“N-no. You didn’t.”
But I had. His breath caught short, and he was shaking.Shaking.Aaron never got scared.
“Okay. I only wanted to ask about that scar on your side. How’d that happen?”
“I got cut inside. Needed stitches.”
That was it. No other explanation. And he’d already walked away and started the shower, shutting down the conversation. That was the Aaron I knew. And didn’t like.
“Okay.”
But it wasn’t, and I knew we’d be discussing it again, but not when we were both tired and he needed to get to a new job early in the morning. I joined him, and we washed up in silence. No sexy hand jobs or kisses. After drying off, we climbed into bed, and he turned out the light and turned his back to me.
“Night.”
Aaron burrowed under the covers, and within minutes I heard his even breathing. What didn’t he want to tell me about?
“I still can’tbelieve you’re living here now.” The fresh-squeezed orange juice Austin gave me tasted bright and crisp on my tongue.
“Me either.” He took a bagel out of the toaster and gave it to me, then took the other for himself. “Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and don’t remember where I am. It’s been an adjustment.”
“I’ll bet. But Rhoades is okay with you needing time, right?”
Austin’s smile told me everything. He’d hardly ever smiled before.
“Yeah. We’ve both had to make adjustments, but it’s been amazing so far.”
“Happy for you. You deserve it.” I slathered cream cheese on my bagel and took a bite.
“So do you…you know. What’s going on?”
I knew he wanted me to talk about Aaron, yet because Austin still resented him, I held back.
“I’m good. Dancing and working on my designs. Oh, and also taking some business classes.”
A best friend always knew when you were hiding your shit, and Austin called me out. “Frankie, man, come on. You can talk to me.” Austin set his bagel down. “What about Aaron? You never talk about him when we hang out. Has he found a job? You two still getting along? What’s the deal?”
The silence between us reverberated as our gazes clashed.
“As a matter of fact, yeah, he has.” I lifted my chin and set my jaw. “He started working at a wholesale gardening place in the Brooklyn Terminal Market. Had a great first day.”
“Good. I’m glad he’s finally got something.”
“It’s not ‘something.’ Aaron always liked working with plants. He loves growing things. I know he’s gonna kick ass at it. If people will give him a chance.”
“Okay, I get what you’re saying. And I’ve been trying.”
“Yeah? How?” Tired and still stressed over Aaron’s behavior from the night before, I lashed out. “That’s bullshit, and you know it. We’ve asked you and Rhoades to hang out, and you always have an excuse why you can’t. Anytime we want to get together, you say you’re too busy.” Frustrated, I pushed away from the island and paced the floor. “How is that giving him a chance?”
The one thing Austin and I always had between us was truth.
“Okay.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Maybe?”
“Frankie, dammit.” I waited until he met my eyes. “Fine. You’re right. I wasn’t.”
There was no satisfaction in forcing Austin’s confession.
