“Then why do I need to know the rules?”
Aiden pulls away and fishes his wallet out of his pocket, then grabs cash and tosses it onto the table before standing. “Let’s go somewhere more private to talk.”
THIRTEEN
AIDEN
I knockdown the kickstand and switch off the engine. Nova straightens and keeps her arms wound around me in a loose hug. There are several reasons I enjoy having her as my backpack, but the main reason isthis. I love it when she clings to my chest or stomach as we ride through town.
“Looks like I called it.” Her voice filters through my helmet’s speakers, drawing me out of my thoughts.
I peek at her over my shoulder, eyebrows raised even though she can’t see them.
Taking my silence as a question, Nova points above us. “The storm won’t hit us. I called it.”
I tilt my head and peer at the sky, noting the grey overcast that promises rain but not a storm. “Huh. You were right after all.”
She playfully swats my arm. “I’m always right.”
I face forward and pull the helmet’s strap free from the buckle beneath my jaw. I’m glad she was right. Nova has come far since the first night I met her, but she still has mental-health struggles. She knows her triggers, has coping skills to help with them, takes prescribed meds for her anxiety and depression, and goes to therapy to deconstruct the trauma.
And she has me.
When all else fails, I’m right beside her, grounding her.
“Why did you bring me here to talk about your rules?” she says as she removes her helmet. Her gaze slips toward the shopping center she frequently haunts.
Grinning, I slip my helmet off and shake my messy hair into place. “I figured since I owe you for ditching you the other day, I’d take you to your favorite shops.”
Nova’s attention returns to me, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Yeah, she’s already catching on to what I’m doing.
“You said we needed to go somewhere private to talk. Not take me out shopping.” She folds her arms over her chest and pops out her hip.
I dismount the bike’s seat and peel off my riding gloves. “You mentioned this guy wanting to meet up with you.” I nod toward her hand. “It would be a shame if you didn’t show up with a new set.”
Nova sobers and looks at her pink acrylic nails. “You think he’ll notice?”
I smirk and stuff my gloves into my pocket, then close the small gap between us. “You want my honest answer?”
Nova lifts her gaze to my face and nods.
“Yeah, he’ll notice.”And I already want to gouge out his eyes.
The only thing saving him from meeting the grim reaper is that Nova’s happiness means more to me than mine.
But I deserve a little happiness, so I’m paying for her nails and staking a minor claim over her. Brandon will fuck my sister’s brains out, but she’ll be using the nails I paid for to scratch down his back. I call it a win, as much as the thought enrages me.
Nova averts her gaze and toys with the end of her braid. “I can pay for it.”
“Are you implying that I can’t afford you?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
I chuckle and grab her hand, then lead her toward the nail salon. “Then I’m paying.”
“Don’t think I forgot about what we’re really supposed to be doing right now. I’m supposed to be helping you.”
