25. Aiden
Chapter twenty-five
Aiden
A week ago, I had a best friend and... whatever the hell Aurora and I are.
Now?
I’ve got radio silence and the world’s most awkward living situation.
Practice is a special kind of torture. Jax has perfected the ‘you’re dead to me’ stare, then pulls a Houdini the second we’re done. And Aurora? She’s turned avoiding me into an Olympic sport.
I’m navigating a minefield of my own making, and sleep’s the only place I’m not stepping on explosives. But even my dreams are starting to feel like the enemy.
Welcome to my life.
Turns out, getting caught with your pants down—literally —with your best friend’s sister isn’t the smartest play. Fucking shocker, right?
Opening my eyes to a new day used to be a good thing, but now I’m longing for the quiet of sleep.
It’s been one week since Jax walked in on us ass out, and other than seeing him at practice, where he’s been completely avoiding me, I really haven’t caught sight of him, not once.It’s like he just up and disappears the second he steps off the ice.
I’ve even tried sticking around for him after practice, but after waiting for more than fifteen minutes, I needed to head to the locker room, and by the time I get out, he’s long gone…I don’t know. But now, to top it off, he’s never even home anymore.
We’ve been steering clear of each other. And the few times I do talk to Aurora, she mentions never really seeing him either. I’m not sure if she’s telling the truth or if he just tells her not to mention them talking.
Then again, she’s been acting pretty down lately, so I’m leaning towards believing her. I don’t think she has a reason to lie.
After Jax slammed the door, the fervor between us wore off faster than a bad habit and left us sitting in an awkward silence. It’s a weird feeling to still be balls deep in someone when all you both want to do is disappear in a hole somewhere. I didn’t want to stop, not completely, but it seemed like a terrible idea to keep going for all the reasons, but especially in case Jax came back. Thankfully he didn’t, and I’m starting to wonder if this is the thing that’s going to finally break us.
I’ve made a lot of bad choices over the years but fuck if I don’t think Aurora is one of them.
It just feels so fucking disrespectful to consider her a bad choice . Not with how much I really do respect her. Not with how much I actually like her. She’s my friend and a fucking great woman. Not to mention my attraction. I can’t say I regret being with her even with things being what they are.
“Fuck,” I sigh as I sit up in bed. There isn’t anything I can do right now. I fucked around, and damn if I’m not finding out. Shit. This Jax situation isn’t just about Aurora. It’s... everything.
Growing up, Jax’s family was my lifeline. My world? It went to hell after Mom’s mind broke, and she split. My asshole Dad turned into a damn whiskey-soaked two-pack-a-day smokin’ bastard, treating me like I was the reason she bolted.
But at Jax’s? I wasn’t some fuck-up. I was just... me.
And Aurora? She was part of that package deal. We’d bicker and snipe at each other like siblings, but there was always this undercurrent of... something. She’d call me out on my shit, but god help anyone else who tried. It was comfortable, familiar. Then that night happened, and suddenly, it was like we forgot how to even look at each other. It was that classic love-hate thing you get in families. Except we weren’t family. Not really. And now? Now it’s all twisted up into something else entirely.
Jax’s folks gave a damn, they always made me feel like I wasn’t just taking up space. And he never once made me feel like a charity case. The family dinners, movie nights - that warmth? It was addictive.
Now I’m realizing I’m still that screwed-up kid, hungry for a nod of approval. Jax’s disappointment? It’s like watching my chance at having a real family slip through my fingers. And I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with that kind of loss.
I rake a hand through my hair, feeling like I’ve been checked into the boards. Maybe it’s time I stop hanging my worth on what others think. Even Jax.
But damn, it’s not easy to let go of the only family you’ve ever really known.
With a groan, I get out of bed and make my way to the shower to attempt to wash some of the bullshit off of me before practice.
