Chapter 13 – Nice Eyes
Luke – 22 years old
S even days since Hadley screamed and ran away from me.
I wanted to run towards her, I wanted to chase her down the dirt track. I wanted to go to her parents’ house. But mostly, I wanted to hold her in my arms and never let go.
When I pulled up to the barn a week ago and she stepped out, I never expected the rush of emotions that flew from me. Tears rushed down my cheeks, and since I was scared for her to see me that way, I flicked on my full beam headlights. She cursed and lifted her arm to shield her eyes.
I spotted Trevor up by the main house in his chair on the front porch as I was driving past, and I knew where Hadley would be, so I went there. In hindsight, I should have gone to him first. I heard his voice before looking up at him. When he got one look at my face, he nodded and told Hadley to finish and head home.
“You came back, kid.” He whispered it like he was happy to see me and leaned through the window of my car.
I could only nod. “Once she’s gone, you’re coming up to the house. Think about it.” He pointed to the barn, his words still in a hushed tone so Hadley couldn’t hear him. “Right now, if you go in there, it will blow up, and at this time of night, you won’t be thinking clearly, and neither will she.” He had a point.
“Okay,” I whispered, opening my car door and turning off my lights, the only bit of light coming from the barn that.
The moment I got out of the car, Trevor pulled me into a hug and patted my back. “It’s good to see you, Luke.” My lip wobbled.
“You too, Trev.” While hugging him, he pointed towards the main house. Just as I took two steps forward, I caught sight of Hadley stacking hay bales. She couldn’t see me, as her back was turned away, and before I could stop myself, I was walking towards the barn.
I froze the moment I was inside, stuck staring at the spot I left her six years ago. The memories that pulled me out of my darkest moments were all in the barn with her.
Her long black hair is now cut into a shoulder-length bob. I want her to turn around so I can look at her face, so I ask without thinking.
“You want a hand?” The moment those words left my mouth I wanted to take them back. Why didn’t I just go up to the house and wait. Thought it through properly.
Then she imploded and I deserved it.
Safe to say Trevor gave me the I told you so talk when we got up to his house. Later in the night after he found out I had nowhere to stay, he offered me one of his spare rooms.
“You’re welcome to stay, Luke. I’d feel much better if I knew you had a roof over your head tonight.” He stood up from the sofa. “And if you’re as sure as you say you are about winning Hadley back, then I think I might know someone who’s trying to rent out an apartment. We can sort it out with him in the next few days.”
Trevor and I are standing inside a small apartment. It is bare and basic, but it will do me just right. I grin the entire time my new landlord explains a few things I need to know about, like rent.
Trevor vouched for me by saying he was my employer, giving his friend peace of mind. He offered me my old job back since there are some things Trevor is too old to do now, so he was hoping I would be able to do them for him.
As much as I wanted to accept his job offer, as, let’s face it, this money will run out sooner rather than later, I told him I would get back to him. Luckily, he understood that I didn’t want to upset or work there when Hadley doesn’t know of it and may not be okay with it.
Hopefully, in the meantime, I can find a job at a local garage that will cover the cost of the tenancy agreement I had to sign to get the keys for my new shack. I miss being a mechanic.
Once they left and I had the run of the place, I ventured out to the furniture store, needing to get sofa and a bed. My new apartment had a fridge and washing machine. So, for now, I just need the basic stuff until I’m on my two feet properly.
After finding what I need and arranging delivery with the store, I go food shopping, and get some plates, glasses, cutlery, and a kettle.
For once, life feels like it’s on the up.
Leaving my apartment later in the evening to pick up bedding from the supermarket for my new bed, I hear a familiar giggle on the high street I now live on.
Anger bubbles inside me as I witness Hadley, and some guy dressed up like he’s a Victor entering the Italian restaurant across the road.
She’s on a date, on a fucking date.
Fuck !
Who the hell is that? That should be me.
The urge to call out to her is hard. I find myself crossing the empty road but stop, thinking about how she left me at Trevor’s farm, the things she called me, and how she doesn’t want to see me again. Flicking my gaze over the restaurant’s front window, I hope I can get another look at her.
Giving up on my search, I assume her and her date have been seated towards the back of the place. Just as I’m turning around, her angelic voice calls out to me.
“Luke!”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.
Hadley murmurs, “Look at me.”
I can’t help nor stop myself from asking, “Who are you with?” It comes out harsher than intended. I know it’s rude and none of my business but worth an ask, right?
