Chapter 4
Aaron
The weekend actually went better than I thought it would. While Emma and Brock spent all their time together, I borrowed Brock’s car and drove around the area scouting places for my date with Mel. I found a couple of nice restaurants, but nothing like we had at home. If we were in Wilmington, I would take her to the beach. It was nice, there were plenty of places to hang out. I wasn’t your typical guy when it came to dating. First off, I rarely dated. Most nights were hookups that followed a group outing. It was just easier to not get involved. I’d never wanted to until now.
Being in an area that I wasn’t familiar with made things that much more challenging. I wanted to find something nice, but I also wanted something different; something that would set me apart from the other yo-yos that had taken her out.
When Sunday rolled around, I loaded our things into Brock’s car as the two lovebirds said goodbye. Emma cried, and made Brock promise to call as soon as he got home. Brock made some comment about how it wouldn’t be long until Spring Break, and they’d get an entire week together. The more I watched them, the more I wondered if anything could work with Mel and me. I mean, they’re engaged and have a hard time. How am I supposed to date someone long distance? I have school just like she does. We’re going to be six hours apart for at least two more years.
“So did you decide what you’re going to do?” Brock turned onto the interstate, beginning our long drive home.
“Not really. I have to think of something before Wednesday. She gave me a deadline,” I grumbled.
Brock chuckled, “Sounds like you got your hands full.”
“It’s not fucking funny,” I narrowed my eyes and slugged him in the shoulder.
“Do you want to walk home?” he glared.
I huffed as I crossed my arms over my chest, “No!”
“Then don’t hit me,” he shook his head. “What’s the problem?”
“I need an idea that’s going to knock her socks off. I need to stand out,” I ran my palms down my face.
“How about try being nice to her,” he flipped his hand in the air. “Don’t be a douche and actually listen when she talks to you. I bet if you start acting like a man, and not a boy, she’ll like whatever you choose.”
“When did you turn into such a pussy?” I teased.
“Watch who you’re calling a pussy. I’m the one that’s engaged. I AM a man. I went through this stage before I hooked up with your cousin,” he chuckled. “I get laid on a regular basis with the girl that I want, you… not so much.”
“Fine, fine, fine,” I waved my hand at him. “What do I do?”
“A little research. Find out what she likes, and go from there. Show her you care enough to find out,” he shrugged like it was so simple. The only person I knew that could answer those questions was Emma. If I went to her, she’d have me begging and offering to do God knows what as payment.
Melinda
When Wednesday morning came and went with still no message from Aaron, I assumed he gave up. Maybe my request was too much for him, and he decided dating me would be too much work. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. I didn’t really feel like dealing with his playboy attitude, but going out sounded nice.
I haven’t really been on a date since I broke up with Jason. Things ended right before I started school at Eastman, and I’ve just been too busy to find someone new. My life is anything but simple, and between keeping my grades up, and helping my mom on the weekends, I don’t really have time for boys. I don’t really want a boy like Jason was anyway. All those things you hear about how you’ll look back and regret not listening to your mother? Well, they’re true. My mom told me he was nothing but trouble, and she was right.
I’ve spent the last year and half fixing my relationship with her, and being the daughter that they thought I was. I’ve worked hard to change, and I have no intention of going back.
When I stepped outside the physics building, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I carefully navigated the icy sidewalk as I pulled it out to check my messages. I figured it would be Emma asking about lunch. We usually met in the student center to grab a bite before our afternoon classes. I was shocked to see Aaron’s name pop up. I’d written him off when I didn’t hear anything that morning. He’d been so insistent last weekend that I’d assumed I’d have a message waiting for me this morning.
Aaron: Saturday night, 6pm, meet me at McGill’s Pub
Mel: ok
I left it at simple response due to my shock. McGill’s was my favorite place to eat. My parents took me there all the time as a kid, and I go there at least once a month now. The idea that I might run into someone I knew didn’t even cross my mind. Being seen out with Aaron was the last thing I wanted. What if he said or did something to make someone think I was back to my old ways? I’d meet him there, but I had to convince him to go somewhere closer to campus. I couldn’t risk my reputation.
When Saturday came, I went about the day as usual despite my nerves. My mom agreed to let me have the car, and after working out a few details with her I prepared for what I hoped would be a low key evening. It was still pretty cold out, so I dressed myself in a simple blue sweater and a pair of skinny jeans. I tied my hair back in a low pony, put on some light makeup, and made my way to McGill’s.
When I pulled into the parking lot, Aaron was parked in his Jeep right by the front door. Our eyes connected as I parked the car, and hope filled his. His door opened and after climbing out, he made his way over to mine. I left the car running and rolled my window down when he approached. His brow furrowed and his outstretched hand clenched and went into his pocket. I cleared my throat before mustering up the courage to tell him I couldn’t eat here. “I can’t eat here,” I swallowed.
“But Em said this was your favorite,” he scratched his head. “She said you come here all the time.”
“I do,” I slowly nodded. “They all know me,” I swung my eyes to where several patrons were laughing as they were coming out the door.
“Okay,” Aaron drew the word out slowly.
“So, I’m not going in there,” I closed my eyes, praying that he’d let it go. I didn’t want to argue and it was sweet that he asked Em about me, but having someone from my old life share something with him was just too much. The chance was too great, and the consequences could destroy anything that we have before we even know it.
“I see,” he pressed his lips together and bobbed his head. “You don’t want to go in there with me.” He was mad. Hurt flitted across his face before anger replaced it. “You said you’d give me a chance. Was that a lie? Was this all a joke to you?”
His words stung as they mingled in the air between us. “I am giving you a chance. Just not here. We can go somewhere else.”
“You know what? Just forget it. I’m never gonna win with you,” he waved his arm at me as he turned to go back to his Jeep. “I was kidding myself to think you’d actually give me a shot.”
