Blame It On The Carols (Sugarplum Falls #6)

One | Aiden

One

Aiden

“W e’re closed for the night,” I hollered as the door opened, letting in a gust of cold air. I continued wiping down the counter, expecting whoever it was to leave. Instead, my body tensed as I heard the familiar sound of heels as they headed my way. I swallowed hard and looked up, not believing my eyes.

“What are you doing here, Makayla?” I asked, taking a step away from the bar as she got closer.

“Hi, Aiden.” She held her hands tightly in front of her as if she was as nervous to see me as I was to see her.

It had been six years, but not much had changed. Her long blond hair hung loosely in a low ponytail as bangs framed her face, showing off her sparkling blue eyes. She still looked like the girl I fell in love with in high school, only more grown up.

“What are you doing here?” I asked again, trying to keep any hint of emotion out of my voice. I hadn’t talked to Makayla since she walked out of my life and never looked back.

“I’m in town for a few weeks,” she said softly, seeming unsure of how to talk to me. At least the feeling was mutual. “My mom is part of the Sugarplum Falls choir and they have the annual caroling competition coming up.”

I nodded, knowing all about the caroling competition and how this year it was an even bigger deal because they were trying to win it so they could use the prize money to do repairs at the church.

“Well, I’m sure your mom will be happy to see you.”

I lowered my eyes, but not before I noticed the disappointed look on her face.

“What about you? Are you not happy to see me?” she questioned.

My pulse raced as I struggled with what to say.

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly, finally lifting my face to look at her.

“That’s fair, I guess.” She shifted her weight and nodded.

“We haven’t talked in over six years, Makayla. Then you just show up out of the blue...” I held my hands in front of me. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

She sighed heavily, her chest rising and falling as she let out her breath.

“I don’t know, Aiden. I guess maybe I was just hoping we could move past what happened all those years ago and start over fresh?”

“You broke my heart!” I nearly shouted, slamming my hands on the counter. “It’s not that easy to just wash it all away and pretend it never happened. You walked away and didn’t bother to look back as I struggled to put the pieces of my life back together. You don’t get to waltz in here like nothing happened and expect that I’m going to be happy to see you.”

She lowered her head and nodded.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. It was a mistake to come here.”

She turned and walked out, the door slamming shut behind her. I scrubbed a hand down my face, not believing what just happened.