by Sara Dailey
“Oh.” Aiden looked down at the tube of ointment in his hand. His eyes wandered around the room as if still waiting for me to say something, but I didn’t know what, so I just continued to stand there, completely wordless. Oddly enough, he just stood there too.
Maybe he didn’t know what to say, either. Strange, him being such a ladies’ man, but he kind of seemed nervous. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, and I couldn’t figure out if he was about to take off in the other direction or come further inside the bedroom.
Get a grip, Rhodes. You can handle this. He’s just a guy. A guy that happens to be extremely hot and shirtless. Chill out and speak.
Trying my best to act as if his half-naked presence was having no effect, I said, “Do you need some help with that?” I pointed to the medicine in his hand.
Shit. What had I just asked? Do you need some help with that? Really? I could barely look at him without turning to mush, and I was offering to rub ointment on him?
He looked down at the tube. “Sure—if you don’t mind. I’d do it myself, but I can’t reach my back.”
I could have sworn he blushed as he walked forward, but surely it was my imagination. Guys like Aiden Wright didn’t blush. Not at girls like me. Did they?
He sat down on the bed. As I walked over to him, it was suddenly me that was blushing; that I was sure of. Out of nowhere I felt flushed all over, as if the temperature in the room had skyrocketed. Damn it. Where the hell was Alli?
With shaking hands I took the ointment and prayed he couldn’t feel the panic welling up inside me. When his fingers grazed mine, I was overcome by Aiden’s nearness, and my legs felt as though they might give out at any moment. What the hell was wrong with me? Get it together, Rhodes, I told myself.
Doing my best to ignore my racing pulse and trembling hands, I squeezed out some of the medicine. It appeared to be antibiotic cream, though I’d never seen anything exactly like it. Spreading it over my fingers, I took a deep breath and gently placed my hand on his back.
When he shuddered, I swiftly tore my hand away. “Omigod, I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?” I was feeling a bit lightheaded.
Aiden inhaled sharply, and I watched his entire torso rise and fall. Then he replied, “Uh, no. It’s okay. Just cold, I guess. Go ahead. I’m fine, really.”
But he didn’t sound fine. There was a hitch in his voice, and he was breathing funny. Even so, I tried again, even more gently. I placed my hand on his back and began to spread the ointment over the red and puckered areas, all while trying to slow my racing pulse before my heart gave out.
I rubbed the medicine over his shoulder. Aiden’s breathing slowed, and he closed his eyes. Suddenly, though, he jumped up off the bed, knocking the ointment right out of my hand, and when we both leaned down to grab it, my cheek brushed his lips. For a moment, everything moved in slow motion.
All too soon, time sped up and there we stood, face to face, eye to eye. I opened my mouth to say something, but once again I couldn’t find the words. Aiden just backed up a bit.
“Thanks, Teagan,” he said. His voice was husky. “I can get the rest.”
He rushed out of the room before I could respond.
20.
Aiden
Breathe, goddammit.
What in the world was wrong with me? This was so embarrassing. I stood outside of Alli’s room with my forehead resting on the closed door trying to calm myself down. First I’d been embarrassed to be shirtless, then I’d remembered that terrible scene with her father, then I’d been completely swept away by Teagan’s offer to rub the medicine on me. The feel of her hands had been—
Alli came around the corner smiling. “Were you just in there with Teagan?”
I took a deep breath and glared. “I walked in there to get you to help me and nearly gave her a heart attack.” I pointed to my shoulder.
I knew she still blamed herself for what had happened to me, and Alli’s smile faded as she saw my scars. “It actually looks way better, Ad. Did you need me to put that on your back?”
I looked down at the medicine in my hand and felt flushed all over again. The residual memory of Teagan’s soft hands on my skin was torture. Sweet torture.
“No thanks,” I managed. “Teagan helped me out.”
Alli smiled again. “I bet she did. You know, I think you’re blushing.” She opened the door and walked into her room.
