Chapter Six Hayden
CHAPTER SIX
HAYDEN
C hristian, Garrett, and I found a spot at the resort bar as we waited for the women to return. The leather booths were covered in Christmas lights, and an evergreen scent filled the air. If I were someone who cared about the holidays as much as the Calhouns, I’d say it was magical. Intoxicating, even, with how the cheery music in the background went with the classy decorations. Presents were everywhere. Probably fake, but they were expertly wrapped. Families and couples lined the bar, bright red and green mugs steaming in their hands. Was it hot chocolate or whiskey? Why did I want both?
My skin tightened with unease as Christian slid into a booth. It was rare that I had a moment like this, where I was responsible for only myself. I didn’t know how to relax like Christian and Garrett. They were laughing, not giving a single shit about anything.
They were worried about Charlotte—that was clear—but besides that? They were so carefree. I stopped being that way when I learned about Gwen. I wouldn’t trade her for the entire world, but it was tough to turn back into the old me. Even now, I tried not to stress about everything I needed to do with my parents moving, but failed. The pre-dad me was buried deep, hibernating, unwilling to come out.
Christian must’ve sensed my mood, and he nudged my knee with his. “My man, there are no frowns on my trip. You figure your shit out and be fun.”
“Yes, that’s how normal people operate, Chrissy.” Garrett rolled his eyes. “He’s worried about Charlotte. Once she’s back, he’ll cheer up. Am I right?”
My gaze slid to Garrett, his knowing smirk grating every single one of my nerves. Was he hinting at something? No, this was more than a hint. Did she tell him what happened all those years ago? No, there was no way. Unless they grew closer, and no one told me. The thought of them together caused a hurricane of emotions, all bad ones, to swirl under my skin. Garrett wasn’t good enough for her. Not even a little bit.
“Okay, good.” Christian sobered, his face tight. “Penny texted that Charlotte’s doing fine. No concussion, just a bruise and a cut. They’ll be back soon. No need to stress, okay? Charmander is tough.”
“Yeah. She’s all attitude and muscles.” Garrett winked at me. “The second you realize she’s my dream girl, I’m going after her.”
Christian stilled, his eyes turning to slits. “No.”
“She’s grown up now, bro. She can make her own choices. She doesn’t need her older brother to make them for her.” Garrett played with fire. The group daredevil, he arched his fingers so they were together like a villain as he leaned back in his chair. “Hayden agrees with me.”
Well, fuck.
I shrugged. “Char can make her own decisions, but I agree, if she chose Garrett for any reason, she’s not well.”
“If I go to jail for beating his ass, can you bail me out?” Christian held out his fist, and I hit it.
“Yup.”
It was our continual joke. Since Gwen arrived, we knew I’d never be the one to get arrested, but before fatherhood, we had a back-and-forth thing going. It was all in fun, but I had a feeling this time he wasn’t kidding. The way Garrett spoke about his women, how much of a bachelor he was, there was no fucking way Christian would be cool with him getting together with his sister.
I’m nothing like him. I shook the thought away. I might not be a womanizer like Garrett, but I still couldn’t offer Charlotte what she deserved, no matter how much I wanted her. Instead I’d find other ways to support her, any way I could. Like this interview she never told me about. “Hey, you never told me Char was going for a head coaching job.”
“Oh yeah.” Christian scoffed. “It’s in two weeks—right before our wedding!”
It still stung that she chose not to tell me—an assistant coach of a D1 college baseball team. Guilt ate me up inside out because I knew it was my fault. I had pushed her away and made it impossible for us to be friends. I hated that. Gripping a Christmas tree coaster left on the table, I tore the paper into pieces to keep my fingers busy.
“She sent me her résumé and vision for the team. She nailed it.” Garrett sighed and rubbed his hands on top of the table. “Y’all like busting my balls, but one of my many talents is copyediting. I do freelance jobs, and Charlotte sends me stuff from time to time. She helps me out with things. We’re friends. Why are you both staring at me like that?”
What things did she help him out with? I thought she disliked Garrett? When did they become closer? Did she move on from me and to her brother’s other best friend?
Why did my chest ache? I scratched it, willing the dull pain to disappear.
“How long has this been going on?” Christian asked, his voice steady. “What things does she help you with?”
Great fucking question.
Garrett smirked. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I don’t like this. Charlotte didn’t tell me anything.”
“Didn’t tell you what?” Charlotte asked, appearing right behind the booth.
