Chapter 9- Aiden Comes Home

Aiden was quick to get back home. He had been away at college for just a couple of months, and it felt like an eternity to him. As he made the turn down the long dirt drive, he smiled and remembered old times coming home. He rolled down his window, turned up the radio, and drove as fast as he could down to the house. When he arrived, he was met with the surprise that Amy was in town, and she was standing outside visiting with his grandparents.

"Amy! I didn't think you were coming," Aiden remarked as he looked past Amy to his grandparents who stood outside to greet him.

"Surprise! I missed you so much I just couldn't stay away anymore. I wanted to surprise you," she said as she came running off the porch to hug him. Aiden didn't return the excitement. Aiden hugged her with a slight hesitance, keeping a mild distance from her.

"Well, you certainly did. So, when did you get here?" Aiden asked as he looked at his grandmother with disappointment.

"Just this morning. I have only been here for a few minutes. I stopped off in town at a couple of shops first," Amy said as she continued to rub Aiden's stomach while she gazed up at his face.

The group made their way inside the house and sat at the table talking and exchanging stories of what they had been up to since the pair had left for college. After eating a quick bite for lunch, Amy and Aiden headed upstairs to his room.

"Aiden, I have really missed you," Amy said as she hugged him. "When we broke up this summer it was very hard on me, and this distance is really becoming so difficult, but I don't want to lose you," Amy pressed as she sat next to Aiden on his bed.

Amy gave Aiden another unavoidable hug while she continued to go on and on about their breakup. He listened to her as she shared her feelings. He responded, "I know things are hard, but I told you where I wanted to go to school. I didn't want to go to a huge university. Besides, my grandparents can't afford a big tuition, and I only got so much for my scholarships." Aiden moved away from Amy.

"What is wrong? It feels like you just aren't the same anymore." Amy moved closer to Aiden trying to look into his eyes.

"Nothing. I am just a little tired is all," Aiden said, hoping this would satisfy her.

The couple jumped into Aiden's truck and headed into town for a date night that Aiden knew would be unavoidable. After dinner, they made their way over to the bar Meridian worked at. Amy's friends that she knew from high school were there, and Aiden was relieved to see some of his old high school buddies - especially since his best friend couldn't come into town with him that weekend. The bar was definitely full. It was a Saturday night, and it was in part due to the local band that was playing.

"Hey, man! Good to see you. Where is Chris?" Eric asked.

"Yes, so good to be back home, buddy. Chris had to work. He will come back for the holidays. He found a girlfriend, so that seems to help his homesickness," Aiden replied as he watched Amy go and chat with some of her friends sitting in a booth.

"So, I thought you and Amy broke up?" Eric asked.

"We did over the summer for a while. She has really gotten clingy lately, and she smothers me despite us being so far apart. She calls and texts all day long. I didn't expect to see her here this weekend; I just don't have the heart to do it to her right now. In fact, I am still unsure of what I really want to do," Aiden admitted. "So, anyway, what have you been up to and what are you doing here? This isn't your usual place. With us only being eighteen we can't drink, and we all know how you love to normally hang out with your uncle and get free beer." Aiden slugged his friend as he inquired.

"Yes, this is true, but a friend of mine who comes here every once in a while, got me coming here. He likes to hook up with Alexa over there, and there is a new girl that has been working here. I come in just to look at her, and I have been trying to work up the nerve to ask her out," Eric explained as he drummed his fingers on the bar.

"Oh, really? She must be something for you to dedicate this much." Aiden smiled as he spoke, and then his face quickly dwindled when Amy came over and interrupted their chat.

"Aiden, everyone wants to go to a party. My friends know of one, and I want us to go and get out of here." Amy was insistent that they leave.

"I like it here. It's fun, there is a good band, and I don't feel like being dragged around to some party with people I don't know," Aiden rebelled.

"Well, I am going even if you don't go." Amy snarled.

"Fine, have it your way." Aiden shrugged her off as he walked away and went to the bathroom. Amy walked back to her friends, maintaining a line of site on Aiden as she went.

After Aiden escaped Amy and returned from the bathroom, Eric wanted to continue the conversation out of curiosity. "You weren't kidding," Eric said as he looked upon Aiden who had grown agitated in such a short time. "Amy probably wants to get you out of here before you see the help that Stephanie has been hiring," Eric remarked with a grin.

"Oh yeah, so this girl?" Aiden was curious.

"Well, yeah, but she has hired a few other hotties too. One even has a nickname, and she doesn't seem to mind that everyone calls her Alexa- Sexa," Eric said as he laughed.

Aiden was amused. "And you know this because…?"

"Hey, I'm respectable! I think one of Josh's buddies has been hitting that," Eric remarked as he nodded to one of the guys at the bar talking to Stephanie.

Amy reluctantly left Aiden behind as she followed her friends to the party that was happening across town. Halloween was on a weekday this year and most parties that were taking place were that night. Aiden stayed behind with his friend and continued the conversation about how their lives were going as they listened to the band on stage.

"So, this girl, who is she?" Aiden asked.

"Well, we don't know really. She just started working here some months back, and she is really easy on the eyes and a little mysterious too. I am a little disappointed that we haven't seen her in here tonight. There is a rumor that she lives with the palm reader across the street," Eric said as he pointed out the window where they could see Tallulah's house and shop.

"I know that place. From last year, Amy and I came down here to get my measurements for the prom. I think Amy goes in there sometimes and buys things," Aiden studied the building through the window of Stephanie's bar.

"Well, she is usually here; she must be taking a weekend off. If you are in town again let me know and we can come back. Are you going to be here anytime soon?" Eric asked.

I know for sure I will be back for Christmas break. I will for sure hit you up then, man," Aiden said.