She looks pleased with my compliment. She digs through our shared closet. Her blonde bob pops out with material in her hand. She tosses me the clothes and I hold them out to get a good look. The cheetah shirt is a modest, three quarter length with a high neck. But my smile drops as I see the shorts. Or, I think that’s what we call them. The black spandex material will cover nothing; why even bother with the shorts?
I strip and pull the clothes on without reservation, hoping she’ll change her mind when she sees the sleazy material on my body. After she adjusts her dress she walks over with a smile.
“Perfect!”
I sigh, no such luck. “Uhh…”
A knock on the door stops my protest. She swings the door wide, revealing Hayze in the back ground. He walks in, his brows furrowed as he looks at me. His light jeans hang from his hips; the simple black shirt makes his dark eyes stand out against his sandy hair.
“Nice shorts,” he said, pointing to my legs. “Did you pick them out?”
“Not exactly,” I say and glare at Lea.
“Change,” he says.
“What?” Lea whines, “She looks hot! She’s attracting attention now; just thought I’d help.” She winks at me.
“She doesn’t need the kind of attention she’ll get with those shorts, Lea!” Hayze raises his voice to her but she doesn’t budge.
“Hey, um, guys I’m right here. I can speak for myself,” I say, mainly to Hayze. I’m uncomfortable in the shorts, but his attitude makes me want to wear them in spite of him.
They both snap their head in my direction. Hayze sighs with a clenched jaw, he asks, “Is that what you wanna wear to the bar?”
His eyes are sincere. I know he’s just trying to help me, somehow he knows that I won’t tell her no, but he could go about it a better way. “Maybe longer shorts, Lea do you have longer shorts?” I ask Lea.
The relief in Hayze is obvious, his shoulders sag and a small smile plays on his lips. Lea shoots him a hard glare as she storms to the closet. She pulls out a pair of black shorts and tosses them to me. Hayze stands, watching me with his arms still folded on his chest.
“Get out,” I tell him.
He throws his arms up. “Nothin’ is more revealing than those shorts.”
“Out!” I point to the door. He chuckles and walks with Lea into the hallway. I switch my shorts and slide on flats before meeting them in the hall. Hayze is starring at his phone and Lea stands next to him, her face is concerned.
“What’s going on?” I ask when I walk into the tension.
“Joel’s having a party at their apartment,” Lea tells me. Waiting for an explanation, I cock my eyebrow. “He doesn’t like people over there. He’s a control freak.”
“I’m not a control freak,” he says, his tone is defensive. “I don’t like people over there, especially when I’m not there.”
“Why don’t we just go to the party?” They look at me, then at each other. They shake their head and agree as if they didn’t consider this wonderful revelation.
“Yeah?” Hayze nods his head.
“We could do that,” Lea says.
We pile in Hayze’s mustang. Lea complains about his music and he turns it up. He stops at a gas station along the way for drinks. With alcohol filling the trunk, we pull into the apartment complex. He gets out rips the drinks from the car, and stalks off to his apartment.
“No one better be in my room,” he rants.
He slams the door open, everyone stares at us as we enter. Joel, two other guys, and four girls fill the space. The eager girls smile at Hayze, one tugs her top lower as if she could show more cleavage. He sets the drinks on the bar and hands me one. Hayze walks over and says something to Joel. He shakes his head at him. With a heated argument sure to come, I stand close to Lea.
“Does this happen a lot?” I ask her.
“It used to, that’s why they moved, Hayze is so weird about people knowing where he lives,” she says, shrugging.
“Hey, I’m Mike, you came here with Hayze?” I turn finding a brooding guy, with a buzzed head and too many tattoos to count.
“Yeah, he’s a friend of mine, I’m Taylor. This is Lea.”
One brave girl walks over and cranks up the music’s volume. She turns and does a little dance as the others cheer her on. Soon they’re all up and dancing. They have watched one too many music videos, I cringe as they paw each other, putting on a show for the guys. My face flushes crimson red as one bends over.
“Come with me.”
