Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Leighton
Monroe and I lead the pack as we walk three blocks to the ice cream shop. I haven’t felt this unburdened since Sky died—all thanks to Hayes. Decker and Easton too, but it was Hayes who put this whole day into motion. It’s rare for me to trust someone completely, and even rarer for it to work out.
Rounding the corner of where the ice cream shop is, I freeze. A long line wraps around the block, but what really stops me in my tracks is the ripple of recognition traveling through the patrons. Heads turn, elbows nudge sides, and fans peel away from their spots in line, drifting toward us.
Monroe steps beside me and squeezes my hand, while Lincoln comes along my other side.
Within seconds, Hayes, Decker, and Easton are surrounded by fans clamoring for photos and autographs.
One guy even dashes over to the counter and asks for a pen and paper.
Only minutes ago, they were regular guys sitting around our dinner table. Now they’re celebrities.
Everyone wants to talk baseball, giving compliments with play-by-plays from today’s game. One guy won’t stop going on and on about Easton’s glove in the fourth.
Monroe tugs my sleeve. “I want my ice cream.”
Hayes must hear her because he glances up after giving an autograph. When he sees us standing to the side, he smiles, then peels away and joins us. “Let’s get our ice cream.”
His hand slips to the small of my back, and I can’t deny how much I want to lean into his touch. He ushers us into line, his other hand on Monroe’s shoulder as we wait our turn.
“So, what are you getting, Linc?” Hayes asks. The way he shortens his name twists something in me, as though he’s part of us.
“I want cookie dough,” Lincoln replies. “What’s your favorite?”
“Mint Oreo—not to be confused with mint chocolate chip,” I say, already wishing I could take it back.
Hayes’s fingers flex along my back.
“How do you know?” Lincoln asks me with a confused look on his face.
I have nothing to be embarrassed about. Logically, I know about Hayes—I’m his sister’s best friend. I went to Myrtle Beach with his family more than once, and who doesn’t get ice cream on a beach vacation?
“I’ve known Hayes a long time. And when someone is really picky about their ice cream, you tend to remember.” I try to keep my voice casual and light, but I’m not sure if I succeed.
“Picky?” Hayes leans in, his warm breath brushing my neck. “They’re completely different flavors.”
“Both mint.” I smile.
“I want sprinkles.” Monroe inches up on her toes to see how much closer we are to the front of the line.
I’m happy for the interruption and change of topic.
“You can have anything you want.” Hayes’s voice is warm and indulgent.
For a moment, I imagine that tone in bed, asking me what I want him to do to me.
I swallow hard and push that thought out of my mind. “You can go back with the guys. I have this handled.” I motion toward where Decker and Easton are still conversing with fans.
Hayes leans in. “I’m right where I want to be.”
My pulse stutters. I need to get my reaction to him under control.
We move up in line, and a man who’s walking away from the counter with his ice cream sets his gaze on Hayes. “That passed ball in the eighth almost cost us the game. It’s only a matter of time before you poison this team. I told my friends they never should have taken you.”
Hayes stiffens but says nothing. Good for him for holding his tongue, but who the hell does this guy think he is?
I step in front of Monroe, putting her between Hayes and me. “Excuse me? Why would you think that’s appropriate to say to someone you don’t even know?”
There’s so much more I want to say, but Hayes puts his hand on my shoulder. “Let it go, Leighton. He’s not worth it.”
I narrow my eyes at the guy.
I’m so angry that I don’t notice Lincoln walking over until he stomps on the guy’s foot. “You’re a bully.”
The guy peers down at Lincoln and scoffs. The woman he’s with pulls him away, the two of them slinking off around a corner.
My hands fist at my sides. “Oh my god, I want to follow him and—”
“Our turn!” Monroe shouts and rushes up to the counter.
“Stop. It’s fine. Everyone has their opinion.” Hayes is stoic, but I can see the muscle twitching in his jaw, as though he’s using every ounce of his strength not to react.
I hate that he’s learned to be the bigger person because he’s so used to people judging his mistakes.
Hayes asks Monroe, “Chocolate or rainbow sprinkles?” ending the conversation about the jerk-off baseball fan.
Decker and Easton squeeze in last-minute orders. I pull out my wallet to pay, but Hayes places his hand on mine and says he’s got it.
As we wait for our ice cream, Hayes takes Lincoln to the side, and Decker slips free from the new group of fans, leaving Easton behind.
“Everyone gets praised or ridiculed, especially on game days,” Decker tells me.
