Illicit Love

6| Arguments

Aria's POV

"Goodnight, Aria. I'll talk to you when I have free time."

"Goodnight, James." I blew him a kiss and the screen went black.

I sighed and laid down on the bed. God, I don't know how long I can take this. James won't be back for a few months and I don't know if I can wait that long.

I went downstairs to check where Cain was. He wasn't in the kitchen so I went back upstairs to his bedroom. Sure enough, he was on his phone, laying down.

"Done talking with that mysterious person." He chuckled.

I smiled. "Cain, I've known you for a short time, but I feel like I can trust you and tell you anything."

"Same here. With Janelle and everything that's been going on."

I closed the door and sat down on the foot of the bed.

"I was talking to James, a guy that I like and have had the longest crush on since like forever. He's a marine and on deployment. He's on a ship somewhere in the middle of the sea and won't be back until next year, I think." I was playing with the hem of my shirt.

"Aria, if you really like this guy, you'll wait for him. Janelle and I live eight hours away, but that's nothing compared to you and James. I make it work by going back and forth, but you can't do that. I wouldn't know what to say to you since it's different circumstances." He looked into my eyes.

"But it's up to you, really. That's all I'm going to say."

"Thank you, Cain. I appreciate your words, a lot." I smiled at him and gave him a quick hug.

"I'm always here for you, whenever you need me." He sincerely said.

"Should I make something for us to eat? I'm starving." I suggested.

"Yes! I want to see how well you cook." He laughed.

"...but first we're gonna have to go to the grocery store. I don't have any food."

"Hurry up and get ready then. Be down in 10!" I yelled as I went downstairs.

•

"Cain, stop doing that!" I playfully slapped his arm.

Cain and I were currently in the grocery store and he kept getting on the cart while it was moving. He was acting like a little boy.

"It's fun!" He laughed.

He finally calmed down and helped me put several food items in the cart.

"I'm paying."

"No, I'm paying." He shoved my credit card back in my bag and gave the cashier his.

"Thank you."

We arrived back at his house and he helped me prepare the food when I needed him and he was doing a good job. Except for when he cut his finger while chopping up tomatoes. It wasn't that bad, but I'm never letting him near a knife, ever.

"Dinner was amazing, Aria. Thank you for cooking. It's been a long time since I've had a woman cook for me." He set the plates in the dishwasher.

"I'll try to do it more often then." I laughed at his comment.

"Should we go to bed now? Tomorrow we have a lot of work to do at the office." He said.

"Be ready by 8:30 in the morning."

His phone was ringing and he looked at it.

"It's Janelle." He whispered.

"Answer it." I sternly said.

He picked it up and went inside his bedroom. I hope she doesn't get mad that I'm staying with him.

Within a few minutes I get a text from Janelle saying what I was doing in San Francisco.

I replied saying that I had a project here that I was going to be in charge of. I have a feeling she's annoyed or something because I'm with her boyfriend.

I haven't told Cain any of this, but Lily sent me a picture this morning of Janelle and her ex at a restaurant. She seemed super happy to be with him.

I want to talk to her, but at the same time I don't. She's my cousin and I love her. I would never want to hurt her in any way.

She saw my message, but didn't reply. Yup, she's mad.

I heard a knock at my door and Cain came inside.

"I just got in an argument with Janelle and I might have slipped out your name. I'm sorry, Aria." He was very sorry.

"Cain, it's fine. I'll talk to her about it. Don't worry." I warmly smiled.

"I don't want to ruin your relationship with your cousin." His voice was low.

"None of this is your fault. Go to sleep and I'll figure out what to do." I rubbed his back and closed my door once he walked out.