••• 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐸𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 •••

Aria

{{If I Didn't Love You ~ Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood}}

    I knew there was a chance I'd run into Luke if I showed up at the hospital, but I didn't really expect it to happen. I prayed the whole way here that I wouldn't, but unfortunately, my prayers went unanswered as he slowly approached me. My heart pounded fiercely in my chest with each step he took and I tried to mentally prepare myself for what he was about to say.

    When he finally stood less than five feet away from me, it felt like all the oxygen had been sucked from my lungs. I may hate him, but he was still the most handsome man I'd ever seen. He looked a lot better than he did the last time I saw him and he didn't reek of alcohol, but you could still tell that he was struggling with his newfound sobriety.

  "Hi." He finally broke the silence between us and I was not prepared to hear his beautiful voice again. Of course, I've listened to his voice in interviews and those stupid edits of him on TikTok, but those videos did not do him justice. His voice was still as rich and deep as I remembered, but now there was a hint of raspiness to it from all the singing he's done over the years and it reached all the way down to my toes and caused goosebumps to appear on my arms.

  "Hi..." I finally breathed out and Luke gave me a soft smile as he pointed towards the bouquet in my arms.

  "Those for Dad?" I looked down at the bouquet and nodded.

  "Yeah, he told me once that flowers can fix anything." I said with a chuckle then looked back up at him and was still taken aback from being so close to him.

  "Maybe I should bring you flowers sometime then." He tried to joke and my lips pulled into a tight line as anger started to bubble up inside me. Was this man serious? I thought incredulously to myself and shook my head.

  "Sorry to break into you, Lucas, but flowers can't fix what happened between us." I started to walk passed him and Luke cursed under his breath as he suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my path.

  "Shit, Aria, I'm sorry! It was a lame joke. I was just trying to release the tension between us-"

  "Whoa! I'm gonna stop you right there! There is no tension between us! I just don't like you and don't see any point in us trying to talk things out." I tried to walk around him once again, but of course, he followed me.

  "Well, I definitely see a point! Please, just wait!" He grabbed my arm, stopping me. It felt like electricity had shot up my arm from where he touched me, and I cursed angrily at my body for reacting this way. I quickly shook his hand off me, and he held up his hands, signaling that he wasn't going to touch me again.

  "Sorry! But, Ari, please, whenever you have the time I would really appreciate it if we could grab a coffee or something so I could apologize for everything I've done." He said quickly, practically begging and I sighed tiredly as I shook my head.

  "I don't think that'd be a good idea. It's taking everything I have in me not to curse you out and hit you repeatedly with these damn flowers." I huffed shaking the bouquet lightly and Luke shrugged.

  "Please, go ahead and hit me! Beath the absolute shit out of me, Aria! I'll literally do anything to get you to agree to talk with me!" He pleaded and I stared at him angrily for a few seconds before my anger slowly morphed into laughter. I couldn't believe he actually gave me permission to kick his ass and although it was well-deserved, I probably wouldn't cause that much damage.

    Lucas Carter may be a famous country singer, but this man was ridiculously ripped. His arms were thick with muscles, and his body was covered in tattoos that only seemed to make him even more attractive, which I didn't think was possible. He must've spent all his time in the gym when he wasn't performing, and it showed.

    Luke chuckled along with me as he shook his head and then ran his fingers through his hair, something he always did when he was nervous and at that moment I could see the boy I had fallen in love with from all those years ago. My heart ached painfully at the memories that suddenly flooded my mind and it took all the strength I had to push them back deeply into my mind where they belonged. "I know I probably sound ridiculous, but I'm serious. I will do anything because truthfully, I've been dying since I left you and you're the only one that can help me get better." He admitted, pain creeping into his voice as he placed a hand on his chest and my jaw clenched at his words. He's been dying since he left? He had no clue what dying inside really felt like.

  "Why should I do anything to help you after everything you've put me through?" I demanded through clenched teeth and Luke shrugged with defeat.

  "You owe me absolutely nothing, and I know that, but I'll literally get on my hands and knees and beg you every single day until you cave in. " He vowed. His determined voice told me he was serious. Lucas Carter may have ditched us all for fame, but he always kept his word. I also had to tell him about our baby before anyone slipped up, and he should hear it from me, not from anyone else.

  "Fine," I submitted and Luke grinned widely down at me causing my stupid traitorous heart to beat a little faster. "We can meet tomorrow for one hour and that's it, Lucas. So, you better have everything you want to say to me mapped out and ready to go." He nodded eagerly and took a step back from me.

  "You won't regret this, Aria, I promise!" He exclaimed then told me to meet him at noon at the cafe in town and then I watched him take off toward his car and prayed that I wasn't making a huge mistake for agreeing to this. Damn Corrina for making me promise her that I'd hear him out for her.

    As I watched him leave the parking lot, a small pit started to form in my stomach when I suddenly remembered that I would have to tell Calvin about tomorrow and I knew instantly that he wasn't going to be happy about it. I pushed those thoughts away as I headed inside the hospital and up to Bryan's room.

