GREED Page 14

  He needed to remember. He had to.

  I walked out to the parking lot, heading to my car. He followed close behind me.

  "Aiden go to class." I said, taking a seat in my car and starting the engine. He hopped into the passenger seat and put the seatbelt on.

  I began my drive to the lake house where I'd found out about my asshole ex-boyfriend. Maybe that would jog his memory. But I'd rather not remember such things so I stopped halfway and U-turned. I put the car on park.

  "Why'd we stop?" He asked.

  "You don't remember this place?" I asked.

  "Should I?"

  "We were sleeping on the car roof because I'd locked us out. And the car was out of gas. And we both didn't have our phones. And it was raining like crazy." I smiled at the memory, hoping he would remember it too.

  I stepped out of the car and began walking toward the woods. He followed after me as I lay myself down onto the ground.

  "What're you doing?" He raised an eyebrow.

  "This is where I got bitten by a snake and then you wrapped it up then we went to your house and. . ." He stared at me confused, "don't you remember?" I tried.

  He shook his head sadly. I immediately stood up and took a step forward. A sharp pain jolted up my leg as my eyes landed on the same jerk hole of a snake that bit me again.

  I was really building an immunity to this venom now, if there was any.

  "Summer!" He shouted, catching me before I hit the ground. Thoughts of all the times he'd carried me slipped into my mind. I tried to push them away.

  "Remember?" I gasped. Breathless.

  "You almost dying? No, I don't recall that." He furrowed his brow, his expression angry.

  "Relax, it's not poisonous." I said, stumbling toward my car. It was a dumb idea coming here anyway.

  "Maybe I should drive." He suggested. "You're the craziest girl I've ever met " He mumbled, sitting in the driver's seat, "where to?"

  "The amusement park!" I laughed hysterically. I needed him to remember me.

  To remember our feelings for each other. He just had to.

  He pulled up and got out. He walked over to the passenger side.

  "Are you going to get out?" He asked.

  "Does this place bring back anything?" I tried. This was hopeless.

  "No? What happened here?"

  "Well you wanted me to conquer my fear of heights so you made me ride the rollercoaster." I laughed.

  "Wow, I sound like an asshole." He laughed. "So did you?"

  "Did I what?"

  "Conquer your fear of heights?" He smirked cutely, I felt my cheeks heat up.

  "Yeah." I smiled, hoping it would magically make him remember.

  This was so frustrating, I just wanted to shake him until he remembered.

  "So do you want to ride the coaster?" He suggested, gesturing to the amusement park.

  "Yes." I smiled. Struggling to get out of the car. He helped me out, placing my arm around his shoulder, practically lifting me off the floor as we, well he, walked.

  I, again, screamed like crazy on the ride. Hoping for him to remember so badly. I intertwined our fingers, it did nothing. He stared at our hands for a couple seconds, the wheels in his mind spinning.

  After the ride was over, he lifted me out of the coaster, a cure grin on his handsome face.

  "Anything?" I sighed, already knowing the answer.

  "Nada." He said, caring me down the stairs and into the mostly empty park.

  We began walking around.

  "I bet I could win that teddy bear, the big one." He laughed, setting me down on one of the seats and playing the game easily. I stared in astonishment, recalling a time in freshman year when the school used to boast about Aiden's baseball skills.

  "Go ahead genius." I laughed, watching him easily toss the hoops around the rings. "Showoff." I laughed as he handed me the teddy bear.

  "Here you go." He gave me me a crooked smile, lifting me up while I held the teddy bear.

  I guess now we were making new memories.

  I sighed, there was one more thing to try, the sun was beginning to set and if we started our drive now, we'd get there at the dark.

  Like last time.

  "Can we go to the beach?" I whispered, feeling like I could just break down and cry. He wasn't going to remember anything.

  My Aiden was gone.

  Aiden Black

  I parked her car at the empty beach. I briefly recalled a comment I'd made on skinny dipping and a picnic.

  Throughout our day, I'd been picking out little details of things I'd briefly remembered. Nothing too strong came to mind.

  "So what did we do here?" I asked.

