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She didn’t know why we broke up, but she knew I was miserable because of it.
“I’ll just go in the living room now,” she said, turning away and leaving us alone.
Aiken stepped into the small room and closed the door behind him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my heart feeling alive for the first time in two weeks.
“My brother’s name is William Lee Cross, Jr.,” he stated. “But I’ve always called him Junior because that’s what my mom and dad called him.”
I swallowed, having a small idea of where he was going with his words.
“Everyone else calls him Will. Does that name sound familiar to you, Everly?” he asked.
I clenched my eyes closed, hoping to keep the tears from falling, but they did anyway. They dripped down my cheeks and paused on my chin. I swiped at them and sniffled.
“No,” I lied.
He moved closer. “Why didn’t you tell me, baby? Why did you run?”
I cried, the sound coming from my throat sounding broken and painful.
“I didn’t know he was your brother. I swear. And when I saw his car in the driveaway that day and heard you guys talking in the garage—I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t come between you and your only family. And I couldn’t be tossed away by another person I loved. I didn’t want you to choose because I knew you wouldn’t choose me.”
He sat on the bed and pulled me into his arms. I sighed in relief when he wrapped them around me.
“You didn’t even give me a chance, Everly. If you had, then you would know I choose you. I will always choose you, baby. You’re my everything, and I love you more than anything or anyone.”
I bawled into his chest, feeling his words in the pit of my stomach. They sparked life in me again as if I were being struck by lightning.
He placed a finger under my chin and pulled my face up to look down at me.
“I love you, Everly. Please come home.”
I nodded, hiccupping over my tears.
“I love you, too.”
He leaned in and kissed me deeply, soothing my anxiety and panic and making everything better.
We collected my things and put them in the back of Erik’s car. Aiken climbed behind the steering wheel and pulled out of the driveway, but instead of pulling into the driveaway at his place, he kept driving.
I looked back as we passed Crow’s place and then turned to face him. “I thought we were going home.”
He nodded, collecting my hand in his. “We are.”
It turned out that home was an apartment on the first floor of a new complex on the better side of town. Parked out front was Aiken’s bike with his cover over it, and a new car he said was his.
He held my hand and took me inside, and I was surprised to find that the place was furnished and comfortable. There were even pictures hanging, including one of us at prom.
I turned and wrapped my arms around him, and he kissed me on the top of my head.
“I know it’s not much, but welcome home, baby.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. It was perfect for him and me.
“But what about your shop?” I asked, realizing he must have spent most of his savings.
He squeezed me tighter. “You’re more important than a shop. We needed a home, and I wanted to give that to you.”
