Always Aaron

Chapter 17

"This December. At New Years. I wanted it to be functional and special. Your birthday is on Christmas and the entire family and cousins community will make it." She laughed at our horrifically large amount of cousins. It was like they reproduced everyday. "You can bring your friends too." She pushed my fringes back.

"I'd love that." I smiled thinking just who to bring. "How was England?"

She blew out her lips. "It was... hard. I met their mother and she was a total snob. Louis accepts me and is happy. But Catherine..." I squeezed her hand. "I don't think she likes me."

"Give it time mom. She just lost her mother because of her dad. It'll take time getting used to these things. I know from experience." I laugh and she joins too.

"I still remember when you tried to climb the chimney. Your dad got there just in time to see you covered in soot and dust. And when we tried to get you to bed you stood in front of the door the whole night." I wiped the tears from my eyes. I was a real creep back then.

It was times like these that I missed dad. A lot.

"I'll go get water mom. You must be tired." I say throwing my clothes off the bed and making space for her. "I'll be back in a minute." I walk out closing the door shut behind me and get a cup filling it with cold water.

I look up startled to see Aaron reaching for the cabinet. "Shit. You scared me." I drop my hand from my chest.

"Sorry." He murmured grabbing the plastic zip log bag filled with white powder. I pursed my lips but his face said enough. "I need to go out tonight. I have some business shit."

"Oh?" I said watching him walk off. When the heck did he have business? I didn't even know he was capable of that.

...

"Really?" My mom laughed placing her silk napkin down.

"Yes. I honestly thought she hated me but she hates everybody." I scoffed cutting my steak. We were at this fancy diner my mom had fished out. It was cute with red interior and silk seats.

"And Liam's here?" She asked biting her lip as she brought a new topic.

"Yeah. How did you know?" I asked.

"He was the one who showed me to your room." She said slowly. "He seems..."

"Different?" She nodded. "I don't know mom. I think so too but I just- I don't want to go through the same thing again."

"Do you still love him?" She asked sadly.

I looked at my plate biting my lip. "Can you ever stop truly loving your exes?"

I heard her sigh. "Both of your exes were like that. At least one of them was really nice."

"Yeah." I smiled at the memory. "But we broke up for a reason."

"And now you have Aaron."

I looked up furrowing my eyebrows before nodding. I gave myself a mental slap. "Yeah. Now I have Aaron."

"He seems like a wonderful kid. Nice manners and good looking." My mother pointed. She reached forward and took my hand in hers. "Be happy Bryce. Don't let your fears take you. Yes be careful but also be sure."

"Okay mom." I smiled. "Now are you ready for dessert?"

"Are you asking a Weston that?" She mused and signalled a waiter. "One chocolate lava cake please."

...
My mom had insisted staying at a five star hotel and promised to meet me tomorrow. She even went to Principle Simone and convinced her to give me the week off which meant I had a longer vacation yet I stayed in my dorm.