“Because…” she starts. “B-because…”
I snap my fingers. “See? You don’t even have a good excuse.”
“My relationship with Rae is on the line!” she shouts, waving her arms around like a madwoman.
“And whose fault is that? You’re the one who lied to her for years. You’re the one who broke her trust. You’re the one who kept life-changing secrets.”
She inhales a sharp, stuttering breath. I know I’ve fucked up. Those words Ireallyshould have chosen more carefully.
“Hales…”
She reaches out and turns the radio up high enough to rattle the contents of my cup holders. Sighing, I continue the drive to the airport, hoping she’ll have cooled off by the time we arrive.
Naturally, she doesn’t. As soon as I find a parking space (and grumble over how much overnight parking is), she flies out of the car. I take my time gathering myself and my miscellaneous gadgets: phone, iPad, charging cables, sunglasses. In the rearview mirror, I can see her impatiently standing at the back of the car, waiting for me to pop the trunk so she can grab her suitcase, which I’m sure she’ll then roll off with in a huff.
Finally, I pop the trunk and climb from the car with a forced smile. She’s pissed, and a part of me understands why, but I’m upset as well. I only wish she’d see where I’m coming from.
She huffs and puffs, trying to fish her luggage from the back, too bogged down with whatever it is she’s packed for our trip. I gently slide in next to her and ease the bag from her hands. She doesn’t object.
Once we’re both certain we have everything, we take off toward our designated meeting spot side by side. We’re about ten yards from the group when Haley does something I never in a million years expected.
She reaches out and laces her fingers in mine.
For the first time since we left her apartment today, I form a genuine smile.
“You’re right,” she says so quietly her lips barely move.
“It’s a gift of mine.”
It’s barely visible, but the corner of her mouth twitches. “You’re also a jackass.”
“Another gift of mine.” This time, shereallysmiles. I squeeze her hand and lean down to place a quick, gentle peck on her cheek. “Are you ready?”
Sucking in a large, brave breath, she straightens her shoulders. “As I’ll ever be.”
Hudson is the first to notice our joined hands as we approach. He raises a brow and nudges Rae. She spins in our direction, glances down to our hands, drops her mouth open, and then…
Says nothing.
And by says nothing, I meancompletelyignores us. Hudson curls his arm around his fiancée and they walk off for some privacy. I can see her shoulders are shaking from here. As Hudson bends down, I know he’s whispering encouraging words into her ear.
Tucker steps forward and claps me on the shoulder. “I knew it,” he says quietly. “I knew you were seeing someone.” He turns to Haley. “Hey, girl. Glad you could join us.”
“Thanks for the invite,” she responds politely.
Maura steps forward and waggles a finger at me. “You’re in trouble, mister.”
“I figured.”
“Is it worth it?”
I flash my eyes toward Tuck. “Was he?”
Her eyes light with understanding. More than anyone, she gets it. Sometimes you fall for people. Sometimes you fall for them behind the backs of other people. And sometimes, it’s worth all the hurt and pain you give out and endure.
“Well, I’ll be,” she murmurs. She gives Haley a quick smile and turns back to Tucker, reaching out to him for…I don’t know, support?
I nod to Dallas, Maura’s ex-roommate and newcomer to our little group, and try to do the same to Perry, but his eyes are glued to our joined hands.
