Hey Everyone! I read the new nice reviews and it really helped motivate me to continue! I want to continue regardless, but it helped me update quicker! Seriously, thanks so much for the support. I'm glad that you enjoy my story as much as I enjoy writing it. Sorry it took so long, I work in retail, so it's been busy with black friday, and I stream games in the evening, so writing time is usually later. Since that's over with for now, I'll have a bit more time and I will be updating the next chapter sooner rather than later.
Also, I had this awesome drama filled thing written out, but then I realized it wouldn't quite fit in the timeline of the game, so I had to take it out and rewrite this chapter to make sense. But the drama will be saved for the next chapter! So sorry if this is kind of a filler! _
Love you all,
Thanks again!
I woke up the next day confused. It was too dark and I wasn't sure where it was. But after a few moments, I remembered I was still in Aiden's motel, but no longer on his couch. I sat up to realize I was on his bed, and Aiden was nowhere to be found…. Thankfully.
I rolled over to hear a crinkle under me. I was lying on top of a piece of paper.
-Lock the door on your way out-
I jumped off the bed and tore the note up. I was livid. I wanted to go find him and strangle him on the spot; I don't even care who was around to watch. Asshole… He was sweet on me and worries about me while I was injured and rejects me without any hesitation, then carries me to his stupid bed.
I walked over to his computer and looked at the wall. All I wanted to do was help. He has Jordi helping him and probably that… I didn't even want to think about her. How she's helping - how much time they're spending together. But there's no room for me. If I came up with some information, maybe he'd reconsider my offer for help… Man how desperate do I sound?
My phone rang. Aiden. I let it ring a few times before I answered, "Hey."
"Ripley… are you still at my place?"
"On my way out," I tried to say things as simple as possible.
"Were you going back to Jordi's?" He asked
"Don't know," I didn't even think about where I would go after I left.
"Well when you decide where you're heading to, give me a call. We need to talk," He didn't sound angry, but how would I know what the hell he's feeling nowadays.
"Sure," Was all I said.
"Okay. Talk to you soon," He was getting quieter now, too.
"Yeah," And I hung up. I hated it. I feel like I broke up with him all over again. We never really saw each other after we actually broke up, so we didn't have to face the awkward moments. Never to late for them, even if it was a year later!
If Aiden wasn't going to let me help him directly, I will get Jordi to let me help him help Aiden… But the last thing I wanted to do was go to Jordi's, and I couldn't stay at Aiden's. Which made me think about why Jordi wasn't blowing up my phone asking where I was. Maybe he didn't care either. Ah, what was I thinking, Aiden probably told him where I was. I felt like such a child around the both of them. If anything, it only amplified my anger.
I spent that day doing what I normally did when I was exceptionally bored: ride the trains. I called Aiden after an hour and he didn't answer. I called Aiden after switching trains and no answer. It's not that I was worried, because fuck that guy, but I was angry for telling me to call him if he's not going to answer. All I could think about was how he was probably with whats-her-face.
The sun was about to go down. One thing led to another, and I found myself waiting in a cafe near the lake. I called Aiden one more time and sure enough, straight to voicemail. I cursed under my breath and sent a text
-If you want to talk, answer your phone.-
And I tossed my phone on the table, rubbing my temples, before I heard a voice behind me.
"Boyfriend problems?"
I looked over to see an older man, maybe in his 40's, wearing a loose beanie on his head. He was at a table behind me, but close enough to where he could probably read what was on my phone. He had a book in front of him. "Ex" I answered quickly and bitterly. Not like it was any of his business anyway.
"Don't be so upset. Ex for a reason, right?"
I shook my head, "Complicated, I guess."
"'Complicated' you say. Ah to be young, again. Clear answers are easier to see the older you get."
I chuckled, "Yeah, well he's been over me for a long time. It's already pretty easy to see," I responded and realized what I was doing. Telling a complete stranger my problems, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this."
"Not at all. When I see a woman in distress, I want to do what I can," He responded charmingly.
I felt a little uncomfortable by his grin, and he was about to start speaking again, before he got interrupted with the person who I have been waiting for...
"Hey, sissy, sorry I'm late!" That's right, my sister. I smiled at her as she sat down in front of me, adjusting her purse and her perfect blonde hair. I know she was insufferable, but she reached out to me and it was rude of me to push her away without giving her a chance... Plus, I needed someone to kill time with.
"That's okay," I smiled, and turned away from the man to face my sister, which I heard an annoyed groan from. Nice timing, sis. "After hanging up on you twice, you at least get to be later."
