“Hayes!” I scolded, laughing at him.
I bumped him with my hip and he chuckled, bending his head to kiss me quickly and smearing icing on my lips in the process. “Love you,” he murmured, and I thrilled at how easily he said it—and in front of his mother no less.
Once he’d grabbed a screwdriver from a utility drawer he was gone again.
I became lost in my own little world as I frosted the cake, but my solace was short-lived when Jessica entered the kitchen.
She strolled right up to where I stood in front of the cake and leaned her hip against the counter. She held a glass of deep red wine and slowly raised the glass to her mouth, taking a delicate sip so as not to ruin her lipstick.
“So…you’re a single mom, obviously.”
My spine stiffened, but I wasn’t going to let her words get to me. “Obviously.” I said the word flatly, refusing to let her hear how upset I was.
“Did you get knocked up in high school and the baby daddy didn’t stick around long enough for the paternity test to come back?” She sneered, looking me up and down. “Cute dress…did you get that at K-Mart?”
“Jessica!” Her mom yelled, looking horror stricken.
“It was just a question, mom.” She batted her eyes innocently.
“What’s your problem with me?” I asked softly, continuing to ice the cake and refusing to look at her.
“Problem? I don’t have a problem.” She put a hand to her chest and looked at me like she was shocked I would ask such a thing.
I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. I’d only met her five minutes ago and she’d made it pretty obvious she didn’t like me. But the last thing I was going to do was stand here and pick a fight with Hayes’ sister.
She must’ve grown bored with me, because eventually she drifted away. Probably back out to the family room.
“I’m so sorry.” Darla hurried to my side. She appeared appalled at her daughter’s behavior. “I don’t know why Jessica would say such horrible things to you…well, I do know,” she frowned, “Jess is…very over protective when it comes to Josh. He’s her little brother, and as the oldest she think she has to look out for him and Jaclyn. Hayes has never, and I mean never brought a girl home before and I think it’s throwing her.” With a sigh, Darla shrugged. “She forgets he’s almost thirty and not a baby anymore.”
“It’s okay,” I mumbled.
She placed her hand on my arm, squeezing softly and giving me a sad look. “No, it’s not.” Stepping away, she seemed to gather herself. “Would you mind helping me set the table? It’s almost done, I only need to carry the food out.”
“I’d love to help,” I assured her. I rinsed the knife off in the sink and then let her dictate which dishes she’d like me to carry to the table.
Hayes rounded the corner and caught sight of me carrying a bowl of mac n’ cheese and another of mashed potatoes.
“Whoa, babe, let me get that.” He skidded to a top and took the dishes from my hands.
I halted, shock widening my eyes.
“What?” He asked innocently. “Is something on my face?”
“You…you called me babe,” I stuttered.
He chuckled. “How about that? I didn’t even realize it.” He bent and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Want me to say it again?” He grinned. Before I could respond he lowered his head and murmured, “Babe,” into the crook of my neck.
I shivered and he pulled away with a laugh, disappearing into the dining room before I could collect my wits.
In no time the whole table was set and we sat down for our meal. Hayes, Jaclyn, Mia, and I were on one side, with Jessica, Grant, and Ian on the other. Darla and James sat at the heads of the table.
Food was passed around and I piled it onto my plate, even though I doubted I’d be able to eat much. I was still too worked up from my encounters with Jessica—and as luck would have it, she was seated across from me where she could glare at me. I really wanted to ask her who pissed in her Cheerios, but I doubted that would score me any points.
Conversation circled the table, but for the most part I kept quiet unless addressed specifically. I wanted to avoid the wrath of Jessica as much as I could.
“You were in Manhattan recently?” She questioned Hayes, her fork poised inches from her mouth with a piece of macaroni dangling from the end of one of the spears.
“Yeah, why?” Hayes asked, shoveling food into his mouth so fast I didn’t know how he didn’t choke.
“I just find it odd that you were in Manhattan, where I live, and you didn’t bother to try to see me. It’s not like I get out here often to visit, and when I do you’re usually on tour or screwing anything with two legs and a decent ass.”
“Jessica!” Darla slammed her hands on the table. “Stop this nonsense.”
Hayes bristled beside me, glaring at his older sister. “Maybe this is why I didn’t want to see you? Did you ever think of that? Huh?” He waved his hand at her husband. “Ever since you met Mr. Goody-Goody over there you’ve been nothing but a pretentious snob living in your nice Manhattan apartment, with your perfect robot husband and robot kid.”
“Oh my God, you two! Stop it!” Darla pointed at her children. “If you act like five-year-olds I’ll treat you as such and put you both in time out. I mean it!” She warned.
Across the table James and Jaclyn laughed manically at the scene playing out before them. If I were them I’d laugh too, but since I was part of the reason they were fighting I wanted to sink under the table and hide until it was time to leave.
“What do you know about this girl?” She pointed at me. “Tell me, Joshua?! Because I’ve got news for you, she’s just some gold-digging whore looking to get your money! Wake up, Josh!”
Hayes was eerily silent beside me. “So, what? I’m so unlovable that a woman would only want me for my money? Is that what you’re saying?”