I fought to breathe. This was crazy. I’d never met a girl that made me act like such an ass. I couldn’t even put a sentence together when I was alone with her. I mean, the last few minutes should have been the perfect opportunity. I liked her. I’d been alone in a bedroom with her. I was already half naked, and she’d obviously noticed. I’d had so many opportunities to make a move, but no. I’d frozen, stumbled over my words and then bolted like the room was on fire.
One more humiliating encounter with Teagan and I knew I’d have to hand in my man card, so I decided to avoid the ladies for the rest of the evening. Instead I tried to distract myself with video games and movies, but not even a Godfather marathon took my mind off the girl in the next room. When had I become so pathetic? Oh yeah, it was as soon as her hands touched my skin.
I could still feel them. She’d been so careful, so tentative—and I was glad she had been, because with the way her touch warmed my skin I would have caught on fire if she hadn’t.
It was probably a bad idea to date her. I knew that, given Marcus’s recent comments and the way the pack felt about humans, so I stayed awake most of the night trying to figure out how to get her out of my mind. I considered avoiding her for the rest of the year or going one step better, giving in and going out with Becca or one of the other pack girls at school, but I just couldn’t bring myself to consider anyone else. Finally I decided the only way out of this obsession was to give in to it completely. I was going to have to find a way to get Teagan to go out with me—and to keep it from Marcus if that became necessary.
Of course, to have any chance with Teagan I first had to have another conversation with her.
I shook my head, confused. The day I’d driven her home from the mall I’d been my cool, calm self. I’d smiled. She’d smiled. I’d made her laugh. I’d been comfortable around her then, but now I was a fucking mess. What had happened to me?
Another thought suddenly took me: If I couldn’t even deal with her hands on my back, what was going to happen when I got to touch her the way I really wanted?
*****
The next morning I knew what I needed to do. It was now or never. I was going to find a way to ask her out.
I was feeling like my old self as I made my way downstairs. I was charming to the point of irresistible, or at least that was the way it had always seemed with girls. Teagan would have no choice but to gleefully accept when I asked her out. Well, that was what I kept telling myself. I’d been acting like a wuss.
My ego deflated as soon as I walked into the kitchen. Teagan, Mom, Dad, and Alli were all sitting around the breakfast bar eating pancakes and laughing, and as soon as I saw her there, so comfortable with my family, all the confidence I’d built up flew out the window. Was it wrong that I found her so sexy sitting there in my sister’s pajamas? She didn’t have any makeup on. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and still she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
Shit. This was bad. I looked like an idiot just standing there staring at her.
Thankfully, Dad snapped me out of my trance. “Look who’s up!” he called out. Then he glanced from me to Teagan and said, “And on a Saturday. We should have you over more often if it’s going to get this lazybones out of bed before noon.”
Completely mortified, I faked a smile at my dad, who gave Teagan an exaggerated wink. She smiled at my dad and then me, but I could tell the expression wasn’t genuine. Still, there was a glint in her eye that told me what I needed to know: What had happened last night between us, whatever it was, definitely changed things. Better, this attraction wasn’t just one-sid
ed. She felt it too.
I made myself a plate of pancakes and went to the only barstool available, which was directly across from Teagan. Eating became impossible. From time to time our eyes would accidently meet; I would attempt to smile at her and she would look away. But it was there. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if everyone in the room felt it.
We sat there a little while after breakfast, talking and laughing with the folks, but before I could find a way to get her alone, Teagan said she needed to get home. A few minutes later I found myself standing on the porch watching her drive away.
“Why didn’t you ask her out?” Alli demanded when Teagan was gone.
I didn’t want to admit I couldn’t work up the nerve. I mean, she’d been there all night. All I’d needed to do was knock on Alli’s door. I’d asked out tons of girls, and never once had I been nervous. Not like with Teagan. She just…did something to me.
The truth spilled out despite my resolve. “I don’t know. I just get so nervous around her.”
