His expression goes dark. “The hell you have.” He shakes his head. “I can’t believe you would bring something up from the past. And you thought it would help me. Are you fucking insane?”
She stares at Aiden, remaining composed and unwavering.
She must think she did the right thing. Is she so in love with Aiden that she thinks all decency can be forgotten? How desperate is she to go to such lengths?
“Honestly, Jess, what were you thinking?”
She backs away from the benchtop, looking downcast with the slightest of grins. “I guess I wasn’t.”
Aiden crosses his arms over his chest. “You know I’ve tried so hard to forget a night, that ironically I don’t remember. I don’t understand what happened when I got to the stables.”
She looks towards the ceiling in annoyance. “You know what happened.”
“No, actually, I don’t. Maybe you should enlighten me because your version never made any sense.”
“You were upset. I found you and we had…”
Toddy lifts his head and interrupts her. “Jess, you need to tell Aiden the truth.”
The truth?
My heart races and my body trembles as I try to get as close as possible without being detected.
“What do you mean the truth?” Aiden sits upright, glancing at Toddy. “What the fuck? You mean you’re in on this, too?”
“No, I wasn’t in on her little game. She’s been playing me, too.” With a deadpan expression, Toddy turns and fixates on Jess. “I’m not going to let you come between me and Aiden anymore. And I’m not going to keep your secret any longer. If you don’t tell him, I will.”
Jess stares towards her feet, avoiding Toddy’s glare.
Toddy scowls, talking through his teeth. “Tell him.”
She lets out an exasperated breath and rolls her eyes. “Fine.”
Toddy raises one eyebrow and presses his lips together.
Jess stares off to the side and speaks with an anguished tone. “We didn’t have sex.”
They didn’t?
I inhale sharply, my hand covering my mouth.
Fury flares across Aiden’s face. “What?”
Jess shifts uncomfortably on her feet. “You passed out.” Jess’s fingers brush against her lips. “We only kissed a little.”
Aiden’s eyes narrow. “Why lie to me? And why were you naked when I woke up?”
Jess shrugs.
“Answer me!” Aiden raises his voice and slams his hand onto the counter.
I cringe, cowering closer to the balustrade.
Jess purses her lips. “I thought you’d give me a chance if you thought we’d spent the night together. You always were so honourable with…”
Aiden’s eyes go wild as he stands and shoves the stool violently against the benchtop. “That’s so fucked up. How could you do this?” He paces the room with his fists clenched by his side. “For years I’ve felt horrible about that night. How could you?”
Tears fall down Jess’s face. “Because I love you. You’re the only man I ever wanted.”
Toddy rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Fucking hell, Jess. You’re such a bitch.”
Aiden lowers his eyebrows and glares at her. “You think tricking me is going to make me love you? My God, you’re like a sister to me. I’ve told you time and time again that we could never be more than friends.”
Jess pleads with Aiden. “We could be more if you just gave me a chance. I’m just what you need to help you run this farm. Even your parents think we’d make a perfect match. Why do you think I was at that dinner with your…”
He puts his hand up, interrupting her. “I’ve heard enough. I don’t have anything more to say to you. Just leave.”
She chokes back a sob. “I’m sorry, Aiden. You mean the world to me. I don’t want to lose you.”
Aiden marches towards the front door. “Well, you took care of that yourself.”
I crouch down lower to avoid being seen as they move into the foyer. Peering carefully over the railing, I can see Jess walking towards the door.
She speaks through her tears. “Don’t do this.”
Remaining tight lipped, he turns away from her.
Jess walks through the door, brushing tears off her face.
Aiden shuts the door and collapses against it, pounding his fist on the hard surface. “Shit! What am I going to do?”
Toddy walks over and puts his arm on Aiden’s shoulder. “I can talk to Holly if you want.”
He looks up from his hands, a pained expression in his eyes. “This is so fucked. I don’t know if anything can be done.”
“I can try.”
Aiden peers upwards as if he is praying for salvation. “Why would she do such a thing?”
“She’s hot but impulsive. There could be worse things than having multiple women throw themselves at you.”
Aiden shakes his head.
“How come that always happens to you and not me?” Toddy slaps Aiden on the arm.
His shoulders droop as he shakes his head. “But letting me believe a lie?”
“Jess was enamoured with your life. Your family always seemed to have it easier than the rest of us. You know her family’s farm has been struggling. She probably thought being with you could help her family.”
“Then why the whole act of hooking up with you?”
“Hey, now. I’m not that bad, am I?”
Aiden slugs Toddy in the shoulder. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I know.” Toddy scratches his elbow, letting his fingers rest around his forearm. “While you were away, Jess and I did hang out a bit. I thought she liked me until I saw her get all jealous when she saw you with Holly. I hate to say it, but she probably used me to get a reaction out of you.”
“It’s so messed up. She was like a little sister to us.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right. It’s just what happens when families are always around each other. We wind up like siblings.” He pauses and grins. “I guess this means we’re like Eskimo brothers now.”
