26. HAYLEY
Chapter twenty-six
HAYLEY
A day before…
"Hnngh." I roll to my side, adjusting the pillow under my head. A few seconds pass, and this time – I open my eyes. The familiar dark ceiling above my bed immediately greets me. I blink away the last traces of sleep, groaning softly once more as I roll to my side.
My hand absently taps the nightstand, searching for my phone. When I press the side button, the sudden burst of light makes me wince - it's much brighter than the dim room around me.
Squinting, I check the time. I'm fifteen minutes ahead of my alarm clock, which is a good start to the day. I sit up with a yawn, stretching my arms above my head.
That feeling of euphoria that hits you when you hit the right spot while yawning? Well, it just hits me. A contented grin spreads across my face as I put my arms down.
Finally, I muster the energy to get up and turn on the light. As I walk towards the bathroom, I realize that I’m feeling pretty happy. "Thank you, earth. Thank you. We are finally aligned," I mutter.
In the bathroom, I splash cold water on my face, the shock helping to wake me up even more. I quickly brush my teeth, and then I'm heading to the kitchen. I start the coffee machine and pop some bread into the toaster.
The early morning hours at the ranch are peaceful. Birds chirp from outside, and the soft sound of crickets creates a soothing backdrop. I lean against the kitchen counter, feeling relaxed as I decide to check my phone for any work-related messages.
There are none, but I find myself still fumbling with the device – alarm clock, wallpaper, calculator; you name it.
Well – to be honest, there's a reason for this.
Behind my seemingly calm exterior, my heart is racing – and I don't mean the racing heart due to the start of the new day. No, I'm silently going through a full-blown panic. Last night, in a moment of boldness (or perhaps madness), I sent Austin a text message telling him I miss him. Now, anxiety gnaws at me as I see his name hasn't popped up on the top of my screen since I sent that text. No reply.
I'm even more nervous about opening our message thread. If I do, I'll be able to see if he's read it or not. If he hasn't, I can tell myself he's just busy. But if he has...
"Gadzooks!" I squeal, burying my hot face in my arm. "What are you doing Hayley?" I groan.
The very thought of that possibility makes the knots in my stomach twist tighter. I'm so lost in my thoughts that when the toaster suddenly pops, I let out a startled shriek.
"It's just the toaster," I mutter to myself, shaking my head. "Get a grip, Hayley."
I set my phone down on the kitchen island as if it might protect me from my swirling thoughts. Walking to the plate rack, I select a dish and return to the toaster. As I reach for the first piece of bread, my fingertips are instantly scalded by the heat.
"Ouch!" I yelp, flicking my hand rapidly to cool it off.
More cautiously, I grab the second piece, managing to transfer it to the plate without further incident. As I spread jam on the bread, my mind wanders again.
"Austin gave me this jam," I murmur, then pause as I realize my thoughts have circled right back to where I've been trying not to go.
I take a bite of toast, savoring the sweet-tart flavor of the jam—just then, my phone pings with an incoming video call. Without thinking, I fly across the kitchen to grab it. My heart leaps as I see the foreign number on the screen. Could it be Austin?
Giddiness wells up inside me as I hurriedly adjust my hair. For a split second, I consider dashing back to my room to put on some lipstick, but what if the call drops? I can't risk missing it.
And what do I say – like, "Hello Austin-y, I yay!" I say aloud in a high-pitched nasal voice.
Pooh .
After one final hair check, I swipe to answer. "Hey-hi!" I say, a little too enthusiastically.
And yes, in the same nasal voice as earlier.
"Hayley!!!" Familiar voices and faces fill the screen, but they're not the one I was expecting. It's my parents.
"Hey, hi, Dad, Mom," I rush out, trying to mask my disappointment. On one hand, I'm genuinely happy to see their faces - it's been a while since we last spoke. But on the other hand, I thought it was Austin.
My mom's brow furrows slightly. "Is everything okay, honey? You looked a little stressed when you answered."
"Oh, no, it's fine," I assure her quickly. "Just the glare from the sun. It's pretty bright this morning." It's a weak excuse, considering the sun isn't even fully up yet, but they don't question it.
Dad chimes in. "We just wanted to check in. You won't believe where we are!"
"Where?" I ask, genuinely curious now.
Mom's face lights up. "Nepal! Oh, Hayley, you would absolutely love it here. The mountains, the culture - it's breathtaking."
As Mom launches into a detailed description of their travels, I can't help but notice Dad's expression. His eyes never leave Mom's face, a soft smile playing on his lips. There's such love and adoration in his gaze - it's the look I've grown up seeing, the kind of love I've always hoped to find for myself. And when I think back to the time when we almost lost the ranch, how my mom had stepped up, taking multiple jobs to help out… everything.
My heart aches a little but for a different reason now. Will I ever have my own person … someone who looks at me the way Dad looks at Mom?
"Well, we should probably get going," Dad says, breaking into my thoughts. "We've got a busy day ahead of us."
"Okay," I nod, pushing away my melancholy. "It’s great to see you both. Love you!"
"Love you too, sweetheart," they chorus before the call disconnects.
As the screen goes dark, I catch my reflection and sigh. I return to my abandoned toast, but now it feels like the driest thing I've ever eaten. "I need coffee," I mutter, pouring myself a steaming mug.
Just as I take my first sip, my actual alarm goes off. I groan, "Right, I need to get to work."
