Chapter Twenty-Seven

Aiden

 

I stumbled into the living room, still half-asleep. I tossed and turned all night, continuously checking my phone for a message from Blake, but it never came.

Luke was on the couch, sipping a cup of coffee, looking as if he’d been awake for hours.

“Good morning,” he greeted me.

I returned the greeting with a grumble as I headed to the kitchen.

I grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured a cup of coffee before returning to the living room. It was nice having Luke around, but I really didn’t need a babysitter. I was on a mission to win Blake back, so I was done with doing anything stupid.

“She never responded?” he asked as I took a seat in the recliner across from him.

I shook my head, brought the cup of warm liquid to my lips, and took a long sip.

“I guess I shouldn’t expect her to. I have a lot more work to do,” I replied, realizing that I needed to make things right with Graham.

“So, what’s the next plan?” Luke asked.

“Find Graham and apologize,” I stated firmly.

“I saw him at the bed and breakfast when I stopped by to get some clothes,” Luke announced.

“Then, that’s where I’m going today,” I smiled.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Luke questioned.

I wasn’t sure what was, or wasn’t, a good idea anymore. All I knew was I needed to win Blake back, and without an apology to Graham, that probably wouldn’t happen.

“What choice do I have?” I shrugged.

“I mean, you beat the guy up pretty good,” Luke said quickly.

“Right, and I need to apologize,” I reiterated.

“He may not want to see you,” Luke chuckled.

I could see his point, but I had to make it work. I had to talk him into seeing me, somehow.

“You can go with me. If he won’t talk to me, maybe he’ll talk to you,” I replied.

Luke nodded, but his reluctance was displayed all over his face.

My phone beeped and then vibrated across the table as a text came through. I quickly reached forward, grabbed it, and slid my finger across the screen.

It was Blake; she’d finally responded.

Blake: Thank you for the flowers, my laptop, and all the other goodies. I need some time, but I will talk to you. Please give me a few days.

I was just as excited as I was disappointed by the text. At least she responded, but it wasn’t the text I wanted. I showed Luke the text, and he quickly defended her, stating that a few days wasn’t much to ask after everything that had happened.

“When can you be ready to go?” I asked, quickly getting up from my seat.

“Whenever you want,” Luke responded.

“Give me five minutes,” I hurried into my bedroom.

I stared at the text from Blake, reading it over and over again. Finally, I found the courage to reply, knowing that a long-winded apology through the phone wasn’t going to do me any good. I’d give her time, her space, and during that time, I’d work on making things better between us.

Me: Thank you for responding. I will give you all the time you need. I’m here when you’re ready.

I hit the send button and waited, but no dots appeared to show me she was typing back. I quickly dressed, shoved the phone in my pocket, and met Luke back in the living room.

“I’m ready,” I announced.

Luke was up and at the door as soon as I spoke. He had his keys in his hand, so I assumed he would drive. I followed him out the front door, locking it behind me, and climbed into his truck. This was it, time to make amends, the first step to making things right between Blake and me.

“What are you going to say?” Luke asked as we drove down the road.

“I’m not sure. The truth, I guess,” I replied.

What was the truth? That I was a jealous idiot?

“We’re here,” Luke announced as we pulled into the parking lot.

He pulled the truck into a parking spot that faced a red wooden door with the number twelve marked on it. I stared at the door, wondering what was behind it, what fate laid in the mist once I made that first knock.

“Good luck,” Luke said cheerfully.

I stepped out of the truck, walked to the door, and stood there, pausing before I finally lifted my closed fist and knocked. I turned back to Luke, who sat in the truck, waiting, and offered a faint smile.

The door opened, and Graham stood there, his small frame looked frail and weak, making me feel more like an ass than I already did for beating him the way I did.

He quickly pushed the door, trying to close it before I could speak. I pushed my hand on the wood, stopping him from closing me out.

“I’m not here to hurt you,” I said quickly.

“Yeah, you’ve done enough of that,” he snarled.

His nose was busted, his eyes were black, and his right jaw was still swollen and red from my fury.

“I want to apologize,” I said, looking the man directly in the eyes.

I couldn’t believe I was so jealous because of him. He was awkward, small, and anxious.

“I don’t need your fuckin’ apology,” Graham hissed, pushing against the door once again.

I stood my ground, unwilling to stop once I’d come this far.

“I was wrong, and I want you to know that I am truly sorry,” I reiterated.

I turned to look at Luke, who was still in the truck but looked ready to leap out to my defense at any moment.

“Just so you know, I wasn’t here to break you up. I was just in town, and I wanted to say hi,” Graham explained, sarcasm oozing from his lips as he spoke.

“I get that. I just lashed out when I saw Blake get hurt,” I stated.

Graham seemed to lighten up, his expression softening as he looked into my eyes.

“So you really love her?” he asked.

“I do,” I admitted.

“Does she know that?” he questioned.

I got the feeling that he already knew the answer to his question.

“I’ve never told her, so, no,” I sighed.

“Maybe you should tell her,” he advised.

“You’re right. That would make things easier. I just don’t think she wants to hear it now,” I chuckled nervously.

“You never know unless you try,” he said.

“This relationship stuff, it’s all new to me. It feels like my insides are being torn out,” I confessed.

“Yeah, well, I suggest you figure it out, and fast. A woman like Blake doesn’t come along very often, and any man would be lucky to have her,” Graham snapped.

The familiar anger and jealousy stirred inside my gut, but I knew he was right.

“That’s why I’m here,” I smiled.

“Okay. I forgive you,” Graham said quickly.

I let my hand release from the door and put it in my pocket.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

Graham nodded and shut the door, leaving me standing there. I turned to Luke, gave him the thumbs up, and then headed towards the truck. It didn’t go as easily as I’d hoped, but it was much better than I expected.

That was a step in the right direction.