He raises his eyebrows at me and tries not to choke on his salad (even though he doesn’t seem to be following the same meal plan he’s usually on for this past week, heisstill staying in shape, damn him). The look makes me take pity on him. His quiet words, more so. “I got it right in the end.” Not sure if he’s still talking about the love interest in the book, or his own life.
“Yeah well, bear with her.” I don’t let him read into any possible double meaning there. “It’s only the first book.” I concede to his original point. “Anything could still happen.”
It’s been…alongtime since I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Aaron in any real setting outside his industry. I say pleasure because it’s hard not to have a good time around him, not to enjoy being in his company, when he’s being himself, that is.
He’s almost always in a good mood, and this effortless boyish charm thing he’s got going for him could win over a nun, or maybe even Satan himself. It’s frustrating as all hell (no pun intended) when I’m trying to stick to my plan, but I’ll admit it’s endearing to watch him inmyenvironment.
True to his word, he hasn’t let his fame interrupt my daily routine. He’s had a few regulars approach him for an autograph or a selfie, but he’s managed to ward off any new throngs of fans swarming the place and causing a disruption. We haven’t talked about it directly, but I did overhear one conversation with a teenage fan after school hours on Aaron’s first day in the library. We were overflowing with returned books after the weekend and short on volunteers that afternoon, so I was putting some books away, deep in the stacks that border the table he’s chosen and claimed for his own, less than thirty feet from him. Despite the low voice he was using, I still caught almost the entire exchange between them.
“Are you Aaron Stone?” Brooks’ excited tone carried a little farther than he probably meant it to, which can make Aaron uncomfortable when we’re in public without security.
He looked up from the book he was reading, a kind smile on his face that didn’t look at all fake. He’s almostalwayshappy to indulge fans, and it tugged at my heart in an annoying way to see him make Brooks’ day with that little smile and nod. Brooks isone of those kids that doesn’t have it easy, and he spends a lot of time in the library instead of at home, I suspect for good reason.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Ah! Dude, no way!Rough and Tumbleis my favorite movie! Can I get a snap with you?”
“Of course, man!” Aaron leaned toward him easily, but before the younger guy could lift his phone up and take the picture, Aaron looked him in the eye and made a request. “Can you do me a favor though?”
“Anything,” was the kid’s eager reply.
“I’m gonna be here for a few weeks, prolly more like a few months, maybe longer, cause I’m trying to win my girl over.” Aaron sounded almost conspiratorial. Brooks nodded enthusiastically; being let in on the secret was clearly the highlight of his month. “I’m happy to take a picture with you, but can you do me the favor of not telling anyone about this, not posting that pic until I’m done here? My girl’s only letting me stay here if I don’t distract the customers, and, well…” He ran a hand through his tousle of light brown hair and continued good-naturedly. I pretended hearing him refer to me ashis girldidn’t do unspeakable things to my insides. “Sometimes when word gets out…you know.” He nods, pointedly. He’s always hated talking about his fame to anyone in his ‘real’ life—anyone outside the industry, because he said from a young age he never wanted to become a Hollywood douche. But some things about his life are different, that’s just facts.
Anyway, Brooks was so appreciative of their little talk, the photo he got with Aaron, that I’ve caught him acting as Aaron’s bodyguard on more than one occasion, turning people away who’ve tried to approach him, shooting Aaron a conspiratorial wink likeI got you, bro.
Aaron’s even started bringing an extra meal back most days that he slides over to Brooks quietly when he gets to the libraryaround two-thirty most afternoons. I refuse to admit that this is cute, and I demand my heartstrings remain unpulled.
I think I’m losing this battle with myself. I can feel myself caving, missing his company, wanting to face the elephant in the room, have the talk I know we need to have. Not sure how much longer I can hold out on him.
It’s been almosttwo full weeks he’s spent his entire day, all six days a week I’ve been working, at the library with me. He meets me at the house every morning, a hot tumbler full of my favorite vanilla latte waiting for me when I get to the new car, which I—begrudgingly—am obsessed with driving (don’t tell him). I’m not sure exactly how early he’s getting there every day, I’m still not talking to him enough to ask, but he’s always waiting out front by the time I’m out of bed and peek out the front window each morning.
Aaron leaves the library every day to run out and bring back lunch for us both, and there was one day he disappeared mysteriously for several hours in the afternoon with nothing but a head tip and a wink in my direction.
About an hour after he’d left, when I finally couldn’t pretend (even to myself) any longer that I didn’t care, I gave in and checked my phone. Sure enough, I had a text from him.
The Kid
Be back soon. Something I gotta do.
When he came back, he looked as happy and at-ease as ever, whistling softly as he strode back to his table, picked up the book he’d left out and resumed his journey through another world. A tiny voice inside my head tried to plant a seed that he’d goneto see Kayla, or some other girl, but in my heart, no part of me actually thinks that’s true. My old insecurities can fuck right off.
Besides, it’s not like I have a right to be mad even if he did. I’ve hardly given him so much as the time of day since he showed up back in my life, swearing to make up for what he put me through.
Even though I’m not taking him up on his offer—I’m not asking him for any help, any favors—he refuses to not be present, just in case. And he says he’s really enjoying some of the books I’ve given him. Others, he’s been more delicate about discussing with me, and I know a few of those were not his cup of tea. But some of my favorites…well, he’s made at least one or two comments to me already about if there’s ever a screen adaptation, he’d throw his hat in the ring for this character or that one. I try not to picture thattoomuch, because…damn. Is it hot in here? My face feels flushed for some reason.
Also, speaking of characters he should play, I’m positive he should be filming again by now.Midnight Empirehas got to be in production once again and I really don’t knowhowhe is here all day, every day. I know Alex goes back a little earlier than the cast, but she’s been on set for a couple weeks now. I’ve hardly gotten to talk to her in that time, much less have a girls’ night, which I’m sorely in need of. When I tried to be stealth and ask her if Aaron wasn’t expected on set yet (not sure which outcome I was hoping for there—that he needed to leave, or that he could stay with me a bit longer), she just sent me this cryptic message and now Iknowsomething is going on.
Alexandra the Great
He’s not needed for now.
Me
What does that mean?
That he isn’t needed ??
Thanks for clarifying.
