Finding Me (Love's Not Easy Series Book 1) (12 page)

“Yeah, you are so right. Pray with me.”

Colin was furious with the way Aimee acted. She was being judgmental and pushing her beliefs on them. Typical female. Their way or no way. He was going to give her a piece of his mind when she got back. Aiden told him to stay out of it, that it was not his battle to fight. But he had a thing or two he like to say to Miss Perfect.

Piper walked Aimee to the room and they prayed once more. She had convinced her to take a nap. When she shut the door, Colin was standing in the hall.

“Go away, Colin.”

“Move, Piper.”

“No. Go away and leave her alone.”

“She had no right to say anything to him.”

“She had ever right and this is not your battle, so stay out.”

“Oh, but it’s yours? You’re protecting her.”

Piper looked at the door. “Just go.”

“She doesn’t know the half of what he is dealing with.”

“And he doesn’t know everything she is dealing with either.”

“So her mom died, lots of people lose their mom at young ages.”

“You don’t know anything. Her mother was killed by a drunk driver. Her paternal grandfather was an abusive alcoholic. He died two years ago because of liver damage caused by drinking alcohol. So to Aimee, today was just another way alcohol has destroyed her life.”

Colin stepped back. “It was one night.”

“One night is all it takes to ruin lives.”

Colin turned to walk away. “Maybe I will talk to her later.”

“Maybe.”

Aiden listened to Piper explain to Colin why Aimee was so upset. His heart broke for her. He really hurt her. He never intended to drink that much. He was just going to have a few. It wasn’t the first time, so it wasn’t like he couldn’t hold his liquor. But one drink keep leading to another and now he had really messed up.

Chapter Thirteen

Lexi came up to check on Aimee about a half hour after she got home. Colin and Piper told her and Sophia what happened. She was too mad to talk to Aiden. Going out with the guys and having a couple of drinks was one thing, but when you get so drunk you can’t honor your commitments, you have gone too far.

She tapped on the door and entered. “Aimee, you up?”

“Yeah, come on in.”

Aimee was sitting at her desk, staring at her locket. “You ok?”

“Not really.”

Lexi pulled Piper’s desk chair next to Aimee and looked at the locket. Inside was a picture of two women. “Is one of these ladies your mom?”

“Yeah, my mom and Gran. I miss them so much. It is days like today you really want to call and talk to your mom.”

“I bet. Piper and Colin filled Sophia and me in on what happen with Aiden. I am sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I am so sorry. I never knew how your mom died.”

“I should have reacted different. I should have calmed down first. I wasn’t acting very Christian like.”

“Aimee, I know I am just learning about the Bible; and, one service doesn’t make me an expert, but I am pretty sure being a Christian doesn’t mean you don’t mess up from time to time.”

She laughed at Lexi. “Your right, you know.”

“I guess it is times like this Rev Mark’s sermon comes to mind.”

“Piper said the same thing. God knew I needed that message. I can’t fix this but He can.”

“Sophia fixed dinner. She said tell you it will be ready in about ten minutes.”

“Tell her I will be down.”

Aimee looked down at her locket. “God, I don’t understand why. Why you let me come this far and then let this happen? Why I have been left alone?”

At that moment, Joshua 1:9 came to her--
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
  Aimee read the verse twice before she closed her Bible. “God, forgive me. I am sorry I questioned you; I know that you are with me and I am not alone.  You are always with me and you have given me some wonderful friends here in Neahovia.”

The dinner table was exceptionally quiet. Everyone was afraid to speak. Aimee sat on the opposite end of Aiden and neither looked at the other. James and Piper tried to get a conversation started but no one else commented. In fact, besides their failed attempt, the only other conversation was when everyone thanked Sophia for dinner and complimented her on her food.

After dinner, Aimee went to her room and did her assignments. When she finished her work, she found one of her favorite Cds and played it until Piper came up and they did their Bible lesson. Then, she turned it back on and fell asleep to songs praising God.

Aiden went to his room and did his assignments. Aimee had left her copy of the notes from the classes he missed on his bed. He felt horrible inside as he copied her well taken notes. Even when she was mad at him, she did what she felt was right. He laid on his bed listening to the beautiful songs coming from her room.

