The Expiration Date

Chapter 29

Ifollow Haley out onto the deck. I wanted to break up her dance with that asshole of an ex the minute I started to see her close in on herself, but I didn’t want to cause a scene. I could tell he was saying some bullshit to purposefully hurt her, and that set my teeth on edge.

There she is. My angel looks absolutely defeated, wings clipped, alone underneath strings of Edison bulb lights hanging from the eave. I never want her to cry like that again. I want to be her protector. Her comfort. It kills me to see her like this.

When I reach her, I pull her close into my chest. She doesn’t flinch when I touch her. That’s a total one-eighty from last week, when the thought of me touching her freaked her out. I stroke the back of her head, letting her soft hair run through my fingers. “Are you okay, Hales?” I feel her head shake side-to-side and my stomach sinks. “What happened? What did he say to you?”

She finally reveals her face. It is red and splotchy and wet. She uses the back of her hand to wipe the tears on her cheeks and she inhales sporadically, attempting to stop herself from crying again. Even in this vulnerable state, she is still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

She sniffles and explains, “Robert somehow found out that you are my boss and that this whole relationship is fake and he thinks you are just taking advantage of me. As if I couldn’t take care of myself.” How the fuck did he find out? “And he said that you will hurt me because of how you’ve acted in the past and because of who you are. He said…” Her words cut off and she looks down and starts to cry again.

“What did he say?” I lift her chin with my hand. “Hales?”

“He said that if I wasn’t good enough for him, what makes me think that I am good enough for you?” Now the tears come down in waves. I’m going to kill him. I swear he better not cross my path for the rest of the weekend. To make someone as sweet as Haley cry like this infuriates me. I can’t imagine how much she cried when he cheated on her and effectively ended their engagement. She continues through her tears, “And you know, he’s right. I am not go–”

I place a finger against her lips. “Don’t you dare say that you are not good enough for me. If anything, Hales, it’s the opposite.” I pull her into my chest again. “I promise you that everything will be okay. Robert knows nothing about our relationship. He has no right to say anything.”

Speak of the devil.Robert stumbles his way through the doors onto the deck. I have had my fair share of experience dealing with drunk, angry men in my lifetime, and I am already pissed that I have to deal with this again. It triggers my defenses right away.

Disoriented, Robert slurs, “There you are, Haley. Why the fuck did you leave me out there alone on the dance floor? Typical Haley, always running away from her fucking problems. You know you made me look like an asshole in front of all our friends, right?”

When he is inches away from grabbing Haley’s arm, I step in between them. He has no right to lay his skeezy hands on my girl. “I think you are doing that all by yourself, Robert. Good for you for realizing that you are a problem. Admission is alway the first step.” I have a solid three inches on him and I know I could lay him flat in two seconds if needed. It takes everything inside of me to not make that a reality. He is pushing it, though. He’s been on my shit list since before I even met him. “I think you need to head back to the reception, man.”

Robert starts to laugh and he stupidly advances on me. The asshole decides to shove me. Hales steps back, scared of what’s about to happen next. And I don’t blame her. “And what are you going to do if I don’t?”

“Trust me, man, you don’t want to know,” I say, rolling up my sleeves. “And it would be highly inappropriate, since we are at your best friend’s wedding. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you more than you are already embarrassing yourself right now.”

“Ha!” Robert lets out a taunting laugh. “You think that you’re better than me, you pretentious asshole? Just because you’re a famous movie star? What are you going to do to me, pretty boy?” He shoves me again.

“Don’t push me, Robert.” I instinctively guide Haley to go behind me. I want to shield her from this jackass in every way. If she had to deal with this version of Robert at any point in their relationship, I feel terrible for her. I wish I could magically erase those memories from her mind.

“Or what? We both know you’re just going to drop her, just like all your other little girlfriends in the past.”

This prick. I’m done being cordial.

“At least I didn’t cheat on her, you dick. At least I have some fucking dignity and realize that Hales is the best thing that could happen in anyone’s life. Don’t take it out on us that you fucked it all up.”

“Well if Haley would have put out once in a while, maybe I wouldn’t have…”

I swing as hard as I can and hit Robert square in the face. He falls to the floor. Yup, he is definitely going to have a busted lip. But I don’t fucking care. That bastard deserved it.

Jesus, I haven’t punched someone for real in a long time. The last person I punched was my dad, years ago, in defense of my mom. I always have a stunt double or I fake-punch my castmate. I shake my right hand, then flex my fingers out and curl them back in. Even though I haven’t done that in years, it felt good to release all my frustrations out on this asshole.

