Page 17 of Always a Chance
I stared at him, wondering if he’d always thought it and just never told me. We were eighteen-year-old kids when we got into this. I’d just been kicked out of college for missing too many classes, classes I’d skipped to sit in the library with Aidan and write. “I don’t know what to do.” I leaned my head back to stare at the ceiling. “The publisher—”
“Screw the publisher.”
I lowered my gaze to him. Aidan never spoke so strongly or negatively about anyone. “Yeah?”
He nodded. “You should do whatever feels right for you.”
“And what about you?”
He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll still be here making you pasta, whatever you decide.”
I laughed because we both knew he did a lot more than cook for me while I was writing.
My phone dinged, and I caught my sister’s name.
Finley:I have Cole today.
Tanner: Bring him. I miss him.
Finley:You live with him, dude.
I laughed, and Aidan rolled his eyes. “Which one of your siblings is being ridiculous?”
“Who do you think?”
“Tanner.” We both laughed.
My phone chimed again.
Shane:Can we keep Cole as one of us and give Tanner up?
Johnny:I take it this means you’ll all be at the diner?
It was Saturday, so I knew they were off work, but we’d all been busy lately.
Finley:Cole says you have to buy him a shake.
Tanner:Johnny has to treat us all.
Shane:I’m buying my own.
Aidan sighed. “Get out of here.”
“You want to come?” I asked, standing and pocketing my phone.
“Not a chance. I don’t have the energy for the Kelly siblings today.”
They did take a lot of energy. “I’ll write a chapter when I get back. I promise.” I hurried to shove my feet into sandals and grabbed my wallet. Apparently, I was buying.
Aidan followed me to the door. “Just make sure the chapters don’t suck, and I’ll get the publisher off your back.”
I stopped in the doorway. “Have I told you today how much I love you?” I shot him a grin as he shoved me out.
“Go be all emotional with your siblings. Leave me out of it.”
I saluted him before he slammed the door in my face.
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