“Besides, it’s not like you needed me around. Hell, I’ve been back for over a year and we’re just having breakfast.”
I scoff. He didn’t just say that.
“Yeah, well, it’s not like you’ve had any time for me.”
His brows rise as he appraises me. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“When you came back, you spent all your free time with Sarah. I get it, I do. But did you even want to have a relationship with me? Because I’m right here. I’ve been here the entire time. The perpetual bachelor, which you might know something about, but you’re too blissfully happy to remember how fucking lonely it is.
“Y’all have your families. Y’all love to poke fun. But I’m not a joke. Maybe I want to have a better relationship with my brothers. But that’s hard to do when I’m the laughingstock of our family.”
My feelings come out in a rush, filled with accusations and years of frustration. Aiden’s face draws tight with anger.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yeah, I fucking am.” Self-righteousness fills my chest, a much better feeling than the jealousy and dejection I carried moments ago.
“Jax, come on,” Aiden shakes his head. “You play into every one of those jokes. Hell, half the time, you’re the one starting them. Besides, you know it’s all from a place of love. Teasing and giving each other a hard time is a love language in this family.”
“Yeah.” I frown because he’s not wrong. I deflate a little.
“As for the other stuff, you’re right. I’m sorry. I should have made a better effort to keep in touch over the years. I left and I didn’t think about how it affected everyone else. And now I’m trying to make up for that and do better. But you’re right. The phone works both ways, and I can pick mine up more. I would love to do this again, or meet at the Legion for quarter pints to shoot the shit, or even take the day to go fishin’ down by the creek.”
“I’d like that, too.” Now I feel bad for going off on him. The things I said were true, but they were fueled by my frustration with where I stand with Rosalie. Not him. “I’m sorry. I could’ve said that better.”
“It’s all good, baby bro.” He opens his arms wide. “Come here.”
I step into his embrace and we pat each other’s backs before stepping back. Aiden pulls his keys from his pocket.
“And Jackson?”
“Yeah.”
“If you want everyone to see you differently? To take you seriously? You gotta act different.” He raises his brows. “No one’s gonna see you as a prospective date for their friend when you’re at the bars all weekend, or when you’re sleeping with half the town.”
I’m stunned. Not by his advice, but by his insight. Maybe he knows me better than I give him credit for.
“That’s in the past.”
“Does she know that?” Aiden tips his chin toward the diner.
I swallow hard. “I don’t know if she believes me.”
If she did, would she be on a date with another man?
“So, do better.” Aiden shrugs. “Your reputation will follow. Stop laughing everything off, and show the fuck up.”
That’s what I’ve been doing.
“I’m tryin’.”
“That’s a start.” He turns to glance at the diner. “Because if you want a woman like that, you’ll have to do better than try. She’s not gonna give your ass a second chance if you fuck it up.”
“I’m not gonna fuck it up.”
If Rosalie doesn’t want a relationship with me, it’ll be on her terms, not because I sabotage it. I’m going to be the man she deserves. I refuse to let her down. Not when our happily ever after is at stake.
32
