Page 30 of Acceptance
He nods and smiles. “Sure, Hailey.”
When he turns to walk away, she reaches out to grab his wrist. Her arms wrap around him as he turns to face her, and she feels even more relief when his returns the gesture.
“I haven’t cried this much since my mom died,” she says with a chuckle.
Neither one makes a move to release the hug, and she just holds him. She misses him, and seeing him accompany Colt to help save her put a lot into perspective.
“You need to get some sleep,” Gavin whispers.
“How was Lindsey when you put her in there?”
“Shaking like a leaf, but she seems to know she’s safe.”
Nodding, she pulls back. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
“I’m always here, Hailey. I—”
“Tomorrow,” she interrupts. “Brain’s already half asleep.”
The sneaking suspicion he’s going to tell her he loves her again creeps into her mind, and the conversation that follows such an admission requires at least a few hours sleep. Maybe more.
“Tomorrow,” he agrees.
Opening the door, Lindsey knocks over the lamp as she tries to turn it on. “Who’s there?”
“It’s just me,” Hailey says and turns on the overhead light. “Hailey.”
She lets out a small sob. “Are you staying in here with me?”
“Is that okay?”
“I don’t want to be alone.”
Slipping quickly out of the ugly lingerie, she puts Colt’s shirt back on and pulls up the pair of shorts Felicity gave her. “Would it be weird to leave the light on?” she asks as she climbs onto the bed.
“I’d like that.”
“I’m not going back to school.”
Lindsey snakes her arm around Hailey’s, and she rests her head on Hailey’s shoulder. “I’m going to call my parents to come and get me. I don’t want to go back, either. I just hope they don’t get too upset about the money.”
“If it’s a problem, I’ll see if my family can help out.”
“Why’d you say you were an orphan? I mean, I’m really, really glad you’re not, but I don’t get it. They’re scary, but they seem to really care about you.”
“Because, technically, I am. Lex and Colt adopted Lucas, not me. They wanted to, but I’m stubborn. And an idiot.”
“I need to thank them tomorrow,” she says, her voice low as sleep takes over.
Yeah, so do I. Another big conversation to have. But first… sleep.
Chapter Eleven
Griffin’s Beach
Ashley
Ashley woke up later than normal after Grayson’s three in the morning phone call from Lex. He got up and got to work while Ashley fitfully tried to fall back asleep. Which she did. After two long hours.
