AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTERELEVEN
Hayden
“What’s with the outfit?”Hailey whistles when she gets a look at me.
“Shhh!” I whisper-hiss. “I’m trying to get out of here without dad seeing me.” It’s almost as if we’re in high school again, covering for each other.
She raises an eyebrow, her eyes shining with barely restrained amusement. “Aren’t you a little old to be sneaking out of the house?”
“Not when I’m going to meet a firefighter,” I smirk, an eyebrow raised.
“You’re playing with fire.”
“Girl, I’m hoping to get burnt.”
“Aren’t we all? I’ll make sure dad doesn’t wonder where you are.”
“Feels like we’re teenagers again, doesn’t it? Only this time I’m the one sneaking out and not the other way around.”
Her eyes roll heaven-ward. “Go, before I decide I’m not gonna help you.”
Leaning over, I kiss her cheek. “Don’t wait up.”
Tiptoeing on the hardwood so my boots don’t make noise, I quietly close the door and all but sprint out to my car. There’s a tingling in my stomach. Heart pounding as if I’m fifteen and it’s midnight.
I don’t know why this is so exciting. How it feels so illicit when we’re consenting adults. Maybe it’s because the last few years I’ve been so focused on finishing school, just so I could come back here.
While I’d had some fun in college, it wasn’t what everyone else was having. Without a doubt, I knew I couldn’t fuck up my chance.
The option to be better than my mom was. To make dad and Hailey proud. I’d taken it seriously, almost to the detriment of my mental health a few times. It was pressure, the type of pressure I hadn’t counted on.
Now that I’ve made it, I wanna have some fun.
Even if it’s with one of my dad’s guys.
* * *
Walking out to my car,I yank my jacket tighter around my waist, folding my arms as I hurry down the driveway. My breath makes white puffs. My heart pounds with excitement. Getting close, I beep my doors open and then slide into the driver seat.
Pressing the button, the engine turns over. Gripping the steering wheel, I’m amazed that my hands are shaking.
“Calm down, Hayden,” I whisper, biting my lip as I think about seeing Danny.
Reaching down, I grab my phone and shoot off a quick text to him.
H: On my way.
D: Might be a little late. My mom is telling me about myself.
H: LOL! You’re a good son.
D: Don’t wanna be right now. Won’t be long if I am late. Be safe and lock your doors.
H: I will. See you soon.
Even though the days are starting to get slightly longer, it’s still dark earlier than I would like. Turning left at the end of the street I grew up on, I head into downtown Bradford.
One of the four stoplights catches me, allowing time for me to look around and see what I’ve been missing for the last few years. It’s still the same charming place, if not cuter than it used to be.
