She raged, "Are you nuts? Messing with mylife? I make my own decisions and don't need your hovering,protective big-brother-meets-caveman attitude. Yes, I've had somerecord-breakingly terrible relationships, but you're just as badoff. I didn't ask you why you came home when you did; why youburied your head in the sand for months. Back. Off."
She stormed into the kitchen to make thecoffee. Maybe it was the late caffeine intake causing her headache,but more likely it was her headache of a brother. She knew he meantwell. Certainly, she had never intended for him to find out thisway.
Not that there was a good way to tell him shehad a wild, erotic night with his best friend. Although, if theykept it to the one night, he’d never have needed to know atall.
The thought of not being held in Chase’s armsagain was downright heart-wrenching. Fighting her own internalbattle and Aiden’s appropriately furious response, Maddy tore offto the kitchen to make that coffee.
***
Shit. Chase hadn't meant for Aiden to findout this way. What a way to tell his friend he'd had the hots forhis sister.
Although, it wasreallylucky hewasn't here fifteen minutes earlier when they’d been in the shower.His body pressing hers against the tile. The hot water running overthem; her slick, pliant body wrapped around him. Her crying out hisname as she came in his arms. He shook the image out of his head.Not a good time to get a hard-on.
"Aiden, I am so sorry you had to find outlike this. Please, stay right here, I want to talk to you." Chaseraced back into the bedroom, put down the toothbrush, swallowing athick minty glob, and pulled on his black t-shirt. Aiden hadfollowed him and was now leaning against the bedroom doorjamb, armscrossed. He hadn’t lost the I’m-going-to-tear-you-to-pieces scowl,but at least he’d waited to hear him out.
Chase walked up closer to Aiden, his armsheld out forward in peace, hoping to calm the situation. HopingAiden would keep it down so they could talk out of earshot fromMaddy. Chase imagined she was still furious. Although, she’d lookedmore scared than angry, and Chase knew she wasn’t afraid of Aiden.He suspected she’d been much more scared of herself and their nighttogether.
Aiden spoke quietly, "It was my sister youwere watching last night, not Elena, wasn't it?"
Chase sighed, hoping he could convince hisfriend this was a good thing. Hopefully a really good thing. If hedidn’t blow it. He’d need some help from Aiden in that regard.
"I know how this looks, but it's not likethat. Last night was the first time we...” He left the next fewdetails out, sparing his friend the visual. But he might as well goall in. “And, I sure as hell hope it's not the last." Hisexpression pained, he awaited his friend’s response with batedbreath.
Aiden softened a bit, maybe remembering hisfriend was not a complete asshole. "How long has this beenbrewing?" He pointed his finger back and forth between Chase andMaddy across the house.
Making sure he could still hear Maddy movingaround in the kitchen, Chase lowered his voice to barely a whisper,"Forever… Aiden, please, be ok with this.” He sighed, trying tofind the right words. “She's still pretty skittish about anythingserious. Please don’t scare her off. I can’t lose her." Chase couldhardly swallow for the lump in his throat.
Aiden’s expression was quickly becomingsympathetic. Like Chase had done, he listened for Maddy’s movementin the kitchen before speaking. She was still tearing about thekitchen furiously.
Looking Chase right in the eyes, searching,he whispered softly, "Do you love her?"
Chase couldn't say it out loud, not yet, notbefore he'd even admitted as much to himself. Lips pursed tight, henodded an affirmative.
Aiden’s demeanor took on a dramatic change.He grinned and pulled Chase in for a manly hug and slapped him onthe back, nearly knocking him over. "Good thing for you. I'd reallyhate to kill my best friend. You'd fucking better take good care ofher or I’ll kick your ass. If you can even convince her to keepyour sorry ass around."
“As if you could kick my ass. Pansy-assedlawyer. But, if I do hurt her, I’ll be begging you to kick my assfor me.” The pair laughed companionably, glad to be back on thesame page.
Maddy's shout from the kitchen was a welcomeinterruption. "Coffee's ready. I hope you two are still alive andunscathed."
Chase let out a big breath he hadn't realizedhe'd been holding in. He followed Aiden into the kitchen. Maddyhanded each of them a steaming cup of coffee, black for Chase andwith cream for Aiden, as each preferred. She stared at each inturn, looking back and forth between them suspiciously.
Aiden spoke first, "We're good. For now,” heplayfully eyed Chase with a feigned threat. He set his coffee downand pulled his sister in for a tight hug. Chase didn't want tointerrupt, so he took his coffee out to the deck.
***
Maddy could hardly breathe with Aiden's armssqueezed firmly around her. "Maddy, I'm ok with this. You're bothmy best friends. But please, please don't hurt each other,” hebegged. “I'm not giving either of you up. I know you're scared, butdon't hurt him. I don't think he'd survive it if you broke hisheart."
"Him? What about me? What about all the crapthat I’ve been through that you threw in his face a few minutesago?" Maddy demanded as she wiggled her way out of his hug. Notthat she wanted to draw attention to her own issues, but Aiden hadsure taken a sharp about-face.
“Your skin is thick as a damn polar bear’shide. Nice try.” Aiden raised his eyebrow at her in friendlychallenge. He picked up his coffee and gulped down a big first sip."I'll head on out. I need a shower myself. I’m stealing this coffeecup."
Maddy stopped him. "Wait a minute. Why wereyou making the walk of shame?” He ignored her. “This is a smalltown. I’ll find out eventually…"
Aiden paused long enough to wink at hissister, then strolled out the front door, locking up behindhim.
"Hypocrite." She rolled her eyes. Maddygrabbed her own coffee and headed to the deck.
Wordlessly, Chase shifted his coffee to hisother hand as she joined him on the swing. He drew her in closeagainst him; she curled her legs up and snuggled close. Theycompanionably sipped their coffee in silence, soaking up the heatfrom the sun, warming the chill from the morning air.