She had pulled her hair up into a bun, but some curls escaped around her temples. There was a bandage on her forehead, but other than that, she looked beautiful. Her jeans hugged her thick legs, and her holiday sweater pulled tight against her chest, but it was her smile that did me in. She was back to happy Charlotte, my favorite version.
“You and G have a thing?” Christian asked, his eyebrows disappearing into his hairline. “What is this?”
“Oh.” She laughed, her gaze softening at the player. She moved to sit on Garrett’s chair arm, like she had done it a million times before. She looked comfortable with him, and he with her. He grinned at me, almost like a taunt, and he rubbed her lower back. She smiled down at him, the two of them sharing an inside joke that made me see red, and not the fun Christmas kind.
“I’m volunteering in her journalism class to show I’m mature and giving back to the community.”
“Yeah, and it has nothing to do with you hitting on my friend who happens to teach English across the hall.” Charlotte rolled her eyes, the gesture so much like her brother.
“Hey, Christian, can I talk to you for a quick second?” Penny asked, her brows pulling together. Her voice sounded meek for her, like something was wrong.
Char frowned, her gaze seeking mine with the same concern.
“Sure, babe.” Christian hit the table, and the two of them left the seating area. It was rare to see both of them without a smile, and judging by Charlotte’s continual assault of her bottom lip, she was worried too.
“Is everything okay with them?” she asked, pulling the sleeves of her sweater over her hands. She always loved doing that. Gwen did too. It made me smile.
“Probably. Shit.” Garrett stared down at his phone, sighing. “I have to take this. It won’t be more than a few minutes. It’s my boss. I took today off, damn it. Would one of you order me another coffee?”
I nodded, watching him walk away. That left Char and me, and her energy was almost tangible. “Penny for your thoughts.”
She stared down the hallway, the worry leaving her face. “I’m thirsty. I’m fantasizing about a delicious holiday cocktail.”
“You almost had to live in your car forever. I think you deserve a drink.”
She slid her gaze to me, her lips quirking. “Look at you joking. Humor looks good on you, Hop.”
Warmth spread through me at her compliment. “My treat. Let’s get you a Candy Cane Sex on a Beach.”
“That is so not a drink.” She chuckled as she stood.
I followed her toward the bar. The only spot free was toward the right, near the hall Penny and Christian had escaped to. She leaned over the copper top, humming a holiday song as she read the drink names. “These are absolutely ridiculous.”
“A gingerbread old-fashioned sounds divine.” She licked her lips and wiggled her brows like a cartoon character. “I’ll take one, please,” she said to the bartender.
“I think you may be—”
“Shh!” She held a finger to my mouth, her head tilted to hear better. It took a second, but then I heard it too. Penny and Christian.
“I don’t want to do this anymore,” Penny said, her voice shaking.
“We have to. You know why.”
“I don’t anymore. It’s… Christian, is this even what we want?”
“Fuck.” Christian groaned. “Makes me want to cancel the entire thing.”
Charlotte’s body tensed. My stomach bottomed out. Cancel the entire thing?
The wedding?
Shit.
Their voices faded down the hall, the sounds inaudible. Charlotte gripped the edge of the bar, her face pale. “Hayden.”
I blew a breath, working my jaw to relieve the tension that had built up. Overhearing them wasn’t good. Not at all. “Maybe it’s not what we think.”
She laughed, a horrible, sad sound. “It sounds like they want to cancel the wedding.”
I nodded, torn at what to do. There was no world where Penny and Christian didn’t end up together, and it seemed crazy to me that this had even happened. The bartender returned with Charlotte’s drink, and she took a large gulp before glancing at me with wild eyes. I knew that look. She had an idea.
“We can save this, somehow.”
“How do you envision that happening?”
“They are Christmas fiends! I’m sure Penny has a plan, and we just… do whatever they ask.”
“Honey.” I eyed her, clearing my throat and correcting myself. “Charlotte, you can’t ski after the accident. You going skiing won’t save whatever it is they are working through.”
She opened her mouth, but just then Penny and Christian returned. They looked relatively normal. Penny’s eyes were a little red, and Christian’s stance wasn’t as relaxed as it usually was. I nodded at him, aware of Charlotte’s gaping. “You good?”
“Yeah, just some wedding stuff.”
Penny’s smile was stiff. Then she blinked, and her usual joy was back. “Once you get your drinks, come to the table. Our agendas are officially ready to be announced!”
