by Mia Hoddell
He laughed but did slow down a bit as he collected the bags and guided her up to the room. The door opened to a clean, magnolia walled room; the sun was shining through an open window and catching the pale yellow covers on the bed. Aiden dropped her bag on to the mattress and then led her back out to the corridor. “My room’s opposite yours and there’s an en-suite in your room.”
“Thanks, but why do I need to know where your room is?”
“You might get lonely? It’s a big, old house.” He phrased it like he was asking a question. When he took in her arched eyebrow, he tried again, “I might get lonely and need you.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “Nice try, but I’m not falling for it.”
He shrugged, not bothered. “Want to go for a walk? We won’t be eating for another few hours yet.”
“There isn’t mud on this walk, is there?” Kayleigh looked down at her almost new Converses with despair.
“Didn’t take you for the type of girl to be squeamish of a little dirt.”
“It’s not ... I’m not ...”
“Come on, city girl, I’ll carry you over any muddy spots or puddles.”
Aiden grabbed her wrist and was hurrying her through the house before she had time to argue.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Just like he’d promised, every time there was even the slightest muddy patch, Aiden lifted Kayleigh up into his arms so she was cradled against his chest. She also happened to notice that she could no longer see the ground in that position, and figured Aiden was using it to his advantage. On numerous occasions the mud seemed to go on forever. Yet, the more he did it the more she grew to like being in his arms. Leaning her head on his chest, she allowed him to carry her over the latest puddle and quickly place her down on the other side. “We’re here!” he declared as she took in the rusted, metal gate in front of her.
“Um ... I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but where exactly is ‘here’?”
Aiden laughed at her screwed up her face while she took in nothing but fields and hedges around her.
“My favourite place. Come on.”
Suddenly Kayleigh was up in the air and dropped on the other side of the gate. There was a clanging of metal as he climbed over, and within second he was next to her. The knee-high grass mixed with buttercups and daisies, creating a sea of yellow, white, and green that swayed gently in the light breeze. Sections of the grass rippled like a current, too; the light caught the blades differently as they tilted sideways in the wind.
Looking up, Kayleigh’s heart started to pound in her chest and her palms became clammy. “Aiden ... there are cows in this field,” she whispered warily.
Perplexed, he glanced down at her. “Why are you whispering?”
“Because I don’t want them to notice me.” Her voice broke around the words as she went up in pitch. When she noticed Aiden’s face struggling to hold back the howl of laughter, she frowned. Her expression pushed him over the edge, laughter finally ripping through him.
“They’re only cows, Kayleigh. They won’t hurt you.”
“But they’re staring at me.” Kayleigh scanned the animals cautiously.
“Come on, they’re more afraid of you than the other way around.” Not giving her the opportunity to question him anymore, he linked his hand with hers and started walking through the long grass. Only, thinking of the grass made another thought come to Kayleigh’s mind.
“Aiden?”
“Hmm.”
“There aren’t, you know, snakes in here are there?”
“Maybe, but they won’t hurt you.” He had a devilish glint in his eyes that Kayleigh knew meant teasing, but that didn’t stop her from planting her feet in the ground and refusing to take another step.
Aiden sighed. “You want me to carry you again?”
Kayleigh didn’t reply, so he took her silence as a yes. Bending down, he knocked her legs out from under her and caught her in his arms. “I’m starting to think you just like being held by me.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault I’ve never left the city.” She cringed into his shirt, hoping he didn’t see through her distraction and read that she did like being held.
“Seriously? You’ve never been on holiday?”
“Nope. I’m a city girl through and through.”
Rather than respond, he gently placed her back on the ground. They were under an oak tree, a circle of shade cast over them and a break in the grass. There was also an old tyre swing tied to one of the branches.
“This is your favourite place?”
Aiden nodded, tugging on the rope and testing to see if it’d hold his weight. “Yep, whenever I was out of the house, I was here.”
“Why?”
“There was a swing, what more of an excuse does a country boy need?” Kayleigh could see he was holding something back by the way he tried to laugh off his comment.
“And what else?” she pressed, hoping he wouldn’t tell her to mind her own business.
“Get on.” He gestured to the swing and Kayleigh didn’t hesitate. Pulling herself up so she was sitting right on the top of it, she held on as he steadied her. “And I could dream out here. I don’t know, my thoughts weren’t very advanced at that age. I liked the adventure and that I could invent different scenes out here. Some days I’d be a cowboy, others a soldier, and so on.”
Her heart melted at the thought of a smaller Aiden running around playing pretend by himself. “I thought you grew up with Ellie and her brother?”
“Yeah, but I never brought them here. Actually, I’ve never brought anyone here ...” He trailed off, lowering his gaze like he was embarrassed.
“Aww, who would have thought it? Aiden Hanson has a soft, sweet side!” Kayleigh tried to diffuse the suddenly very intimate atmosphere with humour.
“Shut up,” he teased, pushing the swing hard. With a squeal Kayleigh clung on to the rope tightly as it flew up into the air.
“What else don’t I know about you?”
