Take A Chance

by Micalea Smeltzer

  I opened the curtain and stepped out to find the girls waiting for me.

  “You’re a bombshell!” Sadie squealed. “You have got to stop hiding your body!”

  I ducked my head, hoping to hide the blush staining my cheeks.

  “Here, put these on.” Sadie handed me a pair of gold pumps. I slipped them on and admired my reflection in the mirror.

  “Damn, I’m good,” Sadie laughed, “Hayes might come in his pants before he even gets to the good stuff.”

  I paled and an older woman coming out of a dressing room scoffed, sticking her nose up into the air as she passed us.

  “Sadie,” I groaned, burying my face in my hands.

  “What?” She batted her eyes innocently. “It’s not my fault some people are prudes.” Pushing me back into the dressing room, she said, “It’s obvious this dress is perfect. So get changed and we’ll head over to the hotel so we can make sure the guys haven’t burned down the building or anything.”

  “They better not have done anything stupid.” Remy groaned through the curtain.

  I heard Emma snort. “This is Maddox, Mathias, Ezra, and Hayes, with two kids, so they’re definitely up to no good.”

  I changed quickly and after buying the dress, shoes, and a few pieces of jewelry Sadie insisted I needed, we headed down the block to the waiting SUV.

  Forty minutes later we were let off outside the hotel.

  Emma studied her phone as we went inside. “Maddox hasn’t responded to my text. That’s weird.”

  “Whose room are they in?” I asked.

  “We’re all staying in the penthouse suite,” Emma mumbled, still staring down at her phone.

  We stepped into the elevator and headed to the top floor.

  Remy produced a plastic keycard from her purse and waved it against the door.

  “Oh. My. God.” She stopped in her tracks, staring at whatever was in front of her.

  “What is it?” I asked, panic rising in my chest.

  The three of us stepped behind her, peering around her shoulders.

  “Oh my God,” we all echoed.

  Hayes, Maddox, and Ezra sat around a table wearing dresses and makeup, with tiaras on their heads.

  “Are you wearing my heels?!” Remy shrieked, storming towards Maddox.

  Mathias chuckled from where he laid on the couch, bare-chested with his son sleeping on top. “I told you she’d rip you a good one.”

  “Is that my dress too?! Why were you in my stuff? Jesus Christ! That’s my lipstick.” Remy pointed at Maddox’s mouth.

  “We were playing dress up.” Maddox said, stating the obvious. He reached up to grab his hedgehog, Sonic, from his shoulder and held him in his hands.

  “What Ms. Mia wants, Ms. Mia gets,” Hayes added.

  I snorted. “She has you wrapped around her finger real tight. Nice crown.” I nodded at his head.

  “Am I a beautiful princess?” He batted his eyes.

  “You’re something else, that’s for sure.”

  “There are bows in your hair.” Sadie laughed, standing beside Ezra. Shoving her hand into her pocket she said, “I have to get a picture of this.” She promptly began snapping photos of all of the guys.

  Emma stepped up beside Maddox, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Are you going to play dress up with our daughter?”

  He put his hand on her round stomach and grinned up at her. “Absolutely. Whatever my little girl wants me to do, that’s what I’ll do.”

  Emma bent down and pressed a kiss to his stubbly cheek. “I love you,” she murmured.

  I turned away before those two could get any more sickeningly cute.

  I bent down beside the chair Mia occupied, a full tea set—a real one—sitting in front of her along with little sandwiches.

  “Are you having a tea party?” I asked her.

  She nodded. “Try it.”

  She held out one of the finger sandwiches to me. I took a bite and she set it on the plate.

  “Very good.” I told her, kissing the top of her head. “So you had fun.”

  She nodded again and let out a giggle. “Lots!”

  I turned my attention to Hayes and smiled at him. My stomach fluttered, full of a million feelings, when I looked at him. I was falling, falling hard and fast, and I was helpless to stop it.

  “You make a pretty girl.” I told him with a wink.

