My Aussie Guy (My Guy Series, Book 2) Page 6

  “I don’t really have a plan. I’m enrolled in this college for the semester, and then I will decide if I should move on to another place or stay.” He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. “I also know what it’s like to have a parent who thinks they own the kind of person you’re going to become… My dad wants me to take over the family business.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s the family business?”

  “Let’s see. He’s a lawyer, his father was a lawyer, and his father…” he trails off. “You catchin’ my drift here?”

  “Oh, so he wants you to be a lawyer?” She laughs sarcastically.

  Aiden nods. “Yeppers, and I’m not overly interested in doing that. I’m all for extreme sports and sports in general. I don’t care much for the stress of being what they want me to be.” His voice becomes low and void of his usual happy self.

  “Does it make you angry?”

  “Not so much angry… more annoyed. My father didn’t want me to come here, because if I’m here, then he can’t run my life or the schooling I want to do. I want to experience everything and be happy.” Aiden looks up to the blue sky and takes a deep breath.

  “I understand. If I could do things like what you’re doing, I would. I guess that’s why I don’t back down from dares. They push me out of my comfort zone. They give me an opportunity to experience things on a different level.”

  Aiden takes my hand and stops. My heart rate spikes, and I stare down at our locked hands, then back up to his face. His beautiful features hold my attention and bring butterflies to my stomach.

  “So, you keen to do the cliff jump?”

  My stomach plummets to the ground beneath me, all good feelings now gone. “I’ll admit, I’m petrified, like to the point where it makes me feel sick with anxiety.” I laugh nervously.

  He squeezes my hand. “Let’s start with the easier of the two dares. Fishing?”

  My nose screws up. “I’ve been fishing once before, and it wasn’t much fun. In fact, it was boring.”

  “You acted as though you hadn’t been the other night when I put it to you.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Aussie guy.” I give him a wry smile while waggling my eyebrows at him. “And I bet you thought you had gotten me.”

  Aiden steps closer, shoulders squared, and his face staring down at me. Heavy eyes stir up the butterflies in my stomach again. “Oh, I’m sure I could read you like a book, you firecracker. One day, I’ll get you in a dare that’s going to cause you to lose your breath.”

  I laugh. “What does that even mean?”

  His thumb moves over my knuckles. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Aiden steps back and releases my hand, but I want him to keep hold of it. I want his lips pressed to mine. I want to taste him. Only I don’t think that’s going to happen.

  When we get to the café, Addison is working. Walking up to the counter, I say, “I didn’t even hear you leave this morning.”

  “I didn’t want to disturb the canoodling that was happening on the sofa bed.” She laughs, waggling her eyebrows at us.

  Aiden clears his throat. I turn to him as he rubs the back of his neck.

  “Anyway…” I draw out the word. “I’m going to check my hours for next week. I’ll have the big breakfast and an orange juice.” I step around the counter and make my way to the small office out back. I’m flicking through the schedule when Addison comes skipping—actually skipping—into the office.

  Her hands are clenched together at her chest, and a massive toothy grin is plastered across her face. “Well, well, well… you pair looked cozy this morning.” She jumps up and down excitedly.

  Rolling my eyes, I say, “Don’t read too much into it. He’s just broken up with his girlfriend, apparently.”

  “Are you serious? Why aren’t you happy about this?” she whispers.

  I nod. “That’s what he told me last night. A part of me wonders if it’s because of me. It all seems so sudden.” I finally find my page and grab a piece of blank paper from the desk and scribble my hours down.

  “It’s his choice, and he’s not going to be here for long.” She pauses for a second then continues, “So, are you going to pursue anything?” she asks, a little too excited. This girl doesn’t give up.

  “I don’t know. He’s leaving eventually. I’ll just end up with my heart broken.” I’m not ready for a broken heart. I’ve always been the heartbreaker. The one-night stand. The one to walk away first. I’m not sure I could do that with Aiden.