Aiden caught the swing, halting its movement, and gave her a hand down. Guiding her over to the base of the tree, he sat down and pulled her between his legs so he could rest his chin on her shoulder. “I like you?” His voice rose like he was asking her if it was true.
“I already knew that.” She tried to twist to look at him, but he wouldn’t let her turn.
“You refuse to believe me though.”
“Hmm ... I’m starting to.”
His breath swept over the nape of her neck that was exposed in her tank top. She felt goose bumps rising along where it touched her, the thought of his lips following making her breath hitch. “You okay, Kayleigh?”
“Yep!” It came out as a high-pitched squeak.
“You sure?” His lips grazed the base of her neck as he spoke, nipping at her soft, sensitive skin.
“I’m ... sure.”
“Is there something you want?”
She felt the vibrations from his voice along with his lips this time, and shook her head, too afraid her voice would betray her.
“Will you give me what I want then?”
“What do you want?” Her voice was raspy as she broke his hold and turned to face him, kneeling between the gap in his legs.
“I think you know.”
She smirked at him. “Tell me or you don’t get it.”
His hands found her waist, pulling her towards him, and his touch scorched her. He stopped when she was centimetres from his face, their noses almost touching. “I want you to kiss me. Not as some character, no acting, and not because you’re forced to. I want you to kiss me as you.”
Kayleigh closed the space between them, letting her lips touch his and he pulled her flush against him. It was gentle, their lips melding slowly as her hand cupped his jaw, the slight stubble feeling rough under her hands. There weren’t sparks flying through her, it wasn’t that type of kiss, but a simmering heat flowed through her in anticipation of more.
When she pulled away Aiden nipped on her bottom li
p. “I knew you liked me.” He looked up at her, his eyes hooded, but content.
“Seriously? Do you have to ruin the moment?” She sat back on her haunches and watched the lazy smile on his face, sure that hers looked exactly the same.
“Just admit it.” His fingers started moving near her hips, causing her to wriggle when it tickled.
Squealing, she tried to escape his hands, but they followed her everywhere. “Okay, I admit it ... I like you,” she said in between laughs. The torture stopped instantly.
“That’s more like it.” His lips captured hers again before she had time to respond.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Heading back towards the house, Aiden felt happier than he’d ever remembered. It was as if he was walking on air, and even as he carried Kayleigh on his back, he had a bounce in his step. There was no doubt in his mind that Kayleigh was the one for him; he hadn’t even looked or thought of another girl in a month. All of his thoughts were consumed by the shy blonde who’d managed to steal his heart without him realising it. For once he wasn’t worried about being serious, everything felt right. Aiden took them around to the back of the house where his dad stood over the barbecue and his mum was laying out the salad. Cole was off near the fence, probably digging up bugs, but as soon as he noticed Aiden putting Kayleigh on the ground, he came sprinting back over. Watching him, Aiden could see what was going to happen seconds before it did. Moving swiftly, he caught Cole as he tripped over a rock, lifting him off his feet, spinning and stopping him from face-planting.
“Careful, buddy, don’t hurt yourself.” Aiden gave him a quick hug with the intent to put him back on his feet and head over to Kayleigh, but Cole had other ideas. His tiny hand clasped his wrist, and before Aiden knew it he was being tugged over to the flower bed.
Kayleigh stood watching Aiden allow Cole drag him away. A part of her loved how gentle and giving he was with his brother, the other didn’t know what to do with herself while she waited alone. She was considering helping Sue when Aiden called out, “Hey, Kayleigh! Come and see what Cole found.” He looked almost as excited as his brother as he waved her over. When she jogged to his side, she could see he held a baby frog in his hands. “Nice, Cole! Please don’t let it touch me, though.” She gave Aiden an imploring look, worried he’d try to make her hold it or something. She had nothing against the tiny creature, but she wasn’t very good with nature and it looked slimy and muddy.
“Buddy, go get a bucket and we’ll release it at the pond after dinner.” Cole ran off instantly to do as Aiden had said.
“He adores you.”
“Of course, I’m the coolest big brother in the world.”
Kayleigh rolled her eyes. “Of course you would say that.”
“I have a mug and everything to prove it.”
She couldn’t help it, she laughed. “You know they mass produce those, right?”
“You mean I’m not the only one?” He feigned hurt, his eyes widening as if he was trying to make himself cry.
“Got it!” Cole shouted, holding up a bright orange bucket for Aiden to place the frog in.
“Come on, we’d better wash up before mum gets mad about all of the mud.” He passed the bucket back to Cole. “Be gentle with him, okay? He’s only little.”
The little boy nodded, concentrating on his every step as he carried the frog back slowly. Just as they reached the patio, his mum announced everything was ready and after washing up, they sat down to eat.
“So, how did you two meet?” she asked, taking control of the conversation as Kayleigh picked at her salad.
“Mum ... please ...” Aiden moaned, and Kayleigh caught him eyeing her with annoyance, before he threw Kayleigh an apologetic glance her way.
“What? I can’t ask about her?”
“We’ve known each other for a few years. I’m a friend of Ellie’s, but it wasn’t until he signed up for the play that we got to know each other as friends.”
His dad burst out laughing. “You signed up for a play?”
