Chapter 19
HAYES
Hayes gripped the steering wheel as he drove out of Hickory Falls. He hated to leave without talking to Tessa in person, but when his brother had called, he had to leave right away.
Hayes’s older brother, Randy, used to live in Hickory Falls but had taken a job as a professor at a small college two hours away.
Apparently, he had been trying to fix his gutters when he fell from the ladder, breaking his arm.
Randy’s wife, Jessica, was out of town with their children, and Hayes was the closest to get to Randy first.
He knew Tessa would understand; she loved his whole family.
He just didn’t like the way they had left things last night.
He knew something was bothering her. He hoped it wasn’t the kiss.
He took it to the next level by playing to the crowd; maybe she was upset about that.
His phone call with Willow really didn’t make things any clearer for him.
He knew she was trying to be a good friend to both of them, but he wished she had been a little clearer in her meaning.
Hayes turned up his GPS as he entered Anderson, South Carolina, to find the hospital.
Apparently, Randy’s broken arm wasn’t too bad, but he was on some painkillers, so Hayes would have to babysit him until Jessica could get back home.
He quickly found the hospital, parked, and went in to find his brother. The nurse at the front desk directed him down the hall.
He stuck his head around the corner, “What’s up, klutz?”
“Ha, ha, very funny,” Randy said as he winced in pain. Randy had been a star athlete in high school and college, so he was anything but klutzy.
“Must be your age. You know old men shouldn’t be climbing ladders,” Hayes joked.
“I’m only four years older than you,” Randy grunted. “I should have waited until I had help like Jessica said, but I thought it would be fine. She’s going to kill me for this.”
Hayes’s sister-in-law, Jessica, was one of the sweetest people he knew. When he talked to her on the phone, she just sounded concerned and not angry. Although he supposed his brother might be in for a lecture on ladder safety.
“Speaking of wives,” Randy said, suddenly looking a lot better. “How is your wife?”
“Yeah, uh, thanks for the wedding present,” Hayes said sheepishly. “How are Mom and Dad really taking it?”
Unlike Tessa, Hayes had not had to deal with his family face-to-face about their surprise wedding. His parents had been nice to him on the phone and gushed about how much they loved Tessa, but he knew they would tell Randy what they really thought.
“They are okay. A little sad that they didn’t get to come to the wedding, but you know they love Tessa,” Randy said. “It was about time you two idiots saw that you were meant to be together.”
Hayes smiled at his brother. He was about to ask him what he meant when the doctor came in. After checking Randy over, he declared him fit for release with a prescription for painkillers and directions to follow up with an orthopedist next week.
Hayes walked Randy out to his truck. “So, when is Jessica getting back?”
“I told her not to rush. I hate to end her girls’ weekend,” Randy said. “She should be back the day after tomorrow. She is going to stay with her friends until tomorrow, then go to her parents’ house to get the kids.”
“Guess you are stuck with me until then,” Hayes grinned.
“Great. No offense, but I like my wife better,” Randy settled into his seat. “This was not the way this weekend was supposed to go. Jess was getting a mini vacation, the kids were going to get to be spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa, and I was going to get some work done around the house.”
“It’s fine. I’m sure Jessica is just glad you are all right,” Hayes said, leaving the parking lot and driving toward the pharmacy. “Besides, now that I am here, I can help you out.”
“Well, I guess I won’t mind bossing my little brother around again,” Randy teased.
“Again? When did you every stop?” Hayes asked, laughing.
Once they got to Randy’s house, Hayes got him settled on the couch and gave him his dose of pain pills. Then he went to grab some snacks and drinks to take back to the living room.
“So, what do you want me to tackle first?” Hayes asked.
“Just sit for a second. You’ve had a busy morning,” Randy said. “Your new wife didn’t want to come with you?”
“Well, uh, I kind of didn’t tell her I was leaving,” Hayes said uncomfortably.
“What are you talking about? Randy asked.
Hayes thought for a moment, wondering how much he should tell Randy. On one hand, he could use his brother’s advice, but on the other, the whole reason for his marriage was supposed to be a secret.
“Well, I had spent the night at my apartment, and she had spent the night at Willow’s, so we weren’t together when I got your call.”
“So, you didn’t tell her you were leaving town?”
“I texted her.”
“Hayes, what is going on? Why were y’all spending the night apart? You are newlyweds.”
Hayes looked at his brother and decided to tell him the whole story, including his feelings for Tessa.
After Hayes had finished, Randy leaned back on the couch. “I know I am drugged up right now, but are you seriously telling me that you married Tessa Sinclair because of some weird stipulation in her grandmother’s will, but you actually have feelings for her, but she doesn’t know that?”
“That about sums it up,” Hayes confirmed. “And don’t forget having to show PDA all around town that feels real. And my weird conversation with Willow.”
“Dang, Hayes. I don’t even know what to say,” Randy shook his head, then threw a pillow at Hayes with his good arm. “What are you thinking?”
“Hey!” Hayes yelled as the pillow hit him on the head. “I don’t know what I am thinking. I don’t know what I am doing, but I promised Tessa to help her. I won’t bail now.”
“No, that wouldn’t be good. I think Willow may be right, you two should talk.”
“I can’t tell her how I feel!” Hayes protested. “We have to stay married through January. I don’t want to make it awkward. And what if she isn’t feeling anything? Maybe she is just a really good actress. I just can’t do it right now.”
“Well, I think you should clear the air. Keeping up this charade for several more months is going to be very difficult for you. And you will probably get hurt.”
“Well, I will just have to take that chance,” Hayes said stubbornly.