23. Hadley
Chapter twenty-three
Hadley
I sink back against the pillows as he shuts the door. That was … hot. And totally unexpected. I thought I was going to shit the bed when he knocked. I was a little embarrassed that he heard me. I thought I’d waited long enough and he’d be asleep already.
But, fuck, that was very enjoyable.
The words tumbled out when he showed up. I didn’t have time to think about them. Which is probably a good thing because I don’t think I would have asked him if I’d thought it through beforehand.
I want him, and he clearly wants me. I mean, it’s been evident since our kiss the other day and after our conversation earlier.
I’m tired of pretending not to want him. I think I’m finally ready to get off the denial train and admit that I like him.
I wish I’d asked him to stay. Invited him into my bed.
Even though I’ve had two orgasms tonight, the most in a while, I’m still keyed up.
All I can think about when I close my eyes is him stroking himself.
I bet his cock would feel wonderful filling me up.
No, I know it would. I blink open my eyes, glancing at the closed door.
Do I?
No, I can’t. He would have stayed if he wanted more tonight. I heave out a breath. It’s for the best that he didn’t. We need to talk about what we’re doing. If we’re changing the rules of our fake engagement, or if this was a one-time thing.
I hope he doesn’t regret it in the morning. I know I won’t.
But that’s a tomorrow discussion.
I roll onto my side, hoping I can fall asleep quickly.
I hope things aren’t weird between us in the morning.
The light spilling into my window is what wakes me up, and I stretch, rolling my shoulders and neck, trying and failing not to think about last night as my gaze snags on the chair he sat on and the laundry on the floor.
The clean laundry that I probably should put away.
I hate folding clothes, so I usually hang up what I absolutely need to and leave the rest in a pile.
I climb out of bed and pad to the door to listen for signs he’s awake and home, but it’s quiet, so I creep out into the hallway and make a mad dash to the bathroom.
I don’t know why I’m nervous to see him.
Probably because I’m afraid he’s going to tell me last night was a mistake.
That it was a one-and-done thing. That he’s changed his mind, and he no longer wants me.
Once I’m done in the bathroom, I head back to my room to change into a pair of shorts and a tank top.
I throw my hair into a messy bun before heading into the kitchen, which thankfully, is empty.
I start the coffee pot and fill up a glass of water at the sink, sipping it as I wait for the coffee to brew.
“Morning, tornado.”
I about jump out of my skin, whirling around to find him standing in the doorway, a pair of gray sweatpants slung low on his hips. And of course, he’s wearing his glasses.
“Way to give a girl a heart attack.” I try to infuse an annoyed tone into my words, but it’s useless.
He chuckles, a deep raspy sound that goes straight to my core, as he steps into the kitchen.
“Sleep well?” he asks as he reaches around me and grabs his own glass from the cabinet, his arm brushing against mine, and that’s all it takes for me to want his hands on me. For him to touch me. For a repeat of last night, except with him participating instead of watching.
“Yeah.” I clear my throat and force my attention to the coffee maker, which has finished brewing.
I grab a couple of mugs and pour us each a cup. My phone dings as I’m taking my first sip, and I grab it. I click on the notification and read the email before sending a quick response.
“Oh, shit,” I mutter.
Should I have waited?
Will I seem too eager?
Oh well.
“What is it?” he asks, coming to stand next to me at the counter, bumping his hip gently into mine.
“I have a job interview on Friday.” I’m surprised how calm I sound, because internally, I’m jumping up and down.
“That’s awesome.”
I set my phone down before turning to him.
“I’m shocked, honestly. I thought it was a long shot I’d even get an interview.
The job sounds like a dream—traveling with a tour company all over the world, taking pictures of their guests.
It’s a one-year contract, though. So not permanent, but at this point, I’ll take what I can get. ”
I swear I see something flash across his face, disappointment maybe, but it disappears as quickly as it appeared. That’s weird.
“Well, I know you’ll do amazing, and they’d be fools not to hire you.”
I hide my grin by taking a sip of my coffee.
“About—” I start to say a few minutes later, as he says, “I—”
“You first.” I gesture for him to speak.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What’s up?”
“Do you mind hanging out with Madison for a few hours this afternoon? Hunt and I are supposed to work out, but he’s afraid of leaving her alone.