  He chuckled, staring right back at me unashamed. “It’s the hair, isn’t it?”

  “Actually, I’m really digging that shade of lipstick on you.”

  “I pitcked it!” Mia raised her hand triumphantly in the air.

  “And that blue eye shadow really makes your eyes pop,” I continued.

  “Really?” He smirked.

  “Oh yeah, you should wear it more often.”

  I let out a small scream when he reached out and grabbed me. He pulled me onto his lap and I wrapped my arms around his shoulder.

  Smoothing his fingers down my cheek, he said, “You look beautiful. Did you have fun?”

  “I did. Thank you, but you didn’t have to do that.”

  “I know.” He held my chin so I couldn’t look away. “It’s just like I didn’t have to do this.” He motioned to the dress and makeup he wore. “But I wanted to. I enjoy making you and Mia happy. So let me.”

  In a rare moment of affection in front of our friends I nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck. I felt his lips press tenderly against the side of my forehead and I relaxed into his hold.

  “I better go shower and get ready.” He spoke after a minute of silence between us. Our friends had continued to buzz around us while we shared our moment.

  I stood up from his lap and he disappeared into one of the bedrooms.

  “You.” Sadie grabbed my hand forcefully, yanking me towards her. “It’s time to finish getting you ready.”

  I took a deep breath and smiled over at Mia. “Do you want to help mommy get ready?”

  She let out another giggle and climbed off the chair.

  I let Sadie drag me into the room she was sharing with Ezra. She shoved me into the bathroom along with the shopping bags.

  “Change.” She demanded, stepping out of the bathroom and closing the door. Through the door, she said, “Then we’ll touch up your makeup and go over a few things.”

  “What kinds of things?” I opened the door a smidge so she’d hear me.

  “Things,” was her only response.

  I gulped in fear.

  Something told me I didn’t want to know what kind of things she needed to discuss.

  Regardless, I closed the door and changed into the lingerie and dress, fixing the garter belt onto the pair of stockings she’d somehow slipped into the bag.

  I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my red hair brushing against my arms, and my amber eyes shining with happiness. My cheeks were stained with a flush and if I was honest, I was glowing.

  And it was all because of Hayes.

  I FELT LIKE I was getting ready for prom.

  Not only was I wearing a dress and all dolled up, but Sadie kept tearing up like an overemotional mother. She also gave me the sex talk—and by sex talk, I mean she listed off all of the creative positions she thought I should test out with Hayes. She’d then proceeded to try to tuck several condoms into my bra. I’d thrown them away when she wasn’t looking.

  Sadie ran the brush through my hair one last time.

  She’d debated about styling it in a sleek bun or ponytail, but ended up deciding to leave it down.

  Her reasoning?

  “That way when he fucks you good he can fist your hair in his hands.”

  I told her if she had sex on her brain that bad she needed to go find Ezra.

  She’d smirked and told me she’d ride him hard later.

  The girl was insane.

  But I loved her.

  She was so much more than my boss. She was a genuine friend, and while she could be a bit crazy, she was one of the nicest people I
knew.

  There was a knock on the bedroom door and Sadie yelled, “Come in!”

  Ezra poked his head inside, his hand slapped over his eyes. “Is it safe?”

  “Yes, it’s safe you dumb ass. That’s why I said you could come in.”

  Ezra chuckled, lowering his hand. “We’ve been waiting forever. I think Hayes is about one minute from storming in here and throwing you over his shoulder.” He spoke to me.

  “Perfection takes time.” Sadie told him, her hands on her hips.

  Ignoring his girlfriend, Ezra asked me, “Are you ready?”

  Sadie huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s ready when I say she’s ready.”

  Ezra let out a full belly laugh. “Man, power sure does go to your head.” He stepped into the room and bent down to kiss her quickly. She turned her head so that his kiss landed on her cheek and he only laughed harder. “God, I love you.” Sobering, he said, “So, boss, is she ready?”

  Sadie looked me up and down once more and nodded. “My work here is done.”

