3. Chapter 3
June 25, 2011
5:38 pm
Jason cried as soon as Angie walked through the doors of the church. He eagerly took his bride’s hand, smiling so hard even Trey’s cheeks hurt. Trey had never seen a couple so in love with each other.
Angie glowed radiantly, her tanned skin complimenting the white gown she wore. Or was it ivory? Was that even a color? Women had specific names for colors that all looked the same. Trey couldn't keep up.
He caught a quick glimpse of Hailey sitting in the back row. She looked slightly older, and her brown hair now had blonde streaks that highlighted her features well. She smiled as the couple read their vows.
Trey couldn’t help but notice the young girl sitting next to her.
Did she have a daughter?
She looked just like Hailey. Aside from having jet-black hair, her bone structure and olive skin were that of her mother’s. Trey wasn’t ready for that punch in the gut, and he hated that he still felt something for the woman who broke his heart.
Yet, he felt a stab of betrayal as he envisioned her having a family with another man. There was a time when he had been the one whom she wanted to start a family with. However, he quickly noticed she wasn’t wearing a ring and was embarrassed by the sliver of hope he felt.
Trey now stood at the dessert table, filling his plate with random delicacies: a slice of pie, a few cookies, and some good ole’ apple dumplings. His stomach growled in anticipation of the sugar rush. He probably shouldn’t eat so many sweets, but it was better to stuff his face with calories than drown himself in liquor again.
He turned to walk away when he nearly crashed into a woman. She was petite, about a head shorter than he. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he drawled.
“That’s okay, I-” Her smile quickly faded, and her body became rigid as a ruby shade slowly dusted her cheeks. Her lips were pursed tight in a frown, not even attempting to hide her distaste.
Some things never change.
Trey’s breath caught in his throat, and he pulled at his collar, attempting to cool himself. “Hailey,” he stammered.
Trey chastised himself. Really? You haven’t seen her in thirteen years and all you can say is her name?
“Trey,” she spat.
“How are you?”
“Fine.” She quickly left and sat back down at her table, not bothering with dessert or a second glance his way.
The lady could seriously hold a grudge .
He knew things might be awkward with her coming back to town, but to still be so angry after all this time was a bit dramatic. But leave it to Hailey to be dramatic. She always had a flair for the theatrical, something he found both irritating and endearing.
Right now it was irritating.
Yet, he couldn't help but notice the way her dress hugged her hips as she walked away. Or the way her calf muscles contoured with every step of a heel. He pushed those thoughts from his mind. He didn’t dare think about anything else or he may need to leave early for a cold shower.
Sitting at the table with Hailey, the teenager glanced at Trey and raised a brow, eyeing him suspiciously. Trey guessed she was about twelve. After seeing her more closely, there was no doubt she was Hailey’s daughter. The girl even pouted like her mother: lips pushed down, and eyes narrowed. A look that could kill and had often made Trey wonder if Hailey was, in fact, plotting his death from time to time.
He thought about approaching them but knew it would only make things worse. Trey wished he and Hailey didn’t have to be at odds. Even though things ended badly, they shared many special moments together and he desperately wished they could have remained friends after she left.
Instead, Trey began walking back to his table to finish his plate of desserts, though now he seemed to have lost his appetite. He shoved the plate back and watched the crowd dance in excitement. Angie and Jason were making their rounds, thanking everyone for coming.
Though he was enjoying the wedded bliss of his friend, he couldn’t help but sneak glances at Hailey. She was still just as beautiful as she had always been. She threw her head back and laughed as an older woman chatted with her, probably about memories from her childhood.
He missed hearing her laugh. He also missed her sense of humor and her playfulness. Hell, he even missed her stubborn-ass attitude.
Sensing his gaze, Hailey met his eyes. But instead of looking away from him, she held his stare. He nodded to her and smiled. It was only then that she quickly looked away.
He cursed at himself for allowing her to still have some sort of hold on his heart. He hadn’t thought about her since the day she left. He didn’t want to start now.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true but he would pretend it was.
He dreaded going back to his quaint little bungalow later, where he knew he would spend the entire night wondering how to get rid of the image of the beautiful face that still haunted him.
