“Hey,” he managed.
“You guys should head over to the pumpkin patch. My dad’s about to start another hay ride. And Cooper is over at the corn maze, taking tickets. He’ll let you in for free and probably give away the trick to get out, if you ask.”
“Thanks, we’ll do that,” Sam said. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to notice the stiff conversation, the awareness to keep their distance from each other, the forced smiles, so it was no wonder Missy picked up on it.
“Did you two have a fight or something?” she asked.
“No!” They said at the same time.
“Of course not,” Hadley said. “We don’t fight. We’re adults.” There was a harsh bite on the way she emphasized adults.
“If you say so,” Missy said. “I’m going to go look for Betty.” The last thing Sam wanted was to be left alone with Hadley, but Missy took off before he could follow. If he left now, it would look like he was avoiding her. He was, but he didn’t want to make it obvious.
“She’s getting so big,” Hadley said. “It’s like each time I see her she looks more and more like a woman and less like a little girl.”
“Tell me about it.” He rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to release the pressure that had been building since he’d laid eyes on Hadley. “Your hair is different.”
She ran a hand over the long blonde strands. “Figured it was time for a change.”
“I liked your hair the way it was.”
“It’s just hair.” Her tone wasn’t full of the light humor it usually was, and he hated that whatever was between them was lost. He wanted her back in his life. His life simply wasn’t his without her in it. He didn’t know how to go back, but he could try to move forward.
“It’s supposed to be a nice weekend. The weather seems to be holding out this year.”
“Can we not do this?” she asked, her voice almost hostile.
“Do what?”
“You trying to make small talk with me. It’s weird and not us. If you’re not comfortable talking with me anymore, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to stand here and endure it.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do here, Hads.”
“Nothing. You’re supposed to do nothing.”
“You know I can’t do that. If there’s a problem, I have to fix it. Tell me how to fix it.”
“You can’t fix this. At the end of the day, I’m still in love with you, and you can’t even bear to look at me anymore. The only thing that can fix this—fix us—is a time machine.”
She pushed passed him, but he wasn’t willing to let her go, not like this. He reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her back to him. Her slate blue eyes glistened in the midday sun, the dark rim softening in intensity.
“I miss you,” he admitted.
“You’re the one who disappeared for a month.”
“I did it for you.”
“Me?” She laughed. “Now if that isn’t the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard. You did it for yourself because you don’t like when you can’t control a situation. It’s why you never stick with a girl long enough to get to the point where feelings get involved. You refuse to be vulnerable. I know you, Sam. I know you better than anyone, which is why I know you’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“You are! Just admit it. What you had with me was safe. You had someone to hang out with, be your plus-one, be there when you needed to vent about whatever the hell was going on in your life, and at the end of the night you could go home with no strings attached because you would never cross that line with me. You used me.”
“That’s bullshit!” Anger ripped across the veins in his neck. His temper hung on by a strand as he glared into her eyes.
“Is it?” She met his stare with her own intensity, urging him toward an edge that would send him spiraling with no return. He held his ground, refusing to let her false accusations propel him to crash to the bottom. She was right about one thing—she knew him, and that meant she also knew how to push his buttons and call his bluff.
He wasn’t an idiot, and he knew what she was doing. She was using his fears and insecurities to make her point. Sam didn’t like to be accused of using anyone, whether it be the women he slept with or the people who helped him. Everyone he was involved with knew what they were getting from the get go, and he always paid his dues.
He stepped closer to Hadley until he could smell the cherry Chapstick she always wore, feel her accelerated breath against his cheek. “It’s bullshit and you know it, but if it makes you feel better then believe whatever the fuck you want.”
The ring around her eyes turned a deathly black as he backed away. It was in that moment he realized he didn’t want to fight with her. He wanted to wrap his hand around her waist and yank her hard against him, crash his lips to hers and taste her forbidden mouth, run his tongue along the long length of her neck to the hollow crease between her shoulder blades, and hear the tiny moans rumble up her throat as she lost control beneath his touch.
The realization caused him to stumble back.
Her death glare turned to concern as she looked him over. “Are you okay?” she asked, going to him as if they weren’t just at each other’s throats. Her hand rested on his arm, sending a jolt of heated desire racing through his body.
“Fine,” he said, his voice much gruffer than he’d anticipated. He cleared his throat and stepped out of her grip. “I’m fine. I should go find Missy.”
“O-okay.”
He went to go when Hadley called out to him. He hesitated for a moment, gathering the strength to turn back and look at her. “Yeah?” he said, turning and meeting her eyes.
“I miss you, too,” she said then hurried away.
Chapter 10
Sam pulled back into the station’s parking lot after finishing up a call for a fisherman who had fallen into the lake. Luckily, with the help of his crew and the state Fish and Game Officials, they were able to pull the man to safety. He was now at the hospital being treated for hypothermia. There never seemed to be a dull moment lately, and Sam loved every second of it. Plus, it was a great way to keep his mind occupied.
