Page 17 of Secret Santa

“She passed out?” Bridget asked, taking another step toward me. “Bug.” It was a reprimand, and I lowered my eyes to my hands in my lap. I fingered a loose thread on the blanket, feeling exhausted and too weak to fight for myself.

“She does stuff like this all the time,” Mom said dismissively.

“No,” Bridget said, whirling to face Mom. “When has she ever-” She stopped herself and took a deep breath. “You should just go. I’m here now.” I barely lifted my eyes to peek at Mom. She lifted her chin as she flicked her eyes between Aiden and Bridget.

“She’s my daughter. I have to make sure she’s okay.” Aiden snorted and turned his back on her.

“It’s clear you don’t give a shit,” he said as he sat on the edge of my bed. He brushed more hair from my forehead, his touch feather light across my skin. His jaw tensed and relaxed over and over as he smoothed my hair away from my face. “I’ll take care of her.”

Bridget sat on my other side, her hand covering mine. “Stop chewing,” she whispered. I glanced at her, then forced myself to relax. I hadn’t realized I’d been chewing the inside of my cheek. It was a terrible habit, one she’d been trying to break me of for years.

“I see you doing that a lot,” Aiden noted.

“She does it when she’s anxious,” Bridget answered, like I wasn’t there. He stroked my cheek with his thumb, and I melted again.

“Hello,” my mother called, sounding irritated. Everyone continued ignoring her.

“I can’t believe you’re working for him,” Bridget said with a small laugh. “Of all the places you applied, his company just had to be the one that hired you.”

“I still don’t know if I believe this wasn’t a setup,” he taunted, his voice light as he teased us.

“I don’t even know the name of your company,” Bridget scoffed. “If I wanted to set you two up, there’s a much easier way than having her work for you.” He snorted, his thumb still gently stroking my cheek.

“This is against the law,” Mom all but shouted.

“No, it’s not,” Aiden said, looking over his shoulder.

“We’re not in a relationship,” I said, and all eyes turned to me. “We’re friends.”

“He seems to be a bit more than just your friend,” Bridget questioned, lifting her brows.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, then yawned.

“Okay,” Aiden said firmly as he stood. “It was nice seeing you again, Bridget, but Danica needs to rest now.” Mom sighed sharply again.

“This is ridiculous,” she said, but he ignored her as he kept his eyes on Bridget.

“Tell Alex I said hello,” he said, then turned back to me, dismissing them.

“You can’t kick us out,” Mom shrieked. “You’re nothing to her. I should have security remove you.”

“Why don’t we ask Danica what she wants?” he said, lifting his brows. I glanced between Aiden and Bridget, feeling uncomfortable.

“Um.” I didn’t know the right answer, not when everyone was staring at me. No matter what I chose, it would be the wrong one in someone’s eyes.

“Are you going to be okay?” Bridget asked as she squeezed my hand.

“I’ll be fine,” I said.

“You always are,” she muttered, then glanced at Aiden. She looked like she wanted to say something, and, knowing my sister, it could be anything. “You’ll take care of her.” It wasn’t a question or request; it was a demand.

“Of course,” Aiden said, barely looking over his shoulder. When he saw how serious her face was, he stiffened and turned fully around. “Of course, Bridget. She’s safe with me. I won’t let anything like this ever happen again.” She eyed him for another moment, then nodded.

“You want him here?” Mom sneered. I didn’t look at her.

Maybe it made me a coward, but I just couldn’t do it. If I did, I knew all the walls I’d worked on building, all the progress I’d made on getting past her trauma, would come crumbling down around me and I’d be the broken shell I’d been my entire life—the broken shell she’d made me. I didn’t want to be that person anymore.

“Come on, Mom,” Bridget said with a sigh. “Let’s leave them alone.”

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