by V. Vaughn
That should be safe enough, and with another person around it will be easier to ignore the ache I have for Aaron’s heated touch. I walk ahead of him to grab my helmet off the handlebars as I say, “Sounds good to me.” But my cool confidence is short-lived, because the moment I climb on and Aaron is between my legs, I begin to quiver. Thoughts of what he’d feel like without clothes against my sensitive places makes me splay my fingers across his stomach and hold on tighter than necessary. I’m in so much trouble.
Chapter 6
Aaron shares an apartment with his brother Aleck. It’s an old duplex that appears well maintained. The white building has two concrete walkways with yellow and purple pansies in flower boxes outside the windows. As we approach the door I say, “The flowers are lovely.”
“Yeah, we rent from two sweet old ladies who live on the other side.”
I notice a curtain move, and when I wonder if they’re spying on us it makes me smile. I whisper, “I think they’re watching us.”
“Probably. Would you like to meet them?”
What could be safer than old women? Surely that could buy me some time away from temptation, so I say, “Yes. I would.”
My backpack thumps on the doorstep when Aaron sets it down, and he leads me toward his neighbors. A wreath is on the door along with a sign that says, “We love polar bear” with a heart symbol for the word love. The polar bear is Bowdoin’s mascot, and I say, “How cute.”
Aaron says, “Yeah, everyone loves the bear.” He knocks, and the door opens quickly.
“It’s about time you found her,” says a woman that can’t be even five feet tall. She calls out, “Maggie! We have company.”
Another lady with gray hair that’s loose and flowing in waves pops her head out of a room to say, “Coffee’s on. Now get in here with your young lady. Goodness knows we’ve been waiting for this.”
Aaron speaks loudly, and his voice sounds strange when he says, “You two act like I’ve never had a date before. Don’t make her think I’m an animal.”
The woman who opened the door giggles as we enter a small kitchen, and Maggie says, “Well, of course not.” She gives me the once-over. “Hello dear, I’m sure you heard that I’m Maggie.” She glances at the other woman. “And my sister is Colleen. Have a seat.”
“Thank you. It’s so kind of you to have us,” I say as I sit in an old wooden chair. It creaks, and I wonder if the one Aaron sits in can actually support his weight.
He says, “This is Olivia, and she’s not my girlfriend yet.” He winks at me as he adds, “I’m still working on that part.”
Aaron gets up, and I wonder where he’s going when he leaves the room.
A ceramic cookie jar in the shape of a polar bear clatters as Colleen pulls out treats and places them on a plate. Liquid splashes into small cups as Maggie pours, and she says, “First dates are so wonderful.” Coffee is placed before me with a thump, and she sits down next to me as Colleen joins us too.
Maggie sighs as she looks at me. “So much promise.” Her cool hand lands on my mine, and she asks, “Don’t you just love the way he makes you all growly?” She quickly covers her mouth as if she didn’t mean to make a bear pun and asks, “See what I did there?”
Aaron has returned to the room, and I notice a light bulb in his hand as he reaches up to the ceiling. The burnt-out bulb squeaks as he unscrews it, and I say, “You two have a thing for polar bears, don’t you?”
Maggie glances at Aaron. “We certainly do.”
Colleen says, “Olivia, do help yourself to the bear paws.” Her face crinkles up as she covers her mouth too in an attempt to suppress laughter, and I chuckle along with her as I glance at Aaron in puzzlement. He shrugs quickly. I wonder if they’re always like this, because he doesn’t seem to find them as funny as I do.
Maggie asks, “How did you two meet?”
I frown for a second because I’m not sure what to say. I decide to downplay the blackmail portion. “I met Aaron when I asked him if Second Sound could play at my sorority’s fundraiser, and he asked me out.”
“She’s not telling you the whole story,” says Aaron, and his chair groans as he seats himself at the table again. “I forced her to go out with me as payment for us playing.”
Maggie says, “Oh,” as she sits back.
“Goodness,” says Colleen. “So you don’t really like him?”