Being back in Auburndale had unwanted memories flooding Hailey. Gosh, she hated it here and she hated that she had to bring Trinity with her. When Hailey moved away, she planned to never come back at all. And had it been for any reason other than Angie’s wedding, she wouldn’t have.
Of course, running into Trey had been the icing on a very bitter cake even though Hailey had prepared herself for it. What good that did.
She didn’t realize all of her anger and animosity would come rushing to the surface once she saw him. She knew they wouldn’t be friends, but she didn’t want there to be such dread either. Quite honestly, she had hoped to avoid him at all costs but obviously that plan had been thwarted.
Luckily, she’d be leaving town in a few days so stewing over her teenage love interest was pointless. If she hadn’t promised her stepmother they’d come for family dinner, she’d head back to Alabama tonight. But after that, she really wouldn't have any ties left to this awful town.
However, someone she hadn’t been prepared to see at the wedding was Ryan House. She’d nearly vomited at the sight of him, talking herself down from a panic attack as he smiled and waved to her. A chill raced down her spine as she recalled the violence that seeped from him, the evil that lurked behind his gray eyes.
“Momma, are you okay?”
Hailey snapped back to reality, meeting her daughter’s worried gaze. Though Trinity resembled her father more than she did Hailey, she had inherited Hailey’s piercing green eyes, along with her stubbornness, attitude, and piqued curiosity that seemed to bring about trouble just as it had for Hailey.
Her thirteen-year-old daughter was growing up quickly and Hailey found herself missing baby snuggles and toddler giggles. But those days had long disappeared and now stood a teenager, though she would always be Hailey’s little girl, her little ray of sunshine.
Hailey had given Trinity the same nickname Hailey had been given as a child, though Trinity brought new meaning to the name Hailey loathed.
She remembered the day Trinity was born. It had been a rainy day, a great boom of thunder announcing the arrival of the storm and her daughter. She had been in labor for nearly thirty hours when the nurse laid Trinity on her chest. When Hailey held her six-pound, four-ounce baby in her arms, she cried. She was holding a miracle in her arms.
After having just lost her mother, her sister, the love of her life, and the life she once knew, Hailey was no longer alone in this world. She had Trinity, and Trinity was the only thing Hailey would ever need. She had been Hailey’s ray of sunshine after her darkest days.
Not to mention she was a literal miracle.
Trinity shouldn’t even be alive after the attack Hailey had suffered. But here she was.
Hailey smiled and sighed. “I’m fine. There’s a lot of memories here that I don’t want to think about.”
Trinity lifted a brow and Hailey immediately regretted her answer.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
Trinity rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s a lie, but whatever.”
Hailey ignored the comment and watched as everyone danced, talked, and laughed. She knew most everyone here, small town living. Many people asked where she had disappeared to and why she hadn’t come back all these years. Others just stared at her, afraid to ask their nosy questions.
Every now and then, she would catch Trey staring at her. She hated that she still got butterflies despite the fact she didn’t want to have anything to do with him. They had planned a life together, claiming their undying love for one another, only for him to leave her.
She looked around the room and spied Ryan House walking toward her. Her stomach dropped and she hoped he would walk past her. For reasons unknown to her, he had hated her and Sara, but more specifically Hailey.
He would go out of his way to pick on her and, oftentimes, even torment her. When she was fifteen, he put a dead frog in her locker, its intestines hanging out. She had nearly vomited from the smell of decay.
The first time he had physically hurt her was at the Strawberry Festival where he had threatened her and attempted to drag her away, everyone turning a blind eye as he did, despite her cries for help. She had been terrified until Trey tackled Ryan and a fight broke out. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the worst of Hailey’s run-ins with him. A few months later, he tried to kill her…and almost succeeded.
To her dismay, he walked up to the table, drink in hand. He always smelled of whiskey and cigarettes. And he was always drunk.
His beard was thicker now and his hair a little longer. He wore a scar near his hairline, compliments of Hailey. She inwardly smiled to herself, satisfied to have left her own mark on him as he’d done to her. He was disheveled with his dress shirt halfway untucked and his gray eyes nearly turned black when he spied her; hatred always present when he looked at her.
“Hailey Gallagher. Didn’t think I’d see you again.” A dark smile tugged at his lips.