“Oh my god!” Haley rushes to my side, grabs my bicep, then my hand. “Are you okay? Did you hurt your hand? Is it broken?”

“If you properly know how to punch someone, you won’t break anything. Nah, it just hurts a little.” I nod down to Robert, who is attempting to stop the blood from making its way down his chin but to no avail–some drips onto his white collar. “I think he got the worse end of the deal.”

Haley places her hand on the side of my face and forces my gaze to leave Robert and arrive at her gorgeous brown eyes. “I don’t care about him. I care about you.”

I immediately want to swoop her back up into my arms, take her to our bedroom and show her how much I care for her.

Robert finally finds the strength to stand up. Wiping blood from his lip, he points to me and says, “What the fuck, man? This conversation doesn’t fucking concern you. You’re not even her real boyfriend. You don’t fucking love her.”

“And you did? Well you have a hell of a way of showing it to the people you love. And for the record, my love for Haley is none of your goddamn business. You come near her again, and I promise you, you won’t get up off the ground once I’m through with you.”

“Is that a fucking threat, pretty boy?”

“It’s a fucking guarantee. You’re lucky that all I did was bust your lip. That was a courtesy to the bride and your fiancée.” I step toward Robert until his forehead is almost touching my chin. He isn’t brave enough to hit me, I can see the cowardice in his eyes. He’s all talk. “Don’t come near my girl again,” I growl.

The only thing that breaks the tension is the clearing of a throat. “Um, they are ready for the Maid of Honor and Best Man to do their toasts now.” It is Haley’s mom. Shit. I hope she didn’t see me punch that son of a bitch. Or I hope that if she did see it, she knew I was defending her daughter. But I know better than anyone that often glimpses of other people’s lives isn’t the entire story.

Haley lets go of my arm and starts walking toward her mom. LeAnn gives Haley a small smile and as Robert passes, she hands him a napkin. “Maybe you should stop by the bathroom real quick to clean up before you stand in front of a crowd and talk about what it means to love someone.”

Damn. I may have beat him up physically, but LeAnn just clobbered him with her words. She glares Robert in the eyes before he walks away, hunched over in multilayered defeat.

Now it is my turn to face the possible wrath of LeAnn Swann. These Swann women have no idea how intimidating they are when they are standing stoically. They say a lot when they don’t say anything at all.

She breaks the silence first. “So…”

Geez, it feels like I am about to get scolded. I revert back to my seventeen-year-old self trying to explain to my mom that it wasn’t my fault that I was late for curfew. It was my buddy Lucas’ fault, his car broke down because he didn’t get gas. I rub the back of my neck as I hesitantly look her in the eyes. “So…look, I was just trying to…”

“You love my daughter.”

That isn’t a question. That is a flat-out statement. I was so sure that she was going to take me down with her words like she just did with my arch nemesis. Relieved, I allow my arm to fall to my side. “Yes, ma’am, I do.”

She points a finger at me and gets into a lecturing stance. I thought I was scot-free, but she can’t help it–she’s a mom. My mom would’ve done the same thing. “Don’t make me look at you with disdain as I just did with Robert, do you understand me? My daughter is everything to me. She’s my world. I just want her to be happy and to be treated right in her relationship. Can you do that?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay then. Thank you for defending my daughter. Robert had it coming.” She lowers her guard. She has the same look in her eyes that Haley does when she lets someone in. “And again, call me LeAnn, Aidan, please.”

“Okay, LeAnn.” I offer my arm so we can walk back to the reception together. She slides her hand through my arm and rests hers on my forearm. It means the world that I have LeAnn’s blessing to date her daughter. I just want to make sure she has no doubt about how I feel about Haley. “And just for the record, I wouldn’t dare hurt her like he did. Not under any condition. She’s too important to me. She’s my world, too.”

We make it back to the reception and take a seat. Robert is finishing up his slurred speech about a topic he knows nothing about. He does manage to convince the people around him, though, as I look at the crowd. Some people are tearing up. He might be a good lawyer, but he sucks as a person.

He hands the microphone off to Haley as she stands up, removing my jacket I gave her in the process. She has a piece of paper in one hand and the microphone in the other. I can tell that she is nervous to be speaking in front of a large crowd of people, but I know she can do it. This woman is strong enough to accomplish anything she wants to in life.

