Consume my broken heart

Chapter 30

"Let's eat," Aiden says out of the blue, his voice sending me back to reality. A reality that wasn't made for the both of us being together.

I nod slightly before turning my attention to my plate that smelled so amazing it made my mouth water. I don't know how much time has passed, but it felt awkward and unnatural. From afar I hear a clock ticking each second that the silence only made this moment even more painful. Am I the only one that hates the silence? We have had silent moments before, but this felt so different.

"I enjoyed the meal. It was so good, as always." I break the silence, eyeing him curiously.

"I'm glad to hear that." He sends me a sweet smile before taking one last bite of his plate. "I will take this to the kitchen first if it's okay for you? You know before we watch the movie..." Aiden informs me with a nervous smile, yet he still seems more confident than I will ever be.

"Let me help you." I insist, holding my plate firmly before he yanks it out of my hand because he doesn't like to get ordered around by me. Hell, I would hate to be ordered around by someone in my own house, but I had to try. This is the nicest thing to do if you are on a visit.

"Fine," he grins, shaking his head in amusement. Deep down I high-five myself, knowing he allows me to order him at least this time.

Pursuing him on foot, we arrive in the kitchen, Aiden doing his thing with the dishwasher. The silence stretches between us once again. God this is way too awkward. I don't even know why he's so silent. Normally he makes fun of me because he just likes to tease me. What this is I'm not even sure what to think of it.

"Red or white?" Aiden asks curiously, making me jump out of my skin.

"How did you come here so quickly?" I breathe out.

"You were drowning in your thoughts. I thought I would better jump in to save you." Aiden chuckles and here it is. Finally, a lame joke about myself.

"Shut up." I joked in defense and smack his upper arm. He didn't show any resistance as I'm just a light feather next to this man.

"Auwtch, madwoman." He laughs so sweet and sexy it made my stomach doing backflips. I roll with my eyes at him and lean on his kitchen counter as casually as possible, probably failing miserably.

"So, red or white wine?" He eyes me with curiosity and suspicion like he's trying to figure me out, trying to find my deepest secrets which isn't even an issue anymore because he already knows.

"Hmm, red please," I answer with my index finger on my lips politely, feeling truly welcome in his house. I can't describe it but he gives me such a good feeling about myself. I feel I can be truly me with him, without the mask, without the tough exterior, just me.

Maybe it's a good thing he knows. Maybe this had to happen just like it did. Now he knows this, the biggest issue of my life isn't so special anymore. I don't need to lie anymore or make excuses, because now he'll understand everything. Maybe that's why he's so cautious with me... and maybe that's why he did so strange outside in the rain. He can see the real me. He brought me here not because we have an agreement. He brought me here because he cares for me and wants me safe. And I like him as well...

After a few minutes, we are settled on his couch, watching Tomb Raider with the beautiful Angelina Jolie who's playing Lara Croft, the young adventurous, and super hot daughter of an inventor. God, I'm so jealous of her body. "I know what you're thinking right now," Aiden says suddenly, his eyes still fixated on the screen.

I scrunch my eyebrows in curiosity. "Please, tell me," I say teasingly, knowing he will never guess what I was thinking.

"You are jealous of her," he says in a serious tone, turning his head toward me.

I swallow and don't know how to respond.

"You don't have to be jealous of her, Grace." He adds with a soft smile before turning his head away toward the screen.

I stay silent for a moment, not knowing what to think of it. He didn't say it with words, but does he think I'm beautiful as well? Nobody is more beautiful than Angelina Jolie. She's chosen so many times to be the sexiest woman on earth. Who can compare herself with her? Exactly, nobody.

I sip from my glass, enjoying the liquid streaming down my throat. I have probably drunk too much tonight, yet I can't get enough. The scent of failure is stalling hanging in the air. I haven't forgotten about it at all, but Aiden tried his best to not let me think of it that much.

Instantly, Aiden stands up from the couch, my eyes following him with curiosity. He takes a dark brown blanket out of a closet before turning his attention to me. "Are you cold?" He asks.

I look at him quizically as a sheet was already draped over my legs.

"I'm good," I answer him politely.

Aiden settles himself beside me a bit closer than before. I watch him drape his blanket over his body, holding it up beside him with a sweet expression on his face. Is he serious now?

"You know that blanket you have, that's an old one, this one is so much warmer." He says, sending me a small grin. Okay, he is serious about this.

"Isn't this what friends do?" He adds sweetly, and I can't even believe my own ears. Did he say we are friends?

"Uh, I think so.." I answer in shock.

My mind wanted the so-needed space, but my heart was seeking warmth. This night involved all sorts of feelings: love, hate, letting go, sadness,... I'm desperate for some sweet and understandable attention from someone.

My body reacts before I even got the chance to decide. My own body betrays me by doing this. Gently, I settle beside him, resting my head on his upper arm. A sigh escapes me as I feel my body relax from the radiating heat underneath the blanket. But my mind kept busy. Were we truly friends?

I scrape all of my courage together and let my mouth do the work. "Are we friends?" The words roll out of me with a light, cracking sound.

Aiden turns his face toward me. His heartbeat felt steady and calm against my body. It felt comfortable, almost helping me to stay calm and collected.

"We are more than friends. We are best friends." He answers with a gentle smile plastered on his face. His breath touching my face so lightly, making me alert of our closeness.

The only thing I could do was stare. Mesmerized by every curve of his face. The room was pretty dark, but the light of the television and a small lamp beside the couch made me able to see him. Aiden sighs and leans his head back against the couch before turning his head toward the television.

Why did he sigh? I can't even understand what he said. Are we best friends all of a sudden? Without my knowledge we have become this, lying against each other and being best friends. But I'm glad we have evolved to this because I like him and the best thing to know is he likes me too, maybe as a friend, but he likes and protects me and that's all that matters now. This moment between us is precious.