“So, what brought you two to Willow River?” Dr. Derek asks to be polite.
The topic of Aiden and Paul never really came up in conversation during our dinner after Jacob’s soccer game. Well, it did on occasion, but Paul or Aiden would redirect the conversation back on to the rest of the people at the table, like they were fishing for information.
“What do you mean?” Paul checks.
“What do you two do?” Dr. Derek asks. “Did you come for business?”
“Oh, I’m retired now,” Paul shares.
“Dad was an architect. He did a lot of commercial buildings in California,” Aiden says.
“And, what about you?” Derek searches, continuing the conversation.
If Aiden mentions our fake relationship, I will fucking kill him right here, right now.
“I used to be in the military, served a couple of terms. I’ve done engineering, but currently work from home on tech and day trades,” Aiden lies.
“Wonderful,” Esther comments. “We’re glad to not have lost another soldier along the way…aren’t we, Laurie?”
What the hell! Did Aiden or Trudy tell her the fucking lie? Does it matter? No — okay, yes — because one of them would die instantly while the other would be tortured very slowly.
“Sure,” I sigh.
“I think so,” Trudy speaks up.
“Aren’t you Laurie’s ex-boyfriend or something?” Jacob speaks up. “I heard mama saying something about how you two broke up and….”
“Hush and eat,” Trudy directs to Jacob, pushing more food onto his plate.
“You know each other?” Codie asks with a shocked look on his face.
I remain quiet, hiding behind my sunglasses. I stuff my mouth with another large helping of salad to prevent myself from doing or saying something I might regret.
“How long did you two date?” Codie presses.
Everyone looks back and forth between Aiden and me, waiting for an answer.
“That’s none of your business,” I say while still chewing when I realize that Aiden isn’t going to say anything.
“Sorry, Laurie,” Jacob whispers.
I smile at Jacob reassuringly. I can’t be mad at him. He doesn’t know not to bring it up.
Codie studies me and Aiden, looking back and forth between the two of us and I notice a certain look in his eye: a look that didn’t exist the first time they met, the look of a man who feels threatened, the look of a man who is going to want to stake his claim, and a look of panic.
I’m officially in hell. The Reaper doesn't want my soul, he just wants to torture the shit out of me.
“I think we’ve gotten a few more tourists this year. What do you think?” Esther asks, breaking the silence.
“Definitely,” Trudy agrees. “And, it’s still early. I think we’re going to have a great spring and summer and the town will do really well.”
“Wonderful,” Esther returns.
I continue eating quietly for the rest of the meal for the most part, carefully observing Aiden, Paul, and Codie. Codie’s level of intimidation has increased a little. Aiden and Paul seem to be very relaxed and completely not threatened by either Codie or his brother.
“Sorry about that,” Trudy says as she and I wash a few of the dishes in the kitchen before getting dessert ready.
“For what?” I check with some irritation lingering. “There were a number of things.”
“For Jacob’s comment earlier,” she answers.
“Don’t sweat it,” I return. “It was bound to happen at some point. At least it was done in a more controlled setting.”
Trudy giggles. “Why? Do you think Aiden would have kicked Codie’s ass if they found out differently?”
“Why would have Aiden kick Codie’s ass?” I muse.
“You know,” Trudy returns.
“No, I don’t.”
“Because you’ve been sleeping with Codie for the past few years and he’s the only possible threat to rekindling the relationship with you,” she answers.
I laugh. “I don’t think Aiden feels threatened by Codie.”
“Why? Does he have a chance?” she presses.
“No,” I say. “Besides, it was Codie who seemed irritated by the subject, not Aiden.”
“You still have feelings for him, don’t you?” Trudy speculates.
“Who?” I check, not sure to whom she’s referring.
“Aiden.”
“What! No. You’re out of your mind,” I retaliate. “It was all in their body language.”
“Yeah, you do,” Trudy comments. “I can see it. Codie can probably see it too, which is why you noticed him being like that.”
“Whatever,” I say, brushing it off.
“Then, you shouldn’t have a challenge going on a date with him,” Trudy declares. “If you don’t have feelings for Aiden, you should have already had a meal to catch up.”
“Don’t, “ I direct.
“What?”
“You know what,” I press.
“No,” Trudy denies.
“No matter what or how I reply, defending myself, Aiden or Codie, you’ll find a way to pick it apart and twist it to allude to something other than what’s really going on,” I reply.
“And, what’s that?”
“That’s not funny,” I challenge.
“I say go on a date with the guy,” Trudy mentions. “Hell, I think you should even sleep with him.”
“What?!” I laugh nervously.
“Well, if you really don’t have feelings for Codie, sleeping with Aiden will confirm that to Codie,” she says.
“And, it could give the wrong impression to Aiden,” I state.
“Well, so?” Trudy laughs. “Maybe you need a new piece of ass to help you decide.”
“Oh, my God!” I exclaim. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation right now…besides, if I need a piece of ass, I’ll pick one of the tourists like I usually do.”
