Chapter 52
HAILEE
The bubbles in the mimosa explode against my tongue before I lower my glass to the table beside me and let out a loud sigh.
“Feeling good?” Bea asks, turning to look at me from where she’s lying on the lounger beside me.
She looks incredibly beautiful in her bikini with her perfectly round bump fully on display.
With her permission, I sent more than a few pictures of her to Rett, which he’s very much enjoying, and if the giggles that have come out of her whenever she gets a message are anything to go by, I think she’s loving teasing him mercilessly too.
“So good,” I breathe.
We’ve had the full works this morning. Facials, full-body scrubs, massages, manicures, and pedicures.
My skin is softer than I’ve ever known before, and I’m actually relaxing.
It’s hard not to with surroundings like these.
Everything is so elegant and beautiful, and the sound of the waterfall cascading into the pool before us is the perfect soundtrack.
There are other people milling around, but they’ve paid us no attention as we’ve lapped up all the luxury.
“Same,” she agrees. “Hayden did good, huh?”
My chest tightens at the thought of him planning all of this for me.
“Yeah. Really good. He’s…something else.”
Bea shifts onto her side so she can look at me without straining her neck.
“You’re so cute together. I can’t wait until everyone knows.”
I swallow nervously, and she doesn’t miss it.
“It’ll be okay,” she assures me. “You’ve got the okay from work. Everything else will just be noise.”
“I know. But it’s the volume of that noise I’m worried about and just how far it’ll reach.”
She studies me for a few minutes. “You think they’ll care?” she asks, careful not to name them.
“I…I don’t think it’ll go down well. They’ll be worried about how it makes them look.”
“Fuck them,” Bea says fiercely.
“Yeah,” I agree. And I do agree. I also know that it’s going to bite me in the ass, and if I don’t tell Hayden everything soon, it’s only going to make it worse.
“You don’t need them, Hailee. You’ve got us,” she says, reaching over to squeeze my hand.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I know I’m not easy to be friends with, but I appreciate that you haven’t given up on me.”
“I know how hard it is. Starting over, building a whole new life. Trusting people. I understand all of that. But just because those you left behind weren’t worthy of having you in their life, doesn’t mean other people aren’t.
You’re surrounded by pretty incredible people who would do just about anything for you. ”
“Yeah, I know. It’s just hard.”
“It’ll get easier,” she promises as a member of staff walks toward us.
“Your lunch will be served shortly if you’d like to make your way up to the restaurant.”
“Thank you,” Bea says, almost immediately swinging her legs over the edge of her lounger and rubbing her belly. “I’m starving.”
I can’t help but giggle. “You’re always hungry.”
“Guilty. And I had a sneak peek at the menu, and it looks incredible. Come on,” she says as she wraps her fluffy robe around herself.
I eagerly follow because I’m also pretty hungry. I’ve had three mimosas since arriving here, and I really need something to soak up the alcohol.
We make our way through the spa, and the second we turn into the restaurant, I freeze.
“Oh my god,” I gasp before dropping my head into my hands.
“Happy birthday,” the small group of women waiting at a table on the other side of the room sing.
Embarrassment floods my cheeks as I’m sure everyone else in here stares at me.
Beside me, Bea laughs before looping her arm through mine, towing me over.
There are balloons everywhere, most of which all advertise that I’ve turned thirty, which I’m not entirely sure how I feel about. There are huge bunches of flowers and perfectly wrapped gifts in the middle of the table, but most importantly, there are people.
Casey, Freya, and Bea’s best friend, Sienna, are all smiling at me, looking beyond excited to be a part of this.
“I can’t believe you’ve done this,” I mutter as we approach.
Bea turns toward me. “They don’t know about Hayden, or this being his planning,” she whispers. “As far as they’re concerned, I did it all.”
I squeeze her hand in support before we part, and I greet the other women who have made time in their lives to celebrate with me.
As I take my place at the table, I look around at them all in awe.
“Don’t you all have jobs and stuff you should be doing?” I ask.
“Even my boss lets me have time off every now and then,” Sienna teases, shooting Bea a look.
“Time off?” Bea questions. “This is a work research trip. Don’t be thinking you get to relax.”
“Jeez, such a ball buster.” Sienna laughs.
We all fall into easy conversation as a server comes over and takes our drink orders.
My next cocktail hits me hard, allowing me to let go of the last of my anxiety over all this and just enjoy. I smile a lot and laugh harder as the conversation jumps around among our jobs, hockey, TV, Bea’s pregnancy, and a whole host of other things.
When our food is delivered, I’m not embarrassed to admit that I absolutely devour it.
More drinks arrive, and instead of selecting a dessert, I’m once again subjected to the full birthday experience when a cake with flickering candles heads toward me and everyone starts singing.
It’s a good thing I like Hayden so much, because I could kill him for making me the center of attention like this.
“Make a wish,” Bea says as the cake is placed before me.
Just like I did when I was a kid, I close my eyes, make my wish, and then blow out the candles.
With stomachs full and an overflowing tote bag of gifts from them all, we make our way back to the spa. Bea and I head for the loungers again while the others get changed.
“You’re okay with them joining, right? I thought it would be good to have the whole group. Well, aside from Parker. But I also wanted some time with you first.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you so much.”
The others join us, and we all jump into the pool and continue where we left off upstairs.
It makes me question why I fought so hard all the times they’ve tried to drag me into their circle before.
