Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Jaclyn
Past
The sound of my phone rings, waking me up. I turn in my bed and grab my phone. The time on my phone reads 5:06.
A picture of Hayden pops up on my phone as he calls. I answer and bring the phone to my ear, laying back down in my bed. “Hi,” I say before yawning.
“Hi, princess. Sorry for waking you,” Hayden says from the other side of the phone.
“It’s okay. What’s up? Is everything okay?”
“Yea. Everything’s fine. Get dressed and make sure to wear something comfortable like leggings and a sweater,” Hayden suggests.
“Why? It’s five in the morning and it's still dark outside,” I say before sitting up in my bed and rubbing my eyes.
“I know. But I told you we would be doing something today, right?”
I take my phone away from my ear and see the date.
March 22nd.
Yesterday was Hayden’s birthday. For his dinner, the group went to the diner and then after that Hayden dropped me off home.
He said that I had to go home if I wanted to get some sleep tonight and now I remember why.
Today is our one year anniversary.
Hayden and I have been dating for a year now and somehow it feels like we just met yesterday.
“You don’t just want to come to my bed and sleep?” I offer but Hayden just chuckles.
“No. I’d rather take you somewhere and we can just chill there. I’ll be there soon okay?”
“Okay.”
Hayden and I end the call so I get out of bed slowly and get ready.
I change into a pair of black leggings and a black zip up jacket with a tank top underneath. I brush out my hair and throw it in a ponytail.
My phone buzzes on my bed so I walk over and see a text from Hayden.
Come out, princess.
I stuff my phone in my pocket and grab my bag before leaving the house. I go down the driveway and see Hayden’s black Porsche parked in the front. Hayden is leaning against the door and as I walk closer he opens the passenger door.
I see a big bouquet of pink and white peonies. There is a red box labeled Cartier next to the bouquet.
My jaw drops and I look at Hayden who has a small smile on his face. Hayden almost looks shy as he watches me in complete awe of the flowers and gift.
I still have the tiara necklace from him since last Christmas. I don’t ever take it off and sometimes I see Hayden looking down at the necklace with a proud smile.
I mean, I got him a gift too but it wasn’t this extravagant.
Kind of.
“Hayden, you didn’t have to get me all this.” I smile up at him and he just grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him.
“I wanted to. Plus, you love it when I give you flowers.”
God I do.
I have a box full of small notes and flowers that he has given me over the past year. Sometimes he plucks random flowers from the grass and he gives me them. I think those flowers are the best.
“I know but you didn’t have to get me anything expensive.”
“I wanted to. Now get in. You can put the flowers in the back.” I put the flowers in the back seat with a big smile on my face and he grabs the box from me and stuffs it in his pocket.
I already have a feeling I know what's inside the box but I don’t say anything. Hayden gets inside the car and closes his door. Before he puts the car in drive I lean over to his side of the car and kiss him.
“Thank you, Hayden,” I mumble against his lips before he kisses me back passionately.
“Happy Anniversary,” he mumbles before he leans away and kisses my cheek. “I have to stop kissing you now or else I’ll start kissing you between your legs.”
“Hayden!” I squeal, my cheeks turning red.
“It's true,” Hayden says, before he starts driving and pulls out of my driveway.
Hayden drives for a good twenty to thirty minutes before he pulls over to the side of the road.
We go to the abandoned building all the time. Hayden says it’s our spot and whenever we need a break from the group or to hide away from Eric and all of the Marco bullshit, this is where we come.
I love this spot because this is where we can just be vulnerable with one another.
Hayden and I get to the building and he lays down the long blanket he always brings for us. I rest the other blankets and pillows on top of the blanket and then sit down.
Hayden sits next to me and he pulls me closer to him before turning my head to face his. He captures my lips, in a demanding and passionate way that steals my breath and makes me feel needy for him.
It stays romantic and sweet, our feelings seeping through the contact between him and me. His body heat is radiating onto mine making me feel much warmer than I was a few seconds ago. His touch is gentle but firm, drawing me closer to him.
His rough and demanding kisses always make me want to melt because I love the way he makes me think about nothing other than him.
I lean away from him a little. “I have something for you.”
“Me first,” Hayden says before bringing out the Cartier box. He gives it to me and I smile, taking it. I open the box and see a ring with a heart covered in diamonds.
“Hayden,” I whisper while staring at the ring in awe. This ring probably costs so much money and I hate how much money he always spends on me. He doesn’t always give me expensive gifts like this but when he does, he always goes all out. “You really-”
“I got this ring for you because I am going to marry you one day.” Hayden takes the box from me and grabs the ring from the box. “I don’t want to marry anyone else other than you. If I’m not marrying you, I’m not marrying anyone.” Hayden slides the ring on the ring finger of my right hand. “This is a promise ring if you can’t tell,” Hayden jokes and I smile at him completely and utterly in love and awe.
I look down at the ring and smile. “I love it so much.” I lean forward and kiss him on the lips lightly. “Thank you.”
“Anything,” Hayden mumbles against my lips, trying to deepen it but I move away from him to stop him.
“My turn.” I back away from him and take off my jacket. I lift up the side of my shirt and reveal the tattoo to him.
Hayden’s eyes darken with lust and he leans closer and places his hand on my ribs, lightly touching the tattoo. I flinch and suck in a breath, loving his touch on me.
“Jaclyn,” he says, not looking away from the tattoo. “Why did you get it?”
The tattoo is a small outline of boxing gloves with Hayden’s initials underneath.
“Because no matter what happens, I won’t ever forget you or be able to forget you. Whether we stay together, fight, or break up, I never want to forget you or how you made me feel,” I say with complete honesty. “Do you not like it?” I ask, worried about his reaction because he isn’t saying anything.
Hayden furrows his eyebrows and looks up at me. “God, no. I love it.” Hayden leans towards the tattoo and kisses the spot. “I wish I could have gotten one before you.”
“You want to get a tattoo for me?” I ask, pulling my shirt down.
“Yea. I’ve been wanting to get one.” Hayden nods his head and then he pulls me closer to him so that we are touching one another again.
“Of what?” I ask, smiling up at him.
“Maybe a crown or peonies. They just remind me of you.”
I can’t stop smiling or looking at him with love in my eyes because I genuinely am so in love with this boy that I know my heart is in so much trouble.
“I love you.”
Hayden leans down and presses his lips against mine. “I love you.”