Without Aiden

It had been three f*****g months. Aiden had to talk to him, give him a hint of that gorgeous smile he lived for. s**t. What if Aiden wasn’t alone? Tris locked his bike at the empty stand and tucked wisps of light hair behind his ears with a shaky hand. Aiden’s red Fiat sat in its space outside his apartment door. At least he was home this morning. He could easily be spending his birthday with someone else. Paling at the thought, Tris slung his pack on his shoulder and walked to the door. He had nothing to lose at this point. He didn’t expect much, but maybe they could talk. Clear the air. Tris missed him. God, he’d suffered hell. Months of empty days and long, achy nights without his boyfriend. He rapped on the door and his heart sank when he heard voices and a soft laugh inside. Jealousy bit through him, but he shoved it away. Didn’t matter. He’d brought Aiden a gift and he’d be damned if he was leaving without delivering it. He lifted his hand, then dropped it to his side and laughed without humor. He’d worn his best jacket, too. As if Aiden would be impressed with anything he did. He set the backpack at his feet and carefully removed the small tissue-wrapped box. He hefted it in his hand, heavier than it looked, and gently stroked a thumb over it. Damn. All of his love and yearning had gone into this gift he’d promised Aiden on one of their hikes in the forest outside town. Tris’s breath quickened as he recalled the exact moment, Aiden naked and sweaty in his arms, Tris’s spent c**k in his hot ass. He’d rolled to his back when Aiden nudged him with his elbow. “What…” “Didn’t you feel that?” Aiden’s hand had dived under the jackets they were lying on and came up with the offending knot of wood. He’d rubbed his side. “Bet I get a bruise.” “f**k. I’m sorry.” Tris had reached for the chunk, but Aiden had shrugged and tossed it with their backpacks. “Make me something with it,” Aiden had ordered. They’d both looked up at a piercing cry. A hawk had swooped over the treetops. “Carve him for me.” Tris had glanced at him and his heart had flipped over. Aiden’s dark hair had stood in wild disarray around his beautiful face. Tris had leaned close and sucked the beckoning full bottom lip into his mouth. He’d groaned, recalling the silver hoop in the luscious flesh sliding over his d**k earlier. Aiden had murmured approval and his tongue dove in, the silver ball in its center grazing the roof of Tris’s mouth, sending a shiver of lust through him. He’d gripped Aiden’s hair, holding him in place as their tongues twined and fenced. Tris jolted back to the moment when the apartment door suddenly opened in his face. The blood rushed from his heart and roared in his ears. Aiden leaned against the door frame and Tris’s hungry gaze ran over his slim body, his mouth going dry at the soft line of curls disappearing into the tattered shorts sitting low on Aiden’s hips. He jerked his attention back to Aiden’s eyes, meeting his intense blue gaze. Something flickered in the lovely depths, then Aiden’s lids narrowed. “Tris?” Tris swallowed, mortified at the thought that Aiden would see the erection pushing against his jeans as his body screamed for its lover’s touch. God! This was harder than he’d thought it would be. He coughed to clear the lump in his throat. “I brought you…” Tris winced as his voice cracked. f*****g wuss! He straightened his spine and lifted the bright package. “I wanted to bring this by before you started your day. Happy Birthday, Aiden.” He watched, fascinated, as pretty color flooded Aiden’s cheeks. So hot. Aiden’s fingers brushed his as he took the gift. Tris bit hard on his tongue. He wasn’t going to beg. Not again. Aiden’s eyes had been cold the last time Tris asked him to listen. “Thanks—” A shout and braying laughter from the apartment stopped his words. A smile tugged Tris’s lips. “Kevin?” “Yeah. And Ken. They dropped in last night and I can’t get rid of them.” They shared a laugh, and Tris’s heart lightened. “Remember Ms. Kranson’s biology—” “When Ken dropped the frogs—” “I bet the room still smells of formaldehyde.” Tris shook his head, his smile wide. He and Aiden had met the twins when they were juniors in high school, and the boys had latched onto Aiden as a kindly face in their new school. Tris almost choked when Aiden winked at him. “Shall we ditch them, as usual?” Tris held his breath, afraid to speak and break the spell of the moment. He nodded. “Great. Give me ten minutes to shower and dress and we’ll get breakfast.” Tris’s lips parted. The erotic image of Aiden standing naked under the shower’s spray left him weak with want. He tried to keep his thoughts from showing, but Aiden blushed and glanced at his bare, well-defined chest as if just realizing his scant clothing. “Be right back,” he muttered and retreated, giving Tris a splendid view of his ass in the ragged shorts before he disappeared inside the apartment. Tris unconsciously licked his lips as he remembered the sweet taste of the skin at the small of Aiden’s back. He stared at the closed door while his body trembled with need, longing to join him in the shower as he had so many times in the past. It wasn’t right! Why wouldn’t Aiden forgive him? Tris blinked as hot tears stung his eyes. He let them pool, then slide down his cheeks. He couldn’t forgive himself so why should Aiden? Leaving his