Chapter 18 Aiden
Aiden
I must be hallucinating from the stress. Did she just say her sister? Claire is her sister.
I try to rack my memory, sifting through every conversation I’ve had with Eli. Did he ever mention Claire having a sister? No. He said twin. A twin named Charlie. Like Charlie Brown, except clearly not, because sitting across from me is Claire’s twin, who is definitely not a guy.
“You’re Claire’s sister?” I can’t seem to comprehend this turn of events.
She stares at me like I’ve grown two heads. Her eyes narrow, sharp and cutting. “What are you talking about? Yes, I’m Claire’s identical twin sister, Charlie.”
Identical twin. Sister.
The words punch the air from my lungs.
“You didn’t answer my question. How do you know Eli?” She Annunciations every word, irritation seeping from her voice.
I run both hands over my face, like maybe I’ll wake up from this mess if I scrub hard enough. “Shit.” My voice comes out rough, too loud in the small diner booth.
“Well, this is a relief.” I exhale, the tension draining from every muscle in my body.
She’s not a random girl, and this is all a misunderstanding.
I’m not going to jail. My moment of celebration is short-lived when I feel her gaze burning a hole straight through me.
Oh boy, she looks pissed. No amount of sugar and carbs will save me now.
I need to start explaining the situation before she decides to bite my head off.
I know too well the emotional roller coaster she’s on right now.
Her hormones are in the driver’s seat, and I need to tread carefully.
I don’t know what it is about her. She’s a full foot shorter than me, but the look she’s giving me tells me she will go full wrath-of-God on me if I don’t start explaining soon.
Raising both hands, I face my palms out in surrender.
“Look, before you bite my head off, I’m Eli’s best friend and roommate, Auden.
He asked me to help with an immersive role-playing kidnapping scenario.
Eli and Claire agreed on it prior to today.
I was tasked with helping him kidnap her and taking her to the cabin on the outskirts of town that he rented for their, let’s just say, excursion of the day.
I unfortunately grabbed you instead of her, hence why we are in the current predicament.
” The words tumble out like I’m afraid that if I stop, she’ll throw her hot cocoa at me and run away.
I let the silence fill the space so she can process everything that I just told her, praying that she believes me and doesn’t think I’m a true kidnapper. It feels like an eternity before she finally speaks.
“How can I trust that you’re Eli’s best friend when you don’t even know who his girlfriend is?”
“In my defense, I have not met her in person, and you guys are identical,” I deadpan.
“That is no excuse.” She eyes me skeptically.
“Look, if you don’t trust me, just call your sister. I’m sure Eli is there with her and he can explain everything.”
“How convenient, you’re suggesting I reach out to my sister when you took my phone from me.” Her voice drips with sarcasm.
My mouth opens to speak, but I immediately close it, because she’s got me there. I forgot I took her phone and put it in the glove compartment of the car.
“Well, why don’t you use my phone and call Claire? Again, I’m sure Eli will be there to explain everything.”
“Do you think I have people’s phone numbers memorized? What is this, the 1990s?”
“Well, how do you suppose we go about the situation?”
Before she can respond, a deep, gravely male voice sounds from behind me. Instantly, I’m irritated that someone is interrupting our conversation.
“Charlie, is that you?”
Who is this guy, and why is he so chummy with her? I don’t like it one bit. Judging from the face she’s making, she’s not a fan of him either.
“Hey, Kevin. How are you?” she asks.
“Good, good. Can’t complain, the business is doing well, and Lisa’s expecting our first child.” His grin is smug, the kind that says he expects applause.
Something ticks in me—there’s history here. The way Charlie’s left eye twitches at the mention of Lisa, I’m starting to piece together that she isn’t a fan of either of them.
“That’s great to hear. I’m glad you guys are doing well.” She gives a tight smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Yeah, I heard you moved back from the city. What happened? Did it get lonely out there by yourself?” His tone is dripping with condescension. It’s enough to make me want to punch him right in his square face.
“Nothing like that. Just wanted to be closer to home while I get ready for my bakery opening. Maybe you heard of it, Charlie’s Batter Co.?”
Judging from how big his eyes widen, he knows of her bakery.
“Oh, you’re that Charlie?! Lisa loves your page. She’s been wanting to order a cake for the baby shower, but it says you were close to taking custom orders?”
“Oh yes, I have a lot of interest, and I’m only taking a selected few clients right now.” A wave of pride washes over me as she puts this guy in his place.
“Oh, well, for old time’s sake, we would love it if you could fit us in.” This guy has no shame. Seconds ago, he was trying to belittle her and now he wants a favor.
“Sure, why not? Have her send me an email, and I’ll see what I can do.” This girl is too nice for her own good.
“Thanks, well, I better grab the peach cobbler she sent me here for. That pregnancy craving is real.” He looks at me and winks like we’re best friends.
“Who is that?” I ask as soon as he’s out of earshot.
“That,” she says, slumping back down in her seat, all the energy she had draining from that interaction, “was my ex-boyfriend from high school. He dumped me a month before prom and then showed up at my house a week before prom, asking me to go with him.” She resumes fidgeting with the sleeves of her sweater.
“And now, I guess he is married to my archnemesis. Who he took to prom, by the way.”
“Wow, what a couple.”
“Yeah, I know, right. And the people pleaser in me just agreed to bake them something for their new bundle of joy.” She chuckles, shaking her head.
“You could always tell them your oven broke down,” I offer, hoping this new change of topic will help her trust me a bit.
“Ha! That’s a good idea. I might take your advice on that.” Her eyes lock with mine, and she gives me the first genuine smile I’ve seen since Kevin appeared.
“Now, back to our situation. How do you propose we situate,” she gestures between the two of us, “this?”
“I promise you, I’m trustworthy. How about I pay, then we head to my car for your phone so you can call your sister.” She hesitates for a moment, but I can see it in her eyes. She wants to trust me.
“All right, fine, we’ll do it your way.”