How the hell did I get myself into this? It’s not like there’s even a real past relationship between Aiden and me. I’m stuck helping the Feds now since more people are hearing the lie. I really need to figure out what I want. What I need to get from them.
The ten of us hang around in the back yard until it becomes a little too hot and humid for Esther and end up going inside for a while. Esther grabs some games and everyone starts playing as conversations fade in and out for the next few hours. I excuse myself several times, wanting to get away from the commotion as well as get the dogs out for a good stretch.
None of the guys take the hint, my hints, to leave when it gets closer to dinner. Instead, they continue to play a game of catch with the boys since the heat of the day has died down a bit as Trudy and I head into Esther’s kitchen to start cooking. The dogs are now resting on the cool kitchen tile floor. Gerald gets the grill going while Trudy and I get the burgers and chicken ready. Most of our meals are pretty easy, nothing too fancy when it’s hot, but plenty of variety with the side dishes we make with minimal cooking.
After dinner, I take the dogs further into the Lenard’s back yard for a good run and sense immediately when someone is coming up behind me. Cain and Mable stay close by, halting their play temporarily as our visitor gets closer.
“Hey,” Aiden greets when he’s a few feet away.
I half smile and nod.
“I’d like to get together with you,” he begins.
“Why?” I ask.
“We need to talk,” he reminds.
“About what?” I return. “About the bullshit that you’re forcing me to partake in or our fake past relationship?”
“Both,” he confirms.
“I don’t like it,” I state flatly.
“Neither do I, honestly,” he agrees. “I hate putting you in this position.”
“Then, why did you?” I inspect.
“You know why,” he returns. “So, I figured this would be the easiest way.”
“Yeah…well…at least i
t’ll get Codie off my back for a while,” I sigh.
“It’s none of my business, but…”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I interject.
Aiden doesn’t say anything, forcing me to feel obligated to come up with something.
“I know I have to tell you somethings, in order to make this work,” I announce. “I still don’t like this, but I’d rather have a little bit of control than none at all.”
“I can understand that,” he says.
“We can talk…but, not now,” I state.
“Lunch tomorrow?” Aiden searches.
“Maybe,” I return.
“I can come over if you’d like,” he replies.
“I don’t have people over, not usually…Trudy, the boys, and the Lenards, yes, but no one else,” I explain.
“Do you want to come to my place?” he searches.
“Don’t know,” I return quickly.
“Well, it’ll be kind of hard to do it in town,” he says.
I huff, “Yeah. I know.”
“Hey, you,” Codie greets, coming up from behind Aiden and me.
I nod, but I doubt he can see my reply since the sun has already been setting.
“I brought you a beer,” Codie says, reaching his hand forward.
“Thanks, but I’m good,” I return. “I’ll be heading home soon.”
“Do you mind giving me a ride?” Codie searches. “Derek got called into the E.R..”
“Trudy and the boys should be able to take you,” I mention. “They’re more on your way and Marcus could use the practice having another person in the truck with him.”
Derek might have gotten called into work, but I know that Codie always goes with him, therefore, he definitely feels threatened about Aiden. Codie’s pushing boundaries.
“I’d rather you drive me home,” Codie adds with a boyish, pleading grin.
“We can take you,” Aiden offers.
I almost choke on my breath in, not expecting him to say anything.
Codie stares at Aiden for what feels like a half of minute before gracefully bowing out and heads back to Trudy and the boys.
“Wow,” Aiden remarks when Codie is far enough away.
“Don’t,” I comment.
“I didn’t say anything,” Aiden defends.
“Yeah, you did,” I return, trying really hard not to laugh.
“We’re going to break his heart,” Aiden snickers.
“We?” I reply sarcastically.
“It does take two to reestablish a relationship,” Aiden suggests.
“A fake one,” I remind.
Twenty - Aiden
“She’s going to be here any minute,” I remind Paul for the fifth time as he nonchalantly gathers his stuff for the range.
“So?” Paul asks.
“So, she won’t stay if you’re here and then suddenly leave,” I mention.
“She’ll probably leave right when she learns I’m not here,” Paul argues.
“She’ll stay,” I answer. “She knows we need to discuss things and there’s no way she’s going to trust me when you’re here.”
“Isn’t she supposed to trust both of us? I mean, we are the good guys after all, aren’t we?” Paul questions.
“Yes,” I confirm. “But, we can’t have her not trusting us. If she trusts one of us first, it’ll be easier to get her to trust the other.”
Paul looks at me funny. “You’ve got a thing for her.”
“What? No,” I argue.
“Yes, you do,” Paul laughs. “Holy shit. Out of all of the times you start liking a chick, it’s right as we’re getting into this shit…and with the one who’s directly involved.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I snap.
Paul laughs. “Just keep your head on straight. Don’t blow this up for both of us and get us all killed.”
“I don’t have the hots for her,” I rebut. “And, I most certainly don’t want more.”
“Yeah, you do,” Paul muses. “I see it in your eyes. You’ve never talked about any of the women like you do with her.”
“No,” I disagree. “She’s the main source and figuring out how to get her to cooperate is key to us doing our job.”
