Chapter Thirty

Aiden’s heart was beating so fast that he feared that the person next to him could hear it and think it was a bomb. Not exactly the most ideal thing in the world when he was sitting on an airplane, watching the cabin crew prepare for takeoff.

He cupped his cheeks, willing himself to calm down. The breathing mantra from Ryan’s fitness DVDs was doing nothing.

What had gotten into him? Aiden wasn’t afraid of flying, even with his limited experience. It was just as dangerous as driving, probably even safer than Aiden’s death trap of a car back home. Oh god, was Kat right? Was he having a mental breakdown?

“Panic attack?”

Aiden startled, wondering if his inner thoughts were suddenly out in the open for everyone to hear. But instead, he came face to face with his concerned seatmate, a person with bright purple hair and piercings that Aiden wondered if they had to take out during security.

“Yeah.” Aiden shook his head, taking another breath. “No. I don’t know.”

“I’d ask if you wanted a bag to breathe into, but I don’t think they’ll pass anything out until we’re in the air,” they said apologetically. “What is it? The flying?”

Aiden managed a breathless, “No.”

“Shit. Did someone die?” They lowered their voice, leaning in toward Aiden. “Man, I’m so sorry for your loss. Kind of a dick move of whoever told you. Unless they didn’t know you were on a plane, about to be trapped for four hours not able to do anything. That sucks.”

Aiden couldn’t correct them, couldn’t do anything but focus on his shallow breathing and how the cabin felt as though it was closing in around him. “I…”

“What do you need? I have headphones, if you want to listen to some music, I could—”

“I’m sorry.” Aiden gasped, sitting upright. His cheeks were aflame, and his eyes felt bloodshot. “I’ve made a mistake. I need to get off this plane.”

The stranger’s eyes widened. But, miraculously, they didn’t question him further. Maybe it was the eye twitch he could feel happening, or maybe they didn’t want to deal with his shit for the rest of the flight.

“Okay, I’ve got this.” The stranger waved a hand in the air, flagging down an air host. “Hey, hi, sorry. My buddy here just got some bad news, and he really needs to get off the plane.”

The air host made a pinched expression, replying, “I’m sorry, but once the cabin doors have closed, we can’t disembark—unless there’s an emergency.”

“There’s an emergency,” Aiden croaked out. He needed out, he needed to leave, he needed— “Someone died.”

A faint cry of “oh my god” could be heard from the row behind him. And then, “Did you hear that? There’s a dead body on the plane.”

The air host was immediately flustered, and maybe that was the one thing that saved Aiden here. Removing the man who had caused such a flurry before even taking off was surely better than what trouble he could potentially cause later down the line.

It wasn’t a quick affair. Aiden sat in that chair, focusing on his breathing, for what felt like an hour. Until the same air host came back to escort him off the plane.

“On behalf of myself and the crew, we’d like to extend our condolences,” he said, hurrying him along the aisle. “But due to the delay, I’m sure you can understand that we can’t remove your luggage from the cargo. Leave your details at the help desk, and we’ll make sure they’re shipped back to you.”

If Aiden remembered those words for longer than ten seconds, then he would be doing well. All he was focused on was taking one step at a time. Get off the plane, get through the airport, tell Finn.

Tell Finn what?

That he was an asshole? That he’d made a mistake? That he loved him? That he was finally putting what he wanted first?

Yes, no. Maybe all of the above.

One foot in front of the other.

Aiden didn’t think too far into what he was doing.

If he stopped to think too much about it, chances were he would think himself into another panic attack—and he was far too eager for that not to happen.

Walking farther and farther away from the plane, heart hammering in his chest, Aiden wondered if he should call Finn. He didn’t think he’d be able to wait the entire journey back to tell him how he felt, to confess feelings that should be impossible but he couldn’t deny them.

Aiden was in love with Finn—he’d found a home here with him. And there was no way in hell that he could board a plane without telling him that.

And if it didn’t work out? Then that would be (heartbreaking) okay. Aiden’s heart had been crushed once before, and he came out all right in the end. Yes, Aiden wanted Finn. So fucking much. He wanted those lazy mornings; he wanted to make pancakes for Millie on a Friday and sneak her secret sprinkles while Finn pretended not to see.

He wanted to have more nights out with Tam, to laugh with Adie until his stomach hurt, to have dinner at Marlee’s and hear more about Finn’s antics.

What Aiden wanted was right here.

And if it didn’t want him back, he’d wasted thousands of euros that he didn’t have on unused plane tickets. Aiden would deal with that when the time came. He’d likely crumble into a ball and never return, but it would be worth it.

He hoped.

Aiden sped through the exit, following the sign for the taxi rank. And once again, he was faced with that choice. Turn right or left.

Aiden turned left.

