“I know, I just get caught up with school and work…”
She nods knowingly. “We’re planning a trip with Lea. Wanna come for a visit to Colorado for Christmas?” She beams at him, her eyes cast to me.
He looks at me. “We can talk about it later,” he says.
His face smoothes into a boyish grin when he spots the twins sitting on the couch, Chance is engrossed in his phone and Casey flips through channels. When Hayze crashes between them on the couch, Chance head snaps up and he studies Hayze.
“How’s it goin’?” Hayze asks. And just like that Chance grins and the tension eases.
“You realize you’re stuck with this family forever now, right?” Lea says, slipping behind me to watch them.
“Catch phrase anyone? Taylor?” Janelle opens a box and sets its contents on the table. Everyone crowds around and I look at them, confused.
“I have never played,” I say.
“Well now’s the time to play. Hayze isn’t playing and he’s an asshole,” Lea says.
“Lea can’t handle losing. And no one wants to be on her team because she sucks,” he fired back.
“He cheats,” she says.
“Okay girls, you two against Anna and me?” Janelle asks, ignoring their fight.
“Sounds good to me,” Lea beams.
I take my seat in between Anna and Janelle, Lea sits across the table from me. “Okay, so you are given a word and you have to explain it without using the word, or what it rhymes with, starts with, you get the point. If the buzzer goes off in your hand the other team gets the point and they get to guess your word,” Lea said.
“Kinda like charades?” I ask.
“Exactly! Except you don’t act it out and you can talk.”
“So, absolutely nothing like charades,” Hayze says, laughing. I shoot him a look and then turn around in my chair.
“And hold it until the buzzer is about to go off then pass it,” he says. He walks up and leans over the back of my chair. “Baby, do you want me to teach you the right way to play?”
Lea slaps him away. “Go away, cheater!”
I get the hang of it after the first game. Janelle and Anna were good and they beat us every single game. We called it a night after three games. Hayze was right, Lea sucks. And so do I. The parents turned in for the night and Lea took the opportunity to bust into the wine cabinet.
“Goodnight. It was nice to meet you, Taylor.” I turn and find Casey waving as he passes down the hall.
“Nice to meet you,” I reply with a smile.
“Goodnight, love you,” Lea says.
Lea turns her attention back to me. “I’m pretty surprised Hayze came out of the room earlier. What did he say?” She asks in a hushed whisper.
“He told me…everything.”
With wide eyes, she asked, “He did?”
“Well, almost everything. He told me about your brother and dad. He just still won’t tell me about that night I couldn’t find him,” I say, searching her face.
“I wouldn’t worry with that,” she says.
“Easy for you to say; it’s eating at me,” I tell her.
“Seriously, I think all of that has stopped. Don’t let it bother you.”
“You think it’s stopped?” I deadpan.
“Just don’t get hung up on little things. Think about all of the progress you two have made,” she says. She does have a point.
I chew my lip anxiously. I spot him on the couch, laughing and playing a video game with Chance. We have come a long way, even from this morning. We left, not knowing where we stood in a relationship and somehow throughout the night we admitted to falling for each other. The rest can wait. I know one day, when he’s ready, he’ll tell me.
“Yeah, I guess you are right,” I say.
“I’m turnin’ in, we’ve gotta leave early. I have to work in the morning,” Lea says. She tosses her glass back then sets it in the sink before walking to her room.
“Fuck this game!” Hayze says through laughter. Ruffling Chance’s hair, he stands and tosses the controller down. After a hug, Chance passes by me with a wave.
“Are you drunk?” Hayze asks, pointing to the empty wine bottle on the table.
“Oh, I had help with that. I have only had two glasses.”
“So you are drunk?” He laughs.
“Pretty much,” I say.
His hands slip around my waist. “I owe you a thanks.”
“What for?” I ask.
“I wouldn’t have come out of my room if it wasn’t for you. Hell, I wouldn’t have even been here.”
“I can’t think of any place I’d rather be,” I say. His grin is contagious. He nods to his room then makes a gesture that I’m positive he never made in this house before. My face heats, but I bite my bottom lip and go along with the game he’s playing.
