Page 27 of Wild Mistake
When Aiden turns his truck onto the gravel drive of my parents’, I reach for my door handle and push it open before he can put the vehicle in park. “Thanks for a fun night,” I say, climbing down.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Aiden says.
“No,” I practically shout. The last thing I need is another tender moment with Aiden where I’m at war with my feelings and doing the responsible thing. “Thank you again. Tonight was just what I needed.” It’s the truth, too. For a few hours I forgot about my financial troubles, my ex. Hell, I even stopped worrying about Gabe and Parker. I shut the door, but Aiden’s already rolled his window down.
“I’ll see you at the diner tomorrow?”
I shake my head. “I have the day off.” Good thing, too, because my body is gonna need a full day to recover from dancing. Totally worth it.
“Okay, then.” Maybe I imagine it, but he appears disappointed. “’Night, Sarah.”
“Goodnight, Sarah!” Everyone else in the truck shouts their goodbyes. I wave, making my way down the drive and off to the trailer parked behind my parents.
Aiden, ever the gentleman, doesn’t back out of the driveway until I am inside with the door locked behind me. I move the curtains from the window and wave, smiling though it’s probably too far for him to see.
“What am I doing?” I say aloud. My heart races with the same excitement I used to feel as a teen after a night out with Aiden. Maybe what I feel are embers left from a romance that burned too bright? Or maybe this is something new? Whatever it is, I can’t deny the very real attraction I have toward a man I have no business pursuing. Not until I get my life together. At least, that’s what I tell myself so I don’t spend the rest of the night fantasizing about something and someone I can’t have.
* * *
The next fewdays pass in a blur. I work too much, I worry too much, and Aiden stops by the diner whenever I’m there. Before I know it, the week is up and the boys are on their way back.
I’m pacing the length of my parents’ porch, anxious to see their faces when the door swings open.
“It’s too cold out here,” my dad grumbles, holding the screen door. “Get inside before you give your mom a heart attack.”
I glance at my phone for the hundredth time all morning. Jake and the boys should be here any second now. Parker texted me when they left Phoenix, and again when they passed through Payson.
“Come on. Wait inside,” he says again. “Your mom made a fresh pot of coffee.” My stepdad doesn’t put his foot down about much, but when he does it’s useless to argue.
“Okay.” I walk into their cabin, some of the anxious energy easing at the warmth from the fireplace and the cozy familiarity of this space. “Dad said you made coffee?” I ask my mom.
“Help yourself.” She smiles grimly.
I don’t know why, but I’ve avoided spending too much time with my parents this week. It’s not that they wouldn’t welcome my presence or offer to feed me if I knocked at the door. They’ve been more than generous, feeding the boys and watching over them when I’ve had to work. It’s more that I feel guilty for all the time they’ve already given us. They deserved a break from me and my family. Besides, I knew they’d start asking questions I don’t want to answer. Especially with Gabe and Parker away with their dad.
I may be a burden to my parents, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to tell them everything.
Pouring myself coffee and mixing in the perfect amount of sweetener and cream, I take a seat next to my mom at the table. It’s the only seat that has a direct view out the window and in turn, the front driveway. My pulse calms as I take a long sip of coffee and I keep watch.
I feel my mother’s stare for a long minute before she finally says, “Sarah?”
I don’t meet her gaze. “Yeah?” Part of me can’t look away from the drive until Jake’s vehicle is in sight, but another part doesn’t have the capacity to be vulnerable and let my mom see what’s inside my head. She’s always had the ability to read me and see things about myself no one else can.
“I’m proud of you.” She rests her hand over mine. “I know having them gone hasn’t been easy, but you did it.”
I can’t speak. Her words shock me. They’re not at all what I expect. I don’t live my life for her approval and yet it means so much to feel seen. This week has been incredibly difficult. I miss Gabe and Parker so much. I never want to go this long without seeing their faces, but it’s something I’m going to have to get used to.
My gaze catches on movement out the window. My gut twists at the sight of the familiar vehicle. It’s them.
“Thanks for the coffee.” I steel my nerves and walk to the sink, pouring the contents out and giving the mug a rinse. I want to run outside and yank open the SUV’s doors, pull my boys into my arms, and never let them go. But I won’t embarrass them or myself. No, I’ll put on a calm I don’t feel and pretend everything’s fine, when it feels like it’s actually falling apart.
“Should we go say hi?” my dad asks, peeping through the blinds. “Gotta say, I never liked that guy. Not good enough for you.”
“That’s not helpful,” my mother chimes in, giving him a stare.
“What?” He shrugs. “Just being honest here.”
“Stay inside.” I shake my head. “The boys’ll come say hi once they’re unpacked.”
