Page 30 of On The Run

“Aiden!!!!” Gray screamed at a decibel I didn’t think was possible for a human and charged full speed toward the poor guy. I hadn’t told him that I invited Aiden just in case he didn’t come. I didn’t want to disappoint the kid or lay that at Aiden’s feet when he was clearly dealing with things I didn’t understand.

Aiden and his father barely stepped into the back when Gray launched himself at the younger man and wrapped his arms and legs around him. Aiden staggered from the force but managed to hold onto my little monkey. His cheeks were red, but he was smiling and seemed to give Gray an extra squeeze before pulling away.

“Hi, little man. Surprised to see me?”

Gray couldn’t even sit still, as he hopped from foot to foot. “Yeah! I didn’t know you were coming. This is awesome!” Gray seemed to finally realize Aiden wasn’t alone. He turned his attention to Aiden’s father, Manny.

“Hi, I’m Gray. Who are you?” For a moment, we were all frozen, watching the scene play out, but Gray’s words seemed to be the trigger to pull us out of our stupor.

Chuckling, Aiden gestured behind him. “This is my pops.”

Manny Sewell took that opportunity to squat down to Gray’s level. “You must be Gray. I’ve heard so much about you. My name is Manny.”

Gray was looking at him curiously, and I knew, even at 6, Gray was observant enough to know something was wrong. Thankfully, I was spared the embarrassment of him asking because he just said, “Hi! Do you like dogs? Aunt Laura’s dog Nova is here. Wanna meet her? I want my own dog but Daddy says we’re too busy right now to take care of one right, but I get to see Nova all the time. Want to see her?”

I began to walk over to rescue Manny, but his face lit up. “I’d love to meet her, too. I always wanted a dog but could never have one.”

There was some sadness in his tone, but it went over Gray’s head as he took Manny’s hand like he’d known him forever. He looked back at Aiden as he began to drag the poor man. “Are you coming?”

Aiden grinned. “In a minute, bud. I want to say hi to everyone first.”

“Ok!” Gray started leading Manny to the grass where Bronx was still with Nova, holding her back so she didn’t jump on our new guests. “Come on, Mr. Manny! You’ll love Nova. And you can meet Uncle Bronx!”

Manny went along willingly as I headed toward Aiden, who was still standing awkwardly at the edge of my parents’ yard. I could feel my family’s eyes on us, but they hadn’t moved, following my lead.

“Should I go rescue him?” I asked Aiden, who was watching his father carefully.

Aiden startled, like he didn’t see me, even though I made no attempt to hide my approach. He quickly relaxed and smiled awkwardly at me, shooting me a sideways glance. “Nah, he’s fine. I’ll go get him if he looks like he’s starting to lag.”

“How’s he been feeling?” I asked quietly, hoping none of my nosy family members could hear, even if they all already knew.

Aiden gave me a one-shoulder shrug. “As good as he can be, I suppose.”

From this far away, I’d never know that Manny was sick. He seemed to have already charmed Bronx, and the two were talking animatedly with Nova and Gray running circles around them. Of course, from up close, the not quite right pallor of his skin was more noticeable, as well as the way his cream-colored sweater hung off his body, or the knit beanie despite it being a little too warm for that kind of hat, or the way his hands slightly shook as he talked . . .

I turned my attention away from Aiden’s father and to the man who had been taking way too much of my headspace lately. Despite being visibly uncomfortable, he looked good. He was wearing tight gray jeans, but instead of the normal tears, these had red and dark-gray plaid patches artistically placed. He had on a long-sleeved, hooded T-shirt that was dark gray with a black and white geometric pattern printed on front. His hair was slicked back rather than off to the side, making an old, faded scar running high on the left side of his forehead visible. I quickly looked away before he noticed.

Aiden was watching me curiously though, so I’d probably been staring a little too long. “I’m really glad you’re here,” I covered awkwardly.Real smooth, Max.

Aiden grinned lopsidedly. “Thank you. I think I’m glad too.” He jerked his head toward the patio behind me. “Your family is watching us.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course they are. C’mon, I’ll introduce you.” Without thinking, I held out my hand to him. Aiden hesitated, watching it like it would bite if he got too close. Just as I went to put it down and attempt to save face, he accepted. He looked uncomfortable but didn’t pull away. Taking it as a win, I led him up to the patio where I prayed my family would avoid the Spanish Inquisition like they promised.

* * *

It took nearly an hour for Aiden to relax, but now, when I snuck glances at him, it seemed like he may actually be enjoying himself. And my mom fucking loved him. It was clear from the second he waved uncomfortably to them when he first stepped onto the patio, one arm tightly wrapped around himself, that she wanted to adopt him. Even now, Mom was loading his plate up with potato salad and jerk chicken, making sure he had enough to eat.

Aiden smiled up at her, swallowing down a mouthful of chicken. “Thank you, Mrs. Campbell. Everything is delicious.”

Mom waved him off and sat down next to him. “Oh please, call me Hana. Mrs. Campbell is my mother-in-law.”

Aiden blushed. “Um, ok, Hana. Thank you.”

“So, tell me all about yourself, honey. Max said you’re in college.”

If I hadn’t been obsessively watching Aiden for weeks now, I probably wouldn’t have noticed how his body tensed up ever so slightly. His smile seemed forced.

“Um, yeah. I go mostly online, but I did run into Max during my one on-campus class.”

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