"I shouldn't have pried about your personal life. I know you like to keep it to yourself..." She reached for my hand across the table and held it with both hands, "I'm sorry it's been so long, too. Like I said, I won't pry, but if there's anything you want to share, the floor is your."
"Thanks, Sarah."
She let go of my hand and cleared her throat, "So where do you live nowadays?"
Sarah and I had different dads. Her parents divorced when she was a toddler, and then mom met my dad. They never married, but they were together for years before she passed away, when I was 3 and Sarah was 10. Sarah went to live in Michigan with her dad, but our dads both agreed it was good if we still got to see each other. Being 7 years apart, it almost didn't even matter. It was only when I turned 10 when I was able to appreciate my time with her. She would only talk about our mom a few times, but it didn't make me sad either way. Hearing stories about my mother didn't make me miss her, because I never knew her. Not knowing about her hobbies or personality didn't make me feel sad, because it wouldn't change anything. I'm glad she was a nice person, but other than that, she's just someone who I was never able to really meet.
My point is, she didn't know anything about my dad. Other than he was in the military, she didn't know what else he did. What I did. So she never met Jordi.
"Oh, I used to have my own place, but I'm staying with a friend for now. It's complicated," There's that word again. When did my life become complicated? "What about you?" I asked. I'm glad she didn't try to continue further.
She looked away for a second, "Tim and I are separated at the moment..."
My eyes widened, "Oh I'm sorry for asking!" I said really quickly, "I didn't know-"
"It's okay, it's okay. It's been rough for a few years, actually." She looked back up smiling, her eyes looking a little glossier than before.
It's weird. My vision of my sister is always about how perfect she is. Hearing about how she's having marital problems brought her down to a... normal person. Like me. "Is it something you can reconcile?" I asked cautiously.
She nodded, "I hope so. We were trying to stay for Julia, but it's only creating more tension..."
"Julia?" I asked
"Oh! You don't know..." She pulled out her phone and showed me a picture, "My daughter." She smiled.
I grabbed her phone and looked at her picture. A smiling little blonde girl with a red dress and a big smile. I smiled with her. "I'm... an aunt? How old is she?"
"She'll be three soon. It's kind of funny how much she looks like mom, actually. I'm sorry, I thought you knew..."
"Don't be sorry... I should be. I'm always yelling at you for not being around enough, but I didn't even know you had a daughter," I gave the phone back to her.
"Sweetie, we all have things going on. I hope you can meet her soon though. She's young, but I think she's already beginning to feel the tension between Tim and I. I don't want her to think it's because of her,"
"I hope it's something you two can work through. If not, then hopefully she'll understand in the future. I can't wait to meet her," I smiled and I meant it.
"I'm also sorry about you and Aiden. I didn't know you two split up... You seemed really happy with him for what, 3 years?" She asked, timidly. She was afraid of asking me that, I could tell.
I shrugged, "Yeah we haven't been together for a year. Just didn't work out, but it's alright. He's moved on, and so have I" I lied, quietly. The man behind me was still there, and I didn't really care about him hearing, but he already had his nose in my business, I didn't want him to start giving me dad advice.
Cops cars began to pass by the cafe.
Whatever Sarah's thought process was, it clearly got interrupted by the loud noises, "There's been so much crime lately!"
Aaaaand I thought of Aiden again. Why would he be ignoring me? Maybe something happened to him. Sarah and I continued to have meaningless bullshit conversation, which I didn't complain about. Much rather talk about her sweater being torn up after the first wash than talk about Aiden. After about an hour later, I decided it was time for me to go home...or... Jordi's home. Sarah and I left the coffee shop and parted ways, making plans to hang out next weekend. It was nice. Can't believe I spent the last decade hating this woman. Maybe I just needed something bad to happen to her for my jealousy over her perfect life to end. That sounds so much worse when you admit it.
The only thing that made me uncomfortable with our meeting was that man wearing the beanie was there the whole time.
My phone rang and I quickly looked at it to see Jordi's name, "Jordi, are you with Aiden?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing." He said casually.
I stopped walking, "No, I haven't heard from him all day."
"Ohh doesn't that suck?" He sounded embarassed.
"What sucks?" I asked too quickly.
"Spend the night at his house; don't hear from him all day... Walk of shame has nothing on you, right now, sweetheart."
"You are such an asshole, Jordi, I hate you so much right now." I said through gritted teeth. It took everything out of me not to throw my phone and find someone to kill him for me.
"I know, I know, but just relax. He's probably scheming something. You know Aiden more than anyone, remember?"