  Addison steps closer. “You can’t let the fear of him leaving stop you from giving it a go. Have a little fun, girl. Stop worrying about tutoring and all that other stuff and just do you for once. I did and look where that’s gotten me.” She winks.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I respond dryly and move around her.

  She’s right. To wear my heart on my sleeve is a whole new thing for me. I’m just not sure I’m ready to open myself up to Aiden.

  I find Aiden sitting at a table outside. I pause before going out to him. His eyes are bright. I watch them dance as he looks around him, taking in the campus atmosphere before him. He’s so full of life and wants to explore and do things I’d probably only dream of doing—like jumping off a damn cliff. I would never have chosen to do that in a million years, and now I’ve gotten myself into this, and I can’t pull out.

  He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. The muscles in his arms stand out and are so defined. I want those arms wrapped around me.

  A throat clears behind me. Spinning, I catch Addison giving me a knowing grin, so I shake my head.

  Turning back to Aiden, his eyes are on me.

  Caught…

  Elsie and Addison have been gone for a while. I notice the other chick is at the counter serving. Taking my seat at one of the few tables outside, I watch the other students flow in and out of the café and then run off to study or do who knows what. The schooling here is so different from back home in Australia. It’s so much more laid-back, but there are also serious people who genuinely want to learn, and then there are the ones who want to party all the time.

  A sense of being watched hits me. Turning around, I catch sight of Elsie, only she’s not watching me. She’s facing Addison, who appears to be laughing. Elsie turns back my way. A small smile kicks up her light-pink lips. The rhythm in my chest skips a beat. I sit a little higher in my chair. Elsie shakes her head slightly and heads toward our table.

  I grab my orange juice and take a large gulp.

  She pulls out a chair and slides in. Her floral perfume rushes my way, and I inhale her scent, causing a twist to my stomach. She’s obviously borrowed spray from Addison, considering she hasn’t gone anywhere to refresh.

  I push the other orange juice toward her. “For you…”

  Her head lifts, and our eyes connect. “Thanks. How much do I owe you?” She goes to dig in the small brown bag she has hanging over her shoulder.

  “No, you don’t owe me anything. My shout. Next time, you can get it.”

  Elsie looks up, studies me. “Okay. Next time, my shout.”

  Silence falls between us as she takes a sip of her juice, so I try to think of something to say.

  “How long have Addison and Parker been together?” I ask.

  Her brow furrows as though she’s thinking on my question. “It hasn’t been long. To be honest, I’ve not kept track, but it’s really only new.” She shrugs. “So, tell me what happened with you and your girlfriend?”

  The dread I’d thought would go once I removed my fake girlfriend from the scene comes back like somebody has swung a bat at my stomach. My eyes drop, and I quickly pick up my cup and take another drink.

  I can see her watching me from the corner of my eye. Can she see through the lie I’ve created? Finally, I answer. “Just… ah… wanted different things.” I stumble over my words. Even I don’t believe myself by the way I sound. With a trembling hand, I pick up my glass and down another mou
thful of my drink. In my haste, the mouthful goes down all wrong, and I start coughing. My lungs want to jump out of my throat. I take a small sip of my drink, trying to stop it.

  When I glance up, Elsie has tears streaming down her face.

  “Shut up,” I grumble but give her a smile.

  More laughter follows. “Oh, my goodness. So funny.” She sighs, wiping her face. Her eyes glisten and stare right at me. I know, right in this moment, that if she ever finds out the truth about my apparent girlfriend, she’ll hate me. I’m not sure I could handle that. No other girl has taken a hold of my heart like Elsie has. There’s something about her which captures my undivided attention.

  “No, it’s not. I could have died. Choking on my damn juice.”

  More laughter and I follow suit. Her happiness is infectious. After a moment, our mirth subsides, and we’re left in silence. Our food is brought out moments later, and we begin digging in. I didn’t realize how damn hungry I was until now, only I’m not just hungry for food. I catch Elsie putting a forkful into her mouth. The way her lips move—oh hell. I suck in my bottom lip and bite it, holding back a groan. Damn!

