Chapter 10
Hayleigh
What the hell are you doing, Hayleigh?
I’m following Nate’s car back to his place, and I can safely say this is not something I envisioned that I’d be doing tonight.
In fact, ever. I have spent the past three weeks trying my hardest to forget Nate Peterson and how sweet he was in Vegas.
I tried to ignore how he wanted to help and be friends, and it was working perfectly, until I opened that damned gift.
My mind wanders as I drive along after Nate.
I’d been on my own in the barn when I remembered that I brought it with me.
I sat on the dusty old sofa while the rain outside thrashed against the wooden barn walls, and parts of the roof leaked, but that all fell away when I held the neatly wrapped package in my hands.
My heart thumped wildly that day as the rush of excitement flooded through me. I tore at the paper, pieces falling to the floor, but I didn’t care, especially not when I saw what was underneath.
It was a scrapbook. A candid photo of me by the pool in Vegas was stuck to the front. Even now, my heart aches at the thought of Nate doing this for me, of him thinking about me.
In the front was the list he helped me create, a new list to erase the old one I had growing up, the one that led me to Pete.
Nate’s list was positive, and he only added things I wanted to do, not what he thought I needed.
Then there were the trinkets, the movie tickets, a napkin from the karaoke bar and the pressed cone flower from the botanical gardens.
I cried so hard that I couldn’t breathe because all I wanted was to fall into the dream of Nate Peterson, but I couldn’t because I’m not right in myself, and if I did that, I’d be doing it to make myself feel better.
So I went cold turkey, no contact, and I left him on read.
I was sure it worked, but boy was I wrong because Nate Peterson is as stubborn as-well, me.
I click the phone button in my car and ask it to call Emmy. She answers, giggling, and I groan. “Oh god, did I catch you two at a bad banging time?”
Emmy splutters out a laugh. “Hayleigh! No, you didn’t. What’s up?”
Fuck, I’m not ready to have this conversation, but I so need my friend right now.
Fuck it.
“Okay, so don’t be mad, but since I’ve been home from Vegas, I’ve been living out of the barn on my grandad's land, and somehow Nate found out, and now I’m driving in my car back to his place because he’s a stubborn idiot and won’t leave me alone.
” I finish what I’m saying without taking a breath, but there’s silence on the other line.
She sighs. “Hayleigh, why didn’t you come to me? We have room here…” She trails off, and I know she feels bad for me, but that’s the last thing I want.
I force a cheery tone. “It’s okay, I didn’t want to be back in that crappy house anyway, and I’ve found a few places that I like.
Plus, you’ve just gotten married, Em, and I know what you’re going to say, but please, for me, don’t.
I promise I’ll tell you everything, but right now, all I need to know is if I’m making a mistake-”
“You’re not making a mistake, sweetie, you’re doing something for you. Tomorrow, though, you’re going to explain yourself. Okay?”
I nod. “Okay. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I hang up.
We arrive at Nate's home, and I’m surprised to see it’s a townhouse similar to Lacey’s. We both park up, and I grab my bag from the backseat, but Nate takes it from me and hoists it over his shoulder before I can close my door.
“Thanks, Nate, but I can manage a bag.” I laugh off the gesture, even though butterflies are flying around in my stomach.
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. My mother would literally kill me if she knew you had to bring your own bags in.”
I laugh at that because May Peterson would definitely give her son an earful. “Who’s going to tell her?”
He stops and turns to look at me, brow raised.
“That woman has a sixth sense, Hayleigh.” I snigger at his serious tone.
He points to the house. “It’s three stories, the basement is Archie’s, then the living area and kitchen are on the ground floor, second floor or first, however you count it, is where I sleep, and where the spare bedroom is, and the third floor is our gym. ”
I roll my eyes and mutter. “Of course you have a gym, Mr Abs.”
Nate smirks, holding his hand to his ear. “Huh, did you say something?” My cheeks burn, and I quickly shake my head.
He opens the door and puts our bags down inside.
I don’t know what I expected this place to look like, but it wasn’t this.
Everything is so clean and modern. The living room is off to our right, the space open and airy.
The walls are bare brick where the fireplace is, and the TV hangs overhead with built-in cupboards on either side of the fireplace.