Aiden shakes his head. “I can’t believe she’d try to deceive me. And Holly tried to warn me, but I was too blind. I’m so stupid. I should have just been honest with her.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
“If I lose Holly over a lie, I’ll be beating myself up forever.” Aiden sighs. “I should go up and talk to her, but I doubt she’d want to hear anything I have to say.”
“Let’s have a beer and give her a moment. Then I’ll go talk to her. It might smooth things out before you see her.”
Sighing, Aiden walks towards the kitchen. “Toddy, why didn’t you tell me Jess was lying?”
“She only just told me that night we were camping in Condamine. She asked me to keep it a secret. I didn’t think much about it since it was so long ago. I didn’t know she was going to throw herself at you. I thought she was into me.”
Aiden pulls two beers from the fridge.
Toddy takes one and twists it open. “I’m sorry, mate. I should’ve said something.”
Aiden puts up his hand. “No, no, it’s all right. She was lying to you, too.” He slumps down on a stool, putting his head in his hands. “I hope I can fix this.”
Toddy drinks his beer. “Leave it to me, mate. I have a way with the women. Holly will listen to me.”
Looking up, Aiden forces a smile, though his brow remains painfully knitted.
I hate seeing him in pain, but I fight the urge to go to his side. Needing a moment to think, I tiptoe back into the bedroom, floorboards creaking beneath my feet. After carefully closing the door, I walk to the window and push back the curtain.
In the distance, there is a lingering dust cloud from Jess’s ute leaving the property.
Letting the curtain fall back into place, I sit on the end of the bed, waiting for the inevitable visit from Toddy.
Or maybe Aiden will come?
I’ve never had a man stand up for me before. With Tom, he a
lways said I was neurotic and delusional when I questioned Beth’s intentions. But tonight, Aiden stood up and put Jess in her place. I remember aching inside when Tom refused to stand up to Beth’s advances. I guess it’s the difference between a man being in love with me and a man being in love with the idea of me.
Or maybe there was something Tom wanted from me that I never understood. But none of that matters now. All that matters is Aiden. And I believed him when he said he loves me. I just wish I understood why he felt he needed to hide what happened with Jess. And why doesn’t he remember anything?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A KNOCK ON the door brings me out of my thoughts. I have no idea how I want to handle this situation. What happened between Aiden and Jess had happened long before we met. I just wish I could understand why he lied.
“Come in.” Sitting up on my bed, I prepare myself for what Toddy might say.
The door creaks open and Toddy pokes his head inside. “How you going in here?”
“I’m not sure.” I motion for him to sit next to me.
He sits down and looks around the room. “Wow, this is like a fancy room out of a movie or something.”
Puzzled, I glance at Toddy. “What do you mean?”
“Most guys would have piles of clothes everywhere and an unmade bed, but then again Aiden was raised right.”
I exhale, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “Why are you here?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.
He peers downward and pulls at a loose thread on his jeans. “I can’t let you be angry at Aiden over what happened.”
“Why shouldn’t I be angry? He lied to me. He said there was nothing between him and Jess.”
How can I trust Aiden if he can’t give me an honest answer to a simple question?
“If there was anything between them, it was in Jess’s imagination.” Toddy stares at me for a few seconds before continuing. “Aiden doesn’t love Jess. He loves you. What Jess did wasn’t Aiden’s fault.”
“But they slept together.” I wait for his reaction.
Closing his eyes, he shakes his head. “No, they didn’t.”
I already heard the truth, but I don’t want Toddy and Aiden to know I was listening to their conversation, so I better challenge this.
“What do you mean, they didn’t?”
“Jess lied. She told me the night we were camping that she made it up and that they didn’t have sex. I guess she thought she could guilt Aiden into dating her.”
I narrow my gaze on Toddy. “Why would she keep that secret for years and suddenly tell you the truth?”
He exhales, looking away from my gaze. “I told her I couldn’t sleep with her because she’d already hooked up with Aiden. Then she told me what really happened.”
I grimace. “I can’t imagine she’d fess up so easily.”
“I don’t know if it was part of her scheme or not. All I know is she told me the truth that night we went camping. Maybe she was drunk. What’s that expression they say?”
“You mean in vino veritas?”
“Yeah, I think that’s it. Something about truth in wine, or whatever.” He smiles uncomfortably.
“So, you’re saying Aiden never knew the truth?”
“Nope. Not until tonight.”
“But he’s always so protective of her.” I narrow my gaze at the dresser across the room and try to sound unsympathetic. “Too protective if you ask me.”
“Maybe he is.” Toddy tilts his head to the side. “You have to realise she’s always been like a sister to him, so it could just be he’s too loyal.” He rubs his chin. “One thing you’ll learn about Aiden is that he’s one of the most loyal people you’ll ever come across. There aren’t many guys like him left in the world. It could be why she misread things.”
I look at Toddy and shake a finger in his direction. “I warned him about her.”
“You know how daft guys can be. We’re too stubborn to listen.”
Remaining tight lipped, I mumble my words. “And women can be manipulative.”
“Yup, and Jess sure was. She had me fooled, too.”
“If Aiden didn’t care about her, why didn’t he just tell me what happened?”
