Aiden Harper

The truth isn't always pretty

Eden

Aiden drove us home after the fiasco at my parents' dinner party. I needed to change into comfy clothes and digest the turn of events tonight.

Aiden and Diego headed to their apartment to change while Marissa and I entered ours. I didn't hesitate to change out of my dress into comfy shorts and a T-shirt, and Marissa followed suit. When we finished, the guys showed up at our apartment dressed in sweats, a T-shirt, and socks.

I brewed decaf coffee for everyone. The last thing I needed was to lie awake and think about tonight. It's bad enough I dealt with it.

We sat around the living room, drinking coffee. Marissa curled beside Diego while I draped my legs over Aiden's lap. Aiden rested one hand on my bare legs while holding the cup with his other hand.

"Tonight was insane. Mom texted me and told me what happened after we left," Marissa said.

"It surprises me your parents stayed at the dinner party when most people left," I said, drinking my coffee.

"Mom wanted to get dirt on the fallout from the abysmal dinner party. She loves her gossip." Marissa grinned.

"Eden, your folks are certifiable idiots," Diego said.

"Yeah, they're one of a kind." I shrugged.

"I didn't realize our family invested in your dad's company." Diego gestured between Aiden and himself.

"Dad got the overflow of work from Harper and Harper Construction while rebuilding businesses in Oakridge. It helped grow his company to the point that he and my mom could live a lavish lifestyle. Then he started undercutting Harper and Harper Construction, so people started hiring his company over Harper and Harper Construction."

"How do you know this?" Aiden asked.

"I found information in Dad's home office one night when Wayne let it slip. I asked him about it. My dad told me it was none of my business."

"How did Wayne find out?" Marissa asked me.

"Wayne works at an investment firm, handling business accounts. He heard it from his co-workers."

"So, how did Wayne's dick end up falling into your sister? It's not like they were ever alone together."

"Wayne said Mia stopped by to see me one night and started crying. He comforted her, and it happened."

"You don't believe that, do you?"

I shook my head. "Wayne's story seems too convenient to believe."

"Are you thinking Wayne has been sleeping with your sister longer than he claims?"

"Maybe." I shrugged.

Aiden set his cup down and turned to me. "Do you have a computer?"

"I have a laptop. Why?"

"Can you grab it?"

"I guess." I set my cup on the coffee table, moved my feet, and headed to my bedroom to grab my laptop. A few minutes later, I returned and handed it to Aiden with the power cord.

Aiden took it from me, plugged it in, and turned it on. I sat beside him as he tapped the keys until he opened a window. He typed different things before a window appeared and a message thread appeared. Aiden was swift as he continued to type. I stared at the screen, and thousands of text messages appeared. I read through the thread as my brows furrowed.

Marissa and Diego moved from their spots and looked over Aiden's shoulder at the computer screen.

"Is that what I think it is?" Diego asked, pointing at the screen.