A U-shaped, cream couch sits in the centre of the area, and in front of it is a stunning coffee table.
It looks to be made from solid wood, with the grooves and grain standing out beneath the clear glass on top.
The kitchen is equally stunning, both modern and homely, with custom wooden sides that, no doubt, Nate made. I nudge his arm. “This place is beautiful. Did you make the coffee table and the kitchen sides?”
He gives me a shy nod as pink tinges his cheeks. “Yeah, I wanted it to look and feel like home but make it my own at the same time.”
“You did an outstanding job.”
He clears his throat. “Let’s go say hi to Arch, oh, uh, best take off your shoes, he’s a bit of a clean freak.”
I stifle a giggle and remove my shoes as we walk across the kitchen and through a door in the corner. Beyond that is a spiral staircase leading to the basement. “Wow, this is like descending into the bat cave.”
Nate laughs. “Jesus, don’t tell Archie that or he’ll fall in love with you.”
It’s a shame it isn’t you.
My God, I hate my brain at times.
Stop thinking inappropriate thoughts, Hayleigh, before you plummet to your death on these stairs.
When we reach the bottom, the open plan room is so light that it feels like you’re upstairs. The whole room is open plan, but it’s hard to take anything in because all I’m seeing is Archie, curled up on his sofa, a film playing while he sobs.
Forgetting I’m a guest, I rush over and yank him into a hug. “Hey, what’s wrong?” I look at the TV. It’s the movie All Dogs Go To Heaven. “Archie, why are you watching a sad cartoon?”
His eyes are red, and his mouth turns down as he shrugs. “I-uh-it’s something I do, have done since my biological parents died, it’s stupid…”
Sitting beside him, I rub his back. “It isn’t stupid, we watch things we’ve seen before because we know what the outcome is going to be. It's like a little boost of happiness, or in this case, sadness.”
He laughs at that before wiping away his tears and looking over at Nate. “Sorry for being a donny downer. What are you both doing here?”
Nate’s eyes widen, and he uncrosses his arms. “Well, I thought that maybe…” His brow creases as he looks at me. “Uh, Hayleigh could, possibly…we could help her to-”
Archie rolls his eyes, cutting off Nate’s ramblings. “Long way of saying Hayleigh’s having a sleepover, Nate.”
I blush at that. “I hope that’s okay, but if I’m…”
Archie levels me with a look. “Whether you like it or not, you’re family. Wanna watch the rest of this movie with me?”
“Yes.” I smile at him as Nate says the same time.
“No.” But then he shrugs. “Guess that means yes. Scoot up and pass me the popcorn.” Then suddenly I’m in a Peterson sandwich.
Have I died and gone to heaven?
**********
Turns out, watching cartoons between two hunky men makes me incredibly sleepy.
One minute, I was close to tears over Charlie the Alsatian, the next, I was opening my eyes to Nate carrying me upstairs without even breaking a sweat.
I tried to calm my racing heart and stay as still as I possibly could until he placed me on a bed before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.
I sit up gingerly and look around. The walls look like a light blue, but I can’t tell in the darkness.
The only light I have is the moonlight streaming through the window.
Sheer white curtains drape over the windows, there’s a vanity table to one side of the room, and the bed is a double with soft, satin covers.
Then a floral scent hits me as I move the pillows.
Perfume.
Is this where Nate brings his women? Nausea rolls through me, and a sickening feeling like jealousy burns deep in my gut.
I have to get out of here. Climbing off the bed, I look around for my things, but they must be downstairs. Tears burn behind my eyes, but that’s stupid. Nate isn’t mine, he never will be, and that’s fine because it isn’t what I wanted anyway.
Maybe.
Possibly.
I’m reaching for the doorknob when it swings open. I squeak out a surprised cry as the door stubs my toe, and I fall backwards, pain bursts behind my eyes, and the food I ate earlier churns in my stomach, threatening to make an appearance.
I try to sit up, but something is pushing me back down. I can’t see what or who because lights flash in my eyes, so I squeeze them shut. Then soft fingers are on my head, running through the strands of my hair.
“Shit. Hayleigh, can you move?”
Nate. I don’t want Nate. I don’t want to be in his shag pad.
He chuckles.
