Page 59 of Aiden

Aiden walks over to me, the picture in his hands. “Love the bangs,” He jokes.

I can’t help the giggle that escapes my throat.

His voice turns more serious. “I’m sorry about your father. Ashley mentioned his passing when I asked her about you.” He gives me a weak smile.

“Thanks, it’s okay.” I give my usual response.

He carefully sits it down on the mantel before pulling me in a tight hug. “Don’t do that with me. It’s not okay. Fuck okay.” He pulls back to study my face. “You never have to pretend with me. It fucking sucks losing a parent. Trust me, I know.”

I feel extremely selfish. Is he talking about his mom? I look up at him, not sure what to say.

“I know you didn’t know. Don’t feel bad for not knowing.” My heart breaks for him, for us. “I don’t talk about it and Ashley wouldn’t have told you because I don’t like anyone knowing my business. Things have changed.”

I want to ask a question out of curiosity, I hope it doesn’t upset him. I look down at his black boots and take a deep breath.

He lifts my head. “You can ask,” He encourages.

I nod. “How?”

“Car accident.” He sighs. “After a fight with my piece of shit father. If she wouldn’t have kept coming back to him, she wouldn’t have even been there. It was raining and she was so upset, I wasn’t there.” His profile is haunting as he remembers the tragic day he lost his mom.

Who could understand me more than him?

“Thank you,” I say genuinely. “I’m sorry you lost your mom.” I kiss his cheek as he holds me for a moment.

I suck in a deep breath. “About my dad–”

He cuts me off. “Baby, you don’t have to. I just wanted you to know more about me.”

I don’t take his confiding in me lightly. I give him a weak smile. “I want the same.” I count to three. “He was a detective. A good one at that.”

I remember how proud I was, attending awards ceremonies and watching as they decorated his uniform with another pin.

“You would think with the career he had and how many bad people he put away, some cosmic force would give him good Karma and let him live a long life.” I can feel the tears welling up. “But it didn’t work that way and he lost his life at the hands of a drunk. He didn’t go down in some glorious poetic fashion, but a routine call when he was out working late. A domestic dispute.”

I hold back my tears, proud of myself for getting this far. “The husband shot him when he got there and left him on the street. Just left him there. It was winter, and his body was covered in snow when they found him. He died all alone.” Sobs escape me and I clutch onto Aiden’s chest.

He holds me close, smoothing my hair out, and tells me it will be alright.

I believe him.

We exchange nothing but a silent crushing hug.

I see Mom stomping across the street with a fury that scares me. Did she notice me ignoring Caleb?

“Emilia Achelois Banks!” She scolds dramatically.

Aiden raises an amused eyebrow and I shake my head.

“Were you leaving without saying goodbye?” She places her hands on her hips.

I stifle a laugh at her serious expression. “Mom.” I wrap her in a hug. “Of course not. We were waiting for you.”

Mom wraps Aiden in a hug after I let her go. He’s taken aback but returns the embrace before we walk down the driveway and towards our cars.

Our heads pop up when we hear a truck starting, as we head for our cars. We watch as Caleb backs out onto the street, his window is down, and his eyes are glued to us as he slowly rolls by. I don’t miss the way his eyes widen when he sees Aiden’s Mercedes. I see Aiden’s amused expression as he kisses me on the cheek before landing a swift slap on my ass.

Caleb scoffs before taking off down the road.

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