He laughs. “Probably not, but he can’t let the others think they can get away with shit. It’s why none of us work directly under him. It’s different with Maddox; he doesn’t give a fuck, and even has a lawyer draw up papers for his employees to sign before starting work. It states he doesn’t need a reason to fire them.”
“That’s a good contract to have in construction work. You aren’t promised hours. I can see what you mean though. Your uncle has to give you verbal warnings and then three written warnings before he can fire you. He doesn’t need someone saying you didn’t fire your nephew for such and such.”
Aiden helps himself to some juice from the fridge. “That’s it. He has agreed I can keep my phone on me. He lets all employees with kids have them, but if they’re caught using them for non-emergencies, they’re given a written warning.”
“Sounds fair,” I tell him, passing him to grab the tray of lasagne out the fridge.
“I’m just gonna miss her. I never pictured a life with kids, but now I have Sunday, I can’t picture my life without her. I feel like I wasn’t really living before. It was like one day I woke up and got slapped in the face with reality.”
I laugh at his analogy. “She’ll be fine with your mum; I mean, she did raise you.”
The mock glare on his face has me laughing harder. “Are you trying to say I’m hard work?” he asks, stepping around the kitchen island. My laughter comes to an end, my stomach fluttering.
I start stepping the other way. “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…” I say, shrugging, fighting my smile.
He chuckles, still moving around the island to get to me. “I’m thinking we have five minutes before Sunday cries.”
My eyebrows draw together in puzzlement, glancing at Sunday. “Huh?”
My distraction has him moving faster, and I grin, feeling carefree.
“Oh, Bailey, if I was you, I’d run… and find a good hiding place.”
When he lunges for me, I yelp—trying not to scream, for Sunday’s sake—and jump back, out of his way. I laugh, running for the hallway.
I don’t even try hard, since I’m having too much fun.
His arms wrap around my stomach and I grunt, squealing with laughter as he spins us around. He drops me to my feet and slams me up against the wall, gripping my wrists so my arms are above my head.
I pant, looking innocently up at him as he gazes down at me, smirking. “Oh, Bailey, Bailey, Bailey. What am I going to do with you now?”
You could kiss me. I don’t say that though—too scared.
“I could think of a few things,” I whisper. My lame-arse attempt at flirting works though, because I watch as his pupils dilate, his smouldering gaze darkening.
“Fuck it!” he growls out, leaning forward.
Sunday’s cries echo down the hall. He drops his forehead to mine, panting just as heavily as I am.
“Go,” I tell him, looking down.
He lifts off me and I drop my arms to my sides, watching his tensed shoulders and back as he walks into the kitchen.
I touch my lips, wishing I could feel his, imagining what they would taste like. I’ve only ever kissed one boy, but even then, I enjoyed it.
He was my biggest regret—I just didn’t know it at the time.
Now, I pray like hell that Aiden doesn’t become my new one.
I want him to be the best mistake I ever made. I want to feel the love he shares with his daughter. To feel what it is to make love to someone you truly love. To be wanted.
But most of all, I want to feel free to fall for him without inhibitions or doubt. I want to stop wanting him and have him.
But as my mum always said, ‘I want, don’t get’.
And that saying is perfect for this situation.
Because you don’t get Aiden Carter. He had to want you too. And at the moment, he doesn’t know what he wants.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AIDEN
The black leather sticks to my legs, and when I lift them, I feel like I’m peeling my skin from the seat. The heat today is suffocating and unbearable. Yesterday, it didn’t stop raining, and it didn’t look like it was going to stop. But this morning, the sun came up, and in no time, I had my windows open and fans on, trying to cool us down.
“Will you keep fucking still!” Dad grunts, flicking the indicator left to pull into the car park to Mason’s restaurant.
“I can’t help it. Do you think Mason will let me have one more day off so I can go check on Sunday?”
I had left her screaming and miserable. Mum had stripped her down to her nappy and had the fan on, but she was screaming bloody murder. I tried to comfort her myself before I left, but she just kept getting stuck to my skin. I couldn’t even rub her back the way she likes because both of us were sweaty and clammy.
“No!”
I glance at my dad as he pulls to a stop. “What is your problem?” I growl.
He shuts the car off and turns his glare to me. “You. Stop whining and do your job. You have a child to support now.”
“I know!” I snap. “I just didn’t think it would be this way.”
He sighs, unclipping his belt. “Trust me, it gets easier after the first day. When we had you, we couldn’t wait to drop you off with your nan.”
I look at him, affronted. “Are you saying Mark is your favourite?”
He grins, flashing his teeth. “Nope. The girls will always be my favourite.”
I’m not even hurt. My sisters are pretty fucking special.
“What about Mum?” I ask warily as I open the door.
He gives me a dry look. “Do you really think your mum has a favourite? She loves you all equally, always has. That woman has so much love inside her, it humbles me. From the first moment I met her I knew she was special. Took my fucking breath away and then gave me life.”
I roll my eyes but I can’t help but picture Bailey. She’s everything my dad just described. In one second, she can take my breath away, whilst in the next, breathe life into me.
“Does she know you have a favourite?” I ask once I’ve stepped out of the car and met him at the front.
