His first message, he said, “Hailey, I’m sorry for everything that happened tonight. Parker acted like a real asshole. I know that you probably hate me, too, but I came to the restaurant because I didn’t want to see him hurt you also. I hope you are okay. I don’t want to see you upset, and I just wanted you to know that the stuff Parker said tonight is not true. You are beautiful inside and out, and I hope we can have a chance together. I know I fucked up with you, but I just want that chance to make it up to you.”

His second message was, “Hailey, I got cut off on my last message. I hope you can forgive me, I really do. I would never intentionally hurt you. I let some asshole come between us, and that was my fault. Please call me if you decide you want to talk to me. I won’t stop trying this time. Hope to hear from you. Bye…”

I’m not going to call him tonight. I need time to think about what I want.

Sometimes what we need and what we want are two different things. I need someone who is going to treat me right, but I want Chase. I’m not going to deny that. I just don’t trust him at this moment. I believe that he does like me, but I also believed Parker, and look how that turned out.

It feels good just to get in my pajamas, watch a movie, and relax after all the drama that unfolded. My favorite movie, The Family Stone, is on. It came out the year I graduated high school.

I look at Chase’s number on my phone. I should call him back. He has to be hurting too. He just found out that his best friend impregnated his ex-girlfriend. He needs a friend, and I need to be there for him the same way he was there for me.

I hit send on his number. He answers tentatively.

“Hailey?”

“Hi, Chase. It’s me. I wanted to see if you were okay.”

“I am. I’m still a little shocked at what happened behind my back, but it no longer concerns me.”

“I just wanted to let you know that I am here for you as a friend, if you need me. You are always there for me.”

“I really appreciate it. It means a lot to hear that coming from you. I’m sorry for everything, Hailey. I mean it. I don’t want to see you hurt or talked to like the way Parker talked to you tonight. I wanted to knock him out, but you kind of handled that yourself,” he said laughing.

“Yes, I guess I did.”

“Hailey?”

“Yes…”

“Do you want to talk in person?”

“When?”

“Now.”

“I’m in my pajamas.”

“That’s okay. I can be there in twenty minutes.”

I ask myself if this is a good idea. He needs a friend. He needs to talk about what happened.

I may be about to kick myself for this. Why am I too nice?

“Sure, come over. I’m still up. I’ll make coffee.”

CHAPTER 35

Chase

AFTER EVERYTHING I found out tonight, I feel betrayed. When Hailey finally calls me back I have a new hope. She is my concern right now. I need to make everything right with her. I practically run out of my door when she says it is okay for me to stop over.

When I arrive, she gives me a quick tour of her place. Her condo is a nice size, decorated in her perfect taste.

“I made some coffee,” she says. “Have a seat at the table.”

I feel so comfortable around her. She makes me feel wanted. She places a large mug in front of me as I watch her move smoothly around the kitchen.

“I'm sorry about what happened to you. I'm sure it's tough to handle,” she says with sympathy in her eyes.

“The hardest part is P. He's been my boy for years. I'm not surprised by Megan. I just don't know if I can forgive him… ever.” I don’t even want to talk about those two losers right now.

“I learned in my life, people hurt you, but you have to move on from it. I’ve experienced a lot of pain over the years, but if I’d dwelled on it, I wouldn't be where I am today.”

“You're my hero, Hailey.”

“I'm not a hero. I'm far from it,” she says, sitting across from me at the table. “Maybe a survivor.”

“Well, in my eyes, you are my hero.” I really mean that. I saw what she had to endure. I witnessed her survive every day. She is one of the strongest people I know.

“Thanks,” she says, blushing. “I think you will be just fine. This will pass over, and you won't even think about it after a while.”

“I doubt it. The confusing part is Megan. Why did she call me constantly to get back together with her if she’d already slept with P?”

“Guilt… She probably figured, if she made it like she loved you, she wouldn’t feel so guilty for what she’d done.”

“I guess that kind of makes sense. Or they just really wanted to fucking trick me and concocted a whole plan.”

“When Sammy cheated on me, I hurt, but our relationship was so bad by then that it really wasn’t at all surprising. After we broke up, he called constantly to get back with me. It's so bizarre, but then I realized, he’d figured out that he wasn’t going to get someone like me out there, especially if he was treating them the way he had treated me. The old me probably would have taken him back, but the new me said, ‘fuck it, you don't need him.’ I learned that I only need myself.”

“I need you, Hailey.” I look into her eyes. I want her. I have to have her in my life.

“Chase, there's too much going on for you to need me,” she says, looking away.

I grab her hand across the table. “Tomorrow, I'm going to make a decision that's going to affect the rest of my life. This opportunity made me open my eyes. Tomorrow I'm going to make a deal to purchase a pharmacy.”

“Wow, Chase, that's amazing. I wish you all the best.”

“Thanks. I also quit lacrosse yesterday. You didn't see the headlines?”

“No, I don't even pay attention to that shit, but I’m shocked that you did. Lacrosse is your life.”

I look at her beautiful face and don’t respond. I'm feeling really impulsive right now. I don't know what's driving it, but I know what I want. “Do you like living here alone? I mean, it's really great, but do you get lonely? Do you wish you had someone?”

She looks confused by the question. “I mean, sometimes, but me and Twix are fine.”

“Twix?”

“My cat. He's around here somewhere. He likes to hide.”

“You named your cat... Twix?” I ask, laughing. “That's cute.”

“Hey, it’s my favorite candy.”

“Did you ever just want to spontaneously do something? Something you know is right for you?” I don’t know what has come over me, but I am so nervous right now.

“What do you mean? What are you getting at, Chase?” she asks, raising an eyebrow at me. She folds her hands on the table, waiting on a response.

“Do you want to go to Vegas?”

CHAPTER 36

Hailey

WHAT KIND OF QUESTION is that?

To gamble? To see a show? Why does Chase O’Brien want me to spontaneously go to Vegas with him?

I swallow my spit when reality hits me. No, that’s not the reason.

Is he on some serious drugs right now? I know he can tell by the look on my face that I may have figured it out.

“Do you want to gamble?”

“You would be the one gambling. I’ve already won.” I get up from my chair and start wiping the counter. I can only think to clean right now. I wipe the counter so hard, I am about to take the finish off of the granite.

He has a smirk on his face. “Are you mad? Why are you taking it out on the counter?”

I look up at him while I clean. “I’m not mad. I just don’t understand. Maybe you need to make it a little more clear for me, Chase.”