Hadley lost her mother and her father lost his wife. Maybe he’d closed in on himself and shut off his emotions like I did. Maybe his control of Hadley was a fear of losing her like he had his wife? My body vibrated with the need to do something. Call her?
No. I’d give her time. I hoped she’d think things over and realize she was wrong. That you weren’t weak if you needed someone by your side. I parked in my driveway and grabbed my phone. I ignored the blank screen that was devoid of missed calls and waiting texts. I scrolled through my contacts and clicked on Nolan’s name.
Cade: Can you meet up tomorrow?
Nolan: Is this about what happened at Mom and Dad’s?
I hesitated, unsure at first what he was talking about. The worry over my conversation with my parents seemed so long ago, but it was only a few hours.
Cade: No. They were great. It’s something else.
Nolan: Sure thing. I can come over tomorrow, or we could go out to a bar?
Cade: Come over. I need to work on the house anyway.
I rested my head back on the headrest. Had I fucked up with Hadley? I was just starting to feel like we could be something—that she could be it for me. We felt right together. My parents loved her. I loved her. Blood rushed to my head and I felt dizzy. My chest constricted. I love Hadley.
My relationship with Hadley was so intense. I fell faster and harder, but maybe because our relationship was born out of my grief. Or because it followed the trauma and despair of the last few years, it was bound to be more emotional, more everything.
Or it was Hadley. Each relationship in your life was different. Hadley was no exception. I thought I couldn’t offer myself to someone else, but I had. I’d opened myself up just enough that she slipped inside, filling me with hope and love. I thought I was protecting myself, but I couldn’t—not with her.
I loved her. My heart clenched at the idea that the way I’d left things meant we were over before I had a chance to tell her. I couldn’t lose someone I loved again. I would do everything to get her back.
I was too wired to sleep last night. The realization that the happiness and hope I’d been feeling was love for Hadley had energized me. I put all of that restless energy into the house—ripping out the tile from the guest bathroom upstairs. It was hard work, but it kept me focused and helped me formulate a plan. I threw the last of the tile and debris in the dumpster outside when Nolan’s truck pulled in next to mine and he jumped out.
He slammed the door and slowly walked up to me. His eyes were assessing me. “You look like shit. You fuck things up with Hadley between our parents’ house last night and now?”
I hoped I hadn’t fucked it up. “Hadley’s going back to New Orleans this weekend for her nonprofit’s gala.”
“Okay.”
I debated telling him everything because what was going on with her dad felt too personal to share. But I trusted Nolan not to repeat anything and I wanted to talk to someone about it.
“Her dad is threatening to withdraw his financial backing unless she comes to work for him.”
“That’s fucked up.”
“She depended on his money to expand the nonprofit here. She intended to announce her expansion plans at the gala. She can’t do that if he withdraws funding.”
“That sucks, but I don’t understand why you’re upset?”
“I want to go with her to support her when she deals with him. He’s intense.” I explained how angry and manipulative he was on the phone with her last night.
Nolan rubbed his chin as he thought. “You said it was this weekend, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t forget. We postponed the Flores’ renovation reveal to Saturday morning. You couldn’t go with Hadley even if you wanted to.”
“Shit. I’d completely forgotten about that.” Hadley had consumed me so completely I’d forgotten about my responsibilities. The Flores’ reveal had been postponed for several months because their daughter was hospitalized.
I turned to go inside as Nolan followed. In the kitchen, I poured cups of coffee for both of us. “Hadley’s event is Saturday evening though. I could still get there in time.”
I pushed Nolan’s mug across the counter to him.
I leaned a hip against the counter.
“Why are you so intent on going with her?” His hand wrapped around the mug as he studied me.
I leaned a hip against the counter. Should I tell him everything I was feeling? It was the only way to make him understand why I was conflicted. “I’m in love with her.”
“Oh shit.” He studied my face, narrowing his eyes. “You’re serious?”
“Never been more serious about anything. I want to be there for her like she was for me.”
“Did you tell her you loved her?” His forehead wrinkled as he seemingly tried to sift through what I was telling him.
“No. I realized it on the way home.” What was Hadley thinking? Had she taken my words as an ultimatum? I’d told her I’d be there for her when she was ready. A cold chill ran up my spine. She could have taken it as a sign that I didn’t want to be with her unless she let me come with her.
My hands shook at the realization. I’d been fueled all night by the idea I loved her, but she didn’t know that. I was in this—I wanted to be with her. I just had to prove it to her.
“I need your help.”
Nolan scrubbed his hand over his face. “I’m not sure I’m the best guy to ask for help in a relationship. I’ve never had one, but you could tell her you love her. Maybe if she sees how strongly you feel, she’ll give in to your wishes to be with her.”
“It’s