I have no idea why Aaron has put me on the spot like this, and heat rises to my cheeks as I say, “No. I mean--” I sigh. “He’s very nice. But he’s not the kind of guy I usually date.”
Colleen leans forward to whisper as if Aaron can’t hear. “It’s the tattoos and his hair, isn’t it?” She gives me a knowing nod. “They do take some getting used to, but don’t go judging a book by its cover. He’s a good boy.”
I smile at how adorable she is and look at Aaron. “You’re right. I shouldn’t.”
Maggie clasps her hands. “Good.” She leans in to whisper too and says, “Don’t tell his brothers, but he’s my favorite.”
I hold back my laugh as I notice Aaron smiling. I hold up my hand so he can’t see me speak and whisper back, “Don’t tell him I said this, but he’s kind of growing on me.”
Maggie nods as she leans back and glances over at Colleen. Colleen nods back at her, and I wonder what on earth they’re thinking.
Aaron says, “Olivia is the president of a sorority.” The conversation becomes normal as the women ask me about the fundraiser and what I’m studying. And Aaron flirts with them as they tell stories about their younger days. When we finish our coffee he tells the ladies that we need to go, and I thank them before we leave.
I wait to speak until we’re in his apartment. I say, “That was interesting.”
“Yeah. They’re entertaining.” He opens the fridge, and bright light washes over him.
“Why did you tell them I didn’t want to go out with you?”
“Because you didn’t, and I wanted to stop them before they had you looking at wedding dresses.” He pulls out a deli bag and asks, “Turkey?”
I don’t buy his excuse, but I let it go and reach for the meat. “Sure.”
Aaron brings the rest of the supplies over to the counter and steps next to me to bump me with his hip. “So I’m growing on you, huh?”
I realize this is the first time he’s touched me without my permission, but it doesn’t bother me. “Don’t get too cocky, but I think it’s sweet the way you changed their lightbulb as if you’ve done it a million times.”
“You really didn’t like me at all when we first met, did you?”
My knife clatters against the mayonnaise jar as I scoop some out. “You’re a guy that strips off his shirt and throws it into a crowd of women, and then you probably take a few of them home.”
“A few?” He chuckles. “Wow. Do you have it wrong.”
I picture the latest article I saw trending on the web. It showed Aaron with a collection of women hanging off of him as they posed for the camera. I ask, “So you don’t hook up with the women that throw themselves at you?”
“Not usually. I’ll admit I’m no angel, but the truth is that got old real fast.”
I turn to look up at him. “That’s nice to hear.”
“Since I’m the only single guy left in the band, I’m the one they go for. The press eats it up, and it’s good PR. At first I liked it, but lately it’s not much fun. I don’t want to be with someone that is after what I represent and not who I am.” A plate is cold in my hand when he gives it to me, and we walk over to the kitchen table. “I’m more than tattoos and wild hair.”
I take a bite of my sandwich, and tangy flavor fills my mouth while I think about how I judged Aaron based on his appearance. In the short time I’ve spent with him, I’ve already discovered he is a lot more than the ink and spiked locks I first noticed. And I regret that I let the tabloids cloud my thinking when I should know better. I say, “Yes, you are.” It occurs to me that I might have put up a barrier for our
physical attraction, but I forgot to build an emotional one, because I think I like the man sitting across from me.
Chapter 7
While Aaron and I eat lunch, music begins to play in the form of small spurts of piano notes. I ask, “Is that your brother working on a song?”
“Yeah.” Aaron stands up and grabs my empty plate. “I’ll introduce you. He could use a reason to get out of his head for a while. He’s been playing that same part since last night.”
Plates clash in the sink before Aaron leads me to the living room. A worn couch and a few well-used, overstuffed chairs litter the room. A man that is clearly related to Aaron glances up from a piano. Aaron says, “Aleck, this is Olivia.”
He smiles at me. “Nice to meet you.”
I say, “You too,” as Aaron begins to drum his hands on top of the piano.
Aaron says, “How about a jam session, bro? To clear the lead out.”
Aleck nods, and Aaron climbs on the couch to reach behind it. He pulls out a drum that looks like something tribal and hands it to me.
