Chapter Thirty-Four Playing with Fire
HADLEY
The shift back to reality comes faster than I expect.
After getting in late from Vegas the night before, Monday morning comes too early.
My duffel bag is still sitting half-unpacked on the tile floor of my small entryway.
My phone rings. The ringtone echoes through the quiet space, making me jump.
I don’t even have to look at the screen to know who it is. My chest tightens instinctively.
When I grab the phone and see that it is, indeed, my dad calling, my heart starts to race.
“Hadley,” his voice booms through the speaker. “How are you? I haven’t heard from you all weekend.”
“Oh, yeah…” I stammer. “I’ve kind of locked myself down, studying all weekend.”
The lie feels like it’s trying to choke me on the way out, but if I tell him the truth, he’ll freak out. That I spent a weekend in Vegas with a bunch of hockey players isn’t exactly something any dad would want to hear from his daughter…it would make my dad go absolutely nuclear.
“Well, I’m proud of you for your diligence,” he replies with a soft chuckle, which only makes me feel shittier.
“Speaking of school, we need to talk about your summer schedule. I spoke with a colleague of mine there in Denver, and they have an opening for a legal clerkship that would look exceptional on your applications to law schools in the fall. I told him you’d call him tomorrow morning to set up the interview. ”
My stomach does a slow, sickening flip.
“Dad, I’m still figuring out my course load for the summer term,” I murmur, trying to find a foothold without sparking his temper. “The business prerequisites are getting a lot more intense, and I wanted to make sure I have enough time to actually study.”
“You’re a Sullivan, Hadley. You have the intellect for it,” he says, his tone leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.
“A little hard work won't kill you. This is the avenue to success.
You don't want to end up drifting without a solid foundation. Call him tomorrow. Let me know how the interview goes.”
I sigh, knowing if I agree now, he’ll leave me alone about it. I can just make the phone call and figure out how to wiggle out of it later.
Or…I don’t, and I just do the damn clerkship.
“Okay, Dad,” I whisper.
By the time the call ends and the screen goes dark, my hands are shaking. I rest my forehead against the cool surface of the refrigerator. I know I can’t keep avoiding it. My job at the rink. Julian. My desire to be a teacher.
I have to tell him the truth, even if it means he cuts me off. Some things are more important.
Buzz.
My phone vibrates again in my hand, but this time when I see the name on the screen, I smile softly.
It’s Lainey.
I make my way into the living room and settle on the couch as I answer, “Hey, Lainey.”
“Oh thank God, you're alive,” Lainey’s voice explodes through the line. “Tell me everything about Vegas! And when I say everything, Hadley, I mean every single, solitary, scandalous detail. Do not spare a single thing. I have been dying over here.”
I can't help the small laugh that escapes me, the tight band around my chest loosening just a fraction.
“It was...it was incredible,” I admit, my cheeks flaring with heat as I look down at my lap.
“Incredible? That's it? Hadley, you went to Vegas with a hunk of a hockey player who looks like he can throw you around the bedroom without breaking a sweat. Give me the goods!”
I bite my lip, my pussy throbbing and growing wet at the thought of Julian. There’s still a delicious soreness there that has me clenching my thighs together. “It was amazing. He was...amazing.”
There’s a beat of silence before she gasps, “You gave him your virginity, didn’t you?”
Grinning, I answer, “Yeah, I did.”
Lainey lets out a squeal so loud, I have to pull the phone away from my ear.
“Fucking finally!” she exclaims. “How was it? Is he huge? Did it hurt? Tell me everything so my virgin ass can live vicariously through you!”
When I speak, I sound a little breathless.
“He was so gentle with me at first, but then...God, Lainey, I don't even know how to describe it. I’ve never felt like that before. Like someone was entirely consumed by me. Losing my virginity to him didn't feel like a loss at all. It felt like I finally found a part of myself I’ve been keeping locked away. He made me feel so safe, but at the same time, it was the wildest, hottest thing I’ve ever done. ”
Lainey lets out another loud squeal. “Look at you! My sweet little Haddie, getting absolutely wrecked by Julian Wilder in Sin City. I am so proud of you. I'm practically crying. Is he completely obsessed with you now? Please tell me he's completely obsessed!”
“Of course he’s not obsessed with me,” I laugh and shake my head. “We just had sex once, and he’s got so much more on his mind.”
“Hmmm…no, I’m certain he’s obsessed with you,” she insists. “How could he not be?”
My smile softens. “Well, thank you for the vote of confidence, Lainey. I appreciate it…”
I trail off, my own words suddenly tasting a little hollow.
Is he obsessed?
No, of course not. That’s just Lainey being Lainey, hyper-focusing on the drama of a whirlwind weekend.
I know he likes me, and the chemistry between us isn't just undeniable…it’s practically a physical force that leaves me breathless every time he steps into my space.
But obsessed implies something consuming. It implies permanence.
A tiny spike of panic hits me right between the ribs. If I'm being entirely honest with myself…the obsession isn't coming from him. It’s coming from me.
Every time the room goes quiet, my brain defaults straight back to him.
The heavy weight of his hands on my hips.
The dark, intense focus in his eyes when he looks down at me.
The rough, gravelly rumble of his voice when he calls me sweetheart.
I don't just like him anymore. I’m close to sliding into something much deeper.
Something that feels a lot like falling.
My phone suddenly beeps. I frown and pull it back to find a text notification from Julian. Heart racing, I open the message immediately.
Julian: Meet at the rink in an hour?
“Lainey, I have to go,” I squeak out.
“Oh, let me guess. The big guy calls?” I can practically hear the smirk in her voice. “Go. Get your man, Haddie. But we are continuing this later!”
“Sure, sure. Bye!” I laugh, hanging up and immediately typing out a quick confirmation to Julian.
Hadley: I’ll see you there!