“So, everyone’s asleep.”
“Noticed that, captain obvious,” I laugh, walking past him to his bedroom.
He catches me by the waist before I walk in his room. “You like to play games, do you?”
Giggling, “That depends on what you had in mind.”
When his lips find mine, he groans. “I will give you a hint, it’s not charades.”
thirteen
There’s something magical about campus in December. The tall timbers are decorated with lights, glowing through the windows of the dining hall. Tacky, metallic centerpieces fill the tables and the air is vibrant as students discuss their plans. I squeeze between the line and toss my purse on the seat. I slide decorations out of the way, listening to Lea babble on about the upcoming break. With finals behind me, I debate what to do with my open month.
Lea lifts her roll and tosses it, after smacking me in the face; it falls into my lap, leaving a greasy residue on my dress. “Earth to Taylor,” She says.
I toss it back to her, she swats it. “Really?” Yanking the napkin from the table, I dab the mess on my sweater dress. The brown, crochet material returns to its original state after countless swipes
She shrugs, “You weren’t paying attention. I had to. Are you finished with finals?”
“I finished yesterday,” I say, cutting my eyes at her.
She nods then pops a French fry in her mouth. “Are you going home over the break, or what?”
Sighing, I say, “At least for Christmas day.”
The seat beside me shifts as Hayze takes his place beside me. “I wanna meet your parents,” he chimes in. His dimples greet me with a genuine grin. The grey, long sleeved shirt brings out his eyes.
“You sure about that?” I ask, snapping out of my daydream.
“Yeah, why not,” he says. His face screws into confusion, like he can’t fathom the horror of my family holidays.
“Um, for starters my dad’s an asshole,” I remind him.
“He won’t say anything to me,” he says, confidently.
I twist my lips to the side, thinking. I knew as soon as the words tumbled from his mouth how that introduction would go. My mom wouldn't comment; she would sit back as my dad tore into me. But deep down she would love him. She would whisper thanks of my returning smile into his ear as he left. But I don't need her approval, nor do I need my dad’s. As I watch Hayze's eyes dance across my face, waiting for an answer, the need for their approval is long gone.
“If you want, but don't say I didn't warn you.” I say, then turned my attention to Lea. “When’s your flight?”
“Four, ugh, I’m leaving after lunch.”
“I’m so jealous. Take lots of pictures!”
“I will! I’ve never been to Colorado before and Anna said they live close to the ski lift! So what are you tellin’ your mom?”
“She just texted me again,” I say, pointing to my phone. “I guess she knows I’m ignoring her. I mean I guess I could handle a few days there. Maybe I can go tomorrow? That’s only,” I stop and count the days in my head, “Four days before Christmas. I could leave that night.”
“You would
probably survive that,” Lea laughs. “What are you two doing tonight?”
“Joel wanted to go to the cabin. There’s a couple four wheelers there and he’s swinging by his parents to get his. But now that I won’t see Taylor for a few days…” he says, he looks at me and shrugs. I frown, this is the first I’m hearing about this. I hope he just planned it and didn’t hide it from me.
“That sounds…dangerous. Oh my god, Hayze, what the hell are you going to do without us? Taylor and I will both be gone the entire Christmas break!”
“Um, I didn’t say that,” I tell her, needing her to calm down. The thought of staying with my parents for a day is frightening. She can’t imagine what that just did to me.
“Won’t be that long, I guess I’ll go to Taylor’s on Christmas Eve and stay the night…”
Lea and I both burst into laughter. “Did hell just freeze over? Taylor’s dad isn’t going to let you within a mile of that house when the sun goes down.”
I nod. “The only things that are open after dark are legs and the ER.”
“Shut up! He did not say that,” Lea howls with laughter. I shake my head, wishing it wasn’t true and she laughs even harder. It’s funny now but I didn’t find the humor in it when I repeated the words to the kids at school.
“I’ll just come Christmas day and we can ride back together?” He asks and I nod in agreement. “You okay with riding four wheelers at the cabin tonight?”
“Yeah, sounds fun!” I think.