Toddy looks down at his lap. “That was a night we all wanted to forget, except for maybe Jess.” He stands, walks towards the window and moves the curtain to peer outside. “It was horrible. I messed things up pretty bad.”
“Toddy, why can’t Aiden remember anything from that night?”
Cocking his head to the side, he peers over his shoulder at me. “We drank a lot of grog, and there were other ‘party favours’ floating around.”
“But it doesn’t sound like something Aiden would do. He seems to be one to stay in control.”
Toddy scratches at the back of his neck. “Hmm, well, I guess he drank too much.”
“Enough to not remember?”
“Yeah, it happens.”
I sit tall, wondering what to believe. “It just doesn’t fit with how Aiden is.”
“He’d just had his heart broken. That sort of thing will make a guy do all sorts of crazy things.”
I sigh. “I guess.”
Toddy turns towards me, holding his hands in front of his chest. “Give him another chance. I’ve honestly never seen him in love like he is with you.” He drops his hands to his lap. “I made enough mistakes back then. Don’t let what I did that night hurt you two as well.”
I bite at my fingernail, still unsure of what to do.
Pleading, Toddy asks, “Can you at least hear him out?”
I stare at my feet. “Okay.”
Toddy playfully slaps my leg. “Thanks.”
“You know, Toddy. I like this side of you.”
He scratches his head, looking perplexed. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not such a bad guy, trying to help your mate and all.”
He rubs at his chin with his thumb. “Well, in that case, if things don’t work out with Aiden, then you could always come bark up my tree.”
And there’s the real Toddy coming through.
I laugh. “Thanks, but I’ll keep trying my luck with Aiden.”
He shrugs. “It was worth a shot.”
After Toddy leaves, I decide to run a hot bath. I don’t know when Aiden will come upstairs. And I just want to forget that today even happened.
Turning on the tap, I pour in some bubble bath, letting the scent of lavender fill the surrounding air. I strip down, leaving my clothes in a crumpled pile on the tiled floor before stepping into the tub. Closing my eyes, I slide down into the steaming water, trying unsuccessfully not to think about tonight.
I wanted to be wrong about Jess, but I wasn’t. I’m glad they didn’t sleep together, but it seems there is something more to that incident that I don’t understand.
There’s a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Slowly, Aiden walks in.
Our eyes lock.
He sits down against the side of the tub. His gaze never leaves mine.
We sit in silence, staring at each other.
I won’t be the one to speak first.
Running his hand through his hair, he looks to the floor. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you.”
Lifting my hand out of the water, I study my pruned fingers. “Yes, you should have.” I glance up at his face.
His expression is pained. “How do I fix this?”
I shrug as I don’t have an answer.
“I know you warned me about her.” He scrunches his nose. “But, I didn’t want to believe she could be anything but the nice girl I grew up with.”
My hand drops back into the water as I sit more upright. “You always tell me to trust you, but I think you’ve forgotten that trust goes both ways.”
He furrows his brow.
“Aiden, you have to trust me, too. And that includes trusting what I might think or sense about someone else.”
He looks across the bathroom,
glancing in the mirror. “I don’t trust people easily.”
“I’m not people. I’m your girlfriend, and things are only going to work if we trust each other.” I look down into the water at my fingers. “Tom always put me down when I had a feeling about something or someone.”
He turns back and stares at me.
“I need a man who’s willing to listen to my thoughts, even if he thinks they may be wrong.”
“I can be that man, Holly.” Reaching over, he lifts my chin to meet his gaze. “Actually, change that. I am that man.” His fingers drop from my chin and stir against the surface of the water.
I bite my lip. “There’s just one thing that bothers me.”
He stirs the bubbles with his fingertips. “What’s that?”
“Why can’t you remember what happened?”
Aiden shrugs. “I just don’t.” His shoulders drop as he looks to the tile under his feet. “I lost control and blacked out.”
“What do you remember?”
“I guess everything went fuzzy after I went to take Dusty for a ride. I had a lot to drink that night.”
“More than normal?”
“I don’t think so, but it was a long time ago.” He knits his brow. “Are you suggesting I took something?”
I look into his eyes, then down at the water. “No, but the whole thing doesn’t sound like you.” My shoulders drop, and I exhale. “You’re right. It was a long time ago and it probably doesn’t matter now.”
“Yeah.” He drums his fingers against the tub, tilting his head towards me. “Are we okay?”
“We will be.” I push a few bubbles around with my fingers. “I guess we’ve just had our first argument.”
He scratches at his forehead. “Does that mean you’re going to give me a chance to make things right?”
With a coy smile, I look him up and down. “I think you’re cute enough, that I just might.”
With damp fingers, he strokes against my cheek. “In that case, can I join you?”
Reaching up, I grab his shoulders and yank him backwards into the water.
Soaking wet, he laughs, pulling me close for a kiss.
OPENING MY EYES, I find Aiden sitting with his back against the headboard, staring blankly across the bedroom, his phone resting in his lap.
Leading Hand (The Dusty Rider Series Book 2) Page 18