Part of me knew I should just let him go. If I kept quiet and let him leave that would be the end of it. There wouldn’t be any more phone calls or texts. Aaron would go back to Wilmington and I wouldn’t have to see him until Emma’s wedding. That part of me was the smart part. The girl in the car tonight, she was the dumb impulsive one. “Wait!” I shouted out the window to his back. I took a few deep breaths before rolling the window back up, cutting the engine, and climbing out. I hadn’t worn a coat, so I wrapped my arms around myself as I rushed after him. He’d stopped a few steps away, and paused. “I’m sorry. Here is fine,” I relented. If someone said something, I’d lie. No one around here knew Aaron. I could play off an excuse as to why he was with me.
Aaron didn’t even say anything as he reached for my hand, turned us, and led me inside. For a Saturday, it wasn’t very crowded. We only had to wait about ten minutes before we were led to a table. The hostess smiled at me like she was going to say something, but then opted not to before walking away and leaving us there in awkward silence.
“What changed your mind?” Aaron mused as he picked up a menu and began reading it.
“You have this perception of me that’s wrong. I’m not perfect,” I folded my arms in front of me on the table, leaving my menu untouched.
“You’re as close to perfect as I’ve seen,” he refused to look up at me. His mouth twisted as his emotions rolled across his face. “Shit!” he berated himself. “I’m fucking this all up.”
“Why are you trying so hard?” I tipped my head to the side as I stared at him. “I mean, you could have anyone. Why are you working so hard to get me to give you a chance?”
“You’re different. I don’t know what it is, but I can tell. You’re different than the girls I usually hang out with. You see me, not the hot lifeguard,” he folded the menu and set it aside. “I want to be enough,” he murmured as he shook his head.
“Stop trying to impress me and just be you,” I smiled.
“You didn’t like me. I was me this summer, and you hated that guy,” he shook his head.
“That wasn’t you. That was the Aaron that your friends know. I want the guy that hung out with me when it was just us. When no one else was around you were a pretty nice guy. Where’s that guy?”
By this point our server was on her way over. As soon as she laid eyes on Aaron you could see she was trying to get his attention. When she took our order and he didn’t even blink at her, I was impressed. “Do you think she’s pretty?” I asked as innocently as I could.
“Is this a test, or do you really want to know?” he leaned back on his chair as he studied me.
“I really want to know,” I nibbled my lip.
“No,” he didn’t even look in her direction before answering.
“You didn’t even look at her. How do you know?” I furrowed my brow. I don’t know why I was pushing him, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“Don’t need to. She’s not you,” he shrugged before sipping his water.
“That is such a line,” I scoffed.
“Maybe,” he shrugged again. “Guess you’ll just have to give me a chance to prove otherwise.”
“Un huh,” I lifted the straw in my diet soda and slowly sucked, making sure Aaron was watching.
“There’s a little vixen in you yet,” he chuckled.
“There’s a lot you don’t know,” I mumbled just as our food arrived.
We spent the rest of the evening talking about nothing really. Aaron asked about my family, and I managed to deter him multiple times. He offered some info about himself. I learned a little about his brother and his dad, but he didn’t mention his mom once. I knew Emma’s Aunt Avery wasn’t his real mom. She was his stepmom, but he didn’t once mention another mother figure. I kinda wondered if she was in his life, and why he wouldn’t talk about her. I made a mental note to ask Emma, and see what she knew. After all, they were her family too.
When we finished eating, Aaron paid the check, and then led me back out to the cars. “Have a good night,” our server waved her fingers at Aaron as we walked outside. He gave a quick nod, but otherwise didn’t acknowledge her.
“What’s that all about?” I turned and looked up at him as we stopped by my mom’s car.
“Nothing,” he muttered. He stuffed his hands in his pants pockets and rocked back on his heels. A gust of wind blew causing me to shiver. Aaron rolled his eyes as he shrugged out of his coat. He wrapped it around my shoulders as he shook his head.
“Now you’re going to be cold,” I pulled the coat tighter around my shoulders. It smelled of his cologne and was warm with his body heat.
“Yep, but now you won’t freeze,” he chuckled before blowing on his hands to try and warm them.
We stood there for a few minutes before I decided I better give him his coat back, and go. He looked sexy standing there in his dark jeans and black button up. His sandy brown hair was blowing in the winter breeze, and the cold was making his cheeks rosy. “I better go before you freeze,” I giggled as I moved closer.
I started to slip it off, but he stopped me. “You keep it for the ride home. It’ll give you a reason to let me see you the next time I’m here.”
“Ok,” I smiled as I stuffed my hands in the pockets. I had to admit, it felt good wearing his coat. I really did like him, I was just scared that trusting him would break my heart. I couldn’t be what he wanted. I knew this, but he didn’t.
When my hands slipped deeper in the pockets, I felt something. I thought it might be something he needed so I stopped him. “Wait!” I wrapped my fingers around what I thought was a business card and pulled it out, but what was in my hand was a condom.
My heart sunk as realization registered. “You thought I’d sleep with you tonight. You planned on making me one of your hook ups,” I stammered.
“That’s not it at all,” he shook his head as he held his hand out, trying I’m sure to salvage his story.
I slipped out of his coat and tossed it to him, “I can’t do this. This was a mistake.” I climbed into the car and cranked it up as Aaron banged on the window.
“Don’t do this, Mel. I don’t think you’re a hook up,” his voice was muffled through the glass. “I didn’t even know that was in there.”
I shook my head before I felt the first tear fall. All these years I’d worked so hard to escape dates like these. This was why I didn’t date. All they ever wanted was sex, and I’d always given in, but not anymore. I was a new person now, and no one, not even Aaron Sutter, was going to change that.