Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
Jaclyn
“Don’t forget to call your mom on Christmas. She’ll get pissed if you forget about her,” Calvin says as he helps me bring my bags to the front door.
Natalia, Chris, and Hayden should be here soon.
I managed to do well on my exams which is a relief because I was sweating bricks because of them. I’m not great when it comes to tests because I just always seem to have a hard time when it comes to that.
Calvin and my mom didn’t care much about letting me stay with Natalia and Hayden’s family for the holidays. Calvin was happy that I was making friends and going out more. My mom wasn’t that happy because she is used to spending Christmas with me but I felt like doing something different for a change. She understood eventually and let me go.
The doorbell rings, making me look at the door. I don’t know why I feel so nervous as I wipe the sweat off my palms on my sweatpants.
The drive to Utah is about 12 hours and we’re hoping to arrive there by dinner time. Natalia said that’s why we should leave super early so that we can get there in time for her mom’s cooking.
Calvin opens the door revealing Hayden. I can’t help but let my eyes roam down his body. He’s wearing a dark brown sweater and then gray sweatpants that make him look a little too good. He has the hood up on his sweater making him look restless.
“Hi,” I say with a small smile.
It’s been a week since I was at Natalia’s house for movie night. Hayden hasn’t said or done anything to me. He is keeping his space from me and I can’t help but wonder why.
I hate that I think I did something wrong even though he is the one that touched me and said how I am tempting and irresistible to him. In that moment he almost made me feel special and wanted.
But every time I would hang out with the group, he would kind of turn his shoulder and ignore me. It made me feel empty and like I didn't belong.
That little girl’s heart inside me, broke a little bit .
But I can’t just forget about how Hayden hates me and wants to make me hurt. He said that from the beginning.
But his actions towards me made me think otherwise.
It’s all so confusing.
“Hi,” he raises an eyebrow. “Ready?”
I’m about to nod but Calvin cuts me off and says, “I don’t think we've properly met. I’m Calvin, Jaclyn’s uncle.”
Hayden offered his hand to Calvin which he shook. “Hayden. I saw you at the hospital. Sorry for not properly introducing myself.”
Calvin shook his head. “It’s not a problem. So you guys are going up to your folks' house?”
“Yes. Going to stay there for the entire break,” Hayden replies.
“Well, make sure you take care of her. Don’t want her mom to cut my head off,” Calvin jokes with a laugh and Hayden smiles lightly while nodding his head.
“Calvin. It’s not-”
“Of course sir. I would never let anything happen to Jaclyn. I’ll take care of her.” Hayden’s eyes collide with me and there is so much heat in them that I feel my cheeks heat up from how he’s staring at me.
“Great. Well, I’ll let you guys head out. I know you have a long trip.” Calvin hands one of my bags to Hayden, which he takes .
I grab my other one and hug Calvin goodbye before walking out the front door with Hayden. I walk with Hayden to the car in silence. He opens the trunk to Natalia’s Range Rover. He motions me to give him my other bag which I do before going in the car.
“Hey, Jaclyn,” Chris says in a soft voice as I buckle my seatbelt.
I smile at him. “Hey.” I look in the passenger seat and see Natalia sleeping. Natalia is always up late so I’m not surprised she is sleeping right now. Especially since it’s six in the morning. “Are we all switching off driving?” I ask.
Hayden gets in the car as Chris says, “Only me and Hayden. You girls can sleep and do whatever the fuck you want.” Chris chuckles. “Are you excited?”
A nervous smile makes its way to my lips. “More nervous. I don’t know why.”
I see Hayden’s head turn from the corner of my eye.
Chris starts the car and says, “Why?”
“I don’t know. I’m always nervous about meeting parents.” I shrug.
“Alex and Carter are cool. You’ll like them. Super welcoming, especially Alex. She’ll try to feed you a lot. Every time I go over for holidays, I think I gain like ten pounds from Alex’s cooking.”
I can tell Chris likes Natalia and Hayden’s family a lot. I’m definitely less nervous from Chris’s reaction to them.
I can’t help but look at Hayden. He’s watching something on his phone, an MMA fight between two guys who are beating each other to a pulp. I notice Hayden’s jaw ticks and his eyebrows furrow while watching the fight play out.
A shiver goes down my spine. I look at what I brought with my in the car.
My phone, kindle, Beats, and then diabetic bag.
No sweater.
Damnit.
I don’t want to tell Chris to stop so I just won’t say anything.
I turn to my side, pulling my legs to my chest and lean against the door, turning my kindle on and starting to read the page where I left off.