As soon as the words left my lips I regretted saying them. My sister shot me a you’re-such-a-wimp look, and I knew I’d never live it down.
Ugh. Why did I freak out every time I’m around this girl? I’d never had this problem before.
21.
Peter
It was revolting how long it took to get DNA results, and nothing else he’d done had proven as productive as the day following those two teenage girls. Depressed, Peter wandered over to Red Ridge’s main watering hole.
It was obvious as he entered that this was an establishment that catered to the locals and not ski enthusiasts. All conversation ceased as he shut the door and approached the bar. He really wanted a frozen margarita, but after a quick look around he settled on a beer.
“Don’t be discouraged, Peter. I still have a good feeling about this town. You saw them. They are here,” his uncle said.
Peter hated when Ray spoke to him in public. It was hard to ignore his uncle and not answer back, and the last thing he needed right now was for everyone in the bar to think him crazy. Peter did listen, though. His uncle always gave him good advice.
Once again the door opened, and this time Peter joined the locals in turning to see who it was. The man must have been a regular, because the patrons just nodded and went back to their conversations.
“Mind if I sit here?” the man asked Peter.
“Sure, go ahead,” Peter said.
Uncle Raymond wasted no time in making a suggestion. “Now’s our chance. Get to know him, Peter. See what you can find out.”
Always obedient, Peter did as he was told. He introduced himself to man next to him, and soon the two were deep in conversation. The man’s name was James Rhodes, and he had lived in Red Ridge for a little over a year.
“So, you didn’t tell me what brings you here, Pete. The skiing?”
Peter thought first about lying, but after a moment he decided the man might just be the ally he so desperately needed. “Actually, James, I’m investigating some missing-persons cases and animal attacks that have been reported in the area.”
The man grew quiet. He looked lost in thought, so Peter decided to wait. They sat in silence for awhile. Finally the man said, “I told my daughter that I would go to an AA meeting today.”
The admission had come out of nowhere, so Peter just sat, unsure of what to say. After a few more seconds of silence, James confessed to having been a disappointment to his daughter ever since his wife disappeared.
A disappeared wife? Peter’s heart beat faster. This just might be his in.
He was figuring out how best to broach his topic when James spoke once more. “Peter…I would like to help you with your cases, if you will allow me. Maybe by helping you I can find out what happened to my Janie.”
Peter smiled. Finding believers might turn out easier than he’d expected.
Without hesitation he replied, “I tell you what, James. I’ll go to AA with you tomorrow and then we’ll get started with my case. How does that sound? Then we can make your daughter happy and your Janie happy too.”
A few hours later, as Peter walked back to his motel room, he gave himself a big pat on the back. He’d accomplished more today than he’d expected. Everything was falling into place. It had definitely been a good day.
22.
Teagan
Waking up Monday morning, I found my mind on one thing and one thing only: Aiden. And while I wished more than anything to put him out of my thoughts, time and time again he sneaked back in.
I couldn’t stop thinking about our moment together in Alli’s room. It was all so confusing. What had happened in there? No matter how many times I replayed the scene in my head, I still couldn’t decide if it was just me or if Aiden had felt something too. But, I needed to stay away from him. For my own sake. There was only one way things would end, and that was with complete and utter heartbreak.
I tried to convince myself that I didn’t want him to want me. I didn’t want to be with him, didn’t want to kiss his perfect lips, didn’t want to run my fingers through his shiny, dark hair. But I couldn’t stop imagining what might have happened that night had he not run off. It’s not like I hadn’t been alone in a bedroom with a guy before, but with Aiden it felt different.
To make things even more confusing, I’d had to sit in the same room with him during breakfast the next morning. He’d looked like he wanted to say something, but there hadn’t been a chance with everyone around. Now it was Monday. I knew I’d see him at school.
