“I was never a thief, Nina. You don’t need to worry. Change the locks whenever you want, but I won’t be violating my parole.”
She opened the door with a loud creak. “Good. Here are the supplies. Lock up the shed when you’re done. If you leave it unlocked and someone else steals?—”
“I’ll take the blame. Got it.”
She patted my arm then, surprising me. “You’re not so bad. I know. I’m glad you came today, so I don’t have to evict you.”
Well, that was nice, at least.
“It costs too much in court fees,” she added.
Ah, Nina. A woman with a big heart…for money, anyway.
She left me surrounded by a rusty mower, a couple of weed eaters, a wheelbarrow, garden shears, shovel, and a random assortment of tools and pesticides. I grabbed the weed eater closest to me, locked the shed behind me, and got to work.
An hour later, I was pouring sweat despite ditching my jacket. I’d only cleared half of the first sidewalk of weeds, but when Aiden’s car passed by, followed by Flynn’s, I was happy for an excuse to quit.
I returned the tools to the shed and walked back to my trailer. Aiden and Flynn were unloading boxes onto the driveway when I got there.
“Hey!” Flynn called. “I can’t believe you actually shacked up with my brother!”
It was the same joke he’d used in the bar, but I laughed anyway, clapping him on the arm.
“What, you think you’re the only one who can shack up with little brothers?”
“Seriously, man, I’m so glad Aiden ended up here. I know you’ll look after him.”
“I’m not a toddler,” Aiden said, sounding a little offended. “I can look after myself. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”
“I know,” Flynn said. “But you shouldn’t have to, Aiden.”
“I’m all grown up now, Flynn.” He picked up a box and sent him a reassuring smile. “You really don’t have to worry about me.”
Flynn’s brow furrowed as Aiden headed up the sidewalk. “He’s so determined not to need anyone. It makes me sad.”
“Maybe he’s just independent,” I suggested.
“It’s more than that,” Flynn said. “All the years I was in prison, he was alone. I’m not sure he knows how to let people in now. Don’t let him isolate, Knight. I’m afraid he’ll bury himself in work and never emerge again.”
“I’ll try, but?—”
“Hey!” Aiden called. “You gonna come unlock the door?”
I broke off and jogged over to the porch, reaching into my pocket to withdraw the extra key I’d gotten made for him on my lunch break. I unlocked the door with it and followed him to his bedroom, where he set the box down with a pained grunt.
“You okay? Flynn and I can get the heaviest boxes.”
“I’m fine.” He straightened, rubbing at his lower back. “It’s my junk, and you look like you’re about to drop of heat stroke. Go drink some water. Hydration is important in this heat.”
“Yes, Doctor,” I teased.
He wasn’t wrong, though. I was a little light-headed. Maybe Aiden would be the one looking after me.
I held out the key. “For you. So you can let yourself in from now on. Nina would like you to go sign the lease whenever it’s convenient.”
He took it from me, our fingers brushing. “Thanks. I’ll do that tomorrow.”
Flynn came into the room carrying a stack of two boxes. “You want these in here?”
