Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Hayes
It has been pure and utter torture since Easton interrupted us on the roof.
All I can see every time I blink are Leighton’s swollen lips.
All I can feel is her ass in my hands. All I can hear are her soft little moans.
I’m in way over my head. I thought I could control my appetite for her—keep my shit together until she gives me the green light—but I’m starting to wonder.
I force myself to sit on the couch in the family room. “Did you hire a maid?”
“No, I did it myself.” She lights a candle on the table.
Everything looks meticulous. It’s the most put-together I’ve seen this house look.
“I take offense to that by the way.”
“She made us do stuff all day.” Monroe groans.
“Okay, guys,” Leighton says and sits next to me. She places her hand on my thigh. I have to think of something shitty before my dick joins our little party. “Hayes and I have some news.”
Lake’s eyes zoom in on Leighton’s hand on my thigh, and I straighten, pulling her hand off to hold it. “We were trying to keep it a secret, but during the court hearing, we had no choice but to tell the judge.”
They don’t say anything. Monroe is flicking her bee headband for National Bee Day. She’s dressed in yellow and black, and it’s cute as hell.
“Hayes and I are a couple. A romantically involved couple,” Leighton says.
“What does that mean?” Lincoln frowns.
“They, like, kiss and stuff,” Lake says.
“It’s like Mom and Dad, except we don’t live together, nor are we married. We are dating. He’s my boyfriend.”
“Hayes is going to be my uncle!” Lincoln screams and raises his fists in the air.
Leighton squeezes my hand.
I clear my throat. I assume that’s her subtle way of telling me to tag in.
“No, buddy, but maybe…” Another squeeze.
Leighton has a Miss America smile plastered on as she crushes my knuckles together.
Does she realize that’s how I make my money?
“We’re taking things slow, and nothing is changing.
I’ll be coming and going like I have been. ”
“Are you going to sleep over? National Sleepover Day is coming soon,” Monroe says.
Leighton’s grip gets even tighter. “Um… we’ll see. But we didn’t want to keep any secrets from you guys.”
“When did you start dating?” Lake tucks herself into the corner of the love seat, pointedly staring at us, then our adjoined hands, and back to our faces.
“Um…” I look at Leighton because I’m not sure what to say.
“Well, I’ve known Hayes a long time.”
I release Leighton’s hand so I can have feeling in mine again and wrap my arm around her shoulders. She leans against my chest. Fake or not, this feels damn good.
“I know that, but you weren’t dating before, so when did you start?” Lake asks.
Is it hot in here? I crack my neck, and Leighton looks at me with an expression to say I suck at faking it.
I’ve never been good at lying. Even when I was a little kid.
“I don’t know the specific date, but it doesn’t matter,” she says.
Lincoln tosses me the ball in his lap, and I go to throw it back, but earn a look from Leighton that says we’re still talking.
“In a little bit, Linc.” I place it next to me on the couch.
“Do you not like that we’re dating, Lake?” Leighton asks.
She shrugs. “No, I just wonder why all of a sudden.”
Leighton puts her hand on my thigh again, and my leg jumps a little. She squeezes it to keep it in place.
Lake’s eyes are on Leighton’s hand again, and I feel uncomfortable. Almost like the father of a teenager watching me grope his daughter in front of him.
“It was just time, I guess. We’ve been spending time together,” Leighton says.
“Hmm. Okay, is this family meeting over then?” Lake twirls her finger in the air.
“Yes. She’ll be here any minute, so just be yourselves.”
The doorbell rings, and I couldn’t be happier that this uncomfortable conversation is over. Leighton gets up to answer the door, Lincoln and Monroe following her. Lake stays in the chair, her gaze on me.
She totally knows this thing is fake, but I decide to tell her the one thing that is true.
“I like Leighton. A lot. So, whatever you’re concerned about, don’t be.”
“I don’t care who you are. If you hurt her, I have a lot of friends with social media accounts.”
I purse my lips, trying not to smile or laugh. “Message received.”
She nods, and I let her think she made her point, but I’ll prove her wrong—I won’t ever hurt Leighton.