“My mom died on impact. She was the first one I saw when I came to. She was just… hanging there, upside down. I’ll never forget the look on her face. Like there was still surprise in her eyes, even after she was gone.”
I shake my head, rubbing my hands down the front of my shirt, willing my stomach to settle. “My dad was coughing, so I thought he was still with me. But he didn't make it to the hospital. I still don't know how I survived. Sometimes I feel like maybe I wasn't supposed to."
Hayes tips my chin up with his thumb when I try to avoid his gaze. “You were supposed to survive, Emery. Don't ever doubt that. You were meant to be here for Charlie… For me."
I search his face for the lie, but it isn’t there. Maybe he’s right. If for no other reason, I was meant to bring Charlie into both our lives.
When he lets me go, I turn toward the kitchen and grab the broom like I should have done the first time, but he immediately snags it out of my hand and starts sweeping.
“You shouldn't have to clean that up. I’m the one who made the mess.”
“You've done nothing but clean since you've moved in. Sit down and let me help you for once.” He scoops the glass into the pan and empties it into the trash. “Was that a new vase?”
“Yes. I hope you don't mind me redecorating. Some of the rooms could use it.”
“They all could use it.” He chuckles. “I don’t mind.”
“I made sure to pick out things I think you'll like, so it feels like home for you.”
“It would take a lot more than decorations to make this a home for me, unfortunately. Even if I do own the house.”
“Because it was your father's?”
His back stiffens, like it does every time his father is mentioned. “Yeah, he made sure there weren't many good memories made here.”
“What about your mom?” I tread carefully. Hayes never mentioned her in a negative light aside from the green-eye comment. “Do you have good memories of her?”
“A few” is all he says before he returns to sweeping.
Clearly, bringing up his mom is off the table.
“Well, I made sure to pick out things that you might like, so it doesn’t just feel like me in here.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Hayes smirks, sweeping away any lingering tension from talking about our parents.
“I suppose only you can answer that, but either way, it’s your house, not mine. I want you to like it after I’m gone.”
Hayes freezes. “What do you meanafter you're gone?”
“Just that.” I shrug, trying not to think about how my stomach sickens considering it. “After my uncle is dealt with, I’m sure you won’t want me hanging around. It’s bad enough you have to babysit me when I’m more than capable of taking care of myself under normal circumstances. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure you see Charlie whenever you want. But I’m not getting any ideas in my head. I know this is all temporary.”
Even if I hate it.
Hayes is deathly silent. His green eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen them as they barrel into me.
“You think this is temporary?”
I hug my arms around my stomach, shrugging. I don't want it to be temporary, but I can't exactly say that to him when I’ve already forced myself into his life.
“I’ve put a lot on you,” I say, avoiding his gaze. “I’m not saying that’s what I want, but I don’t want to mess up your life more than I already have. When all this is done, I can go. You don't have to feel obligated to look out for me forever.”
“You think you’re an obligation?” His jaw ticks.
“You didn’t ask for this,” I remind him.
Hayes scans my face, and I hate that it feels like he reads my every thought. His frown turns to something else the longer he stares until he pulls out his phone and types out a text.
“Do you have plans this afternoon?”
