Page 30 of Waves of Time

“Hey,” Aria said, slipping into the August night and closing the door behind her.

“Hi,” Thaddeus said, and then, after a beat, he added, “It’s good to see you.”

Aria swallowed the lump in her throat, terrified yet also swirling with memories of that first kiss they’d shared the other night. It had changed her.

“You haven’t been writing me back,” Thaddeus said, his tone easy and not accusatory.

Aria shrugged. “I know. I’m sorry.” She paused, then added, “I’ve just been thinking.”

Thaddeus nodded. “The kiss. It was too much, wasn’t it?”

Aria blinked several times to keep from crying. “No. It was…” Perfect was the word for it, but she didn’t want to say it. “It’s just that your friend told me that you’re dealing drugs, and a few other people have confirmed it. And I can’t be involved with something like that.”

Slowly, the realization folded over Thaddeus’ face. Stuttering, he said, “Oh gosh. Oh, Aria. I…” He sighed so that his shoulders dropped forward. “Will you come with me somewhere to talk about this? I just don’t want to do it here.”

Aria puffed out her cheeks. Obviously, his reaction was proof that he was a drug dealer— and did she want to spend another minute of her life with someone like that?

“Nobody can hear you,” Aria said, gesturing at the dying square in front of them, where only a few tourists milled about. “Just tell me.”

Thaddeus sniffed. “Okay. Okay.” He lowered his voice. “I used to be involved in some stuff I’m not really proud of, okay? A world that I never imagined I’d be involved in. But at the time, my family was flat broke, and the employer was offering more than I’d ever made in a week for a single day of work.”

Aria wavered, unsure what to believe. “How long ago was this?”

“It started in high school,” Thaddeus explained, “and it went longer than I’d like to admit.”

Aria nodded, wanting to be brave enough for his story, especially if it was the truth— something she couldn’t be sure of.

“But things got more and more dangerous,” Thaddeus said. “And I didn’t trust my boss. I knew the minute something went wrong that he would throw guys like me under the bus.”

“So, you’re done with it?” Aria asked.

Thaddeus nodded. “Yeah. I got out. And, to be honest with you, I don’t know if I’ll ever make that kind of money again. But at least my hands aren’t dirty.”

“And you never used?” Aria asked.

Thaddeus palmed the back of his neck. “I can’t say that I never tried anything, but I was careful not to get addicted. And these days, I don’t touch the stuff at all. I like beer, and that’s about it. Wine is too intense for me.”

Aria wanted to laugh at his joke, she really did, but the information he presented was too overwhelming. She swallowed. Before she could drum up something to say or another question to ask, however, she heard her name echoing across the square.

“Aria?”

Aria raised her eyes to see her mother running frantically across the street, her dark hair in a stream behind her. Aria had never seen her like this, as though she’d lost all control, as though she was following some kind of animal instinct to run around through the night. “Aria!” She called again, sounding breathless.

“Who is that?” Thaddeus asked.

“That’s my mom,” Aria explained, stepping away from him as her mother approached, her heart thrumming with dread. When Hilary reached her, she gasped and grabbed her knees, her eyes wide.

“Mom, are you okay?” Aria asked. “Did something happen at the party?”

Hilary sputtered, then raised her eyes to Thaddeus. She looked like a wolf who’d encountered her prey. “What is he doing here?” she asked.

“This is my friend, Thaddeus,” Aria stuttered, her eyes dancing between her mother and the man she swam with confusion about.

“Thaddeus.” Hilary said his name a little too slowly, enunciating each syllable. “Would you mind giving my daughter and I a moment alone?”

It was rare that Hilary was so rude in front of strangers. Aria’s confusion mounted.

Thaddeus raised his hands in the air. “Of course, Ms. Coleman. I hope everything’s all right. Aria, I’ll call you later, okay?” He walked backward, still with his hands up, then added, “Have a great night, Aria. Ms. Coleman,” nodding toward both of them separately. He then turned on his heel and disappeared into the dark.