Finding Eva (Highland Creek Series) by Marie Garner Page B

harassing her about her new boyfriend.”
    Aaron didn’t know where that came from. He and Bryan had a conversation about the idiot boyfriend three days ago. Neither one of them liked him, so when he saw an opening when he talked to her yesterday, he took it to express his concerns. “He is an asshole. Someone has to look out for her.”
    Bryan gestured with his beer. “Look, I don’t disagree with you about the boyfriend. But I am not butting into her life because it is none of my business. You, on the other hand…” he pointed his finger at Aaron “…find all kinds of ways to interfere with people’s lives. Have you thought about the fact that maybe she doesn’t want your help?”
    Aaron felt the need to defend himself; everything he did was to assist those around him. “Who doesn’t want a little help now and then? And not all my interference is bad.”
    Bryan shook his head in disbelief. “Remember Stella?”
    Aaron tapped his lips with his finger, considering the question. “Which Stella?” Aaron knew whom Bryan was talking about, but Bryan always used her as an example as to why he should leave people alone.
    Bryan rolled his eyes, letting Aaron know he wasn’t fooled. “Stella from school? You know the girl that you made the butt of everyone’s joke?”
    Aaron’s mouth fell open, affronted. “I did not.”
    Bryan looked at him like he was crazy. “You told everyone she had a coin collection!”
    Aaron leaned forward, wanting to defend his actions. “I had a coin collection too. The girl was being bullied. I thought if everyone knew we were alike in some way they would leave her alone.”
    Bryan stood up with his empty beer bottle, pointing down at Aaron. “You guys weren’t on the same level. She was a nice girl, but she wasn’t very cool. You were on the basketball team; everyone thought you were trying to make a joke.” He walked toward the kitchen, having made his point.
    Aaron followed Bryan, talking to his back. “I wasn’t kidding.”
    The glass fell with a loud clink in the trash can. Bryan leaned against his counter, scratching the five o’clock shadow on his chin. “We know you weren’t, but that poor girl was picked on for weeks.”
    “I wasn’t for weeks,” Aaron mumbled, not liking the direction this conversation had suddenly taken.
    “Stop. I had to stop a group of girls about to stuff her in the locker. It was ridiculous and what you thought was helpful ended up backfiring.”
    “But …” Aaron wanted to defend himself, feeling like he was being picked on unfairly.
    Bryan leaned toward him, shaking his arms in Aaron’s face. “Weeks! Stop meddling! Just stop. If Eva wants your help she will let you know.”
    Aaron scrunched his face back and stepped back. “How did we get on this conversation? All I wanted was dinner and a beer.”
    Bryan looked at him. “And …?”
    “To see if you had any ideas,” he mumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets.
    “I knew it.” Bryan laughed. “You aren’t getting any ideas from me. Leave the girl alone. The beer you have, and the dinner you will have to get from Mom and Dad. I’m going there after you leave to go eat and pick up Kelly.”
    “That works for me. I’ll just be the tag along.”
     

     
    “Where’s Mom?” Aaron asked his dad when he walked into the house.
    He turned from where he was watching the ball game on the couch. “Well hello to you, Son. Nice to see you. I’m doing great. Thanks for asking.”
    He cringed. “Oh, my bad. How are you, Dad?”
    “I’m good. She’s in the kitchen with Kelly.” He heard a thumping of feet before Kelly screamed “Uncle A!” and slammed into his thighs, hugging him close.
    He rubbed a hand down her blonde ponytail, lifting her for a kiss before setting her back down. “Hey, baby doll, your daddy is coming.”
    “Daddy!” She jumped up and down happily when she saw Bryan walk through the door. He picked her up and was treated to a montage of her day, with