Hails,
I know you’re going to kick butt at this. The stars are the limit. Don’t forget about me when you make it big.
Love, Max
I held the card and bracelet to my chest as tears sprang to my eyes. It was perfect, and I really didn’t know how I was going to find another best friend. Who would know me like he did? No one. I slipped the leather around my wrist, and tightened it before holding my arm out to admire it. I’d never take this off. This bracelet would be there for infinity.
oooooooo
Since it was still early in the evening, I decided to go exploring around campus. I needed to eat, and hopefully make some new friends. The dining hall for my dorm was nearby, so I decided to start there. As I was jogging up the steps I heard what sounded like my name coming from somewhere behind me.
“Hailey Sullivan,” a male voice called out.
I whirled around to search out the person it belonged to, and there standing near a group of trees was an all too familiar face. “What are you doing here?” I smiled at him.
“I could ask you the same thing.” He grinned as he stepped toward me. “I didn’t know you got into the summer program too. I thought I’d be here on my own.”
“Same.” I laughed lightly.
“What are you doing?” He came to a stop in front of me.
“It’s a dining hall. What do you think I’m doing, Jared?” I rolled my eyes at him. “I thought the thing about football players being dumb was a myth.” I tipped my head to the side and appraised him.
“Who are you calling dumb?” His head snapped back. “I graduated in the top ten in our class.”
“What were you doing lurking in the trees?” I decided to change topics. Jared was the first person I’d seen that I knew. I didn’t want to alienate myself any more than I already felt.
“I wasn’t lurking. I was watching… there’s a difference. Wanna grab something to eat? We can go exploring together after?” He motioned to the door as he lifted a shoulder.
“Sure. I’d like that.” I nodded, and together we entered the dining hall.
This was the beginning for us. Jared and I had never really been close, but this situation bonded us. It created a whole new type of relationship, one that would grow and was more mature than those we have in high school. Jared was more important to me than I knew at the time, and as the days flew by he would be the one I turned to, not Max.
Chapter 6
Hailey- age 20
“Can you grab that bag for me, babe?” I pointed to a duffle that was sitting on the end of my bed.
“Sure.” Jared looped a finger through the straps as he helped me carry our things down to his car. It was winter break, and we were going home. “I am so looking forward to your mom’s rhubarb pie.” He groaned as we heaved our things down the steps. I was looking forward to it too, but I was most looking forward to sleeping in.
“I’m just happy I don’t have to set my alarm clock tonight.” I sighed when we reached the parking lot. “I’m so tired I feel like I could sleep a week.” I yawned exaggeratingly as Jared unlocked the car.
“I’m ready to not worry about plant names for a change.” He chuckled. “I think I spent more time preparing for my plant ID course than anything else this semester, including our dating time.”
Jared and I had been together for about eighteen months. It was casual at first, but it’s been serious for a while. I always thought that it would be Max who would be my first, but life has a way of changing things. The closer Jared and I became, the more I began to realize that Max and I were a fantasy. It was something that I built up in my head when we were kids, and we’re not kids anymore. The last couple of times I’ve been home, Max hasn’t. He landed an internship last summer, and he’s been putting in extra hours there.
“So I was thinking,” Jared reached across the center console and grabbed my hand, “maybe you could come over later tonight, and stay at my place. My parents won’t care, and I’ll help you sneak back in to yours.” His brows bounced as he squeezed my hand.
“I don’t know. We’ll see. It’s only three weeks, and then we’re back at school. I kinda want to spend as much time as I can with them.” I shrugged as I turned to watch the landscape out the window. We didn’t have any snow yet, but it was gray and gloomy out. “Think we’ll get a white Christmas?”
“Not sure. It’s sure been cold enough for it,” Jared mused.
The ride was long and boring, and by the time we arrived at my parents’ house my legs ached from sitting in the car. “Thanks for driving,” I offered a smile as I climbed out.
“Sure. I don’t mind.” He jogged around to the back, and helped me with my things.
