Page 11 of Queen Rose

It’s not even presented as a question, just a fact, so I nod. “Really, really sick. Ovarian cancer.”

Aria closes her eyes “Was it caught—” She jerks to a stop, glances at me with glassy eyes, then looks away.

I rumble softly, “Early? No. It’s in the late stages.”

She covers her lips with her fingers, then leans into my arm. She sighs deeply, rubbing her cheek against my bicep. In a whisper-soft voice, she says, “I’m so sorry. I guess that makes two things you and Scarlett have in common. She lost her mom to breast cancer last year.”

“That’s—” A shaky breath sneaks its way from between my lips.

“Awful. I know.”

I grunt, pat her knee, then abruptly stand up. “Come on, let’s get the food put away.” Turning, I extend both hands to Aria to help her up. My gaze doesn’t quite meet hers. It’s not that anything she did or said was wrong; it’s simply all so fuckin’ hard to deal with.

We go inside and start cleaning up, wrapping up the extra food, which she insists we keep, and cleaning off the counter. When we’re done, I draw in a deep breath. Usually, I’d keep this shit to myself, but… Aria is different. “So, now you know why I’ve gotten myself into the situation I have. Sometimes we run a little short on cash, and I’ll obviously go to great lengths to make sure I provide what these kids need. Mom, too.” I hesitate for a second, then figure I may as well tell her everything. “Mom has no idea about any of it. Not the community service or the scholarship. None of it.”

“You don’t want to worry her.”

I shake my head before blowing out a breath. “Funny that my fuck up and subsequent need for another job landed us together.”

“I’ll never be sorry that we ended up meeting. Especially not after last night.” Aria gives me a sassy grin, but then shrugs. “I’m just sorry for the circumstances surrounding it, you know?”

I lean in, placing a soft kiss on her lips, then ease back, groaning a little. “Speaking of jobs, I’ll be looking for another part-time one over break. I need to figure out something so things aren’t always so tight.”

“Oh.” Her face falls, her lashes fluttering as she looks down at our feet between us. She inhales deeply. I recognize this pattern now. The way she looks away from me and tries to regulate her breathing. She’s upset about something but is too stubborn or too proud to come right out and say it.

I touch one finger to the underside of her chin, tipping her face to mine. I need to know. I don’t want yet another secret between us. “What’s that look for?”

As I watch, she rakes her teeth over her lip, which I wish I didn’t find so incredibly sexy because I feel like this isn’t going to be a sexy conversation.

“Aria? Talk to me. I know all the stuff we’ve been talking about hasn’t been exactly fuckin’ cheery and bright, but… your face just got so damn sad. It kills me to see something affect you like this.”

Her chin wobbles, then her jaw clenches, and she manages to stutter, “E-everything is on your shoulders. And it wouldn’t be right. Never mind. I’m being fucking selfish, and I know it.”

“What wouldn’t be right? Don’t say ‘never mind.’ I want to know what’s going on in that wicked little brain of yours.” I prop my hip against the side of the counter and draw her close again. “Tell me what’s got you upset.”

“It’s stupid. Nothing that you need to worry yourself over. I promise.” The vehement shake of her head tells me this is most definitely something I need to know about.

I run my palms up and down her arms and tuck my head down near hers. “If it made your face look like that, it’s not nothing.”

She clutches at my waist, her fingers digging in, and rests her forehead against my chest. “It’s just dumb spring break stuff.”

“That doesn’t sound dumb.”

“It is when I was going to ask you to come for a few days. But I don’t want to pull you away or make you have to figure things out just to come hang out with me.”

She’s right. I don’t have the life of a normal teenager. I might never. And I sure as fuck can’t go away with her for a week. Hell, I barely managed a few hours before things blew up over here. I grip her upper arms in my hands and squeeze lightly. “I really, really wish I could go with you.”

Aria nods, drawing herself up and looking me in the eye. “I know. It’s okay.”

“Where are you going?” I reach up and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

She wets her lips. “Everyone is coming with me to our lake house out on Lake McCormick.”

“Your family owns one of the new lake houses?” At the sound of my mom’s voice, Aria and I both shift around to see her standing at the edge of the room. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. But the sandwich tasted so good, I came out to see if there was anything left.”

“Mom.” I rub my hand over my jaw, realizing this is the first time they’re meeting each other. “This is Aria Warrington. Aria, this is my mom, Erin King.”

Aria detaches herself from me and rushes over, taking my mother’s hands in hers. “It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. King.”

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