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Aiden ‘the screwup’ Dumfries.
Nobody actually called me that, but it sure felt like they did. Partly because I was Dawson Dumfries’ kid, partly because I was a hotheaded cocky fucker that had a ton of trust issues and struggled with authority.
“Dayna is family. And too fucking good for the likes of you, Dumfries, so don’t go getting any ideas.”
Anger rolled up my spine. But he was right. Of course, she was too good for a guy like me.
“Dalton’s sister,” I said. “That’s got to be rough.”
Jesus, I had no filter today.
“We’re not talking about Dalton or Dayna. Mom sent some leftovers if you’re hungry. Tomorrow we’ve been invited over to the Bensons’ for a cookout.”
“I’ll pass.”
“Like hell, you will.” He scowled. “The Bensons are good people.”
Not sure Dayna would want me coming around after earlier, but it wasn’t like I could tell Carson that.
“I’m not looking to make friends, Coach.”
“And maybe that’s your damn problem. You think I haven’t noticed how you keep people at arm’s length? Your teammates, the coaching staff at LU.”
“I’m a team player,” I said defensively.
“Yeah, and a good one. But you don’t let people get close.”
Too right, I didn’t. If people got close, if you let them in, they tended to hurt you. And I was done being taken for a fool by people.
“Thanks for the pep talk, Coach,” I spat the words, heading for the door.
“Tomorrow Aiden,” he called after me. “I expect you to be there.”
* * *
The Benson yard was the last place I wanted to be. But Carson Walsh wouldn’t let it drop. He’d let me sleep in. The note he’d left on the refrigerator informed me he was helping his mom and dad again for a few hours. So I’d spent the day on his couch in my shorts, eating crackers out of the box and drinking the three beers he had stashed in his refrigerator. He’d taken one look at me when he got home, told me to get a shower and into some clean clothes, or he would call up Coach Tucker and make sure he knew just how productive his star player was spending his summer break.
Asshole.
“You can come and join us, you know, Aiden, sweetie,” Mrs. Benson crooned as she wandered over to me and offered me a fresh drink.
“Thanks, Mrs. Benson,” I said. “I’m just enjoying the scenery.” My eyes flicked to the beach in the near distance, the vast sparkling body of Lake Erie.
It really was something, especially as the sun shone down over it. A strange sense of peace I rarely felt went through me as I stood there, taking it all in. Monroe was a coastal town, but we didn’t have a view of the lake from our small house.
“I’ll never tire of that,” she said with a soft, contented sigh. “But come and join us. This is supposed to be a family meal, and we’ve already lost Dayna to her phone.”
I scanned their yard, and sure enough, Little Miss Prude was missing.
“I think it’s Josh,” Mrs. Benson went on, talking as if we were old friends. “It sounded strained.”
“Josh, the boyfriend?”
She nodded. “Nice young man but not cut out for small-town life apparently.”
“He doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
I don’t know why I said it, but the words were out now, and Mrs. Benson was beaming at me.
