Page 79 of Perfect Storm
Aidan frowned, but the waitress appeared then with their pizza, and Levi thought maybe that part of the conversation was over.
But after he’d demolished his first piece of pizza, Aidan shot him a look. “What do you mean?” he asked. “What was Landry worried about?”
Levi had a sudden, inexplicable fear that maybe Landryhadn’tever told Aidan about this, but of course he had. Hehadto have. That was just the kind of person Landry was. Generous and loyal, to a fault. Not just to Riley, but to Aidan.
“It was just tough on him, at first. Trying to figure out the balance between beingyourfriend and beingRiley’sboyfriend.”
“I’d have told him to pick Riley every time,” Aidan said which was not only ridiculous, it was the most Aidan thing ever.
“Fucking please,” Levi complained. “Like he’d even do that.”
Aidan sighed. “Ididtell him that when he got all angsty about it. I want Riley to have someone who puts him first.”
“And he probably does. Like ninety percent of the time. But like . . .you’re one of Landry’s best friends. Have been, forever. I don’t think even Riley could change that.”
Aidan thoughtfully chewed on his second slice. “True,” he agreed. “Probably easier too when I finally figured out my shit with Riley. Stopped putting him in the middle.”
“Hey, Riley could’ve told you that you were overstepping. He didn’t.”
Aidan looked up, shock widening his eyes.
“What?” Levi shrugged. “It’s true. You’re not a fucking mind reader.”
“But I should’ve—”
“Nah,” Levi interrupted.
Aidan shot him a pointed look.
“Riley’s got Landry andyoulooking out for him in this. Who’s looking out for you? Seems like I’m gonna have to do it.”
“Nobody says you have to do anything,” Aidan said, contrary. Because of course he was. Couldn’t even take a fucking compliment.
“I’m telling you Iwantto,” Levi insisted. “You’re a good guy, Aidan.”
Aidan rolled his eyes, but Levi could see that he was pleased, under all that.
“It’s so weird you can take a compliment when it comes to football, but give you any other kind of praise and it’s, like, you automatically reject it.”
“Do not,” Aidan argued.
“Do so.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Aidan said. But he sounded amused and was giving Levi that fond look that Levi enjoyed putting on his face so much.
Chapter 12
Thepizzawas,aspromised, really fucking good, and Levi ate too much, groaning a little as Dom came to collect the empty plates.
“I take it you enjoyed that,” Aidan said. He was smiling again, like he was finally ready to take the win.
That was the thing Levi was learning about Aidan; he always wanted to know he’d worked hard for the win, before he let himself enjoy it.
Levi considered this as they drove back to the condo.
Dusk was falling, and the view out the living room windows, right over the lake, was second to none.
He sank down on the couch, listening to Aidan puttering around the kitchen. Every moment, Levi expected Aidan to round the corner of the couch and settle down next to him. It was still early-ish. Maybe they could watch a movie. But then it would be hard to pretend that this hadn’t felt like a very date-ish evening. At least Levi had managed to keep his lips and his hands to himself so far.