  “Are you ready?” Ezra asked me, pushing his unruly curly black hair from his eyes. “Or is this one getting overzealous?” He tossed a thumb in Sadie’s direction.

  She retaliated against his comment by poking his side.

  “Yeah, I’m good.”

  I followed them out of the bedroom and into the living room of the suite.

  I caught sight of Mia sitting on Maddox’s lap, watching Beauty and the Beast on TV. I smiled at the sight, pleased that Mia was being so well-behaved. It gave me hope that she’d be okay tonight. I was still unsure about being without her for the night. I’d never spent the night without her, so I’d have to see how things went.

  Suddenly, the air in the room grew heavy and heated and I knew that Hayes had emerged from wherever he’d been.

  I looked up and my breath caught in my throat.

  You always heard guys say that their girl took their breath away, but Hayes had certainly stolen mine.

  He towered above everyone in the room. His presence was commanding without him even trying, but his goofy smile softened the effect.

  He was dressed nicer than I’d ever seen him—outside of Maddox and Emma’s wedding—with a pair of slim fitted black pants hanging perfectly on his narrow hips. A white dress shirt was tucked into the pants with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, leaving the bottom of the tattoo on his arm visible. A buttoned gray vest completed the ensemble.

  My eyes lifted higher, to his clean-shaven face, the solid black gauges in his ears, and his blond hair styled to the side. He smiled crookedly, taking me in as unabashedly as I was him.

  “That dress…” He made a noise in the back of his throat. “That dress is giving me all kinds of fantasies.”

  I laughed, refusing to shy away from his words like I normally would. “Thank Sadie.”

  “Thank you.” He nodded at Sadie, but kept his eyes on me.

  Sadie snorted. “Oh, don’t thank me yet. You haven’t even gotten to the best part.”

  Hayes gulped, his hands trembling at his sides. “It gets better?”

  “You have no idea,” she told him.

  He scrubbed a hand over his face. “We better go before I decide against dinner.” He closed the distance between us and took my hand, lowering his head to whisper in my ear. “You’re stunning. The most gorgeous creature I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”

  “You’re not too bad yourself,” I jested.

  “Go on, get out of here. Have some fun! Use those condoms!” Sadie pointed a finger at me, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Sadie!” I hissed, nodding towards Mia.

  “Oh! Oops!” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “My bad.”

  Mathias laughed loudly and strode over, clapping a hand on Hayes’ shoulder. “He cleans up well, doesn’t he?” He smirked at me. “Look at Joshie all grown up.” He pinched Hayes’ cheek.

  “Dude, stop.” Hayes pushed him away.

  “Just saying you should thank me is all.” Mathias held up his hands innocently. “I mean, that’s my shirt and vest.”

  Hayes grumbled under his breath. “You also tried to make me wear one of your dorky nerdigans at first. That’s not happening. Ever.”

  Mathias chuckled, backing away and pulling Remy into his arms. “Hey, those nerdigans, as you like to call them, get me laid, so who’s the real winner here?” Mathias chuckled, kissing Remy’s neck.

  Hayes rolled his eyes and his hand settled at my waist. “And that’s why you should never ask Mathias for help.”

  “You asked him for help?” My brows rose high on my forehead.

  Hayes shrugged. “I don’t normally dress up, but that one,” he pointed at Mathias, “always acts like he’s on a fucking runway or something.”

  “Language!” I warned him.

  “Oh, right. My bad.” He frowned. “I’ve really been trying to be better about that.” He gave me a puppy-dog face.

  “You have,” I agreed, “and I thank you for it.”

  Disentangling myself from his arms I went over to Mia and she glanced away from the movie.

  “Mommy’s going to leave for a little while. Are you okay?” I asked, smoothing her hair away from her eyes.

  “Of course,” she said, like I was so silly to be worried about her.

  “Love you baby girl.” I hugged and kissed her, never wanting to let go. I wished she could stay this little forever. I didn’t know what I’d do with myself when she grew up and went to school, started dating, and left me.

