Chapter 15 #2
With that, he clumps off in his stupid boot, and I let him have the last word because I’m distracted by what he just said—is Hazel really putting in an extra-long shift today, or is Chad-dick just shit-stirring to keep us apart?
And if she is working overtime, why didn’t she ask for my help?
I would have volunteered in a heartbeat.
My chest tightens with the knowledge she talked to Chadwick about this but not me…
maybe she’s starting to warm up to him again.
He’ll be here in San Francisco with her on Valentine’s Day tomorrow while I’m stuck on a plane. Dammit.
The second I’m done pushing this cart around, I’ll text Hazel to find out what’s going on.
“Shall we grab some probiotic sodas for Noah and bounce?” I ask Fisher.
He stares at me. “How are you so calm right now? I was ready to lay that guy out.”
“Same, believe me.” I can still physically feel the rage coursing through my veins.
But not for anything he said about me—but for how he reduced Hazel to a damn accessory.
Like a Rolex he can put on and take off whenever he wants.
What an idiot—as if anyone could get bored of Hazel, she’s amazing.
“But that’s what he wants. And I refuse to give him what he wants. ”
“I’d have happily given him a reason to need to see his team dentist,” Fisher spits.
Despite myself, I can’t help but smile. “Now who’s got their panties in a twist.”
“Well, now I understand why you always get so worked up whenever he’s mentioned. You really weren’t kidding about him.”
“Nope.”
Fisher shudders. “I seriously cannot believe he and Hazel dated.”
“Same,” I say honestly. Although after that conversation, I think I might understand a little bit more how they could have been together for a year—Chadwick knows nothing about who Hazel really is, and I’ll bet he didn’t show her any of his true colors until after she discovered him cheating.
He probably acted like a perfect gentleman and made her think he was a stand-up guy.
No wonder she seems to have issues trusting what people say.
We walk towards the dairy section, silence hanging between us until Fisher says, “You know, I thought it was a little weird at first, how quickly you and Hazel went from always arguing to getting together. I’ve known you for months now, and before Hazel, you never got close to seriously dating anyone, and you never hung out with one girl for long. ”
“Hazel’s different,” I say immediately.
“I see that now.” Fisher nods. “But I’m not going to lie, when I first found out Hazel was Chadwick’s ex, I wondered…
don’t get mad at me for this…but I wondered if maybe you were with Hazel to get back at Chadwick for stealing your high school girlfriend.
Or if it was like, I dunno, a revenge hook-up for you both. ”
I almost laugh—if only Fisher knew how close he is to the actual truth right now.
“If that had been your kink, I wouldn’t have judged,” Fisher goes on, smirking for a moment before he says, “But now, when I see you guys together, it’s obvious how into each other you are. The girl looked like she was about to melt into the floor after you kissed her last night.”
My heart speeds up at his comment. I figured she was into it, but it’s nice to have it confirmed by an outside source. “As she should have,” I reply with a smug grin. “I always aim to please.”
And I do—when I kissed her, I made damn sure I kissed her until her knees went weak. Because Hazel needs to know she deserves nothing less in any relationship, fake or otherwise.
Fisher chuckles. “What I’m trying to say here, Penn, is that you shouldn’t listen to anything that douchebag just said to you. You and Hazel are clearly great together, and he’s clearly nothing but a jealous dumbass.”
“I won’t. Thanks, Fishy.” I reach out and ruffle his hair. “You’re cute when you’re sincere.”
“Don’t get used to it.” He shoves my hand away and glowers. “I still miss my wingman…but I guess I’m happy for you.”
“You’ll fall for someone one of these days, don’t worry.”
“Doubt it,” Fisher scoffs. “I like my freedom.”
He begins loading the groceries onto the checkout counter, and I slide my phone out of my pocket so I can text Hazel.
Penn
Morning, Bubbles. Wanna hang out later?
I don’t mention Chadwick or what he said because I don’t want our first conversation after our kiss to be about that fool, so I’m straight up fishing right now.
My phone pings with a reply a minute later.
Bubbles
I’d love to, but I think I’m going to be stuck at Safe Harbor until really late.
That asshole wasn’t making it up. Quickly, I Google Safe Harbor—she’s mentioned it a few times before—and sure enough, on the front page of the website, there’s an urgent appeal for ‘fifteen to twenty able-bodied volunteers’ for a shift tonight starting at five p.m.
Poor Hazel must be so stressed.
“Hurry your ass up, Matthews,” Fisher says. “By the time we get home and unpack the food, we’re barely going to have time to eat before we gotta get to the practice facility.”
Our practice facility. Where my whole team will be reviewing footage until 4:30.
I stare at him for a moment. “Fisher, you absolute genius.”
“What the hell? Stop showering me with weird compliments and help me pack this shit.”
With a smile, I continue to let him pack the groceries alone and text Hazel back.
Penn
Nah, I’ll see you at five.
Bubbles
Penn, I told you, I’ll still be at work then.
Penn
Yeah, we’ll see you there!
Bubbles
We? Who’s we?
Penn
Me and twenty of my very able-bodied closest friends.