As he was setting them on the steps in front of our house, my parents came rushing out. “Hailey!” Mama smiled as Daddy wrapped me in a giant hug. He smelled like grease so he had to have been working on something in his garage.
“Hey,” I laughed as he sat me down, “I take it you missed me?”
“Of course we did. It’s good to see you, Jared.” Daddy nodded his head in Jared’s direction.
“Thanks, sir.” He slammed the trunk, and came over to say bye. “I gotta get to my parents’ place. I’ll call you later, baby.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead before going to climb back into the car.
I turned and waved just in time to see his taillights shine as he pulled out onto the road.
“Things seem pretty serious with you two.” Mama smiled, but I knew there was something else she wanted to ask me.
“Maybe.” I shrugged.
“Wouldn’t be surprised if that man sticks around to marry you.” Daddy’s voice was gruff. “He’s been sniffin’ for years.”
“Daddy!” I admonished.
“Well, it’s true.” He grabbed my suitcase and began carrying it up the steps. “I’m working on something out back. Wanna come keep me company after you get settled?”
I wrinkled my forehead, “Sure.” I wasn’t sure what this was. Daddy hadn’t asked me to keep him company since I was little. It used to be his way of keeping me out from under Mama’s foot. I’d sit on a stool, or hand him tools when he was working. He hadn’t asked me to come out back since he caught me drinking with Max. After that lecture I felt about as big as an ant, and I never wanted to be reminded of that feeling.
As Daddy turned to head back around to his garage, I dragged my suitcase up the stairs to my childhood bedroom. When I pushed the door open, I smiled. Coming back here always made me feel safe and loved. Everything was the same since I’d left all those years ago. Each trip home, I unlocked a sea of memories. Mama always left everything untouched when I went back to school.
I tossed my suitcase in the corner, and flopped down on my bed. It felt good to be home even if I was surrounded by The Backstreet Boys. My memory board was still hanging over my old desk with photos from high school tucked behind ribbons, a notebook with pictures of plants and their names neatly written under them lay across my desk, and on the night table beside my bed was a picture of Max and me when we were sixteen. It was the day I learned to drive my daddy’s pickup. We’re smiling at each other. You can’t see it from the photo, but my heart was so broken that night when he asked Melody out. I’d wanted to tell him I loved him, but he couldn’t see it. I soon realized he probably never would. Boys are so dense at that age, and Max made sure over the years that we stayed “just friends”.
After taking my trip down memory lane, I grabbed an old sweatshirt out of the closet, and changed into an old pair of sneakers. If Daddy asked for my help, I didn’t want to get a grease stain on my coat, or ruin my good shoes. It was heated in his garage, so I didn’t need heavy clothes.
“I’ll be out back if you need me!” I yelled as I jogged down the steps. Mama was in the kitchen, probably cooking dinner.
“Tell your Daddy he better not work through dinner this time,” Mama shouted in return as the screen door slammed behind me.
I laughed to mys
elf as I made my way to the side door of the garage. I could see a car parked in one of the bays, but I didn’t know whose it was. It wasn’t Daddy’s, that’s for sure.
“Hey.” I peeked around the door as I stepped inside. Daddy was leaning over the engine from under the hood.
“Hey, sweetie.” He smiled as he wiped his hands with a dirty rag. “Wanna grab that wrench behind you?” He motioned to the side, and I turned to grab it from the work bench behind me. As I turned back to hand it to him, I caught movement by my feet. I glanced down just in time to see a set of legs roll out from under the car.
“Crap!” I jumped back as the legs turned into an entire body, a very nice body I might add.
“Hey, Hails.” Max grinned up at me. “Long time, no see.” He rocked forward as he used his hands to roll out far enough to sit up. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt that had grease spots smeared on the torso. His jeans were worn and one knee had a small tear. His hair was messy, and his hands were almost black with more grease. “I’d hug ya, but I’m kinda dirty.” He smirked.
