“Yeah, but she isn’t–”
“Staying. I know.” I snatch my tools from the floor and head up to the bathroom.
For the past four weeks, I’ve thrown myself into work, more specifically Hayleigh’s home. I knew the family she bought it from, and with a bit of persuasion and my puppy-dog eyes, I managed to convince them to let me have the keys so I could come and go without Hayleigh knowing.
She wanted to do the place up her own way and decorate it, but some things needed to be fixed first. While she’s away, I’m fixing what I can so that when she does come back, she doesn’t have as much to do.
Whenever she gets back.
Fuck, I miss her.
There’s a funny feeling behind my eyes, so I bite the inside of my cheek until it goes away. That happens a lot lately when I think about Hayleigh and her not being here and being stuck with her parents.
She hasn’t spoken to me since the night she left. How did one night go from such a high to leaving me feeling like I’ve lost a piece of myself? Not that she ever was mine, maybe this is all one-sided, and I was a fling?
Fuck.
My stupid fucking eyes.
Rubbing a hand across my aching heart, I let out a choked sob and throw my saw across the room before burying my head in my hands and sliding down the wall until I thud to the floor.
This is so fucking unfair. How could I fall for someone so hard when I don’t even know if she likes me, let alone loves me?
“Nate?” Archie calls out. I don’t shout back.
Footsteps bound up the stairs, and the next thing I know, Archie’s running into the room like his backsides on fire.
“Nate? What’s wrong?”
Scrubbing my hands down my face, I shrug. “I miss her. I was sure we were getting somewhere, Arch, but she hasn’t…no messages.” The last part comes out as a whisper.
Archie slides down next to me, throwing his arm around me, he says, “That girl loves you, she just doesn’t realise it yet. She’s still grieving, and until she’s done with that, I don’t think she will. I think she’s scared, and that’s what stopped her from messaging you.”
I nod. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
He squeezes his arm that’s around my shoulder. “It’s okay to be upset about it, you’re only human. It’s okay for men to cry, too, you know.”
My chuckle is garbled from crying. “I know, you do often enough at those movies you watch.”
Archie sighs. “There’s something about a Hallmark movie that gets to me.”
**********
Today’s the day that Hayleigh finally comes back to Roselake. Cole organised for everyone to meet him and Lacey at the house he built for them as a surprise for Lacey, and it’s the first time I’ve seen Hayleigh since she left. My heart is in my throat, and my hands feel clammy.
Jeez, is it hot in here?
“Will you stop fidgeting?” Ethan nudges my arm as he side eyes me.
I throw him a dirty look. “Will you ever stop being grumpy?”
“He can’t, he has a permanent stick up his-Ouch!” Rafe rubs his ear after Ethan yanks at it.
I’m on edge because she’s standing not two feet away from me and isn’t even looking my way. I know she’s trying her hardest to seem happy and normal, but there’s pain behind her eyes; it’s the only reason I’m not storming over to her and demanding answers.
Cole shows Lacey around their home, her eyes lighting up at everything she sees, and I want to see that same look on Hayleigh’s face. So when everyone else is busy talking, I grab her arm, steering her away from everyone.
She doesn’t speak or shout. Instead, she follows me out.
