Page 25 of Stained Hearts
I pushed the button on the call panel and waited. Tonight my patience was rewarded.
“Who is it?”
I pitched my voice as low as possible, not wanting him to recognize it and ignore me. “Delivery for Aiden Dawson.”
The intercom clicked, but Aiden didn’t reply. I hoped to hell he’d open the door.
“I’m not expecting anything.”
Well, shit. “It’s a delivery from…. The label is smudged, and I can’t quite make out the name. It’s something glassworks.”
“And you’re sure it says Aiden Dawson?”
I chuckled. “I do know how to read.”
“Oh, of course. I’m sorry. Uh…. Could you possibly bring it to the apartment? My sister’s not home, and I….”
God, I hated the uncertainty in his voice.
“Sure, no problem. I’ll be right there.” Then I had a thought. “Do you want me to leave it outside the door? It’s kind of heavy.”
“What? Oh. Um, no. I’ll unlock it. If you could just slide it inside, I would really appreciate it.”
“Copy that.” God, could I sound like a bigger dork? “I’ll be there in a minute.”
The door buzzed and I pulled it open. The box in my hand would, hopefully, buy me a few minutes to get him to listen to me.
I rapped on the door, then pushed it open. “Delivery.”
Then I stepped inside and closed it. A few moments went by, and I didn’t hear any movement in the apartment. Then the thump of Aiden’s walker sounded from down the hall. He came around the corner, and I cursed myself. His gait was more unsteady than normal, and his expression was pained.
“Aiden.”
His gaze snapped up, and he frowned. “Why are you here?”
I held out one of the boxes. “I brought a peace offering. Thirty-seven different kinds of chocolate.” I pulled open the lid. “We have truffles, bars, toffee, and cocoa mix.”
“I’m still working on your glass. I’ll have it delivered as soon as I can.” His voice was cold, distant, and I fucking hated it. He turned slowly, and I knew this was my last try before he slammed the proverbial door.
“Would you have dinner with me?”
He stopped but didn’t face me. “Why?”
At least it wasn’t aget out. I moved closer. “Because I hurt your feelings, and I didn’t mean to. I…. There’s things about me you don’t know, and if you did, you might understand better.”
Thatcaught his attention. He gripped the handles of his walker and made a few steps before his legs seized and he toppled forward. I rushed over to him and scooped him up in my arms. Tears stained his cheeks.
“Are you hurt? Do you need me to call Olivia?”
“Why are you here?” He rubbed his hands over his legs, his expression one of agony. “Come to laugh at the crippled boy?”
I carried him to the couch and sat him on it, then went into the kitchen for a glass of water. “Do you have any pain pills?”
He refused to look in my direction.
I grabbed his bicep. “Aiden! Damn it, don’t be stubborn. Do you have anything for the pain?”
He nodded. “The nightstand in my bedroom.”