Apparently, she was having Braxton contractions, or whatever they’re called.
” He waves a hand around. “The doctor said they were normal and nothing to worry about, but of course, Hunter’s still worried.
” He frowns. “Not that I blame him. Coach is out of town, and so is her aunt.”
“Of course. I’ve been meaning to call her and see if she’s up for doing anything, so this works perfectly.”
“Thanks. Hopefully, that’ll convince Hunt it’s okay to leave her for a few hours.” He shakes his head. “I’m gonna go text him.” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder, and I nod. He takes his coffee and leaves the kitchen.
Guess we’re not going to talk about last night.
Does that mean he regrets it? That it was a one-time thing?
I tip my head back, staring at the ceiling, and vow to bring it up tonight because I need to know where we stand, what he thinks about what happened—all of it—even if he doesn’t want to do it again.
“Hi, Madison,” I greet her when she answers her front door later that day.
“Hey, Hadley. Sorry to put you out like this. I told Hunter I’d be fine for a few hours on my own, but …” She rubs a hand over her very pregnant belly. “You know how protective they are.”
I start to tell her that no, I don’t, but I catch myself and, instead, silently follow her inside.
“How have you been?” she asks over her shoulder as we make our way very slowly toward the living room. “Congrats on the engagement, by the way. I’m sorry I haven’t called or texted.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ve been a bit busy.”
She carefully lowers herself down onto the couch.
“You could say that.” She pats the cushion next to her.
“Sit, and tell me what’s new with you. I’m so happy for you and Wes.
I’ve been worried about how he was going to adjust to everything, and now I don’t have to because he’s got you.
” She must notice the confusion on my face because she keeps talking.
“We’re going to be busy with a baby soon.
Holt has Hazel and Becca. I know Eli and Sebastian have joined the friend group, but if I had to guess, it’s probably not the same.
Wes, Holt, and Hunt have been playing together and have been best friends for years.
Now Wes’s two best friends are married, or practically married, with kids. I’m sure that’s an adjustment for him.”
I let out a nervous giggle.
For fuck’s sake, Madison. Way to drop a bombshell on me. Now I feel even worse about this whole fake engagement thing I roped him into.
“Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think he proposed because he was feeling left out. I’m so glad he’s found his one.” She grins at me. “I bet Holt was excited.”
“Once he got over the shock.”
Madison laughs.
“So how have you been? Is the nursery all ready?” I ask, needing the subject to change so I don’t blurt out to her that it’s all a lie and we’re really not engaged.
“Tired. Ready for this baby to be evicted.” She rubs a hand over her stomach. “The nursery has been done for weeks. Hunter and Dad painted it the minute the season ended. And they say the mother nests. You should have seen Hunter.”
“He’s going to be a great dad. The same way I know you’ll be an awesome mom.”
Madison pats my arm. “Thank you. I’m kinda nervous, but Jenna’s been so helpful answering all my questions. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
I’m glad that she has Jenna, a mom of two, to help her out and answer her questions. The conversation shifts to other things, and we spend the next few hours chatting.
Eventually, the front door bangs open.
“I’m home, sweets,” Hunter says from the doorway. “I brought someone with me.”
“We’re in here,” Madison yells.
Hunter appears a few seconds later, and much to my chagrin, Wes is with him.
“Look who tagged along,” Hunter says, hooking a thumb over his shoulder at Wes before he walks over to his wife, leans down, and kisses her. “Thank you for hanging out with Mads today,” he says to me.
“Of course. We were catching up.”
Hunter glances down at Madison, and they have a silent conversation before he addresses me and Wes. “Want to stay for dinner? I’m going to throw a chicken, pasta, and vegetable dish—casserole—thing in the oven that I pulled out of the freezer this morning.”
“What do you think, honey?” Wes asks. “Want to stay and hang out with our friends a little while longer?”
I turn to Hunter. “We’ll stay. Thank you.”
“Right,” Hunt says. “What can I get everyone to drink?”
We spend the next couple of hours eating, talking, and just having a good time. Wes stays glued to my side, his hand on my thigh all through dinner, and I swear he was trying to drive me crazy the way he’d occasionally trace a line up and down my leg.
I should have pushed his hand away. No one could see it, and it wasn’t like we were doing it to keep up appearances, but I enjoyed it too much.