Chapter 20
Hayleigh
After Nate left, I stormed off upstairs like a petulant child and slammed my door for good measure. Screw Morgana and Frank Wallcroft, screw their posh house and old-fashioned views and definitely screw Bennington the Third. I throw my phone down on the bed and rake my fingers through my hair.
I don’t want to be here anymore. The thought of staying another minute fills me with so much rage, but then leaving Thea knocks me sick.
A knock sounds on the door; it isn’t going to be Morgana, she’d have thrown it open with dramatic flair and announced herself. Maybe It’s Thea. I hurry across the room and open it to find Bennington standing there.
He doesn’t ask; instead, he nods behind me and crosses the threshold. His voice is nasally and pompous. “Got a moment?”
I cross my arms as he stands before me. “Doesn’t look like I have much of a choice, does it?
He sneers. On the outside, he’s perfectly polished, and I guess he could be deemed attractive in some circles, but he’s too boyish for me, too prim. He steps closer, forcing me to step back. My back hits the wall next to the door.
He leans an arm against the wall, above my head, as he leans in close.
“I like a little fire in a woman, Hayleigh, but once you’re with me, you will not behave the way you did downstairs.
It’s embarrassing.” He stands up straight, his hands moving to the lapels of his dinner jacket, and the move reminds me of Pete as he drones on about something.
We were visiting his parents' house for a dinner party in honour of our engagement, and as usual, the women stayed in one room while the men gathered in another, talking business and drinking themselves stupid.
I wasn’t drinking anymore because Pete said that after the wedding, we could try for a family, and so I was doing everything I could to be healthy.
He promised to do the same, but as soon as the big boys retreated to his father's study, he grabbed a cigar and a tumbler of brandy. I asked him not to smoke the cigar; the smell was horrible, and he promised. His father laughed and told him a woman needed a firm hand if she didn’t bite her tongue.
My father laughed along with him and told Pete sometimes a woman needs more than a firm hand to keep her quiet.
I remember feeling sick to my stomach. Ashamed and embarrassed, but most of all, I felt hopeless.
The memory is so jarring that I raise a hand between Bennington and me, and he stops talking, giving me a strange look as his face turns a nasty shade of red.
He spits out. “How dare you?” He takes a step forward.
That’s when it hits me.
Nate’s words. ‘You just need to remember who you are.’
Something deep inside of me snaps.
I place my hands on my hips and cock my head. “How dare I?”
Bennington stops short, a look of confusion and…is that a flash of fear?
I step toward him until I’m right in his personal space. I have to look up, but that’s okay because I remember who I am.
I’m not Hayleigh, the victim of Pete Winters.
I’m not Hayleigh, the broken, black sheep daughter of wealthy parents who hate her.
I’m not Hayleigh, the beaten friend, and let down.
My hand flies out as I grab hold of his limp dick, squeezing tight before pulling as hard as I can. Bennington let’s out a garbled, high-pitched scream before dropping to his knees.
Grabbing hold of his hair and yanking his head back, getting close to his face, I whisper.
“I’m Hayleigh fucking Wallcroft, and I don’t take shit from little limp dick fuckers like you.
So remember this the next time your parents arrange your relationships and treat the next woman with some respect.
” I force his head away from me, and he scrambles up as fast as he can and struggles, limping out of my room.
Tears spring from my eyes, but for once they’re not tears of sadness.
They’re tears of release, from holding onto the shit that’s been dragging me down.
I’m nowhere near healed, but I’m getting there, and I know now that I don’t need to keep Nate at arm's length anymore. He’s been a constant source of support all this time, never asking more than I can give.
He’s shown me time and time again that I don’t have to be whole.
Because really, who is whole? We’re all a little broken.
We’re all Kintsugi.
I grab my holdall from underneath the bed, open it and throw my clothes into it. A smile blooms on my face because I’m finally going home. Another knock on the door has me whirling around to find Thea.
She gives me a small smile as she gestures towards the bed. “You’re going then.”
This is the part I was hoping wouldn’t happen. I hoped I had more time to convince her.
I walk over to her and grab her hands in mine. “I have my own home; it has a room there ready for you. All you have to do is come with me.”
She shakes her head, her eyes cast downwards. “I wish I could, but I’m not you, Hayleigh. I don’t think I have it in me.”
“Neither did I at first. We can do this, together.” I give her my best puppy dog eyes, and this at least drags a chuckle out of her.
“Make sure you keep in touch this time, I–I…uhm, love you. Very much.” She avoids eye contact, and because I know she hates it, I throw my arms around her and squeeze her tight. For a few moments, I think she’s going to throw me off her, but then her hand gently taps my back. It’s a start.
After Thea leaves, I finish gathering my things together and take one last look at my childhood room, and I feel…nothing. No twinges of sadness or longing, this place is only a room and holds no happy memories at all.
Carrying my things downstairs to the entryway, my mother waits, a cold look on her face as she stares through me, her mouth set in a firm line, and her hands clasped in front of her.
“Going somewhere?” Her voice drips with venom.
I don’t drop my bags; it isn’t like she’s going to hug me. Instead, smiling, I say. “Sure am. I’m going home.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I told you that you would be required to–”
I cut her off. “I’m not required to do shit, mother, I’m going. I’ll be back for the wedding.” I stride past her, but her voice halts me.
