Ever After Always (Bergman Brothers Book 3) by Chloe Liese

Author:Chloe Liese [Liese, Chloe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

15

Aiden

Playlist: “Olympians,” Andrew Bird

“Everything hurts,” Oliver whines.

“Now you understand how I’ve been feeling since Makanui went at my groin like a drill sergeant.” I throw a marshmallow at Oliver. It bounces off of his chest, but he catches it and pops it in his mouth.

Chewing, then swallowing, Oliver cranes his neck and stares up as daylight fades, a watercolor sky painted in streaks of forget-me-not blue, tangerine, and lavender. “Sometimes hurting like hell is worth it, though,” he says. “If it’s the right kind of hurt. Like conditioning. That blows. But I wouldn’t be game-ready, I wouldn’t get better at soccer, if I didn’t do sprints until I puke and lift weights regularly, which I will always hate.”

“True that.” Ryder lifts his thermos. “Well, except I like weights. And running. But to your point, yes, pain can have a purpose.”

The flames pop and snap, drawing us close to the fire pit, huddled against the impending darkness. As a sea breeze whips around us, I glance among the Bergman brothers. Axel, pensively staring into the fire. Ren, smiling as he crunches on a s’more. Ryder, lost in thought, poking the fire. Oliver, searching the sky. And Viggo, whose pale Bergman eyes are locked on me.

“How are you doing, Aiden?” he asks.

I ease back in my chair, propping one foot on my knee. “Sore as hell. Between mountain biking and the swim to our trust fall.”

“I’m still mad about that,” Oliver grumbles.

Viggo’s mouth twitches as he fights a smile. “I got sidetracked. A bird made a noise, and you know how distractible I am.”

“Oh, do I ever. So does my bruised ass, from dropping like a sack of potatoes to the ground instead of being caught.” Oliver scowls. “I can’t believe I entrusted this priceless body of soccer glory to you.”

Ryder coughs a laugh into his arm, then straightens his expression. “Sorry. I’m sorry. Viggo, that was shitty.”

Viggo’s not paying attention. “I want to hear from Aiden.”

One by one, their eyes fix on me.

“I told you, I’m sore. Otherwise, I’m…I’m fine. And uh…” I glance away and swallow the unexpected emotion tightening my throat. “This has been a good day. So. Yeah. Thanks.”

Ren leans forward and pats my knee. “Good. We love you, Aiden.”

A brotherly echo of that wraps around me, making it impossible not to smile back at them. Ryder claps me on the back as Oliver spins in his chair, then sets his feet in my lap.

“Gross, man.” I shove them off. “Too far.”

Oliver howls. “I’m so sore! I just need somewhere to stretch my legs that won’t burn the soles of my feet.”

“The drama,” Viggo says, rolling his eyes, but he traipses over and lifts Oliver’s legs, then spins Ollie until his feet are resting on his thighs. “So, let’s talk strategy.”

I blink at him. “Excuse me?”

The brothers exchange glances before Viggo starts ticking off fingers. “You were bickering in the ocean. Big no-no. You don’t bicker with Freya when she’s pissed. You let her get it all out.”

My left eye twitches.

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