Page 90 of Student Seduction
27
Emersyn
I’d just made a nice little nest in the covers of the bed in Drew’s guest room, which was nicer than my actual bedroom back home, when he and James came in with faces full of pity and concern.
“Hey, kiddo.”
I arched a brow. Drew never called me kiddo. “Uh oh. It’s the sympathy train. No need to stop at this station. I’m fine.”
Drew sighed. “I know you’re hurting, Em. And I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to James. If them being there tomorrow ruins your big night, it’ll be all my fault.”
I patted the spot on the bed beside me and sighed. “It’s not your fault. You had no way of knowing I’d invite him. Believe me, I surprised myself with that one. I thought it would be a bigI’m over yougesture to spare my pride but it backfired.”
Drew nodded and sat beside me. “Odder still, the fact that he’s coming. I can’t help but wonder how he’s going to explain it to her. Oh, hey, future bride. Did I ever mention I had an intensely sexual love affair with one of my high school students? And here she is now.”
We all contemplated that for a few seconds in silence.
“I wonder what she’s like,” I said, staring at the comforter. “What did she look like when you saw them?”
Drew glanced at James and winced. “I only saw her briefly. And she was kind of hugging him so it was a side view. She was petite. A well-dressed blonde with a sophisticated looking bob. Amazing shoes. I’m sorry.”
I swallowed my emotions deep down into my stomach. “He was a professional hockey player for years. She’s probably a model or something.”
“Nah, too short.” Drew leaned against me. “James and I will be there for moral support. We won’t leave your side. Maybe this will be a good thing.”
I hugged a pillow to my chest. “How so?”
“Maybe you’ll get closure. Finally put what you had behind you and move on. Instead of hiding behind something safe.”
“I’m guessing that’s a dig at Max.”
“Not Max personally. He was nice. But I think that’s all he was for you. Nice and safe. You weren’t in love with him. Not really. I think you know I’m right.”
He was. “It was a legal, stable, healthy adult relationship and I needed that at the time. I am grateful for Max.”
“Me too. But it was boring as shit and you didn’t bat an eyelash when you left and neither did he. You deserve so much more than that, Em.”
I didn’t say anything.
Aiden was more than that. Aiden was somehow woven into the fabric of my being and I couldn’t separate him from the concept of love. I couldn’t ever fall head over heels for Max, all I could do was like him a lot and appreciate his positive qualities. He had lovely hands, a nice voice, and he was a kindhearted human being. But he didn’t make my heart beat out of rhythm or my stomach all swoopy. He deserved more than that, too, and I was glad he had found it again with Beth. If only we could all be so lucky to get to spend our lives with our soulmate.
James’s cell phone rang and he told me to let him know if I needed anything before he excused himself.
I assured him I would.
Drew stood to leave.“I’ll let you get some rest.”
“Night, Drew. And thank you for telling me. You were right, I would’ve been upset if you’d waited. I’ll survive tomorrow night. Promise.”
“I know you will. I’ve seen you survive much worse. Gracefully.” At the door, he paused. “What will you do if he invites you to his wedding?”
I hadn’t even thought of that. A new level of panic set it.
“I-I don’t know. I’ll probably tell him I’ll check my calendar then politely decline later.”
I couldn’t watch that. I couldn’t watch the only man I’d ever been truly in love with commit to spending the rest of his life with someone else. I could be happy for them from a distance. A long, long distance.
It was only now, faced with Drew’s direct questions, that I realized how much what Aiden and I once had actually meant to me.