“You leave now and don’t bother ever coming back. We will cut you off, and you will not be welcome here any longer.”
Not long ago, those words would have had me backtracking and apologising.
Now?
Those words spur me on.
**********
The words may have spurred me on, but my car sure doesn’t.
It’s broken. Dead. Finito.
My head hits the steering wheel as I let out a groan.
I’m still an hour away from Roselake with no idea how I’m going to get back. My poor grand gesture seems like a dashed dream now.
My phone dings. I pick it up from the passenger seat. Archie!
Smuttybookfriend
I found a new read…hear me out…bear shifter
I burst out laughing, because that’s not where I thought Archie’s mind was at.
Me
Can we go for damsel-in-distress vibes, because I need the inspo?
Smuttybookfriend
*knight in shining armour gif* M’lady, how may I be of service?
Me
I’m coming home, only I’m an hour away, and my car died *sad face emoji*
Smuttybookfriend
That’s okay, Nate and I can swing by. Ping me your location
Me
Don’t tell Nate!
Me
I want it to be a surprise…
Smuttybookfriend
Say no more! I’ll send Rafe
Well, that’s not too bad, I guess. Time to dig into this bear shifter book that Archie’s sent me while I wait.
**********
‘I close my eyes, placing my hand over my mouth to quieten my sobs as heavy footsteps pad across the forest floor. For his size, he’s surprisingly nimble on his feet, but I don’t think he knows where I am.
He moves slowly past me, and I decide to make a run for it, but my foot gets caught on a branch sticking out from the floor, my arms windmilling around as I go flying through the air and straight into the path of the black bear…’
Banging on my window scares me half to death, so much so that my e-reader flies out of my hands. I turn to glare at the inconsiderate arse, and Ethan’s grumpy face stares back at me. He rolls his hand, gesturing at the window.
I haven’t spoken to Ethan since his jibe about me not being invited to Sunday Dinner at the Petersons all those months ago. So when I roll the window down, I can’t help but snip.
“Oh, joy, the miserable twin.”
He huffs out a breath. “Cute. Are you ready? I haven’t got all day.”
“What’s going to happen to my car?
“Rafe will get it towed to his garage. Now, out.”
Searching behind him, I cross my arms. “Rafe isn’t out there. Am I supposed to just leave my car in the middle of nowhere?”
He swipes a hand down his face. “He’s on a job and has the location. Now stop being annoying and get out of the goddamn car.”
Giving him the finger, I grab my things from the passenger seat and check my e-reader for damage, but luckily for Ethan, it’s fine. Opening my door, I step out as Ethan takes my bags out of my hands and gestures with a nod of his head towards his car.
Man of many words.
When he gets in, I say. “You know, we have an hour's journey home. Are you going to stay silent and brooding the whole time?”
He side eyes me before shaking his head. “I don’t brood.” He turns to face forward.
I mimic his words and shake my head. This is going to be a long drive.
Twenty minutes into the journey, Ethan switches off the music I put on.
Rude.
I make a popping sound with my mouth and look closely as his eye ticks. Stifling a giggle when I cluck my tongue, his knuckles whiten on the steering wheel.
I’m just about to make a whale noise when Ethan grinds out. “For the love of god, please stop making those ridiculous noises. You and my brother are perfect for each other.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me, but Ethan’s face doesn’t even twitch a little bit.
My smile drops, and so do my shoulders. “I know you don’t like me, Ethan, and that’s fine, but I’m not a bad person.
” I turn my head as my eyes follow the rolling night out of the window, a tear falling down my cheek.
Ethan shifts in his seat and clears his throat. “I don’t hate you.”
I snort. “Sure, could have fooled me.”
Ethan sighs. “I’ve never given you any reason to think I hate you.”
“You don’t smile when I say hello.”
He rolls his eyes. “I don’t smile at anyone.”
I point at him. “Ha. You told me I wasn’t invited to Sunday Dinner.”
His cheeks tinge a slight pink. “That was – I didn’t mean it, in the way you thought I meant it.”
I place a hand to my heart. “Ethan Peterson, was that an apology?”
His mouth twitches at the corner. “Don’t push it.”
I settle back in my seat, close my eyes and smile to myself.
**********
Drool trails down the side of my mouth, and I have to smack my chops a few times to get rid of it. Then I remember where I am.
I open one eye, squinting as Nate’s face fills my vision.
Oh God, this is mortifying.
I sit up and realise Ethan has brought me straight back to Nate and Archie’s home instead of to my own. I swipe my hands over my face, getting rid of any drool left around my mouth and place my hand in Nate’s open one.
He helps me out of the car and smiles down at me. “Hey, Shortcake.”
My voice is quiet as I say. “Hi.” I turn around but find Ethan’s already gone. “I did ask Ethan to take me to my house, I’m sorry if I’m intruding…”
When I turn back around to face Nate, he steps forward and bends at the waist, scooping me up in a fireman’s lift over one shoulder while lifting my bags with his free arm.
I squeal because this guy is ridiculously tall. “Nate! Put me down, I’m going to fall.”
He chuckles as he bands his arm around the backs of my thighs, dangerously close to where I’m heating up. “I’m not letting you go, Hayleigh.”
Something in his voice makes me think that he isn’t talking about letting me fall.