4. HAYDEN
4
HAYDEN
H ayden . . .
Hayden . . . sweetheart, wake up.
A feather-light touch wraps around my arm, shaking me gently. My eyes slowly open, squinting to adjust to the darkness in my room and the slender figure hovering above me, her face covered.
We have to go, she says softly, gently tugging my hands to help me detach myself from the rough linen sheets. Confusion clouds my mind as I step out of bed, my heart pounding in my chest. I glance back at the spot where I was lying moments ago, noticing that it has become stained with blood.
Whats. . . whats going on? My voice is smaller than I rememberquieter. I dont think she can hear me. I clear my throat as she continues to pull me through the doorway. She looks up and down the hall, her bare feet gently tapping on the tiles.
Where are we going?
Her grip tightens around my hands as we race down the stairs, and she doesnt look back. She doesnt look back, not when the heavy footsteps echo behind usnot when growls so animalistic that they make my stomach churn fill the airand not when his shadow looms over us as we approach the front door.
Tears fill my eyes before I can stop them as if I already know what will happen.
Merelda! He screams, his voice shaking the walls so violently that our portraits crash to the floor. My mother lunges towards the door, never once letting go of my hand, as I glance back at the figure behind us.
She reaches for the doorknob, but something stops her. She twists her head around so quickly that I can feel the breeze from her hair. I expect her to scream his name, but when I look up at her with my heart pulsating in my chest, swollen to the point where I think it will burst, shes looking at me in horror. And she releases my hand, dropping to her knees, never once breaking eye contactuntil she collapses on the floor.
Hayden, no!
Air forces its way into my lungs as I sit up in bed, gripping the sheets beneath me. I close my eyes as soon as they make contact with the sky outside my window, subtly brightening as the sun rises.
My body still trembles and worsens when a gust of cold breeze enters the room, but it does nothing for the sweat trickling down my body. I desperately try to banish the haunting images plaguing me during my sleep. But no amount of wishful thinking can erase the look on my mothers face from my mind. Nothing will scrub the blood off my hands.
With a heavy sigh, I know that rest wont come for the remainder of the morning. I find myself pushing my body to its limits within the confines of my gym. Ill sweat it outthe impatience, the angerIll burn through it.
When the sun is fully up, I shower and jog over to Jareds house before he leaves for work. Mr. Caddel lingers by his kitchen window with his wife snuggled on his arm. I offer a good morning and raise my hand to greet them both, to which they eagerly respond. If I go in, Ill be pulled into a conversation Im not interested in having right now.
I linger outside, my eyes darting to the silver Volkswagen Beetle parked in the driveway. I raise my hand and stare at my watch. Eight-thirty. Charlie wouldnt be caught dead being late for work. By 7:15, that woman is usually well on her way.
Jared emerges from the house, and so does she.
Even when the sun hides, Charlie brightens up just about any space. With her hair pulled into a messy bun, she struts down the stairs, clutching a duffle bag. She wears a pair of shorts that stop just below her ass and a tank top that reveals a hint of her stomachalong with a piercing on her navel.
A sharp throbbing erupts almost instantly from my pants, and I curse under my breath, swiftly adjusting myself so that her brother doesnt realize that I have a hard-on for his sister.
Good morning, she greets with a smile despite the tone of our previous conversation. Her walls are up again. I had gotten them down momentarily and almost caught myself giving in. Almost.
I left her in tears, though she tried to hide it, and the mere thought of her crying over me still makes me uneasy.
Charlie shouldnt be crying over any man, much less for someone as low as me. I see the way she looks at me still, and it scares the living shit out of me because its the same way I look at her. Longing .
She needs to stay away from me. Find a good man with proper values who can care for her in the way she deserves. She doesnt need a lowlife who has done things that would warrant a judge locking him up and throwing away the key.
I watch as she passes by, her hips swaying in those tight shorts and the familiar scent of vanilla and coconut enveloping my senses. It makes my mouth water as she puts on her sunglasses.
Where are you going? The question escapes my lips fasterand with a lot more sternness than I had imagined. But I cant care any less.
Her eyebrows raise as she unlocks Jareds car and throws her duffel bag in.
Excuse me?
Jared interrupts me as I open my mouth to persist. Charlie is going on vacation, Hayden, he clears his throat, forcing my gaze to him. Just for the weekend.
He has his hands on his hips and rocks back on his heels as if trying to tell me something.
Can she at least cover up while being a pawn in my plans?
I figured.
I point up at the sky. The gloominess hasnt subsided much over the past few days. Its going to be a cold day. Dont you think you should have a little more on?
I think . . . she drawls, leaning against her door and tapping her chin. Im a grown woman who can wear whatever she wants.
Charlie winks at me before waving to her brother and climbing in. Toodle Oo, guys! See you on Monday!
I scowl at the vehicle as it backs away and onto the road. Im not sure why it bothers me so much, but the unsettling feeling in my chest gnaws at me relentlessly.
Are you going to let your sister go out alone like that?
Dude, Charlie is a grown woman, he scoffs, folding his arms and leaning against the pillar. Even if I had anything to say, she would have told me to shove it.
I grumble under my breath, shaking off thoughts of her and focusing on the task at hand. Do you think you can complete all of this over the weekend?
Jared takes a deep breath and nods. I have a plan that will work much better than we initially discussed.
I stand in silence, placing a hand on my hip. At least thirty seconds pass, but Jared, being the doofus he is, does nothing but rock back and forth on his heels.
So? I ask impatiently, and he raises an eyebrow. Do I really have to ask you what the fucking plan is?
The less you know, the better.
My face falls flat just before I send a scowl his way. Jared can be the most helpful person youve ever met or a complete pain in the ass. Sometimes, you just have to choose your battles.
A lot is riding on this, Jared. I trust you, but if at any point you cant. . .
You worry too much, Hayden, he sighs, shaking his head. Ive got this covered. Ill let you know when its your time to take over. In the meantime, I need something in return for all the hard work that Im putting in.
I narrow my eyes into slits. And what is that?
You said it yourself: the weather is unstable, and Charlie is driving out there all alone . . .
No.
Hayden, all Im asking you to do is . . .
No.
You cant possibly say no after all of this. I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand across my face before placing it on my hips. Just follow herdont let her see you. Make sure she arrives safely at the cabin, and circle back. Its that simple.
I shake my head in irritation, wondering how I keep getting myself involved with Ms. Caddel. This is exactly what I dont need. I need to break this passion I have for herthis is not helpful! I guess its just following her, but just in case, I say Shes probably halfway across the city by now.
Then youd better hurry, he says, tapping my chest. Do you know the way to the cabin?