High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Aiden

I get it. I get exactly why Bella settled so easily here and as we walk through the village, being greeted by friendly faces, I can almost picture myself here . . . with Bella and Braiden.

I take control of the pushchair whilst Bella pops into the bakery to get freshly made bread, it’s becoming our morning routine. A walk. Fresh produce. Breakfast in the garden.

“Well, well, well, that’s a sight I never thought I’d see in this lifetime.” I turn to the sound of JP’s voice, smiling as he approaches with Aria by his side. We shake hands and when I turn to Aria she scowls. “Don’t even think about touching me.”

I smirk. “Still as prickly I see.”

Bella rushes from the shop. “Oh my god, what are you guys doing here?” she cries, wrapping each one in her arms in greeting.

“We thought we’d come and visit before this one turned into a teenager,” Aria jokes, peering into the pushchair. “Oh, Bella, he’s gorgeous.”

Bella smiles proudly, “I know. I make the cutest kids.” I clear my throat, and she laughs, “With your help of course.”

“You’re just in time for brunch,” I announce, turning the pushchair around. “I’m about to cook my famous poached eggs.”

I feel JP fall into step beside me, “Famous cos you killed someone from food poisoning?”

I grin. “I don’t know why everyone thinks I can’t cook.”

“You’re looking good, brother. Really good,” he says, glancing at me. “Time away is doing you good.”

I nod in agreement. “I feel good, JP. This place . . . it’s exactly what I need. ”

“We had bets you’d be home within a week,” he says, smirking. “But here you are, almost a month later. Are you ever coming home?”

I shrug. “Home,” I repeat. “I don’t even know where that is anymore.”

“Serious?” he asks, staring at me through wide eyes.

“Home is where she is, JP. I don’t know if I can be away from either of them now, and she won’t move back to London. I mean, look at this place, why would she?” He grins wide and I narrow my eyes, “What?” I ask.

“It’s what Jake wanted all along, isn’t it. You and Bella together.”

“That bastard always knew what I needed, more than I ever did.”

“And does Bella feel the same?”

My smile fades. “I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it.”

“You’ve been here a month, man, and you’re telling me you’ve not even spoke about the future?”

“We sort of broached it when I first got here, and we agreed it was too soon to talk that deep when we were both emotional and riding high on the fact we just had a kid. Since then, there’s not been a right time.”

“Aiden, you have to talk to her. If she’s not on the same page, then what? ”

“How can I expect her to forgive me for everything?” I ask. The thought’s been playing on my mind way too much and I still don’t have the right answers. We’ve fallen into a nice routine of being Braiden’s parents, but there’s been no hint of anything else.

“What are you two talking about?” Bella calls from behind. I stop, waiting for her and Aria to catch up. “It looks serious,” she adds.

I smile, “Nothing important,” I lie. “Just business talk.”

Her smile falters and she gives a slight nod. “Have you come to drag him home?” she asks JP.

He laughs. “Since when has anyone been able to make Aiden do anything he doesn’t want to do?”

Her eyes find mine again. “You don’t want to go home?” I detect a note of hope in her voice, and I take my chance, slipping my hand in hers.

“I am home, Bella. I told you; I’ll be wherever you and Braiden are.”

“Jesus, pass me a bucket,” mutters Aria. Bella shoots her a glare and we walk the rest of the way home in silence.

I make us all some poached egg on fresh toasted bread, and we talk about the bakery and how well things are going for Aria. JP briefly discusses the bar and then Bella fills everyone in on what it’s like to be a parent, and even when she talks about the sleepless nights, she smiles. Secretly, I love that time the best. The second I hear Braiden wake, I get up and change his bottom before Bella feeds him. But the most special part of that, is how we sit in bed together and just talk. I hate it when he drifts back off to sleep and I have to go back to the spare room.

“Why don’t you go sit in the garden and catch up,” JP suggests. “Me and Aiden can watch the baby.”

We wait for them to leave before JP turns to me, “I’ve got an idea.”

“That’s never good.”

“Bella’s seen you’re a good dad, right?” I nod. “So now you need to show her you’re a good boyfriend.”

“That’s the problem,” I remind him, “I did too much damage there.”

“But you’ve changed. Show her.”

“How?”

“Put down roots here, so she knows you’re sticking around.”

“Like rent my own place?”

He nods, “Or buy. I mean, that screams settled. ”

“Or it screams crazy. What if she doesn’t want me to stick around forever? It might scare her off. I have to play it cool, let her lead.”

“I saw her face, man, when she asked if I’d come back to drag you home, she was anxious.”

“She’s just had a baby and I’m here helping, she probably panicked at the thought of doing it alone.” Braiden begins to stir and I go over to the pushchair and lift him out. “I’ll talk to her, see what she’s thinking. But even if she doesn’t want to be with me, I’m still staying here, JP. I can’t leave my son.”

“You know the one person you really need on your side in this . . . Aria.” I scoff. “I’m serious, Aiden. Sort shit with her and that’s the way to Bella’s heart.

Aria eyes me suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”

It was JP’s idea for me to meet Aria in the local bar. I’d announced I was nipping out to get supplies, JP and Aria were meant to be going for a drink tonight, but he sent her ahead with the promise to catch up.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

She lowers into the chair opposite me, “You should make it quick, JP is on his way. ”

“I know you hate me,” I begin and she arches a brow. “And I get it. You should hate me. I’ve been a complete wanker to Bella and I don’t deserve her time.”

“You got that right.”

“But, we have Braiden now. And so, I want to make things right.”

“What’s that got to do with me?”

“You’re Bella’s best friend. She loves you. It’s important we get along.”

“You didn’t care about that before?”

“I didn’t care about a lot of things before,” I admit. “I’m making the effort to change, Aria. I want to be good enough for her and Braiden. Your blessing means a lot to me.”

“So you want to get back with her?”

“I’d like to, if it’s what she wants.”

Aria sighs heavily, “She does.”

I sit straighter, “She said that?”

She shakes her head. “I can tell. Besties, remember.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

She scoffs, “What does it matter?”

“It matters,” I say firmly. “To me. To Bella.”

“I don’t think you’re good enough for her.” She’s blunt but it’s what I expected. “And I don’t know why she’s even giving you the time of day.” She takes a breath. “ But it’s not up to me what Bella does. She told me how great you’ve been with Braiden.”

“He’s got me wrapped around his finger and he doesn’t even realise,” I say with a small smile.

“I thought you’d give up after a week,” she admits. “But you’ve proved me wrong so far.”

“And I will continue to. I want this, Aria. I want Bella and Braiden in my life. And I’ll take whatever she gives me. I can’t even begin to apologise for everything I’ve done. And if she gives me a chance, I’ll put it all right.”

“How?”

“I’m gonna marry her.”

Aria sits up, leaning closer. “Marry her?” she repeats.

“Tomorrow if she’d let me. I’m serious, Aria. I love her.”

Aria smiles. It’s the first genuine smile she’s offered me in a long time. “Then we have some plans to make.”