I jump, startled by Hayze. He grabs my hand and pulls me into a room. When he switches the light on I glance around the room. The large bed sits in the middle, a bedside table, and a television fill the space. That’s it, no pictures, nothing.
“Are you comfortable being here?” He asks.
“Yeah,” I say, wondering why he brought me in here to ask.
“I’m hoping if we stay in here long enough the show will end.” He sits on the navy blue bed, I laugh and sit down.
“Did they give you the same show last night?”
“Not going to let that one go, are you?” He chuckles which only makes me angry. “Hell no, I don’t bring girls here. This is all Joel’s doing.”
“C’mon, you expect me to believe that?” I laugh, shoving his shoulder. Although there’s a hint of amusement in his eyes, he doesn’t smile or act like he’s joking.
“I found out the hard way. I don’t fuck girls here; I go to their place. They show up here wantin’ more and shit.”
My jaw falls and I look to him in horror. “I’m officially repulsed by you! Do you hear yourself talk?”
He laughs, “Let’s back out there. You and Lea can get piss drunk and stay the night. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay with being here.”
“I’m not staying here!” I tell him, ignoring the sincerity in his voice.
“I won’t steal your virtue, promise.”
Needing to put space between us, I stand and walk across the room. “What if I show up wanting more tomorrow?” I giggle, feeling light from the drink.
He stands and walks to my side. “Well, Taylor, I wouldn’t slam the door in your face.” His fingers brush my chin, tilting it up. My stomach grows nervous. He repulses me more than any guy I’ve ever met but listening to him now, it’s like I’ve been waiting to hear him say that. I’m not comfortable with this conversation so I don’t bring up what I think he’s trying to tell me.
“You slam your door in girls’ faces?” I scowl and pretend that I’m not reeling.
“Lea’s probably looking for us,” he says and opens the door and lets me pass through before he shuts it. He seems frustrated as we leave but I don’t know why.
“Where the hell have you been?” Lea looks at me and glares over my shoulder at Hayze.
“Talking, we missed the show? What a shame,” I say, grinning.
“Yeah… I’m not buying that,” she says. She wrinkles her nose and shakes her head at my excuse. I almost spill everything to her but Hayze’s hand touches the small of my back. The music has lowered, but he leans close to my ear.
“Want another drink?” He says in my ear. I nod and he starts to walk away.
Mike comes to our side. “How you feeling? Hayze gave you the hook-up?”
“What?” I look to him then Lea, who’s staring at him wide eyed.
“What the fuck did you say?” Hayze shoves him from behind. “Get the fuck away from her!”
Before Mike can react, Joel appears and stands between them. Mike looks to Joel, dumbfounded. “I don’t know what happened, man all I said was…” Mike starts but the thought trails off as Hayze jumps, Joel holds him back.
“Get the fuck out! Don’t bring him back to this apartment,” Hayze voice booms. “Actually, everyone just get the fuck out.”
“Come on, Taylor,” Lea says, she jerks my hand and pulls me in his bedroom.
“What just happened?” I ask. She closes the door, turns the lock and walks from the door. Her eyes hold min
e. The concern is evident as the shouting continues.
“Nothing, that guy was hitting on you. He was just being a dick.”
“Is he always like that? Hayze I mean…Is this normal for him?” I ask.
She looks to me; her expression is sad. “He can be. It kinda depends—Taylor, these are not my secrets to tell.”
She goes through his clothes and tosses me something to sleep in. I change quickly and crawl into the large comfortable bed. As I lie in his bed I hear his voice, not the calm, laid back sound I have grown accustomed to. I wince as glass crashes to the wall, but Lea doesn’t move or say a word. And now I know this happens often. I don’t know him at all.
six
The sky rumbled, threatening to open up before I make it to the dorm. My first round of tests passed in a breeze. Lea was right, freshman year is a complete blow off. I tighten the strap of my backpack as I pick up my speed.
