He stumbled back, hurt evident in his eyes. I regretted my words instantly, even if they were true. I went to reach for him as he started to turn around. “Aaron… wait… that came out wrong.”
He pulled his arm from my grasp. “No, you’re right. I don’t have any claim on you, Evelyn, and this is your home.” He paused, sucking his lower lip in between his teeth. “I appreciate the reminder. It put things in perspective…” He shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “Enjoy the food and teepee for Alfredo. I’ll see you at HQ.” And with that, he turned around and left me standing alone in the entryway of my kitchen.
My eyes filled with tears. Looking down at the fort he brought, I noticed the embroidery.Alfredo’s Place.
My eyes met the ceiling as I willed the tears to stop. This wasn’t how I wanted things to end with Aaron. My chest hurt from the piece of my heart that’d just walked away.
THIRTY-ONE
EVELYN
I quickly swiped the tears pooling in my eyes with my fingers when I heard Kade’s footsteps approach. He turned to me and then at the bag of take out and teepee. “Everything alright?”
I rubbed a hand down my face. “Yeah, just a misunderstanding.” I braced myself on the island. Warm arms wrapped around my waist.
“It didn’t seem like just a misunderstanding.”
I turned around in his arms and looped my arms around his neck. I took a deep breath and decided to tell the truth. “Aaron and I have been friends for a long time.” I averted my gaze. “At some point we mutually decided to become friends with benefits. But we agreed to not date. We both got what we wanted without the stress of a relationship.”
Kade pulled me closer and kissed my temple. “I take it he clearly caught feelings and thought you were something more?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I think so. We were only seeing each other, so I can understand why he feels the way he does.” I paused. “But then I met you… and things changed.” It wasn’t in my nature to be vulnerable; however, with Kade I felt safe enough to do that.
Kade gave me a small smile. “Changed in a good way?”
I giggled. “Yes, very much a good way. I just haven’t had a chance to tell Aaron about us yet. So, him coming here tonight… well I'm sure was a little bit of a shock.”
Kade’s face hardened. “You haven’t slept with him since we started, right?” Jealousy was evident on his face.
I shook my head. “No, I haven’t. I was planning on telling him, but I’ve been so busy since we've gotten back from the conference.” I put my forehead on his chest. “I don’t break my promises. I’m yours.” I was really laying the vulnerability on thick and prayed it wouldn’t freak him out.
His grip tightened around me.
I glanced back up at him. “But I want to make one thing very clear.”
He raised an eyebrow in question.
“I won’t stop being friends with Aaron. Or any of the people from Domino’s. They are like my family.” If Kade couldn’t be okay with that, this definitely wouldn’t work.
He seemed to think for a second before pressing his lips to mine. “Okay.”
I kissed him back before my stomach rumbled so loudly, I felt the vibration on Kade’s stomach.
He chuckled. “Let’s get some food for you.” Instead of making the pizza, we ate the food that Aaron had brought over. I didn’t want to throw it out and be rude, and comfort food was what I needed to help ease the turmoil inside.
After we cleaned up dinner, Kade and I were snuggled on the couch when Alfredo decided to make an appearance, jumping onto the couch arm and sniffing Kade’s hair.
Kade looked at me with wide eyes. “What do I do?” He came off scared so I decided to play along.
“Don’t move a muscle,” I said with as much seriousness as I could.
Kade gulped as Alfredo climbed on his lap and put his furry little head in front of Kade’s. Alfredo let out a loud meow before licking the tip of Kade’s nose and rubbing his little face all over his chin.
I looked at Alfredo in shock. He never did that to strangers. Hell, he barely did that to me. Alfredo began to purr and curl up on Kade’s shoulder.
Kade looked at me questionably. “Why do you look like I stole your toy from you?”
“Are you a cat whisperer or something and failed to mention it?”
