Page 24 of Three Months Yesterday

“Oh?” Surprise laces my voice, and I hope it’s enough to get Aiden to share exactly who he invited without having to say the actual words. But that’s the wrong brother to make those kinds of wishes on.

Aiden is insanely smart. The man graduated high school with enough college credits that he ended up finishing both his undergraduate and graduate programs within three years. Only to get into the New Jersey State Police Academy and work there for a few years before getting into Quantico.

I sometimes wonder if Aiden truly worked for the FBI or if he actually worked for some other alphabet soup agency. He’s kept so much of his life a secret, and I don’t think he’s figured out he doesn’t have to anymore.

“Daddy!” Jackson wiggles from my lap, running and leaping into my brother’s arms, not an ounce of doubt that he won’t catch him.

“Hey, little man.” Aiden touches his forehead to Jackson’s, his eyes closed, focusing entirely on the little person in his arms.

When Aiden lifts his head, his eyes meet mine. I may not know the man’s secrets, but I know the look he’s giving me and it’s one of deep contemplation. What he’s trying to figure out I have no idea, but I’m sure it’s not good for me.

“Can you guess who it is, sis?” Wyatt snickers, being the troublemaker he’s always been.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wyatt is the reason Aiden decided to go into law enforcement. Wanting to make sure he could help our middle sibling should he ever get himself in real trouble. Not that I think he’s done anything truly illegal…not really anyway.

“It’s Beckett Stone!” Mom bounces where she stands, excitement written all over her face.

“You know who he is?” My mouth slackens.

I’m seriously the only person in this town who doesn’t know him, aren’t I?

“Of course we know who Beckett Stone is,” Dad joins in, an almost giddy laugh escaping his lips. And there it is again, the inability for anyone to call him anything other than his full name.

“Just accept it, sis. You are completely out of touch with the modern world.”

“Leave your sister alone, Wyatt. We love her exactly the way she is, quirks and all.”

I know Mom’s words are meant to be supportive, but they feel like a backhanded compliment and I can’t help the slight flinch as they hit an imaginary bruise upon my soul.

A knock at the door draws everyone’s attention, and no matter how ridiculous of a thought it is, I feel like I’ve conjured the man with a simple thought.

“I wanna get.” Jackson fights his father’s hold, wanting desperately to be put down.

“You can’t answer the door by yourself, little man.” Aiden strides from the room, carrying his son the whole way.

None of us can hear the words, but Jackson’s little voice sounds, making my brother chuckle.

It’s a good thing Aiden isn’t around to see the look we all share. Aiden’s never been one to give away his laughs easily and after the year he’s had, he has every reason not to laugh. Hearing it now lightens all of our hearts, but he’d be pissed to know how happy it makes all of us.

I don’t know how Beckett does it—acting like it’s not weird when people can’t stop staring at him. Maybe he’s used to it, but it’s embarrassing as hell watching my parents continue to fawn all over him…more than an hour after he walked through the door.

Maybe I should be grateful he got stuck sitting in the seat between Wyatt and me.

“Are you enjoying the cottage?” Dad tilts his head, eyes focused on Beckett as he passes the bowl of biscuits to Aiden.

“It’s great. I seriously couldn’t have ended up in a more perfect place.”

“Is there anything you’re hoping to do while you’re here?” Mom asks.

“I’m not really sure. This was more of a spur of the moment decision. Not much planning went into it.”

“Do you like history?” Dad calls.

It’s been like this all evening. Mom and Dad lobbing questions back and forth, with Beckett answering in the most gracious way. If the man doesn’t end up with whiplash after this, I’ll be shocked.

“I don’t dislike history, but I haven’t really thought about it since school.”

“Oh. Well, you’re in a great place for US history. Gettysburg is less than twenty miles away, and Madison here is a Stonebridge Hollow history buff,” Dad brags, as if that’s some major accomplishment.