  “Everything okay with the food?”

  I snap out of my trance and turn toward Addison, who’s standing beside the table.

  “Always good,” Elsie says with food still in her mouth. She’s not a Miss Proper-Girl like the others I’ve met since being here. That Stacey chick is high maintenance.

  “Don’t choke on your food.” Addison laughs then turns to me. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yep.”

  Her eyebrows raise, and I think I’ve been caught staring at Elsie. My eyes go back to my plate, and I shove more food in my mouth.

  “What are you guys planning to do today?” Addison asks.

  I shrug and look at Elsie.

  “Not sure. I have tutoring emails to catch up on and homework to finish. What about you, Aiden?”

  I glance between them. “Uhh… I was going to take you fishing.” I cock my eyebrow. Hers raise, and her mouth forms an O shape.

  “Sure, I’m keen. Do you have stuff for fishing?”

  I hear the tone of her voice which says, “You don’t have anything prepared for fishing.”

  “We’ll make a quick stop at the shop and grab a few things. There’s no way you’re getting out of this.”

  “Okay, but I already told you I’ve been fishing before. Can’t say I’m great at it, though.” She laughs.

  “That’s okay. I’m sure Aiden here will be happy to lend a hand,” Addison responds and winks at me.

  I’m not sure what Addison is playing at. “Sure, of course, I’ll help. Let’s finish up here, and we’ll go get a couple of things.”

  “Excellent. I look forward to hearing about it.” Addison claps then turns and leaves us.

  “Is she always this much of a sticky beak?”

  “A what?”

  “A person who likes to stick their nose into other people’s business.”

  “Oh, she isn’t usually. But perhaps when it comes to me, she likes to know what’s going on.” She downs the last of her drink and pushes her plate away from her. She’s demolished her food and I’m still going.

  This girl isn’t like any other I have ever met.

  This isn’t how I saw my day turning out. Yet, here I am, at a popular fishing spot on the wharf. There are only three other people around, and I’m sure they think we’re a joke and aren’t serious about catching anything. I don’t even have high hopes of reeling a fish in, but I am happy to be here with Aiden.

  I watch him place the tackle box and rods he bought on the wooden wharf. He takes a seat on the edge while I stand there and gawk at him. His reasonably tight sky-blue shirt moves with his muscles, and his arms flex as he twists and grabs the first fishing rod.

  “Are you going to sit?” he asks while digging through the box and opening the little packets full of sinkers, hooks, and lures.

  I step up and take a seat beside him. He leans into me, gently brushing himself against me. My heart rate spikes, and a shiver runs all the way down my spine. I glance down at my watch—ten a.m. I wonder how long Aiden plans to stay here.

  “You already planning your escape?” He shoves my shoulder slightly.

  I face him. His brown eyes shine. My stomach flutters. I have to remind myself that he’s just had his heart broken by ending it with his girlfriend and most likely isn’t looking for a new relationship right now.

  “Nope, was just checking the time. I do really have tutoring to catch up on, but that can wait till later. Hey, did you find yourself a tutor?” I’d meant to ask him sooner. I didn’t see his name appear on my list, so I assume he went with another tutor.

  He focuses on tying a knot around a sinker—I think that’s what they’re called. “Yeah, I did, just waiting to hear back.”

  I nod. The little ache in my heart settles there. Why didn’t he ask me? “What is it you’re working on?”

  Aiden looks up, his brow furrowed. “It’s a Romeo and Juliet thing for English. We have to write a modernized letter about love. I’m not the greatest with English.”

  “Yeah, that Australian language is hard to pick up.” I laugh.

  “Whatever. You understand me. I’ve not had you ask me to repeat anything. I’ve been very conscious of my word choices to make sure you understand what I’m trying to say.”