I twist around to face her while waiting for her answer or another rejection. I take her in, not caring that I’m eyeing her up. She’s fucking beautiful with her hair sleek in a high ponytail and wearing a tight-fitted short black dress that shows every curve of her body. She’s changed so much.
We lock eyes, and without registering what my hands are doing, I cup her cheek and pull her body into mine with my other hand. She stands flush against my chest, and hers rises and falls quickly. I wrap her into a hug, placing my arms around her waist. She sucks in a sharp breath before relaxing and wrapping her arms around my neck.
I want an answer for who she is with, but I’m scared if she opens that mouth of hers, it will be to push me away.
Having her in my arms again after six years feels like the best reward for everything thing that’s happened.
If I can get her to sit down and listen to me, we might stand a chance. Maybe she will forgive me.
We stand in each other’s arm for a while before jumping apart when a car horn blasts at us for being in the road.
As the car drives between us, I shout, “Come for coffee, please? Leave that guy and come with me.” Wrapping herself in a hug, she looks at the ground, then back up with a look of determination on her pretty face. No !
“I can’t, Luke, I’m sorry.” She’s turning around before I can respond.
“Tigger!” I run and catch her by her elbow. “I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry. Just give me a chance to explain I just need a—” My voice cracks, and I shake my head. Hadley’s hand cups my cheek as she rises to her tiptoes and kisses my cheek before turning away. Without watching her go back to her date, I run home to the bottle of booze Liam had packed for me the day I left London.
I can’t do this; I can’t watch her move on with her life in front of me. I need to fix this.
Taking a swig from the bottle, I shiver as the liquor burns the back of my throat, then cough. Fuck Liam.
There’s a Post-it note taped to the side of the bottle that I hadn’t even seen until now.
For the bad days, Luke.
A little shot of this stuff goes a long way.
Maybe drink with water.
Keep your head up, bro,
I miss you.
Liam.
I wish I could see him. We agreed for me to leave my phone and bank card behind to keep Dad from using it to track me down, but it won’t take him long. I’ve got a few months at best.
As I’m stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel, my doorbell chimes. Who the hell is that?
Bang, Bang, Bang rattles my front door. “Open up, yo-you big jerk” comes from the other side.
Hadley’s here? Oh shit, Hadley’s here.
After throwing on a T-shirt and a pair of running shorts, I race to the door, taking a deep breath in and blowing it out before pulling it open. Hadley falls onto her back with her head looking up at me.
“What are you doing?” I chuckle.
Hiccupping, she covers her face with her forearm to hide her embarrassment. Her cheeks turn pink as she pulls her arm away. “I was waiting for you to open the door—” Hiccup. “But you took too long, sooooo I sat down—” Hiccup. She’s drunk.
“Come on, Tigger, let’s get you some water.” I give her my hand, and she spins to face me. Resting on the heels of her feet, she stares up at me with her doe eyes. Fucking beautiful.
“If you in-insist …”
After pulling her up with my hand, I wrap my arm around her waist, as she’s struggling to walk in her heels.
Turning to look up at me, her head wobbles from side to side before she stops walking and stares into my eyes.
“You, okay?” I smile.
“Wow, yo-you have huuuuge pupils.”
I chuckle. “Huge pupils, huh?”
“I-I meant, mmm …” She taps her chin with her index finger, making me smile. “Nice eyes, you have nice eyes.” She giggles before hiccupping in my face. If any other woman had said that to me, I might have found a way to excuse myself and run, but not this girl. Nah, she’s perfect, even when she’s drunk.
After sitting her on my sofa, I drop to my knees in front of her. Lifting one of her feet up, I slowly unbuckle the clip on her heels. Her breath hitches when I pick up the other and repeat the process. I lift it higher and drop a kiss onto her ankle before standing and filling a glass with cold water from the tap.
After taking the glass of water from my outstretched hand, she takes a large gulp before handing it back, then lies down and stretches across the sofa before patting the empty space beside her, gesturing for me to lie down too.
I debate for a beat until she pleads. “Please, Luke.”
When I get comfortable, her head nuzzles into my chest as her arm flops around my waist. My hand finds her hair, and I comb my fingers through it.
“I was out with my sister and friend, Travis. Margs was already inside.”
I drop a kiss to her forehead, and she whispers, “It wasn’t a date.” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears.
“It’s okay.” She nods and drops her head back to my chest. We don’t speak for the rest of the evening.
With her asleep on my chest, I find myself torn between letting her sleep or waking her up. After closing my eyes to pro and con my dilemma, I drift off to slumber.