pack by the door, he crossed the parking lot to the stream that disappeared into the trees of the nearby park. He leaned on the metal railing and watched the ripple of sunlight on the quickly moving water. The sound of a siren in the distance recalled the terrible night he’d lost almost everything he loved; he remembered the icy road and darkness and blood on his parents’ faces. A whimper of pain escaped him and he jerked upright, determined not to give in to the depression lurking on the fringes of his mind. Tris loosened his grip on the metal barrier and worked to slow his breathing the way the psych doctor had taught him. He hadn’t gone back to see the analyst after that initial, mandated visit, but he wondered if he should. Sometimes the nightmares of the crash were more than he could handle. He tensed on hearing footsteps behind him, then his blood caught fire as he recognized Aiden’s familiar tread. He squeezed his eyes closed. f**k! Why had he set himself up for this pain? “Hey, Tris. Ready?” Tris swiveled like a puppet to Aiden’s voice and took a second to admire him in black jeans and gray sweater that did nothing to hide the sexy build underneath. His d**k took notice as well. Tris hurried to Aiden’s side to hide the quick bulge in his pants. “Let me grab my backpack,” he said as he trotted ahead, hoping he could discreetly adjust his cramped c**k when he climbed into the car. He grabbed his pack and joined Aiden in the sleek vehicle, keeping the bag firmly in his lap as he buckled in. Feeling Aiden’s eyes on him, he glanced up and drew a painful breath at the intensity of Aiden’s stare. Tris’s head swam with wild thoughts as Aiden’s gaze traveled over his body, and he almost cried out with disappointment when Aiden turned his head away and started the ignition. Jesus! Tris stared unseeing out the side window, every nerve in his body intensely aware of the man at his side. He needed Aiden’s kiss while his c**k ached for Aiden’s touch and the tight heat of his ass. He stole a glance at Aiden’s profile. Don’t you miss me at all? Aiden appeared relaxed at the wheel, and Tris swiveled back to the window to hide the pain in his eyes. Hadn’t their years together meant anything to Aiden? Hadn’t Tris’s love? Unexpectedly, their first time together came to mind. It was Tris’s sixteenth birthday and Aiden had him pinned to the wall of his bedroom. “You can’t tell me you don’t want this, Tristram Price,” Aiden had said. Tris had felt the hard press of Aiden’s c**k against his own and had swallowed, his attention focusing on Aiden’s plump lips moving closer. He’d closed his eyes. God, he’d dreamed of this for months! But Aiden had always been dating some guy or other, never seeming interested in him. A warm mouth had touched his, and he shivered at the swipe of a tongue. “Open your eyes,” Aiden had commanded, and Tris’s lids had flown up. An intense blue gaze had filled his sight as Aiden laid siege to his mouth. Tris hadn’t known what to expect but had opened willingly to Aiden’s sweet, hot tongue, moaning as every slide of it into his mouth seemed to reach straight to his d**k. He’d never been with anyone before, but it had been easy to let Aiden push him on the bed, take his clothes off, nibble his way down Tris’s trembling body. Tris had never admitted it, but he could swear he fell in love the second Aiden licked his throbbing c**k. They’d dated, but it wasn’t until after graduation that they’d promised to be exclusive to each other. An easy promise since Tris hadn’t dated anyone else anyway. Had never wanted to. He sighed. Maybe Aiden was finding solace in the arms of Ken and Kevin. Well, Kevin anyway. Ken seemed to prefer girls. He and Aiden had often discussed the lovely twins, admiring their tight, muscular builds while laughing at their shallowness. But that could be easily overlooked. Tris imagined Aiden’s dark beauty tangled with Kevin’s pale limbs and had to bite hard on his lips to keep the moan of pain inside. The car slowed and came to a stop. Tris looked out the front windshield at the aging building with the garish neon signs in the windows. Murphey’s Diner? f*****g day just kept getting better. “Do you mind? I have class in forty-five minutes and Murphey serves the quickest breakfast.” “It’s fine.” Tris pushed open his door and climbed out into the crowded parking lot. “Think we’ll get a table?” he asked over the roof of the Fiat. “There’s usually room at the counter.” Tris shrugged and followed Aiden into the bustling restaurant. He probably imagined the silence when they walked through the door, but then again everyone had known his parents. Three months were a blink of an eye in the small town of Cherry Creek. He lifted his chin a trifle as they crossed the crowded room and tried not to notice the whispers behind him. Conversation resumed as they sat at the counter. Aiden seemed impervious to their attention, and Tris picked up the paper menu, acknowledging he was probably being overly sensitive. The waitress smiled as she brought coffee and took their orders, and Tris relaxed enough to enjoy the precious minutes with his estranged darling. “What class do you have this morning?” he asked and took a sip from the steaming mug. If nothing else, Murphey’s always had good coffee. Aiden shifted on his stool to face him. Tris thrilled when their knees touched and