“Go away, Ryan.” She glanced at Trinity who perked up, noticing a shift in Hailey’s energy. She furrowed her brows as her eyes darted between Hailey and the stranger.
“What are you gonna do? Tell your daddy?” he mocked.
She stood, wanting to send a clear message that she was no longer afraid of him. “Go. Away,” she said through gritted teeth.
He stepped closer, getting in her face. A few guests glanced in their direction, both worried and curious about the exchange. She stepped back and he grabbed her upper arm, bringing her close, much like he had years ago.
She pushed against his chest, and as hard as she tried to fight it, her lungs tightened, and she felt a panic attack surfacing. He had done the same thing right before he had tried to kill her. She glanced at Trinity who was now standing, unsure of what to do.
Before Hailey could say anything, she heard a deep voice behind her. “Let her go.”
She turned to see Trey standing behind her, his jaw tight as he glared at Ryan. Duty or protection? She wasn’t sure, but she was glad he was there. Even after all this time, Trey still made her feel safe. She wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, so she refused to acknowledge it for fear of what feelings might reemerge if she spent too much time lingering on such thoughts.
Ryan exchanged a glance between Trey and Hailey. Trinity was fidgeting and her voice had gone up an octave. “Mom?” Her daughter’s eyes darted between Hailey and the two men, and then to the crowd that was now staring at them.
Angie quickly walked up to them, gathering her dress as she did, and gripped Ryan’s arm. Her southern accent was as thick and as sweet as honey as she whispered, “If you don’t disappear from my reception, I’ll have Chief Harbor here throw you in a jail cell.” She smiled, though they all knew she was anything but happy.
Ryan released Hailey’s arm and said to her, “If you stick around long enough, eventually Trey won't be around to protect you. Just like he wasn’t the night your Ma died.”
“Ryan!” Angie snapped.
Trey stepped between Ryan and Hailey, daring Ryan to throw the first punch. But Ryan threw his hands in the air and laughed as he sauntered off, amused by Trey’s reaction. He disappeared out the back door and Hailey prayed she would never see him again.
Her body involuntarily shivered. He would make good on his threat if given the chance. That much was clear, given that he promised the same thing the night of the festival and a few weeks later he came to collect. Trey hadn’t been with Hailey when her car broke down after their fight and she had almost died at Ryan’s hand because of it.
Trey turned to her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks.” She tried to steady her breathing as Trinity raced around the table and clung to her. Trey smiled at the girl but she didn’t return the gesture, suspicion still present in her hazel eyes.
“What was his problem?” Trinity demanded, her voice cracking. Hailey rubbed Trinity’s arms trying to calm her.
“He’s not a nice guy. That’s all you need to know.”
“Clearly,” Trinity said. Her daughter was not pleased with her response, but Hailey didn’t care. Despite her teen’s constant protests, Hailey wasn’t obligated to share everything with her daughter.
Thankfully, Angie interrupted. “God bless it, I hate that man. Always stirring up trouble. I told Jason I didn't want him here, but since he’s Jason’s cousin, his momma about had a conniption when I declined inviting him.” She rolled her eyes. “They’re not even blood-relatives. They’re related by some far-off uncle that’s been forty times removed, or some such bologna.”
Trey looked at Hailey, and Hailey smiled briefly before carrying on the conversation with Angie. She was thankful he intervened, but she still had no interest in talking to him.
After an awkward, lingering moment, he got the hint and quietly walked away. Her gaze followed him for a moment before she turned and responded to Angie. “It’s okay. I’m just glad I got to come back and see you on your big day.”
“I’ve been trying to break away from these guests to come see you!”
“Don’t worry about it, Ange. I know being a bride is the hardest job.” Hailey winked as they embraced each other. Hailey held her friend tight, not realizing how much she had missed her. Angie was the only person Hailey kept in contact with after she moved, but even those phone calls were seldom and sporadic.
“I’ve missed you so much!” Angie said as she sat down. She turned toward Trinity. “And this must be Trinity.”
Trinity smiled and went back to reading her book.
“Yup, that’s my girl.” Hailey beamed.
“I can’t believe how much she looks like you.”
