I eye the way he’s standing close to Gary, and I can’t help but blurt, while motioning between them, “I didn’t realize you knew each other.”
Gary smirks and Aiden gives me the same, weak-ass smile. I fucking hate it and have to press my lips into a thin line to stop myself from saying as much.
“It’s an occupational thing,” Gary explains.
It takes me a moment, but then it dawns on me. Gary is a firefighter. Aiden is a cop. Their paths probably cross more often than I realize. And it’s always on someone else’s worst day.
That can’t be easy.
Something inside of me, the anger I hold close to keep me protected from Aiden and his green eyes, loosens. I take a drink to try and cover up my moment of humanity when it comes to this man. He’ll earn it when he stops pulling me over.
Aiden watches me carefully as I take another sip. One side of my mouth tips up in a smirk and I assure him, “You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m not driving tonight, so don’t even think about pulling me over.”
When Aiden smiles this time, it’s a little wider and not nearly as stiff or fake. “I’m off duty tonight, Greylin, don’t worry.”
Right then, my brother slides into the spot next to Hollyn who looks up at him with so much love in her eyes that I almost want to look away. If they start kissing, I’ll be doing a hell of a lot more than looking away. I’ll be gagging before considering whether to wash out my eyes with acid.
Kidding. Just kidding.
Kind of.
Maybe.
My brother grins before kissing his woman’s temple before murmuring, “Having fun, Sweet Girl?”
She tries to hide her smile and how much his care means to her, but it’s written all over her face. As it should be. Their happiness feels like hope, and I ignore how much I want what they’ve found.
I haven’t been in a relationship in years. The last time was in college, and I really thought it was going to go all the way, you know. He, who shall not be named, was the first guy who had me almost forgetting my crush on Aiden. Then I found out that while I was looking toward the future—graduation and then starting out on the rest of our lives together—he was fucking a TA and one of his professors.
When it all came out, I wasn’t as heartbroken as I should have been, as I would have expected to be. And that told me everything I needed to know. We moved and I left that guy behind me.
Therewas a time when I thought that Aiden was going to ask me out after moving back to Storyville. It didn’t happen, but then we had our moonshine night, and everything changed.
Now we’re on two different sides of a line which, frankly, should have never been drawn. Mayor Simmons has an axe to grind with recreational cannabis and we’re just the lucky bitches who get to deal with it.
“This is girl’s night,” Hollyn reminds Elwood, “no boys allowed.”
My big brother pouts and whines slightly as he points out, “But these guys are here.”
Gary chuckles and holds up his hands. “I was just coming by to say hello to Gemma, I don’t know why these guys are here,” he motions toward Aiden, who I am trying not to look at, and Keaton.
Gemma keeps stealing glances the man’s way, but he seems completely oblivious and my heart sinks for her.
“Hey,” Aiden protests, “you’re the one who said to meet you for a drink after we got off shift.”
I can’t help but giggle at how affronted he sounds. Aiden’s green eyes meet mine and for a moment, everything else disappears.
“Yeah,” Gary teases him, “a drink, it’s not like we’re on a date.” He looks around the bar, clearly perusing who is present. “You guys aren’t my type,” he grins and shrugs, “no offense.”
“You notice how people always say no offense after saying some crap that’s offensive,” Aiden points out. He grumbles, “Like anyone wants to be your type.”
Gary barks out a laugh and hooks his arm around Aiden’s neck. “Come on, copper, let’s get you another drink and see if we can’t get you laid. You’ve been extra uptight lately.”
Aiden glances my way while my mouth goes dry and it becomes hard to swallow past the lump in my throat. I hate the idea of Aiden picking up some woman. Would it be for a one-night stand or would it be for more?
It’s a completely ridiculous feeling because what he does or doesn’t do is not my business. I spend the rest of the night trying, desperately, not to look in his direction while I can feel his eyes on me from time to time.
I don’t like how quiet he was. It’s not like him, but I’m not exactly in a position to do a damn thing about it.
