“I’m great, actually.” I smile. I have no animosity toward him now. It was years ago. It’s water under the bridge. We were both young and people make mistakes.
With that being said, I would still never consider dating him again.
“How are you? What brings you to Hillford?”
Aiden takes a sip of his beer, nodding his head as he swallows. “I’m good. I’m here for a cousin’s wedding this weekend. We have a few days off from games, so it worked out.”
“That’s great,” I say, my brow furrowing. “I don’t remember you having any family here in Hillford.”
Aiden laughs quietly. “Well, we haven’t spoken in a while, J. He moved here last year with his fiancée.” He pauses, tilting his head to the side as his gaze roams across my face. “A lot can change in a few years.”
“Yeah, it can,” I agree, nodding.
Ellie bumps her arm against mine, gaining my attention. “I’m going to go to the bathroom. If the bartender comes over, I’m ready to go if you are.” She glares at Aiden on the other side of me.
“He’s harmless, El. I’m not as stupid as I was before.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
Aiden clicks his tongue as I turn back around, looking for the bartender. “I see Ellie still hates me.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure all my friends do.” I give him the fiercest side eye that I’d imagine Candy Stone would throw at someone. “You did fuck me over.”
His body sags, an exasperated sigh leaving him, just as I catch the bartender’s attention. “My friend and I would both like to close out our tabs,” I say to her after she comes over.
“Of course. I’ll take care of it now.” She looks at Aiden as he dips his head and rakes his fingers through his hair. “Everything okay?” she asks me.
“Yeah, yeah. We’re good.”
She looks at Aiden once more, back at me and nods before heading back across the bar.
“Jade…” His voice trails off for a second. I turn to look at him. “I’m sorry. I was a fucking idiot. Those girls never meant anything and I shouldn’t have cheated on you. I was young and didn’t know what I wanted, but I really did love you. I swear I did.”
Jesus, this is like the same speech he gave a few years ago. He must be looking for a quick fuck while he’s in town. He knows I live in Hillford. Hell, he has my number and I never hear from him.
“You know, after we first broke up, I was a mess. I was so upset. I couldn’t figure out what I did wrong or why you didn’t want me. Why the hell I wasn’t good enough for you, but they were.”
Aiden opens his mouth to speak and I lift my hand to silence him. The bartender comes back and eyes us both as she sets down my card and Ellie’s, along with the receipts for us to sign.
I grab the pen, sign my name on the paper and tuck my card in my wallet. “I don’t think I ever really loved you.”
Aiden’s eyes go wide. “What?”
“I was in love with the idea of you. With the version of you I created inside my mind.” I shake my head at him, not giving him any room to get any other words in. I know Aiden. He’s going to want to defend himself. “The person you are and the person I convinced myself that you were are not the same one.”
“I don’t buy it,” he argues, taking another sip of his beer. He’s irritated now. “You loved me. I know you did.”
“I loved the picture I painted of you inside my head.”
Ellie reappears at my side. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yep.” I hand her the pen to sign her receipt as I get up from my seat. I look back at Aiden. “Bye, Aiden.”
“Jade, wait,” he says, turning on his barstool. “Come on. You don’t have to be like that.”
“There’s no reason for me to stay and talk with you. There’s no reason for us to talk again.” I stare at him, my face void of any emotion. “There is nothing between us. We’re not friends. We never will be. I’d like to keep you in my past, where you belong.”
Aiden’s pissed now. He stares at me, his face contorting in anger. Instead of waiting for him to say anything, I spin on my heel, striding toward the exit with Ellie in tow.
