Loving a Man Who Forgot Me Novel Chapter 62
“Your parents know about this party?”
“Yeah. I know better than to try and sneak stuff past Mom and Dad. I watched Abel get grounded just about every weekend when you guys were teenagers.
They know, and they trust me.” He started digging through his backpack, pulling notebooks and binders out.
“Some of the guys will drink, but it’s not really my thing. I just go to hang out, and because I guess it’s expected. “And for the girls?” I asked coyly. He blushed. “Yeah, there will be girls there.”
“Anyone you’ve got your eye on this year?” He shrugged again and rifled through his notebooks without looking at me. I nudged his shoulder. “Come on, tell me.” He sighed loudly and looked up. “Fine. I like Delilah.”
“Hamilton?” I asked, even though it was silly because I only knew of one student named Delilah at Darlington, though I didn’t know her well. She wasn’t in my class. He nodded. “Huh,” I said. “Not a cheerleader.” “Nope. She does debate. She’s like stupid smart.”
“You guys have classes together?” “Gym,” he replied. “Most of her other classes are junior and senior classes. Like I said, stupid smart.” Explained why I didn’t have her.
“That’s cute.” I nudged his shoulder with mine again. “And she’s going to be at the party?” He nodded and begrudgingly said, “Yes. Her brother is one of our linemen. He’s the one throwing the party.”
“Brad Hamilton,” I said as the name came to me. He was in my class last year. Not the most studious student. “That’s him. He’s kind of a tool. He and Delilah are complete opposites.” “You thinking of asking her to homecoming?” “I don’t know.”
He looked down at his notebook again. “Maybe.” “You should. Before someone else does. Or before Jessica Walters takes it upon herself to ask you.”
“Yeah, can you maybe call her out or something next time you see her passing notes my way? Maybe that will get her to stop.”
“Not likely,” I laughed, and then grabbed the English assignment off the coffee table. “Character analysis, huh? We should probably get started on this.”
We worked on his assignment right up until the pizza came, debating the merits of different characters, and arguing over the allure of the era. I’d give anything to be able to visit the twenties for a week or two.
The fashion, the music and dancing, the speak-easies, the language. I was in love. Aiden on the other hand thought it all sounded pretty lame. “I bet Delilah doesn’t think it’s lame.” “Whatever,” he grumbled as we carted the pizza into the living room and cleared his homework out of the way.
We ate and continued our debate which eventually moved on to other subjects. There were several moments where I lost myself in the argument or conversation and had to mentally take a step back because of how much it felt like I was talking to Abel.
Aiden truly was his mini me, and it caught me off guard sometimes. It’d been a long time since I’d spent any real quality time with him and it all came so easily. His charm, his sense of humor and sarcasm, even his expressions and mannerisms were achingly familiar.
It could have been Abel sitting next to me on the couch. Poor Delilah Hamilton didn’t stand a chance. Us nice, nerdy girls just didn’t when it came to the McCabe men.
“Ugh, why’d you let me eat so much?” I tossed my last piece of crust back in the box, unable to finish it. Just looking at the remaining three pieces in the box made me queasy.
Aiden laughed, rubbing his hand over his stomach. “You’re the one who ordered so much. You should have known better. There’s no such thing as self-control when it comes to Ernie’s. Or pizza in general.”