Hailey was used to the comment, but she also knew how much Trinity looked like her father, something she was glad Angie didn’t disclose. All Trinity knew of her father was that he was from Auburndale and that he had broken Hailey’s heart. And Hailey planned to keep it that way.
She always told herself she’d tell Trinity about her father when she turned eighteen. Right now, she was too young to understand all that had happened between Hailey and Trey. Trinity simply wasn’t ready to hear the truth.
But maybe it was time. After all, they were back where it all began. A torrid love story, a princess and a knight in shining armor, a fairytale that many girls dream about…but it all ended in heartache.
Except Trinity. She was the only good thing to come out of that devastating summer.
But Hailey wasn’t ready to face her demons. So, Trinity’s father would remain in the shadows.
Angie leaned in, more serious than before. “Have you talked to your sister?”
Hailey was taken aback by the question, though she shouldn’t be since her sister had gotten out of prison two weeks ago.
“No, there’s not much to say,” she said curtly.
“I mean, I get there’s a lot to clear up between you two, but I’m surprised you feel that way.”
Angie was interrupted by a couple coming to say their goodbyes. Hailey waited patiently for them to walk away, hoping the interruption would cause a change in subject. Angie had always been known to talk about things at the worst time, a trait she clearly still possessed, unfortunately for Hailey.
“Anyway,” Angie continued, “I just can’t believe she ended up serving time. That video was proof she didn't do it. She literally had her alibi recorded and was still convicted?” Angie simply shook her head in disappointment.
Hailey furrowed her brows. “What video? The reason she was even a suspect is because she was found next to my mother’s dead body.”
Hailey couldn’t believe the audacity her friend had to bring up her mother’s death. Angie knew firsthand how distraught Hailey had been over her sister’s conviction, and even more so, her mother’s murder. Hailey had refused to discuss any of it during their few phone calls over the years. That Angie would bring it up the first time they saw each other in over a decade struck a chord with Hailey.
Aware of Hailey’s anger, Angie put her hands up. “I didn't mean to start a fuss. Really. I thought you knew all about it. I mean, I gave the video to you .”
“What video?” Hailey said, irritated by the turn of the conversation. This was the last thing she wanted to talk about.
Angie frowned and let out a sigh and Hailey immediately felt bad. “I’m sorry. This is still really hard for me to talk about.” Hailey calmed herself before saying, “What video are you talking about?”
“Remember the package I brought you a few days after your mother died? It was actually from Donna Sheldon. It was a video of her, Sara, and a few others at the time of the murder. It was time-stamped and everything. Donna thought it proved Sara didn’t do it.” Angie paused for a moment and shook her head. “When Sara was convicted, I just thought the judge tossed it.”
Hailey was bewildered.
Angie asked, “Do you really not know what I'm talking about? It was in a large box because Donna didn’t want anyone to know what it was. She labeled it with your name, and it had a bunch of packing peanuts in it…”
Hailey’s heart sank and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. A week after Morgan died, Angie dropped off a package to Hailey. She didn’t want visitors at the time so Genevieve, the family’s housekeeper, brought the box to Hailey. Except she never opened it. She didn’t care about the box or about Angie or people’s empty condolences. All she cared about was trying to figure out how to put back the pieces of her now-shattered life.
So she had shoved the box into her closet and forgot all about it.
She truly hadn’t cared about anything in the weeks and months after her mother died. She hardly ate or slept. She didn’t get out of bed unless it was necessary. She would simply stare at a spot on the wall for hours, wishing she were dead along with her mother.
Her whole life had changed that summer's night. Trey broke up with her after swearing to love her forever. Her mother was killed and Sara was arrested for the crime. Then Hailey herself danced with death. On top of that, she found out she was pregnant that morning.
After everything was said and done, Hailey wanted to run away and never come back. And she had done a pretty good job thus far.
Hailey took in a deep breath to try to steady her racing heart. Heat pricked her skin and she felt the desire to run away again. She tried to focus on what Angie was saying, but everything was muffled and the room slowly started to spin. She reached out and grasped the table to steady herself.
If what Angie said was true, Sara was wrongly convicted for their mother’s murder.
And for the last thirteen years, Hailey had the evidence that could have exonerated her.