  "We had a picnic." She smiled as though it was one of her most treasured memories.

  She got out of the car, trying her best to limp through the sand. I lifted her up once again. This felt oddly familiar. Too familiar. Each step I took, a small part of me kept falling for Summer. I was greedy for her company.

  "I can walk, you know." She complained as I set her down on the ground. We continued walking slowly through the sand.

  In the darkness of the night, one random tree stood out.

  The random tree where the grass met the sand.

  I'd seen that tree before. I just knew it seemed rather cozy. A cozy memory here I assumed.

  I sat down, leaning on the tree. Summer sat down in front of me, leaning on my chest.

  "This is a really nice spot." I whispered as she angled herself to me, "what happened here?" I asked, my heart racing at the closeness.

  She stared at me, contemplating something, then smiled slightly.

  "This," she whispered inching closer, our lips brushing as tingles erupted inside me, I leaned in to close the kiss.

  My heart rate exploding as flashes of everything I'd been through with her ran through my mind.

  The Luzerne, Amy's burnt doll, the night on the car roof, the ice cream parlor, the party, the stairs. Everything came rushing into me as we kissed.

  She slowly pulled away, looking at me with a not-so-foreign emotion pooling in her eyes. I had that emotion I me before. I knew what it looked like.

  "Anything?" She whispered, I felt her heartbeat against my chest. Quick and steady.

  I remembered it all. The frustration was gone and all that surrounded me was Summer Gray.

  "How about you do that again and I'll let you know." I smirked, her eyes widened suddenly. Before she had a chance to speak, I pulled her closer, pressing my lips onto hers.

  The emotions exploded inside of me, I'd never felt anything like it. I stuck stuck my tongue into her mouth, smiling against her lips as we fought for dominance.

  She slowly pulled away.

  "Aiden?"

  "I love you Summer." I whispered, the words not yet registered in my mind.

  The emotion I felt was stronger than anything ever before. I placed her hair behind her ear.

  "I love you too Ace." She whispered, leaning in for a kiss.

  Nothing, but this, had ever seemed so important in my life.

  Epilogue

  A couple years later. . .

  Summer Gray

  I stood outside the wide doors of the church, my dad holding my arm.

  He'd finally taken a break from his news reporting to spend this entire day with me.

  The music sounded loudly as the giant doors opened and my bridesmaids walked in.

  I smiled secretly, awaiting the beautiful blue eyes at the altar.

  The tension rose inside me as I looked down at my long white dress. It had a giant princess poof, I absolutely adored it.

  I walked down the aisle slowly, all eyes on us. My mom's smiling face nodding. My eyes scanned the crowd slowly, the riveting music still playing.

  His intense gaze could be felt across the room, I looked at his god-like face, a cutely wide grin on his perfect face.

  My heart instantly began racing as adrenaline pumped through me. I was nervous. Very nervous.

&
nbsp; The bright lights were coming in through the open windows, his perfect face scanning me.

  I smiled at him, teasing him in a way.

  My dad stopped at the altar, kissing my cheek and walking over to mom.

  It was just me. And Aiden Black.

  I smiled at him, avoiding his eyes as he reached for my face, his hand sending tingles down my body by his mere touch of my cheek.

  "Aiden, please wait until after the ceremony to kiss her." The priest laughed.

  Aiden smirked widely, his eyes landing on the crowd.

  A random memory played in my mind as prior years and problems began playing in my mind.

  This one in particular was the day after him amnesia had cleared up. I don't know why I was so fond of this memory, but I was

  ¤¤¤

  I sat on the couch at the house of my oh so perfect boyfriend.

  "Who dates their maid?" Amy walked into the living room, a wide smile on her face, "Hi Summer." She walked up to me and took a seat on the couch, playing with her teddy bear.

  "I do." Aiden walked into the living room with a group of people walking in behind him. I heard the door shut as he sat on the armrest of the couch and placed a kiss on my forehead. I blushed, looking down at my lap.

  "Aiden it's amazing to see you! You've changed! What happened to the girls that were here last time?"

