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I wanted to reassure her somehow, but Jake returned before I could. I stepped away from her and left the room. We weren’t in a relationship, so it wasn’t my responsibility to make sure she was okay, but I wanted to.
We spent a few hours moving boxes and helping Hailey sort through the contents. We stacked the boxes for donation in Jake’s truck.
“I’ll take it to the donation center later,” Jake said.
“I’m starving,” Corey said.
“You have practice soon, too.”
Jake threw a thumb over his shoulder. “I have to head back inside. Hailey wants to talk to Nana about something. She said I need to be there.”
I had an inkling what that was about. The business and Nana’s plans for the future. “I’ll see you later at Remi and Colton’s barbecue?”
“I don’t know if I’m going to make it. I still want to go for a run and lift weights. Then I’ll probably crash.”
“You’re going to work out after this?” My initial curiosity shifted to concern.
Jake nodded. “Yeah. I need to.”
“Dad,” Corey repeated.
Something was definitely going on with Jake, but I didn’t have time to ask any questions, not with Corey here. I only had a short amount of time to grab lunch and get him to practice on time. “We’d better go.”
“I’ll catch ya later.” Jake backed away and turned to head into the house.
As much as I wanted to help, whatever conversation Hailey and Jake were going to have with Nana didn’t involve me. Even if I wanted to be there for Hailey, it wasn’t my place.
On the drive home, I pushed away my concerns and allowed my mind to wander to what it was like to be with Hailey on Friday night. I didn’t want it to be a one-night thing. I wanted more. If Jake didn’t come to the barbecue tonight, and Hailey did, it might be the opportunity we needed to get to know each other without Corey and Jake hovering.
ChapterThirteen
HAILEY
Jake perched on the edge of the couch like he’d rather be anywhere else.
Nana entered the room with a tray of sandwiches. “The boys didn’t leave, did they?”
“Corey had practice,” Jake said.
She set the tray on the coffee table. “Oh, I would have packed him a few sandwiches if I’d known.”
“You don’t need to provide lunch,” Jake said.
“Nonsense. I enjoy entertaining. Hailey, can you grab the lemonade?”
“Sure.” My stomach was tied up in knots just thinking about what I had to tell her.
I grabbed the pitcher of lemonade and three glasses. Returning to the living room, I poured the lemonade.
Jake grabbed a plate and stacked three sandwiches on top. Then he took a large bite out of one.
“You wanted to talk?” Nana asked me.
I sat next to Jake on the couch, which was more like a stiff settee. “It’s about the shop.”
She unwrapped a napkin and placed it carefully on her lap. “How are things?”
I took a deep breath, unsure how to begin, then let it out. It was probably best to be honest. “Business has been steadily declining.”
