Chapter 17
The next two days I have to work. Zoe has texted me about ten times, but I just tell her it's okay, and had to finally ask her to just drop it. I was pissed that she would put me in that position. I know that I was just as much to blame, but I trusted her.
Aiden has text me everyday, but we haven't talked about the other night. Thank God. He's asked me to come to his house tonight to eat dinner.
"Dad, you never let me know if I could take off early today?" I ask him again. I know it bothers him when I ask off but it's hard to stay responsible when dad's my boss. "Why?" he asks dryly. "Aiden asked me over to eat with him and his mother."
"Didn't he ask you a few days ago too, then reschedule?"
"Yes, but that was because of his mom." I admit, then beg. "Please." and he stops what he's doing and looks up at me. "I guess, but when do I get to meet Aiden?" he's staring at me.
"Actually dad, you already have." I admit, and he lifts one eyebrow up at me.
"He played football with Conner years ago, and he's been to the house for the football dinners. He plays baseball now."
"Oh, Aiden Bryant?"
"Yes." I answer, and dad gets back to what he's doing. "He's a nice kid from what I remember but I would still like to officially meet him since he's your boyfriend." I roll my eyes at him. "He's not my boyfriend Dad. We're just hanging out right now."
"Yeah, whatever Mora. I still want to meet him." and he smiles at me. He's probably just wanting to be around a guy again. Since Ross and I got into that argument and Conner left for school Dad has only been around Lorene and I. He's probably having sports talk withdrawal.
"Okay, maybe." I answer him and ask. "Does that mean I can leave early to get ready?" and he sighs. "Sure. I guess. Curfew is midnight." Huh. I think to myself, and say "My curfew is two." and he doesn't look back at me. "Not when you're at Aiden's. It's twelve and not a minute later."
My dad makes no sense. I could be at a party with Aiden which is no different then being at his house and have a later curfew.
I start to say something but he puts his finger up at me. "Don't argue with me, or your curfew will be twelve all summer." Shit.
"Okay. Thank you Dad." I run to grab my stuff and leave when I see Ross walking up the sidewalk.
"Hey Mora." he stops me.
"Hi." I slow down, and walk up to him.
"How have you been."
"Good. You?"
"I'm good. Just wanted to come by to see what you were up to tonight." he asks.
"I'm going over to Aiden's for dinner." I admit. It seems like he only comes around when I have plans.
"Oh. Cool." he responds but this time he doesn't seem bothered like the other day. Maybe he's over our fight. "I text you the other day, and you never responded." I say.
"I know, I'm sorry. I was irritated, but I've been thinking a lot, and I was wrong. I just wanted to come by and say I'm sorry."
I'm surprised that he's apologizing to me. "It's okay." I quietly say looking down at my feet.
"No. It's not." He whispers, then sighs for a minute before continuing. "Listen. I know we've never been a couple, and I've dated a lot of girls in the past, and I'm dating someone now, but I guess I just wasn't used to seeing you with someone. I know you're not mine, but we've always been a gang you know. You, and your brother and Scarlett, and me and a lot of that is changing, and I had no right to take it out on you." he voice cracks with honesty. "I just didn't realize how important you are to me, and I would hate for us to stop being friends over something so stupid, so I'm sorry." I wasn't sure how to take his apology. Did he like me, or he's just saying he's lonely because we're not all hanging out like we used to. Either way, I was so glad he wasn't mad at me anymore.
"I'm sorry too. I understand what you're saying. I think once Conner and Scarlett began dating you and I started depending on each other more but there's no reason we can't be friends no matter who we're going out with. I mean, it's never stopped us in the past." I say, and I walk over to him to give him a hug.
"I know, and I'm sorry. I just don't want to fight anymore." he says in my ear and I pat him on the back. "I'm going to moms tomorrow. But after I get back we should hangout. Go to the movies or something." I say. "Cool. Just let me know. Give Conner a punch in the gut for me." and we both laugh loudly. "You know I will." I say to him, as I get in my car to leave, and we wave at each other. I see him walk into the shop behind me as I leave to go talk to my dad.
I put on a light blue jean colored cotton dress with ruffles on the straps and down at the knees, and tan wedges. My hair is down, and curled on the bottom.
It's six when I pull into Aiden's driveway, and he's at his front door when I get out of my car. "Hey Andrews." he's smiling really big. He's in the same outfit from the night at the cookout. "Hey." I smile back. He's so sexy. I don't see him any other way. He's just hot. He smells so sweet, and the more I hangout with him, the more I can't believe he's into me.
He grabs my hand and squeezes it, pulling me into the house. "You look really pretty." he says, and I blush. He notices too, because he grins after. "You look really nice too." I answer back.