    When I walked into his room, Cathy and Bryan were eating lunch but froze the second they saw me. I suddenly became hesitant to walk further into the room, unsure if they even wanted to see me based on their reactions but then Bryan's face lit up with the brightest smile I had ever seen. I instantly relaxed and waved. "What're you doing just standing there, kiddo? Come hug this old man!" He exclaimed with outstretched arms and I grinned widely as I blinked away the tears that stung at my eyes. I quickly set down the bouquet and practically threw my arms around him,

    I know it seems a little weird to still be this close with my ex's parents, but they practically raised me growing up. Bryan and Cathy felt more like my parents than my own, especially after everything that happened after Luke left town and I was suddenly pregnant at eighteen years old. My parents had disowned me and had kicked me out, but thankfully I had Bryan and Cathy who took me in with open arms.

  "Don't you ever scare us like that again!" I squeezed him a little tighter then released him and Bryan chuckled as he pointed over at Cathy.

  "I already got a talkin' too from the missus. I promise I'll take much better of myself." He assured me and I sighed as I sat down next to him.

  "Good because I don't know what I would've done if we had lost you." I admitted and he reached over to pat my hand lightly.

  "Well, we don't have to worry about that right now, darlin'. How are you doing? You look like you've seen a ghost." Bryan said, concern lacing his voice and I gave him a reassuring smile as I shook my head.

  "You're asking how I'm doing? I should be asking you that." I teased and he chuckled as he shook his head.

  "That's all everyone's been asking me, Aria. I'm doing just fine. The doctor said I'm healing up nicely and I should be able to go home in the next couple of days." He smiled and I felt a weight lift off my chest at hearing that news. I thanked God that he was going to be okay and smiled back at him.

  "That's amazing! I know everyone will be so happy once you're back at home and outta here." He nodded in agreement, but then tilted his head to the side.

  "Now are you gonna tell me what got you so shaken up when you walked in here?" He asked and I shook my head, prepared to deny that anything was wrong with me when Cathy chimed in.

  "Did you happen to run into Luke downstairs?" She asked gently and I looked between her and Bryan, my mouth opening and closing a few times as I tried to figure out what to say. I finally sighed as I nodded reluctantly and sat back in my chair.

  "Yes, I did run into Luke." I admitted and Kathy nodded in understanding.

  "I didn't hear any commotion coming from downstairs, so I can assume it went okay?" She teased lightly and I chuckled as I shrugged.

  "Yeah, thankfully. We are going to meet up tomorrow to talk about everything that happened when he left." I informed them and Bryan smiled.

  "That's great news, Aria. I think it'd both do you some real good if you cleared the air and let go of all that pain that you're both still carrying around."

  "I think so too. I'm just a little worried about having to tell Calvin about meeting up with Luke tomorrow." I admitted and they both looked a little uncomfortable at the mention of Calvin.

    I knew in their minds they were hoping that one day Lucas and I would be getting back together, but when I started dating Calvin it was like I had crushed their dreams. Even though we've been dating for about a year, they still haven't fully accepted it. "If he doesn't support you in trying to make things better with Lucas, then maybe he isn't the right partner for you." Bryan said softly. I sighed as I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

  "I know you guys want some miracle to happen between me and Luke, but I'm sorry it's just not gonna happen. I'm just meeting up with him so I can let go of everything that happened in the past and that's it." I said sternly and they nodded in defeat.

  "You're right, we're sorry if we haven't been very supportive of you two dating, but we just think you deserve better." Bryan apologized and I gave him a small smile as I reached over to squeeze his hand with mine.

  "I appreciate that you two are looking out for me and you know I love you both very much. But I really like Calvin and it would mean a lot to me if you guys could just give him a chance." I pleaded gently and they both studied me intently for a moment, before they both finally let out a sigh.

  "We promise we will give him a chance, darlin'." Bryan squeezed my hand and I gave him a grateful smile.

  "Thank you guys, I really appreciate it." I said gratefully just as the doctor walked in to check on Bryan.

  "Everything looks great, Mr. Carter, but I do recommend you get some rest soon." The doctor said and I took that as my opportunity to leave.

  "I'll let you get some rest, but I'll be back tomorrow to keep y'all updated on my meeting with Luke." I said with fake enthusiasm causing them both to chuckle.

  "Oh, Aria, I told Luke about the photo album back at the house." Bryan said suddenly and I froze at the mention of it. I haven't seen that photo album in years and I quickly shook my head.

  "Please text him and tell him not to open it until our meeting tomorrow." I said and Bryan nodded.

  "Of course, I'll call him right now. I'm sorry, darlin'. I didn't know if you two were ever gonna speak and I just couldn't keep it hidden from him anymore." He apologized and I nodded in understanding.

  "It's okay, I just hope he listens to you because I don't know how he's going to respond if he finds out about the baby before any of us could tell him." I sighed and then hugged them both quickly.

  "Everything's gonna be okay, Aria." Kathy assured me as she squeezed me tightly and I nodded.

  "I'll see y'all tomorrow." I said once we released each other and thankfully Bryan was already dialing Luke's number as I left the room.

    As I made my way home, I prayed that he wouldn't open that photo album and that he would try to be understanding about why I didn't tell him about our baby. But I had a gut feeling that tomorrow wasn't going to go the way I hoped.