The red pom-poms on Hayley’s oversized shoes flop around with each stomp up the stairs. When we finally reach my apartment, Hayley stalks to the coffee table before whipping toward us. I position myself so that Jade is at my back in case my sister decides to go full possessed-clown and start ripping flesh with her teeth.
She opens her mouth, but before she can say a word, I hold up my hand. Now she looks like she wants to bite it clean off. “Before you say whatever it is that will undoubtedly piss me off, you owe Jade an apology. She’s been working her ass off at the store and was really looking forward to blowing off some steam tonight. She got all dolled up,”—pun absolutely intended—“and then you ruined her favorite holiday with your dramatics.”
“I know it’s her favorite holiday, asshole. That’s why I’m here. I was going to surprise her, but I guess she surprised me instead.”
“Hayley,” Jade says, firmer this time. “I’m really sorry that you found out like this, but—”
Hayley cuts across to me as if Jade hadn’t even spoken. “Where do you get off, acting like you know her better than I do?” she says to me. “She’s been my best friend for twelve fucking years.”
Is this how she treats her “friends?” Not letting them say a word to defend themselves, even though they shouldn’thaveto defend themselves in the first place? I wait a beat to see if Jade wants to jump in again, but she seems content to glare at my sister.
“And yet she didn’t feel like she could tell you that we’re dating,” I point out.
“Oh, please. You aren’tdating.” Hayley lifts to her toes to throw over my shoulder, “He’s only trying to get into your pants, Jade.”
Jade’s shoulders stiffen, and I’d like to say that mine don’t, but that’s a lie.
Hayley’s hands fly to her mouth, her gaze bouncing between us. “Dylan, no. Tell me you didn’t break the code.”
So much for letting her down gently. “Hayley—”
“I can’t believe you,” she hisses.
I’m not sure what to say, so I keep quiet. Better to let her get it all out without interruption before she starts accusing me of mansplaining or some other bullshit.
She jabs her gloved finger into my arm. “I told you not to go near her.”
“This isn’t just on Dylan.” Jade braves my sister’s wrath when she reaches for my hand. I give her fingers a squeeze. “We both went into this with open eyes.”
Hayley’s head whips toward Jade. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll get to you.”
“Don’t talk to her like that.” I don’t care if she’s severely jet-lagged or possessed by some malicious clown spirit—she needs to watch her tone.
Jade steps forward, and her hand lands on my chest. “I’ve got this. Hayley, if you can’t calm down and talk to us with the respect we both deserve, then you should leave.”
Hayley blows out a breath, but when she speaks again, she’s lost some of the bitchiness. “How many times have you told me that your dream is to get married, have kids, and live in Still Springs forever?” she asks Jade. “What happened to finding someone who wants the same things? Because let me tell you, my brother isnotthat guy.”
Excuse me? “You don’t know what kind of guy I am.” Yeah, she’s my sister, but we haven’t lived in the same state for over a decade.
“No?” Hayley’s eyes narrow into slits, and I’d honestly rather she put the mask back on. “I know you’re the kind of guy who has threesomes in Venice and Berlin. Who sleeps with a different girl every night you’re in London. You can’t even remember their names half the time.”
I try to swallow past the sudden rock in my throat, but it’s not happening. I don’t dare glance at Jade for fear of seeing the look of horror on her face.
“Do you want to talk about all the models you’ve photographed and then fucked?” Hayley goes on.
My head’s starting to spin, and my palms are leakier than my bathroom sink. Why the hell did I think it’d be a good idea to tell my sister about all the shit I’ve done in the past? Jade’s not going to want to come near me now—and for good reason.
I’ve been the worst kind of man—one who doesn’t commit, whose bedpost has so many notches it looks like it’s been chewed by rabid beavers. I may not be acting like that right now, but a few months ago…yeah. I was that guy.
Jade’s hand slips from mine, and I don’t even try to hold on.
She steps in front of me, ready to bolt out of the apartment, and—
“Get out,” Jade snaps.
Wait a minute. Did she just tell my sister to—
“I mean it, Hayley,” Jade says. “I love you, but you’re out of line coming in here and acting like this.”
