Spike swallows hard. “I thought that with Aiden working out here, you might say that, but I was worried.”
“Aiden and Micah just might end up as friends,” I add with a nod. I like the idea of that. I don’t think Aiden has many friends. “I know it’s not any of my business, but how’s the court battle going?”
With a sharp breath, he kicks at the dirt under his boots. “Slow as hell, and I can’t afford the attorney anymore to keep fighting it.”
I narrow my eyes. I don’t like bullies.
“You can now. I’ll make some calls, and we’ll see if this can get wrapped up for you. But if there’s something I should know, something about your past, like you were an abusive fuck, or an asshole to your wife and kid, I want to know now before I put my name on the line for you.”
Spike scowls. “My only sin is that I ain’t rich. I’ve never raised a hand to her or my boy, and I take care of what’s mine.”
I nod, happy with both the reaction and his words. “Good. Bring your boy out here for the summer, Spike. He’s welcome here.”
“Thanks, boss.”
“No need to thank me.”
Spike shakes his head, and we climb back on the horses. “Aiden kicked my ass at poker last night.”
“How much did he take you for?”
“Twenty bucks.”
I laugh. “Good for him.”
“This was good.” Aiden pats his flat belly and leans back in his chair.
“I guess so. You ate a whole pizza by yourself,” Willow says with a laugh.
“Homemade is my favorite.”
“I thought my meatloaf was your favorite?” she counters, and Aiden snorts.
“If it’s food, it’s my favorite.”
Willow stands and walks around the table so she can hug Aiden around the neck, and she plants her lips on his head. She can’t see it, but Aiden’s smile slips, just a bit.
Based on my own childhood trauma, I can see that this boy has food issues, and he doesn’t love to be touched.
But he tolerates it for his aunt because he loves her.
“You’re at that age,” she says as she continues to hug his neck, “where your legs are hollow, and you want to eat everything in sight. I remember when Ryker and Gideon were the same way.”
His eyes shoot over to mine. “Really?”
“I’m still that way,” I confess with a shrug. “We burn a lot of calories, man.”
“Yeah, I guess,” he says. Finally, Willow lets him go, and he sighs in relief. “Why are you all mushy and stuff?”
“Because you’re my kid and I can be.” She makes like she’s going to hug him again, and Aiden holds his hands up.
“No more! Ew. Gross.”
“I willsmother youin kisses, you little ungrateful brat.” They’re both laughing when she kisses his hair again. “I love you, buddy.”
“Yeah, yeah, I guess I love you too.”
She freezes. Her face falls, and her eyes mist up, and she immediately scurries into the kitchen.