“You two be careful, okay?” Lea’s eyes hold mine.
“We will, mom,” I tell her.
When we get back to the dorm Lea scoops up her carry on and hugs us as she leaves. Hayze helps me gather enough clothes to last while I visit my family then we go to his apartment. When we arrive Joel comes out of his room with two very blessed girls on his flank.
“When we goin’, man?” Joel asks.
“I’m riding down there in an hour to gas up before dark,” Hayze says.
“Alright, we’ll see ya down there. I’ve gotta go by my parents first. Is the cabin unlocked?”
“The key is under the mat, but don’t go in there and fuck around,” Hayze says, holding his gaze. Joel’s face lights with amusement.
“I won’t do anything you wouldn’t do,” Joel says, tantalizing Hayze as he opens the door for the girls. He winks at me and shuts the door behind him. I will never understand how the two of them started rooming together.
Hayze shakes his head as they leave. “My next roommate will sign a very detailed contract.”
I laugh, “What’s wrong?”
“That son of a bitch always has girls over here. He needs to do that shit at their place,” he says. He walks over to the kitchen and digs through the cabinet. He pulls out a whiskey jar and I cringe. My eyes never leave him, he pours more sweet and sour into a cup and sets it on the bar.
“What’s wrong with having them over?” I ask, smirking.
“We’ve been through this.”
“Do you guys go to the cabin a lot?” I sit on the couch, tuck my feet underneath me and watch Hayze make another drink.
“We used to, not so much anymore. And Chandler would come, too. I think he’s coming tonight.” He walks over and joins me on the couch, handing me the less strong drink and I thank him with a kiss.
“Have I met him?”
“No, he’s in the frat I was in…I got out of it but I still hang out with some of the guys,” he explains. I thought it would be us and Joel’s entourage. I didn’t consider that there would be more people. My stomach sinks.
“Who’s all going?”
“Chandler, Joel, those chicks he was with. I think that’s it.”
“Chandler isn’t bringing a slew of girls, is he?”
He laughs, “I’m sure he’ll be entertained.”
I nod even though I don’t know what that means. He stands, then disappears into the hallway and comes back minutes later with a backpack. He tosses it next to mine and steps back into the kitchen. “What do you want tonight? Wine? Whiskey?”
My face screws into disgust. “Hayze we are riding four wheelers tonight, should we drink?”
“I’m driving. You’re riding, drink enough for both of us.”
“I will be hung over when I see my family tomorrow, lovely. And you’ve already had a drink…”
“I have had one drink, stop insultin’ my manhood, woman. C’mon, we need to get down there before Joel fucks the place up,” he says, patting my thighs to get me up. Even though I protest, he grabs drinks and we leave the apartment.
Half an hour later Hayze is cleaning the dusty four wheelers in the shed behind the cabin. We’re nestled between the trees and lake. Birds chirp in the distance, leaves dance in the wind, and most importantly, cell service is nonexistent. Although I told my mom I would be home tomorrow, she still insists on giving me instructions. What to say to my dad, what not to say, what lies to tell. Each attempt to reach out to me has been ignored; tomorrow I will deal with them. I have no plans of lying to my dad this week, and when Hayze shows up, tattooed and different, I have a feeling I won’t be asked to come to another family function.
“Thought I heard something,” Hayze says, staring behind me.
I find a guy walking toward us with a beer in hand. He wears a heavy brown coat and he stops and tucks his jeans into his boots before walking further. Stray blonde hairs poke from his cap.
“Where’s Joel? He’s bringing Kassi and Jenny?”
“He had some chicks, I don’t know their names,” Hayze replies, shrugging.
He laughs, “And who are you? I’m Chandler.” He offers his hand; his mouth is curved into a charming, side grin.
“That’s Taylor,” Hayze says. There’s a warning in his slow response.
“Well, shit, you are not a myth. Good to meet ya,” Chandler says with a laugh.
Car doors slam, Chandler snakes his head around and grins. “Speak of the devil. Be right back,” he says, then turned and jogged toward the cabin.
