Page 81 of Winning the Nightcap

She’s everything Aiden said she was. She has a strong maternal presence, the kind that fills you with reassurance, confidence, and comfort. Having someone like that in your corner means everything. I know because my parents fulfill that role for me. To know that she had to take on the responsibility for herself and their father in his absence, it’s incredible. The selflessness and the strength it takes to be a single parent…I can’t begin to imagine the tenacity it requires.

Judy’s smile fades for a moment, replaced by one less certain. “Uh…did you ask me something, dear? I swear I was just looking here for something.” Her gaze is unfocused as she turns toward the stack of magazines on the small table in front of the sitting area.

Aiden looks to Evie, a moment so quick and practiced, communicating more pain and grief than I could ever fathom in less than one second.

Aiden stands and walks to his mom’s side, softly squeezing her shoulder. His smile forced.

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll find it for you,” he says gently.

“Oh, okay. I think I’ll just wait here,” she replies. Her attention drifts to the small television in the corner, where a home renovation show is playing on mute.

“Are you okay here for a minute or two while Evie and I check in with her nurse?” Aiden asks me quietly, returning briefly to my side, brushing my hair back behind my ear.

“Of course, we’ll be fine,” I say, looking up at him with the most reassuring smile I can muster.

I watch Aiden as he and Evie walk away and begin talking with the staff at the nurses’ station.

“It’s rare to see that, you know?”

“I’m sorry, Judy. Rare to see what exactly?” I ask.

“Don’t tell me you don’t see it too. I may be getting older, but I’ve still got my wits about me. That is a man so deep in love it’s changed the very fabric of his being. The very bedrock of his reality. You two must be very happy together. Such a rare thing to find. A rare thing to keep. How long have you been married now?” she asks, inclining her head toward Aiden.

“Oh…oh, we’re not married…I mean…” I say hesitantly, not sure how she’ll respond to me if I contradict her. But I can’t just say I’m married to her son, right? Isn’t that going to confuse her more? She doesn’t know me. Does she even recognize Aiden right now?

“My apologies, my mind isn’t what it used to be. Well, it can’t be long now before you two tie the knot. Can I give you some advice from one woman to another? Not that you need it when your partner looks at you like that…but be a dear and humor me, will you?”

My heart warms. The sweetness Aiden’s spoken of regarding his mother shines through even the cloudy confusion she’s battling now. “I’d love some advice.”

She reaches out and grabs my hand, placing her other hand to rest on top. She leans toward me. The comfort of a mother emanating from her is like a hug after a long day. A refuge.

“Remember you’re playing on the same team. Life will throw a lot at you. It’s easy to forget that you’re fighting for the same thing sometimes. A life of joy, a life of happiness. It doesn’t come easy and it takes work, but it’s possible if you remember that you have a partner and not an adversary. Sometimes he’ll need more from you, sometimes you’ll need more from him. It’s never even, but it should always be kind. It has to be selfless, but not sacrificial. Love will takeyou far, but friendship and respect will make you invincible.”

“That’s really beautiful,” I whisper.

“Oh, the words aren’t the beauty of it. The beauty is found within the bond you share. You feel that with him. That kind of love,” Judy says matter-of-factly.

It’s not a question, as if the look on my face is all the confirmation she needs. But I respond anyway. Even though it’s terrifying to say out loud, I let it slip. The secret I haven’t even acknowledged myself falls past my lips to the most important woman in Aiden’s life, and she may never remember that she heard it first. “Yeah, I think I do. I think I feel that way with him.”

“Then don’t let go, dear. Be brave together.”

In this moment of anonymity, Judy can read my thoughts and emotions more clearly than I can even discern them myself. I smile back at her, my happiness genuine and consuming. I glance back at Aiden briefly to find his stare locked on me. I want to be brave for him. I want that more than I realized.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Aiden

Bec:How am I supposed to pack if I don’t know where we’re going?

Aiden:Easy. You don’t pack anything and this turns into my favorite kind of weekend.

Bec:A naked weekend?

Aiden:See? You get me.

Bec:If you don’t tell me how to pack, I’ll be forced to exclusively bring granny panties and my grossest, stained oversized T-shirts with more holes than I can count.

Aiden:Babe, you can’t lay on the dirty talk 30 minutes before the game. How can I play when I’m picturing your shitty shirts on the floor? You got my dick hard.

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