Page 46 of Aiden & Lily

Parker pulled into the lot where they were set to break ground. A temporary storage shed had been constructed for supplies and tools that needed to be secured.

Aiden climbed out of the truck without responding to his brother. The mess he’d made of his life was his fault and his alone. Parker had nothing to do with it. That was why Aiden had refrained from fighting.

What was there to fight about, anyway?

Parker had introduced himself. He’d spoken proudly about his brother. Aiden was the one who had turned both of those things into a problem by hiding the truth.

He sighed as he headed around to the back of the truck.

“So, you gonna come clean with your friends now?” Parker asked. “Especially since Lily knows?”

Aiden shook his head. “Not yet.”

Parker stilled, his hands hanging in the air before reaching for the first box of materials. “What? Why?”

Sighing, Aiden finally turned to his brother. “You heard Mathew. I’m not good enough for anyone in his family.”

“That’s not true?—”

“It is. He doesn’t think I’m a good enough match because I don’t treat women right.” Aiden’s jaw tightened. “And maybe he has a point.”

The edge in his voice said it all.

He was bitter that he couldn’t simply have the girl he wanted. Bitter that his friend didn’t think he was good enough. Bitter that Reese had gotten to know Lily first and had every reason to feel betrayed when he learned the truth.

Aiden dragged a hand down his face. “Maybe I tell Mathew I’m dating someone, but I don’t tell him who yet. He can see that I’m serious without knowing it’s Lily. Then when it comes out, maybe he’ll understand.”

“I don’t know, Aiden. That sounds like it’s going to turn into an even bigger mess.” Parker shifted the box in his arms. “And what about Reese?”

Aiden looked away. “He doesn’t have to know yet. He isn’t even aware that I know Lily. Since he works out of town so much, I could wait until I know where this relationship is going.”

Even as he said it, the plan sounded wrong. Not cautious, but cowardly.

The shock in Parker’s eyes might have been humorous if Aiden weren’t already emotionally drained. “You really think it will go that far? Sheesh, man. I didn’t realize you were this invested. She means that much to you?”

“Yeah,” Aiden whispered. “She does.”

“And what? Is Lily really okay with keeping this from her family? Her relationship with you, I mean?”

Aiden shrugged, but the gesture felt weak even to him.

“Aiden, you can’t expect her to be okay with that. Even if she says she is, this is going to wear on her. Secrets never stay secret for long.” Parker set the box down again. “Come on. Think about this logically.”

“I am thinking logically. I know if I tell Mathew about this, then he’s going to be mad. Maybe so mad he’ll tell his uncle I’m not worthy to date his daughter. And then it’ll get to Reese because we all know who he dated. And when Reese finds out, he’ll tell Lily?—”

“Wait. Hold up.” Parker stared at him. “Lily doesn’t know Reese is your friend?”

Aiden’s silence answered for him.

“Geez, man. What are you thinking? I thought you got everything out.”

Aiden scowled at his brother. “It wasn’t the right time for that. Definitely not right after she’d found out everything else.”

Parker dragged a rough hand down his face. “You’ve crossed so many lines, you’re just one giant piece of plaid at this point.”

“Not funny,” Aiden muttered.

“No, it’s not.” There wasn’t an ounce of humor in Parker’s tone now. “You have to tell your friends who you’re dating and accept the fallout. And Lily deserves to hear the rest from you before someone else tells her.”