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I was in the middle of checking my E mail when I heard Leo barking loudly in the hallway. I smiled as I practically ran down the hall to answer the door. I drew in a deep breath and opened the door with a smooth motion. I grinned widely as I caught sight of Nick standing in the doorway, his hand still up from knocking on my door. He looked at the number on the back of my door and raised his eyebrows in a mischievous manner.

“I’m sorry; we must have the wrong apartment. The Rachel I know isn’t someone as sexy as you are,” he teased.

I glared and crossed my arms as I stared at him. I hid my grin as he continued to look me up and down, undressing me with his eyes. Nickolas always had a cocky attitude when it came to women. As much as I expected it to happen, it annoyed me more than it used to. I found myself suddenly growing self conscious and backed away from the door and let him in.

“Where’s Aaron?”

“On his way up,” he said as he shoved his hands into his pockets and looked around my apartment. “Nice crib,” he commented as he picked up a wax apple and brought it to his lips.

I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly clamped my mouth as he bit into the apple. I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter and looked away from him as he scrunched up his nose. I could feel my face growing red from holding in my giggles.

“Why didn’t you tell me it was fucking fake!” he exclaimed as he ran over to the sink and drank straight from the spout.

“Classy, Nickolas,” I said as I rolled my eyes. “I see that the bleach finally fried those three remaining brain cells of yours.”

“What?” he said as he turned the faucet off and licked his lips.

I laughed and shook my head. “Nothing,” I said as I went back to the door. “Did he get lost?”

“He’s carrying up a bunch of shit,” Nick replied as he plopped down on one of my chairs in the living room.

“And you didn’t help him? Jesus, Nickolas! You’re just as rude as ever.” I muttered as I slipped on my shoes. “If you won’t help him then I will,” I said as I slammed the door behind me.

I jogged down the stairs and headed down to the parking lot. I saw him in the distance, standing next to Nick’s car, wearing a white baseball cap backwards. I smirked as I noticed he’d grown much taller since he was thirteen. His thin, athletic figure stood with his back towards me. I bit down on my bottom lip and crossed over in his direction. Before I approached him, I stopped to study him, not realizing that I was staring. His white basketball shorts hung low past his knees with his black wifebeater fitting snugly against his torso. I was taken aback by the fact that he’d grown muscular since I’d last seen him. He didn’t have a tall, awkward frame like Nick had at that age. I was almost afraid for him to turn around and notice me behind him.

I shifted uncomfortably in my stance when he shut the back door of Nick’s car. Aaron picked up the boxes, his muscles flexing, causing my mouth to drop a little. He turned around and looked at me in surprise. He grinned widely as he put the boxes back down and stepped over to me. I smiled and gasped a little when he enveloped his arms around my waist.

“Ah, I’ve missed you!” he exclaimed as he hugged me tight, lifting my petite frame off the ground.

I raised my hand to my chest and shook my head, staring at him in astonishment. “I—I can’t believe it’s you!”

Aaron shrugged and smiled widely. “It’s me, AC,” he replied.

“I know,” I said with a laugh. “It’s just that you’re not—well, you know…”

“Short?” he joked.

“Yeah,” I said while laughing. “Exactly.”

I glanced over at the boxes and looked back over at him again. “What’s with the boxes?”

“Ah, birthday presents, Christmas presents, and food,” he said while holding up a bag of Cheetos.

“Food?” I said while snickering. “My step-mom’s idea,” he said while rolling his eyes.

“And the presents?” I asked, eying him playfully.

Aaron chuckled softly and looked down at the ground. He lifted the baseball cap off his head and shyly looked at me, with his browed wrinkled. I couldn’t help but smile at him pat his arm as I picked up a couple of boxes.

“Pick up the rest and we can go inside where it’s cool,” I said as I lead the way to my apartment.

“You would live on the third floor,” he complained as he climbed the stairs.

“I wanted a good view,” I said with a smile and climbed the last flight of stairs.

When I approached the door, I was surprised by Nick coming outside. He nodded at me and opened the door wider for us to come inside. I stepped into the apartment and Leo immediately came running, barking at Aaron’s feet.

