Page 125 of This Blood That Binds Us

“They’ve been driving me crazy! They cannot agree on a single thing, and Zach and Luke are constantly arguing back and forth with them. I cannot go ANYWHERE without them needing toknow an exact location and for how long. I don’t know how I’m going to last the summer, not to mention the next school year.”

I imagined all the parties Aaron and his brothers loved that year. From the looks of the members of The Legion, I didn’t peg them as the partying type.

“Oh, it will definitely be interesting.”

Aaron sighed. “I’m sorry. I just had to get that all out.”

“I thought we agreed you weren’t allowed to say that word to me anymore.” A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

“Shit! You’re right. I’m s-so happy to be here with you and don’t want to ruin it by talking about my brothers.”

It felt good seeing Aaron back to his fun, happy self. I hadn’t been allowed to see him for the first five days since he was so blood-deprived.

The sorority house was coming into view. Giggling laughter escaped my lips as our feet peddled along the sidewalk. I turned to the bright bouquet of wildflowers Aaron had bunched in his hand. The smell was intoxicating.

Aaron’s sunbathed face turned white in an instant. “Kim, I’m scared.”

“Oh, hush, you’ll be fine.” I tried to stifle another laugh.

“You don’t think it’s a little early? She’s probably still pissed. She only slapped you like a week ago...wait or was it two weeks? Shit, I need a calendar for this stuff.”

We stopped in front of the Kappa Kappa sorority house. It was a beautiful tan color with white shutters that blended nicely with the greenery behind it. The entryway had long, thick pillars, and we hid out of view.

I leaned in. “No, this is perfect. She’s had time to cool off but not so much that she can completely resent you yet.”

“You are the smartest, most cunning woman I know. How do you do it? Tell me in extreme detail,” Aaron said.

“Stop stalling.”

“I know. I know. But does this apology even count if I don’t remember saying what I said?” Aaron looked up at the house, the crease returning to his forehead.

“It will matter to her. Trust me.” A smile danced on my lips, my eyes gazing at the muscles on his forearms. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so...dashing.”

He squinted his eyes suspiciously, and he tried to hide a slight blush in his cheeks. “This is a trap. I know it.”

He took a deep breath before bouncing up the marble steps. I followed close behind and moved over to the edge of the porch. He rapped his knuckle on the large door, and my heart jumped in my ribs. Aaron flashed me a worried expression before the door opened.

“Hey, is, uh, Chelsea here?”

I couldn’t see anything on the inside as I hid my body next to the wall.

“Yeah, hold on. I’ll get her for you,” some girl said.

I tried to keep a brave face for Aaron, but even I was a little worried. Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach, making it harder to wait. The sound of heels clicking against hardwood echoed in a rhythm.

“What are you doing here? Come to yell at me again?”

Aaron cleared his throat. “Uh, actually I wanted to bring you these and apologize.”

He flung the flowers a little too swiftly, causing some petals to fall to the ground.

“I don’t need an apology. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”

“Of course you can, and if you never want to talk to me again, I understand. Just know, who I was on that day...it’s not reflective of who I am. I never wanted to hurt you. I’m sorry for all of it. I really am.”

A long pause followed by the swing of the door. “Goodbye, Aaron.”

He turned toward me, letting out a long breath. “Well, that could have gone better.”