“She has a kid! Don’t you see that she’s using you? You’re her golden ticket to give that brat a better life.”
That was it. I’d had it.
I pushed away from the table so roughly that Jessica’s wine glass fell onto her lap, staining her blue dress. She said something else, no doubt rude, but it was like I was in a tunnel and couldn’t hear anything she said.
Without saying a word I grabbed Mia’s hand and walked out of the room.
I didn’t have a car, so I couldn’t leave, but I wasn’t going to sit there and let his sister belittle my daughter and me. It wasn’t right.
Somehow I found myself in the family room and I pushed the door open onto the outside. Mia followed, quiet at my side.
Before I closed the door I heard more shouting coming from the dining room.
A tear fell down my cheek.
I hated that my presence was ruining the Thanksgiving dinner Hayes should’ve been enjoying with his entire family. I’d known I shouldn’t come, but I’d let his charm talk me into it.
Once the door was closed I turned around to find Mia running through the yard with her arms spread out at her sides. She was clearly happy to be out of there too. Even though she was young I knew she understood enough to know that we’d been insulted.
A tire swing hung from a branch of one of the large trees in the massive backyard. We’d had one similar in my yard growing up. I made my way over to it and swung my legs through the hole and wrapped my arms around the top of it, holding on as I spun around.
Today had turned into a huge clusterfuck of epic proportions and I was exhausted.
“Momma! Wook at me!” Mia called, spinning around and around the yard.
“You’re going to get dizzy,” I warned her.
“I won’t!” She said as she stopped, swaying slightly. She let out a small giggle and grinned her adorable toothy grin.
His sister could think and assume what she wanted, but that little girl was the single most important thing in my life. And yes, I did want her to have a good life, but that wasn’t why I was with Hayes.
The fact that she thought I only liked him for his money was insulting and revolting.
“Momma,” Mia called, running over to me on the tire swing, “can we go home now?”
“In a bit,” I assured her. I wasn’t going to rush Hayes. If he worked things out with his family and wanted to stay, that was fine. I wasn’t going to force him to cut his day short, but I also wasn’t going to be in any room his sister frequented.
I wasn’t sure how long we were outside, but eventually Hayes emerged from the family room with hunched shoulders, looking forlorn.
Mia ran up to him and said something and he nodded before she took off again. He made his way towards me with his head ducked so I couldn’t see his eyes. My stomach dipped in fear that maybe his sister’s words had had some effect on him and he was going to tell me this wasn’t going to work.
He stopped in front of me and finally his head rose as he looked at me.
“Arden,” he cleared his throat, “I was afraid you’d left when I couldn’t find you in the house,” he rambled. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe she said those things. It’s unforgivable and—” He rubbed his hands over his smooth cheeks. “I never expected her to act like that.”
“It’s not your fault,” I mumbled, holding onto the tire swing rope.
He grabbed ahold of the tire to keep me from spinning away. “In a way it is. I asked you to come here. I thought today was going to be great, and I was wrong.”
I twisted my lips. “She hurt my feelings,” I admitted, “and I know I should be an adult and not let silly things like that get to me, but she was so mean, and for her to think I’m only with you for your money…” I let my sentence drop and shrugged. “You know I love you for you, right?”
He chuckled, sweeping his fingers against my cool cheek. “I know, Little Bird.”
He let go of the tire, and I began to swing around, letting out a laugh. I caught his grin at my laughter and my heart skipped a beat. After Todd I’d never believed I’d find someone I trusted and loved so completely and then Hayes came barreling into my life.
He stopped the swing once more and pulled it close, lowering his head to kiss me. “Let’s go,” he whispered.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “I don’t want you to leave because of me.”
He grinned. “S’okay. Mom’s packing up some food for us and I figured I’d sweet talk my way into your house and you, me, and Mia could have our first Thanksgiving as a family instead.” My heart sped up in excitement at his words. “Because I plan on there being many more.” He kissed me again.
“You’re kinda sorta amazing, you know that, right?”
“I do,” he grinned cheekily, “but I like hearing you say it.” He winked. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
He helped me out of the swing and Mia came running over to us. He scooped her up and spun her around like she weighed nothing. Her laughter filled the air and I couldn’t contain my smile. I was so happy that Mia finally had a man in her life, one that was good and kind, that she could look up to.
I saw his mom standing on the other side of the glass sliding door and when she noticed us approaching she slid it open.
“I’m so incredibly sorry,” she told me immediately, “I hope you come back to see James and me. We would both love to get to know you better.”
“I’d like that,” I said, even though I was afraid that I’d only be able to think of Jessica’s cutting words every time I saw this place.
“I fixed a bag of food for y’all and set it by the door.” She patted my cheek gently in a motherly gesture.
“Thank you. I’m sorry I ruined your dinner.”
She dismissed my words with a wave of her hand. “It’s not ruined, dear. I got to see my kids, and you, and your adorable little girl. But most importantly I got to see how foolish my son is when it comes to you and it’s good to finally see him settle down.”
“Maybe we could have dinner at Hayes’ place soon?” I suggested.
“That sounds like a great idea.” She hugged me.
Hayes was waiting for me and together we headed towards the front entry.
