On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

tell people about Kyle's hearing problem?"
    He hadn't thought that far ahead. He could clear his name if the truth came out, but at what cost? He'd ruin Kyle's reputation. But Kyle had paid the ultimate price for his silence. Didn't Aiden owe his friend that same silence?
    "I don't know," he said finally. "I have to think about it."
    When he left the condo, Sara was standing on the sidewalk, leaning against the truck, her questioning gaze meeting his. "Are you all right?" she asked.
    "You didn't have to leave."
    "It felt like a private moment between you and Vicky. I'm glad that she finally saw you again for the incredible friend that you were and still are."
    He smiled at the passion in her voice. "Thanks to you."
    "I'm glad I could help."
    "You did more than help. You inspired me to find the truth. I might not have done that without you."
    "I don't believe that for a second, Aiden. I just had the benefit of a clearer head and a more objective perspective. But there's no way you would have gone through life without trying to make sense of Kyle's death. It's not who you are."
    "I wish he would have told me about his hearing problems. I attributed so many other reasons for his distraction, worrying about Vicki or his finances, losing interest in the job, being pissed off that I was now his boss instead of just a coworker. But it was none of those things. He just couldn't hear me."
    "How's Vicky doing?" Sara asked.
    "Better. I think the truth released some of her anger, made her see that it was an accident. If the fire hadn't blown up the way it did, if we hadn't gotten trapped on that ridge, Kyle's hearing loss wouldn't have affected a damn thing."
    "I hope you'll be able to accept that it was an accident, too."
    "It's going to take a while."
    "What are you going to do—now that you know the truth?"
    "Hell if I know." He could see the tension in her eyes and knew she was burning to say something but really trying hard not to. "Do you have an opinion?"
    "You should tell the truth."
    "It will hurt Kyle. He won't be the hero who died in the fire. He'll be the guy who was hiding a medical issue, who endangered not only himself but everyone on the team." He paused. "Vicky doesn't want me to say anything."
    Sara frowned. "I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's not up to Vicky. You're the one who's being impacted by the rumors. Your career has been tainted, and it's just wrong. Your job is important to you, and if you want to continue smokejumping or move into some other area of firefighting, then you should be able to do it with a clean slate. I don't think Kyle would want you to suffer for his mistake. He was your best friend."
    "I can see why you're a good lawyer. You're very persuasive."
    "And I hate injustice. Promise me, you'll at least think about it."
    "I will think about it," he said. "Now it's your turn."
    "I'm not ready to see my dad," she said quickly.
    "Then get ready, because you're supposed to be on a plane tomorrow." As he said the words, he felt his gut clench at the thought of saying goodbye to her.
    He didn't usually have trouble with goodbyes. They were always accompanied by feelings of relief and enthusiasm for moving on. But watching Sara fly away was not something he was looking forward to doing. "Unless you want to postpone your return to New York?"
    She stared back at him. "Why would I want to do that?"
    He could read between the lines of that question, but what reason could he give her to stay? He was still reeling from what he'd learned about Kyle. He didn't know what he was going to do with his life, where he was going to live or work. How could he suggest that she give up the life she'd built when he had nothing to offer in return?
    "Never mind," she said.
    He sent her a silent plea for understanding. "It's been a rough day."
    "You're right. It's been an emotional time for both of us. It's also been great. I had a wonderful time with you, Aiden. It was my fantasy come true," she said, her eyes watering a little.
    "Sara –"
    "No, let me finish. I have loved you since I was fourteen years old. But you have never felt the same way about me, and that's all right." She forced a smile on her face. "We had fun—a lot of fun, and I told you that I wasn't looking for promises. I meant what I said. I wanted to be with you, and it was amazing. And now it's over."
    "Sara," he started again.
    She put her fingers over his mouth. "I don't want you to say anything – except goodbye. That's all that's