“Ya think?” I tipped my head to the side as I appraised him. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen him, and I’d forgotten how dangerously sexy his smile was. “What are you doing here?” I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling very exposed.
“I asked your dad to help me with this. I bought her last summer, and I’ve been slowly trying to get her back to original glory.”
“Looks like you gotta long way to go,” I mused as I started to walk around the car. It was a ‘68 Cuda and aside from having an engine, I couldn’t tell if the thing even ran.
“You should have seen her when I started.” He sighed.
“You fixing her up for your grandkids?” I ran my hand along the back.
“Ouch.” He grimaced. “It’s not taking me that long. I’m in school too, you know.” He stepped around the tools on the ground to make his way over to where a water bottle was sitting. “I’ll take you for a ride when I finish her. How’s that?” He tipped the bottle to his lips, and I watched his throat bob as he swallowed.
“I’ll be there. The question is, will it be done in this lifetime?” I giggled as I moved to sit on one of the nearby stools. Max just shook his head at me as he lowered himself back down onto the creeper, and shoved with his feet to roll back underneath. Daddy laughed as he shook his head at us, but didn’t comment.
oooooooo
Max
Holy hell. She was home for Christmas. Why did I not remember this, and why did she have to look that good? Hailey has always been pretty, but college definitely suits her. She’s curvier than I remember, and that pout… I just want to kiss that pout away.
The day she left for school was one of the hardest days for me. I’d wanted to tell her how I felt, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to her to stay for me. I wanted her to go and make something of herself. I knew I’d be around here, and I thought one day when she was back I’d be able to tell her. The last couple of breaks, I haven’t come home. The first few were because of a broken heart. Melody and I only lasted through the summer after graduation. We tried to make it work long distance when I left for school, but it was just too hard. We were both struggling, and she gave into temptation one night and then drunk dialed me. Do you have any idea what it feels like to wake up in the middle of the night to your girlfriend fucking someone while she’s on the phone with you? It sucks. It sucks bad enough that you avoid every situation that could possibly put you anywhere near her. I avoided coming home, and missed seeing Hailey because Melody might be around. Childish? Yes. Stupid? Yep, that too. I never said I was the relationship guru.
When I bought this car, I called Mr. Sullivan and asked if I could use his garage to restore it. He agreed, and the first time he saw me working on it he asked if he could help. I said sure, and here we are. I’ve been here every day for the last week trying to get as much done as I can before I have to go back to school. I knew Hailey would be coming home for break, but I didn’t know when. The idea of running into her was both exciting and terrifying. We hadn’t talked in so long I wondered if she’d even give me the time of day.
“I’m heading to The Smokin’ Que tonight with some friends. Wanna join?” I called out, hoping that Hailey would know I was talking to her.
“Maybe,” she answered. “I might have plans.” She shrugged when I rolled part of the way back out. She was on her phone now, texting someone. I didn’t know who she could possibly have plans with already seeing that she just got home, but again… we hadn’t seen each other in a long time. I wasn’t going to pretend to know all about her life. “Um yes.” She laughed. “I can meet you there.” Her eyes lifted to meet mine. “I needed to check something first.” She pointed at her phone before stuffing it back in her pocket.
“We’re meeting at eight.” I smiled as I slipped back out her sight. Once under the car, I couldn’t stop grinning. I don’t know why I was so excited about this. I mean, it wasn’t like it was a date or anything.
Chapter 7
Max
Mr. Sullivan and I worked on my car until supper time. When Mrs. Sullivan stepped out on the back porch and called for him, Mr. Sullivan told me he couldn’t be late. He said once I got married to someone I’d understand. He winked, and then told me I could I stay if I wanted, but I decided to head home. I needed to eat something myself, and I wanted to get cleaned up before heading out tonight. “I’ll see ya at 8.” I waved to Hailey as I started for the path that connected our houses. She nodded before following her father inside.