Fucking chuckles. The clown.
Nate lifts and places me on the satiny-soft bed; it dips beside me as he pulls me up. My head rests on his warm, hard chest. Then his fingers are back, searching through my hair.
Nate’s looking after me, and it makes me want to cry.
“Shh, don’t cry. You’ll be okay. You’re the strongest person I know.” Nate whispers in my ear, and for a horrified moment, I worry that I’ve been voicing my thoughts.
The chuckle that rumbles through him confirms that. Fuck. I test opening my eyes and thank fuck the knock to the head hasn’t sent me funny, but now the pain in my toe and head comes back full force.
“Do you want some painkillers?” Nate's voice rumbles through me, and even at a time like this, I could climb this man like a tree.
“Yes, please, and then I’ll get on my way…” I try to sit up, but his arms tighten like a vice.
“We’re not going over this again; you’re not going anywhere.”
I bristle. “I’m not staying in your-your…”
“My what?” His voice is laced with amusement.
“Your fucking shag pad.” He barks out a laugh, and I hit his chest with my free hand. “Stop shouting!”
“I’m sorry. This isn’t my shag pad, as you so nicely put it; this is the room my mum stays in when she visits.” Nate says as he gently brushes my hair back, sending tingles down my spine.
Oh. It’s May’s room. Heat rushes into my cheeks because, well, that makes sense. Of course, this isn’t a shag pad. Nate isn’t like that.
“She likes to stay over sometimes, to make sure we’re okay. Actually, you’re the first-uhm-the first woman I’ve brought here.” He stammers ever so slightly, but for some reason, the words soothe me.
“Oh. Okay.” Come on, say something else, idiot. “Not like it’s my business or anything…”
Not that!
“No, of course not…” His voice is low and unsure as he trails off. Is he sad?
“I mean, I’m glad it’s not a, you know, shag pad.”
“You are?” His lips twitch in the moonlight. I nod, and he looks down. “I’m glad you’re glad. I’ll get you something to drink and some painkillers.”
He leaves, and I close my eyes thinking of everything Nate is, of everything the entire Peterson family are. My family are nothing like them; they take what they want, and they don’t care who they hurt in the process. So it’s safe to say that I’m like that, too.
Aren’t I? What if I bring Nate down with me? I wring my hands as my heart rate spikes. I don’t want to hurt him.
Two years ago…
Another family gathering, another opportunity for my parents to tear me down.
I didn’t want to be here, but Pete insisted it was the right thing to do, and we had to make an appearance.
He told me he would stay by my side, but as soon as we arrived, he left in search of my father, leaving me to the clutches of Morgana.
She walks into the room where I’m currently in hiding, and she slowly looks me up and down before tutting. “You couldn’t have dressed a bit more presentable, Hayleigh?”
I force my eyes to stay where they are; rolling them will only make things worse. “Sorry, mother. I’ll remember for next time.”
She purses her lips and narrows her eyes. “So, have you set a date yet?”
My brow furrows. “I don’t know what you mean, mother. We aren’t engaged.”
She laughs, it’s high and trill as she places a hand on her heart. “Whoops. Cat’s out of the bag now.”
A sickening feeling rolls through me, but this is what I wanted; it’s part of my list, and Pete is better than most. He’s everything my parents wanted, and sure, he can be mean sometimes, but that’s only when he’s stressed. He always apologises and tells me he loves me. I could do worse.
My mother clicks her fingers in front of my face. “Honestly, Hayleigh. Your head is always in the clouds. Get it together and do not mess this up for us. This is a smart union.” With that, she waltzes out of the room without a care in the world.
Suddenly, that list feels more like a noose than a guide.
I snap out of my daydream when Nate peeks his head around the door. “Can I come back in?” I nod. “Here, a drink, a sandwich and some painkillers.”
“Thanks, Nate.” He nods and goes to leave, but I call his name. He stops and turns around to look at me. “I honestly am very grateful for all of this, and I promise to pay you back.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t need paying back, but I’ll settle for you letting me help you finish that list we started?”
Can I do that with him? My stomach churns as I twist the fabric of the sheets between my fingers.
I nod. “Deal.”
“Deal. Goodnight, Hayleigh.”
“Goodnight, Nate.”