***
The day at work is hectic, to say the least. I barely have time to breathe, let alone take a lunch break. I survive on sweets and coffee, darting from one task to the next without pause.
By the time I clock out, I'm beyond exhausted and starving. All I can think about is getting home, taking a much-needed warm bath, making something quick to eat, and finally collapsing into bed. Just thinking about it is enough to make me melt.
I get into my car, making my way back to the ranch. And it’s a struggle. I have to keep widening my eyes to stay awake, stopping multiple times to stretch and ensure I'm awake enough to drive safely.
When I finally reach the cottage, I practically crawl up the steps. The temptation to face-plant onto my bed is strong, but my desire to feel clean is much stronger. After a blissfully hot shower, I change into my favorite duck-print pajamas and pad into the kitchen, a towel draped around my neck.
One look around the kitchen, and I know I'm definitely not cooking tonight. I simply don't have the energy. "Ugh," I groan, cursing my past self for not picking up food in town before making the drive back to the ranch.
The thought of going back into town is equally unappealing. With a defeated sigh, I pick up my phone, ready to order delivery. That's when I notice the missed calls.
Instantly, I tense up. The calls are from a foreign number, shortly after my morning chat with my parents. It could be Mom calling from a different phone, or...
My pulse quickens. What if it's Austin?
Gingerly, I perch on a kitchen stool, my heart racing so fast it feels like it might burst from my chest.
And no, I'm not joking.
My heart feels like it's working overtime.
With trembling fingers, I open our chat thread. My left eye twitches nervously as I check the last message - the one I sent last night.
Two blue ticks stare back at me, confirming my fears. He's read it. And he hasn't replied.
The silence feels deafening.
So, it wasn't Austin after all.
"Ha ha, I knew that," I laugh dryly, groaning as I realize how stupid I feel right now.
Looking around, I know I need to cool down. I need air. I need to move.
"A walk," I decide aloud. "I need to take a walk to clear my head."
I return to my room and grab a hoodie, slipping it on over my pajamas. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, I shove one hand into my pocket and open the door.
One.
Two.
Three –
I blink.
This is a dream – right ?
The sight in front of me makes my eyes widen to the size of saucers.
There, just a few feet away, stands Austin in the flesh. He's wearing a crisp blue shirt and tie, a big difference to the cowboy image I usually associate with him. His hair is slightly tousled, his tie loosened, and his sleeves rolled up.
Oh. My. Goodness!
Oh. My. Whoah!
The effect is... incredibly attractive.
I catch myself just before my jaw drops even further, managing to call out, "Austin?" I step onto the porch, my voice coming out in a squeak. "Your cousin said you'd be gone for another week."
He takes a step forward, his eyes never leaving mine. "You said you missed me," he replies, tilting his head slightly.
My heart is beating even faster – I didn't think that was possible in this moment, but here I am.
"I missed you too," Austin adds.
"Oh..." I breathe out, feeling my face turn completely red. I know I have said this before, but - my heart is pounding so hard I'm sure he must be able to hear it.
For a moment, we just stand there, gazing at each other. The air between us feels charged, filled with unspoken words and emotions.
Finally, Austin breaks the silence. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he says, gesturing at my pajamas.
I glance down at my duck-covered legs and let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, um, no. I was just... thinking about ordering dinner, actually."
"Dinner?" Austin's eyebrows rise. "It's nearly 10 PM, Hayley."
I blink in surprise. "Is it really? I guess I lost track of time at work."
He frowns slightly, concern evident in his expression. "Have you eaten anything today?"
"Does coffee count?" I joke weakly.
Austin shakes his head, before glancing down at his watch. "Can I come in?" he asks. "I don't have much time, but I couldn't... I couldn't stay away after your message."
I nod dumbly, stepping aside to let him pass.
"I can't believe you came all this way," I say, nervously tucking a stray hair behind my ear as I close the door. "What about what you had to do outside the country?"
"Work can wait, this was more important," he replies.
I take in a shaky breath as Austin spills his heart out.
I'm nervous.
Happy
Giddy
Cheesy…
It's like feeling all shades of happiness all at once.
I don't know where the burst of courage comes from, but I immediately step forward, my thoughts spilling out. "Austin," I say, taking a step toward him. "I've been thinking about you too. About us. And I-"
The loud sound of his ringing tone startles me a bit, causing me to pause.
Are you sure? It seems import-
"Trust me Hayley, nothing is more important than this."
'This man – he sure knows how to charm a woman without doing anything,' I think.
Ok, that's it – I'm letting my guts out. Before I can chicken out, I begin to speak. "I just, I feel the same way, Austin. When you were gone, I kept thinking about the moments we spent together. The way you make me feel…"
I don't stop, not even when he comes closer.
"And so, yes – I like you Austin," I confirm. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. And you could say we have a moment.
Everything is going well until his phone rings again.
"I have to take this," he apologizes.
I can't hear the details of the conversation, but I can tell something is wrong. He's probably leaving soon.
"Hayley I-"
"You have to go," I say, confirming what I already know.
He nods.
I feel my heart ache, already missing him even though he is here.
Call me crazy, whatever.
I close the distance between us. Before he can complete his sentence, I press a soft kiss on his cheek. "Go," I say, biting down on my inner cheek to stop from grinning like an idiot. "We'll talk when you get back. I promise."
Before he can reply, I run up the stairs, closing the door with a loud thud.
And then, I slowly slide down the wooden frame.
So am I… Am I Austin's girlfriend now?