by Nora Blake
“We were getting everything ready to paint and she came barging into the garage.”
“If they are divorced, why would she be angry that I’m with Aaron?” I didn’t understand, but this is what I feared in the beginning. I remember when I started dating one of my friend’s ex boyfriends. They had been broken up for two years, but it still pissed her off. She hated his guts until someone else was with him. I honestly didn’t understand that logic because guys I dated and broke up with dated other people after me and I didn’t care. It wasn’t my place to give a shit. That made my mind spiral into a web of a mess. What if she truly was trying to work things out with Aaron? What if she really did still love him?
“It’s not the fact that Aaron is dating someone new, it’s the fact that he’s let the boys meet you without talking to her first.”
“Oh.” That pain in my stomach turned to nausea. “Nick, didn’t she know they were meeting me when we were technically just friends?”
“Probably, but this is how Melany rolls. She is just a bitch and will find any reason to be angry with Aaron.” He motioned for me to turn right when we came to a four-way stop. “Just drive around this block for a bit.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“I know he planned on having the conversation with her about you being around a lot and him dating you. The boys just beat him to it. No matter what, she’d react like this, so don’t think this is your fault in any way. This is just her and Aaron. All they do is fight.”
I nodded but didn’t know what to say. I know Melany didn’t know me, but surely she knew Aaron wouldn’t have let the boys be around someone who wasn’t fit to be in their lives. I wasn’t a mom, I didn’t understand Melany’s side to all of this. Maybe this was something normal for someone to get angry about. However, to me, it seemed silly. I couldn’t see Aaron acting this way if Melany was with someone else if he was a good guy and good to the boys.
I saw him check his phone. “He’ll let me know when we can go back over there.”
“How about I just drop you back off and head home? I’m sure she’ll be there a while and Aaron will be frustrated. I’ll give him his space, and he can talk to me when he’s ready.”
Nick’s eye widened. “I’m not ready to die yet, Sarah.”
“What do you mean?” I drove slow around the neighborhood where kids were playing. This felt stupid driving around. I needed to go home and just let Aaron contact me.
“If I let you leave, Aaron will be so pissed at me.”
“Then tell him it was my decision and I’m not some little kid who gets told what to do.” I turned around and headed back toward Aaron’s.
“Shit,” he mumbled. He rubbed his temples. “Alright.”
After dropping Nick off, I headed back to my house. I hated this for Aaron. He was such an amazing guy, but I couldn’t help but consider Melany’s side to all of this. Was there something he wasn’t telling me? I hated my mind even went there, but maybe there was more to it. Maybe he didn’t have the kids all the time for more reasons than he’s given me. So much shit swirled around in my mind, and I just wanted to make it shut up. I didn’t want to question Aaron—I trusted him. It was all just too much to think about.
When I got home, I went straight to my apartment in the basement, avoiding my parents. I didn’t feel like answering their questions as to why I was home so early and upset. I changed out of my clothes and into some sweats and a t-shirt. I laid down in bed and was about to turn on the TV when I heard my phone ding.
Aaron: I’m so so sorry
That was faster than I thought it’d be …
Me: For what? It’s not something to be sorry for.
Aaron: All the drama I know you don’t want to be a part of.
Me: What does this mean now? Am I not allowed to be around the kids?
Aaron: No, you’re still allowed. And this really didn’t have anything to do with you. She’s been pissed at me since I said I wanted more time with the boys. This was just a good reason for her to come and bitch at me.
Me: Oh… Nick said she mentioned me.
Aaron: Can I come over? I’d like to talk to you about all of this in person.
Me: I don’t know, Aaron. Maybe you should just calm down and give it time. I can come over another day.
Aaron: I’ll be there soon.
Me: Aaron, no.
When I didn’t get a text back I called him. No answer.
Dammit, Aaron …
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Aaron
I walked out of the house and stopped just before I got to my truck when I saw Melany still in the driveway. She was on the phone in her car and blocking my truck from leaving. I watched her put her phone down and she got out of the car.
“I just got off the phone with my lawyer. Fighting me about the boys is only going to backfire for you. I hope you realize the war you’ve started.”
I was mentally drained from our hour-long fight; I didn’t want to do this again. It didn’t matter what I said or how carefully I chose my words, she would find something I said, turn it around, and use it against me. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed.
“I need to get out of the driveway.”
She laughed coldly and her eyes went cold. “You have nothing to say to me?”
“No, Melany, I don’t. I need to leave.”
“To see her?” Her words were laced with anger and jealousy.
“Where I’m going is none of your business.”
