Page 9 of Surge of Ice

Aydan looks thoughtful. “I’ve seen him go on dates. I’ve just never seen him seem all that crazy about any woman. He must not have found the right one yet.”

“Uh huh,” Evander mutters.

“Why do you ask?” I don’t look back at him. I’m too busy enjoying my massage.

Evander grabs the bottle of vodka and takes another drink, then holds it to my lips and gives me a sip too before handing it to Aydan. I look back at him to thank him, and he kisses me hard, before breaking away. “No reason.”

Aydan gives him a look, but to my relief, a fight doesn’t start.

“And did your families hang out a lot together?” he asks.

I shrug. “Everyone but Aydan’s dad. His dad was a firefighter, so he wasn’t around much.”

“Was he a good dad when he was around?” Evander truly seems curious.

Aydan tenses. “I don’t like to talk about my dad.”

Evander lets out a low breath. “So, that’s a no.”

“He wasn’t that bad,” I say, then glance to Aydan for confirmation, but he just avoids my gaze.

My stomach flips. I was there… I know what he was like.Don’t I? Or is there something I don’t know?

“He was just really focused on his career and not his family,” Aydan says, but his words hold an edge.

Aydan still doesn’t look at me, just rubs my feet below the blanket with one hand while taking a large swing of the bottle of vodka before putting it down. I decide that this is something we need to talk about later, when we’re not with Evander, even though it hurts a little that he didn’t tell me whatever he’s hiding, especially when he’s had so many chances to talk to me.

I thought we knew everything about each other.But maybe I just never paid close enough attention to know there was more going on with his dad.

Evander clears his throat. “But the rest of you did stuff together?”

I laugh, my thoughts going back to the past. “Oh yeah, for years we had play dates, meals together, holidays together. Our families mixed with each other all the time.”

We drink more, and Evander asks more questions about what it was like growing up together. I tell him a few silly stories, and even Aydan brings up a few. Evander in turn tells us a little more about what his life was like before we came along. It’s nice. Like we’re developing a deeper relationship. I’m starting to know Evander, maybe not as well as Aydan, but I dare say I might be starting to actually trust him.

“So what were you like as a teen?” I ask Evander, completely enamored with him.

He gives a low chuckle. “I was a little asshole. I never got into too much trouble, but just enough to drive my parents crazy.” His smile faltered. “Like most teens, I stopped hugging myparents, started wanting to spend all my time with my friends, and quality time with them was scarce.”

I find myself holding my breath. I know there’s more.

“Little did I know my parents wouldn’t be alive much longer. If I did know, I would’ve done everything different.” He gives a sad laugh. “What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and sit between them on the couch while watching a movie and laughing. Or to have one of my mom’s home-cooked meals.”

It’s weird how much I can relate to him. “I remember the big hugs my dad used to give. No one has ever hugged me quite like him.”

He smiles. “My mom’s hugs were gentle, but so filled with love. My dad’s always included a hard pat on the back. You know, to make the hug more manly.”

Silence falls between us. It’s weird. Knowing he lost his parents, and I lost my dad, it connects something between us. Like he’s the only other person in the world who can understand how I feel, even though I know that’s not true.

I glance out the one small window. “You can barely see the sky through the storm.”

“At least we’re somewhere warm and safe,” Aydan says, giving me a smile.

Safe. Right?I stiffen. Both men stiffen too.

“What’s wrong?” Evander asks.

I shake my head.

---