His house has a darker feel than my house. The walls are painted in dark maroon, and the furniture has dark wood tones. The living area is much bigger than my living room.. They have what feels like a hundred pictures on the wall. Photos of his brother, and family photos with his dad in them. It seems a little weird since they're separated, but I understand it I guess, since his brother has passed.
In the photos, Aiden is much younger, but his brother is probably about the age we are now. Aiden looks a lot like him. I can't help but stare, but Aiden breaks my concentration. "I hope you like chicken casserole because that's about all my mom can cook."
"Are you kidding. Yes. I haven't had a casserole in forever, because all my dad cooks is fried, or grilled." and we both laugh. He never lets go of my hand as we walk into the kitchen.
His mom has her back turned from us standing at the sink. She has blonde hair cut in an angled bob.
"Mom, this is Mora." he says as she quickly turns around, and dries her hands with a dish towel hanging on the cabinets. "Mora! It's so nice to finally meet you." and she pulls me away from Aiden to give me a hug. She smells so good. Like lavender. "Hi Ms. Bryant. Thank you so much for inviting me for dinner."
"Oh honey, you're welcome. I've waited years to finally meet one of Aiden's girlfriends." she smiles, and I look at Aiden and his face is in shock. "Mom!" he's embarrassed. I wonder if he told his mom I was his girlfriend. Am I his girlfriend, and am I really the first girl to meet his mom. My mind starts running off before she speaks again. "You can call me Angie."
"Yes ma'am." I answer back, and she sticks her index finger up at me. "None of that either Mora." and we laugh. She seems so light hearted.
"Do you need me to help you with anything?" I offer. "Oh no, it's okay. Dinner will be done in about twenty minutes. I just have to prepare a few vegetables and we'll be ready. You two just go find something to do, and I'll come find you once it's finished." and before I answer, Aiden grabs my waist from behind me. "No problem." and he tugs me into the living room.
"Let me put the TV on. Anything you want to watch?" he asks me. "Nah. Whatever you want to watch." and he sits down next to me flickering through the channels. He finds a baseball game, and I joke "I just can't get away from sports." and he snorts. "I bet you can't."
Then I change the subject. "Your mom is really nice." I admit to him.
"Yes. She has her ups and downs." he says but then looks back at the TV. I can tell he doesn't want to talk about his mom.
Dinner finally gets ready, and I help Angie set the table while Aiden is in the bathroom.
"Ms. Angie, thank you again for inviting me. Your home is beautiful." I say, and she looks up to me, her eyes softer than before. "Thank you Mora. You're so sweet."
Aiden comes back into the room and sits down at the table. "Smells amazing mom." he says, and she pats his back. "Thank you honey."
Dinner was really good. We sat there about an hour after eating just talking about my family, our friends, and school. Angie was really easy to talk to. I thought she would be intimidating, but she was the opposite.
"Well I'm about to clean up in here, and get ready for bed." she says. It's only eight, and seems so early to be going to bed, but I don't say anything.
"You want to watch a movie?" Aiden asks me. I agree. I'm not ready to go home yet. "What are we watching?" I ask, and he grabs my hand to walk me out of the kitchen. "What about something scary." he widens his eyes at me, and I laugh. "No way. What about romance?" I ask in return, and he laughs out loud this time. "No way Andrews. Rom coms are corny, and anyway a scary movie gives you a reason to snuggle up to me" he winks at me and I give in "Okay. What movie are we watching? I can't watch anything with demons, or ghosts."
"Oh no? So you're more into the sick and twisted shit huh?" he teases me.
"Um no! I'm not into any kind of horror, but especially not demons." and he laughs at me. "What about Jeepers Creepers?" and I agree. I can handle that one.
Aiden grabs a blanket after his mom goes to her room, and drapes it over the both of us. I can see him swallow hard, and can only guess that his heart is racing as fast as mine.
I have my legs folded up to the side, and his legs are kicked up on the coffee table. He has his hand laying on my knee under the blanket. I lay my head on his shoulder so naturally without even thinking. I'm more comfortable with him than I ever thought I would be. After I put my head on his shoulder, he follows suit by leaning his head onto mine.
"I think my mom likes you." he says. "I haven't seen her smile in a while, she needed a night to get her mind off things." he confesses, and I just listen. "I'm sorry she went to bed so early. I thought she might last a little longer."
"It's okay. She was really sweet, and dinner was amazing. I'm glad I could help make her smile." He doesn't have to tell me for me to understand. She's probably having a harder time with his brother's passing. You could see a bit of sadness in the softness of her eyes. I guess that's why I couldn't come over the other day. I'm just happy they let me come tonight.
