Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
SAVANNA
I arrive for my shift at Salty’s hungover and in a daze. After Hudson left this morning, I tried my best to pull myself together, relying on a steaming shower and caffeine to cure my upset stomach and dizziness.
But it didn’t work.
Waking up wrapped in Dalton’s arms this morning, along with Hudson’s parting words, has this hangover kicking my ass.
It didn’t help that I opened my phone to a picture of Dalton and Hudson on the Twister mat during last night’s game night.
My chest pulls tight, thinking about how Dalton spent most of his evening playing games with Drew.
How he showed up for her.
How he showed up for me.
I’m in the middle of moving inventory from the storage room to the bar when I hear the jingle of keys. Turning my head, I see Hailey making her way inside. Her dark brown hair is twisted up in a ballet dancer’s bun, her athletic tank top clinging to her chest.
“Hey, where did you come from?” I pause, quirking a brow. “It’s your day off. You’re not supposed to be here.”
Hailey scoffs, scanning me. “Yoga, and I had to make sure you were still alive.”
Groaning, I slide my hand down my face. “Why does everyone keep saying that this morning?”
Hailey shrugs, her hands full with a coffee carrier and a brown bag. “Probably because you never let yourself get that drunk.” She places the drinks down on the counter. “But look, I come bearing gifts!”
A heavy sigh falls from my chest. “Every time you say that something bad happens.”
She cackles. “Oh, come on. That’s not true. I’ve said that while bringing actual wrapped gifts before!” Her finger points accusingly at me. “Also, it’s not my fault you were sipping the sangria like it was a juice box.”
My face twists up in a grimace. “I hate when you’re right. Still, I don’t want to hear the word sangria for at least a month.”
Hailey laughs, sliding a bagel out of the bag. She waves it in front of my face. “I know. I feel bad about leaving you, but I couldn’t leave Benny home alone all night. He probably would have either shit in the condo or barked all night.”
I snatch the bagel from her hand. “See! You like my peace offering!”
My teeth sink into the bread like I’m a ravaged dog. “Apology accepted,” I mumble.
Hailey clutches her chest, watching me eat. “Girl after my own heart.” She slides her bagel out of the bag and takes a bite. “So, how bad do you feel?”
“Well, I’m alive.” I shrug, reaching for the coffee she got me. I take the lid off, blowing a few breaths into it.
Hailey snorts into her coffee. “We’ve established that. Did Hudson come check on you last night?”
I turn my back on her, like I didn’t hear her question. Walking over to the other side of the counter, I start prepping garnishes for the lunch rush.
“Hello. Excuse me. Don’t act like you're busy now.” Hailey waves her hands in the air, trying to get my attention.
When I take too long to respond, she snaps her fingers. “Did Hudson come over to help you, or what? He mentioned he would send someone over.”
I peek up from the limes I’m slicing and turn my body to face her—Hailey isn’t going to let this go.
She can sniff out bullshit from a mile away.
And right now? I practically took a mud bath in it.
I twist the gold hoop earring dangling from my ear. “No,” I mumble.
Hailey cups her ear, lifting a brow. “What was that? I couldn’t hear you.”
“No, Hudson didn’t come over,” I say sheepishly. My chin dips, and a warmth spreads across my cheeks. “Dalton did.”
Hailey chokes on her sip of coffee, pounding her chest. “Oh. My. God. Savanna!” she shrieks. “No wonder you're acting so weird!”
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. I haven’t been acting weird.
Have I?
“Okay…so like what the hell happened when he got there?” She blinks rapidly at me, waiting for answers to questions I most likely don’t have.
I blow out a heavy breath, grazing a strand of hair that’s escaped my ponytail. “Well, I don’t really know what happened.” I pause, biting the inside of my cheek. “All I know is I woke up with him cuddling in bed with me.”
Hailey’s mouth falls open.
“Oh! And how could I forget, he gave me a shower, cause apparently, I smelled like vomit, while managing to tell him I loved him in a drunken confession.”
Hailey stifles a gasp. “No! You told him you loved him?
I shift my weight, steadying myself against the counter. My heart rate spikes at the thought. “Apparently.”
“So, nothing happened?” I hear the disappointment laced in her voice as she takes another bite of her bagel. After my train wreck confession, I think it’s fair to say she’s invested in whatever is going on between Dalton and me.
“Nope,” I say, popping the p.
Hailey shakes her head. “Huh. What a shame. You need to put that guy out of his misery.”
I get a fluttery sensation in my chest. Sex with Dalton? Is that something I should even torture myself with again?
Hailey’s eyes expand, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You don’t think you told him about Drew last night, did you?”
The color drains from my face. I wouldn’t have let that slip, would I? I shake my head in defiance. “No. There's no way. He was acting completely normal this morning.” I reach for my coffee and take a sip, searching for a distraction. “Honestly, he probably would have bolted if I did.”
Hailey snickers into her drink. “I wouldn’t count on that.”
I give her a pointed look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean, the guy didn’t just stay the night and take care of you out of the kindness of his heart, Savanna.
I think you should tell him the truth. At least it’s off your conscience, and then he can do with that information what he wants.
” She pauses to study my face before continuing.
“If he bolts, he bolts. It would be his loss.”
My stomach sinks. I don’t think I could handle the rejection again.
And I certainly don’t want to introduce that feeling to Drew.
I grow quiet, staring down at my hands that are twisting around my to-go cup.
Hailey slaps her hand on the bar, startling me. I see a sly grin spreading across her face. “Maybe you should just sleep with him to get the sexual tension out of the way.”
I scoff, shaking my head. “I don’t know, Hailey. He leaves next weekend.”
She raises her brows. “So?”
“So...what if one of us gets too attached?”
Hailey throws her head back in a cackle. “You guys are already fucking attached!”
Well, I guess she’s not wrong there.
Could I do it? No strings attached sex? With my teenage first love, the father of my child?
Hailey’s eyes roam over me, sensing my apprehension. “Sex fixes everything.” She winks.
I bark out a laugh. “Hailey, I'm pretty sure sex got me in this mess to begin with!”
She lifts her shoulders, giving me a smirk. “Well, hey, if you don’t jump his bones, someone else will. I’ve watched plenty of women eye-fuck him this past week while he’s been at the bar.”
I gasp, narrowing my eyes at her. “Hailey!”
“What? He’s hot!” she says, giving me a coy smile from the lip of her cup.
I scoff, possessiveness overcoming me. Apparently, my mind just told me Dalton is off-limits to anyone who looks his way. I quickly grab my phone from my purse under the counter.
Without hesitation, I text Dalton. I have a few free hours this afternoon since my mom is picking up Drew from school and taking her to Anne’s for some arts and crafts.
Thanks for taking care of me last night. Let me make it up to you this afternoon? I make a really good grilled cheese.
I stand back and bite my nail nervously, waiting for him to respond. Within seconds, a text comes through.
Dalton: I could eat.
My stomach swoops.
Make sure you bring your appetite.
Dalton: I hope dessert is on the menu.
I guess you're going to have to find out.
Dalton: I’ll bring the sprinkles.
I drop my phone back in my bag, a blush creeping onto my cheeks.
Hailey’s face lights up when she sees a sheepish smile spread across my face. “Oh. My. God. You’re doing it, aren't you? You’re going to put that man out of his misery.”
Shrugging, I bite my lip, trying to act coy. “If it’s the sex he clearly wants, then it’s the sex he’s going to get.”
Hailey whoops, throwing her hands in the air. “That’s my girl!”