“So, what are you doing tonight?” My mom was placing a pot of beef stew on the table as Dad, Micah, and I waited not so patiently.
“Meeting some of the guys for pool.” I shrugged as I reached for the spoon. I was the closest, therefore I’d get to eat first.
“Can I come?” Micah, my little brother, piped up.
“No.” I filled my bowl. “You’re too young.” I snickered.
“Am not.” Micah’s head shook quickly.
“You’re sixteen, bro. You gotta be eighteen to get in there.” I laughed.
“Are you kidding?” he scoffed.
“Who’s going with you?” My mom lowered herself into her chair.
“Just Joe and Andy.” I shrugged. “Hailey might meet us there.”
“Really?” My dad’s head jerked. “I didn’t know she was home.”
“Came home today.” I stuffed a giant spoonful of stew in my mouth. I didn’t want to talk about this because I knew where it would lead. My parents have been pushing me to talk to her about things for years. If it was anyone other than Hailey, I would. The thing is, we’re best friends, and I’m scared to death to lose that. If what happened to Melody ever happened with Hailey, I’d never forgive myself. She’s been a constant in my life, and I want to keep it that way. If loving her from afar is the only way I ever get to love her, then I’ll be ok. “I don’t know if she’ll show, but I mentioned it to her.”
“I’m gonna need your help tomorrow with stacking the hay. Don’t stay out late.” Dad sighed. He’s been adding to the farm over the years, and we now had a few horses. Corn was still his main priority. Over the last couple years, we’ve added horses, pigs, and chickens. I don’t know who he thinks will run this place when he’s ready to pass it down. I’m really not interested, and Micah has a way to go before he’d be ready.
“Sure.” I nodded and we finished our dinner rather quietly.
oooooooo
By the time I arrived at The Smokin’ Que, Andy and Joe already had a table in the back. Joe was selecting a cue and Andy was racking the balls.
“Bout time you showed up.” Joe laughed as he motioned for a cocktail waitress to bring another beer.
“Family stuff.” I chuckled as I shrugged out of my coat and hung it on a nearby peg. I began looking for a cue myself when I heard Joe muttering.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Never thought I’d see that,” he murmured just in time for me lift
my head. There coming right at us were Hailey and Jared. She was wearing a sweater and jeans, and holding his hand. When her eyes met mine, she smiled.
“Hey.” She waved as Jared stepped closer behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. This was new and totally unexpected.
“Hey.” I smiled back. “Glad you could make it. You remember Andy and Joe.” I motioned to where they were getting ready to start a game of eight ball.
“What’s up?” She waved.
“Hey, man.” Jared waved at me. “Long time no see.”
“Sure is. When did this happen?” I wagged my finger in front of them. “Or better yet, how did this happen?”
“It’s been what, about a year and a half?” Jared glanced at Hailey before turning back to me.
“So it’s serious then?” I pressed my lips together.
“You could say that.” He laughed. “Wanna get us a pitcher?” He dug his wallet out of his pocket, and handed it to Hailey.
“Sure.” She giggled as she rose up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Be right back.”
I watched her as she sashayed toward the bar. Her hips swayed a little more than I remembered, and there seemed to be a bounce in her step. Jared was the reason for her happiness, and from that moment on my friendship with him was forever changed.
“You and Hailey. Never thought I’d see that.” I shook my head as I watched her over his shoulder.
“Me either. I love her.” He smiled a goofy smile. “I’m gonna marry her someday.”
“Does she know that?” I continued to stare at her back as she talked to the bartender.
“She will.” He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see her turn, and come our way. “You ready to lose, Stanton?” Jared elbowed me as Hailey set the pitcher down.
I shook my head as I watched them make their way around the table. They were laughing, and he was touching her in a way that I wanted to. I watched the way she looked at him, and defeat settled in my gut. Jared didn’t understand that I had already lost. He beat me the day she said yes to him. He already had the prize, and I was there the day he lost it.
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