Aiden is holding what appears to be Braxton’s dream come true. Some fancy, neon, sparkling—I think literally—skate board.
That’s what he was doing when he paused. He was studying Braxton for weak spots. He must have clocked the busted old board at his feet and…what then? Made a call to his minions to get this thing immediately delivered via drone? Are we living in the future now?
“Let’s negotiate,” Aiden says to the boy.
I cough. The man and the teenager both glance at me. I make my eyes wide and tell Braxton,You have all the power here! Use it!
I fight a laugh as Braxton straightens in his chair and puts a hand to his mouth to clear his throat. His voice comes out comically deeper. “I’ll give you a hint.”
“This is a limited edition,” Aiden says. Braxton squeaks. “And it’ssigned,”The bajillionaire adds.
“What?” Braxton’s voice now sounds like Minnie Mouse. The outmatched kid looks at me, then the board, Aiden, and me again. But, God bless him, he loves this town. He blinks hard and it looks like it physically pains him to say, “A hint. Final offer.”
“Fine, give me the hint.”
“A-wassailing,” Braxton says quickly.
“A what?”
“That’s the hint,” Braxton crosses his arms, pretending he is prepared to lose all of his hopes and dreams over this silly secret.
“Like the Christmas song,” I say from the register. Aiden does a double take at me.Yes, I spoke to you. Get over it.
“And this is a valuable hint?” Aiden asks Braxton as he extends a hand to shake on it, while looking at me. I nod.Give him the damn skateboard before he vomits from the anxiety of all this in the middle of my shop!
“Yes,” Braxton’s voice breaks on the word as he reaches out a hand while keeping his eyes on the skateboard.
“Very well,” Aiden says before handing over the board.
“Th-th-thank you,” Braxton says. He…he’s crying. He’s looking up at Aiden like he’s the one who arose from the grave last week and he is actually tearing up.
“Come now,” Lord Bridgerton straightens, visibly bothered, “Don’t thank me, this was an even trade. Nothing to sniffle about like a couple of girls.”
What did he just say?
I flip the counter door and stomp out.
“Oh, uh, right, yeah,” Braxton wipes his face and nods, so clearly embarrassed. Just when I thought maybe Vanderbully wasn’t actually the absolute worst. He just shamed this sweet kid and insulted women everywhere.
“Well, you have your hint,” I say to Aiden, one hand on a hip. I hope my eyebrows are screaming,so it’s time to go.
Aiden looks at me, my posture, then the bag on my shoulder. He frowns, “Is your car fixed?”
I cross my arms, “Are you planning to buy something?”Because otherwise you’re just loitering! Bye!
“Let me give you a lift,” he says.
“No,” I turn away from the jerk and toward the teenager, “Hey, B, I need some muscles in the back, could you help?”
He sniffs again, “Yeah.” He shakes his head, still shocked, excited, and embarrassed. “Yeah, sure.”
“I can—” Aiden starts but I give him a look that I hope tells himexactlywhat I think about the idea of him anywhere near me or Brax or my store right now. Bullies are not welcome here!
“Great,” I smile at the kid I’ve known since he was in diapers. “Bring your stuff,” I add, letting him know that it is one hundred percent okay to love this new skateboard to the point of public emotional displays, and to want to bring it into the back with us. And maybe cradle it to his chest like a newborn baby if he wants.
“So, you’re not leaving, then?” Aiden asks, watching as I help Braxton pack up his things. I don’t answer him.
He watches us step away. Braxton turns to say thank you again but stops himself and instead raises his phone up. He wags his eyebrows at the phone, then turns away to walk behind the counter. I fight a smile and don’t even have to turn to look. I’m sure Aiden is frowning behind us.