I decided on a fitted t-shirt, jeans, and Converse as I was getting ready. Then, with just a touch of makeup and a messy ponytail I was out the door. I was going for understated. I didn’t want Aiden to think I’d gotten all dolled up for him. I was supposed to not want him. Supposed to not care.
My damn brain just needed to inform my pathetic heart of that fact.
*****
I noticed him right away as I walked into school. He stood on the stairs at the main entrance, completely surrounded by a mob of eligible and even a few supposedly not-so-eligible girls. The scene made me want to throw up. How could I even be on his radar when half the junior and senior classes were vying for his attention?
I pretended not to see him, walking right past like I had somewhere to go. I didn’t, of course, but thankfully the library was always open.
Just as I got the door open I heard, “Teagan, wait up!” Aiden’s voice was unmistakable, smooth like silk but with the slightest bit of a Texas twang. Door in hand, I turned to see him hurrying my way.
“How’d you manage to escape the paparazzi?” I asked, then immediately wished I hadn’t. It only proved that I’d noticed, and where I had been meant to sound playful, my delivery was way bitchy.
Aiden stood there, only a few feet away, and he looked down at his feet. I glanced down as well to see if I was missing anything. No, nothing. What was he doing? What did he want from me?
His eyes rose to meet mine, and I instantly turned to mush—but I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing it. Trying desperately to appear as if he had no effect, I shrewdly asked, “So, what’s up? You chase me down for a reason?”
Unintentional hostility oozed from my words, and again I regretted it. I wanted desperately to know what he wanted, but now he looked like I’d kicked his puppy. His gaze returned to the floor then flashed off down the hallway.
“Never mind. Maybe I’ll catch you later.”
Nicely done, Rhodes. Run him off. Why had I been such a bitch?
He turned to walk away, and I couldn’t help myself. My hand reached out to lightly grab his arm. “Hey, sorry. It’s been a bad morning. I didn’t mean to be rude,” I said.
He didn’t respond. With a small defeated smile, he turned and walked away.
Had I really just hurt his feelings? Aiden Wright was that fragile? Now I felt even worse. I wanted to scream, “I’m protecting myself from the inevitable. If I let you in
to my life, I’ll end up gluing the pieces of heart back together until I’m thirty.” I couldn’t have been more certain of anything in my life. Still, the next time Aiden talked to me—if there was a next time—I wasn’t going to screw things up. I was going to be bubbly and sweet. Well, maybe not bubbly, but I’d at least try my best not to be a total jerk.
I went inside the library and tried to work, but Aiden’s expression haunted me. He’d actually wanted to talk to me instead of all the girls who seemed to follow him everywhere, and I’d totally given him the cold shoulder. What the hell was wrong with me?
Because I’d forgotten, my logical side reminded me: He’s not the one for you. He’ll break your heart. He’ll stomp on it, dance on the pieces then run off with some awful bitch like Becca. He’s one of the Beautiful People. Remember who they are. Remember where they live. Remember how your mom ran off on your dad. How she ran off on you, too.
At the same time, I couldn’t stop my stupid heart from making excuses: How can you be sure Aiden’s like that? You don’t even know him. Maybe he’s not like those others, maybe his heart is good and kind and beautiful like the rest of him. How will you ever know if you don’t give him a chance?
I felt as if I needed an exorcism. Were my brain and my heart actually arguing? This couldn’t be normal.
Teagan, it’s completely normal!
Seriously? I so needed to clear my head.
I left the library and hurried to the restroom. Safely locked inside a stall, I stood and tried to reconcile my stupid feelings for this stupid guy I hardly knew, a guy who, for all I knew, didn’t even like me the way I half wanted him to. I had run him off every time we were together. I supposed I had to find out how he felt or I’d drive myself insane. There just didn’t seem to be any way around that.
How was I going to make it through the day, though? I couldn’t even think straight.
The first period bell rang just as I slid into my seat, and I was getting out my class notes when Alli leaned over and whispered, “Hey, is everything okay? I saw you run off this morning. What did Aiden want?”
