His to Cherish (22 page)

As we reached the family room, I returned Aidan's smile when he saw me, but it was only a quick glance before he gave Shane his full attention again.

“So I'm behind in school and baseball started a few weeks ago, but my tutor says I should be able to get caught up quickly with everything.”

“Not surprised. You're a smart guy.”

Shane beamed with the compliment before his face fell. I watched him nervously suck his bottom lip into his teeth.

His hand ran through his sandy brown hair. “Yeah, but it's baseball that has me more worried. I mean, I'm not the best player anyway, but Coach Taylor has been awesome about letting me join when I can—”

He stopped.

Aidan bristled at the sudden pause, the way the sentence lingered in the air like a thick blanket.

Beth and I were sitting on two leather wingback chairs as we watched them with rapt interest. It hadn't been a conversation I could contribute to anyway, and I liked watching Aidan talk to Shane. It showed me the kind of dad he had been to Derrick and only made me love him more.

He was good with kids.

“Yeah…but I was wondering…” Shane's voice drifted again before he finally seemed to gather his courage. “Will you help me with my pitching? Like you used to?”

Aidan stiffened further and his eyes focused on the large window facing Shane's backyard. I could see the struggle in his eyes as he considered the request.

The poor kid looked terrified as he stared into his mug of hot chocolate.

“It's okay if you can't, I completely get it. But my therapist says I need to try to do things that Derrick and I did, and try…I don't know…to go back to normal or some crap.”

Aidan shook his head. His chin wobbled before he sucked in a breath and blinked harshly. I watched a myriad of emotions scroll across his face before he seemed to gather his own strength.

“Of course I will. I made you a promise when your dad died that I'd always be here for you. Losing Derrick—” His voice broke and I longed to move to him from across the room, but I didn't. Whatever Aidan had to handle with Shane was their business.

I looked to Beth to see tears slowly and silently rolling down her cheeks again.

“Losing Derrick is something I'll never recover from,” Aidan said, his voice stronger but still heavy. “But I'll be there for you like I promised, whatever you need.”

Shane's own eyes watered and tears spilled over. “Sometimes I think you should hate me.”

“God,” I choked out over a sob.

Aidan's head snapped to mine and his eyes were wet as well. Hell, we were all a crying, sobbing mess. This couldn't be good for Shane.

With a shake of my head and tight, small smile, I let Aidan know I was okay before he looked back to Shane. When he did, he put both of his large hands on the boy's knees.

“I can't lie and say there aren't a lot of things I'm not angry with about that day. But you did nothing wrong. I know you're working through this and I know the guilt you carry. Someday you're going to have to realize that it was an accident. It's no one's fault, not even yours.”

His voice was stern but overflowing with love and care for the hurting boy in front of him.

Eventually, Shane nodded and the guys talked some more about baseball and football before Beth mentioned the carnival going on over the weekend. It was something Latham Hills always had after school was out for the summer. It seemed like the perfect time to celebrate and begin enjoying the season.

The girls and I usually went up to the music tent and then watched the fireworks. We were supposed to go up Sunday night this year but I hadn't asked Aidan yet if he wanted to join us, too concerned that maybe all those memories would make him think of Derrick.

The conversation shifted to more pleasant topics before we left, and I couldn't help but examine Aidan's expression.

The day had been hard for him, just like it had been for Shane, but it didn't seem to be weighing him down, either.

I wasn't sure if it was avoidance or healing that was occurring behind his stormy green eyes, but as we said our goodbyes, smiles larger and freer than when we had arrived, I was still thankful that we'd made the trip.

Shane was an awesome kid with a great future in store for him. I hoped the scare he'd had and the hopelessness he'd felt faded as he grew, allowing him to heal and move on.

Just like I hoped the same thing for Aidan.

Aidan didn't start the truck when he slid the key into the ignition.

Instead, he covered his face with his hands and scrubbed, expelling a long and loud, shaky breath.

“Man, that fucking sucked.”

My hand went to his thigh and I squeezed. Any comfort I could give him was minimal.

“It really did, but he seems to be doing okay, too. And it was really nice of you to offer to help him with baseball.”

He dropped his hands to his lap, covering my hand in his and entwining our fingers together. “I don't know how in the hell I'm going to be able to do that.”

“You will,” I assured him. “You can do anything.”

He turned to face me, a small smile on his lips. “I think you think too much of me.”

“I think you're everything I say you are and probably more.” I meant it. I had most likely barely scratched the surface of the kind of man he was. But I knew that underneath his typically quiet nature, he was everything I'd ever wanted and more.

“Maybe you just bring out the good in me,” he said, a teasing glint in his eyes. He leaned closer to me and cupped my cheek with his palm.

The atmosphere in the cab turned from tense and sad to something warmer. Something that rolled between us and all over my skin like the gentlest of waves.

“I doubt that.” I blinked and found myself leaning forward, our lips inches from each other. Aidan closed the space and our breath mingled. My pulse kicked up and my thighs pressed together. His nose rubbed against the side of mine and his fingers behind my ear tightened.

He smelled like coffee and cologne and I breathed it in, loving the closeness, the tenderness of the moment.