He got out of his SUV and headed into the station where his men were putting away equipment. “Great job today, boys,” he said, his voice carrying through the space.
“Just doing our job,” Miguel said as he slipped out of his jacket.
Sam gave him a nod and headed toward his office. He had a lot of paperwork to take care of before he could call it a day. While he preferred the action over the clerical work, it was still a big part of his job, and he took it very seriously.
He sat down behind his desk and turned his computer on. While he waited for it to load, he looked at the few pictures he had on his desk—one of him and Missy at her kindergarten graduation. He really needed to get an updated picture. There was one of him and Matt on the lake both holding beers and smiling at the camera. Then one of him with the entire Hayes’ clan at Matt and Shay’s wedding. His arm was draped over Hadley who looked fucking beautiful in that coral dress with her hair pulled out of her face.
Her mouth was open in mid-laugh because he had said something inappropriate, and he was looking at her with a satisfied smile. Whenever he got that loud, uncontrollable laughter to pour from her lips, he took it as a small victory.
He picked the picture up and brought it closer to him. He wasn’t just looking at her with a satisfied smile. No, there was something else there that he never noticed before—an invisible spark that brought him to life.
Sam heard Betty Hayes before he saw her. Her voice carried across the station with ease. He fumbled with the frame before placing it back in its rightful place.
“I know my way, boys,” Betty said. “Looking good, Miguel.”
Sam laughed at her playful tone. At eighty-one years young, she was still very much full of life, and that spunky attitude of hers that he always appreciated seemed to be shining bright today. A smile instantly f
ormed on Sam’s face as he pushed out from his desk and waited for Betty to approach.
“There’s my boy,” she said as she reached for his face and pulled him close. He gave her a kiss on the cheek before she pulled back, giving him a once over with her bright blue eyes.
“What do I owe the pleasure?” he asked, causing her to cock a perturbed eyebrow in his direction as if he shouldn’t have to ask.
“Haven’t seen you in so long, I was starting to think you kicked the bucket. Just stopping by to make sure I didn’t miss your funeral.”
“No such luck.” He laughed. “Still alive and kicking.”
“Then why haven’t you shown up to Sunday dinner in over a month?”
Ever since Matt had invited him to Sunday dinner when he was only eight years old, he’d become a part of that tradition as well as the family. Unfortunately, his schedule was making it impossible for him to get Sunday’s off. One of his guys was out with a broken leg and another was in North Carolina visiting his sick mom, so everyone else was pitching in extra shifts to cover for them.
Or at least that’s what he was telling himself. The truth was he was avoiding Hadley. In the beginning, it was because he didn’t know how to move forward from the massive bomb she’d dropped on him, but after the fall festival, after the way her touch made him crave her, he was avoiding her for the both of their sakes.
It was safer this way. If he didn’t put himself in the path of temptation then he could avoid it altogether.
“I’ve been busy with work,” he said, but by the unamused look on Betty’s face, he knew that answer wasn’t going to suffice.
“Don’t you think we’re all busy with work? Busting our booties at the festival, which by the way I think I saw you there all of one time, and you didn’t even bother to stop by and say hi to me. But that’s beside the point. Whether you got to work or not doesn’t mean we can’t take a couple hours for ourselves to see the ones we care about most.”
“I stopped by your house two Wednesdays ago before I picked my sister up from school.”
“Exactly. I could’ve been dead by now.”
“Betty,” he said, flashing her a smile. “We all know you’re going to outlive every one of us.”
“I wouldn’t put your money on it quite yet. I’ll be eighty-two in a couple months if you’ve forgotten. Maybe if you plan on it now, you can have that Sunday off and help me celebrate. I’m getting old, kid. I don’t know how many birthdays I have left in me.”
“What are you talking about? You’re still a spring chicken.”
“Don’t you try and charm me. Just tell me what I want to hear.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Good. Now that’s one Sunday. What about this one coming up?”
“Now you’re pushing it,” he joked.
“I would go over your head and talk to your boss, but too bad for me, you are the boss. So do whatever you have to do, and I’ll see you on Sunday. Carol’s making your favorite.”
“Bribing me with meatloaf? Now, that’s just playing dirty.”
“You know that’s how I work.” She winked then walked away. She stopped when she got to the door and turned back a huge damn smile on her face. “I better see you this Sunday or there’ll be hell to pay.”
Sam took a begrudged breath. He could try and make up some lame excuse, but that would only put Betty on a mission, and the last thing he needed was her snooping around into his personal business. The words clung to his throat, and he had to force them out with every fiber of his being. With no choice, he gave her a nod. “See you Sunday.”
Chapter 11
Hadley sat on the couch in the living room, her feet pulled up beneath her as Lady rested her head in Hadley’s lap. She ran a hand over the dog’s ear, using soft, calming strokes as they watched Matt, Mason, and Cooper try to put together a bookshelf their mother had bought that afternoon.