Aimee didn’t come down this morning for her coffee. Aiden took a shower after the sunrise. Then made a fresh pot of coffee.  He made a cup for Aimee and sat it next to her notes. He scribbled a note on a post it.
Thanks for the notes. I promise I will make this right before class today. Aiden.

Aimee came down shortly after Aiden left. She found her coffee and notes. She ate in the kitchen and enjoyed her coffee as she watched the rain fall to the ground. The instant she walked outside, the ice cold rain hit her face. She tightened up her raincoat and began jogging to the Chapman building, so glad it was so close.

When she entered her Business Law class, Aiden was sitting in the desk next to her as if nothing happen yesterday. He looked good today, refreshed. She took her seat and got out her books and supplies.

“I met with Professor Lewis.”

“And?” Aimee did not look at him.

“I took full responsibility for my actions.”

Aimee turned to him, the words {and you should} was on the tip of her tongue but she decided to be a bigger person today. “Thank you. So what did he say?”

“He said he was still reviewing our work and he will talk to us after lecture today.”

Professor Lewis lectured seemed to last forever. Aimee took notes and listened as best as she could. At the chime of his huge grandfather clock, like always, the class was dismissed. Aiden and Aimee stayed to discuss their grade. Professor Lewis took out his file on the presentation.

“Miss Pittman, your presentation was most impressive. However, this was a group project.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow. “And, as I explained earlier, sir, we gathered all the statistics and data together.”

“Mr. Kaiser, please do not interrupt me. I am more than aware of the discussions I have had with both you and Miss Pittman.” He turned to Aimee. “Miss Pittman, as I was saying, part of being a team requires knowing when to step up and help you co-workers. You will be graded on your presentation and the work you did to prepare for the presentation.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“It is the fair thing to do. Mr. Kaiser, you will receive the grade based solely on the work you did. It will be at least two grades lower than Miss Pittman’s. I also expect your paper on my desk at eight a.m. Monday.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You are both excused.”

Aimee left feeling so much better. Aiden heard her thanking God for taking care of her. Then she turned to Aiden. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

“What is your paper on?”

“Importance of each role in Teamwork.”

“Ouch.”

Aimee’s phone began to vibrate. She had a text from Piper she read it out loud.
We are eating at Ideal Pizza. Come join us.

Aiden held open the door. “Sounds good. I am starving.”

Aimee sent a text to have her save two seats.

Lexi asked about how it went with Professor Lewis today. They explained the conversation. Then, no one else brought anything else up about the previous day. Instead, they discussed weekend plans. A new show was opening and Aiden got tickets for all of them. Thank goodness it was at a casual theater.

Aimee’s phone rang out just as the pizza arrived. “Hey, dad.”

“Hello, Aimee. How is my eldest child?”

“I am fine. How are you?”

“I am ok. I just wanted to call and check on you today see how you are really doing.”

“Thanks for remembering what happened today.”

“Aimee, I love your mother too. I know that when I married Deandre, you felt like I betrayed Lillian, but I didn’t.  She still holds a huge hunk of my heart.”

Aimee felt tears in her eyes. “I needed to hear you say that.”

“I am taking flowers to the cemetery today. What is your preference?”

“Purple and gold roses.”

“Great, that was my thought exactly.”

“Subject change.”

“Ok. I also know that in three weeks it will be six months since you left for college.”

“Six months. Wow, I didn’t even realize it had been that long. You’re are very impressive today.”

“I try. So, I was thinking we should celebrate this momentous occasion.”

“How shall we do that?”

“How about a visit from me and Maddie?”

“For real? I would love that.”

“I need to finish all the details. Seal some deals. So, I will call you back with all the details. I love you, Aimee bug.”

“I love you too.”

Aimee hung up the phone and sat quietly. Piper and James came over and stood on each side of her. “You ok?” James wrapped her in a hug.

“I need a minute. Excuse me.” She started to get up when Lexi took her arm.

“We are your friends, Aimee. We can help or cry with you.”

Aimee sat back down. “Today is the anniversary of my mom’s death.”

