“As enlightening as our little talk is, I need to go,” I say. He has the good grace to look sheepish.Yeah, you jerk. Hope you feel bad.Looking over at Harper, I say, “I’ll see you Sunday unless you need me for anything before then. If you do, it’s better that you come to my apartment. Your house has an icy draft.”
I get to my feet and stomp—as much as my ankle will let me—out of the room. Before I reach the door, a hand lands on my shoulder. I turn around to find Hayden. I raise an eyebrow.
“Alyssa, I didn’t mean… I shouldn’t…”
“Hayden, stop. I don’t want to hear what you have to say, because every time you speak to me, you just piss me off. You act like I’ve done something wrong. I don’t know what you’re punishing me for, but whatever it is, it’s onyounot me. So sort yourself out or never speak to me again.” I spin on my heels and rush from the house.
Chapter Twelve
HAYDEN
On the day of Avery’s naming ceremony, all of Finn and Harper’s guests have gathered in their transformed backyard to celebrate the occasion. All this fuss over a baby that won’t remember any of it. “I’ll show her photos when she’s older.” Finn had said when I’d mentioned it. That little girl is going to get everything her heart desires. Isn’t that what I’m doing with Lily? Daughters burrow into their father’s hearts and we’d give them the moon if they asked.
Guests gather around Avery under shade sails surrounded by delicate flowers and lanterns, listening to the words from the celebrant. I should watch and listen too, but I can’t keep my eyes off Alyssa. She was right when she said I’m punishing her and that I need to sort my shit out. I know I shouldn’t take out my problems on her. Every time I do I feel like the biggest asshole and justify it by telling myself she’s better off hating me.
Like she feels my eyes on her, she turns her head toward me. I give her a small smile, hoping she takes the gesture as an apology. Lines crease between her brows and she turns her head away. Not the reaction I wanted, but what did I expect?
When the ceremony ends, the guests mingle around the yard at tables while the catering staff hands out canapes and champagne.
“Can I get cotton candy please, Dad?” Lily tugs at my hand, pulling my attention away from Alyssa. A few kids are lining up, watching a woman at a machine twirl a big stick inside the spinning sugar.
“Sure, but don’t eat too much or you’ll feel sick,” I warn.
“I won’t.” She skips to the line.
Lucas sidles up to me and points the glass of amber liquid he’s holding toward Finn. “I never thought I’d see the day two females would have Finn wrapped around their fingers.”
“He looks happy, that’s for sure.”
“You should get yourself some of that happy juice Finn is on.”
I swivel my head toward Lucas. “I’m happy the way my life is. I don’t need what he’s having.”
“Are you sure? Because from the second Alyssa walked into the party, your eyes have followed her around.”
It’s true. I haven’t stopped staring at her. And right now, I’m not liking what I’m seeing. A man has walked up to her. She places her hand on his shoulder and gives him a kiss on the cheek. He leans close to her face; she tucks her hair behind her ear, and he whispers something that makes her toss her head back and laugh. My hands clench by my side, my chest heaves. That fucker needs to back the fuck up.
Lucas nudges my shoulder. “Yeah, you look so happy,” he says sarcastically. “They do make a good-looking couple.”
I turn my attention to Lucas and pin him with a shut-the-fuck-up warning glare. He just laughs, not intimidated one bit.
To steer the conversation in another direction and to stop myself from slamming the man talking to Alyssa to the ground, I say, “Speaking of good-looking couples, Penny and her fiancé Darren are picture-perfect. The successful businesswoman and the football jock. The media’s golden couple. Wasn’t she in your year in high school?”
“Yeah, she was.” Lucas’ jaw tightens.
Why does he look so tense at the mention of her name? “What’s the story with her?”
“No story.” Lucas’ gaze trails to the couple as they mingle with the guests.
“That scowl on your face says something different.”
He huffs and pulls his attention away from Penny. “We didn’t get along. That’s it.”
I raise an eyebrow. It sounds like there’s more to the story, but I let it slide. It’s not the time or the place to bring up old wounds. I hate it when Lucas and Finn bug me for information, so I’ll leave Lucas alone. He already looks pissed enough without me adding to it.
Plucking a glass from a passing waiter, my attention is again drawn to Alyssa. She’s still talking to the guy who is too much in her personal space. He brushes his hand down her arm.Who the fuck is he? And why the hell is he touching her?Seeing red, I drink the champagne in one swallow and set the glass on the table.
“Where are you going?” Lucas calls after me when I leave him.
