The Langfield Brothers: Box Set

14. Aiden

FOURTEEN

AIDEN

“This really isn’t what I envisioned you’d want to practice,” Lennox whispers out the side of her mouth as we watch some of Boston’s finest fifteen-year-olds jam out to the Cha-Cha Slide.

A kid in the middle of the pack breaks out into the moonwalk mid-Cha-Cha.

This dance studio showed up on my FYP when I was scrolling TikTok, and I knew I needed to see it in person, so I canceled the lessons Lennox booked and brought her here instead. “That right there.” I nudge her arm and tilt my chin in the kid’s direction. “I’m telling you, the bride is going to love that.”

I’ve been extremely careful with my words when talking about the wedding. I have no interest in lying to Lennox, but I want to spend time with her. And I want to help her plan a wedding, since she apparently needs the win. So long as I word things right, I’m doing a fantastic job of keeping my word and being helpful to my brother.

My comment about the bride is the truth, anyway. Millie is going to laugh her ass off when we do the Cha-Cha Slide at her wedding. I’m sure of it.

“If you say so,” Lennox mutters.

I snag her arm and pull her toward the class. “Come on, it’s dancing time.”

The woman I spoke to when I called and asked if we could sneak in on a class was thrilled at the prospect of having the star center for Boston’s hockey team show up. I normally don’t like to use my status to my advantage, but I’ll do just about anything to win over Lennox.

From what I’ve seen in the last few days, the girl needs to remember how to smile again. She needs to loosen up.

What better way to do that than with some good old-fashioned dancing?

It doesn’t take long—after some deliciously sinful moves on my part—before Lennox is laughing. I glide across the room like I’m wearing a damn pair of skates, pulling her with me, and she’s lit up, her cheeks pink with pleasure.

“We’re bringing the team next time,” I tell the dance instructor at the end of class.

“You made the night of every kid in that room,” Lennox says when we’re on the sidewalk outside the studio. Her lips tip up in a smile as she assesses me.

For a moment, I’m sixteen again, sweaty after the homecoming dance and excited to get Lennox home. Anxious to feel her skin beneath my palms after having had to keep my hands off her while the chaperones watched on.

“You made mine,” I say, unable to resist cupping her cheek.

Her skin is soft and hot beneath my fingers as I brush my thumb back and forth. Her tongue slides across her lips in a way that has me biting my own. When her eyes flare, it takes everything in me not to lean forward and kiss her. But now is not the time. Not when we’re standing outside, surrounded by sweaty teenagers waiting for their rides. Not when she still doesn’t know that I’m free to kiss her.

“So what now?”

Lennox blinks, like maybe she was also lost in the moment. Like maybe all she could think about was what it would feel like to have my lips on hers.

God, one can hope.

“Um, I’ll probably—” Her phone rings, cutting her off. “Sorry, give me a second.” She pulls the device from her pocket and quickly answers. “Hey, Mills.” Her eyes dart in my direction. “Yeah, we just finished. What’s up?”

Despite my best effort to stay positive, a thread of disappointment works its way through me. She’s likely making plans with Millie, which means my time with her is coming to an end.

“Really? Right now?” She bites her lip and scans the area around us. “That’s crazy, right? Yeah, I guess. I’ll think about it. Thank you. Seriously, I owe you big. All right. Love you, bye!”

As she slips her phone back into her pocket, I can’t help but move closer, like a moth to a flame, risking the burn of rejection because I can’t stay away. “What’s going on?”

She bites on her pink nail, her blue eyes swimming as she works through whatever it was Millie had to say. Lips pursed, she finally meets my gaze. “My boss wants to hire a specific band for one of her clients.”

I press closer, thankful that she’s letting me in. “Yeah?”

She nods as if she’s coming to a decision. “They’re virtually impossible to get a hold of, but Millie found out that they’re performing at a wedding in Boston tonight. It’s a surprise.”

Warmth floods me, and there’s no stopping the grin that splits my face. “So we’re crashing a wedding?”

Lennox’s laugh is light, even as she shakes her head. “What? No. That’s crazy.”

“But you need to talk to these guys?” I duck my head and zero in on her.

She looks away, worrying her lip again. “Yeah, I really need this win.”

