Chapter Seventeen – Bradford #2
When I’m done adding to the list, I fold it up and put it in an envelope. I also pull out my credit card and slip that in there, too.
The next step is finding Hayden outside, wherever he is, and I go to do just that.
Hayden is trimming the bushes on the eastern side of the property, and as I approach him, I can’t help but notice how awkwardly he uses the trimming tool.
I’m no fool; it’s beyond clear to me he’s never used a tool like that before this week.
Someone who’s done groundskeeping for years wouldn’t be so clumsy when he uses the tools of the trade.
But it doesn’t matter. Not anymore. Like I said, as long as he doesn’t work for my father, I really don’t give a shit about who he truly works for. He seems to care about Kayla and her well-being, and right now that’s all that matters to me.
“Hayden,” I say his name loudly enough that he can hear me.
He stops trimming and turns to face me, holding the trimmer against his leg. His face is red and covered in sweat. He wipes his forehead with his sleeve and asks, “Yeah?”
“I think that’s good enough for now,” I say, referencing the bushes all around us. “Call it a day. I need you to run to the store to grab a few things for Kayla.” Pushing the envelope toward him, I wait for him to take it.
Hayden drops the trimmers to the grass below and takes the envelope, peering inside and seeing the list and my card. His eyebrows raise, and he shoots me a boyish half-grin as he asks, “I take it there’s no limit on this bad boy?” Bad boy meaning my credit card. What a weird thing to say.
“Why? Need to get a little something for yourself?”
He chuckles. “No, but thanks for the offer.”
I frown at him. “It was not an offer.” He’s always in such a good mood. I don’t know if it’s a mask or if that’s just how he really is. The only time I’ve ever seen him upset and serious is when he was taking care of Kayla’s leg and when he saw that bruise on her neck.
“So serious all the time. Doesn’t it get old?”
“No.”
Hayden sighs, then glances around me to the house. “How’s she doing in there?”
“She was sleeping at her desk when I came to her for the list. I didn’t wake her. I figured… she probably needs all the sleep she can get.”
“That can’t be too comfortable, but you’re right.” He closes the envelope, folds it, and sticks it in his back pocket. “Have you talked to her about it?” It meaning the bruise and her abuser’s identity.
I shake my head. I don’t want to tell him about the little chat Kayla and I had in my old room. It was easy to open up to her, but to this guy… he doesn’t need to know all that about my past. “No. I don’t think she’s ready.”
“She might not ever be ready.”
Isn’t that the truth? It took me how many years to say it out loud to someone else?
And even then, I didn’t tell her everything my father did to me.
She doesn’t know his favorite thing wasn’t his belt, but a whip he could really put all of his strength behind.
I still bear the scars of that blasted whip, though my father was always careful to keep the injuries to a place no one else would ever see.
Gym class way back when? A few bribes to the right people and I got out of it. Never had to change in front of anyone.
Hayden’s blue eyes shift back to me. “I still wouldn’t have ever pegged you as someone who’d give a shit about something like this. It might not mean much to you, but I’m glad you do. Means you’re not as cold-hearted as everyone thinks you are.”
To be cold-hearted, you have to have a heart.
For so long, I never would have described myself as someone with a heart.
It was easier to keep that thing locked away, to have it shut off to all emotions and everything that came with them.
I learned at a very young age that having any sort of heart was merely a weakness my father could exploit.
He’s apparently not finished. “What you did wasn’t right, but I don’t think you’re a bad guy.”
I don’t know what to say to him. As it is, it takes me entirely too long to mumble, “Just go, get everything on the list and whatever else you think she might need or like to have here. And pick up some food on the way back. Pizza or something.”
Hayden salutes me like he’s in the army and I’m his commanding officer. “Yes, sir!”
All I do is stare at him for a good five seconds before I walk away. I will not dignify that with an answer.
I’ve never had to take care of someone before, let alone an omega. Keeping her here over the weekend and the foreseeable future; I hope it’s the right thing to do. Hayden seems to agree with me in doing so, so that’s some form of comfort at least.
I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know if I’m truly helping her, but I hope so. I don’t want to do something wrong, and at the same time, I don’t want to act like everything is fine and she’s capable of taking care of herself wherever home may be.
These instincts, I’ve never had them before. They’re almost overwhelming.
I hope I’m doing the right thing.