“It was a bet, guys. Please drop it.”
She could see where Aiden got his easy-going personality from as they teased him. It was funny to watch him on the receiving end of it for once.
“Did you sign up as a bet, too, Kayleigh?”
“I’m studying drama, so it’s expected I join in … not that I don’t love it.”
“What made you choose that course?”
Kayleigh struggled to find a response that wasn’t a lie but wasn’t the truth either. People tended to judge her when they found out it was because she enjoyed being someone else. They always criticised her for being quiet, and made assumptions that she wasn’t happy with herself, which wasn’t the case. Kayleigh was fine being herself, but it gave her extra confidence when in character to do things she wouldn’t consider in reality. It was hard for people who weren’t like her to understand, so she didn’t want the real reason out there. “I’m just following what I enjoy.”
Thankfully, Aiden started telling his parents about the frog, directing the attention away from her before they could ask any more. She knew they weren’t being horrible and were probably genuinely interested, but Kayleigh didn’t want to be the centre of attention. What surprised her was that Aiden had noticed it.
* * * *
Dinner finished quickly and without any more awkward moments. After helping clear everything away, Aiden managed to persuade her to go with them to release the frog. Cole had carried the bucket the whole way, talking to the creature, whilst Aiden wrapped his arm around her, holding her tightly as they walked along the—thankfully mud free—paths. “I’m sorry about dinner. I know you don’t like being put on the spot.” He nuzzled her neck, tickling her with his stubble that was now forming a five o’clock shadow.
“Don’t worry about it, but I’m curious as to how you know I don’t like talking about Drama.”
“Because you do it so you can be someone else. Talking about it makes you uncomfortable because you have to be Kayleigh, and I doubt people understand that.”
“H–how …”
“How do I know?” When she nodded, he continued. “Because I do the same. The person you see around campus is all an act. The bravado and stuff? It’s not really me, it’s just someone I’ve become because it got me noticed. I was a nobody before that. This is who I really am, the country boy who likes to dream, or just hangs out with his brother.”
She didn’t reply, not knowing how to respond to the sudden revelation. His attention had also turned to Cole since they’d reached the pond. Telling him what to do, he held on to him so he didn’t fall and watched as the frog hopped out of the tilted bucket. Cole made them stay until it was completely out of sight, and by the time they had finished walking back he could barely keep his eyes open so Aiden carried him inside.
“Let’s head upstairs, we’ll only get questioned if we stay down here.”
Kayleigh nodded. “I need a shower anyway.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Kayleigh had just finished getting changed into her pyjamas when a knock came from her door. She hurried to put her clothes away and moved to answer it, only to have Aiden staring at her, eyes wide and his bottom lip jutting out in what she assumed was meant to be cute, puppy-dog eyes. “I’m lonely ...” She knew she shouldn’t laugh and send him away, but he looked so funny.
“Want to watch a movie again? I can get popcorn or leftover cheesecake.”
“Um ... sure, I’ll have cheesecake.”
Aiden hurried off, but he was back before she knew it. She’d only had time to run a comb through her freshly washed and dried hair when he came into the room.
“Since I had to watch a chick-flick last time, it’s my choice now. Step Brothers or Zombieland?”
It really didn’t take long for Kayleigh to decide between the two cases he was holding up. “Step Brothers.”
“Not a violent, action type of girl then?” Aiden moved over to the TV as she climbed on to the bed.
/> “Overactive imagination. Even the smallest amount of blood or paranormal stuff keeps me from sleeping. It’s weird, I can perform it, create the effect with make-up, and know all of the tricks, but I still can’t watch it.”
Grabbing the remote, he moved to sit next to her, holding out the plate of cheesecake and two forks. “I’ll save you if we ever have a zombie apocalypse, don’t worry.” He peered up at her, taking a mouthful of dessert before placing his fork down.
“What about an alien invasion?”
“Aliens, too.” Leaning back, he stretched out his arm behind her, and on instinct she nestled under it, her face burying into his chest.
“Vampires?”
“Yep.”
“Werewolves, axe wielding murders, clowns?”
“Clowns?” She could hear the laughter in his voice as he rested his chin on her head.
“They’re creepy, especially if they have a chainsaw like the one who plays jokes on people on YouTube.”
“Yes, even from all of those, I promise. Although, I’m more worried about what goes on inside of your head right now.” He chuckled.
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
There was silence for a minute as Aiden started the movie. She felt comfortable in his arms, like it was where she belonged. “Are we really doing this?” she whispered, not realising the thought had slipped from her mouth.
About to clarify what she meant, assuming he’d be confused by the random question, she was surprised when he responded, “I’m all in, Kayleigh. The choice is yours.”
“Will you protect me from Ellie if we do give this a go? She’ll go crazy, in a good way, when she finds out.” She pulled away from him, twisting so she could see his face.
“I don’t know ... I’d rather take on a supernatural creature to be honest. I think Ellie’s a step too far.” His eyes sparkled with humour and she rolled her eyes.
“Why are you so scared of her?”
“Have you seen her when she’s mad or excited? She’s an unstoppable force of nature.”