I’ve yet to discover why this job means so much to her, but it doesn’t matter. If she needs it, then I’ll make it happen. No questions asked.

“Lex,” I say softly, waiting until she gives me her full attention. I wouldn’t do what I’m about to do if getting this band didn’t clearly mean so much to her. But once the words are out, she won’t be able to say no.

Her blue eyes settle on me, and once again, the thrum of tension settles between us. “Yeah?”

“Never have I ever crashed a wedding.”

The way she licks her lips as a full smile graces her pretty face lets me know that I’ve just tapped into the competitive side of Lennox.

My Lennox.

The years fall away, and suddenly, I’m standing before the girl I dared to kiss me so many lifetimes ago.

She huffs out a laugh and grabs my hand. “Okay, Hockey Boy. You win.”

Electric lava races through my veins as she pulls me away from the building. I haven’t won her over yet, but in this moment, I know I will. Because I haven’t felt this alive, this happy, in years.

“We’ve gotta look the part.”

“Aiden, you are not buying me a dress.”

On the way to the wedding venue, I pulled into the mall parking lot and dragged her inside. At the first department store we came to, I snagged a couple of dresses off the rack for her, as well as a suit for me, then herded her toward the dressing room.

I handed the kid standing in front of the rooms a fifty and told him to get lost. He probably thinks Lennox and I are fooling around in here, but really, I just can’t handle the idea of anyone being near while she’s trying on dresses. Call me possessive; I’m fine with it. I’m not the least bit ashamed of how possessive I am of my time with Lennox. Of her.

“I’m buying a dress regardless, so you might as well pick one you like,” I say, straightening my tie in the mirror.

“Aiden,” she huffs, the puff of air from her mouth sending her pink hair flying.

“Personally, I’d go with the blue one, since it matches your eyes.”

“You just want me in Bolts colors.”She’s standing outside the stall next to mine, hands on her hips and a mix of annoyance and excitement flashing in her eyes.

I smile, a hit of anticipation coursing up my spine. “It’s only the best.”

With a boisterous laugh, she spins and slams the door to the changing room.

“I’ll grab shoes for you,” I holler, striding out. “Still an eight and a half?”

When I return, she’s waiting for me, wearing the blue dress that matches my tie, looking absolutely fucking gorgeous. “You remember my shoe size?”she asks, wearing an apprehensive frown.

Chuckling, I kneel at her feet and hold out the pair of silver shoes I picked knowing they’d match any of the dresses in the room. I grasp one ankle, relishing the feel of her skin beneath my palm, and look up at her. “I remember everything, Lex. When it comes to you, every detail is tattooed on my brain.”

She sucks in a breath, her eyes widening, as I secure the shoe.

“You’re unforgettable.”

She doesn’t respond, but her swallow is audible.

I have to look away before I let every other truth slip out. Truths like I miss you and I love you.

With both shoes strapped, I get to my feet. “Ready to crash a wedding and convince a band to be your bitch?”

Lennox’s loud laugh echoes off the dressing room walls.

My heart flips in my chest in response. Making her smile is an addiction.

We stride into the wedding venue like we’re meant to be there. “I’ll grab drinks. You go scope out the band,” I offer.

She nods, and then she’s gone. The wedding is a bit ostentatious. The tables are covered in glittery gold tablecloths with vases filled with peacock feathers. Servers weave through the space carrying champagne flutes on trays, making sure no one has an empty hand. I make my way to the bar and order. While I wait, I prop myself up against the edge of it and take in the scene. Within minutes, I’m approached.

“Hey, would you mind?” the woman asks, holding up her phone.

I nod and give her a practiced smile. I’m recognized just about everywhere I go. “Sure, happy to take a picture,” I reply, holding out my arm so the woman can hop in for a selfie with me.

Her lips turn down in a frown. “I meant can you take a picture of my friend and me?”

Face heating, I hold out my hand. “Of course.” Quickly, I take the requested photo, going above and beyond by being sure to get several angles for them.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” a sultry voice purrs in my ear.

I turn to find a pretty brunette standing very close to me. I back up a step and give her the same practiced smile I gave the first woman. “Yeah, not sure what I was thinking.”

She slides closer and pulls her shoulders back, putting her chest on display. “No, I meant that she should be embarrassed for not realizing she asked the best center to ever play the game to take her picture without realizing who he was.”