It’s surprisingly light, and I say, “Oh no. You don’t want me to join in on this.”
“Of course we do,” says Aleck. “Don’t worry, banging out a beat is easy.” His eyes glitter with amusement as he adds, “Even Aaron can do it.”
“Nice,” says Aaron. “Why do I help you again?” He hoists up a guitar from the storage place behind the sofa, and it reminds me of something one would see at a campfire. When he places the strap around his neck I notice it’s worn, and I wonder how long he’s had the instrument.
I glance down at the drum that is just as tattered. Aaron motions for me to sit in a chair and says, “Use your palms and maintain a steady beat.”
Alternating my hands, I tap. “Good,” says Aleck. “Now do it at this tempo.” He drums with his hands on the piano bench, and I mimic the speed.
Aaron says, “Not bad for a sorority girl.” I smile back but don’t speak because I’m busy concentrating on the beat. He says, “Don’t think so much.”
I frown. “I don’t want to do it wrong.”
“Feel it, Olivia,” says Aaron. “As if you’re dancing.”
I frown but close my eyes to imagine moving to a song. It does get easier, and I relax a little when Aaron starts to strum. He plays a version of the music we heard before, and Aleck joins in on the piano. I notice how the tune repeats itself, but each time Aaron adds something different. Aleck seems to be listening to the changes, and his pencil scratches every once in a while between him playing various versions too.
The music begins to fill me as I relax into my methodic movements, and I find that I’m enjoying myself. I’m so into it that when a voice begins to sing I jump and miss a beat. I glance over and see one of the female band members has entered the room. Her voice gives me goose bumps as she makes up lyrics on the fly.
“I walk in the house, and what do I see? Aaron’s got a girl who rocks it like we.” She winces, and I think it’s because of her bad grammar, before she continues. “With hair all aflame, I know she’s the one. To keep our boy, staying at home.”
Aaron stops playing and says, “Okay, break time.”
I grin. “Oh, come on. It was just getting interesting.”
The dark-haired girl trains her vivid green eyes on me to say, “Hi. I’m Nessa.”
“Olivia. Nice to meet you.”
A third blond brother enters the room. “Hey. I’m Adrian.” He sits next to Aaron and takes the guitar. He begins to strum and says to me, “So you’re the sorority girl, right? We’re looking forward to playing for you.”
“Thank you.” I smile and glance at Aaron. Apparently it’s already a done deal and our date wasn’t necessary. I ask, “You sure you’re okay with Aaron offering you up for free? I know it’s not a lot, but I do have money in the budget to pay you.”
Aleck says, “It’s fine. We’re happy to do it for nothing so you can send more money to the children.”
“I appreciate it. Thank you.”
The sound of the front door opening carries to us, and I look over when two more people enter the room. They introduce themselves as Ginny, a triplet sister of Nessa, and the fourth Lindquist brother, Andre. Now we fill the space as Ginny seats herself next to Aleck by the piano and Andre reaches behind the couch for another guitar that might be in worse condition than the first. Aaron grabs drumsticks that I think were stuffed under the couch cushion and comes to sit on the floor by my feet. Paper flutters as Aleck hands a yellow notepad to Nessa.
I ask Aaron, “Do you want the drum?”
He leans back against my legs to gaze up at me, and my insides flutter at the physical contact. “Nope. You’re the beat.” He twirls a drumstick through his fingers as he says, “I’m going to add the flair.” He taps out a rapid flurry of sound on the wood floor to show off.
Nessa comes to sit on the arm of the chair I’m in, and she speaks softly. “Before moving to Maine these guys had next to nothing. Aaron’s more comfortable drumming on random objects.”
Aleck claps his hands once and says, “Olivia, give us a beat.”
My heart is in my throat, but I swallow down my nerves as I begin to play. Everyone joins in quickly, and I watch in amazement as the music flows. It’s a never-ending song as the melody travels in a large circular motion. Nessa walks around the room singing lyrics and changing words each time as the others add new bits of their own too. I glance down at Aaron as his drumsticks fly, and I wonder how he can move so quickly.
