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12
CASSIDY
I slept the entire flight to Redville.
It’s not that we were out late last night, but I've been exhausted with all the changes in my life.
It wasn’t a long flight, only an hour, but I welcomed the time alone. Since Aiden flew on the team plane, he booked me a regular commercial flight and said he’d meet me at the airport when I land.
From the first night I met him to now, everything has been go, go, go.
After a late night last night, we were up early this morning, and Aiden was off to the arena for a one o’clock game.
I wasn’t able to go, too much to do before uprooting my life to go with him to Ohio, but they won.
I caught a few glimpses on the TV as I packed up everything. Well, I packed up my new stuff. I assumed that since I was taking on a role as his personal assistant, I’d have to pack for him too, but he beat me to it. Every one of his shirts and pants were already in the suitcase and color-coordinated.
I make a mental note of the way he organizes his stuff. If I’m to be helpful to him in the future, I need to know how he likes things.
The little glimpses I caught of him playing were exhilarating. Game two was a blowout. The Saints move into game three with a two-zero lead.
I have no idea how the team even drank last night; today’s game was insane.
Hockey is brutal.
From what I’ve learned via Google since agreeing to this crazy plan is that the hours of training are long, then every few days, they have a game, followed by after-hour commitments.
How they have the energy for that is beyond me.
But the team is known for being generous with their time in the community. Giving back to the city that has given them a home.
Watching Aiden in his element is nothing like the past. Sure, he was motivated. Determined. But he grew up. And he surely proved that he was more than good enough. No matter what his horrible mom tried to feed him.
Being near him again is crazy, but the thought of going to his home, the place he’s made roots, is surreal. We always talked about what it would be like to get away one day, and now I’m headed to see how close to reality he was back in those days of dreaming under the oak tree.
It’s a bit terrifying, if I’m being honest with myself.
Will there be anything that reminds me of our time together? If there is, can I pretend it’s not there? On the flip side, if there’s nothing, can I handle that? It’s obvious he doesn’t recognize me, but does he even think of the girl he once knew?
My breathing becomes heavy as my anxiety builds.
What the hell am I doing? I’ve allowed this whole thing to go too far.
I’m going to walk into his home because I lied. Not because he missed me or because he wants me there. Nope, it’s all because I’m not ready to let him go. That’s the truth. The ugly truth I try to pretend isn’t there. But it is there. It hovers on the surface of every word I say, every look I give him.
I missed Aiden Slate, and I’m not ready to say goodbye.
If that makes me a selfish liar, so be it.
In my life, Aiden is the only person who makes me feel safe.
I need more time.
“You okay?” Aiden asks, side-eyeing me. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”
He sees too much.
Or you’re just a shit liar.