“Hi everyone. My name is Haley. I’m the Maid of Honor and Anna’s best friend. Um, I could be up here all night talking about how much Anna means to me and even tell you embarrassing stories about the bride, but I know it would be a moot point since Anna doesn’t get embarrassed by anything.”

The crowd laughs as Haley smiles that beautiful smile of hers and looks back at Anna, who nods at the statement and mouths, “It’s true.”

“I know the word ‘honor’ is a part of my title, but to tell you all the truth, it’s an honor to know Anna and to have her as my sister. You know, when she and Dan met, I was a little worried that our relationship was going to change. That the world we created for ourselves would change. The world full of Barbie dolls, jamming out to Britney Spears and N*Sync, making friendship bracelets, talking about the boys we liked, talking about our first kisses. That our sacred bond would be broken, even though we swore to each other that no boy could come between us.”

My heart jumps a little at that image. I desperately wish that I was Haley’s first kiss and now my stomach is twisting, aching that I will hopefully be her last.

“I was worried that our perfect sisterhood bubble would pop and my person would be taken from me forever. What a relief it was that Dan just fit into our world and didn’t completely upend it. If anything, he added to it. He loves Anna so immensely and completely that what Anna and I had established was never threatened, but rather nourished and nurtured. I thought everything would change. And I guess it did, but in a way that made our relationship stronger and through this process, I felt that I gained a brother. Our time with each other became more intentional. Instead of dreaming of who our prince charming would be or what they were going to be like, we were actually discussing the real ones in our lives.”

This is when Haley starts to break. Just a little.

She looks at Anna and says, “You two were made for each other. And Dan, there is no one else in the world I could imagine loving our Anna the way you do. Or who can handle Anna’s crazy antics like you do.”

Laughter ensues again, but people are now sniffling in the midst of the laughter.

“Now, I am not saying that your marriage is going to be perfect or that every day is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Just remember that on the best days and the worst days, love is always going to be a part of the equation. It is the foundation to any secure and lasting relationship. It is the common thread that binds all of us together and that thread is going to fray at times, but it’s also going to mend in others. Love never fails us. It finds a way into our lives when we least expect it.”

Haley glances over to me, eyes glittering from the twinkling lights and tears. That’s it. I’m done for. It is then I notice that all eyes are on Haley and only on Haley. For once, I’m not warding off stares from people in the distance. Finally nobody cares that I am in their vicinity. It feels so liberating. I haven’t felt this freedom since before my first blockbuster film took off. I am glad that Haley is finally the center of attention. She sure as hell is mine.

“Find the beauty in every moment with each other and never allow the world to tell you that your love is too good to be true, because real love is never too good to be true. It just is.” Haley puts down her paper and grabs her glass of champagne. I grab my own, along with the entirety of the guests, and raise it up.

“Here’s to the bride and groom and to a love that will withstand any storm that comes your way. Congratulations. Love you guys.”

There is not a dry eye in the house. Everyone starts clapping. With the exception of the stone-cold face of Robert, who isn’t even looking anyone in the eye and is now drinking from his flask again. Julia is trying to console him and I see her mouthing, “What happened to your face?”

Haley makes her way to Anna and they embrace with tears streaming down both their faces. It is a beautiful sight to see. The love between them is so apparent and so strong. There is no storm that is going to break their love, either. After Haley hugs Dan, the DJ starts playing more music. “All right now! Let’s really get this party started! Get out on the dance floor!”

I need Haley in my arms immediately. It is no longer a want anymore. I need Haley like I need air to breathe.

“Will you excuse me, LeAnn?”

LeAnn nods and starts talking to the guest sitting on her other side. I roll up my sleeves again and adjust my tie. As I approach Haley and Anna, they are laughing about some sort of inside joke. I reach out a hand toward Dan. “Congratulations, Dan. You’re one lucky man.”

“Thanks, man. Don’t I know it.”

“That’s right,” Anna chimes in, winking and plastering a kiss on Dan’s lips.

“Anna, would you mind if I steal the Maid of Honor away for a dance? I haven’t had that pleasure yet.”

“Steal away. Just make sure she’s back by midnight, Charming.”

“Oh my god, that is the cheesiest thing you have ever said, Anna.” Haley grabs my hand and makes her way around the bride and groom’s small table.

“I can’t guarantee that,” I respond to Anna. “Sorry to disappoint, but I have a feeling that I am going to be keeping her way past midnight.” I like bantering with Anna because I have a feeling that is Anna’s way of approval and acceptance into their sisterhood bubble. I am for sure in, and that is important to me. Almost as important as being in with LeAnn.

