Chapter 3
Three
Jaclyn
Five Years Ago
For Thanksgiving, I’m at the Night’s with Hayden.
Last year I spent it with my mom but because I’ve been spending so much time with Hayden, he asked me to come with him. He told me his aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandparents are coming. When he was talking about them, he didn’t seem too happy.
He told me that coming with him would make him feel better.
Right now, I am making the mac and cheese because last time I made it for Hayden at my house, he fell in love. He told Alex about it and she demanded that I make it.
I’m not much of a good cook but I can make a good-ass mac and cheese, that’s for sure.
“I’m really happy you’re here,” Alex says from right next to me. She’s working on the yams. “Hayden has never brought someone home and you being here really makes him happy,” Alex says with a sad smile on her face.
“I’m happy I’m here too. Hayden makes me feel special and that’s all I could ask for.”
“You changed him. In so many good ways, Jaclyn, and I can’t help but be grateful for you.”
I smile at her and shrug because I have no clue what to say to that. “I’m just showing him my love.”
The past few months have been hard on us. Eric is following us around like a creep making me feel anxious and like there is someone constantly watching me in the shadows. I swear I sometimes see a man with a black hood following me. I don’t tell Hayden anything because I don’t want to worry him, especially since he started fighting again for Marco. He knows there is something wrong and how I feel anxious constantly but I don’t tell him anything.
It’s just a funk and it will go away.
“I just wanted to let you know. I appreciate you a lot and am very thankful to have you in Hayden’s life. He needs someone like you.” I smile at her before continuing the mac and cheese. Eventually we hear a door open and then the sound of a baby crying. “And there is my sister-in-law. Let me go get her so you can meet her and her family.” I nod and Alex walks away. When she comes back she is holding a baby in her arms and a woman and man follow behind her with two boys.
“Woah,” one of the boys says as he stares at me from across the room but next thing I know he is right next to me. “I’m John,” the boy says before grabbing my hand and kissing the back of it.
I laugh looking down at him. “Nice to meet you.”
“Jaclyn, this is Carter’s brother Jake and his wife Via. These are their three boys. The one next to you is John. He is a little flirt with everyone.”
“They’re just saying that.” John winks at me, still holding my hand.
“And then this little guy is Jax and that is Jared,” Alex says while holding baby Jax and looking over at the older boy who is Jared.
“Nice to meet you guys.” I smile from across the island. “I would shake your hand but it’s currently being held onto by John.”
“John, dude, let her go.” I hear a familiar voice walk through the kitchen and my eyes connect with his gray ones. “She isn’t into scrawny teenagers with acne.” Hayden grabs John’s shoulder and moves him away from me.
“Relax, Hayden. Don’t worry, I won’t steal your girl, yet.” John winks at me. “I’ll see you at dinner, cheri .” John leaves the kitchen as he smirks at me.
“Little fucker,” Hayden mutters making me look at him and glare.
“Be nice,” I mouth to Hayden and he just rolls his eyes and winks at me.
I blush and look down at the mac and cheese bowl.
I was supposed to be mixing the cheese together.
Jake, Via, Alex, and Jax all leave the kitchen. Alex says she’ll be back to finish up the yams after she catches up with Jake and Via and finds Carter.
“So you’re Hayden’s new girlfriend?” Jared sits on a stool in front of the island.
I furrow my eyebrows and look at Hayden who is now standing next to me. “New?”
“It’s been a while since we have seen Hayden. Last time I saw him, he was dating this other girl.”
“We weren’t even dating.” Hayden says before placing his hands on my hips and resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Then what do you call that kind of relationship?” Jared asks with a devious smile before looking at me.
“Fuck off,” Hayden says, his grip on my hips tighten.
Jared chuckles. “I’ll see you guys at dinner. Nice catching up Hayden.” Jared gets off the stool and walks away.
Before I can turn around and ask Hayden what that was about he kisses my shoulder and moves away from me to the other side of the kitchen where the turkey is marinating.
Eventually the turkey gets put in the oven and is the only thing we are waiting for.
The doorbell rings and Alex says it’s her parents.
I lick my lips and feel arms wrap around my torso. “Nervous?” Hayden asks in my ear.
I shrug. “Not really, I just want your grandparents to like me.”
“They will. I mean my grandpa is kind of a dick. But, who wouldn’t like you?” Hayden moves his lips to my ear. “Even that fucker John can’t stop staring at you.”
I turn my head to look at Hayden. “Are you jealous that your little cousin is going to steal me away from you?”
Hayden pushes me against the fridge. “No one is going to steal you away from me.” He whispers in my ear.
I laugh and try to push him away from me but he keeps his hold on me and tries to pinch my waist. “Stop,” I laugh, trying to push him away.
Hayden leans down and presses his lips to mine and I can’t help but smile into the kiss.
I can’t describe how much my heart is swelling up from him kissing me. He can do such simple things to make me happy.
“Okay guys! Let’s sit down at the table,” I hear Alex yell, making Hayden take his lips off mine with a soft groan that makes my legs feel weak. I hear footsteps and see Alex in the kitchen. She has a smile on her face while looking at Hayden and I, still against the fridge. “Can you check the turkey with your father, Hayden?” Hayden nods and then leans down to kiss my cheek. He lets go of me and walks towards the oven. I go to the dining room and sit down at one of the empty seats next to Natalia. There is another seat that’s open for Hayden next to me. Carter, Hayden, and Jake start bringing the food out while Alex takes pictures of everything like a proud mom. “Looks amazing, guys.”
When they're done Hayden sits down next to me and he pulls my chair closer to his, then rests his hand on my thigh making me blush.
