Her expression softens and she smiles. “You’re not being selfish; you’re being protective. But I promise. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Okay. So how do I fill my time while you’re away?”
“Practice, practice, practice. I need you to make the Super Bowl because I’ve never been and I’ll be back by then. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” A smile tugs at my lips, and Hayley’s eyes widen in satisfaction. “Oh, yay.That worked.”
“It did.” I reluctantly smile again. “I promise I’ll get out of this funk while you’re gone. But it would help if you didn’t have a stalker.”
“You’re cute when you’re all pouty.” She tries to pinch my cheeks but I grab her arms, locking them by her side as I flip her onto the couch.
“Reed,” she squeals.
“Take it back.”
“Never.” She shakes her head as I tickle her waist, right below her rib cage. “Jesus. Oh my God. No. I’m not taking it back. You’re cute. Adorable. My golden boy. Do your worst.”
I continue to tickle her until she plays dirty, reaching between us to rub my cock.
“Christ.” I pull back instantly and Hayley cackles triumphantly, her chest heaving as she catches her breath.
“The fuck, Hayls.”
“I had to do something to make you stop.” She bounces her eyebrows.
“You could have just asked.”
“Oh. Yeah.” She stares up at me puzzled and I can’t help but chuckle. “I never thought of that. Sometimes I forget that with you, things really are that simple.”
My nose scrunches as I process that notion. “Ah. What—”
Hayley giggles as she cups my cheeks, gently this time. “That’s a good thing, Reed. Trust me. Relationships shouldn’t becomplicated. People should be who they say they're going to be, and with you…I’ve got that. I just forget sometimes.”
“What happened?” I ask, my eyes boring into hers, pleading with her to see that I’m here, to know that I’m always willing to listen.
“What do you mean?” She frowns but she knows—she’s just delaying her response.
“What made you so wary of relationships? You’ve talked about your exes, but it’s always in a joking way. You’re an incredibly strong woman, Hayls, and nothing will change that. But you don’t have to be strong with me.”
She sighs and wriggles out from under me, pushing me away before she sits up. Crossing her legs, she spins until she’s facing me, pausing before she speaks. “I don’t think I ever took myself seriously enough when it came to love. I always picked guys that were good for my image, or the ones I thought would be the most fun and adventurous. I guess, because of that, none of them treated me the way I’ve come to realize I deserve to be treated. I pity the man that comes after you, Reed. He’ll have a hell of a lot to live up to.”
She smiles softly and I force one in return, my stomach sinking. I should be happy about that. She deserves to be treated like a queen, and if I helped her to see that, I should be over the moon. But I’m not. And fuck—again...Why can’t I ever just be friends with a woman?Plenty of people do it.
Hayley changes the subject, and since she’s flying out early tomorrow, I head off shortly after, giving her some time to herself.
And the second I’m home, I crumble.
What the fuck is going on?
She’s supposed to be myfakegirlfriend because I have feelings for someone else, and yet, I haven’t so much as thought of Bria for the past few daysexceptwhen Hayley’s mentioned her.
I’m consumed by Hayley. Intrigued by everything she does. Desperate for more time with her. And that’s a bad place to be.
Her being away might be a good thing. It’ll give me a chance to sort my shit out. To get myself in a better headspace, ready for when she returns.
My part of the ruse may be over, but Hayley has a role to win, and I promised I’d be there for her. She’s going to get it. I have no doubt.
It’s time to get over whatever these feelings are.
I have a part to play. I can’t fuck it up.
