Dealing with the Past Read Online Free PDF Page B

Aiden hated him at the moment.
    Jackson's heart ached at the thought.
    Then another thought hit Jackson like a ton of bricks. Aiden had been coming to the Thompson Agency to raise his dead lover. He remembered the file said they were together for three years. Yet another thing to add to the long list detailing why he didn't stand a chance with his mate. Even if Aiden could forgive him, would he even have room in his heart after losing someone he'd loved for three years?
    Running his thumb over the print gently, Jackson decided he needed to do everything in his power to convince his mate to give him another chance. He had to talk to Aiden and let him know that he was truly sorry for the hurt that Jackson had caused him. Would Aiden even take a call from him? After the way the man had reacted in the office, Jackson wasn't too hopeful.
    Jackson checked his watch to see if it was too late to call and groaned when he read the time. Ten to three. Definitely too late to be calling anyone. He thought about sending a message Aiden would get when he woke but decided a text was a little too impersonal. He really needed all the help he could get if he was going to get his mate to forgive him for what he'd done in the past; being impersonal wouldn't help his case.
    Standing up, Jackson put all the photos but the one with Aiden in it back in the wardrobe. He checked his doors and turned off the light in the kitchen before going back to the bedroom. Making sure the air conditioner was on, Jackson pulled back the sheets and collapsed face down on his bed, the photo still clutched in his hand. He drifted off to sleep thinking of all the things he needed to say to his mate, hoping like hell the man didn't just hang up on him as soon as he announced himself.

Chapter 4
     
    Late Sunday afternoon, Jackson parked his car behind his parents' in their driveway. He really didn't want to be here. He had managed to avoid his family at the office by keeping busy with meetings and leaving the office as soon as he was done. He had also refused to take his mother's calls. Jackson knew he was going to catch hell from his mum but he hadn't been ready to talk to any of them about what had happened.
    Hell, he still hadn't called Aiden yet to apologise or let him know Jackson knew who he was and what he had done to him. Fear kept him from calling his mate. Fear of rejection, the idea of never being forgiven for his past rode him hard. He feared he lost his mate before he'd really found him.
    Sighing heavily, Jackson ran his hand through his hair for the millionth time then got out of the car to face the firing squad. Jackson looked around and some of the tension left his body when he realised Jayden and Noah were the only ones here so far. He walked down the small path leading to the front door, and without knocking he turned the handle and walked inside.
    The wonderful smell of roast beef surrounded him as soon as he entered. Jackson's mouth started to water as he thought about getting to eat his mother's wonderful dinner. "Honey, I'm home," Jackson called out but no answer was forthcoming, meaning they were all more than likely out the back.
    The smell got stronger as he made his way farther into the house towards the kitchen. Jackson had a stickybeak around wondering what was being served with the beef. Several pots sat on top of the stove filled with cut vegetables and cold water. The only veg currently being cooked was the potatoes. Jackson really loved the Sunday roast at his parents' place. Stealing a couple of green beans and a piece of carrot, Jackson munched on them as he walked outside to find the rest of his family.
    The second he opened the sliding glass door all eyes turned to him. His mother appeared furious with him. Damn, he knew better than to ignore her calls. His father's expression was a little harder to read but his brother's was easy as hell. Jayden's eyes shined with mirth, the wide grin also gave away how Jayden was feeling. Noah just