When I get to the rink, everything feels even more off. I’m not sure if I’m just being sensitive as fuck, but it seems like people are avoiding me. I doubt Jax would’ve said anything to any of them, even as mad as he was. I mean, he’s the main one telling people to keep their personal shit at home when it comes to practice but fuck if I’m not still feeling some strain.
Getting geared up sucks. Warmups suck. Everything fucking sucks this week.
This is the worst time to have a job I can’t take a sick day from.
“Yo, Aiden. What’s got you so fucked up, man?” Caleb calls out, skating over to me. I’m not really in the mood to talk about it, and I’m not trying to divulge shit that’s no one’s business.
“Nothing,” I reply, grunting as I stand. I see Jax turn his head towards me, but he doesn’t speak, and neither do I.
“Just didn’t get much shut-eye last night.”
Caleb shakes his head with a crooked smile.
“Let me guess, some sweet young thing got a bit wild with you under the sheets?”
I snort. The last sweet young thing I’ve had in my life is Aurora, and since then, she hardly looks at me anymore.
“Nah,” I say simply, not wanting to encourage him. “Just a bit out of it today. Don’t worry about me, man. I’ll pick it up on the ice.”
I push out onto the ice and warm up a few laps, trying to get my blood pumping and shake off my spiraling thoughts. I don’t have time to get caught up in this shit when there’s a game on the line. I’ll never forgive myself if I’m the reason why the rest of our season goes to hell.
The rink’s buzzing with the sounds of skates slicing through the ice. I let the noises carry me, focusing my thoughts on practice. The air’s crisp and biting, and I feel beads of sweat slide down my face as I push through, giving practice my all. I know I’m being more physical than normal, but the push and pull is almost cathartic as I let myself feel instead of think.
I’m caught up in the instant drive to skate faster and push harder.
When I realize I’m on the offensive, passing the puck and heading straight for Jax at the goal, I narrow my eyes and hone in.
I see him tense, his grip tightening on his stick as I pass the puck to Sebastian. Jax shifts side to side on his skates, eyes moving to follow before glancing back over at me. Something about that gaze then rankles me, and I feel myself push harder, racing towards Jax and not bothering to consider what might happen when I get to him. There’s a split second when I think Sebastian might shoot, but he shoots the puck to me, and I take it, slapping at it, intent on scoring. The thud of it hitting Jax’s glove has me gritting my teeth.
Jax’s eyes narrow before he straightens. “Not good enough, Aiden. If you can’t score a simple goal, then maybe you should sit this one out.”
“I know one thing I’m good at,” I shoot back, sliding up to him. I don’t give a shit if he has more padding. Talking shit is a good way for me to slap his ass down. “Haven’t had any complaints about that, I quip.”
It’s a low blow, but I’m not pulling any punches. I see the moment Jax gets what I’m alluding to. He drops the puck and steps to me. “The fuck did you just say?”
“You heard me,” I reply with a sneer.
“You son of a bit—“ Jax lunges for me, and I throw my stick down, ready to go at it. If not for Sebastian jumping between us, I would have reached him. Caleb is on Jax, struggling to keep him from reaching me.
“Guys, what the fuck is going on?”
I struggle against Sebastian’s hold, trying to throw him off. “Ask Jax. He’s the one acting pissy for no reason.”
“No reason?” Jax yells as the rest of the team slowly forms a circle around us.
“This asshole is fucking around with my sister.”
Silence falls over the rink, and I feel all eyes on me. Sebastian doesn’t let go, but he does turn and gives me a wide-eyed look. “Dude. Really, and you were all over us? I thought family is off limits.”
Frustration gnaws at me.
“I’m not fucking around with her.”
“The fuck you weren’t,” Jax counters. He pushes Caleb off of him finally but doesn’t make another move towards me.
“She’s finally doing better after the bullshit with her ex, and you just swoop in and drag her right back into shit.”
“What the actual fuck are you talking about?” I ask, shrugging Sebastian off. “I didn’t drag her into anything.
Aurora’s a grown-ass woman—she can handle herself. She’s not a kid that needs to be coddled.”
