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If anyone had told hi the day naked and cuddling with Claire McKinley, Dylan would have accused the in bed with Claire’s warm body nestled beside him

On sheets that smelled like Aidan

Fuck

As he breathed in that fauilt, then ordered hiuilty Aidan had known exactly ould happen when he’d barricaded the two of them in this bedroom He’d even left theuilt faded, it was replaced by a tre Aidan should be here too, daht an ache to Dylan’s heart

"You don’t still think I’er who hates homemakers, do you?" Claire’s quiet voice broke the silence

He had to smile "No Do you still think I’m a selfish h her ga addiction?"

"No," she said softly

"Good"

He stroked her bare shoulder for a second, then reached up to rub his forehead Just saying those words--gaer and confusion He couldn’t believe Chris and theirsuch a monumental secret from him They’d almost lost their family home, for fk’s sake Why the hell wasn’t he told?

"I should call her," he said absently Then he thought better of it "No, I should fly home and talk to her in person"

"Your mom?"

"Yeah I want to hear all this from her I want her to explain to me why she and Chris felt compelled to lie toto protect you You’re her favorite, and I bet she was scared of disappointing you I mean, you should hear the way Shanna talks about you She’s insanely proud of every little thing you do, and she acts like the sun rises and sets for you That woman adores you"

He sed the lu towill make more sense once you sit down and talk to her," Claire assured hi clean about the addiction was difficult for her"

She should have come clean to ht His mom had tried to shield him from the darkness, the way she always did

"Okay, I’ll reserve judgment until I hear what she has to say"

"Well, that was easy," Claire said with a laugh "Are you always so quick to see reason?"

"Hey, I’headed one who needs a lot of convincing"

The thought of Aidan evoked another rush of distress He drew in a deep breath, only to inhale a lungful of Claire’s lavender scent Daainst hi

"You okay?" she murmured "You tensed up all of a sudden"