“Sit your booty down. I’ve got this.”
Quinn chuckled and sank back down in his seat. He waited for Aiden to finish dishing out the spaghetti and meatballs, after which he poured Quinn a glass of wine before going to serve himself.
“Thank you.” Quinn had to cough to dislodge the tightness in his chest.
It was something so small, but no one had taken the time or interest to take care of him in a long time. He hadn’t felt this special in longer than he could remember.
Aiden finally took a seat and lifted his glass, and Quinn followed suit. “Enjoy!” Aiden said.
“Is that a toast?” Quinn raised a brow. “Because it wasn’t a very good one.” He chuckled as he took a sip of his wine.
Aiden snorted. “The best we’re going to get tonight.”
Quinn took a bite of his spaghetti, and he nodded as he wiped his mouth off with his napkin. “You’re right.”
“About what?” Aiden asked.
“It is even better than it smelled.”
Aiden laughed, but Quinn could see he was pleased. “Thank you!”
They continued to eat and much of the beginning was in silence. Then he had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that he wanted to get it out there. “I’m sorry for assuming the worst when it came to seeing your brother this morning. I should have talked to you about it first.”
Aiden was mid-chew, so took the time to swallow and wipe his mouth before he spoke. “Please. Don’t apologize. Like I said, I really should have been upfront and honest with you. I’m sorry. Canceling last minute was a dick move.”
Quinn shook his head. “It’s all good. You had a very good reason to. Let’s just enjoy this meal.” Quinn took another bite, and he savored it. After he wiped his mouth off, he looked up at Aiden. “Been running lately?” he asked.
“Oh… is that your way of saying that you’re ready for a rematch to try to claim victory?” Aiden laughed as he took a sip of wine.
Quinn chuckled. “I wouldn’t object to a rematch, and for the record, I won, but no, really I’m just interested. You said it was part of your getting healthy.”
Aiden laughed. “I’ve been doing good with it,” he said. “I’m a newcomer to this whole running thing. Well, I’m a newcomer to this whole mind, body, balance thing.” He laughed as he took another drink.
“What got you motivated then?” Quinn asked.
Aiden paused, and Quinn saw the hesitation in his eyes like he was debating if he should open up. He didn’t push and waited, and Aiden finally spoke. “I’m in remission.”
Quinn’s brain stalled for a moment, and all he could do was stare. “Cancer?”
Aiden nodded. “I was diagnosed with cancer over a year ago. I had to go through surgery, chemo, and radiation. It obviously took a toll on my body. There was a stretch of time when I didn’t know if I was going to make it and live to see my next birthday.”
Quinn took a sip of his wine as Aiden talked, not wanting to interrupt or do anything that might cause the alpha to shut down.
“It makes you see just how short life is when you’re facing an uphill battle.” Aiden lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. “But I’m now in remission and living my life to the fullest, going for what I want, who I want.” Aiden held Quinn’s gaze as he spoke.
“Wow!” Quinn knew that was not a non-answer, but he held on to the remission part. “But I get it… completely. When Barry died, I thought my life was over, but I had three kids who were going to depend on me, and I needed to buck up and live for them. Barry will always be there in my memories, and I’ll make sure the kids grow up knowing their father, but I have to live, and to do that means mourning him while moving on at the same time.”
Aiden smiled. “They are lucky to have you.”
Quinn grinned. “I’m the lucky one. They are the best things to ever happen to me. I can’t imagine my life without them.”
Aiden didn’t need to know all the details about how the triplets came about. In due time, if things worked out, then he’d share more about that experience. He took another bite, and they finished off their dinner, letting the conversation lighten up from the previous talk of cancer and death.
When the meal was over, they carried their dirty dishes into the kitchen and Aiden glanced at Quinn. “Do you want to take wine into the living room and continue talking or do you have to leave now?” he asked.
Quinn was silent for a moment before saying, “Wine in the living room. I can stay for a little longer.” He knew he didn’t want to go yet because he was enjoying himself, so anything to prolong the evening was alright by him.
14
