Page 94 of The Cinderella Secret
Aiden had the feeling that he wasn’t making as much sense as he should. He rubbed his head. It still hurt. “I hate concussions.”
“How many concussions have you had?” asked Evan.
“Just the normal amount,” said Aiden with a smile, trying out the line for a second time.
“That works on Jackson, not on me,” said Evan calmly. “Try again.”
“Five,” said Aiden. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Why am I not worrying about it?” asked Evan.
“Because I’m dating Ella Zhao and that’s probably more important?” Aiden couldn’t believe he’d said it out loud even after the words were out of his mouth.
Evan looked like he was processing that. “Huh,” he said after a moment. “I’m suddenly not feeling good about my odds with the case.”
“No, it’s fine,” said Aiden. “We’re going to win. Which is kind of bumming me out because she’ll be sad. And also that’s only going to make her uncle hate me more.”
“Aiden,” said Evan, looking at him sternly, “exactly how big was that concussion?”
“I’m fine,” said Aiden sitting down on the desk, and rubbing his head again. “I’m just short on sleep and I’m kind of… There’s a lot going on and I’m not sure I can fix everything.”
Evan laughed and sat down next to him on the desk. “I’m in therapy,” said Evan. “You know that, so if the next shit I say sounds stupid or like something you already know, then forgive me, because I feel like half the stuff I learn in therapy is only an epiphany for someone who’s behind the curve.”
Aiden looked at Evan and waited. In childhood, Evan had always made everything better, and if he could produce even a little of that magic now, then Aiden thought that maybe he might believe in miracles for once.
“You can’t fix everything,” said Evan. “And we don’t expect you to.”
Aiden snorted. “Jackson already said that. Or something like that. But I’m in charge of this DevEntier mess. I’m supposed to figure it out. So far all I’ve figured out is that I’m in love with Ella, her dad was a spy, someone killed him, tried to cover it up and now that same someone is trying to prevent us from figuring it out before it blows up in their faces because there’s no statute of limitations on treason.”
Evan began to laugh.
“You’re just happy because you’re not responsible for this,” said Aiden.
“Yes, I am,” replied Evan between chuckles. “Giving this to you was the best decision I ever made. But that actually isn’t what’s funny. Aiden, does it ever occur to you that you’re really smart?”
“Nah. I mean, I’m smarter than some people. But jeez, I mean, Jackson catches me at shit all the time, and it’s not like he even went to college. I don’t think prison classes count, do they? But the two of you always seem one step ahead of me. I expect you to be, of course, but it’s annoying when it’s both of you. And if I had one tenth the social understanding that Nika does, I’m pretty sure I could be president or something. I’m always behind.”
Evan looked like he thought Aiden was full of shit.
“I’m not saying I’m total moron,” said Aiden. “I’m just saying I feel like I’m always playing catch up. I’m lucky Ella thinks I’m cute. She’ll probably find out I’m faking it sooner or later though.”
“You’re not faking it,” said Evan. “Jackson is… an anomaly. I don’t think you should use him as a point of reference for anything.”
“He caught me sneaking out of the house!”
Evan looked like he was holding back a laugh.
“I specialize in sneaking out that damn house!”
“Yes, I understand. What I’m trying to say is that we all have strengths and leaving houses in unusual ways is one of Jackson’s strengths. Comparing yourself to him may not be your best bet. Perhaps you should try comparing yourself to the people at say… Axios Partners.”
Aiden snorted. “They’re idiots.”
“So you’re epically smarter than a bunch of snooty Harvard Law grads, but not Jackson?”
“Yeah?” Aiden tried to think about that. “It feels like that.”
“Perhaps you should try out the idea that youandJackson are both really smart, but good at different things.”
