Is anyone not in love with you? 3

Is anyone not in love with you? 3
(Bart)

She looked up at me, her eyes swimming in tears. That look meant something different to me now, cut me differently now. I just wanted it gone.

“I fucked up, Barry. I fucked up so bad,” she said, wrapping her arms around my waist.

I knew the feeling. I was fucking up right now. Even knowing that holding her wasn't okay anymore, I just couldn't walk away. My arms tightened around her.

“Tell me what happened,” I said, feeling myself get sucked into the force that was Aria Maine.

“Aaron didn't do anything wrong after all. It was me. I did it. I messed it up. I ruined us. I ruined the perfect thing that we had in Sartis Est. Should have had.”

So did I. I fucked it up too.

But she wasn't crying about me anymore and she shouldn't be. Seeing the state that she was in, I couldn't tell her after all. I had nothing to offer her. So why did it hurt so much that it was about someone else? Why did I want it to be about me like it used to be? What an asshole I was. I didn't deserve CC, never deserved either of them.

“What am I supposed to do now? How do I fix it Barry? How do I choose?”

She was preaching to the choir here. I was the last person that should be answering questions like that right now.

“Hey, come on, let's go and see what Ethan's up to.”

How was this a good idea? I had been secretly grateful that she hadn't taken me up on spending time together with the baby. We didn't need another thing binding us together. I didn't need another reason to be looking at her.

It was just like I knew it would be. She was absolutely terrible with kids, but in the best way. I let go of the guilt and helped her with the baby, helped her like I always did. The way she moved, laughed about absolutely nothing, was strength itself even after all the shit she'd been through. I was watching her again. Like I had in Sartis Est for months. Had it always been this hard to just watch?

I had baby Ethan on my legs, holding onto his little hands as I raised my legs up and down.

Aria beamed, watching us as she lay next to us on the carpet.

“You guys are super annoying. You've never even been around kids!”

“I guess I'm just naturally good at everything.” I grinned.

Her mouth fell open.

“When did you start saying things like that?!”

I laughed.

“I don't have you to boost my ego anymore. Someone had to take over.”

She laughed with me. That musical laugh, those playful eyes. I missed them. And the guilt was back.

“So, what are you going to do about Troy and Aaron?”

Her face clouded over and she sighed.

“Troy wants me to go on a date with Aaron. It's actually supposed to be going down right now.”

“And the reason you're here instead is?”

“I didn't crush your heart,” she laughed bitterly.

The night is young.

“I just can't face him right now. Can't face either of them. You are engaged and completely smitten. You, Bartholomew Arden, are safe to be with.”

I wished I felt the same. It was time to leave. I couldn't be here anymore, not when she was lowering her walls for me, making me want to do the same.

I was just about to bid them farewell when she held out her hand for me, like she had a thousand times since she'd come back into my life. And just like every single time, I took it. I was a dumbass to think I could be around her indefinitely without this happening. That I could reject her forever.

But it was just like their last night in Sartis Est. When she needed me, I couldn't but oblige. Ethan was there. Nothing would happen. It was okay.

(Aaron)

I knew Aria wasn't coming, wasn't ready, but I waited anyway. Well into the night until Cassie came to get me.

“I'm sorry she didn't show, hon.”

“What am I supposed to do, Cassie? It's just like back then. No matter what I do, she just won't open up to me.”

“But she did open up to you, Ron. That's why you're the desperate mess that you are. That's why she isn't here. Just do what you did last time. Lay it all on the line, kid.”

“What if it doesn't matter? Sure as shit didn't last time.”

“Last time you had blinders on. There was more than one woman in love with you. You didn't have a chance. This time you know better.”

I laughed.

“You mean Emily?! Emily isn't in love with me, she never was.”

Just then, Emily entered the room, dressed to the nines.

“Right. That woman obviously feels nothing for you. Don't fuck it up again, Aaron. If you want a shot with Aria, use that brain of yours and get her out of here. How could Emily not be in love with you? You gave her all of you. No woman could resist all that sweetness,” said Cassie, kissing my cheek.

I smiled at Cassie affectionately as she left the room, before feeding myself to the shark that was Emily.

She took a seat at the table set for two. I did too.

“So, what's for dinner?”

“I'm going to say this slowly so that you understand. If you do anything to come between me and her a second time, Dean will be the least of your problems. Get your shit together and figure this out. This isn't a hotel and we're not friends,” I said, getting back up and leaving her behind.

“She's engaged, Aaron. They have a baby. They're practically a done deal,” Emily called after me.

“Good thing I like a challenge, then.”

(Troy)

When I got home, I found Bart and Aria passed out on the carpet holding hands with baby Ethan between them. I shook my head.

“My heart won't survive you, Aria Maine. Is there anyone that's not in love with you?”

I picked Ethan up and gently laid him down in his crib before coming back for her. Her arms tightened around me as I carried her to bed.

“You came home,” she smiled, still asleep.

I smiled t
oo.

“I was never not going to,” I said, laying her down. “The real question is: did you come home, Aria?”