Page 5 of One Little Spark

Aiden grabbed another tile and set it in the goo he’d spread on the floor. “He said you threatened to leave Cherry Valley for New York City. Are you really thinking of leaving?”

“Yes,” she said firmly. “No.” She ran a hand over her face. “Maybe?”

Was she seeing things, or did Aiden’s back just tense up a bit? Was he worried she’d leave? Nah. She must be imagining things. He didn’t care what she did. Too bad. She’d had a crush on Aiden since her sixteenth birthday when he leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek after she’d blown out her candles.

“I said it because I needed him to back off, but part of me wants to go. I love Jory and he has done so much for me, but I need space. It’s unnerving to have people watching my every move. It’s like he’s waiting for me to fail.” She held up a hand. “I know he’s not. Not really but it’s hard to have him hovering all the time. I know I didn’t handle Dad’s death well. I tend topanic and then make less-than-stellar decisions when bad things happen. I understand that now and I am working to make sure I don’t make the same mistakes again, but I need his support, not his judgement.” She sighed. “Am I being too selfish?”

“No. And no one is waiting for you to fail. He just doesn’t want to see you struggle. The difficulty you and your mom had when your dad died almost killed him. You know what he was like, but you’re right. You deserve your own life and he needs to back off a bit.”

“I didn’t mean to put Jory through hell. It just sort of happened, but I’m better now. I went through hell too, which I think he sometimes forgets. It isn’t all about him. It wasn’t easy to get my shit together, but I did it. I have no interest in screwing things up. I was a stupid teenager, but now I’m an adult. I just wish Jory would recognize that.”

Aiden sat back on his haunches and looked at her in the mirror. “He will. Just give him time. Did you hear about the warehouse fire?”

She nodded. “Arson. You and Jory need to be careful. If something happens to you, then whose ass will I kick at pool Thursday night?”

Aiden snorted. “In your dreams, buttercup.”

She grinned. They had a standing date to play pool on Thursday nights. They’d been doing it most weeks since Aiden had come back to town. It was always fun to hang out and chat with Aiden without anyone, like Viv, asking too many questions. Just because Hazel had a thing for Aiden didn’t mean the world had to know.

She frowned. “I think Jory is getting on Mom’s nerves, too. He’s always dropping by unexpectedly, which used to be okay, but since Mom started at the police station, I think she’s less inclined to be happy about it.”

“Why?” Aiden asked looking puzzled.

“I think she and the police chief might have something going on.”

Aiden whirled around and looked at her. “You think your mom is dating Chief Bowers? Seriously?”

Hazel nodded and smiled. “Watch them together next time you see them. I’m telling you, there’s something going on there. I think that’s why Mom doesn’t want Jory dropping by quite so unexpectedly.”

“That’s great news. Your mom deserves to be happy.” Aiden grinned. “But I would not want to be either one of those two when Jory finds out. He will not like that one bit.”

She laughed. “You’re probably right. Might take him a while to relax about it.”

“Are you gonna tell him?”

She shook her head. “Oh hell no! Not my news to tell. Mom will bring it up with usif and whenthe time is right.”

Aiden nodded but then just stared at her. Heat crept up her cheeks. “I know I look like shit. I’m exhausted.” She hated to admit it, but Jory was right. She was working too hard.

“You don’t look like shit. You look…good.” The way his eyes danced over her reflection, she almost believed for a second that he was interested in her, but then he started laying tile again.

“Listen,” he said, “I’ll talk with Jory again, but why don’t you start looking for a place? I’m sure between the two of us we can get him to ease up enough so you can move out of your mom’s without too much of a hassle.”

She smiled. “Thanks, Aiden. I knew you’d come through for me.” She yawned. “Sorry. I’m bushed. I’m going home to sleep. I’ll catch you later.”

“Uh-huh.”

She waited for a couple of beats, but he didn’t bother to turn around, so she left. Aiden would help convince Jory for her.That she knew. Now, if only she could convince Aiden to go out on a date. That would be a real bonus.

Chapter Three

Aiden sat back on his haunches and admired the floor. It had taken him a while to cut all the edge tiles to the correct size, but it was worth it. It looked damn good. The white tile with streaks of gray matched the gray vanity perfectly. It also matched the shower tile. Once the grout was set, the upstairs shared bathroom was finished.

He let out a deep breath and glanced at his watch. If he took a quick shower in his bathroom, he could be at the football field in time to help out Jory and his mom. Or he could stay home and sleep. He rubbed his face. He needed sleep, but he also knew that, more likely than not, Hazel would wind up at the concession stand and he wouldn’t mind spending some time with her.

What the fuck had he been thinking, volunteering to help her with Jory? It was stupid and he’d regretted it the moment it came out of his mouth. Still, he knew Jory was being unreasonable, and if he didn’t stop pushing Hazel, she’d leave town. Aiden wasn’t having it. It felt like he’d just gotten back into town. He wanted all the people in his life to stay in his life. He was done with losing people. But especially, he didn’t want to lose Hazel.

He stood and yawned. Maybe a power nap would help. He walked down the hallway into his bedroom and glanced at the bed. No. If he crashed now, he wasn’t getting up again. He trudged into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

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