  I stepped away and was surprised when Hayes went over to her.

  He dropped to his knees in front of her so that he was at her eyelevel where she sat on Maddox’s lap.

  “I’m taking your mommy to dinner. Is that okay with you?”

  She nodded and leaned in, whispering something in his ear.

  His whole body stiffened and I swore his eyes pooled with tears but they disappeared too fast for me to be sure.

  “Maybe one day Ms. Mia.” He told her, his voice cracking.

  He kissed her cheek and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  I smiled at the sight of them together. It made me so happy that Mia liked Hayes and that he liked her too.

  He met me by the door, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Ready?” He asked.

  I nodded, trying to ignore the stares of our friends as they watched us leave.

  Hayes guided me down the hall and to the elevator. We were both silent. I searched for something to say and kept coming up empty, but it was especially hard to think with my pulse pounding like a drum in my ear.

  In the lobby we were met by a bodyguard I didn’t recognize.

  Hayes sent the guard a speculative look. “I thought you guys were waiting in the car?”

  “Greg is, but he sent me in here since the media has descended onto the hotel like fucking vultures. It’s madness out there.”

  Hayes sighed, seeming irritated by this new development. “Do you think we can lose them before we get to the restaurant?”

  The guard frowned, crossing his massive arms over his chest. “Not likely. This is Manhattan after all.”

  “Right.” Hayes muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

  He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me more fully against his side.

  “Just stay calm,” he told me, “there will be a lot of yelling and camera’s flashing.”

  “I’m okay.” I assured him.

  But when we stepped out I was definitely not okay.

  The experiences I’d encountered today in no way compared to this. It was mad.

  Hayes was right, there was a lot of yelling.

  “Hayes, over here! Hayes who’s the woman?! When is the new album coming out? Hayes! Hayes! Hayes!”

  “Don’t let go of me.” I pleaded with him, tightening my grip around the vest he wore.

  Greg had been waiting in the driver’s seat of the car but he came barreling out, pushing back the papara
zzi since the other guard wasn’t having much luck.

  Somehow we managed to make it into the car but even once the door closed behind us the flashes and questions were endless.

  “Are you okay?” Hayes asked, looking me over.

  “Yeah. Just frazzled.” I reached up to smooth my hair down.

  Suddenly his hand shot out to grab my arm. He stared at the skin near my elbow, his brows narrowed in concentration.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  He reached up, turning on the light in the car as Greg pulled us away from the hotel.

  “When did this happen?”

  I looked down at my arm where his eyes were pinned.

  “Uh…” I started. “I think one of them hit me with their camera. It all happened so fast,” I rambled.

  He glared at the red mark on my arm for another moment before letting go.

  He sat back against the leather seat, a muscle in his jaw ticking. “Fucking paparazzi,” he muttered, more to himself than me. He glared out the window for a moment and I watched as he closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths to calm down. Turning to me with sorrow filled eyes, he asked, “Does it hurt?”

  “Only a little.”

  Now that my adrenaline was fading the spot on my elbow throbbed in time with my heartbeat. It wasn’t that bad though. Sure, it would bruise, but I’d suffered worse.

  Hayes frowned at my words.

  “It’s not a big deal to me,” I assured him.

  Fire ignited in his eyes. “It is to me! They hurt you, Arden! What if they’d hurt Mia? It’s not okay!” He bellowed and I was shocked by his raised tone.

  I’d never heard Hayes mad before and I couldn’t help but recoil into my seat, drawing my legs up as if to protect myself from him. It was a reaction I couldn’t control. Flashbacks of Todd, of his hate-filled words and heavy fists filled my mind.

  Horror settled onto Hayes’ face and his mouth fell open in shock. “Arden,” he said my name softly, just a faint whisper. “Fuck,” he pulled at his hair. “Do you think I’m going to hurt you?”

  I didn’t respond.

  I couldn’t.

  It was like my limbs were locked and my voice was gone.