I stood silent for a second, "Not anymore, I don't. Plus, apparently, you two have been spending a lot of time with each other." I said accusingly.
"So he finally told you," Jordi sighed dramatically, "I didn't want it to be like this!"
"Jordi, please. Do you know where he is or not? Maybe something happened...someone..." My eyes started to water as I was unable to finish my sentences. Great.
"Ripley, hey. No one hunts Aiden Pearce down." Jordi said trying to sound reassuring.
My eyes continued to water and roll down my face. Aiden Pearce. Name seems to strange to me now. Did I really still love...like Aiden, or was it one of those 'wanting what you can't have' situations? If we were friendly and hanging out, would I be feeling this way? I exhaled. "Can I come home?" I almost whispered, trying not to sound like I was crying.
"Doors always open for you," Jordi responded.
I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath trying to regain my composure. Last thing I want is for someone to see me, a girl, crying in the dark streets of Chicago.
...
Every couple remembers their first date. My first 'date' with Aiden is one that depresses me more than anything. Not because it was a bad date, but because it was a date with a man I would never know ever again.
We were walking near the end of our date. It was almost midnight, and I didn't want it to end. That day, I told him I lived in what was actually Jordi's apartment. I liked how secluded my place was, but it wasn't very impressive at first glance or…any glance.
I felt bad, because my actual apartment was closer to his place than Jordi's was, and driving through Chicago was a nightmare most of the time, but he didn't seem to mind. The streets were usually dead after midnight, anyway. And when you drive a car like he did… Do I dare mention again how nice his car was? I could've jumped him right then and there, despite not knowing him that well…. He parked out front of the apartment and walked me to the main door.
"You knoowww, it's still early and there's an ice cream place around the corner, if you want," I tried not to sound shy about it. If It wasn't Jordi's apartment, I would've invited him up...
"Ice cream?" He asked like he didn't believe what I was saying.
"What's wrong with ice cream?" I laughed crossing my arms.
He shrugged, still smiling, "Nothing, I guess."
"Weirded out that I didn't choose a bar or something?"
"I'm Irish, I wouldn't say no to a bar, but other people think they can keep up, and then I turn into a babysitter."
"That's embarrassing," I laughed.
"It's also not very funny," He said shoving me lightly, smiling.
"If it makes you feel better, I'll always chose ice cream over alcohol," I responded.
"Yeah why's that? Not old enough to dr-"
"I'm 25," I interrupted. I lied. I was 22. I knew he was older and I didn't want to scare him off by sounding too young. Although in retrospect, lying about your age to seem more appealing to a man might be considered to be immature. Ah, whatever, what's an extra 3 years?
"Well, then lead the way." He said as we began to walk. He seemed relieved. Maybe I looked like I'm under 22, but older guys love the idea of being with younger girls right? Maybe the thought excited him and made him feel uncomfortable. I mean he was only 35 then... Age is only a number, right? Either way, I was glad I said I was 25. 10 years doesn't seem so bad. After a few moments, he began, "Always, huh? You'll fit right in with Nicky and her kids."
"You're really close to them, aren't you?"
Aiden didn't respond right away like he wasn't sure how to answer, "Most of the time. Nicky tries really hard to keep us all together. Which is fine, I just wish she'd come up with better things than picnics or ice cream dates."
I smiled, "Anything is better than nothing. Most people don't even have a chance to have a real family."
He nodded, "Was it just you and your dad?" He asked.
"I have a half sister –same mom-, but she's got her own life so I don't ever see her. But I have a Jordi!"
"Jordi?" He asked amused, "That guy in the suit?"
"Yeah he's a pain in the ass, but he's the only real family I have. Was close with my dad. He's kind of like a crazy uncle that you see all the time," I laughed and looked over at Aiden, "you'd probably hate him."
He looked back at me, "Well he cut our last meeting short, so… 0 for 1."
He was good. I was glad it was dark so he couldn't see my blush, "But maybe this night wouldn't be happening the way it is without his interruption." And I sped up to the ice cream parlor and turned to face him as I opened the door behind me.
"You believe in fate?" He asked, not mockingly, but curiously.
I smirked, but didn't respond. We ordered our ice cream and we went outside to lean against the wall, eating. He got vanilla like the square that he is, and I got… hell I don't even remember. But ice cream in the winter time meant getting it half off.
"No...but what if I decided not to go to the park that day, or decided to sit somewhere else. Or what if I decided to leave earlier at the superhero thing… or if I stayed just a second later and didn't run into you. So who knows, maybe Jordi interrupting our chat just made our encounters better?" I felt like I was rambling, and focused back on my ice cream.