The bottom falls out of the sky when I swing the dorm door open. After a hectic work weekend and a week jammed full of tests, I collapse on my small bed. I haven’t had time to think about everything that’s happened. I think that’s for the best. The road I was headed down wasn’t one that I need to be on right now. Not after the year I’ve had. I’m still pulling myself back up, the last thing I need to do is be drug back down.
The knock on the door is so faint, I almost don’t hear it. Hayze appears behind the door. He’s leaning on the door frame, I hold it open wide, letting him step around me. He walks in and sits on my bed.
“We, uh, haven’t really had the chance to talk since the other night,” he says. His right hand reaches to the back of his head, rubbing nervously.
“Yeah,” I sigh. I flop down beside him, our thighs touch briefly and I slide away from the contact. That’s the last thing you need. I remind myself.
“I could lie, I could give you excuses but I’m not,” he says. The spark in his eye is dim, and the dark lines under his eyes are back.
I touch his forearm for support. “What’s bothering you, Hayze?”
“Right now?” He asks, and I nod. “Right now I’m pissed at what you saw the other night. I knew what kind of people would be at that party and I took you anyway. And the way I acted… I know I’m an asshole, everyone around me knows that. But I don’t want you to see it, to witness it and I damn sure don’t ever want it directed at you.”
“You were taking up for me,” I remind him. As the corner of his lips quirk into a smile, I release my hand from his arm. “Better?”
“I would feel better if you’d let me take you out. Are you free tonight?”
I know I shouldn’t, but the hopeful look in his eyes makes me second guess myself. He’s obviously been beating himself up over what happened. Maybe I was overreacting; I have a tendency to do that. There’s no harm in going out with him, he’s been a good friend to me.
“I am,” I say. I tighten my ponytail and glance down at my clothes.
“You look perfect,” He says as if he’s reading my mind. He smiles and stands from the bed.
“You are sure? I mean I can put on Lea’s shorts or a dress.” I laugh as I point to the closet. The amusement vanishes from his face and his brows furrow together.
“Absolutely not,” he says, shaking his head.
His hand grabs mine to pull me from the bed. He doesn’t take it back like I expect. Instead, he entwines our fingers as we walk from my room. As we leave the building I find the rain has subsided, the sunlight bathes on the damp parking lot.
The East Texas humidity fills my lungs, suffocating me, and threatening to take my life at any moment as I walk to his Mustang. With each step I take I’m thankful I pulled my hair back this morning. Hayze opens the door for me and jogs over to his side. When his car comes to life he rolls the volume down, but I hum along to the tune.
“I can’t think of a song you don’t know, Aerosmith, really? You’re like eighteen,” he teases me.
“I like classic rock. I have an older brother. Well, two older brothers, but one doesn’t count,” I say and he smirks.
“Is it just you three?” He asks.
“Yeah, What about you? Any brothers or sisters?” I ask, not passing the opportunity to find out more about him.
“Yeah,” sighs, “Two half-brothers, one half-sister, we share the same dad.”
His blinker clicks, I look at the building in front of us. The taco house glows with neon lights, the heavy traffic of college students trek in and out of the building. He slides the car into a parking spot directly in front of the door.
Hayze steps to the bar and places our order. “Do you have your ID?” He asks in a hushed whisper. I fish through my purse and locate the laminated, rectangular card Lea gave me. Hayze hands it to the bearded guy at the counter.
I walk ahead of him and choose a table secluded in the back, Hayze slides the beers on the table and sits across from me. He takes a sip of the beer, and then runs his free hand over his face.
“You look tired,” I say. I drag my finger along the rim of my beer, shoving the salt inside. I take another drink, hoping my efforts make the drink taste better.
“I’m always tired.” He laughs once.
“You said you lived here all your life? Do your parents still live here?”
“My mom does,” he nods. He takes another swig of his beer and glances around the restaurant.
“Are you close to your brothers and sister?”
“My little brothers live in Colorado now. I don’t get to see them much. I guess you could say I’m pretty close to my sister. I see her every day.” He smirks and looks at me, his eyes are amused.