As I inhaled, longing for the kiss I knew was about to come, he dropped his head and rested his forehead against mine, closing his eyes. “I could fall in love with you, Chelsea Dwyer, if it was a different time and I wasn't such a mess.” My jaw dropped, shocked as the words began to piece together and I understood what he was saying.

That he wouldn't fall in love with me. My shoulders tensed, but before I could pull back, Aidan lifted his head and pressed his lips against mine.

“I think that came out wrong.”

I swallowed, waiting for him to finish, and just when I thought he wouldn't, that he was going to leave me wondering what he meant, he gave it to me.

Easily. Without holding anything back. And it shattered me in the best of ways.

“Someday I'm going to tell you how insanely in love with you I am, but when that day comes, I want you to be as certain as I am that it's not because we're connected to Derrick's death. That might have been the catalyst bringing us together, but I'm going to tell you I'm in love with you solely because you're the loveliest and sexiest and kindest woman I've ever met and I want you to know it without reservation.”

Before I could speak, he tugged me toward him and kissed me with an intensity that had the truck's windows completely fogged over and our breath ragged when he pulled away.

When he did, my head was still spinning from his confession and his magical powers with his tongue. I was still stunned stupid when he started the truck and backed out of the Johnsons' driveway.

“So. Corn dogs, gyros, or nachos?”

My eyebrows pulled in. “Pardon me?”

“Carnival food. What do you want for dinner?”

It took a moment for the spinning in my head to settle before I smiled. Did he know he'd stolen not only my breath, but my heart as well?

“Corn dogs.”

He gave me a quick glance out of the corner of his eye. “My kinda girl.”

Being on display was one of the most uncomfortable things in the world for me. In high school, I had volunteered to be a stagehand in the drama club instead of an actor. In college, I'd always sat in the center of the room so other students would surround me. Even in my relationship with Cory, I had managed to go along with whatever he wanted, because his charisma was so strong he constantly outshined me. It had always been easier to go with the flow than fight against the tide.

So walking through the carnival, constantly running into parents who knew both Aidan and me, it was essentially the equivalent of the recurring nightmare where I showed up at school in my underwear and bra, a mismatched ugly cotton set at that, and late for a calculus final.

In other words, complete and utter hell.

But as the night went on and we gorged ourselves on cotton candy and corn dogs, a gyro for good measure, and more sweet treats, the tide began to change.

Aidan inspired confidence. It was in the quiet way he composed himself, his ability to answer questions about Derrick and shake hands with everyone who stepped in his way with a small smile and quiet acceptance of their condolences. It was in the way that no matter who threw themselves in his path—single moms, and on purpose, most likely—he held my hand or kept an arm wrapped around my waist, not letting anything or anyone pull us apart.

Between the way he held on to me, clearly showing the entire town that we were together, and his confession in the truck on the way over, I was practically preening under not only his attention, but others' as well.

My smile was wide. My laugh was loud and genuine as I stood back, trying to watch Aidan win a stuffed bear for me by shooting a water gun toward a stack of metal bottles.

I tried to convince him the carnival games were rigged, but he shushed me with a look that said,
Oh please.

I'd now spent the last twenty minutes watching him pay dollar after dollar, and I had yet to be able to pick out a bear.

“Winner!” The bell dinged and Aidan jumped out of his chair, fists pumping in the air.

“You did it!” I shouted, clapping. My cheeks heated as everyone stopped to watch Aidan grab me around the waist, lifting and spinning me in the air.

“Told you I'd win,” he said, smiling when he set me on my feet.

“Yup. You did. Games aren't rigged at all.”

He guffawed. “It's all skill, baby.”

“After fifteen games, I'm not quite sure what kind of skill it is you're implying you have.”

He leaned down, gritting his teeth in a mock growl, and planted his lips in the crook of my neck. “Be nice,” he rumbled, “or you'll pay later.”

I laughed. “I'm not sure there's an incentive to niceness with that kind of threat.”

“Come on.” He hooked his arm around my neck and pulled me toward him. “I need more food. But first, pick one.” He pointed to the three-foot-tall stuffed bears, and I chose the one that was the most atrocious and tacky looking. The one with the lime-green foil ears and mismatched orange nose was so ugly that an unattractive snort escaped.

I pointed to it. “That one.”

“That one's ugly.”

I turned to Aidan and pushed him off me slightly. “That one makes me laugh,” I protested, a smile growing on my face. He glanced from me to the bear, a question in his eyes before conceding. “As you wish.”

“I like the sound of that,” I teased.

We left the water gun game and headed toward the tents that lined the edges of the carnival. They held advertising for business, churches, as well as more food.

As if my stomach and Kate's Kakes were connected by invisible fishing line, I felt the pull toward her tent as soon as we saw it.

Next to me, Aidan noticed what had caught my interest and let me pull him along.

I didn't think it was a hardship for him. He had as much of a soft spot for her cupcakes as I did. Almost.

It was just another checkmark in his positive column as far as I was concerned.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't Latham Hills's most beautiful new couple gracing me with their presence.”