Aiden made no effort to move away. “Chemistry. I’d ditch out to celebrate my birthday with friends, but there’s an important lab I need to finish up.” Tris’s lips quirked. “That never stopped you before.” “That’s only because you were a bad influence.” Tris chortled into his mug of coffee even as a flush heated his face. It had never taken long to persuade Aiden to stay with him. A soft kiss on the sensitive skin behind his ear. A nip on the neck. Gentle sucks on Aiden’s full bottom lip, the snug silver hoop driving Tris crazy with want. He heard Aiden’s indrawn breath—as if his thoughts had gone the same route—and all the blood rushed to his groin. Damn. His d**k was going to need some serious attention once he got home. He smiled secretly when Aiden had to clear his throat. “Are you coming back to college?” The question caught Tris off guard, though he should have expected it. “Once Candice is better…” Familiar panic churned in his stomach. Aiden’s gentle voice tore down his shaky defenses. “How is she?” “I don’t know,” Tris whispered and swallowed the tears that would come, damn them. “I left her with the doctor. I couldn’t stay in the house.” Their food arrived. Tris picked up his fork, stomach queasy at the sight of the greasy mounds on the cheap plate. But he dug into the eggs and spicy hash browns anyway, to stop the screams of helplessness in his head. Despair leaned its heavy weight on his shoulders. He jumped when Aiden touched his arm. “I’m sorry, Tris. Can I see her?” “Of course. She’d like that. She asks about you.” Tris moved the fork around on his plate. When he and Aiden had first hooked up after years of flirting, Candice had been their biggest supporter. He didn’t have the heart to tell his sister they’d broken up after the accident that had left her paralyzed. Maybe he didn’t want to believe it and saying the words would make it true. It couldn’t be true. They’d been so good together! No one knew him as well as Aiden did. No one else could drive him wild with a single hot glance. He remembered the long nights they lay under the stars, made love, and planned their future. Aiden wanted to graduate with a science major. Tris had whispered in his ear that he really didn’t like making furniture. He had the odd wish to be a pastry chef. Aiden licked Tris’s lips and said he made a wonderful dessert. Tris bit his lip to hide its tremble. No, he’d never admit he and Aiden were through. He’d rather live with the hope they could work things out. Aiden shifted on his stool and glanced at his watch. “Crap. I have to go. Do you want a lift back to pick up your bike?” “It’s okay. I have some errands to run, then I’ll ask someone to drive me over.” “Sure.” Aiden stood and drew out his wallet, but Tris covered his hand and looked into the blue eyes of the man he adored. “It’s your birthday. Let me buy you breakfast.” He felt Aiden’s hands shake, but Aiden only smiled down at him. “Sure,” he said again. Tris lost his breath when Aiden’s lips brushed his cheek, then Aiden left with a wave to the waitress. Tris stared at his congealing eggs while his thoughts churned in confusion and fragile hope. What had the kiss meant? God…damn, Aiden wouldn’t play with him, would he? Was it more punishment? Wasn’t losing his parents enough for everyone? He jerked back, stumbling up from his chair as a fist slammed into the table beside his plate. Murphey folded his arms on his chest, daunting at six feet, all bulging muscles and navy tattoos. “I didn’t want to ruin Aiden’s breakfast,” the man said, his voice cold and laced with dislike. Tris felt the threat as the man leaned closer across the counter. “But Drew and Patty were good customers and even better friends, and there’s no f*****g way I’ll let their murderer sit in my diner. Get the hell out, now.” Tris nodded, numb in the silence of the room. He dug in his pocket and tossed some bills on the counter, then scooped his backpack off the floor. He felt their stares, but kept his gaze straight ahead as he walked through the blur of tables and faces to the exit. He stumbled when he reached the sidewalk, slung the backpack on his shoulder and hurried down the street, trying to outpace the anguish building in his chest. “Tris, wait!” Tris groaned at the familiar voice and slowed his pace. He glanced at the blue uniform that came up beside him but wouldn’t meet the officer’s eyes. He was afraid of the pity he’d see in the warm brown depths. They walked in silence for a moment then Daren grabbed his arm, effectively stopping him. “I was in the diner. We should tell them—” “No! We’ve been over this.” Tris pulled his arm free and resumed his walk. Daren had been the officer at the scene of his parent’s crash, but that gave him no right to pass on information Tris didn’t want known. He swore when the man kept pace with him. “What the hell do you want from me?” Daren let out a frustrated breath. “Nothing, I guess. I’m on my way to see Candice right now. Do you want a lift?” “Can you drop me off at Greenwood Apartments? I left my bike there.” “Of course.” They retraced their steps to the cruiser parked outside the diner. Tris glanced at the people watching them through the big windows and a grin tugged the corner of his lips. “They think you’re hauling me in. Pity to disappoint them.” “Shut up,” Daren growled and opened the passenger door for him.