tighter around me, but he’s still here, and that’s a problem. “What are you talking about? I thought he was on that other team…the Suncatchers or something.”
Now I’m wondering if I can do my job from the moon. I mean, social media management for a hockey team from the moon? That’s one way to get engagement, right? I could probably find a way to make it work.
Like this post if you can see us from space!
I stifle a giggle at my own ridiculous thoughts. Humor’s always been my go-to coping mechanism, and boy, do I need it now.
Aiden snorts, and if I were a cat, I know my back would be arched in warning. I don’t need any lip from him, not while I’m having my own internal freakout. It’s not that I don’t know Aiden and Jax are still friends, but they haven’t been on the same team in years. Plus, Aiden and I aren’t exactly friendly.
I don’t ignore him when he’s around, but I don’t go out of my way to talk to him either. The last time we had a meaningful conversation was years ago after a nasty breakup and one too many tears. That night I saw another side to him, one that dissolved when the sun came up and we both realized that the touches we exchanged that night could never happen again.
I shake my head, trying to dislodge the memory. It’s ancient history, right? Just a moment of weakness - two lonely people finding comfort in each other. But standing here now, with Aiden so close, I can’t help but remember how safe I felt in his arms - how seen.
I can’t believe we’re going to be living under the same roof. I need to pretend the night never happened. That’s easier said than done when the subject of said memories is standing right here in the hallway looking put together and damn near perfect while I look like something the cat dragged in after a Florida downpour. If only there were earthquakes here to save me from this awkwardness.
“Jax, man, I told you—“ Aiden starts before being interrupted.
“And I told you it needs to be done so we cement your spot on the team. Don’t you want to get out of the minors? You’re too damn good to stay down there forever, and it’s not like we’re getting any younger.”
Aiden turns, and I grip my towel tighter when his eyes slide over me briefly. I stand frozen when Jax slaps Aiden on the back before pulling him in. This close, I can see all the ways Aiden has changed and grown. His skin is tanned, and his shoulders are wider than they look in the photos Jax has stashed around the house, not that I ever spend time looking at those.
“He was at tryouts?”
Aiden cocks an eyebrow at me. “You knew we had tryouts today?”
“Well, yeah. I was there earlier getting photos. I must have left before you got on the ice.” I look away when Aiden turns more of his focus on me. After a moment, I realize that I’m still in nothing but a towel, and I shift. “I should go get dressed. I have some things to do.”
Neither of them stops me as I turn and try not to look like I’m fleeing the scene of a crime. Only after the door is shut behind me do I draw in a slightly hysterical breath.
Aiden is here.
Aiden is moving in.
This is going to be a disaster.
It’s not that I thought I would never see him again, but it’s just that I don’t know how to look at him and not notice how intense his gaze is or remember how hot his touch can be. No, I need to talk to Jax. Having Aiden move in is a terrible plan and one I can’t condone.
My heart’s racing, and not just from my dash to the bedroom.
This is too much, too fast.
I need a plan, a way to navigate this without losing my mind. Living with Jax is one thing - he’s my brother. He’s seen me at my worst. But Aiden? He’s seen me... well, let’s just say he’s seen parts of me I’m not ready to confront right now. How am I supposed to eat breakfast across the table from him every morning, knowing what I know, remembering what I remember?
“I need a second opinion,” I say to myself after slipping on shorts and a tank top. It’s hotter than sin outside, and I’m not trying to sweat so soon after having just taken a shower. I grab my cell and dial Katarina’s number. She and I have been friends for years, having met in college. When she found out Jax played hockey just like her brother, Griffin, we had even more in common. Mostly we started with commiserating about all the girls who tried to come up and play nice to us just to get in our brothers’ pants, but our friendship has grown. It was a relief when she mentioned getting a job in an adjacent city while I was still trying to figure out where to go when my engagement ended.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you called. Save me from the boredom that is my life.”
I giggle at Katarina’s dramatics. “Are you sure you don’t want to go into acting? You have the whole emotional exaggeration thing down.”
“Nah, California’s too expensive, and earthquakes terrify me.” I can hear vague mumbling in the background.
“Sorry if I’m interrupting.”
“Shut up. You’re not interrupting a thing. My family’s just doing their weekly video calls, and Griffin is regaling the family about all his amazing games and how he’s got brands sniffing after his ass.” I can practically hear her rolling her eyes. I’ve only met Griffin a few times over the years, but watching the two of them bicker back and forth is always a good time. “I should kiss you for saving me from that snooze fest.”
“It can’t be that bad.”
“Girl, please. You’d think he was the second coming from his words. And our parents just eat it up. Sickening.”
I laugh. Katarina’s favorite thing to do is complain about her brother, but I have multiple pictures of her cheering him on from the stands. It’s always hilarious to see how competitive she gets when our brothers are facing off on the ice too, but I would never let Griffin know that she’s actually his biggest fan, and she made the same promise to me when it comes to Jax. We don’t need these boys’ heads to be any bigger than they already are when the puck bunnies make their appearances.
“So, what’s up? Did Jax show up with some girl on his arm and relegate you to your room?”
My snort is loud as I sink down on my bed and look at the door. “If only. That I could handle.”
“Uh oh,” Katarina says. “You’ve only been living together for like four months. Surely, it’s not that bad already.”
If only she knew. Being disturbed by loud sex through the walls would be preferable to this torture. “Worse. He invited Aiden to move in with us.”
“Aiden? Which—wait. Aiden Weller?” Her volume increases, and I have to move the phone away from my ear. “The same Aiden Weller you went to senior prom with? She says, wiggling her eyes.”
“We’ve talked,” I reply, shifting to lean back against my headboard. “I mean, we both agreed it was a one-time fluke and that we shouldn’t talk about it, especially with how protective Jax was with everything.”
Katarina hums. “I swear, for someone who is like the sweetest person ever, you have the worst luck in attracting assholes.”
She isn’t wrong, but damn, it stings to think about that. The worst part is I have to admit it to myself. It’s not like I go out trying to find the worst man possible, but somehow, I manage to attract them in both of the relationships I’ve been in. And now I’m going to be stuck living in the same house with another jerk. Okay, to be fair, Aiden isn’t that bad that I know of. I don’t think Jax would still be friends with him if he was, but I’m not sure that having to see his face every time I leave my room is something I can handle.
“I have to move out,” I say decisively. “It doesn’t matter that I’ve only been here for Just over a few months or that Jax’ll give me a puppy dog face when I tell him I’m moving out on my own. Sometimes, he’s more overprotective than our parents. I’ll start looking for an apartment today.”
“Aurora, be serious,” Katarina counters. “You don’t have the money to move out. Not if you want to make back what that asshole took from you. I still don’t understand why you don’t sue his ass.”
I sigh with the weight of her words. She’s right. I really don’t have the money to be out on my own at this point. “Because I need a lawyer and those cost money.”
“At least let me key his car.”
“Kat!” I exclaim, giggles bubbling up at the thought of her sneaking around. She continues devising ways to get back at Turner in increasingly ridiculous ways, calming my thoughts. Moving out really isn’t possible, but neither is living down the hall from Aiden.
How the hell am I going to make it through this entire season?