“Whatever gave you that idea?”
“I don’t know,” he says through a laugh. One hand comes to his hip, the other gesturing up and downhisclothed torso. “All the sweat. Lack of shirt…” I watch his Adam’s apple bob as his eyes venture down. “Basketball shorts.”
I clear my throat. “Very observant.”
“Thanks… You know I’ve always been that way.”
His tone isn’t deep but more so than it was as a teen. I absolutelyhatehow I remember everything about him from the last time I saw him.
Hasn’t it been longenough?
“Anyway, I don’t know if you drink coffee, but it wasn’t expired, so I made us a pot. I’m lucky I knew how to use one of these things. I’ve got a single cup maker back in San Francisco.” He turns his back to me and strolls over to the counter where the old machine is brewing up the Maui Mokkahisdad was conscious enough to always get for my mom. “I made enough for two cups in the event you’d want one. Do you take it with milk?”
I slowly move through the living room.
“Take a guess.”
A nervous laugh has his shoulders jumping. “Probably not.” He turns and leans against the counter, releasing a sigh heavy with all sorts of remorse. His arms cross over his chest, tugging at his shirt. “I’m sorry.”
I know this feeling too well, especially lately. Guilt. It’s a suction right at the epicenter of my sternum; a hollow, empty sensation that swallows me entirely. Swiftly and without remorse for how it leaves me in its aftermath.
Angry.
Spiteful.
Fucking alone.
“You can’t stay here, Ayden.”
The hurt that crosses his face is quickly masked by a smile. “Come on, you can’t kick me out.” I’m about to argue that I can, when he continues, “Technically, I own half of this property.”
Only half? To be honest, I was ready for him to tell me that Grant had signed over the entire cabin to him and Alysa. Truthfully, I’d hoped they wouldn’t care about this place and would just leave it to me. I’d planned to ask my stepsister when I spoke to her again, but… shit, this actually complicates things a bit more.
“Fine. I’ll stay here half the year and you can stay the other half?—”
“Come on, Keo.”
I swallow hard, feeling my pulse spike. Thatdamnnickname.
“I… didn’t want to stay away,” he continues, his voice dropping along with his head. “I had no choice.”
“No? Why?” I put my hands onto my hips. “Tell me, and I’ll determine if you did or didn’t have a choice.”
“Wow, when did you become such a jerk?”
I roll my eyes but say nothing. Just keep my gaze on him until he flashes that fake smile. Does he think I’m stupid and can’t see right through it? What the hell is he playing at?
“School. Work. Boyfriend. You know, all the standard things that keep someone busy.”
I’m not entirely sure why I look around. I know no one else is here with us—unless he snuck someone in overnight, but I would’ve heard them. These walls aren’t thick in the slightest, youaren’t even safe farting in the bathroom with the door closed.
“I hope you don’t plan to invite your boyfriend to stay with you.” For more than one reason, that willnotbe happening.
He releases a huff. “Ex, and no. I’m here to try and get my life back in order.”
That gives me pause. “Back in order? What do?—”
“Anyway, I won’t be much of a burden, and you can just ignore me.”