Anna’s jaw drops, as does Dan’s, as does Haley’s. But I don’t care. I never want to spend a night without this woman. Especially after last night.

“Well…she’s all yours. Don’t be too rough with our girl.” Anna playfully winks at me.

“Oh my god, Anna!!” Haley exclaims out of complete embarrassment.

“Can’t make any promises.” If I thought Haley’s jaw dropped before, it is completely on the floor now. Her face turns the brightest shade of pink I’ve ever seen and it is also the cutest sight I’ve ever seen. I love making her flustered, especially since she now has a point of reference of what to expect from me.

“Thatta boy. Have fun, you two.” Anna waves at us, then turns her attention to some older guests who want to say their congratulations before their departure.

Out on the dance floor, I place Haley’s arms around my neck and my own hands on her waist. I make a mental note of where the zipper is located. Hell, I didn’t need to know that information, as long as it is material that can easily rip, I’ll be fine. She will never wear this dress again, even though she looks like a total knockout. She is rocking this light yellow dress and here I thought lavender was her color. Who am I kidding? Haley could be wearing a fucking potato sack and she would be the most stunning woman in the world.

Haley is looking everywhere but up at me. Her face is still flushed.

“Where’s your head at Hales?”

“Oh my little old head, maybe it completely exploded back there where Anna and Dan are sitting after you told them that you were going to be ‘rough’ with me.”

“Those were Anna’s words, not mine.” I laugh. “And did you want me to lie to your best friend?”

Haley finally shoots me a look and her nose crinkles up like it does when she is upset. I can’t take her seriously when she looks like that. It’s the cutest face I’ve ever seen.

I return her look with a big smile. “That’s what I thought.”

“Why are you smiling like a goofball?”

“Because you’re cute when you crinkle up your nose when you’re mad.”

Haley purses her lips together, trying not to smile from my comment. I hold her tighter to me and feel every curve of her body meld into mine. I want to get in that head of hers. I know she is overthinking. “Seriously, what are you thinking about?”

“You.”

“What about me?”

“How you didn’t hesitate in defending me with Robert. How you actually punched him.”

“Are you mad at me for that?”

“Not mad. Just confused. I mean, you are so concerned about your image in Hollywood. That was the whole point in us dating, right? For you to return to your Golden Boy status? I’m just scared that if we continue this relationship back in L.A. and someone even looks at me the wrong way – which, let’s face it, would probably happen because not to be a broken record, but look at you and look at me – that you are going to fight every person who talks ill of me. People are going to talk and criticize and doubt this. I don’t want you to have a reputation you don’t want, especially when I know the real you – or at least, I think I do.” She looks down. She is starting to doubt it, which is so insane given everything we’ve been through these past three years – and more importantly, all that we’ve been through and discovered about each other these past couple of weeks.

“You’re right. I will take down anyone who talks bad about you because you’re my girl. And let them talk, Hales. People love to talk about things they know nothing about. They just want the attention. We know what we have and that’s all that matters. I will punch a million Roberts if they ever talked to you or touched you like he did. All I care about is what you think of me. No one else matters.”

I can tell by her small smile that she isn’t convinced. I have an idea that will hopefully bring her out of her own head.

“Stay right here. Don’t move.” I run over to the DJ and ask him to play a song that I know is one of her favorites. It’s one of my favorites too.

I jog back to Hales and resume our position.

“What song did you request?” she asks.

“You’ll find out in about five seconds.”

Jazz music blasts on the speakers and Harry Connick Jr’s voice takes over the night air. Haley recognizes the song immediately and she flashes me her immaculate smile. “It Had To Be You? Really?”

“I know it’s your favorite. And I have it on good authority that it’s this version specifically that you love the most.”

“Oh do you now?”

“Yup. Rob Reiner has good taste. I’m going to have to tell him that the next time I see him.”

Haley’s shoulders are at ease and she peruses my face, really looking at me for me and not just what I look like on the outside. She is looking into my soul. “Oh you’re good, Aidan Stone.”

“You’re better, Haley Swann.” I kiss her forehead and her hands grab my neck a little tighter, welcoming the gesture. I lower my head to meet her eyes and say in the most serious tone I can possibly muster up, “And I want to make something abundantly clear: there is no if with us, Hales. I’m not going anywhere.”

She finally relaxes and nestles her head on my shoulder. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am safe. I feel like I am at home. Haley is quickly becoming my home.