Page 64 of Aiden & Lily

He shot to his feet and walked around to the other side of the coffee table, pacing with his hands laced behind his head. “Turns out there’s more to the story. She’s not just a friend’s ex. She’s related to another friend.”

Mathew’s head slowly lifted, and his eyes narrowed. “Okay.”

That single word held far too much power.

Aiden wanted to run out of the room and never look back. Pretend he’d never brought it up.

Instead, he stopped and faced Mathew. “He’s keeping the relationship a secret because he doesn’t want to destroy a friendship. Even though it’s putting a strain on him, he can’t see a way out of it. And he’s only confided in one person…”

“Are you talking about Parker?”

Aiden’s blood ran cold.

He hadn’t expected Mathew to bring up his brother. If anything, he’d figured Mathew would finally connect the dots.

He couldn’t bring himself to confirm or deny Mathew’s assumption.

His friend leaned back on the couch and dragged a hand down his face. “I don’t know, man. After dealing with all the drama between Penny and Royce, I’m burned out.” He shook his head. “If I were your brother and I felt this much guilt over dating someone I shouldn’t, then I’d stop sneaking around and make a decision. He’s going to have to figure out what matters more—the friendship he’s had for years or a relationship he only just started.”

Mathew rubbed at his jaw, frustration pulling at his features.

“Because if it’s already causing this much trouble,” he added, “he needs to ask himself whether the girl is worth all the fallout.”

Fury like Aiden had never experienced burst to life in his chest.

Lily wasn’t just some girl.

She was kind and sweet. Forgiving and patient. She looked past the issues he’d had and stayed even though she could have easily walked away. She had every right to be fed up with him, and yet she was still giving him a chance.

Heat flared beneath Aiden’s skin, and he stalked toward Mathew. “You don’t know anything,” he snapped. “She is worth it.”

Mathew’s brows shot up, and his irritation faded into surprise. “You?”

Aiden didn’t have time to backtrack. At this point, he didn’t care. He’d spent too long hiding.

“Yeah, me.” He pressed a fist against his chest as he continued to glare at his friend. “And Lily is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Mathew’s eyes rounded even further, and he sat up straighter. “Lily? As in my cousin Lily?”

His voice was unnervingly quiet.

He wasn’t looking at Aiden anymore, but rather at a spot on the floor, though based on his stare, it was clear he wasn’t focused on anything at all.

“The very same,” Aiden muttered. “I knew from the moment I saw her across the arena that she was something special. I knew she might have the ability to get to my heart, and I went for it anyway.”

He dragged a hand through his hair. “I didn’t know she was your cousin. And frankly, I don’t know that it would have stopped me.”

He was all too aware that he was rambling, yet he couldn’t stop.

“I’m in love with her, Matt. So, so in love with her. The way she makes me feel…” His voice softened. “Her smile. The way she sees something in me that I’ve never been able to see for myself. She makes me want to be better.”

His breathing had gone heavy by the time he finished. As much as he wanted Mathew to be okay with this, he needed Lily more.

“I’m sorry if I’m not good enough in your eyes,” he murmured.

Mathew’s sharp gaze shot to his, pinning him in place.

“But this is happening whether you like it or not.” Aiden swallowed. “I love her, and I’m not walking away simply because you don’t approve.”