"Well it didn't hurt. I was very surprised to see you earlier today."
"As was I," I said quietly, looking away. I wasn't uncomfortable being so open… I was too comfortable, and that's what felt strange. We were silent for a little bit, continuing to eat our ice cream
"But we could have also done this a month ago." He said after a few moments of silence.
I shook my head, swallowing my ice cream, "Maybe we wouldn't have, though. Maybe I would have actually picked a bar a month ago and made a fool of myself, and then we wouldn't be anywhere right now."
"Maybe you'd out drink me" He offered.
"I don't think that's ever going to be the case."
"But what if, because you just knocked some guy out cold, your adrenaline was running and you would be able to drink more."
"Alcohol tolerance isn't that conditional" I smirked. He shrugged and reached to grab the empty ice cream cup out of my hand. His hand touched mine lightly as he grabbed the cup and I froze. "Are you making fun of me, Aiden?" I asked with a small grin, hiding my sudden nervousness. At least I didn't drop the cup.
He laughed, "No, not at all. I think it's cute," He threw both of our ice cream away and once again leaned back against the wall next to me, but on his side, so he was facing me.
Cute! "So you're saying you would have asked me out right there if Jordi wasn't around?" I have never been so thankful of a wall to lean on.
"I may have," He said quietly, "You know what else I would have done?"
I looked over, obviously red in the face, but hopefully the street lights were too weak to capture that. I wanted to ask 'What?', but I kept a straight face and ever so casually asked, "Take my briefcase?"
He smirked and looked straight into my eyes, "No, I would have left that alone." His phone started to vibrate and it took a second for us to realize his phone was going off, "Ah, shit" he said under his breath as he reached for it, "Sorry, it's... work." He said as he walked off a few feet away to answer it, "I told you not to call me tonight." He said quietly on the line.
I looked away and paced around slowly. I wanted to give him some kind of privacy, even though he chose to only walk a few feet away. I should've just asked "what?" to his question, but no, I kept us talking. Funny how we were just talking about small details changing things. If I didn't stall, maybe he would have kissed me and... Nah, it wasn't right to assume. Maybe he's a big troll like me. I chuckled to myself. I should've introduced myself as "Hi, I'm Ripley. I make jokes when I'm uncomfortable."
"Ripley?" He asked, knocking me out of my self argument. I turned around.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, uh... No. Someone at work needs help and I have to go. Can I walk you to your door?" He asked. I nodded with a smile. "I'm sorry, I'm on-call a lot, but I asked him not to bother me tonight."
"It's okay. I grew up in an on-call environment, I understand." I looked up and smiled, but he was looking straight ahead. He looked really angry, "Hey, cheer up."
"Sorry, he does this kind of shit on purpose, I swear," He sighed.
"You don't need to apologize!" I tried to get him to smile, or something. "You're loyal to your job and that's a good thing."
He nodded. We stayed in silence for a second as we were closing in on my door. I stopped and looked at him, as he stopped. "This won't be the last time I see you, right?" I asked quietly.
He genuinely smiled. It was a small one, but it made me smile back. "No," He answered in that low voice of his.
"'No' as in it will be the last time, or 'no' as in I will see you again?" I asked.
He laughed halfway through and held out an arm, "Come here," He said.
I got closer and he pulled me into a one arm hug, other hand in his pocket. Call me weird, but I enjoy when guys give one armed hugs more. Something more mysterious about them, I guess. I hugged him back with both arms. "I had a really nice time tonight, Aiden." I said
"Me too," He simply said. I didn't want him to leave. And suddenly, I wanted a two-armed hug like the girly girl that I was being right then. I remembered he had to go to work. I slowly let go, and he let off, "Well you have a good night," He said.
I nodded, "Have fun at work," I smirked.
He rolled his eyes, "I'm going to kill him." He took a step back and started heading for his car.
"Guess I'll see ya in another month then, right?" I continued with sarcasm.
"Check your phone," He said and headed further away.
I pulled my phone out and saw I received a text message from a number that wasn't saved into my contacts:
-You looked really nice tonight-
-Too cheesy?-
I smiled, and replied.
-Probably, but I won't complain-
And then my face dropped. How did he get my number? Working on-call after midnight? These are things my dad and Jordi would do all the time. Was Aiden a fixer? A hacker? I wasn't sure of it at the time, but my suspicions were there. I didn't want to come right up and ask him, though. I wanted him to tell me. Just needed to figure out how...
...
Sorry it's so short, but more to come, soooooon~ Thanks so much for reading!