Cooper jumped right into the task, ignoring the directions and any semblance of a plan. Matt stood over him, telling him what he should be doing while Mason kept his cool as he read the directions. It was by far more entertaining than any TV show she had watched recently.
Kate plopped down on the couch next to her, careful not to spill her wine or the beer she was holding. “You know me and you could have this thing together in ten minutes.”
“Oh I know, but they don’t want my help, so here I sit and watch and judge.”
Kate laughed. “Sounds like fun.”
Hadley nodded to the two drinks in her hands. “Double fisting now. Grandma most be on the prowl.”
“She actually hasn’t asked me about having kids once in the past month. I think we might need to bring her to the doctor and get her checked out.” Kate held out the pint glass to her. “This is for you. Pumpkin ale straight from the growler Mason brought over.”
“Why thank you,” Hadley said, taking the glass from Kate.
“How you holding up?” Kate asked. Hadley had told her about Sam and how her plan had completely backfired. Confessing that she was in love with him didn’t go the way either of them had expected. Kate offered to go beat him up just like when they were kids, but Hadley told her it wasn’t necessary.
“He’s still avoiding me,” Hadley admitted.
“That’s because he’s a moron.”
“I can’t fault him for not feeling the same way as I do.”
“You can and you should. It’ll make you feel a thousand times better.”
Hadley took a sip of beer, wishing it were that simple. “It won’t.” She looked into the glass at the amber liquid before holding the glass up. “But this will.”
“Be careful or Matt will take your keys.”
“Lucky for me I can walk home.” Hadley lived a few streets over. For most people, they would consider it a far walk, but for her, it was one she was used to. There had been many days she’d left her truck at home and opted to walk to the farm. It was a great way to clear her head and kick-start her morning with a little extra exercise.
“Like he’ll let you walk home if you’re drunk. You’ll be squeezed into the back of his car with Lady and the baby while Matt lectures you on drinking too much.”
“That’s why I have you to drive me home,” Hadley said.
“Try again. Caleb and I took our bikes today.”
“Damn you. It’s fine; I wasn’t planning on drinking a lot anyway.” Hadley liked to throw back a beer or two but was never big on drinking more than she could handle. Getting drunk wasn’t something she enjoyed and usually avoided it at all costs.
“Sam, you made it!” Betty’s voice travelled across the living room, and Hadley froze in place. Her stomach dipped, and she sucked in an unexpected gasp.
Sam hadn’t been to Sunday night dinner since her confession. Maybe he was finally ready to put everything behind them.
She took a healthy sip of her beer ignoring Kate’s stare.
“Do you want to leave?” Kate asked. “I can tell everyone you have a headache.”
Kate would always have her back no matter what, and she would lie until her face turned blue if Hadley asked her to, but it was time to stop hiding from the inevitable. Sam was a part of this family, and she couldn’t avoid him forever. If he could make the effort to be here, then she sure as hell could make the effort to stay.
“Thanks, but I think I’m good.”
Kate rested a hand on Hadley’s knee and gave it a squeeze. “Are you sure? Because I can come up with something better. Tell Sam you have another date. That seemed to ruffle his feathers last time.”
Hadley laughed. “I appreciate it, but it’s okay. I’m okay.” She met Kate’s unconvinced gaze. “I am. Promise.”
“Let me know if you change your mind.”
Hadley’s eyes drifted to the door where Matt met Sam and gave him a quick hug. According to Shay, Sam had been by their house at least once a week since that dreaded night, so he obviously still had time for social calls and became
blaringly obvious that he really was just avoiding her.
It hurt to think that the one person she could always call on for anything was the one who hurt her. All she wanted was to go back to the way things were. She wasn’t lying when she said she missed him. She missed him more than anything, and it killed her inside knowing he was purposely evading her.
She thought she would feel free once she let him know the truth, but in the end, all she felt was empty. She was able to live her life keeping her feelings to herself, and if she knew the truth would’ve put a wedge between them, she would have gladly held onto her secret for as long as she lived.
Looking at him across the room, it became too much for her to handle. She forced a smile and excused herself, finding refuge in the bathroom. She stared in the mirror and took a deep breath, trying to get herself together. If just looking at him caused her to fall apart, she could only imagine what would happen if he actually spoke to her.
“You’re stronger than this,” she said to her reflection. “Get it together.”
She splashed some water on her face, letting the cool liquid calm her rattled nerves. She patted her face dry and fixed her hair before finding the strength and the courage to go back out there. With a deep breath, she opened the door and almost slammed right into him.
He grabbed her shoulders, stopping a major collision. His eyes turned down to her and concern etched his features. “Are you okay? You look upset.”
She tried to ignore the strong feel of his hands against her arms and the heat that radiated off of him in strong waves that wrapped around her. And most of all she tried to ignore the fact that his eyes were a vibrant shade of blue today and matched his shirt.
“I’m fine,” she said through a fake smile.
“No, you’re not.” He grabbed her wrist and yanked her into the bathroom, shutting the door behind them.
Hung Up on Hadley (Red Maple Falls, #5) Page 7