His dad and Jaclyn came out of the kitchen and said their goodbyes.
I didn’t see Jessica, her husband, or her son, and I wondered if they’d left or if she was avoiding us. I guessed it didn’t really matter. I had a feeling nothing I did or said would ever make her like me, and that was fine. The only person’s approval I needed was Hayes’.
“I’m really sorry this happened.” Hayes apologized again as he lifted Mia into the truck.
“Stop apologizing,” I told him, “it’s over and done with and now all I want is to go home and spend some time with you. Okay?”
He nodded as he closed the truck door, but his eyes were still haunted.
His sister’s words had hurt, but I knew it wasn’t his fault. She had her own issues, clearly, and I wasn’t going to blame him for that.
Standing on my tiptoes I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Maybe you could stay the night.” I said coyly.
His hands ghosted down my sides, settling on my hips, and a slow smile appeared on his lips.
“Mmm,” he hummed, “I like the sound of that.”
“Good.” I kissed him quickly and hurried around to the other side of the truck.
On the drive home, Mia chatted endlessly—telling Hayes all about her favorite Disney movies, which princess was her favorite, and which prince she was going to marry.
When she got to the prince part, Hayes replied with, “You won’t be getting married for a very long time if I have anything to say about it.”
Mia mused quietly. “Even when I’m tirty?”
“Never.” Hayes chuckled.
Mia crossed her arms over her chest and pouted in the backseat. “Dat’s not fwair.”
“Sorry, Ms. Mia.” He shrugged, turning onto my street.
“You don’t sound sowwy.”
Hayes pulled into the driveway and put the truck in park.
He ignored her, staring intently at the front of my house. “What the hell?” He whispered to himself, reaching for the handle and climbing out of the truck.
Mia gasped. “Momma, Hayes said a bad word.”
“I know, baby, that wasn’t nice of him.” I undid my seatbelt and leaned forward, trying to see what he was looking at, but my efforts were futile. “Mia, mommy will be right back.”
I hurried out of the vehicle and over to where Hayes stood in front of the window beside the front door.
I opened my mouth to ask him what he was looking at, but the words quickly turned into a gasp when I saw. The window was completely broken in—the screen that was normally in front of it was lying on the grass completely useless.
“Get back in the car with Mia and lock the doors,” Hayes warned.
My eyes widened in horror. “Do you think he’s still in there?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” He declared, standing with his hands on his hips like he was poised to take on the world.
“You can’t go in there!” I cried. “What if he has a gun?”
“I’ll be fine.” He assured me.
“You’re not invincible,” I reminded him, “and I’d never forgive myself if you were hurt because of me.”
“Don’t worry about me,” he turned away from the broken window to look down at me, “go be with her. She shouldn’t be by herself.” He nodded towards the car. I knew he was right, so I headed back to the truck without protest. “Oh, and Arden?”
“Yeah?” I paused, hesitating on my next step.
“You’re staying at my house for the foreseeable future. Don’t even try to argue with me. This,” he pointed over his shoulder at the shattered remnants of the window, “is not okay.”
“I know,” I replied. “I won’t argue.”
He nodded once and waited for me to get in the truck and lock the doors before he opened the front door. Since it was unlocked—and hadn’t been when we left—I
let out a sigh of relief, believing that if Todd had broken in then he must’ve already left. And who was I kidding using the word if? Of course it was Todd. It couldn’t be anyone else.
Even though I believed he was already gone my heart thundered like a vicious storm in my veins while I waited for Hayes to emerge.
I busied myself by calling the police and reporting the break in. Someone was to be dispatched within thirty minutes.
I hugged my knees to my chest, waiting for him to emerge from the house. Each minute that ticked by on the dashboard clock was a minute too long.
I was just about to bust inside when he finally stepped outside with two large suitcases in tow.
He wheeled them down the driveway and hefted them into the truck beside Mia.
“I wasn’t sure what all you’d both need, so I grabbed pretty much everything.”
“The police are on their way,” I informed him as he climbed into the driver’s seat, “so we should wait.”
“Okay.” He agreed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Did it look like anything had been taken?” My voice sounded small when I asked the question.
“Some pictures were missing,” he shrugged, “looks like that was it.”
“I don’t understand why he’s doing this now?” I whispered, more to myself than him.
Hayes sighed heavily, turning to look at me with sorrow filled eyes. “Do you want my honest opinion?”
“Always.” I didn’t hesitate to reply.
“I think he’s probably always been hanging around, back in the shadows watching you, and then I showed up.” He frowned, his brows crinkling together. “And now he feels like his territory is threatened.”
“Territory?” I scoffed. “I’m no one’s territory.”
“I know that,” he rushed to assure me, “but I think someone as twisted as he is probably thinks you both belong to him.”
“Ugh,” I groaned, burying my face in my hands, “this is all so messed up.”
“I know and I’m sorry.” He reached over, massaging the back of my neck. “We’re going to fix this.”
My body relaxed at his use of the word we’re as opposed to I. He wasn’t trying to be all macho and saying that he’d get everything under control. No, he was saying that we, he and I, would do it together as a couple.
Take A Chance Page 17