Page 37 of Three Months Yesterday

The chime of my phone from the coffee table startles me, making me jump. I glance over my shoulder, deciding if it can wait or needs my attention immediately.

If I were anyone else I’d let it sit, but I’m not anyone else and it’s possible there’s a problem on the property or with one of the guests.

Grabbing my coffee, I move away from the boxes and take my place back on the armchair by the front window.

Aiden

I hear you aren’t coming to dinner tonight and you didn’t go for your run this morning. What’s wrong?

I roll my eyes at the text in our sibling group chat and contemplate ignoring it, but knowing my brother, he’ll be at my door demanding answers if I don’t respond soon.

Nothing’s wrong…how do you know I didn’t go for a run?

It’s been months since I’ve missed a morning run and I was already regretting it, but the exhaustion finally caught up with me.

Not only did I miss my alarm and sleep until sunrise, but I laid in bed for almost an hour after I woke up. It’s now almost ten o’clock and I’m still in my pajamas, lounging around the house. Something I haven’t done since I was in high school and even then it was a rare occurrence.

The regret about bailing on dinner tonight is a different story. I couldn’t even blame my mom for it. I expected a guilt trip from her, but all I got was a liked message and response from her telling me to feel better. Maybe what I really should have expected was that she’d pull my brother into it. The master of finding out everyone’s secrets.

Wyatt

Come on, Mads. Aiden knows everything. Haven’t you learned that by now?

Aiden

I had coffee with Beckett this morning and never saw you.

You were next door and didn’t stop by?

My eyes immediately move to the window, wondering why he’d miss his Sunday morning with Jackson to have coffee with Beckett.

There are a lot of valid reasons Aiden doesn’t let people into his circle. Things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. For Aiden to pick someone over his limited time with Jackson is big. It’s something he only does for work. Which makes me wonder, was coffee this morning personal or professional?

Wyatt

Yeah, dude. That’s not cool.

Aiden

I had a callout. Didn’t have time.

Wyatt

Wait. Why were you having coffee with Beckett?

I’ll never admit it to him, but I’m glad Wyatt asks the question, because I’m desperate to know the answer and I’ll never hear the end of it if I do.

Aiden

What? I’m not allowed to have friends.

Wyatt

Oh, buddy. If you could have heard the noise that just came out of my mouth. If I’d taken that sip of coffee…it would have been the perfect spit take.

My oldest brother has a heart of gold, one he keeps locked up tight in a fortress built with layers and layers of scarred walls. A fortress he tries valiantly to keep everyone except his son out of.

There was a time Aiden was the friendliest one out of all of us. He’s always been the smart one and the responsible one, but he knew how to have fun and was a friend to everyone he met. It’s not that I don’t understand why he changed, but I wish he could see past all the scary parts and remember what a joy life can be. If not just for himself, then for his son who’s already been through more than any three-year-old should.