“I bet you were seeing her behind my back. I bet all of this happened because you’ve always been in love with her. Maybe we could’ve worked, Aaron. Maybe if you actually, for a second, tried to forget her and try to open your heart to me—”
“Stop! You have never once in the years we were together and married tried to love me. I got you pregnant, remember? It was all my fault because I guess when it came to me and you, sex didn’t take two according to your parents and yourself. We were forced into a marriage we didn’t want. Then I got you pregnant a second time. I tried to stay with you so we could raise the boys in a house with their parents, but you gave me nothing to work with.” I threw my hands up. “Why the hell am I even talking to you about this right now? We’re divorced. We’re done. Aside from the boys, you and I are nothing, and I owe you nothing except when it comes to Keeton and Kallon. Fight me, Melany. Do whatever you want to try to stop the court for working in my favor, but you will lose. I’ve given you every bit of extra money I have for the kids and have nothing that makes me an unstable father.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook her head. I watched as she got into her car and backed out of the driveway. I put my hand on the door handle to open my door and stood there a moment, trying to calm my mind. I put my forehead to the cold window and sighed heavily. I hated this. I hated what we were and that my sons had to suffer. I took a steadying breath and got into the truck and headed to Sarah’s.
I nervously knocked on Sarah’s door. I was worried she was going to pull away from me, and I needed to look at her when I talked to her. I needed her to understand that none of this was her fault. Things were going so well, and I didn’t need this slowing us down. Nick had told me how upset she looked when she dropped him back off at the house. I hated the idea of her being anything but happy when it came to me.
She opened the door and smiled a little. “You shouldn’t be here.”
I shook my head and leaned against the door jamb. “Sarah, this is exactly where I’m meant to be. With you. Can I please come inside?”
She stepped out of the way and let me in. “My parents are out of town for a few days. Spur of the moment trip in the old Bug.”
“The old Bug? Really?” I smiled down at her.
“Yeah. They still have it. And yes, they still love it more than me.” The sparkle in her eyes when she made her little cute remarks made me relax some.
I chuckled and laced my fingers with hers. When we stopped in the living room, I brought the bac
k of her hand to my lips. “I’m so sorry about earlier, Sarah.”
She looked up at me, worry invading her eyes. “You look sad.”
“It’s a lot to deal with when it comes to my ex.”
She nodded and hugged me. “What can I do to make it better?”
“This is nice,” I whispered as I held onto her.
We stayed that way for a little longer until she pulled away and took my hand in hers.
“I’ll show you my not-so-grown-up basement apartment.” She laughed. She led me downstairs. “It’s not much, but my parents were awesome enough to set it up like a studio apartment. One day, I’ll grow up and get a place of my own.”
I looked around. “I like it.” I did honestly think it was great, but selfishly preferred she be with me at my place.
“Me too.”
I turned and looked at her. “I really am sorry about tonight, Sarah.”
She sat on the couch in the little living room area and patted the spot next to her.
I sat down and put my arm around her shoulders.
She melted against me and sighed contently. “It’s okay. I promise. I just …” her voice trailed off.
“You just what? Please tell me what’s going through your head.”
“Are you being honest with me about everything when it comes to Melany?” Her eyes fluttered away from mine.
“Look at me, Sarah.”
She looked at me.
“Yes. Why do you think I haven’t?” That hurt. I would never lie to her.
She shrugged and looked at her hands folded in her lap.
The muscles in my jaw tensed. I wasn’t playing this game. “Dammit, Sarah, talk to me. We’re not doing this silent shit. If we can’t talk through this stuff, we won’t work.”
She looked at me again. “I don’t know why I think anything lately. Why didn’t you tell her we were dating?”
“I haven’t had a chance before she found out. I was going to. All of this isn’t because of the fact I’m dating. It’s the fact that I want more time with the boys, and she doesn’t want to give it up. So, she’s finding something else to be pissed about to create as big of a problem as she can. I hate that it upset you. Knowing you’re affected by this is killing me. I don’t know what else to say to you, Sarah. I’d like to pretend that we’ll never have any issues out of her, but we will. If you don’t think you can do this, then tell me right now.”
Panic filled her eyes. “I’m not losing you because of her. Okay?” Her words were filled with an urgency that gave me hope.
“You’ll never lose me,” I said, my voice cracking. I ran my fingers through her hair and let my hand rest on the side of her face. “I’m yours. Always.”
She took a deep breath and let it out. She took my hand in hers and played with my fingers. “Aaron. I’m crazy about your kids, and I don’t want to feel like I can’t be around them.”
She had no idea how much those words meant to me. “Don’t feel that way. You can be around them.”
She picked her head up from my shoulder and looked at me. “You need to fight for them.”
“I am. I’m contacting a lawyer and going to figure this all out.”
She smiled softly. “I’ll help in any way I can.”
“I appreciate that.” I kissed her lips softly. “I love you, Sarah.”
“Don’t say that. It’s too soon,” she whispered.
“It’s not too soon for me. I do love you, Sarah. So much. Always have. I was just too young and dumb to admit it.”
She hid her face against my chest.
I ran my fingers gently through her hair. “I’m not expecting it back any time soon. Only when you’re feeling it. I just needed to tell you.”
“Why is this all happening so fast?” When she looked at me, she had tears in her eyes but wore a bright smile, letting me know they were good tears.
