Aiden Harper

Unexpected phone call

Eden

After meeting Wayne and Aiden's cousins, Aiden took me to the park to settle my nerves. Not long after we arrived, his phone rang with a call from his cousin. He stepped away to talk to his cousin while I stood by the water.

I needed to breathe after confronting Wayne and learning the truth. While Wayne's actions crushed me, I realized there are good people in this world like Aiden and his family.

Aiden ended his call, slipped his arms around me from behind, and rested his hands on my stomach. I leaned back against his chest as the tension faded from me.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Now I am. I needed a moment to breathe."

Aiden pulled back and turned me to him. "All you need to do is breathe. No one expects you to stay strong constantly."

"I know. But it's been difficult for me. I had few people who cared about me. Besides Marissa and her parents, I had no one. I thought I had Wayne, but he proved I didn't."

"Wayne was a dumbass. He had this gem and threw it away for a rock. His loss is my gain."

"You say the sweetest things." I smiled.

Aiden chuckled. "I try."

"Who called you?"

"Tino. He was checking in after Ryan and River talked to him. He told me everyone has skeletons in their closet even when we don't think so."

"That's a bit cryptic."

"Tino has his reasons for being cryptic. However, Misty helps keep him in line. That's a plus."

"Who's Misty?"

"Tino's girl. He's been in love with her forever. The family even betted on when they would get together."

"Your family has no shame, do they?"

"You met part of my family. Do they strike you as having shame?"

"Not really." I shrugged.

"There you go. They're shameless."

I couldn't help but laugh. Aiden was much different from what I imagined when I first met him.

******
Aiden

Tino's words rang through my head after our conversation. There had to be a reason Eden's parents treated her like shit while doting on her stupid sister. If Tino is telling me to dig deeper, he has a reason.

Eden tried to pull away from me, but I didn't let her. I wrapped my arms around her waist to hold her securely in place. I've learned that she runs when she becomes overwhelmed or avoids her feelings, but she wasn't running from me.

"Has anyone told you you're quite possessive?" She asked.

"I already told you I'm territorial, not possessive. Plus, you have a habit of running. I didn't bring my running shoes today."

"I wasn't planning on running."

I raised my brow.

Eden rolled her eyes. "I wanted to sit on a bench. Today has been emotionally taxing."

"Fine." I moved my arms, slid my hand into hers, and led her to a bench. Once I sat, I pulled her into my lap and wrapped my arms around her waist. "Better?"

"Yeah."

"Talk to me, Eden."

"What do you want me to say?"

"Anything you want. You keep yourself guarded but give enough information so people don't question you. I don't want that from you. I want to hear your thoughts. I'm the last person who will judge you."