“So that’s why you hate him so much, that’s why you’ve been acting the way you have? It’s about jealously. Is that why you waited until now to tell me? You’re my friend, my best friend, but that’s all it’s ever going to be, I don’t want to hurt you, that the last thing I want to do, I’m sorry Aar-”
He cuts me off with his lips, and I jerk out of his grip.
“I want you leave, please.”
“Hayley...”
“Aaron, I really don’t need this right now. Please, just go.”
His shoulders slump forward, and he turns and leaves, clicking the door shut behind him.
I wander over to the window overlooking the front yard, I look up, grey clouds are rolling in, threatening rain. I hear the front door close below me and I watch as Aaron comes into view, trudging his way down the path, just as a deep green Mustang pulls up to the curb.
“Shit.”
Before I know it, I’m flying out of my room and hurtling down the stairs, out of the front door.
Kyle and Aaron are arguing, their faces inches away from each other, their voices drifting towards me as I get closer.
“…warned you what would happen if you hurt her,” Aaron spits.
Kyle’s gaze flicks to me as I near them. “Hayley.” His deep voice washes over me.
My heart jumps, a torrent of contradicting emotions flood me.
“What do you mean you warned him?” My attention trained on Aaron.
“He never told you?” Kyle chimes in. “How he came to my office and threatened me the day after we met at the bar.”
“You threatened him? What the hell is wrong with you, Aaron?” I yell. “You know what, just go.”
“Hayley, please, I love you.”
Kyle takes in a sharp, exasperated breath, gritting his teeth.
“Go.” My voice turning quiet.
He begins to walk away, but not before he swings around, his fist colliding with the side of Kyle’s face. Kyle stumbles back, trying to regain his balance. Aaron surges forward, his fist reeling backwards, ready to take another swing at Kyle, but I jump between them.
“Aaron, stop!” I shout, but it falls on deaf ears.
Aaron continues forward, gripping my arm harshly, tugging me out of the way, I trip backwards, my foot catching on the uneven bricks of the path, and I go down, hitting the ground on my ass, falling on my wrist awkwardly in the process. I circle my injured wrist with my hand and wince at the twinge that radiates up my arm.
I look up to see Kyle grip Aaron’s forearm, landing his own punch on his jaw, the blow hard enough to send him sprawling back.
Kyle grips Aaron’s face in his hand, his face inches from Aaron’s. “You ever touch her like that again, I’ll break every fucking bone in your hands, got it?” His grip tightens. “I suggest you do as she says and get the fuck out of here, if you know what’s good for you.” He pushes him back, Aaron stumbling away.
Aaron glances back at me, blood seeping from his split lip. He sends me an apologetic look before turning the corner and walking away.
Kyle strides towards me, wrapping an arm around my waist, bringing me up to my feet. Blood trickles from his nose. “Are you okay?” he asks, his gaze flicking over my body in search of injuries.
“I’m fine.” I nod. My eyes scan over him, his nose is trickling with blood and his lips is busted, his fists cut up and bloody, slowly beginning to bruise. “Come on, let’s clean you up.”
I lead him into the house, up the stairs and into the bathroom. I push him down to perch on the edge of the bath before filling the sink with warm water. I find a washcloth in the cupboard, dipping it into the water and bringing it to Kyle’s face.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to ask you to hear me out.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.” I let out a deep sigh. “I need time, to get my head around everything.”
He nods regretfully, lowering his gaze. “I understand.”
I begin dabbing away the blood around his nose, causing him to wince slightly.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be forever, you hurt me, lied to me, betrayed my trust...”
He frowns in anguish.
“Just… be patient with me?”
His gaze meets mine, a faint smile touching his lips. “Of course, however long you need, I’ll be here, waiting.” He jerks, gripping my wrist as I touch what must be a tender area at the side of his nose.
“Sorry.”
I finish cleaning up his face, tossing the washcloth back in the sink and turning back to face Kyle as he rises from the edge of the bath and towers over me.
“I’ll leave you to it. Thank you for taking care of this.” He points to his nose.
“No problem.” I offer him a faint smile.
I follow Kyle out of the bathroom and down the stairs, stopping just inside the doorway. It’s spitting with rain now, the clouds have darkened, and it’s turned dull and gloomy.
He turns to me and smiles. “Bye, Hayley.”
“Bye.” I return the smile.
I watch as he turns and walks away down the path.
“Kyle,” I call.
He turns on his heel, his face full of hope. “Yeah?”
“Was all of it a lie?” I ask. “Were we a lie?”
He shakes his head. “No. I never lied about how I feel about you, all of it was real... is real.”
He smiles once more before turning his back and heading for his car, the engine purring as he drives away.
Chapter 41
Kyle
Fucking board meetings. Bored meetings more like.
I’m sat at the head of the long table with each member of the board of directors, I can see their lips moving but I can’t hear a single word that comes out, it’s muffled like I’m underwater.
My thoughts drifting to Hayley.
Always to Hayley.
It’s been almost two weeks since