“The secret agenda you wouldn’t share with any of us?” Charlotte asked, her voice a little strained. Besides that, no one would know she was stressed.
“Yup. I’ve been waiting years for this moment.” The decorations had to reflect in her eyes because, for a moment, it spooked me. Penny’s eyes almost glowed red and green. If anyone would be the embodiment of Christmas, it would be her.
I laid down some cash and motioned for everyone to return to the table. “Here, go ahead. You take the chair,” I said softly to Charlotte.
“Thanks, Hayden,” she said. I breathed in her vanilla perfume, my body going taut. She smelled the same as she always did, a delicious, intoxicating scent.
Garrett returned, sitting in the plush lounge chair, leaving the rocking chair open.
“Okay, Pen, what’s the plan?” Charlotte asked.
Penny shared a look with Christian, her face pinching before she smiled. If I hadn’t heard their argument earlier, I never would’ve seen the tension, but now it was worrying me.
She set a stack of papers on the center of the table. “I knew what it meant marrying into the Calhoun family. Christmas is a way of life, and instead of running to the South Pole, I embraced it.”
“Yeah, you did, sexy Mrs. Claus,” Garrett said, earning a smack from Christian.
“We have three days up here, two nights, to go Holiday Hog Wild.”
“What does that even mean?” Charlotte asked.
I nodded, wanting to know the same damn thing.
“Here is your Calhoun-Nolan pre-wedding weekend agenda. We have activities every day, with the mornings for your skiing pleasure. Or if you’re Char, then spa and rest.”
“You’re my favorite,” Charlotte said.
“Now,” Penny said, lowering her voice, “tonight is the scavenger hunt, the Lost Days of Christmas. We can enter as a team, and the winning team gets gift cards!”
“And a trophy. Don’t forget the trophy, babe.” Christian urged her on. “We need that trophy.”
The same tight look returned to her face before she masked it. “Right, the trophy. Now, this might seem silly to some.”
“You mean, to everyone but you two lovebirds,” Garrett said.
“Well, fine. But I want to impress my future in-laws, okay? They are Mother and Father Christmas, and it’d be awesome to show them we won this competition.”
“Pen, they love you. We all love you. With or without a ring, you’re still a Calhoun.” Charlotte reached over and patted her hand with a contemplative look entering her eyes. “We will win this thing, or we burn it down.”
“That’s my competitive sister.” Christian’s eyes flashed. “We win this for Penny.”
Everyone put their hands in the middle, waiting for me to finish the team cheer. I did it, fighting a smile. This was utterly ridiculous. The wildest thing I’d done in years. My hand was on top of Charlotte’s, her focus on me as she nodded. I understood her. We had to win this thing for Christian and Penny. I’d do anything for my best friend and anything for Charlotte. It was an easy decision to let myself go for the holiday extravaganza.
“Now that we know Char is okay, we can ski or board for the next few hours. I have a holiday drink happy hour scheduled for us at five. Then a quick dinner before the games start at seven. Any questions?” Penny looked like a tree right now, all lit up.
“No, ma’am, we’re gonna have a hell of a time.” I pounded the table. “Go, team!”
Charlotte burst out laughing, her eyes seeking mine. Her gaze warmed. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Holiday spirit?”
“No, no way.” She grinned, her dimples popping out. “It’s more than that.”
“Maybe it’s the drink.”
“Or maybe, it’s the—” she said.
“You coming or what?” Garrett interrupted her, pointing at me.
“I’m not skiing this afternoon. I’ll go in the morning with you. Take off, have fun, break one leg, but not two.”
“Dick.” He laughed and hit my shoulder. “Charlie baby, find me under a mistletoe later.”
“We’ll see how I’m feeling.”
He blew her a kiss, making her laugh. Seeing her dimples, the way she tossed her head back, and the pure joy on her face punched me in the gut.
When was the last time I made her laugh like that? Made her chuckle with her whole body? I used to. When we were teenagers and hung out all the time, we’d laugh together often. I missed it. It was as if my body refused to remember how much I liked her when I wasn’t around her, but the second I was? All restraint was forgotten.
“He’s a goon. I should dislike everything about him, but I think, because I know his heart, I can’t let him go.” She sighed, shaking her head. Her eyes always gave her away, and she looked at Garrett with a softness I wasn’t used to seeing. They had grown closer the last three years.
I rubbed my eyebrow and took a deep breath, steeling myself up for a big ask. “Can we talk, just you and me?”