“You want to do more than just fuck her,” Paul laughs.
“No,” I deny. “Now, you need to get the hell out of here.”
I want her, that is true. I fantasized about her since we met and I keep doing more ever since I kissed her, but a relationship, no. I can’t be in one. I mean, I don’t want one.
“Alright. Alright,” Paul says, slowing his movements down to annoy me. “Don’t get your panties all in a wad.”
“Not funny,” I return with a clenched jaw.
Two minutes later, I manage to get Paul on the road. Right as I finish checking our equipment and put it away, Laurie arrives.
“Hey,” I greet, meeting her outside.
The dogs exit out of the driver side, following her every move as she walks casually toward the porch. “Where’s Paul?”
“He’s at the gun range,” I answer.
“I thought we’re supposed to talk,” Laurie returns, crossing her arms and standing still.
“We are,” I confirm.
“Doesn’t Paul need to be here?” she checks.
I try to catch a glimpse of her eyes behind her sunglasses, but the sun keeps reflecting off of them. “I figured we’d go slow and build trust one at a time.”
“Makes sense,” she replies. “I don’t like it, but it makes sense.” She takes a few more steps toward me, stopping at the foot of the stairs that lead up to the porch.
“What?” I check.
“Where were you wanting to talk?”
“Wherever you feel most comfortable,” I reply.
“You aren’t going to try anything, are you?” she inspects.
“What do you mean?” I ask, shocked by her words.
“Nothing,” she says, brushing it off. She ascends the steps and stops about five feet away from me. “I hate to say this, but we should probably go inside. The last thing I need is Codie driving by or anyone from town seeing me.”
“He’d see your truck,” I remind.
“I know,” she huffs.
“Want to put it in the garage?” I offer.
Laurie turns to look at it, but doesn’t say anything until she agrees.
I grab the clicker and open the garage for her to park. She follows me inside the house with the dogs on her heels once her truck is hidden, but she stands perched in the door way once the screen door has closed behind her.
“Thirsty?” I ask, trying to be a good host.
“You’re not trying to drug me, are you?” she asks with a snippy tone.
“No,” I chuckle. “Not unless you want me to.”
Nope,” she returns quickly and flatly.
“Too bad,” I joke with a grin. “Have a seat wherever you feel comfortable.”
“I’m good,” she answers as she looks around the living room.
I head into the kitchen, checking to see what we have to offer. “What would you like? I’ve got beer, water…and, that’s about it.”
“Water’s fine,” she shouts from the other room.
I grab a few glasses from the cupboard and fill them from the sink. When I turn around, I find Laurie in the doorway of the kitchen, studying her environment. “Have a seat,” I offer, placing our drinks on the table.
She doesn’t sit or reach for the glass.
“Getting familiar with your surroundings, huh?” I comment.
Her head turns toward me, but doesn’t reply.
“What else do you know to do?” I ask.
“What do you mean?” she searches.
“Clearly you’re trained a little,” I mention.
“More than a little,” she scoffs.
“How long?”
“How long what?” she inquires.
“How long have you been training?” I say, interested in ge
tting to know the real Laurie more.
She hesitates a few seconds before answering, “Seven years.”
“What do you know?” I press, hoping to keep her talking.
“You and I both know never to reveal that kind of stuff,” she returns with a fake half smile.
“True,” I agree. “Just trying to make small talk. I know you like knives and are good with a gun.” When Laurie doesn’t say anything, I ask, “So, what do you want to know about me?”
“Huh?” Laurie replies as if not expecting my question.
“What do you want to know about me?” I repeat.
“I heard you the first time,” she confirms.
“Figured,” I chuckle nervously.
“How would I know what you would be telling me is the truth?” she inspects.
“I guess you’ll have to go with whatever training you’ve had and your gut instinct,” I say casually.
Laurie gives me a smirk and I can’t help but watch her lips, wanting to kiss her again. “So, what’s our back story?”
“What do you mean?”
“Our fake relationship…the whole reason why I’m here…why you’re here in my town?” she returns seeming unamused.
“Well, we’ve established….”
“You,” she cuts in. “You’ve established.”
I laugh. “I’ve established that I was military, which I honestly am ex-military. Truthfully, I served two terms before the Feds approached me.”
“Interesting,” Laurie says under her breath.
“So, fake me, Aiden Daniels, after his first three tours, got called back for a special ops thing. And, not wanting you to be waiting by the phone for a call saying I was dead, I broke it off instead because of my love for you.”
“How romantic,” she comments with a sarcastic chuckle.
“I try…tried to be,” I answer.
“So,” Laurie begins, grabbing the seat in front of her and pulling it back and carefully sitting down, “how serious were we?”
“Serious,” I answer.
“Really?”
“Yes,” I confirm. “If I didn’t get called for the mission, I would have proposed. I had the ring and everything.”
“Would I have said yes?” she asks, seeming to be enjoying the game.
“Definitely,” I say.
“You sure?” she checks.
“Yes,” I verify. “You were madly in love with me.”
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