Chapter 14

As soon as we turn down our street, I could see Hayes. He’s taking in boxes from his car. He’s wearing the same hoodie from yesterday.

We finally make it into the driveway, when Adam turns to me and says.

Apologize.

It was faint. There was coldness, and chills in his voice.

I rest against Adam’s car for a while, watching Hayes from a dis-tance. Not once does he look at me, he just takes in his boxes. He has a few boxes left. I could just wait a little longer, and not say anything. Watching him anchors me, but I still feel scared.

I’m dragging my feet on the wet pavement as I get closer and closer to him.

Now, I’m behind Hayes, waiting for him to notice me. The anticipa-tion scares me, my heart’s pounding. I try to deepen each breath, still tensed.

So many thoughts are going through my mind right now, too many.

Now, he’s in his trunk fiddling with another box. When he shuts his trunk, he passes me.

I call after him, but my voice is faint, it’s weak. He’s getting closer to his front door. If I don’t say anything now, he’ll go inside, and I won’t follow.

It wasn’t too loud of a yell. It startled him enough to drop the box he was carrying though.

“Sorry.” I mumble.

My eyes start to water. I’m scared to look at him in the eyes.

His strong tan highlights his freckles. His dark curly hair is now tied up. Our eyes meet, he smiles at me. Everything inside breathes again, I’m warm, just by his smile.

“Little Richards.” Hayes says.

“Hi Hayes.” I say, it sounds like a whisper.

“Why are you whispering?” He asks. His voice is low, he’s now whispering. I smile.

There’s quiet, only the stuff being thrown in the box has sound. I wipe my eyes.

“You came back.” I say.

“As promised.” He says.

I want to hug him, but he doesn’t say anything else. He smiles, then stops.

“I’m so sorry about calling the cops I thought you were someone else. Sorry about this, too. I’m such a fucking bad person.” I stutter. I keep clearing my throat.

“No, you’re not. Don’t worry about it, Little Richards.” He says.

He smiles at me again, I feel better. I want him to talk to me more.

“I haven’t seen you in a while, you look different. You look good.” I say.

“Yeah, you too. Glad to see you healthy.” He says. I scrunch my hair.

“Yep, all better now.” I look down.

“As promised.” He says.

“As promised.” I say. My throat is hoarse.

“You cut your hair.” He says.

“Yep.” I mumble.

He touches a strand, I get chills. There’s no hiding the feeling I showed.

“Your freckles got darker.” I mumble.

I touch his cheek.

“Hawaii’s treating me good, college is college. I missed Versa though.” He says. I nod.

Hayes picks up the box. I only follow his eyes, waiting for him to say more. I haven’t heard his voice in years, it was raspy, warm. Warm-er than before.

“Well, I’m glad you’re back.” I say.

He clenches his jaw.

“Jake, Adam, and Jack. We’re all happy your back.” I say.

“Yeah. Okay.” He says.

“What, you don’t believe me?” I ask. He smiles.

“No, I do. Just had to come all the way from Hawaii for you to talk to me again in 3 years.” He says.

I didn’t have an excuse for this one. I had a secret. I wasn’t ready for it to come out right now. I stay quiet.

I get a text.

Emergency get your ass over here now!

-Rochelle “How’s your dad, Hayes?” I ask, quickly regretting my question.

Hayes tensed up when I asked this question.

“Alright. He’s doing alright.” He says.

I could tell it was a lie. I didn’t want to pry at such a topic, I would never.

“I have to put the rest of these boxes in the house. I’ll see you later okay?” He says.

“I can help.” I say.

Hayes shuts down my offer, and heads inside.

I’m now in my driveway, and Adam is there, under my car hood.

He hears me coming, and clichély closes the hood. Only to pose like a 50’s auto worker.

“See what happens when you are kind?” He asks.

“You fixed my car?” I ask him.

“Nope. I didn’t change your battery or change your oil, either.” He smiles.

“You okay?” Adam asks.

“Yep.” I lie.

“Rochelle needs me.” I say.

I just wanted to get away.

If Adam only knew what really “happens when your kind”, your heart gets broken again by three words “You’ve done enough”.

“All done.” He says.

“Alex, I’m sorry if I was a little harsh. Haye’s, he’s been through a lot. He’s lost a lot, you know?” He says.

“So have we, Adam.” I say.

All it took was me to mention his father, and he gets pissed at me. I could take this though, as long as he doesn’t hate me.

If he knew all the lies, and secrets I kept from him. Well, he’d hate me, forever, and I never wanted Hayes to hate me. He should hate me already.

I didn’t want there to be a Jeff and Alex. I didn’t want that because I felt something for Hayes. I still feel it. Now that he’s back, I can either hide them, or confront him with it.

No more secrets beyond this point.

~~~~~

I take a quick shower, change and head to my car. Before I leave the garage, Adam and Hayes are talking next door. I can see them through the small lines in the fence.

“Can a married man score in a game of 2 on 2?” Adam laughs, Hayes follows.

“Hey enough with that.” Hayes jokes.

“Island girls are the best.” Adam laughs. Hayes doesn’t say any-thing.

I get into my car and start it.

“Damn, 3 long fucking years, congratulations. Glad to have you back man.” Adam says.

You Saved Me Once Book 1 Chapter 13: 6I’m Sorry I Said No To Your Letter worlds apart Chapter 76: Episode 75 The Witches Chapter 23: Meeting With Moxie I’m now in tears.

I blast my music and drive off.

He was with someone else. This fucking hurt, more than anyone could imagine.

You Saved Me Once Book 1 worlds apart The Witches