The sun was setting over the pool, casting a warm, golden hue across the water where Maddie and Sean were splashing around, their laughter filling the air. Amelia sat nearby, watching them with a soft smile. Meanwhile, Nick and Aiden sat on the edge of the pool, towels draped over their shoulders. The tension between them was thick, even if the atmosphere seemed relaxed at first glance.
"You must miss them a lot, huh?" Nick asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. He had no patience for Aiden, especially knowing the guy had been absent for so long, leaving Amelia to raise the kids alone. For Nick, being a father was everything, and Aiden's lack of involvement hit a nerve.
Aiden leaned back, unfazed. "Yeah, I do. Thanks for inviting me to spend time with them today."
Nick scoffed, rolling his eyes. "If I were you, I wouldn't need an invitation. I'd show up. No one should have to ask. Or do you just want Amelia? Not the kids as well."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, looking over at Amelia playing in the water with the kids. He sighed, realizing Amelia still hadn't told Nick the truth—that Maddie and Sean were actually Nick's kids. Aiden understood why she hadn't; she'd been the one to raise them alone, and the truth was complicated. Still, it wasn't Aiden's place to reveal it.
"Nick," Aiden said, his tone calm, but he could see Nick's irritation growing. "I care—"
"Right," Nick muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He clenched his jaw, his fists balling up at his sides. "If you cared so much about them, you'd be around more. Not sitting back, waiting for someone to hand you an invite."
Aiden studied Nick for a moment, his gaze steady. "Instead of guessing what I'm thinking or what Amelia's feeling, why don't you ask yourself what 'you' want?"
Nick froze for a moment, caught off guard by the question. He wasn't used to being put on the defensive. "What do I want? I know exactly what I want."
Aiden smirked, leaning in slightly. "Look at you. You've gone six years without touching a woman? Man, sex is good. It's nothing like just taking care of yourself. I can't even believe you haven't married that model chick yet… what was her name… I forgot. Maya? Maia?" Aiden laughed mockingly. "Why the hell are you keeping yourself away from the pleasures of life, man? Why?"
Nick's fist shot up in a flash, ready to punch Aiden square in the jaw, but Aiden was quicker. He caught Nick's wrist mid-air, locking eyes with him.
"We're both men here. Don't act like a kid." Aiden's grip was firm but calm. "You might be older, but acting immature doesn't make you any wiser. At this age …. you still don't even know what you want."
Nick's hand relaxed in Aiden's grip, and Aiden slowly lowered it. The anger that had been boiling inside him fizzled, but the frustration remained. Nick wasn't mad about being called old—he was mad about how easily Aiden was getting under his skin. He was still young, still sharp, but Aiden had a way of making him feel lost in all this.
Aiden leaned back, taking a long look at Amelia again. She was beautiful—more than that, she was radiant, even after all the years and the hardships. Her bikini revealed a body that was as stunning as ever, and Aiden didn't miss how Nick's gaze followed her every move.
"Look at her," Aiden said, his voice low and knowing. "She's gorgeous, and you know why she was bullied often, right? It wasn't because she wasn't liked. It's because she had too many guys lining up for her attention. You okay with that?"
Nick's face turned a shade darker, the tips of his ears burning red. Aiden smirked, seeing the jealousy bubbling up in him.
"She's my wife," Nick muttered, almost defensively. "We're still married. We haven't divorced."
Aiden let out a sharp laugh. "Yet! I'm not asking about now, genius. I'm asking about later. The future. You're divorcing her, no? You think when she's on her own, she won't have someone else swooping in? You think she's gonna be all alone, waiting for you to have lunch with her whenever you feel like it? Wake up, man. She's not gonna stay single forever."