“Leo! Stop that!” I ordered as I put the boxes down. “Put those anywhere, Aar,” I said as I picked up Leo. “Be good or I won’t give you your treat later,” I said as I turned to face Aaron. “Aaron, meet Leo. Leo, meet my old friend, Aaron.”

Leo playfully growled at Aaron and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, his bark is worse than his bite,” I said as I kissed the top of his head.

“He’s so cute,” Aaron said as he pet Leo. “Kinda small though.”

“He’s still a pup,” I said as I put him down. “I randomly decided I wanted a dog and found him in the paper three weeks ago.”

“Nice,” Aaron said as he sat down at the couch. “I’ve got a couple of dogs of my own.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” I said as I began taking food out of the boxes. “You guys always had animals around.”

“Yeah,” Aaron said as he came into the kitchen. “Let me help you,” he said as he took the boxes of cereal out of my hands.

“Thanks,” I replied as I glanced over at Nick. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes glued to his phone; engrossed in a text. “Whatcha got going on over there, Nick.”

“Hot date,” he said as he shut his phone and looked at me. “I should probably jet.”

“You’re not gonna stay?” Aaron said as he stacked up empty boxes.

“I’d love to, but this is Trish,” Nick replied with his eyebrows raised.

“So, how the fuck am I getting home?” Aaron said in a low tone.

“I dunno,” Nick said as he pulled out his phone to reply to another text.

“I can’t believe you’d be so fucking rude,” Aaron said as he snarled his lip. “For some cheap pussy.”

“Best kind to have,” Nick said as he snapped his phone shut. “Don’t gotta take her out for dinner or nothing,” he said with a grin.

“You’re fucking disgusting,” Aaron muttered. “But whatever. I’ll figure out what to do later.”

“We should go out to eat or something,” Nick said to me. “You know, before I leave.”

“Maybe,” I replied softly and licked my lips. “Well, I guess you better go. You don’t wanna keep Trish waiting or anything.”

“Right,” Nick said as he made his way around the counter and hugged me. “Talk to you later, bro,” he said then quickly made his exit.

“Fucking prick,” Aaron muttered.

I looked at him and leaned against the counter. “I see your height isn’t the only thing that’s changed about you. What’s with the potty mouth,” I joked.

“You try living in the same house with Nick and stay polite. It ain’t possible,” he said with a laugh. “But, oh well. I’m not gonna let him ruin my night.”

“Definitely not,” I said as pushed him toward the couch. “Let’s catch up. Sit.”

Aaron took a seat on the couch and I sat on the opposite end of him. Leo curled up next to me and I pet his back as I awkwardly looked over at Aaron.

“So, what’s new?”

Aaron shrugged and draped his arm on the back of the couch. “Same old thing, pretty much. Recording and shit.”

“Yeah, I heard about your career in passing,” I said with a nod. “How’s the family?”

“Ah, you know how it is. We hardly talk these days. We don’t really have much to say to each other after House of Carters.”

“I see,” I replied, unsure of what to say to his response.

“Enough about me,” he said with a grin. “Tell me about you.”

I laughed and looked at the ceiling. “I lead the world’s most boring life. You don’t wanna hear about it.”

“Well, maybe I like boring,” he said softly.

“I don’t know. Gosh. Um…I’m still working at JC Penny’s in the jewelry department.”

“Wow! You were there when I last saw you.”

“I know, but I hate to leave the job. Money’s good and it’s got benefits. I can’t do better than that.”

“You still singing?” he asked as he removed his hat.

I closed my eyes and shook my head. “No…I—I don’t do that anymore.”

“Why not? Rach, you used to sing all the time. What happened?”

I shrugged and stood up. “So, what’s with the presents?”

“I thought I asked you a question,” he said as he stood up.

“I asked you one too,” I said as I examined several boxes of wrapped presents.

“It’s just a bunch of old presents I got you and saved until I saw you again. So, why don’t you sing anymore?” he asked as he moved closer to me.

“You actually bought me presents over the years?” I asked in shock.

“Yes,” he said as he took one of the presents away from me. “I’m still waiting on your answer.”

I sighed and looked at him. “Another time,” I said as I took the present back to him. “Let me open these mystery gifts,” I replied then made my way to the couch.