Surprised, I survey her, this time wearing a genuine smile. “You know hockey?”

“Guilty,” she says, licking her red lips.

“I’m Aiden.” I offer her my hand.

She takes it, pushing closer again. “Oh, I’m very aware of who you are.”

“Right.” I laugh, a niggle of unease worming its way through me. “And you are?”

“Very interested.”

I shake my head, neck heating. “Sorry. I’m here with someone.” With that response, I can’t help but scan the space, searching that someone out. When I spot her, I point her out so that this woman knows I have an actual date, hoping that’ll discourage her from pursuing me and I won’t have to outright shut her down. “She’s right there.”

Of course, at that very minute, Lennox pulls a piece of paper from the bodice of her dress and passes it to the lead singer of the band.

The woman beside me hums, her tone full of amusement. “You sure she knows she’s here with you?”

“Excuse me.” With a nod, I pick up the drinks I came for, then head in Lennox’s direction.

As if she can feel me approaching—fuck, I hope she can sense me the way I sense her—she turns, her lips twisted into a big grin. Though an instant later, the expression sours.

“What’s wrong, Hockey Boy?”

I take a deep breath, my tie suddenly a little too tight. “What did you give the singer?”

Her smile returns. “My number.”

Gritting my teeth, I remind myself that I have no claim over this woman.Not yet. “Your number?”

“Yeah. Hopefully he’ll text me when they’re done with their set. I’m pretty sure he thinks I handed him a song request, but unless he thinks I’m asking him to sing that song about Jenny, I doubt he’ll belt out a series of numbers into the mic.”

The tension in my jaw instantly dissipates, and a bark of a laugh escapes me. I doubt anyone else would understand Lennox’s rambling, but she and I speak the same damn language. I get her, and she gets me. “Can you imagine how many people called that number when that song came out?”

“I always wished it was my number. How cool would it be to answer the phone singing 867-5309 ?”

My chest expands at the joy radiating from her. “Well, while you were flirting with lover boy up there, I was made a fool of not once but twice.”

Brows shooting to her hairline, Lennox plucks the glass of champagne from my hand. “Oh yeah, how?”

“First, a woman asked me to take a picture. I thought she wanted a picture with me, but it turns out she just wanted me to take a picture of her.”

Lennox covers her mouth like she’s trying not to spew champagne, her eyes glittering in the overhead lights. “ No .”

I nod. “Yup. Then another woman approached me. She actually did know who I was, and when she hit on me, I told her I was with you. Then the two of us watched you give your number to that guy.”I thumb over my shoulder at the stage.

Lennox’s eyes go wide, and then she’s peering around me. “Where is she?”

My heart stutters. Is she jealous? The old Lennox would be. If another woman so much as breathed near me, she would be ready to knock her out.

“Why?” I challenge, keeping my cool. “You going to go over there and set her straight? Tell her I’m taken?”

Stepping back, she holds up a hand between us. “I mean, you are. Though not by me.”

Frustration mixes with the jealousy still coursing through me after she gave her number to Seven’s lead singer. I step in so close that my lips brush against her ear when I speak. “Or maybe you could show her that I’m taken.”

Lennox sucks in a breath. “H-how?” she stutters.

“Dance with me.” I grasp her waist and pull her into me, almost causing her to spill champagne all over the both of us. “Come on, Lex. Never have I ever danced with a pretty girl at a wedding.”

Her body relaxes, but she rolls her eyes and brings her drink to her lips, refusing to give in. “Ha, nice try. You’re a serial monogamist. There’s no way you haven’t danced with a beautiful woman at a wedding.”

“Keeping tabs on me?” I tease.

Her cheeks go pink, and she huffs. “No. What? Ugh.”

“Come on, Lex. Dance with me,” I beg, wrapping my arm around her hips and pressing my body against hers.

She tucks her chin and seems to be considering the way our bodies are touching before swallowing thickly, like she’s scared to get too close to me. Like she knows if she does, she won’t be able to hold herself back anymore.

Good. That’s how I want her.

“Fine. I’ll give you another one,” I whisper.

Then, with her gaze locked on mine, I tell her the truth. “Never have I ever gotten over you.”