Piper looked down. “I forgot until your dad called.”

“It’s ok, Piper. Most people do. My dad and I always take roses to her grave.”

Aiden ran his hand through his hair. “Aimee, I am so sorry… I…”

“Hey, you had no idea. Only Piper and James know the full details of what happened to my mom. I will tell you guys some other day; but, today, I just want to reflect on the good times we had.”

Sophia looked over at her. “So then, tell us a funny story or your favorite memory.”

“My favorite memory is spending the summers in Savannah. We would go to the beach and watch sunrises together. We would go to aquariums and carnivals. She had a beautiful voice and sang in church every Sunday. I think that my all-time favorite memory is how she loved God. We were always doing something for church.” She turned to them.  “I need a minute.”

Aimee went to the bathroom; she needed a moment to cry by herself.

Aiden watched her walk away. “Man, I feel awful.”

Colin turned pale. “Talk about lousy timing.”

Piper watched her go into the restroom.
 
“Guys, this is really hard for her.”

“Yeah, and I have been such a jerk. I have to make this up to her.”  Aiden pushed his food away.

“Yeah, you do.” Lexi turned to him.  It was the first time she had spoken to him in two days.

When Aimee came back, everyone was acting a little strange, but she just shrugged it off. Today was a short day, so Aimee and Aiden had one class left. Just as they were leaving, they received a text stating that their last class was cancelled.

Aiden looked at her. “It seems our short day just got shorter.”

Aiden and Aimee walked back to the flat; the cold rain began again. She was being quiet, but she had a lot on her mind. At least on the way home the rain was beating her back instead of her face. They were walking slower than she would have liked, but until they got off campus, the sidewalks would be crowded at this time of the day.

Aiden waited until the sidewalks were less crowded before he spoke. “Aimee, listen, I am sorry about everything I said and did yesterday.”

Aimee’s backpack started to slip, she went to catch it, but Aiden caught it. “I’ll carry it for you.”

“Thanks. I know you are sorry. But, it was more than what you said or how you acted. Do you even know why I got upset?”

“I didn’t at first, but I think I may now. It is about your mom. I couldn’t have picked a more lousy time to disappoint you.”

“Yeah, that is part of it.”

“Aimee, please tell me. I want to fix this.”

Aimee stopped for a second to look him in the eyes. “I am more than disappointed. I trusted you.”

“Trusted, you used it in past tense.”

“Yeah, I did. We already established that it is hard for either of us to trust people. I trusted you and you failed me. Yesterday, you destroyed my trust.”

“Aimee, I know, but it wasn’t on purpose. It was just that…”

“Just what, Aiden? That you were upset with Ava and needed to blow off some steam? Well I have a newsflash for you, Ava is going to upset you a lot.”

“Ok, I used poor judgment.”

Aimee unlocked the door to the flat and walked into the living area. “Aiden, you know I don’t trust a lot of people. I did trust you and now that trust has been damaged.”

“I know I messed up, but you can trust me.”

“Trust is not something we can just say, here trust me and wham it is done. I want to trust you again, but it may take a while.”

“I will not let you down. I promise and I intend to keep my promise.”

“I hope you keep it.”

“I don’t take my promises lightly. I also think that is the last time I get plastered.”

“I hope, because you are definitely not yourself when you are like that. Plus, I hope you keep your promise because you are a Prince; Aiden your word needs to mean something to people.”

“I am the spare Prince.”

“Hey, you are not a spare. I am sure that is not how your family thinks of you either. You’re a great person and people in this country look up to you.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so. I hear it at all the time in the marketplace and at church.”

“Church?”

“Yes, church. We pray for your family at every service. We pray for God to help guide you and your family. We pray for your protection and…”

“Thanks, but…” Aiden looked a little shocked.

“There is no but, Aiden, whether you believe it or not, God guides us and protects us. We just have to do our part and listen to Him.”

“How does He talk to you Aimee?”

“Through His messages. Sometimes, it is just as simple as a verse coming to your mind. He gave you the verse, now you could choose to look it up and read it, or, do nothing but God did His part. Another way is in church, through others’ testimonies, songs, and the teaching and preaching of His word.”