His face scrunches up, looking at me like I said the stupidest thing in the world. “Do you really think I’d risk your mum making me sleep on the couch or not getting any?”
Gross.
“Yeah, didn’t need to know that shit.”
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to, then,” he tells me as he opens the door.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket, checking to see if she’s texted me. Sighing, I pull up our chat.
ME: Do you need me to come back?
Seconds, minutes pass before she messages me back.
MUM: No! I have everything under control. Enjoy work. Love you. x
She has what under control?
ME: What do you mean ‘under control’? What’s going on? Is she still crying?
“Yo, Dad, can you take me back? I think something is wrong.”
He turns, frowning at me. “No, there’s not. Your mum texted me to check in on Madison at the flower shop.”
“When did she text that?” I ask, stepping into the staff room.
“Just now.”
My brows furrow together.
MUM: No, she’s fine. Currently smiling up at me.
ME: Send me a picture on Messenger.
Not a few minutes after does a picture of Sunday sucking her fist into her mouth pop up on my screen. I smile, rubbing my thumb over the screen.
I miss her so fucking much already.
The door to the staff room slams open and Mason rushes in looking stressed and worn out. “Don’t put your kitchen uniform on. Take one of the bar staff shirts. All my employees miraculously called in sick,” he scoffs. “Bit of fucking sun and they think it’s Christmas and the only day of the year to drink.”
I chuckle, grabbing one of the black shirts instead of the white kitchen uniform. “I’m not staying longer, just so ya k
now.”
He glares at me before pointing to my dad. “You can help out as well. Hayden and Max are gonna come in too.”
“You should ask Mum to come in and bring Sunday. She can help out while my baby sleeps. I can watch her at the bar.”
Mason turns to grin at me. “You missing her already? How long you been gone?”
I sigh, finishing the last buttons. “Fifteen minutes—if that.”
He laughs, sharing a look with my dad. “Well, you’ve got another five hours to go.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, and grab my phone from the shelf, firing another text off to Mum.
ME: You should pop down here, Mum. Bring Sunday. Mason’s short-staffed.
“You’re texting your mum to come down here, aren’t you?” Dad asks as we step into the bar.
I undo a button when the heat hits me. The air con must not be working because Mason has the large windows open.
I dare to look at him as I answer. “Nope. Just texting Maddox to see if he’s popping down for a beer.”
“Brave.”
This time I do look at him. “What do you mean?”
He shrugs, stepping behind the bar. “Just think you’re brave in wanting your cousin down here. If he sees you like this, he’ll rip you to pieces.”
My phone vibrates, so instead of answering Dad, I open the message up.
MUM: I don’t think the bar is the best place for Sunday right now. Isn’t there a game on tonight?
Fuck.
ME: Yeah.
I hadn’t thought of that. I really hope Mason doesn’t expect me to stay longer, because he’s got no chance. I’ll be walking out of here the second my shift is over.
Since it’s the weekend, food stops being served at six and tables are removed from the floor. A DJ will set up in the old booth and anyone seeking food will go to the restaurant downstairs. There, my uncle sells burgers, chips, hot dogs and pork baps. MC5 is always packed and the place to be if you want a good night out. My dad used to run the place but left Mason in charge of everything after a fire took place at Harlow and Malik’s wedding before we were born.
They completely redone the place, starting a Monday through Sunday daytime restaurant, but on Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant closes, tables are put away, and it’s open as a club. The place is always thriving and has done better with the changes.
“Excuse me? Are you serving?” I look up and find a cute redhead fluttering her eyelashes at me.
I nod, stepping forward. “What can I get ya?”
“What are you offering?” she asks, biting her bottom lip.
My eyebrows draw together as I stare at her. “Um, drinks. If you want food, you’ll have to take a seat and a waitress will be over to take your order.”
Her cheeks turn red. “Y-yeah. I’ll just have half a Strongbow please.”
“Coming right up.”
My mind is on my phone and whether I should text Mum to see if she’s put cream on Sunday’s bum.
I hand over the drink, taking her money and giving the girl her change before leaning back against the bar, grabbing my phone.
ME: Make sure you put some cream on her bum. The health visitor said she has nappy rash.
Dad chuckling has me glancing up, narrowing my eyes at him. “What?”
“Nothing. That your mum again?”
“So what if it is?”
“You have to leave her sometime, son. Trust me, she’ll be fine. There is no greater person in the world than your mum to be looking after her,” he tells me, before sighing. “I dread to think what you’ll be like when she goes to school.”
I pale. I didn’t even think of that. She’ll have to be around other people’s kids, who could pick on her, call her names, or hell, come back with nits like the girls in our family have one time or another. And then she’ll grow older, and me or my cousins won’t be there to warn the boys away. I’ll get arrested for hitting a minor. I know it.
I’ll go to prison and not see my baby girl.
I’ll be someone’s bitch.
Hands slap down on my shoulders, shaking me. I look up, feeling woozy.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m going to prison,” I whisper, feeling dejected.
“Huh? Since when?”
“A boy is going to hit on her, touch her, and I’ll kill him. Or one will pick on her, or touch her, and I’ll kill him. I’ll get life.”