  “Oh, aren’t you thoughtful,” I respond dryly. His accent, though, is enough for him to have all the girls flocking to him, and I can’t blame them.

  Aiden stands and places a piece of bait on the hook he’s just finished tying. “All right, this rod is yours. Do you know how to cast?”

  “How about you do this one for me?” I wonder how many times I can get him to do it for me? I laugh to myself.

  He moves the rod until it’s hanging behind him. In one swift move, he flicks it out, then it drops into the water, then he does a maneuver and turns something off the reel. I’m so not a fishing person. I don’t even eat seafood, but I’m willing to do this to get to know Aiden. Plus, he did dare me, and at least I’m not jumping off a cliff right now.

  Aiden hands me the fishing rod. Our fingers touch, and I try not to show my reaction. My body electrifies from one small touch. “Here. Just keep your finger on the line to feel for bites. Wait until they start pulling and then reel it in,” he instructs.

  I settle in on the side of the wharf. He sets up the other rod and throws the line out like he did with mine. With a deep sigh, he takes a seat beside me again.

  “Do you do this back home?” I ask as I stare out at the ocean.

  “Yeah. My parents have a boat we take out as often as we can. You should see the kinds of fish we’ve caught while far out in the ocean. My dad caught a small shark once.”

  My head flicks toward him. “Really? A shark?”

  He nods, smiling.

  “And that’s why I would hate going to Australia. You have all these creepy crawlies that just freak me the hell out. Huge spiders, deadly snakes, and who knows what else is hiding over there ready to eat me.”

  Aiden laughs, throwing his head back. “It’s not a scary place. Dude, you have bears around here. You’re overreacting. I’ll protect you if you ever travel to Australia.” He taps his hand on my leg, and immediately, goose bumps rise over my skin.

  “Yeah… when I eventually come to Australia,” I say sarcastically. “That won’t happen.”

  “Why not?”

  I shrug, turning to him. “I feel like there’s pressure for me to finish college and get a good job. You know, make money. It seems to be the normal thing to do. Well, that’s what my mother expects me to do. If I don’t, then guilt eats away at me because I’m not doing what my mother expects of me. I already feel guilty because I’m not studying what she wants me to.”

  Aiden’s lips form a thin line, then he shrugs. “I think you need to find a balance. You have to find what sets your heart on fire. What’s the point
in this life if we aren’t going to enjoy it? There are so many people who don’t live, and when a terrible thing happens, or they get sick, they decide then that they must do something to make themselves happy. Live in the now. There are traveling bloggers who make money.”

  Aiden’s words cause me to turn to him. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience when you talk about a person getting sick or something?”

  He fiddles with the fishing rod, then his head rises, and I can see the pain in his eyes as he looks out to the bright-blue ocean. “Yeah…” He pauses then continues, “My best friend died from leukemia.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, Aiden.” Raising my hand, I reach over and gently rub his leg, just a friendly gesture. As I lift my hand to remove it, he takes it and places it back on his leg. Only, he doesn’t let it go. My chest swells.

  “It’s okay. I guess that’s why I’m so out there and trying to live my life. I saw how quickly his deteriorated. He was such a happy-go-lucky guy who could make anyone smile. The day he lost his fight, a light went out in my life. I felt it. It was the worst kind of feeling in the world. You don’t understand true loss until it’s a friend or family member. I grew up with Tom. We’d been best mates since we started in first grade. Our mums soon realized that we were inseparable, and they became great friends as well—still are to this day.”

  A tear slips down my cheek. I let it. I don’t care if he sees it as I stare out at the ocean. The way the breeze kisses my damp cheek and the waves dance into the shore is peaceful. My hand is released, and Aiden brushes away my tears.

  “I’m sorry.” I bring my hand back and swipe away the tear on the other side of my face. His words hit me right in the chest, because I’ve never known true loss like he has. Well, not yet, anyway.

  “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I’m okay to talk about Tom. It’s because of him I’m here.”