I look up when yet another girl enters the room. She leans down to meet Aleck in a kiss before she smiles at me as she walks over with her hands out. While she’s a brunette, I don’t think she’s related to Nessa and Ginny. I stop playing to hand my instrument to her as she says, “I remember the first night they made me do this, and I’m sure you’ve had enough.”
“Thanks.” She moves over to sit on the couch, and I peer over Aaron’s shoulder to watch him play. The movement is mesmerizing, and after a while I sit back to enjoy the music as I observe the group in the room. Everyone has a part, and I know they’re making it up as they go. Without rules or direction you’d think it would be chaos, but it’s as if they’ve tapped into each other’s thinking and can predict what will happen next. It’s amazing.
After a while Aleck stops everyone for a break. “Good stuff. I think I’ve got it.”
Aaron stands up and groans as he stretches. He holds a hand out for me, and I take it to let him help me up from the chair. He says, “You did a great job.”
I shrug and say, “You are incredible. I didn’t know hands could move so fast. Thanks. That was fun to watch.”
The last female that joined us stands and says to me, “Hi. I’m Noel. You must be the girl Aaron’s been talking about.” She nudges him with her elbow. “I can’t believe you made her play her first time here. Poor thing.”
He stares at me, and the smolder in his eyes burns right though to my core. “I knew she’d be up for the challenge.”
Adrian asks, “Did my brother invite you to dinner yet? Ginny just put the best lasagna you’ve ever had in the oven.”
I glance over at Aaron, and he winks at me as he asks, “What time are we eating? Olivia has to be back by seven.”
“No,” says Noel as she grabs my arm. “You can’t go. We play cards with partners, and Aaron needs one. You have to stay. Please?”
“Well--” I’m totally getting sucked into this, and strangely I don’t mind. I gaze into Noel’s pleading face and say, “My plans weren’t that important. I’ll stay.”
“Great!”
I look at Aaron, and his crooked smile says, “Told you so.” As tempted as I am to defy him, I’m even more inclined to kiss him instead.
I refrain from both as Nessa pats the couch beside her and says, “Come sit, Olivia. I want to hear about your children’s charity.”
I plop down next to her, and Aaron sits across from us on the edge of the seat to listen. As we talk
, other conversations happen around us. A glass of red wine ends up in my hand, and I laugh and joke with everyone as if I’ve been a part of this big family forever. When we’re called in to dinner Aaron grabs my arm and holds me back for a moment.
He says, “You don’t have to stay for cards. You’ve fulfilled your commitment.”
I reach for his hand and step close enough that his heat radiates toward me as I say, “I want to.”
“I am growing on you.”
My lips tingle as I recall our kiss earlier, and I’d pull him down for another if we were alone. I’m not sure how it happened, but I think I’m falling for this guy. I whisper and mimic Maggie’s mannerisms with my hand, “Don’t tell the others, but you’re my favorite.”
Aaron squeezes my fingers as he says, “Your secret’s safe with me.”
Chapter 8
The aroma of garlic fills the house, and wine flows freely as the guys add a folding table to the end of the one in the dining room. The piano bench thumps down when it’s brought over to be used as two seats, and stools fill in the other spots. I help Noel set the table. She says, “I’ve just joined this crazy bunch, but they’re a lot of fun.”
“You’re not in the band, are you?”
“No. I’m their agent.” She sighs as she lifts her shoulders in a way that makes me think she’s head-over-heels in love. “When I met Aleck it was like I’d finally found my soul mate. It’s hard to explain, but I was attracted to him in a way I’d never felt before.”
Silverware clashes as I remove a fork from the bundle in my hand and set it down. She described how I feel, and it makes me curious. “It sounds intense.”
“It is.” Noel says, “The first time we touched it was like he sent an electric current through me.”
I must show my shock on my face because she asks, “Did that happen to you with Aaron?”
A flush heats my cheeks, and I say, “Yes. It’s so strange, and I don’t know what to do about it because--” Because what, Olivia? I recall Colleen mentioning that his appearance takes getting used to, but I don’t think that’s it. I say, “Because it’s kind of overwhelming.”