Dad roars with laughter, punching my shoulder lightly. I rub it, frowning at him. “What was that for?”
“Just shut up and get to work. If we managed to stay out of prison, so will you.”
Nope, someone else needs to have kids so she has someone to stick up for her. That’s what needs to happen.
“I need to call Faith for a second.”
“Why?” he asks, just as people stepping inside catch my attention.
“Magic,” I whisper, watching as Faith, her fiancé, and my uncles, Max and Myles, walk in.
“What the hell are you muttering about now?”
I point towards the door. He glances over his shoulder before turning to greet them at the bar.
“Hey, baby girl. How you doing?” he asks, stepping around the bar to meet Faith. He hugs her before kissing the side of her head.
“Hi, Dad. We came in for a drink and to see how Aiden was doing on his first day back.”
“I’m doing fine,” I tell her defensively. Did they think I’d fuck up orders or something? I mean, I’ve only served one person, but still… I’m Aiden fucking Carter. I’m solid.
Beau pulls her into his arms, glaring at me. I glare right back. She’s my sister; I’ve known her longer. I can speak to her however I like.
“I didn’t mean anything by it,” she says, glancing at everyone.
Max laughs. “Well, I came to make sure I won my bet.”
“What bet?”
Dad hands them all a drink, already knowing what they’ll order. I stand and watch, not bothering to serve the fuckers.
“I bet you’d last an hour before you went running back to Sunday.”
I straighten, glancing at my dad then Uncle Myles. “That true?”
Myles nods. “Sorry, kid. I bet you’d last two.”
“Thanks for the vote in confidence,” I bite out, disgusted at my family. I glance at Dad. “What about you?” I think back to our conversation in the car park and him telling me to just get through the shift.
“The entire shift, because even if you went to leave, I’d stop you.” He shrugs carelessly.
“Well, fuck you too.”
My uncle Mason steps out of the kitchen, groaning when he sees his two brothers are here. “If you’ve come to keep him here, we stated we couldn’t interfere with his decision to stay or go.”
“You too?” I ask, gaining a few patrons’ attention.
He looks at me like I’m stupid. I’m getting that a lot lately.
“Yeah. I don’t think you’ll last the hour.”
I glare at him, then stare at Uncle Myles. “I can understand those knobs, but you? I thought you were different.”
He shifts in his chair. “Sorry. I couldn’t be the only one who didn’t bet.”
“Don’t worry, Myles lasted thirty minutes before he went home,” Max tells us, chuckling.
Myles turns to glare at Max. “You took a term off school because you couldn’t leave your kids.”
Max sits up, slamming his beer down on the bar. “I had three fucking kids who sucked the life out of me.”
“Not my problem.”
I laugh, and Max’s attention turns to me. “Why are you so grumpy, anyway? Maddox said you’re fucking your hot neighbour.”
“Maddox is a moron,” I snap.
“What, isn’t she hot?” he asks, looking around at everyone in confusion. “She didn’t look ugly.”
I scoff. “I’m not doing my neighbour. And even if I was, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”
“Lily said she has her h
earing back—with help of a hearing aid,” Faith says to me, and I nod.
“Ah, so she’s heard you whine like a bitch and kicked you to the kerb?”
I glare at my uncle Max. How my dad and uncles haven’t killed him, I don’t know. “Shut up,” I tell him, before turning to Faith. “Yeah. They said there’s an operation she can have to repair the damage.”
“That’s brilliant.”
“It is.”
My phone vibrates, and I step back from the others to see who’s text me.
MUM: Will you please relax. I have experience, you know. I’m not clueless. Now, relax and enjoy some adult time at work.
ME: Never say ‘adult time’ ever again. Please. Just keep me informed.
ME: HOURLY.
ME: Actually, every fifteen minutes.
MUM: Do you want me to look after your daughter or be distracted by messaging you? I’ll update you hourly, not a minute before or after.
ME: Okay.
Well, I got told. I feel my cheeks heat when I look up to find everyone staring at me.
“Mum tell you off?” Faith asks, hiding behind her drink when I narrow my gaze at her.
“No.”
“She did; you have that look on your face,” Max says.
Dad looks up from his phone. “She did. She just said to take your phone off you if you text her again.”
I quickly put my phone in my back pocket, knowing he won’t hesitate to take it from me.
“You’re all arseholes,” I growl when they begin to laugh.
“Back to the hot neighbour, to you and her—you know, not making any more babies, because I don’t want my kids getting any bright ideas, especially Hayden,” Max says without taking a breath.
God, please give me strength.
“I already told you no.”
“What’s wrong with her?” he asks. “From what Maddox said about her cooking, she’d make a good mum.”
My hands clench into fists, ready to smash Maddox in the face. “Maddox needs to keep his nose out. And to stay away from Bailey and her food.”
The chuckles from everyone grate on my nerves. “Ah, you like her.”
“Oh, my God, will you shut up. I’ve got work to do,” I snap, moving away from them.
“Don’t worry, I got your back if you need pointers.”
Aiden (A Next Generation Carter Brother Novel Book 2) Page 13