“I don’t understand how you guys handle it. I’d like to see that guy squat all game and catch hundred-mile-per-hour fastballs.”
Decker laughs. “He’d do a shitty job. Probably quit. But how Hayes responded is exactly what he needs to do. After last year… well, he’s the dark horse. But he’ll be on top by year’s end.”
My heart clenches. After the decades of work he’s put into his career… one bad season and people stop believing in him.
Hayes ruffles Lincoln’s hair, and they come over and join us. I assume he told Linc that he can’t stomp on people’s feet, but I don’t ask because that guy ruined our night enough. I’m not giving him any more attention.
We get called up for our ice cream, and we all agree to walk home and eat it there so the guys can enjoy theirs without the constant interruption from fans.
On the walk home, Monroe sticks to Decker and Lincoln to Easton.
They seem to have found their favorites.
And I have too—Hayes and I fall back. I’m not sure there’s a better time in Chicago than early spring.
Then again, maybe autumn can compete. Hayes’s face plays peekaboo with every streetlight as we walk back to the house.
It’s a reminder of that night—our kiss. We were tucked in the corner of a party with the strobe light flashing from the aspiring DJ’s booth.
Callie was in a room with a guy, and Hayes was keeping an eye on me, probably at her insistence.
His hat was on backward, his arm on the wall above me, his eyes on my lips.
My body was strung tighter than a bow. No kiss since has lived up to that one.
I push away that memory. Nothing good can come from it—the one time I gave in to weakness.
We reach the house, and the kids say goodbye to Easton and Decker on the sidewalk, then the guys slide into the Uber they ordered on the way home. They all have an early flight tomorrow.
“I’ll walk you up,” Hayes says.
“Not necessary.”
“Humor me.” He holds out his arm, and the three of us walk up the stairs.
“Say good night and thank you to Hayes,” I tell the kids, unlocking the front door.
They each hug him, and Lincoln tells him good luck tomorrow.
“Hit me a home run?” Monroe asks, jumping up and down, probably from a sugar rush.
Hayes laughs and runs his hand down the back of his neck. “I’ll try. If I get a hold of one, it’s for you.” He winks at her.
Her eyes widen, and she looks at me. Then the two of them go in, and I shut the door.
I wasn’t prepared to be alone with Hayes on a porch after a great night together, and my heart picks up its pace.
“I’m gonna need you to go in and flip the lock so I hear it.” He nods toward the door.
“Funny thing, I’ve managed well all these years on my own without you telling me what to do.”
“Well, that was before I promised my sister to make sure you’re good.”
His reminder that he’s only here because of Callie feels like a plunge in Lake Michigan in the middle of January. He’s not here for me, but for his sister.
The lightness I felt dissipates with the warm breeze.
Why am I standing here all googly-eyed over this man? I have real problems to worry about. A court appearance that will help to decide whether I get to keep the kids or not. His words were painful, but they were the reminder I needed.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice all business now. “Today was a really shitty day, and this was… nice.”
His forehead wrinkles, and he opens his mouth and closes it. “What happened?”
I shrug, not wanting to involve him anymore than he needs to be. “Go kick Texas’s ass, okay?”
He leans forward, and I want to tell him all about how I have to fight for these kids, how scared I am. But he needs to do what he needs to do. As Decker said, Hayes is the dark horse, but this year will change that. Not if he’s playing house with me though.
“Leighton?”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. Just getting used to all this. Thank you so much for a great night.” I put my hands on his shoulders and turn him around. “Now, go, so you can get some sleep and play a great game tomorrow.”
He hesitates but walks down two steps. “Can I have your phone number?”
“You have it,” I say, although I’m not sure how many more times I can do this with him.
Having him help me, seeing him with the kids and how he is with me… it’s making me want him—a lot more than just a crush on my best friend’s older brother.
His eyes widen. “So same number?”
I nod. “Same.”
And you never used it.
“You should go.” I point toward the Uber.
He glances over his shoulder. “I’ll call you.” Then he jogs down the rest of the steps.
“Go Colts,” I blurt, raising my fist like an idiot.
I don’t wait for him to get in the car. I go into the house and lock the door, so I don’t run after him. My heart pounds, but I take a few breaths, reminding myself that the fairytale I envisioned a long time ago will never come true. They were just the imaginings of a na?ve girl.
Now, I need to stick to my Safe Guy Shortlist and remember that’s the kind of guy who is ready for commitment, sadly, Hayes Carlisle isn’t him.