When we’re far away from everyone else, I crouch down. “Are you okay?”
She nods but doesn’t meet my eyes.
“How’s it been at the guest house with Morgana?” That earns me a small smile.
She shrugs.
“Either I’ve lost my ability to hear, or you’ve lost your ability to talk. Come on, Shortcake, tell me what it is that I’ve done wrong?”
She shakes her head, eyes shining. “You didn’t do anything wrong. We shouldn’t do this now. Let’s go back inside.” She turns to leave, but my hand, still on her arm, stops her.
“Hayleigh, you left after a fantastic night together and ghosted me for weeks. I had to hear from Archie on how you were doing.” I want to be understanding, but I can’t deny the hurt that put me through.
She throws her arms up. “What do you want me to say, Nate? That I’m sorry? Because I am! I shouldn’t have ghosted you,but I thought that…that you would think I was weak for going back to my parents, and I couldn’t stand to disappoint you.” Her shoulders drop.
I quickly take a glance through the door. Emmy is watching us, so I step toward Hayleigh and walk her backwards out of sight.
She squeaks. “Nate! What are you doing?” Her back hits the garden wall.
We’re surrounded by tall conifer trees, the smell of freshly cut grass floats through the air, and the sounds of neighbours in their gardens are all around us. But here, tucked away, it feels like our own little bubble, hidden away and completely out of view of the prying eyes.
I lift my hand to Hayleigh’s face and trace the sliver of sunlight that shines across her cheek as I whisper, “I missed you.” I lean closer to her, breathing in her perfume and wishing I could stay in this moment.
Her eyes fall closed. “I missed you too, but–”
“Shh. It doesn’t matter. Don’t think. Kiss me.”
Her eyes fly open, and I think she’s going to tell me no, and if she does, that’s going to be okay, but she doesn’t. Instead, her hands grab the front of my t-shirt as she drags my face down to hers, and our lips smash together.
Our tongues tangle as we explore each other, and Hayleigh’s grip tightens. I move my hands underneath her thighs and lift. Her legs wrap around my waist as she grinds on me. I kiss her cheek, her neck, before moving onto the other side.
Hayleigh moans. “Nate…”
“Do you have to go back?” My words are muffled as I kiss and nibble on her neck.
She huffs out a laugh. “Yes, I have to go back, but…Nate, I don’t want to ghost you this time.”
I pull back to look at her. “Then don’t.”
We freeze as the patio doors open. “Hayleigh? Nate?” Emmy shouts.
Hayleigh slaps her hand over my mouth, her eyes widening. She shakes her head, putting her finger to her lips, signalling for me to be quiet. Emmy must go back inside because we hear the doors close.
She removes her hand from my mouth. “Sorry…I’m not ashamed of you, Nate. It’s just…”
“Stop. It’s okay. Tonight, at your barn, we can talk there, okay?”
She nods, and I let her down gently before she walks away.
This is the long haul; this isn’t a quick fix, but I’m okay with that. I can take my time.
**********
I cut the lights on my car as I park outside the barn. A soft flow emanates from inside, signalling Hayleigh’s already in there. My heart races as I grip the steering wheel. What if she agreed to meet to tell me that whatever this is between us is over?
Come on, Nate.
I get out of my car, legs feeling like jelly as I walk to the barn and push open the door. Hayleigh sits at the back of the barn on the old, worn couch, legs tucked underneath her and a book in her hands. I take my phone and snap a quick photo of her looking peaceful.
