“He kissed you?” Chase asks.

“Yes! Don't act like you're not involved in this. I'm the laughing stock.”

“Hailey, you're wrong. I'm in California on the road. I don't know anything about what happened.” He sounds upset and concerned, but I could give two shits right now.

“Well, I am livid right now.”

“I'll call you back when I get to my hotel room. I'm going to get to the bottom of what's going on.”

“I don't care, actually. I just want you all out of my life,” I snap into the phone.

“Hailey, it will be okay. I'm going to figure it out,” Chase promises before hanging up.

“I gotta go, Chase. Stay away from me,” I warn, but he has already disconnected the call.

CHAPTER 25

Parker

I DRAG MEGAN out of the office by her arm.

“What is your problem?” she asks, prying herself out of my grip.

“Are you trying to ruin this for me?”

“I wanted to confront the bitch.”

“There's nothing to confront. I told you about her for your own sanity. You're acting like a crazy lunatic. Now Chase is going to be pissed, because Hailey is probably going to call him. Why would you show up here like this?” I ask, continuing to give her hell.

“I want Chase back, and I don't want anyone else standing in my way.”

“Well, the way you’re acting, he's not going to take you back. Remember, you cheated on him. Now I'm going to have to explain all this shit to him.

“Can you tell him I'm sorry? He won't answer my calls.”

Like I really want to do anything for her right now. She may have ruined all chances I have with Hailey.

“Just go home. I'm going to talk to him. I'll catch you later.”

We take the elevator down in silence. I need to get away from her and go my separate way to my car. I have nothing further to say to her. This whole situation just pushed Hailey back to Chase…

***

It was May 2005, and I’d climbed the ladder to get a pair of the new Nike Air Maxes that we’d just gotten in stock. As I fumbled through the boxes, I noticed someone standing at the bottom of the ladder. I’d always gotten freaked out when I was all the way up high and someone was right below me. I grabbed the box I’d been looking for and made my way down.

“Hi, Parker.”

“Hi, Mr. McCormick. Can I help you with something?”

Mr. McCormick was Hailey's dad. He was a regular at the sporting goods store since he coached several different sporting teams. He also used to be assistant coach for the boys’ lacrosse team at my school.

“I want to talk to you about the other day, when I was in the store.”

“Did someone not help you? I can let my manager know.” He looked upset. I knew he was going to bring up Hailey.

“Actually, it's about my daughter Hailey. I noticed you two were arguing or something, and she looked really upset. I think you’re a really nice guy. I would hope that you weren't bothering or upsetting my girl.”

“Mr. McCormick, it was a misunderstanding. I'm sorry Hailey was upset. She's a great person.”

“I hope you mean that. She wouldn't hurt a soul.”

“I do. I'll apologize to her.”

“No, don't let her know that I talked to you. Just don't let it happen again.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Mr. McCormick meant business. That was one dude I didn't want to mess around with.

I probably shouldn’t have been so hard on Hailey the other day. Oh well, I'll just say hi and bye next time I see her.

***

I feel like I’ve let her down again. I need to talk to Chase and let him know how I feel about the situation.

My phone rings while I drive away. It’s Chase. I normally don't answer—it's against the law—but I put my phone on speaker.

“What’s up, bro?” I say into the speaker.

“Dude, seriously, you kissed her? Why? I like her. A lot.”

“I know you're probably upset, but I told you I was going to contact her. You told me the name of her business.”

“I know. I just don't want you to hurt her. And what in the world is Megan doing, going up there like a mad woman? Hailey called me screaming, saying that Megan is the home-wrecker and how dare she call her that since she's the one who’s the cheater. As we ended the conversation, she said she never wants to see any of us again.”

Chase’s words hurt me. “Damn shit! I really like her and want to hang out with her more,” I say, hoping he doesn't get more upset. “Can you call Megan before she starts boiling rabbits?”

“I don't know if I want to be with Megan. I was thinking about calling Hailey, but you kissing her changes things big time.”

“In what way? I like her. You could care less.”

“I do care. I like her, too,” he says with an attitude.

“Well, this is a problem. So, what are you saying? May the best man win?” I ask.

“I guess Hailey should decide who she wants, but right now it's neither of us,” Chase reminds me.

Chase and I have never run into this situation before. We have never wanted the same woman. I hope this doesn't cause a rift in our friendship. I can already feel the tension.

CHAPTER 26

Chase

I DON'T KNOW if I'm going to fight with my best friend over a woman, even though I was interested in her first and then he came in and made a move. Hailey and I had something, but there's just so much going on with me right now, I don't really want to involve her with my situation. The problem is that she came along again at the wrong time in my life. But then again, when is there actually a right time? Also, there's Megan... I think I'll always love her, but is that enough to forgive her?

As I lie here alone in my hotel room watching the hockey game, I realize that tough decisions need to be made. I dial Megan's number.

“Hello,” she says groggily.

“It’s me. We need to talk.”

“Chase, it's midnight.”

“I couldn't sleep. I'm coming home tomorrow. We need to talk. I'll pick you up when I leave the airport. My plane arrives at three.”

“Okay, I'll be ready. And Chase... I miss you.”

I pause. “Me, too,” I say to avoid any unnecessary prolonged conversations.

I hang up the phone. I check my Facebook page to pass the time but end up falling asleep.

A few hours later, I wake to the music from Sports Center blaring on my television. It's six a.m. My flight leaves at nine.

I shower then rush around and pack my belongings. I have to get to the airport early to check in and head home to my future.

CHAPTER 27

Hailey

I OPEN THE SLIDING glass door to my balcony then sit in the chair with my coffee and iPad. I have a gazillion Facebook messages to check on my publisher page. I'm not even going to get into them right now. I have a friend request and a message from Parker. I don't even know if I should accept him. I'm still upset over what happened yesterday. I was taken aback by his kiss, but I can't stop thinking about it. His profile picture is kind of cute, too. He has on sunglasses and a Hawaiian lei without a shirt, and he's holding up a beer. I’m not going to deny that he is extremely hot. I hit confirm friend, even though I am still unsure. I hope I'm not going to regret this. I open the message; I actually have butterflies in my stomach, which is strange.