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“I’m not upset about Josh.”
“So you keep saying, sweetie. But it’s never nice being betrayed like that. Even if he wasn’t the right guy for you.”
“I thought you liked him?”
“I did, but you weren’t exactly compatible.”
“Mom!”
“I don’t mean any offense. I just think you stuck with him because he was a safe bet and the opposite of everything you love.”
“I…”
I couldn’t really argue with that, so I pressed my lips together, glancing over at the men as they inspected their cards. Dad had challenged them both to a game of poker. From Aiden’s rapidly decreasing stack of chips, it was apparent it wasn’t his game of choice. But the fact he humored my dad and laughed at his jokes and listened to his stories… well, it did something to me.
Damn him. Why couldn’t he be the Aiden Dumfries the sports columns loved to write about? Cold with a short temper and an impenetrable layer of ice around his heart.
It would have made things so much easier.
As if he felt me watching, Aiden glanced up, our gazes clashing. My heart fluttered in my chest as he stared at me, so much left unsaid between us.
At least, that’s how it felt.
But what did I know about these things? I’d spent eight months hiding behind a guy I knew I had no real future with.
I was a mess—confused and hurt and frustrated with myself. Almost twenty-two years old. I had my entire life ahead of me, but some days, I still felt so lost.
Aiden smiled. A real, honest to God smile that made my knees go weak. “Hi,” he mouthed.
“Hi.” I tucked my hair behind my ear, blood pounding between my ears.
“Day— oh.”
I glanced at Mom, and she gave me a knowing smile.
“Don’t look at me like that, Mom. It’s not—”
“It’s none of my business, sweetheart. I just want to see you happy.” She got up to take some dishes inside, leaving me with my thoughts.
A minute later, she appeared in the door, wearing a grim expression.
“Mom, what is it?”
“You have a visitor.”
The men stopped talking, all eyes on me.
“He’s here?” A shudder ran down my spine. I don’t know how I knew, but I did.
Josh was here, and suddenly, I felt nauseous.
“He wants to talk to you,” she said.
Carson shoved out of his seat and came over to me. “Do you want me to get rid of him?”
“I… no, we should probably talk.” My gaze slid to Aiden, but his expression was a stone mask, giving nothing away.
With a weary sigh, I got up and made my way inside the house. Mom gave me a sympathetic smile as I passed her but didn’t say anything.
