Teaching Aleck (The Last Hangman MC #2)(22)

“Sorry about your break up.”

“It’s alright. Things hadn’t been working for a while so it wasn’t that surprising. Still sucked, but things happen for a reason.” He shrugs and takes another bite of his donut.

“What are you hiding Brian?” I narrow my eyes at him playfully.

“What do you mean?” he asks rather confused.

I chuckle. “Well, you seem to be the perfect package. You’re a good looking gentleman, you seem to be a smart and funny man, you’re open about your feelings and why you moved here. You must be hiding something. Nobody can be this perfect.”

“I’m far from perfect, Gorgeous. I don’t see the point in keeping your feelings and emotions hidden. Sure, sometimes it’s necessary, but I’d rather be upfront and tell you how I feel and why I moved here now than later on when, or if, we ever get together and you find out I was in a long term relationship that didn’t end well. Simple as that.” Great answer, it’s just too good to be true.

“I couldn’t agree more with you.” Thoughts of Aleck cross my mind.

“Where did you go just now?” He squeezes my hand gently.

“Just thinking about some guy I used to like, he would always keep his feelings hidden and wasn’t open at all.” I shrug.

“Understandable. Some people aren’t made to be open or don’t want to learn how to be open and show their feelings. Sometimes it takes time and sometimes it comes naturally,” he finishes softly. Major swoon!

“So true.” I smile softly.

I’m surprised at how well the coffee date went. We talked for a long time, we even ordered seconds. Brian is like every woman’s dream guy. I don’t know if or what he’s hiding, but I hope it’s nothing bad.

******

Ayd asked me to wait at the bakery until the end of her shift to drive her back home so she didn’t have to call Ant and disturb him. I don’t mind, especially because that means we’ll go home with a box full of donuts and cupcakes.

I know she’s going to grill me about what Brian and I talked about. I know I did the same when she wasn’t sure if she wanted to give Ant another chance. I just didn’t expect to be the one under her inquisition so soon.

We drive back to her place singing along to the radio and dance our way from my car to her front door. I might be really quiet and shy, but when I’m around Ayden, it’s like I’m another person. Not because I’m trying to copy her, but because I feel like I can be myself around her, unjudged. She never has. I love that about her.

“Soooo…I want to know every…single…detail!” She grins and plops down on her couch.

“There’s not much to say!” I say from the kitchen. I put some of the baked goods in the fridge and make us hot cocoa.

“You’re full of it, Char. Speak up before I start to be annoying!”

“Wait? You weren’t being annoying up until now?” I poke my head out the door of the kitchen.

“Hahahaha, very funny. No, I wasn’t and I’m still waiting. Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell…”

“Fine! I’ll tell you if you stop it! Gosh, you’re worse than a five year old!” I laugh and bring a tray with our mugs and two donuts.

“Ahhhh, my servant is here.” She sticks her tongue out and takes her mug.

“Piss off.” I glare at her and she bursts out laughing.

“You couldn’t pull off a mean look even if you were really pissed, you’re too cute.”

“Will you stop? Besides, Aleck seemed rather put off by my little speech on Christmas Eve, so I’m sure I can pull a bitchy look better than you think.” I stick my tongue out. I know, I’m such an adult.

“Woah, what happened with Aleck and with Brian? I want to know everything! Don’t leave any details out,” she says before taking a bite of donut.

I sigh. Not what I expected to talk about. “Well, Aleck told me why he doesn’t do relationsh-”

“What? He finally told you? What did he say?” she cuts me off.

“I’m not going to tell you why, I just, can understand why, but still, he’s just too stubborn to give into any feelings he could have, and it sucks. I told him the way I see things, that basically he’s a coward for not wanting to give us a try.” I shrug.

“Way to go, Char.” She fist pumps the air.

I can’t help but chuckle. “I wasn’t proud of myself, I mean, it’s the second time I’m basically telling him he’s going to end up alone, but f*ck it. I can’t keep this up and not know what’s going to happen, or if anything is going to happen. I can’t wait for him to make up his mind. I’d go insane!”

“Amen to that! He’s as stubborn as Ant.” I look at her raising my eyebrow. “And me, fine I’m stubborn too.” She rolls her eyes.

“Yes, you are! That’s basically what happened with Aleck, haven’t seen him since that day.” I finish my donut and take a long sip of my hot cocoa.

“Neither have I. I hope he’s okay. Well, I’m sure Ant would have told me if something was wrong.”

“I hope so.” I sigh feeling guilty now.

“Now, now, turn that frown upside down and tell me everything about Brian. He’s not Aleck hot, but he’s pretty good looking and seems like a sweet guy.”