Page 2 of Aiden & Lily

For the first time in a long time, Aiden wondered if it would really be so bad to fall in line with his buddies. What would it be like to have a girl he could call his? To stay up late talking on the phone with a girl who only wanted him?

He couldn’t fathom it.

Was that something he even wanted?

“Things are a little… strained with River,” Mathew admitted. “She found out about Victoria.” He turned toward Reese. They’d only just met, and Reese didn’t know much about Mathew’s history. “That’s my ex.”

With one brow arched, Reese shifted in his seat. “What do you mean, found out?”

Mathew grimaced, and Aiden hid his grin behind his drink as he waited for his friend to admit to not being perfect. Yet anotherthing about the people Aiden surrounded himself with that he couldn’t claim for himself.

Perfection.

“I didn’t tell her I was married. Or divorced.” Mathew made another face. “Turns out when you don’t tell your girlfriend about your past, she gets to decide how long she wants to hold that against you.”

Reese offered a sympathetic look, but Aiden chuckled.

Both of his friends shot dark looks his way, and Aiden lifted one shoulder. “Oh, come on. That woman is in love with you. It’ll work out. She found out, what, yesterday? You’ll be in the doghouse for a couple of days, and then this will all blow over.”

“From what you’ve told me, I think he’s right,” Reese murmured.

Aiden sat up a little straighter. Reese having his back brought back memories from high school. Once upon a time, they would have done anything for each other. Only after he’d lost his friend had he realized just how much he’d needed him.

They’d get back to that point again.

Reese was a good man. He’d been a good friend. Time would heal this rift. They were already on their way to that. If anything, the reason they hadn’t gotten close again had more to do with Aiden’s own hang-ups than with Reese.

Mathew settled back in his seat and sighed. “Yeah, you guys are probably right. It’s just… hard. All this waiting.”

Reese nodded. “Yeah. I totally get it, man. The girl I was seeing, I wanted it to work out so bad. But it’s just not the right time for me. You can’t push fast-forward on your life, or you’ll miss the little lessons.”

A frown marred Aiden’s brow.

Why did Reese have to sound so… together?

Argh. It was everyone. Aiden’s brother. Reese. Mathew. All these men had their lives figured out. They knew what they wanted, and they went after it.

“And what about you?”

Aiden glanced over at Mathew, realizing he was being asked something. “Hmm?”

Mathew pointed to Reese. “He’s on a hiatus while he does his work thing. I’m dealing with River. What about you? Any thoughts of settling down?”

Aiden laughed, his easy smile returning as he puffed out his chest. “I’m good, bro. I don’t need a woman to complete me. You guys find your happiness wherever you want, but me? I’m content right where I’m at.”

Reese and Mathew exchanged glances as if they’d known each other for years and not a couple hours.

Aiden was beginning to wonder if he’d made a mistake introducing his pals to each other. He could already see a scenario where Mathew and Reese became best buds and left Aiden out in the cold.

His focus shifted between the two men, and then he chuckled to himself.

Nah. That wouldn’t happen.

Mathew was too busy with his job and River. Reese was too busy traveling. There was no way they were going to kick him out of their little trio.

“So, Reese. Aiden said you still own some property in Copper Creek?”

Reese took a swig of his water, then wiped at his upper lip with the back of his hand. “That’s right. I farmed quite a bit. Did some ranching, too. It’s a small operation, but I found I liked inventing things to help with the day-to-day grind, you know? So I patented a piece of equipment that makes the end of season go smoother.”