“Does she go to the university?” I take another sip of beer; the taste makes me grimace. I push it away from me and he laughs.
“She does,” he says. His eyes are almost patronizing.
“Well, do I know her?’ I urge, annoyed by his short, and clipped responses.
“You do,” he nods.
“Just freaking tell me!” I lean back in the booth and throw my hands up.
“Freaking?” He doesn’t bother hiding his smile as he teases me.
“Yeah, I’m trying to bring that word back.” I shrug my shoulders. “Don’t change the subject. Who’s your sister?” I point at him with narrow eyes.
“Only if you promise to stop using that foul language around me,” he sighs. “Okay, fine. Lea’s my sister.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” I shriek with wide eyes. Everything makes sense now. They both used the excuse as being old school mates but the more I hung out with them I knew it was deeper. At first I feared they had something going on and I tried to distance myself from him, but she always shoved me to him. Encouraging us to hang out and it all makes sense now.
“She doesn’t like telling people.” He shrugs his shoulders.
“Why?” I ask, confused.
The bearded guy stops in front of our table, reading our order off. I move my elbow as he slides a plate of tacos in front of me. When he walks off, I lean in closer to Hayze.
“She doesn’t get along with our dad,” he says and unwraps the silverware. He pushes the forks away and sets the napkin in his lap.
“Do you?”
His eyes snap up and I know I asked the wrong thing. “What’s up with the third degree?” He asks and his voice is harsh.
“Sorry,” I murmur.
He takes a bite of a taco and I fix my eyes in front of me. Despite the complaints from my stomach, I don’t have an appetite. I force a taco down before I toss my napkin on the plate.
“I was going to take you out but I’m tired as fuck. We can go back to my place and watch a movie, if you want? “I nod in agreement. He finishes his beer, then mine before we leave.
With a simple crossover, we are at his apartment. I glance in the hall and notice Joel’s door is closed. When I don’t see a light glowing from the bottom, my shoulders sag with relief and I walk over to Hayze. I’m reluctant, but relaxed.
“Her
e, pick something out,” Hayze says. He’s still quiet from the restaurant. I want to bring it up to apologize, but I don’t. Something about his dad set him off and I’m sure he doesn’t want me to know. I get that; I wouldn’t open my heart up to basically a stranger if they asked about my dad.
He tosses the remote and collapses in the middle of the couch. I sit and tuck my legs underneath me. I stop on the first movie I see and turn to ask Hayze if he’s watched it, but I find him slouched on the couch. With his eyes closed and his mouth slightly open as he takes evened breaths, he looks boyish, so much younger and without stress.
When he shifts his head slides in my lap, I jerk my hands from my lap. I look around the room and let out a long, shaky breath. Moments skip by and he hasn’t budged. I watch his shoulders rise and fall with each breath. My left hand falls to my thigh. With a mind of its own, my right hand pushes his head from his forehead. I run my finger through his sandy hair until he stirs. My phone dings with a text. Carefully, I dig my phone from my pocket. I find one new message from Lea asking where I am.
I smirk and send:At your brothers
She says:Which one?
I roll my eyes.Shut up. Come get me.
I slide my hands under his head, picking him up. I slide off the couch and walk away. I pull a pen and piece of paper from my purse and jot down a quick note with my number. I leave out the fact that I touched his hair like a freaking creep. I slip the note on the bar and walk out of the apartment to wait for Lea.
“I’m coming! I’mcoming!” I fire back at the persistent knocker. I open the door to find Hayze standing behind it, he lifts the note I left on his bar. He has switched his jeans for a pair of black athletic shorts.
“So, this is what it feels like to be left while you’re sleeping?” He points to the note, smirking. My jaw flies open. Honestly I don’t know why I’m surprised by what comes out of his mouth anymore. I should be used to it by now.
“You are such a pig!” Scowling, I cross my arms across my chest.
“Never said I wasn’t,” he says. He laughs and walks past me. He looks around the empty room, seeing Lea’s not here and lies on my bed.
Hazed (Hazed & Unfazed #1) Page 7