Page 79 of Broken Chorus

“It sounds that way to me,” Cade said.

“I’d say so too,” Micah said.

“So what if I am?” Aaron grumbled. “I’m finally getting used to you. I don’t wanna have to break in a new guitarist.”

Micah’s face split into a bright smile. “Thanks.”

Blowing out a breath, Aaron ran his fingers through his hair and managed a little smile of his own. “Just, be careful, yeah. I’ve already met a raccoon, a couple possums, and some dive-bombing bats. I thought it was a myth that they went after people’s hair.”

“Sothat’show you wound up huddled against the door,” Cade said, chuckling a little. “For the record, itisa myth. If they flew in your direction, it wasn’t because they were after you.”

“Could have fooled me. I didn’t do anything to provoke them. I was just watching the fireflies.”

Micah shook his head, still laughing. “And they were just trying to eat them.That’swhy they flew at you. They were after the bugs, and bugs are attracted to body heat.”

Well now he just felt foolish for freaking out like that. The bats had been after the same prize he’d been attempting to catch. “Oh.”

“Still doesn’t explain what you were doing out here,” Declan said.

“Do I have to have a reason to pop over?” Aaron asked, feeling an equal mix defensive and downright stupid after Cade’s explanation.

“Considering how fast you scurry away whenever you lay eyes on me, I wouldn’t think you’d come anywhere in my vicinity unless you had no other choice,” Declan pointed out. “You’d swear a pack of hellhounds were after you whenever I come near.”

Aaron flinched and hung his head, muttering. “You’re not wrong.”

“Thank you for being honest.”

Aaron squirmed, knowing the moment was here for him to finish his truth telling. “Can we talk? That’s um, what I came down here for. To talk to you since I couldn’t after the show.”

“I’m sorry about your mom,” Declan said.

“Thanks, but I never really knew her.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m not sorry you lost her before you got the chance to.” Declan said.

All Aaron could do was nod, since that was a topic of conversation he still wasn’t ready to deal with yet.

A myriad of emotions played across Declan’s face before he backed the wheelchair out of the doorway. With Micah and Cade standing on either said of the entryway, Aaron felt a little like a man heading to the gallows as he followed Declan into the living room.

He wasn’t the only one who followed, Cade did as well, while Micah lurked in the kitchen just a few feet away. The moment he felt himself bristling about having an audience, Aaron reminded himself that what he had to say wasn’t a secret, just like his behavior hadn’t been secret either. Lowering himself into an easy chair across from Declan, Aaron realized his thoughts were still as jumbled as they’d been when he’d first started circling the guest house.

“I owe you an apology,” Aaron said. “I’ve been an ass to you, and I want to explain why but I don’t want it to come off like it’s an excuse, because I shouldn’t make excuses for shitty behavior. You were right when you said that to me.”

Declan nodded, looking thoughtful. “So, let’s not consider it an excuse. It’s done, you’re acknowledging it, and we can move on if you’re willing to get to know me as a member of your band. I’m not expecting friendship. All I’m asking is that you treat me the same way you would treat anyone else in your circle.”

“That…” Aaron sighed heavily. “Is kind of the problem.”

“Okay, explain.”

“Being around you kinda freaks me out.”

Declan snorted and raised an eyebrow at him. “Why? I’m not contagious. You can’t catch crippled.”

Aaron blinked. His mouth opened and closed but he couldn’t produce any sound. He didn’t even know how to respond to such a comment. Was he allowed to laugh? No, this wasn’t a laughing situation. They were supposed to be having a serious conversation and…well the subject wasn’t supposed to be funny.

“What’s wrong, someone run over your tongue?”

Cade snickered at that, while Micah let out a bark of laughter.

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