The trio piles out of a large blue truck. The guys distance themselves from the truck, as Joel slips something to Chandler; I realize I’m undoubtedly starring at them.
“Babe?” I turn, finding Hayze watching me intently. “Drive one to the front.”
“Yeah, sure, what were they doing?” I ask.
“Looks like he’s about to unload the four-wheeler,” he says, sarcastically.
I turn around and find that he’s right. Chandler and Kassi are now leaning against the truck, limbs tangled in one another. Joel unloads the red four-wheeler he brought. Frustrated with his answer, I bring the four-wheeler to life and meet the others at the front. The voluptuous blondes walk toward me; they must stand a whole foot above me. Surprisingly, they each offer a hand and smile.
"I’m Kassi," the girl in the plaid says.
"Jenny," the other says. Kassi gives me a natural, easy going smile, leading me to believe we could be friends. Jenny, on the other hand, probably hasn’t heard the word natural since she was a child. Even in the overcast of clouds, her teeth sparkle as if the sun is shining in her mouth. Her boobs sit below her chin and probably each weigh more than I do. Although she’s nice in her own way, I can see why she’s with Joel.
"I’m Taylor," I tell them.
"Oh, we know," Kassi said, winking.
"Ladies, we ready?" Joel snakes his arm around Jenny's waist and tugs on her.
"Ready," they say in unison.
Hayze mixes me a drink in a red, plastic cup and hands it to me. He throws a leg over the seat and pats the space behind him.
"You sure you don't want me to drive?"
"I don't understand your sense of humor. Drink that down before you climb on." He shoots me a shit eating grin and I chug my drink until its only half way to the rim. The engines start up and I slide on the seat. My hands wrap around Hayze, hugging his middle. His fingers entwine in mine and he takes off.
"Let's hang back," he yells over the engine.
They fly in front of us, staying on the main trail through the woods. Hayze slows and turns off on another trail. I duck behind him, hiding from bugs and branches that slam into his arms.
“It’ll clear out in a minute,” he yells.
The four wheeler flies over a bump, sending us bouncing into a wider trail. He laughs as I shift back into place after slamming into him. Headlights approach us and our engine goes silent.
“We need music!” Kassi exclaims.
“Here, plug your phone in the cooler, it has an aux. Hayze, come here for a sec,” Joel says. Joel steps off the ATV and walks towards the woods.
“Be right back,” he tells me.
With a kiss on the check, he hops off and follows the two guys into the woods. When the speakers blare, Kassi hoots. Jenny stands on the seat, the lyrics flow from her mouth as her body rocks to the rhythm. Wishing Lea was here, I tighten my jacket and look away.
When the guys walk back, Jenny doesn’t sit down, instead she puts on a bigger show but Hayze doesn’t watch he stalks toward me with a grin. He slides on the seat, facing me, in a swift movement my legs are wrapped around his waist. His lips are on mine like he needs this kiss to breathe.
I push him away. “We’re in public.”
“Nah, we’re in the woods and I’m pretty sure my friends have seen a kiss before,” he says, smirking.
“Not like that,” I breathed. “I’ve never even seen one like that.”
“You want some privacy?” He asks as his lips find my neck.
“What…Hayze?”
“Have you ever fucked on a four-wheeler?” He laughs.
“Seriously, Hayze? What’s gotten into you? Why are you acting so weird?” My voice is hushed as I push off of him.
“If you two are done, we’d like to ride,” Joel yells. The group chuckles and my face heats. I lower my head and glare at Hayze.
“Looks like we are,” Hayze says. I know he’s joking but it makes me mad. He turns and starts the four-wheeler. I smile as we drive by the group, refusing to let them get a glimpse of my feelings.
“Slow down!” I yell over the engine.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
I groan in frustration and hold on tighter. Refusing to look up, I rest my forehead on his shoulder. We cut off on another trail; this one is wider with no rogue branches slamming into us. When we make it back to the main trail, I spot the red, tail lights of the two four-wheelers. As we approach I see that everyone is off and Jenny is sitting on the ground with her face in her hands.
Hazed (Hazed & Unfazed #1) Page 14