Page 33 of Stained Hearts
Lincoln’s nostrils flared and I thought he was going to say something, but he gave a sharp nod, then turned to the customers. “Sorry, folks. Your breakfasts are on the house.”
There were murmurs of appreciation from the crowd.Don’t bother with the crying young man, just worry about your fucking free food.Fortunately, I didn’t think Aiden was listening because I’m sure it would have made him feel worse knowing he’d impacted Lincoln’s business, or knowing that someone was paying for the other people’s food.
I fished out my credit card. “I’ll pay for them.”
He turned, and I could see understanding in his eyes. “We got this. Go take care of Aiden. He needs you.”
A terse nod, and I rushed to Aiden, who was still lying in a heap on the floor. I was both grateful and angry that no one else had stepped up to help him.
I knelt down, running a hand over his back. “Hey, come on. Let’s get you somewhere else.”
He turned tear-filled eyes on me. “Gonna dump me at home? I can’t blame you.”
When he struggled to stand, I slipped an arm under his legs and the other under his back, then hefted him up into my arms.
“Put me down.” There was no heat to his words, and he was trembling.
“No.” I pulled him a bit closer. “I don’t think you mean that.” I turned to Lincoln. “Could you ask Noel to put the walker in my car? The doors aren’t locked.”
“No problem.” Lincoln came up to us. “Aiden, if you need us, you know where we’ll be. Okay?”
His head jerked up and down, but he didn’t say anything.
I took him out the door, the guests still staring, and walked him across the street to the park. All the way, people watched us, and not one fuck was given. I walked over to the pond and put him down on the bench, then sat beside him.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
He shook his head harshly.
“That’s fine. We can sit here awhile.”
After about fifteen minutes, he blew out a breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Okay. Want to tell me why?”
He rubbed a hand over his leg. “Mostly these.” He was quiet, so I didn’t say anything, and then he turned to me, his eyes wide. “I get that I’m not anyone’s dream. I’m never going to be able to keep up with anyone else. I just want….” He sniffled. “I want someone to see me, and not my damn legs. I’m so sick of being everyone’s project. Olivia could have a life if it wasn’t for me. I could go out with friends and, you know, do stuff. And you’d….” He turned his head away.
“I’d what? Please, O Wise One.” I gripped his arm. “Tell me what you foresee in my future.”
“You deserve someone who isn’t damaged.” His voice was so soft, so tiny.
“Let me tell you something…. We’realldamaged in one way or another. There isn’t anyone alive who doesn’t have some kind of baggage they bring with them. What needs to happen is for us to see if another person can mitigate some of that damage. When Brian was still alive, he smoothed out my rough edges. He gave me something to think about, someone to love. Then he died, and my smooth edges shattered and became shards, ready to rip anyone apart. I went through more than a year of thinking I was going to be alone for the rest of my life. I pushed away family and friends, thinking I didn’t deserve them because I couldn’t protect someone I loved. And you know what?”
“What?”
I pulled him closer. “I was wrong. I couldn’t protect Brian—no one could. Cancer is an evil bitch, and no one on the planet is strong enough to save another person from it. The only way for me to keep Brian Chen in my heart is to honor him in my life.”
Aiden cocked his head. “Brian Chen? I met him, I think.” He turned to me. “Slender, dark hair, soft-spoken? He was really polite.”
That was news to me. “You met Brian? When?” Because I sure didn’t know anything about it.
“Livvy and I were at the diner one night, and he came in to talk to Noel. It was busy, so Noel asked if Brian could sit with us until he was done. We said sure. He took a seat and smiled at us. I remember, because he had a nice smile. He asked about my art and about Livvy’s job, and we talked for a few minutes while Noel was working. When Noel finished, he went upstairs and changed, then came back down, and the two of them left.”
Olivia had been right. It was a small world.
I gave Aiden a smile. “He was a good man. Just like you are. So, you were telling me about this asshole who hurt you.”
I had to get him back on topic, because we needed to clear the air.
