He definitely heard something

Down the hall, Aiden’s brows drew together as he leaned in further, trying to catch any clue in the pattern of sounds. It still didn’t quite make sense, but something about it was gnawing at him now. A thread he couldn’t let go of.

He finally laid back down, eyes wide open.

Whatever was happening, he wasn’t supposed to hear it.

Unbeknownst to her, Natalie’s fears were coming true as Aiden lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop while trying to go to sleep, but once he noticed the sounds, they were hard to ignore. It wasn’t only talking anymore as far as he could tell. Between cycles of the AC, something else crept in. A low noise that sounded soft and breathy. Then again. A woman’s voice, but not in conversation, more like a moan. It was muffled, like it was being swallowed into a pillow.

He held his breath, trying to be still, trying to make sure he wasn’t imagining it. But then it came again, a little quieter this time. It was followed by what sounded like a whispered word, too soft to make out. His chest tightened as a slow, uneasy recognition started to take hold.

He knew that sound, the tone of it. He’d heard it back when he and his mom shared a two-bedroom apartment with walls that didn’t do much to keep secrets. Lisa had always tried to be discreet, waiting until late, keeping music on, closing her door, but every now and then, especially after a few drinks, there were moments when her version of quiet wasn’t quiet enough. He’d learned not to think too hard about it. Half the time, he’d never seen the men his mom had brought home, and that fit perfectly with how he felt it should be. If men were going to come and go over the years, it was better if they remained nameless and faceless to him.

But this was different. There was no low drone of a man’s voice. No sharp sounds signaling skin on skin, or deep grunts making their way to his room. Just soft gasps, all of which were light and feminine, layered with something more muted. A voice coaxing, soothing, or maybe even instructing. It was hard to tell through the walls, but it didn’t sound unfamiliar. If anything, it sounded like his mother.

He sat up fully, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, tension rising with every movement. For a few seconds he just sat there, with his elbows on his knees, carefully listening, still a bit uncertain. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions. He didn’t want to know, but the sounds kept threading through the silence piquing his curiosity. And it was becoming more unmistakable now. Moans, a whispered hush, creaking wood of a bedframe. Nothing else.

Lisa and Natalie. His throat felt tight, and his mind suddenly crowded. This wasn’t what he thought tonight would be. It wasn’t what any of this was supposed to be. And whatever was happening in that room, it definitely wasn’t meant for him to hear.

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