“Maybe because our story is picking up right where it left off.”
“That was eleven years ago, though.”
I shrugged. “So? We’re still the same people, just older.”
“We’re breaking every rule there is when it comes to dating.”
“I already told you I like breaking rules.”
She laughed. “The only reason I haven’t told you I love you is because I thought you’d think I was crazy. I knew, though. I knew back then, and then after the second part of our date that night, I knew my mind hadn't changed. Everyone is going to think we’re crazy, Aaron.”
I ran my thumbs across her cheeks gently. “I’ve never cared what other people think. We can be crazy together.”
Her smile reached her eyes. “Always together.”
“Always,” I whispered before dipping my head so I could kiss her.
When I kissed her, I started sinking into all the feelings she ignited in me.
So fuckin’ vulnerable …
That’s the only description that could come close to describing what happened to me when we got lost in a kiss. Completely and utterly lost …
Sinking …
Deeper …
And deeper …
I wasn’t capable of controlling my hands or my body. I just knew I needed more of her. It was a slow burn, an ache in every fiber of my being and in my soul.
We pulled apart, catching our breath, and that’s when I realized she was lying under me on the couch unsure of how she got there, my hands knotted in her hair, and her hands were touching the bare skin on my back where my shirt had risen.
I wanted her. I longed to devour every single inch, but not here. Not like this, not in her parents’ house. Damn, did I want to, but I also wanted our first time together to be special. Not that any moment with her anywhere wasn’t special, but she deserved things to be better than this.
I dipped my head down and kissed her again, almost losing control for a second time.
“Sarah,” I whispered, my lips melting against hers into another kiss. And there I went, sinking, completely drowning, lost in the current of us.
We woke up in her bed; it was still dark out. Last night was nothing short of perfect. We made out, talked, made out some more, and talked again until we passed out. I reached over and touched the side of her face. I took in every bit of her features. I could lie here and stare at her forever.
She blinked her eyes open. “Hey.” She smiled. “What time is it?” she asked sleepily.
I grabbed my cell from the nightstand. “Five in the morning.”
She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Come on!” She got out of bed.
“Ummm, where the hell are we goin’ at five in the morning?”
“To watch the sunrise. You have time before you have to go into work?”
I laughed. “I can make time.” I sat up and stretched.
“I’m gonna go to the bathroom. I’ll meet you outside in a few.” She went down a small hall, and I heard a door close.
I went upstairs as quietly as I could and found the guest bathroom. After using the restroom, I found myself in the kitchen when I meant to find the front door. I got turned around somewhere. I stopped in my tracks when I heard Mr. Stone clear his throat.
I silently cursed to myself, forgetting I was an adult for a moment. I turned to face Mr. Stone grinning against the rim of his coffee cup. “Good—” I cleared my throat. “Good morning, sir.”
He chuckled low and gave me a slight nod. “Aaron. You stay here in my daughter’s room last night?” He took a sip of his coffee.
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Sit down, son,” he said as he motioned for the seat across from him.
My stomach formed knots as I took a seat. “I’m sorry if I broke a rule, but I can assure you nothing happened.”
He burst into laughter and set his cup down. “Aaron, I’m not upset. I haven’t seen my daughter this happy in a very long time. You’re welcome here any time. When her mother and I came home last night and we saw your truck in the drive, we weren’t upset. If we
were, we would’ve asked you to leave. It’s not like you are teenagers and I have a say in her personal life.”
We both turned and looked at Sarah as she walked in. She stopped mid step when she saw us.
“Hey, Dad,” she said in the sweetest voice.
He chuckled. “You two kids go have fun.”
Sarah’s face was bright red. I laughed and stood.
“Have a good day, Mr. Stone.” I took Sarah’s hand, and we headed out of the kitchen and out the door.
We went outside and sat on the front step of her porch. She put her face in her hands.
“I’m so embarrassed.”
I rubbed her back. “Awww.”
She laughed. “What’d he say?” she asked, sitting up to look at me.
“He’s happy we’re together.”
She raised both brows. “That’s it? He didn’t give you a hard time?”
I chuckled and shook my head. ‘I think he wanted to, but he didn’t.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.” She laid her head on my shoulder and took my hand in hers.
“I love you, Aaron.”
My heart swelled. “I love you, too.”
“Let’s start a new tradition. With the sunrise, we’re going to dream.”
“Dream?” I chuckled.
She nodded as she looked at me seriously. “You’re going to tell me one thing you hope will happen today. Then I’ll tell you mine.”
“I hope Melany will grant me more time with the kids and this custody battle doesn’t get ugly.”
“I hope so, too.”
I kissed her forehead. “I’ll try. Your turn.”
She looked out into the field surrounding her house. The sun was coming up, making the sky different hues of oranges and yellows. I loved how the colors made her smile even brighter.
“I hope I get at least one new client for my photography. I think that’s what I want to do with my life. Professional photography. The more clients I get, the more word can spread about my work.”