Page 32 of Stained Hearts
“What?” He ate the last of the candy straight from the box, then licked a bit of the chocolate from his lips. “Movies? Yes, I like them.”
“What would you say if I asked you to go see one? With me.”
He frowned. “I’m not sure.”
“Me and you, a tub of popcorn loaded with butter and salt. I’d even spring for sodas and chocolates.”
He was torn. I could tell.
“I promise not to ditch you or meet up with someone else. You’ll have my entire attention, assuming you can handle that.”
He blew out a breath. “You heard, huh?”
“I did. What he did to you was beyond disgusting, and I’m sorry that happened.”
When he ran a finger over the tabletop and refused to look up, I thought there was something he wasn’t saying.
“Aiden? What’s going on?”
He finally met my gaze, and there was pain in his expression. “You didn’t hear the worst of it. I never told anyone, not even Noel.”
Oh, crap. What could be worse? “If you want to tell me, I’m here and won’t share.”
Katy came by and refilled the coffee but didn’t stay to chat like she usually did.
“His name was Tad. I thought… I mean, he seemed to like me, right? I thought he was laughing at my jokes, but it seems he was just laughing at me.” He sighed. “If anyone wondered if I was really that pathetic, they would have had their question answered when I confronted Tad and told him….” He grabbed his napkin and wiped his eyes. “I told him that I could understand him not wanting to be seen in public with me, but if he wanted to, you know, come over to my place….” He blew his nose. “Wow. Sounds even worse when I say it out loud.”
I felt so bad for Aiden. I had no idea how hard it must have been growing up, first with parents who didn’t give a shit and then having to use a walker.
“Should I even ask what he said?”
The tears were leaving tracks on his cheeks now. “Oh, that’s the best part! He told me as long as my mouth worked, maybe he’d come over.” He broke down, sobbing. People in the diner were looking at us. “And… and… and… I said okay. I figured it was better than nothing, right?”
Katy started toward us, but I held up my hand, bringing her to a halt.
I got up, went to Aiden’s side, and held out my hand. I reached over with the other, grabbed his walker and brought it closer so he could get to it. “Come on. Let’s go to the park.”
He gulped in air as he reached for the handles. “I’m such a fuckup.”
He wasn’t. He was a young man who wanted—deserved—love.
“I have to go.”
He started for the door but stopped when I grabbed his arm.
“Where are you going, Aiden?”
The laugh was cold, mechanical. “Somewhere you won’t have to bother with me.”
When I pulled him to my chest, the emotions he was struggling to contain burst free, and he threw his arms around my neck and clung for dear life. I stood there, in the middle of the diner, with people watching, and stroked his hair, whispering to him that I had him and he was okay.
Lincoln came storming in from the kitchen and rushed for us. “What’s wrong with Aiden?”
Whatever spell Aiden had been under cracked, and he realized where he was. His eyes went wide, and he pushed away from me. He reached for his walker, lost his balance, and fell forward onto the floor. “Fuck!” He slammed his hand down. “Why can’t I just be fucking normal?”
Lincoln moved to get near him, but I blocked his path.
“Leave him alone. I’ll take care of him.”