Jax scoffs, and I try not to scowl. “You’re right. She is grown, but she’s also finally getting out on her own. Do you know how amazing that is after how hard her ex tried to beat it into her head that she was worthless? His family used to tell her how fucking lucky and privileged she was that her ex even looked her way. Like she was some dog begging for fucking scraps. She was finally just starting to see her worth.”
Hearing how Aurora was treated has my blood boiling. I wish her ex was around so I could let loose on that motherfucker—release some anger on someone who truly deserves it.
Right when I’m about to respond, coach skates up between us.
“What the fuck is going on here?”
I glance over, breathing heavily. Jax is still glaring daggers at me. “Nothing, coach,” I say when it’s clear he isn’t going to answer. “Just a misunderstanding.”
Jax’s scowl deepens before he glances over at coach. “Yeah, just working through some…differences.”
He looks back and forth between us, expression a cross between curious and disappointed. Seeing that on his face has me swallowing hard.
I gave everything in me to get here, and yet here I am fucking up my chances. And for what? A woman?
I know that’s not fair to think, especially about someone I consider special, but fuck does it hurt to know that my position here is so precarious that any little puff of wind can have me tumbling over the cliff and falling back down to where I was before.
Coach nods sharply. “Fine. Whatever is going on is none of my business, but I don’t want this shit on my ice. Locker room. Both of you. I don’t want to see your faces for the rest of the day.”
“But coach—“
He holds up a hand, stopping Jax’s words. “I want y’all back on the ice tomorrow with this shit squashed. We’re going into a big game, and I don’t want anyone distracted by your girlish dramatic bullshit. Are we clear?”
“Yeah,” I say reluctantly. Jax nods before picking up his stick and moving toward the bench. With a final sigh, I do the same, following him to the bench and then to the locker room.
We’re in complete silence as we pull off our gear.
Never have I been benched during a fucking practice, and I really can’t afford to have my neck on the line.
Jax will be fine. He is brought in free and clear, plus has experience in the league. I don’t have that luxury.
A wave of rage washes over me, and I throw my stick on the ground before turning to Jax.
“What the fuck is your deal, really? Are you pissed off that Aurora is having sex at all, or just that it’s with a loser like me? Because last I checked, the only thing I’ve ever did was be good to her.”
Jax scowls when I mention sex. “What the fuck do you think? How would you feel if I was messing around with your sister right under your fucking nose?”
“I wouldn’t give a shit as long as you are good to her. Know why?” I ask, taking a step towards him. “Because I know you’re a good guy, and you won’t treat her like some toy.”
“And you haven’t? You’ve been keeping her a fucking secret.”
“She didn’t want to tell you,” I point out. “I’m following her lead and letting her decide how we handle shit. If she wants to tell you, I won’t stop her.”
At least, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t.
We’ve never had a real conversation about how all this shit would play out. Now that the moment’s here, I’m having to think on the fly.
I understand Jax’s shock walking in on us like that, and honestly, at this point, I almost prefer to just fight it out and get it over with. But to go this far and act like a bitch that can’t work out their own shit speaks to something far greater.
And yet still, somehow, Jax’s disapproval cuts deeper than it should. Hell, it’s not like I’m planning to marry Aurora or some shit. But sitting here, it hits me - this isn’t just about them. It’s about the family I never had, the belonging I’ve always craved. Jax and Aurora, they’ve been my glimpse into a world I wanted but couldn’t have.
Now, I’m at a crossroads. Fight for this... whatever it is with Aurora. Or protect this sense of family with Jax and everything I’ve busted my ass for all these years. My spot on the team, my shot at the big leagues? It’s like I’m being asked to choose between the love I never knew I wanted and the future and family I’ve struggled so hard to gain.
The locker room feels too damn quiet, too empty. And I realize I’ve got a choice to make that’ll change everything. What scares me the most isn’t making the wrong one - it’s that for the first time, I actually give a fuck about what I might lose.