“Fuck,” Aiden heard someone say behind him. “What if we missed him?”

“You haven’t missed him, just hurry up.” Another familiar voice.

Brows furrowed, Aiden turned around in time to see Finn leap from the jeep and sprint through the entrance—nearly knocking over an elderly woman and her suitcase in his haste.

“There’s Aiden,” Millie called, craning her head out from the backseat, finger pointed toward him.

Aiden hurried over, mind whirring. “What’re you doing here?”

“Hi, Aiden!” Dylan said with an enthusiastic wave.

“Finn was supposed to bring you back,” Tam said, looking just as shocked to see Aiden standing out there.

“And he came to that conclusion all by himself,” Adie, squashed up against the window with the kids sat beside her, said. “We’re very proud of him.”

“See?” Millie grinned. “I said you’d come back.”

“I…” Aiden wheezed, running his fingers through his hair. “I wasn’t…”

“Oh my god, you’re both saps,” Tam groaned.

“This is so sweet!” Adie clasped her hands together, positively melting.

“Just get your ass in there before Finn makes a fool of himself,” Tam said, waving him off dismissively.

“Go get your man.” Adie fist pumped the air as Aiden turned on his heel and followed Finn’s path.

The airport had filled up in the last few minutes, making it harder to tell where the hell Finn was. But that was where the man’s outrageous height came in handy. Aiden soon spotted him at the check-in desk, elbows on the counter, speaking to the clerk.

“No, you don’t understand,” Aiden could hear Finn say as he drew closer. “I need to know if the flight has left already.”

“Sir, if you don’t leave the desk, I’ll have to call security.”

“Please. Just let me—”

Knowing that Tam would kick both of their asses if this escalated any further, Aiden ducked under the rope partition separating the queue, ignoring the indignant cry of, “Oi, he’s skipping!”

“Finn.” Aiden reached out, touching the back of Finn’s arm. “I’m right here.”

“Oh thank fuck,” Finn breathed, eyes wide and cheeks flushed. “Aiden, I—”

“Sir, can you please move back from the desk if you’re done here?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Finn shuffled back. “Sorry. Cheers.”

“Finn—” Aiden began once they were far back enough for at least a little bit of privacy.

“I need to say something to you. Something important,” Finn said, wringing his hands together. “I should have said it before you left my place. I should have said it while we were in the car last night. I just couldn’t let you go without telling you.”

Was Aiden breathing? Since when had he started holding his breath?

“And I know it’s gonna sound ridiculous. Who falls in love in two months?”

Yep. Aiden was holding his breath. Anticipating, wanting to hope, but not quite daring to.

“But it happened. I did. And I refuse to apologize for it, just like I refuse to apologize for messing up Ryan’s sink. Because it meant that I got to stick around and see you that first day. This clumsy, amazing man who stumbled his way into my life.”

Finn took a watery breath, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I don’t have a lot to offer you here. I’m a single dad; you’ve seen where I live. You know what I have. And only you know if that’s enough. Fuck, Aiden. I’d give you the world if I could. The thought that someone had the chance to do that and fucked it up?”

Finn broke himself off with a bitter laugh and shook his head like it wasn’t worth thinking about.

“When we started to get to know each other, something clicked. You saw me for who I am. Warts and all. And sure, I may have taken it too far. Told myself what we were doing was more casual than it felt, just so I could have a taste of you. I’m not…”

Finn pressed his lips together.

“I thought it would just be me and Millie, but then you came into our lives, and suddenly it got hard to see a future without you in it.”

Reaching out to gingerly take Aiden’s hand, Finn ran his thumb over his skin in that way that Aiden had fallen in love with.

“I’m not asking you for anything here. I want you to know that whatever decision you make, I’m gonna back it. If you meant what you said before, that you don’t want to be here…then that’s okay. I just want you to be happy. I want you to have that smile that makes your eyes crinkle, or laugh until you start wheezing. That’s all I want. And if I get to be with you while that’s happening? Then I’d be the happiest bloke in the world.”

Nodding once, twice, Finn threw him an expectant look.

“That’s it. That’s my speech.”

If it took Aiden a few long moments to conjure up something comprehensible, then that was his business.

“Did you practice that on the way over here?” he said weakly.

“Tam might have gotten me to repeat it a few times.”

“You did a great job,” Aiden said, still recovering. “Right. Okay. My turn.”

In the right state of mind, Aiden would have found great satisfaction in the surprised look that crossed Finn’s handsome features—but not right now.

Now, Aiden was floundering because there was no way in hell that he was going to be able to come up with something that romantic.

“I got on the plane.” Right, okay, weak start. But he could only go up from there. “But then I couldn’t breathe, and someone died—”

Finn startled. “Someone died?”

“No. Let me finish. I’m trying really hard here.”

“I can tell.”

