Page 35 of Forever Theirs

“How did I end up catching a ride to The Nest from a random hot guy who is like a two-for-one special?” I barked a laugh at her comparison, making her smile widen. “Where both are not only good-looking but good guys and might like the outdoors more than me?” She tilted her head and studied me. “Well, that has yet to be validated. Our hike will be the ultimate test.”

“So, you’re telling us to bring our A game to impress you?” I asked, chest shaking with restrained laughter.

“Well, yeah. What if we get out there and you… can’t start a fire or get all whiny when you get dirty or are attacked by a plethora of summer bugs? By the way, those insistent bugs and the all-day sunlight need to be listed in bold red letters when entering the state. Like a warning of some kind.”

Planting a soft kiss to the corner of her lips, I nodded. “I’ll get with the Department of Travel for the State of Alaska and tell them to get on that.”

With barely any effort, I shifted to the edge of the couch and stood, taking her with me and carefully setting her down, holding on until she was steady on her feet. My heart leapt in my chest at the squeal of delight followed by her laughter that bounced around the room. Laughter was something this cabin hadn’t heard in a long time. Too many nights, Aiden and I sat on the front porch to distract ourselves from how empty the place felt with just the two of us and how quiet it had become in recent years.

I loved the fucker like a brother, and we got along great, but it had started to feel like something was missing between us.

I studied Aspen out of the corner of my eye as she stretched her arms high above her head.

Maybe that missing piece…

Wasn’t missing anymore.

13

ASPEN

“Thanks for understanding about Jubie needing to stay with Miles,” Aiden said after a minute of silence had passed as we weaved our way out of their community and toward The Nest. “Nighttime is when he needs her the most, and I knew he wouldn’t tell you that. So, thank you for pretending like it was your idea for her to stay behind.”

I just smiled and nodded, even though his eyes were on the road and not on me. “Even though I’d love a cuddle partner, she is his dog. I didn’t realize she was a service animal.” Shifting in the seat, I studied Aiden’s profile. “I’m guessing he needs her because of his time in the service?”

His features tightened, as did his grip on the wheel. My lips parted, and I sucked in a breath, ready to retract the question, only his response cut me off.

“Jubie isn’t technically a service dog—she wasn’t specifically trained for that—but yeah, she helps him when things get to be too much. Not sure how she knows, but she does. Jubie gives him the comfort and support that neither I nor anyone else has been able to up to this point.” He shot me a knowing look out of the corner of his eye. “Though he is quite chatty with you, so maybe that will change.”

I held up both hands. “Just because I’m easy to talk to means nothing.”

“But it does. I’ve never seen him talk to a stranger as much as he has you, nor give two shits about their feelings. He’s kind of an asshole,” he said with a smirk.

“I think…” I let out a slow breath. “Anyone who’s been through what he has—and I don’t even know the specifics—probably keeps everything close to the chest. It’s easier to act like an asshole toward people you don’t see sticking around instead of letting them in, giving a piece of yourself, and then them walking away. Was there a specific incident that made him need Jubie that much more or just his overall time as a SEAL?”

“Yes.”

I smiled. “That’s not an answer.”

“True, but it’s the best I’ll give you. It’s not my story to tell.” The way his tone dropped told me there was a lot more to all this than Aiden let on. “You ready for our hike tomorrow?”

I knew what he was doing, using that question to change the subject, but who was I to stop him? I’d known him and his best friend for a little over twenty-four hours. Trust took way longer to build. My heart sank. Did we have that kind of time to get to the point where they would trust me with their pasts and regrets?

“Not sure if we talked about this earlier, but I set out three tents. If you want to share”—he waggled his brows suggestively—“then we’ll only need to bring two.”

“Okay, but why not one? I mean, aren’t you and Miles kind of a package deal? Why bring a second tent at all?”

Aiden huffed a laugh. “Yeah, we are, but what we enjoy doing together has nothing to do with actual sleeping.” He shifted along the seat and switched hands on the wheel. “Miles requires his own tent. Always. Sleeping is… one of his challenges. That’s all I’ll say about that, and I would appreciate it if you don’t make a big deal out of it tomorrow. He might be a big fucker and could kill almost anyone with his bare hands, but he’s sensitive about his trauma and how it manifests. I just don’t want to see him pull back from this, you know?” Reaching over, he placed a palm on my knee and squeezed. “Because I sure as hell don’t want this to end before it really gets started.”

“Of course,” I whispered, my breath catching as his hand slid higher up my thigh. “So, if I say yes to the two tents, then I’d be sharing with you.” I tapped a finger against my lips like it was an actual tough call to make. “Decisions, decisions.”

“I’ll make sure you stay nice and warm all night, sweetheart. And very, very relaxed.” He shot me a wink before turning back to the road. It wasn’t dark out yet, and the roads were nearly deserted, but when we passed a car or truck, Aiden always waved as if he knew everyone in town. Who knew? He probably did, with his outgoing personality. “And don’t worry, we’re only talking about where we’ll be sleeping. Not… other fun things.”

“Like photography?” I offered tongue in cheek.

“Well, yeah, of course. And just a heads-up—I photograph best in the nude.”

My loud laugh rumbled around the truck. Wiping at my eyes, I nodded, cheeks burning from my wide smile. “Noted. Though, after everything with the douche canoe who I won’t bring up right now, I think I’m done with any pictures with humans in them. Nature, animals, that’s what I want to get back to.”

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