"So I'm the only girl that's met your mom?" I quickly change the subject, and Aiden blushes. I've never seen Aiden blush, and I like it. "Yeah. I guess so." he answers. I go ahead and ask since I already opened the can of worms. "and I'm your girlfriend?" and he hesitates for a minute rubbing his hand on the back of his neck, and I automatically regret asking as I feel the sudden tension radiate from him. "I'm not sure I'm there yet Mora." His answer is a sharp jab in the gut. "Oh, okay." is all I can manage to spit out. Now I feel awkward, and embarrassed.
I look away back at the TV, but he keeps his hand on my leg. "I do need you to know that I like you alot. I want to keep hanging out with you to see where things go." he's looking at me now. "I'm sorry, but I'm just so happy with what we have going on right now. I don't want anything to ruin it." he stares at me for some sort of conformation. I absorb what he's saying. "Aiden, I understand. I'm sorry if you felt pressure from me."
I do understand what he's saying because I've had crushes on boys, and I've kissed boys but I've never been in a real relationship. But it does hurt. For some reason Aiden is just different. I could picture being his girlfriend, and I could see myself falling in love with him.
"Mora, you are not pressuring me. All I feel around you is comfort. I'm just not ready to change what we have going on right now. Ya know?" he says, and I can't take it any other way but a compliment.
"I know." I answer him, and kiss his cheek. He gives a sigh of relief. "So when do you have to be home?" he asks, and I give him a sad face. "Do you want me to leave?"
"No!" he spits out making sure he didn't offend me, and I laugh. "Just kidding." and I dig my finger in his waste, and the next thing I know, we're wrestling on the couch. He's tickling me, and I can't take it. "Stop" I try to whisper, but it comes out more of a yell, and he stops immediately. "Shh." he motions me, and we're both laughing, and wrestling again, when suddenly he's pulling me up against him, and he puts the palm of his hand on my cheek, and his other hand holds its place on my waist. "Damn Andrews." he whispers to me. "What" my eyes widen with concern.
He takes a moment before answering. "I just can't get you out of my head." he admits, and before he can say anything else I lock my fingers around his neck into his hair, and I kiss him hard. I just want to be so close to him. I could do this forever without getting sick of it.
He pulls me up on him tight, and kisses me back, but after a few seconds he pulls away to take a breath. "Mora, we have to stop." I don't want to stop. "Why?" I ask.
"Because, my mom is right upstairs." he answers. He just never seemed like the kind of guy that would care that his mom was there, but I respected him even more for it.
"Oh yeah." I say, and he kisses me on the cheek, gently pushing me off of him.
"You're an amazing kisser." I confess
"You're not so bad yourself" he replies, and I give him another kiss.
"Thank you." I whisper, and snuggle up to his chest, as he holds me. "So before we lost our self control." he's smiling ear to ear. "Curfew?" he asks me.
"Midnight." I pout at him.
"Okay. Awesome. We have enough time to go get ice cream." his eyes beam at me.
"Okay." I gleam at him.
While he's driving, I can feel the electricity between us. It's taking everything I have to not jump on him right now.
"So what are you up to tomorrow?" he asks.
"Scarlett and I are going to Corpus Christi for the weekend." I answer him, and his head jolts over at me.
"Corpus Christi? What for?"
"My mom lives there, and Conner is there now so Scarlett is tagging along." I say.
"Oh. I didn't know your mom lived there."
"Yeah, she's lived there for a few years now. Usually I don't like to go because I don't have the greatest relationship with her but I'm excited to see Con."
"Oh, well that's cool. Does she live on the beach?"
"Yep. She loves that beach more than any of us." I can't talk about my mom without getting annoyed.
"I'm sure she doesn't." he can tell my mood is shifting.
"Yeah. Maybe." I hesitate before changing the subject. "Anyway, I'm ready to see Conner. I miss him so much, and it will be fun to take a road trip with Scar." Aiden nods his head, and in a few minutes asks "So is Ross going?" he has a blank expression on his face.
"No. Why?"
"I was just wondering. I know he and Conner are best friends, wasn't sure if he would go too."
"Oh. No he isn't going. Just me and Scarlett." I answer, and his face goes soft again.
"Cool. I hope you guys have fun."
"Me too." he answers with a smile.
After we get back we watch a little TV before I have to leave. Aiden walks me out, and we stand outside my car for a few minutes, and then he kisses me. "Good night Mora."
"Good night. Thanks again for inviting me tonight."
"You're welcome. Hey be safe tomorrow, and text me to let me know you made it okay."
"Sure thing." I wink at him, and kiss his cheek before jumping into my car. I don't wait to drive away because he's just standing there with his hands in his pockets staring at me as I leave.