  "I've only got eyes for one girl." He whispered, a smile on his handsome face.

  "Aiden, son, tell the maid to start washing the dishes!" His dad yelled across the house.

  "Will do!" Aiden shouted back, rolling his eyes as the doorbell rang again.

  He hopped off the couch, taking my hand in his. He looked at the peep hole.

  "It's Aunt Suzy and Uncle Pontiac." Aiden said, "How about we give them a show they'll never forget?" Aiden winked.

  "No, Aiden they'll have a bad impression of me." I laughed as he unlocked the door and immediately kissed me.

  "Aiden, manners my boy, stuff like this should be done in the bedroom." Uncle Pontiac laughed. I pulled away, wiping my tingling lips.

  "Aiden!" I slapped his arm as he began laughing loudly.

  His whole family was here to see him today, the miracle ride, they'd called my car after returning home yesterday with Aiden's memory mostly returned.

  I mean he remembered all the parts involving me so I guess that's all that mattered to me.

  I'd told them that I ran over a raccoon like I'd ran over a skunk before and that was what it took to jog his memory. I wanted to keep our secret to ourselves. Like when we were ten at our school production.

  Aiden was the Romeo, and he still is a perfect heartthrob, but now he's my heartthrob.

  "What happened to: Aiden doesn't do girlfriends?" One of his cousins asked as we joined them in the living room.

  "I made an exception." He laughed, hugging me close. I felt the warmth of him against my side and knew that I would never want to lose this.

  "So you two have sex and stuff?" I stared at his twelve year old cousin. Twelve year olds know about that stuff. He turned to me, expecting me to answer.

  "Nope, sex is for after marriage." I smiled, turning to his face. It looked like I'd just shattered his ego, I laughed, good.

  "Aiden hun, help me make some cookies?" His mom smiled at me. It seemed like as soon as they'd found out that Aiden fell out of his old habits at the Luzerne, they immediately seemed to love me.

  He made me feel like I was the only girl who mattered.

  "Sure thing mom." He smirked, releasing my side and walking to the kitchen. His whole family had moved from the living room to the garden outside. I'd only been there once, but I recall it being as beautiful as it was today.

  It seemed ignited with an oddly invisible light that showed up everywhere I looked

  The light of love. I laughed at my cheesy thoughts. His family was expanding by the minute as more people entered the garden.

  I stood there staring in wonderment at my surroundings.

  "So you're the girl that's saved Aiden's life?" A stranger, who looked about to be Aiden's age smiled at me.

  "No, I didn't save his life." I paused,trying to think of a witty thing to say,"I just helped him remember it." I smiled at the guy.

  "Well you seem like a keeper." He smiled, "Aiden got lucky." The guy handed me a cup of lemonade. I took it from him and thanked him. "I'm Kellen by the way, I'm his cousin." Kellen held out his hand for me to shake.

  "I'm Summer." I smiled widely shaking his hand, "Aiden's girlfriend." It felt so great to be saying those words.

  Aiden had asked me moments after our little confessions yesterday.

  Aiden and I may have started out on a rough scale, but now I couldn't imagine my life without him. He made me so happy with his annoying innuendos and smirks.

  "Aiden doesn't do girlfriends. "Kellen said, taking a drink of his lemonade.

  "So I've heard. "I smiled politely.

  "I guess you're the exception huh? You must be pretty darn perfect then." He laughed turning on his heel, "it was nice to meet you Summer."

  "You too." I smiled, still dazzled by the amazing garden.

  "Want a cookie?" Aiden whispered dangerously, popping up from behind me as he held a tray in front of me. He began laughing when I jumped in my place.

  "Nope, I'm on a diet." I laughed.

  "Diet? You don't need to be on a diet?" He smirked, "you're perfect." He pecked my lips, sending shivers down my spine. My lips wouldn't stop tingling.

  "You totally ruined that Aiden!" I complained, " I was going to say a no food cooked or baked by Aiden diet," I laughed, reaching for a cookie.

  "Lucky for you, I didn't make these." He winked, smirking.

