Aiden Harper

You're just like your grandpa Matt

Aiden

I sat in the jail cell with my arms folded across my chest and waited for my folks to arrive. The police arrested me, booked me, and placed me in a cell until I could post bail. I would need to go in front of a judge for assault. It was worth it after what those assholes did to Eden.

"Harper," the cop said.

I looked at the cop to see Grandpa Matt with Grayson.

"You're free to go," the cop said, opening the cell door.

I put my hands on my thighs, stood up, and left the cell. The cop handed me a bag of my items. I grabbed them and left the police station with Grandpa Matt and Grayson. "I figure Ma and Dad would bail me out."

"It's better if your folks didn't come," Grandpa said.

"I got your charges dropped," Grayson mentioned.

"How?" I raised my brow.

"I handed over evidence to the Feds about Wayne and his little girlfriend. The Feds are quite interested in both people. Imagine that." Grayson shrugged before smirking.

Grandpa shook his head before shaking Grayson's hand and thanking him. Grayson nodded before walking to his car.

"Come on. I'll take you to the hospital," Grandpa said.

I nodded and followed him to his car.

*****
Eden

I woke up and tried to open my eyes again. It took a few tries until I opened them to a slit and noticed people standing around me. I tried to focus my eyesight, but everything seemed blurry.

My eyes darted around, trying to focus. I swallowed hard and winced from the pain. Someone moved a cup toward me and pressed a straw to my lips. I wrapped my lips around the straw and took a small sip of water. Then I pushed their hands away and tried to sit up. I winced when I tried to move.

"Hang on. Let me help you," a voice said before helping me to sit up. The person leaned me forward slightly before positioning a pillow behind me and stepping back.

I blinked as my eyes focused and saw Aiden's family, my aunt and uncle, and Marissa standing in the room with me. I glanced at the person who helped me and noticed Casper beside my bed. My brows moved as my eyes watered. Casper moved aside as Sam approached me and brushed the hair from my forehead. I blinked, trying to understand what was happening.

"Do you need anything?" Sam asked.

"Aiden. Where's Aiden? I croaked.

"Right here." Aiden moved around people and made his way to me.

Sam stepped aside so Aiden could reach me. He rested his hands on the bed rail and looked at me. "I'm here."

I averted my eyes to the blanket covering my lap and played with it. "Did he...?"

"Did he what?" Aiden asked, searching my face.

"Did he...?" I couldn't bring myself to say it.

"Christ," Nate said before moving to my bed. "No, he didn't."

My face snapped to him as relief flooded me. Then, my body shook as I sobbed. I wrapped an arm around my waist and clenched my hospital gown while my body heaved with sobs. Aiden moved the bed rail, sat on the bedside, and engulfed me in his arms. I gripped him and cried. He stroked the back of my head as I wailed.

*****
Matt

I stood by the doorway of Eden's room as my family, her aunt, uncle, and cousin filled the room. I'm glad Diego called me instead of Aiden's folks. Roman and Sam would have lost their shit and ended up in the cell with Aiden. Aiden's stint reminded me of when I beat Travis within an inch of his life in college. Dad had to bail me out.