A snicker fell from Kate's lips. Her arms were opened wide, a mischievous grin on her face and a table full of frosted cupcakes in a vast range of colors in front of her.

My eyes homed in on the ones labeled
C
HOCOLATE
C
HIP
C
ARAMEL
.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. My stomach cramped with the need for sugar. My cheeks heated with embarrassment at the title she bestowed upon us.

Next to me, Aidan's hand on my waist tightened.

“You two are the talk of the carnival.”

“Fantastic,” Aidan deadpanned.

My head snapped up and I locked eyes with Kate. “What are you talking about?”

“The fact that you two are together.” She pointed, wiggling her finger between the two of us. “It's all the women who have bought cupcakes tonight have been talking about.”

“Awesome,” I muttered, picking up one of her cupcakes. I bit into it before paying and groaned with delight. I intended to pay her. I also intended to eat a half dozen more cupcakes during this horrifically embarrassing conversation. I needed sustenance to see me through. “When you say all the women, how many are we estimating?”

Aidan picked out his own vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting and took a bite. “And why are they talking about me at all?”

Kate snorted, as if our questions defied logic. “Please. They talk to me because that's what happens when women come to my booth and shop. I tell ya, besides bartenders and hairstylists, cupcake bakery owners have the monopoly on local gossip.”

I frowned. “Wouldn't three make it a trilogy?”

“You and your books,” Aidan teased me, muttering over a mouthful of chocolate frosting.

“Well, she mentioned three—”

Kate shoved a finger in my direction. “Stay on point.”

“And what's that?”

She rolled her eyes, cheerfully exasperated with me. “Please, sugar loosens lips faster than a lemon drop shot, I guarantee.”

“I'm pretty sure those shot glasses are lined with sugar, Kate.”

“Man, you're being difficult,” she protested, waving me off. “The point of this whole conversation is that you two are the talk of the town tonight, and all the single ladies who have stopped by have been shoveling their faces full of my treats, mourning the loss of Latham Hills's most-wanted bachelor.”

“Damn it. There goes my trophy this year.”

I nudged Aidan and watched as he chuckled next to me. His shoulders shook and his eyes crinkled.

I fought back the urge to roll up onto my tiptoes and plant a kiss on his lips.

“Yes,” I nodded with all the seriousness I could muster. “That's the upsetting thing about this.”

“There's nothing upsetting about this.” He turned his eyes toward me. I could see my reflection in his pupils, and the pull to move closer to him grew stronger. “I'm off the market, the vultures leave me alone, and I get to take you out on dates. I see no downside.”

“Hmm.” I took a bite of my second cupcake. “You do make sense.”

“God, you're cute,” Kate said, happily interrupting us. “And you owe me five dollars for all the treats you just plundered from my table.”

She held out her hand and I rolled my eyes.

“Please. I'm eating under duress. If you hadn't opened your mouth I wouldn't have eaten anything tonight.”

She flashed me a look. “We both know that's not true.”

I closed my mouth, picked up another two cupcakes for the road, and then handed her a ten. “Keep the change and keep the gossip fountain closed.

“That's mortifying,” I said as we stepped away from Kate's table. I figured with the looks we'd been getting all night long, people were talking about us, but to know with certainty that I'd been added to the town gossip-phone-tree system made my skin crawl.

Although being with Aidan, I might have to get used to it. The man made heads turn—both male and female—on a typical day. Losing Derrick only increased half the town's interest in him.

“They'll move on to something else soon. Someone more interesting.” Aidan placed his hand on my right hip and pulled me toward his side. I sighed and relaxed into his warm, firm hold. It was as instinctual as breathing, and helped me realize that it didn't matter what other people said.

We were together, and whatever was happening between us, regardless of how slowly we moved, we were good. Our new relationship was safe and secure and full of passion mostly because I was with a man who was all of those things and more.

“If I forget to thank you later,” I whispered, “I had a really nice time tonight.”

Aidan laughed, that low, thick rumble from his chest that made my abdomen warm. “Should I have shown up with a limo or a plane and whisked you to the opera instead?”

Confusion rattled my brain and it took me a second before understanding dawned. I poked his side and watched him squirm.

“I wasn't quoting
Pretty Woman,
I was being sincere. I'd do any of those things for you, too, if I could.”

I didn't doubt he was serious, and as we continued walking through the carnival, eating more junk food that was going to take me weeks to run off and playing more games that had to cause a major hit to Aidan's wallet, I knew I'd do the same thing for him.

I wanted to give him everything he wanted.

I wanted to make his dreams come true.

I wanted to make sure he never had a reason to cry again.

By the time Aidan walked me into his house, one of his hands at the small of my back, I was high on chocolate and drunk on love and spouting enough silent clichés inside my head that I wondered if I needed to take a trip to a shrink.

Or drink a gallon of water to calm my sugar buzz.

I couldn't help myself. I hadn't been back to Aidan's house since the night Mandy had shown up, and my pulse was racing.

Arousal and anticipation fought for first place with my nerves.

Trepidation had me wanting to flee, to put this off for another night, or maybe suggest we go to my house where I felt safer.