  "In that case, this cookie is really good." I put the cookie in my mouth, half of it sticking out.

  "Let me try." He leaned forward and bit the part of the cookie outside of my mouth.

  My mouth began tingling at the sudden touch as my heart rate began rising.

  "Aiden I can finish a cookie on my own." I crossed my arms, unable to move.

  "I thought you were on a diet." He smirked, leaning forward to bite the remaining piece from my mouth.

  "Remember what I'd said Aiden, do this in the bedroom!" His Uncle Pontiac said, "there are children out here!"

  I began laughing. It was amazing to have Aiden by my side, and chilling down a bit with the innuendos. Only a little bit.

  "I have to go pass around the rest of these cookies, stay tight. And I mean stay right here this time. Don't miss me too much." He winked, walking around and talking to his relatives.

  I walked inside, I didn't feel like standing there and getting stared at.

  "Summer! Help me pass out these cookies please." His mom caught me and put me to work.

  "Sure thing Mrs. Black." I smiled. I guess not that makes me Mrs. Black.

  "You're a good woman Summer, which is why I don't understand what you're doing with my son." She gave me a look that I didn't quite understand.

  "I love him." I smiled, taking the tray of cookies and walking outside. I began chatting it up with his family.

  "Didn't I tell you to stay?" He laughed walking past me, "my own party and I'm catering." He muttered in spite.

  "Sucks to be you. " I laughed.

  "Yeah, I ended up with you." He laughed, kissing my cheek as he handed out his final cookie.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" I tried to sound mad but his adorable expression bested me.

  "That you and I were meant to be." He winked. Nice save. "I'll be right back." He smiled.

  I had five cookies left in the tray so I walked around.

  "Summer Gray!" Amelia Island's voice rang in my ears. What was she doing here?

  "Hey Amelia, What're you doing here?" I voiced my thoughts.

  "Here to see my first uncle's cousin's son, what about you?" It all suddenly made sense, that's why she'd been at the hospital. That's what she meant by other family.

  "Aiden's my
boyfriend." I said proudly. Each time I said it, it felt like the first. It was an amazing sentence to speak out loud.

  "Oh Em Gee!!" She shouted, hopping up and down in excitement, "How'd he ask you? Dang you're one lucky girl! Everyone's been after him since kindergarten," she laughed.

  "It was after he remembered everything." I bit my lip as yesterday popped into mind.

  My crazy idea of true love's kiss actually worked. Thanks Disney.

  "After you ran over a racoon? How romantic. . ." She said dully.

  "No, that's just our cover story." I smiled, wondering if I could trust Amelia. But I knew I could.

  "I knew it!!" She laughed, "so you two didn't happen to be kissing at the beach for an hour?" She laughed as I stared at her. Unbelievable, how did she guess it that fast.

  Considering my expression, she added, "I was at the beach with my boyfriend that day and I saw it." She smiled.

  She had a boyfriend, I'd missed a lot all because of my bad choice in dating Ryder.

  "Done with the cookies" He whispered suddenly from behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  "You've got to stop sneaking up on me." I said, none the less enjoying his presence.

  "Hey Amelia." He waved as she gave me a thumbs up and walked away.

  He placed a kiss on the spot where my neck and shoulder met. Shivers ran down my spine quickly, like jolts of electricity.

  "Did you really mean what you said about sex after marriage?" He asked. A warmth on his face that I'd never seen before.

  "Yes." I whispered. Having trouble breathing at the closeness of him.

  "Then will you marry me Summer Gray?"

  "You're not serious are you?"

  "Only if you want me to be, because I sure as hell want you." He whispered.

  "You're crazy." I laughed, pulling away.

  "Worth a shot." He shrugged smirking at me. He had a wide grin on his face, a grin I wanted to stare at that forever.

  ¤¤¤

  Today was our day.

  Our wedding day.

  After the vows, the rings, and a whole lot of words. The priest smiled at us.

  "Aiden, feel free to kiss her now." The priest laughed as Aiden didn't even hesitate.

  He immediately swung me around, pressing his lips swiftly onto mine as the crowd went wild.