I place a hand to my heart. “Ethan Peterson, was that an apology?”
His mouth twitches at the corner. “Don’t push it.”
I settle back in my seat, close my eyes and smile to myself.
**********
Drool trails down the side of my mouth, and I have to smack my chops a few times to get rid of it. Then I remember where I am.
I open one eye, squinting as Nate’s face fills my vision.
Oh God, this is mortifying.
I sit up and realise Ethan has brought me straight back to Nate and Archie’s home instead of to my own. I swipe my hands over my face, getting rid of any drool left around my mouth and place my hand in Nate’s open one.
He helps me out of the car and smiles down at me. “Hey, Shortcake.”
My voice is quiet as I say. “Hi.” I turn around but find Ethan’s already gone. “I did ask Ethan to take me to my house, I’m sorry if I’m intruding…”
When I turn back around to face Nate, he steps forward and bends at the waist, scooping me up in a fireman’s lift over one shoulder while lifting my bags with his free arm.
I squeal because this guy is ridiculously tall. “Nate! Put me down, I’m going to fall.”
He chuckles as he bands his arm around the backs of my thighs, dangerously close to where I’m heating up. “I’m not letting you go, Hayleigh.”
Something in his voice makes me think that he isn’t talking about letting me fall.
Chapter 21
Nate
Ihave to be sure, without a shadow of a doubt, a kernel of hesitation that Hayleigh is back for good. I have to know because there is no way I’m going any further with her if she isn’t sure about what she wants.
I carry her up the stairs to the next floor, the whole way her laugh rings loud, unleashed and free. I get to her bedroom door and place her down. Her chest heaves as she stares up at me. Dropping her bags, I bring my hand to her face and cup it gently.I need to know.My stomach does somersaults, and my heart gallops in my chest.
Her eyes fall closed. “Hayleigh.” She responds with a smile as I say her name. “I need to know what this is, between us, I mean. I need you to make it clear for me because I know what I want, but I need to know that you’re sure.”
She opens her eyes, and I hold my breath. Her hand covers my own. “I realised something, after you left, Bennington came into my room and–”
Record scratch.
I step forward as Hayleigh moves back, the wall hitting her from behind, her breath hitches, and her eyes widen as I lean in close, my arm leaning against the wall above her head. “You’re not scared, are you, Shortcake?” I don’t think she is, but I want to make sure.
She takes a deep breath, biting her lip, and she shakes her head. “No, not of you.”
“Good, because I willneverdo anything to hurt you. I’d rather rip out my own heart than shatter yours.”
At my words, she closes her eyes for a moment, and when she opens them again, they’re shining. “He wasn’t in my room for any other reason than to gloat and throw his weight around, but I made sure he knew who was boss.”
I smile at that, my feisty, sassy Shortcake. “You can tell me all about it later, but I’m glad you stood up to him.”
“My mother told me if I walked out, then I wouldn’t be welcome anymore–I’m also uninvited to Thea’s wedding.” She huffs out a laugh, even with the pain in her eyes.
“She’ll come around. Are you okay?” I tilt my head, my brow furrowing as I try to read her expression.
“I’m better than okay, do you want to know why?”
“I really do.” I wait with bated breath to see what she says next.