“Not the time.” Despite his words, Aiden was still smiling. “I turned left. I turned towards home.”

“Aiden, you’re really not making much sense here.”

“Just kiss me, you asshole.”

Aiden had to give Finn credit where it was due: he sure as hell kissed him. As Finn swooped in, one arm behind Aiden’s back and the other on his hip, Aiden could feel the desperation in that kiss. The understanding that not a word of what Finn said was a lie.

That Finn wanted him, perhaps even as much as Aiden did.

He wasn’t sure how long they kissed, but based on the amused round of applause that sounded once they parted—it could have been some time.

Maybe once Aiden would have cared about having that many eyes on him, sharing an intimate moment. But he couldn’t care less, not when his head was spinning and his heart fluttered against his rib cage.

Now Aiden was swooning.

“You love me?” Aiden asked, because he had to hear those three words at least once more.

Finn tilted his head to the side, cupping the side of Aiden’s face, with a look so adoring that Aiden felt smug being the recipient of it. Finn said, “I love you.”

“Good.” Aiden took a breath, his eyes stinging. “Because if you didn’t, this would be really awkward.”

“Just say it back already.”

“I love you, too.”

Finn kissed him again, and Aiden couldn’t be blamed for going weak at the knees. Aiden just counted himself lucky that Finn would hold him steady if they did give in.

“I don’t need a plan,” Aiden said once their lips parted, breathless and exhilarated. “We can do long distance, or I can—”

“Stay?” Finn suggested, a mischievous glint to his eye. “I can think of one little girl who would be very happy about that.”

“Yeah?” Aiden gripped Finn’s hand, a solid, tangible touch. One that Aiden would be hard-pressed to let go of any time soon. “I know there’s so much to figure out. A visa, a job, a place to—”

“If you finish that with ‘stay,’ I’m going to tune out whatever else you say,” Finn said teasingly. “You’ll stay with us, and we’ll worry about the rest when we’re not in the middle of an airport.”

“That is…a fair point.” Aiden swallowed. “Are you sure you want me to stay with you?”

“If you make those pancakes again, I can think of nothing better.”

“Not a bad trade-off.” Aiden squeezed Finn’s hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing his knuckles.

“I should hope so,” scoffed Finn, tucking Aiden beneath his arm as they walked back to the car.

The moment they stepped back outside into the warm morning sun, hand in hand, Millie caught sight of them—clearly uncaring about this development. Millie had bigger, more important things on her mind.

“Dad, can we go to Macca’s?”

“I’d kill for a McFlurry,” Adie said, leaning forward so her chin rested atop Tam’s seat.

“Apple pie,” Tam said.

“After all the panic this morning, you’re all thinking of food?” Finn asked, brow raised.

“It’s not like any of us are surprised,” countered Tam. “Adie?”

“Nah, not one bit. You both are too good together to not be able to see it.”

“Dylan?”

“I don’t know why we’re here.”

“That’s okay, honey. Millie?”

Millie only shrugged, throwing Aiden a knowing look. “I knew Aiden would come back.”

Heart overbrimming with fondness for the bluntest child he had ever encountered, Aiden smiled. “Friday magic. You always know best, huh?”

“Yep. Mum says Dad’s the only clueless one.”

Tam threw her hand in the air. “Hear, hear.”

“You’re all terrible. No Macca’s.”

“But Dad.”

“What’s this about Macca’s?”

Another voice, previously unheard, sounded behind them—back toward the entrance. All six turned toward the source, but Millie was the first to speak. Aiden took in the blond man with the torn board shorts and the rainbow hat perched atop his head.

“Ryan!”

“What an absolute surprise for you guys to be here.” Ryan clapped his hands together with a bellowing laugh. “Hell of a welcome home. How’d you find out? Did Marlee tell you? I knew she was an absolute snake.”

“Tell you what?” Finn asked, clearly thrown off guard as he drew his younger brother in for a tight hug. Adie and Tam ambled out of the car to do the same.

“That I was coming back a few days early to celebrate Friday. Obviously.” Ryan pulled back. “That’s why you’re all here, yeah?”

“Yeah, totally,” Adie lied brazenly.

“It’s kind of a long story,” Tam said, throwing one arm around Ryan’s shoulders before releasing him.

Back by Aiden’s side, Finn slipped his hand back into his—as though if he let go, Aiden would disappear. Aiden didn’t mind one bit, grasping him right back.

Mouth ajar, Ryan took in the scene in front of him. First, Aiden, with Ryan’s eyes wide in surprise that his customer was a part of the welcome party.

Then, how close his brother was standing next to him.

And, inevitably, their hands tightly clasped together.

“No way!” he said. His expression, once questioning, quickly gave way to something delighted. “I knew you’d get on with that absolute stick in the mud!”