“Are you coming to Dad’s team barbecue?” Casey asks.
“Uh…”
“You should absolutely come,” Freya says.
“It’s for the team. I don’t think I’m invited.” That’s a big fat lie. Hayden’s already invited me and tried to convince me it’ll be okay to join.
“You are a part of the team,” Bea insists. “They’d be nothing without you, and you know it.”
“They’re fully grown men who are capable of…yeah, I guess you’re right,” I say with a laugh.
“So you’ll come?” Casey asks excitedly. “I’m looking forward to having my girls there.”
“Parker usually goes, doesn’t she?” Freya asks.
“Yeah, but that was before.”
“Before you broke all the rules and hooked up with one of your father’s players and Parker realized she was madly in love with her brother’s best friend?” I ask teasingly.
“Yep, that’s about it. God, last year was hot. Parker told Kodie there was a spare bathroom to change in upstairs and directed him to my bedroom, where I was just in a towel,” she says, her eyes glazing over as she thinks back.
“You fucked Kodie under your father’s roof?” Sienna asks. “That’s hot.”
“Yeah, it was pretty hot.”
“So…this barbeque…” Sienna starts. “What’s a girl got to do to get an invite? I could happily spend an afternoon surrounded by half-naked, wet hockey players.”
“Get invited by one,” Bea quips.
“Oooor by my best friend who is marrying one?”
“Aren’t you working that day?” Bea asks.
“Maybe, maybe not. I’m…” Cough. “Feeling a little rough, actually. I might need that day off.”
“You’re an idiot.” Bea laughs.
“That’s why you love me. Now I just need a hockey player to do the same, and my life is set.”
The afternoon continues in a similar fashion: the four of us dip in and out of the sauna and steam room, making sure someone sits with Bea so she’s not lonely.
By the time the sun is sinking in the sky, I’m feeling relaxed and sleepy and ready to head home.
I might not have touched a single thing on my to-do list today, but honestly, I don’t care.
I’ve had the best time with the girls. They’ve given me the best birthday surprise I could have asked for.
All I need now is for Hayden to surprise me and crawl into my bed with me later, and everything will be right in my world.
A little sadness nags at me that I’m going to be alone once Bea drops me back at my building, but then I remember that they all will be, too. I’m not the only one dating a player.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Bea asks, her attention burning into the side of my face.
“Just wondering how the WAGs deal with being left behind all the time. It’s hard.”
“Yeah,” she agrees. “They’ve only had a few road games, and I already hate it. I miss him so much when he’s gone.”
“At least you’ll have someone to keep you company soon,” I say, glancing at her belly.
“I’m not sure if that’ll be better or worse,” she confesses quietly. “Do you want kids?”
“Uh…” I startle, not expecting the question. “Honestly, until a few weeks ago, I didn’t have any intentions of having a boyfriend, let alone planning any kind of future that involved anyone else but me.”
“That’s fair.”
“He’s thrown me for a loop. I’d convinced myself that everything he’s showing me didn’t really exist.”
She smiles at me, nothing but happiness sparkling in her eyes.
“Out of everyone I know, you deserve it most, Hailee.”
“Thanks,” I force through the lump in my throat.
“I know you're scared, but it’ll all work out in the end.”
“I haven’t told him about my past. About my—”
“Trust him. He’ll stand by your side no matter what they might throw your way. He’s in this for the long haul.”
“Yeah,” I agree. I think he is.
It’s dark outside when we finally leave the hotel and pile into cars. I get hugs from everyone, and I drop into Bea’s passenger seat with a smile on my face.
“Thank you for today,” I say as we make our way home. “I think I needed it more than I knew.”
“We all need people in our corner every now and then. It doesn’t mean we’re not independent girl bosses.”
“I’m starting to see that,” I admit.
“Are you really not going to come to the barbecue?”
“I…I don’t know. James hasn’t invited me, so—”
“You’re scared,” she states, hitting a little too close to the mark.
“I just don’t want to turn up where I’m not wanted.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it. Hayden wants you there. I want you there. It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah,” I mumble, gazing out at the night sky. I don’t doubt that.
Sadness sits heavy on my heart as Bea pulls up to my building.
“Did you want to come up? We could order food or—”
“I’d love to, but I can’t. I’ve…uh…”
“Shit, yeah. I’m sorry. I’ve already taken over your entire day. And you’re probably exhausted.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, I—”
“It’s fine,” I say, unclicking the seat belt and reaching for the door handle.
With the bag that Hayden had packed for me and the gift bags from the girls in hand, I stand beside the car and wave as Bea drives away.
A heavy sigh spills from my lips as her taillights disappear into the distance.
Exhaustion hits hard as I rest against the back wall of the elevator, willing it to move faster.
I might have showered at the spa, but I really need another to properly clear the chlorine away, and then I want to curl up with my book and order some carbs. Work can wait until tomorrow.
I push the key into my lock and shove the door open. I notice something is off the second I take a breath. It smells different.
Sweeter.
My brows pinch as I rush inside to see what’s going on. It only takes two steps before I notice the lighting.
It’s soft and flickering in a way that can only be from one thing.
My bag falls to the floor as I race forward.
“Oh my god,” I gasp, my hand covering my gawping mouth as I stare at the scene before me. “What? How?”
“Happy birthday, baby. You didn’t think it was over already, did you?”