Page 189 of Forgotten Prejudice

“You were always an old man,” I tried to joke, but laughing hurt, and instead, I grunted with the pain.

“I can call the nurse so they’ll bring you more painkillers,” Aiden offered, but I shook my head. I had gotten enough painkillers in the last three days to put an elephant to sleep. But with three broken ribs and a fractured arm, that was pretty much the only thing that helped.

“You really crashed into those rocks, didn’t you?”

“I guess.” I rubbed my jaw with my healthy hand, my body hurting with the slightest move. “Can’t say I remember it. Thankfully, Andrei pulled me out of the water before I was done for. That kid saved my life.” After the flash rip dragged me with it, my body crashed against the rocks, which caused my injuries. Life is going to be a pain for a little while. Not that I was complaining, with me staying alive.

“That kid reminds me of you,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “In fact, all three of them reminded me of you in a way. But then again, I only spoke with them for a little while, so I might be wrong.”

“You met them?”

He nodded. “I arrived last night and stayed at the house. They were all great. You did a wonderful job.”

I took pride in his words.

And while Aiden being here was a pleasant surprise, it didn’t make any sense. The guy had been gone for years, only to return because of a few broken bones. But then again, that wasn’t the only thing that had gotten broken, and an unsettling feeling from years before returned to me at once and, with it, the few questions I’d never dared to ask.

“Why are you here?”

Aiden tilted his head. “What do you mean why? Your mom called me; she was worried sick over you nearly dying.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t die.” I bit my lip, thinking about all the other crises Aiden had missed while he was gone. “I mean, you haven’t even called the past few months with the trial, but suddenly, you show up without a second’s notice.” I shrugged. “It makes me wonder.”

Aiden cleared his throat before he shifted in his chair. “What are you trying to say, Chief?”

I raised my eyes to meet him. “You came back because of him, didn’t you?”

Aiden didn’t respond and instead broke our gaze. It was enough of an answer for me, and I shifted back around so I was staring at the ceiling.

“You always cared for him, a lot more than you should have,” I said, eyes focusing on a small crack that traveled along the ceiling.

“Kai’s your best friend.”

“But he was more than that to you,” I said, thinking back on all those stolen glances Aiden had tried to hide for years. When I first moved in to live with those two after my breakup with Soren, there were times I felt like an intruder—a stranger who’d broken into a functioning household. He and Kai had always worked well together, way better than Kai and I ever had. I wasn’t saying they’d been in a secret relationship. That would be absurd, but I had a feeling something had at least happened between them. I’d never brought it up, as it wasn’t my place, and I wasn’t one to stick my nose where it didn’t belong, but more often than not, the atmosphere between my uncle and best friend felt heavy. Even more so after Kai and I began sleeping together. Secretly, I sometimes thought it was what had led Aiden to leave and not return until… today.

My uncle could pretend all he wanted, but it wasn’t my broken bones that had brought him back but Kai’s broken heart.

“Don’t worry, Aiden, I’m not mad,” I said, breaking the silence. “If anything, I’m glad you’ll be here for him now.”

“I’m here for you, too.” He leaned closer, and I thought of all those times I’d run back to him as a teen. He was my rock on days I felt utterly lost. With a kind smile and good advice, Aiden always helped me find the right way, only I no longer needed that help.

“I don’t mean to sound rude, but I don’t need your help.” I turned to face him. “It might have taken a few years, but I’m finally in a place where I don’t need anyone’s advice.” Maybe it was my too-close encounter with death or those last three days I’d spent in a hospital bed, unable to move due to the pain. Perhaps it was the trial, or maybe it was the whole time since I’d taken the kids in, but finally, I knew what I wanted and didn’t need anyone to validate it. More than that, I didn’t feel the urge to please anyone other than myself.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, thinking of a conversation we’d had years ago. “Yeah. I’m sure. I know who I want, and I’m not going to let anyone stand in my way. And that includes myself.”

I doubted Aiden even realized these were his own words I’d just said, but that was okay. Maybe it was time for him to take his own advice, too.

“Well.” He took in some air before letting it all out. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“I’m glad to say it,” I admitted because the feeling was liberating.

He got up from his chair, and I studied him once more. On second thought, he didn’t look different at all and had remained exactly the same, as if time had never passed. The one who’d changed was me. I used to look up to him, believing he had all the answers, but not anymore. I’d grown and matured and no longer felt like a lost kid who was ashamed of his heart’s desires.

“Once I’m healed, you’re going to tell me where the hell you’ve been traveling for seven fucking years,” I tried joking, immediately regretting it as pain spread through my body.

Aiden gently placed his palm on my shoulder. “Will do, but please, rest for now.”