My chest warmed slightly and I stopped at the foot of the stairs, turning around and pushing Aiden into the wall to kiss him quickly. His startled laugh died when my lips landed on his, and he breathed outslowly instead of groaning against me the way I knew he would have if my dad wasn’t feet away from us around the corner.
I smiled against his lips before pulling back.
You’re perfect,I told him.
Aiden’s cheeks flushed adorably and he tried looking anywhere but at me.
Just follow my lead,I said before taking his hand and leading him around the corner.
“There he is,” Zephyr said with a clap. “Check it out, dad. Skye found a man to put up with her shit.”
Zephyr yelped as a book from the side table smacked him in the temple. He scowled at me as he quickly healed what would’ve become a black eye.
Aiden’s expression was carefully blank as he looked around the basement. He took in the bookshelves, the cabinets, then finally, the hospital bed with Levi.
Levi grinned, and Aiden offered a nervous smile back.
“Levi, this is Aiden Brandt. He’s one of my Links.” I said.
“Brandt?” Levi said as he held out a hand to shake. “You related to Finn Brandt?”
“Unfortunately,” Aiden said under his breath. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
They shook hands, and Zephyr and I stood on the sidelines, watching everything with rapt attention.
I’d never been able to bring home a guy to my parents. I’d been too young when they died. Zephyr had only ever met one guy I dated, andthathad ended in a complete disaster.
“I went to school with Finn,” Levi said. “He was…interesting.”
“My parents are assholes, sir. You can say whatever you want.” Aiden replied.
Zephyr laughed, then pulled Aiden into a side hug. “Isn’t he great?!”
Aiden blushed and I dropped my face to my hands.
“Zephyr, stop being a dick.”
“I swear to God, I’m not being a dick. I’m so serious.” Zephyr said, his smile dropping.
“That’s even worse,” I replied with a groan.
“Aiden, come talk to me. Finn still a gambler?” Levi asked.
“Uh, I assume so. We don’t really talk much.” Aiden replied sheepishly. “My family Chain is a little…”
“They’re dicks,” Zephyr said. “Especially the mom.”
Watch it, I warned my brother as Aiden paled slightly.
“What? He already knows,” Zephyr said, exasperated.
Aiden paled even further.
Thanks, now he thinks we gossip about him,I hissed.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Zephyr said gently. “I’m sorry, Aiden.”
“It’s fine, they suck.” Aiden chuckled nervously.
