Page 30 of Knight
“Yeah. Bring everything to the bedroom for now,” Aidensaid. “Thanks. Sorry if I got snippy out there. I guess I need help withsomethings.”
“Like carrying heavy shit?” Flynn said with a laugh as he set down the boxes. “Don’t worry, kid. I got it covered.”
I went to the kitchen to fill a glass with water. Once I’d hydrated, I returned outside to fetch another box. Aiden didn’t have that many belongings, and we got him moved in by eight.
I opened the fridge and pulled out three beers. “Sorry, Aiden, you’ll have to get some margarita mix. This is all I have.”
“That’s okay.” He twisted off the top. “I’m too exhausted to care.” He took a big gulp and grimaced. “Ugh. But I’ll put a grocery trip at the top of my to-do list.”
Flynn chuckled and clinked bottles with me. “You hanging in there? You look like you’ve had a long day.”
“I’ve had worse.” I dropped into a folding chair. “The heat just takes it out of me. Y’all want to order a pizza? I’m half-starved.”
“We already ate,” Flynn said. “But you should eat something, and I should get out of your hair. It’s getting late.”
He pushed out of his chair and hugged Aiden with one arm. “Don’t be a stranger now that you’ve got your own place. I expect you to come to dinner next Friday. I want to hear all about your first week on the job.”
“Okay,” Aiden said.
“Bring Knight with you, if you’re not sick of him by then.” Flynn winked. “Dalton’s throwing some steaks on the grill.”
“Fancy,” I drawled. “I wouldn’t want to miss out on that. I’ll have to try not to annoy Aiden too much.”
“Don’t worry,” Aiden said. “I’ll be working so much we’ll be like two ships passing in the night. There won’t be time for anyone to get annoyed.”
Flynn sent me a look as if to say,see? He works too much.
What the hell did I know about it, though? Aiden was a doctor. That had to take a higher level of dedication than most jobs did.
“I’m going to get started on unpacking,” Aiden said. “Good night, you two.”
“Night,” Flynn said. “Call me if you need anything.”
“If you’re not careful, I’m gonna start calling you dad like Bailey does Holden.”
Flynn grimaced. “Please don’t.”
Aiden laughed. “I’ll be fine. It’s like you forget I lived on my own up in Maple Grove for years.”
“I didn’t forget,” Flynn said. “I never forget.”
“So, relax, then,” Aiden said, missing the regretful tone in Flynn’s voice. “I’ll see you soon.”
Flynn watched Aiden saunter down the hall, brow furrowed. Yeah, I didn’t think he was going to stop worrying anytime soon.
He turned to me. “Guess I’ll get out of your hair so you can relax.”
“All right.” I opened the fridge and pulled out a block of cheese. I was too hungry to wait on pizza or fuss over an actual meal. “Have a good night, then. Aiden will be fine.”
I tore off a hunk of pepper jack and ate with relish. Flynn watched me, eyebrows raised. “Maybe I should be more concerned about you. Is this how you eat all the time?”
I walked him to the door. “Nah, I just didn’t have time for dinner tonight. I usually cook, but I’m wiped out.”
“Cook? Now that I gotta see.”
“Anytime, man. But for now, get out of here. I want to shower this sweat off. My skin is itchy as fuck.”
Flynn laughed as he went out the door, calling one last goodbye down the hall to Aiden.
