“Yeah?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“You and Aiden have gotten pretty close,” he hedges.
“I guess.”
“He’s not as moody now when he comes to the gym. In fact, some would say he looks pretty happy.”
That snags my attention.
I don’t understand why people call him moody. I don’t see it. Whenever we’re together, Aiden makes me laugh. He’s fun to talk to. Funny in a dry way. He does it without trying.
“I um...” I debate whether to ask, but my embarrassment is overridden by wanting to talk to someone about this. “How much do you know about Aiden?”
Cam thinks for a moment then shrugs. “Not much, honestly. We’ve been boxing together for a while now. He’s fun to piss off. Gets really zesty. He’s a good listener, though. Let’s me ramble about a lot of shit. Great listener.”
“Does he talk about anything personal? Like his home life or anything?”
Cam shakes his head. “He’s secretive about a lot of stuff.” He smirks. “So, you like him?”
“No.” I swallow, looking away. “I don’t know.”
“Uh-huh. Isn’t that like, against the rules? Is it why you hired him?”
“No. I hired him because he needed a job and I needed someone to help me. I was a little afraid no one else would apply.”
“Isn’t that like some sort of power imbalance thing?”
“I don’t know if you’re aware, Cam, but I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.” Before redoing my bakery, I was just soaking in the misery of grief. Now I have something to distract me. “I don’t know if you’d exactly consider it a power dynamic when I feel powerless.” I sigh. “This is the first time since my mom died that I’m actually happy and I don’t even know why.” Aiden has been clear about how he feels about real relationships. “I’m really happy.”
“Because of Aiden.”
I think for a moment. “Maybe.” I debate telling him this. “We kissed.”
“Oh shit, really?”
I nod. “Then he freaked out and hasn’t talked to me since.”
“That sounds about right. He’s very spicy. He acts like he doesn’t give a shit when I can tell he does.”
“It’s a mess.”
“Kisses change everything.” He nods.
“My head’s a mess most days, but for the first time in a while I have something to look forward to and I don’t even know what it is.” I feel it, though. That feeling deep in my belly that spreads through my chest when I see him. “The feeling is right, but the man is wrong. Aiden thinks love is stupid.”
Cam barks out a laugh that startles me. “Believe me, I know.” He shakes his head. “He’s a complicated dude.” Cam thinks for a moment. “The thing is, I think he just pretends not to give a shit. There’s something going on with him. He comes to the gym and pretends he doesn’t want company, but I clock it when he’s upset if I can’t join him. He tries to hide it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think Aiden’s a very lonely, complicated guy. That’s what I think.” He lifts off the railing. “Who knows, though. Maybe he’s just an asshole.”
“Okay!” The door swings open. Noah is dressed in a sparkly sheer tank top, tight-fitting black jeans, and black biker boots. “Don’t I look like a badass?” He poses for us. He’s wearing smoky eye shadow, and his curls are styled messily on his head.
Jamie nods, glaring at us from behind him.
“Uh, yeah. Yes. Totally badass.” I give him a tight smile.
