Trade Off by Cheryl Douglas Read Free Book Online

best friend was in love with my girlfriend all that time and I was just too blind to see what was right in front of me.”
    “He wasn’t.” She slid a plain gold band around on her finger. “At least I don’t think he was. I was the one who broke up with him, because I met my husband, James. He took it pretty hard, told me he loved me, that he wanted to marry me, and…” She shrugged. “You know how persuasive Neil can be when he wants something.”
    “Obviously, it was harder for Sela to resist him than it was for you.” He leaned back in the chair and laced his hands behind his head. “What she that lonely after I left? I mean, do you think that’s why she hooked up with him?”
    “I know she missed you. She talked about you every day.”
    “Then how the hell did she go from missin’ me to marryin’ him? It doesn’t make sense.”
    “You’re right, nothing about her relationship with Neil makes sense to me. But it’s her life, her choice.”
    He was afraid to ask the next question, but he knew Sharon’s answer would help him decide how to proceed. “Is she happy with him?”
    “You’re gonna have to ask her that question. It’s not for me to say.”
    Aiden wasn’t surprised Sharon was as loyal to Sela now as she was years ago. Their friendship had obviously withstood the test of time for a reason. “Are you and Neil still friends?”
    She smiled. “I don’t know if I’d go that far. We tolerate each other; him and James, not so much.”
    Aiden chuckled. “I can understand why.” He knew he wasn’t going to learn anything more about what had happened years ago, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t glean some insight into how his ex felt now. “I was thinkin’ about askin’ Sela to help me find a house. You think she’d be willin’?”
    “I don’t know. You’d have to ask her.”
    “Man, you’re not even gonna throw me a bone here, are ya?”
    She looked at him a long time before she said, “You know Sela’s a private person. The only people aside from herself and Neil who knew what was goin’ on in her head after you left town were me and her parents.”
    “You’re tellin’ me I should talk to them?” Aiden had always had a great relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Clarke. In spite of the fact they were young, Sela’s parents always assumed he would be their son-in-law one day. He couldn’t help but wonder how they felt about Neil holding that title.
    “I’m telling you I can’t help you.”
    He heard what she wasn’t saying… It was worth a shot. “They still livin’ in the same house?”
    Sharon smiled as she got up to walk him to the door. “Some people are creatures of habit, aren’t they?”
    She was telling him everything she could without betraying her friend’s confidence, which told him she was on his side, whether she would admit that or not. He brushed a kiss across her cheek. “Thanks for everything, Shar.”
    “I didn’t do anything.”
    “You’re still a good friend.” He grinned. “I hate that we lost touch when I left Nashville. I should’ve made more of an effort to stay connected to my old friends.”
    “You’re back now. It’s not too late.”
    “Would it be weird for you, bein’ friends with me again? You know, because of your relationship with Sela?”
    “Sela knows how I feel about you.” She reached up to stroke his face. “You’re one of the good guys and she knows that. You’re always welcome in my home, Aiden.”
    “Thanks.” He kissed her hand. “Maybe next time I can meet your husband and kids?”
    “I’d love that.”
    “I meant what I said about those tickets. You want me to hook you up?”
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    “I want to. And I want to meet James after the game. Maybe we can go out for a beer. What do you say?”
    “That sounds great. Thanks.”

Chapter Five
     
    Sela was sitting at her desk, eating a ham and Swiss cheese sandwich while perusing an offer, when a soft tap at her half-open door