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I’ll just ask him in a minute, I think as I pull into his driveway.
I grab the canvases and painting supplies that I bought for him and make a mad dash for the front door.
It’s still pouring outside and maybe that’s why Hayes doesn’t hear me come inside. I can hear him talking to someone, so I try to be quiet so that I don’t disturb him. Another part of me wants to eavesdrop. I haven’t seen or heard him talking to anyone really since I got here and I’m curious about any friends that he might have.
“Yeah… I know, I’m sorry about that. I was at work… okay.”
His side of the conversation isn’t giving much away and I smile. Hayes is a man of few words so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he seems to talk even less when he’s on the phone.
I bend over, intending on setting the gifts down by the front door so that I can get out of my wet clothes. Maybe I can convince Hayes to join me in the shower and help warm me up.
I grin to myself, imagining him turning around and seeing me naked.
He’d be on me before I could make it to the bedroom, I think with a soft giggle.
I want that though. I always want him around me. Maybe it’s time that I finally pulled my big girl panties up and told him how I feel about him. I’m sure that he must be feeling it too, right? So, if I tell him that I love him, he can say it back and then we can do my shower idea.
I have my plan all set until Hayes opens his mouth and says what he says next.
“I know, Mr. Ambrose. You don’t need to worry. She’s safe. Yes, I’ve been keeping an eye on her. After the break-in, I moved her in with me.”
My stomach drops at his words.
He’s talking to my dad? And what does he mean that he’s been keeping an eye on me? Oh my god. They hired him to be my bodyguard. But when? Was he meant to protect me at the bar the night that we met? Or did they hire him later, when they met in the parking lot? Did he ask me out so that he could make sure I was safe? Am I here so that he could do his job easier?
A million thoughts race through my head, none of them good, and I don’t know what I should do now. Get out of here before he can see me and know that I overheard? Maybe I can get a ticket somewhere else and block all of them.
My eyes flick over to the desk where my laptop is and I wonder if it would be worth it to leave without that and all of the work that I have saved on it. I bite my lip, debating for a moment before I realize that yes, it would be. I need to get out of here now before I break down in front of him or tip off my parents to how mad I am at them.
I’m not sure who I’m more upset with. My parents for breaking a promise, or Hayes for leading me on and breaking my heart.
It’s Hayes. It’s definitely Hayes.
My stomach roils and I think I might throw up. I go to clutch my stomach and the art stuff falls from my numb fingers, hitting the ground with a bang.
Hayes spins around, his eyes wide as he sees me standing there and I can tell the moment that he realizes that I heard him.
I’m not sure when I started to cry but now the tears are coming fast, spilling down my cheeks faster than the rain is coming down outside.
I straighten my shoulders, intending on walking out of here with my head held high but I can’t seem to be able to get my feet to move.
I can feel the heat spreading on my face, making it as red as my hair. My throat and eyes feel gritty and I’m not even doing that good a job of holding back the tears.
“You’re my bodyguard?” I whisper, forcing the words out of my tight throat.
“Betty, I can explain,” Hayes starts, his hands held out in front of him like he’s approaching a wild animal.
I don’t wait for his explanation. It’s not worth it. Not when I can see the truth all over his face. I can’t stay here and listen to another word of this.
I drop down, grabbing my purse from the mess of bags and canvases at my feet, and turn to run back out into the rain.
“Betty! Wait!” Hayes pleads and I can hear him running after me but I don’t stop.
It was a lie.
All of it was a lie.
And I’m the fool who fell for it.