Hayden smiles down at me. “It’s so easy to make you blush,” Hayden whispers before kissing my cheek.
“Shut up,” I say, trying my best not to smile too much.
It’s hard to explain how happy Hayden makes me. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so much in my life until I met him.
Carter stands from his seat. “Before we start eating I want to say how thankful I am to be sitting here, in this nice house with my family. I’ve always been one to dream big and I’m just grateful to have made it this far with the woman I fell in love with in high school,” Carter says before placing his hand on Alex’s cheek. I smile at the two because you can truly see how in love they are with one another. I look at Alex’s parents and see them having a stink face looking at Carter. I haven’t officially met them yet and I’m still nervous as hell. “Let’s eat.”
Carter sits down and everyone starts digging in.
“You look beautiful, princess,” Hayden whispers, making me look at him.
“You’re being so flirty tonight.”
“I can’t admire you?” Hayden smirks before looking down at my lips.
I laugh and shake my head lightly at him. I can’t focus on eating when he is like this. I have a feeling I’m going to find out how much he admires me tonight.
“So, how did you meet Natalia and Hayden, Jaclyn?” Jared asks from across the table.
I have a feeling he likes starting trouble.
“I met Natalia in my journalism class and Hayden at a diner I work at.”
Technically I met him when I was a teenager but he doesn’t need to know that story.
“Is Hayden doing well in school?” his grandmother asks.
All eyes are on me but I don’t know the answer to that. That’s Hayden’s business.
“I’m doing fine,” Hayden answers before I can.
“You like business?” his grandfather asks.
“I’m not really interested in that class,” Hayden states, while glaring at his grandfather.
“Well then, Hayden, what do you expect to be doing after college? You can’t rely on Carter and Alex’s money forever.”
“Papa!” Natalia gasps with her eyes wide.
Jared has an amused smile while watching it all go down.
I hold Hayden’s hand in my lap and he gives it three squeezes before saying. “I have told you and almost everyone I know that I don’t need his money. I’m fine.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“Dad, please,” Alex says with pleading eyes at her father.
“Alexandra, I’m trying to figure out how Hayden is going to make a living. Natalia has her life figured out. She is dating Chris who will be a football player and she will make an okay amount of money from journalism. She can do better but at least it’s something. What will Hayden do? He sure won’t have a job or someone to help support him other than you and Carter. I doubt this girl is going to be around for long.”
It’s quiet in the room. You could hear a pin drop. Hayden grips my hand hard as he refrains from lashing out.
Before Hayden can utter a word, Carter says, “Leave.”
Hayden’s grandfather looks at Carter. “Excuse me?”
“I said leave. I won’t let you disrespect Hayden like that or Jaclyn,” Carter says.
Hayden’s grandpa rolls his eyes. “Oh come on. I bet she is just one of those one-night-stands like you kids call it.”
My eyes go wide because this has never happened to me before and I have no clue how to react.
“The fuck did you just call her?” Hayden asks while glaring at his grandpa. “She’s far from that. What do you know? You don’t know shit about our relationship. Who do you think you are?”
“I won’t repeat myself Henry,” Carter states.
Hayden’s grandpa looks at Alex. “This is what your life has come to, Alexandra? An adoptive son and an asshole husband?”
“Dad, I think you should leave. What you said about Jaclyn isn't right and I don't agree,” Alex says before looking at me. “She is one of the sweetest girls I have met, and I think she is good for Hayden. They are in love and if Hayden is happy, then I am too. I know Carter is also happy along with Natalia so if you don't agree with this relationship or if you disrespect Hayden like that again then you won't be welcomed into our home anymore.”
“After everything he has done, you still forgive him?” Alex’s father points at Hayden.
“Yes, because he is my son. Now leave,” Alex demands.
“This is bullshit.” Hayden's grandfather stands from the table and tosses his utensils down before leaving the dining room.
His wife stands up and mutters an apology before following him. We hear the door open and slam before silence erupts throughout the table.
“I am sorry, Jaclyn. My father is usually not this bad. He can be very judgmental sometimes,” Alex apologizes with an embarrassed look on her face.
“Yeah, don't take what he says to heart. He is just a cranky old man,” Carter’s brother says.
I smile and nod my head at them. Hayden stands up from the table and leaves walking upstairs towards his room. My eyes follow him as leaves.
I want to go to him, but I don't want to be rude and leave the table.
“Go.” I turn my head to Natalia. “Go. He needs you.”
I don't waste another second before standing up and leaving the way Hayden left.
I walk upstairs towards his room and once I get closer and closer, I hear a lot of punching sounds making me run to his side of the hallway and open his door.
When I walk in, I don't see him but then I hear glass breaking from the bathroom.
I turn the corner and see glass everywhere on the floor.
Along with blood.
“Hayden,” I say, walking closer to him as he looks at himself in the mirror.
“Go away,” he mutters.
“No,” I wrap my arms around his waist and press my body against his back. “I am not leaving you.”
“You should. You'll only get hurt.”
“Then let me get hurt,” I whisper before he turns around, towering over me.
I put my hand on his jaw, softly stroking his jawline. “I don’t deserve you. After everything we’ve been through you’re still here. It feels like a dream being with you and I never want to wake up,” he admits, resting his forehead on mine. “I don’t want you to leave. I can lose everything and anything but not you. God, not you Jaclyn.” His lips go to my forehead, and he presses a soft kiss before letting out a shaky breath. “Please don’t leave me, Jaclyn. I’m a fuck up in so many ways and you’ve only seen a glimpse but you make everything go away when I’m with you. You should leave, but don’t. I need you to promise you won’t. No matter what.”
“No matter what, Hayden, I won’t leave you,” I promise, making it forever.