I stare at the screen.
Usually, I wouldn’t mind. Hade is not only my sister’s best friend, but he’s also her husband’s brother. Plus, I’ve known him since I was a little girl. Finding his friend, his bandmate, Owen, dead after he committed suicide four months ago has taken a toll on him.
But Hayden is the last person I want to see tonight. I’m already a mess, and being near him will only make it worse.
“What is it?” Nastya asks.
“It’s Piper. Hayden isn’t picking up again.” Sighing, I turn to face her. “She asked me to check on him.”
Nastya narrows her eyes. “He’s still struggling?”
There’s no judgement in her voice, only concern.
“Yeah, and the media frenzy only made it worse. All the articles and pictures…” I shudder. Celebrities really have no privacy, not even in death. Pictures of Owen’s hotel room circulated within hours, and the photos from the cemetery were so hard to look at. How insensitive. I was sick to my stomach after seeing them online. “I could never be as cool with all the attention as Piper was when she and Hunter got together, and I can’t imagine living under a microscope the way Hayden does.”
“Being famous is great until you become the paparazzi’s target,” Nastya comments. “Their hunt for Hayden after was fucking disgusting. I can’t imagine how it was for him, but…I’m worried about you.”
I hold her gaze, not letting my apprehension show. “I’m fine.”
“We both know you’ve had a crush on him forever. And with how often you see him, I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”
I rub my hands down my thighs, looking away. The empty feeling in the pit of my stomach anytime Hayden is involved only spreads, making my skin itchy.
“He’s still the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. But I don’t thinkof him in that way, and he doesn’t see me in that way either. I’ll always be Piper’s little sister to him.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m skeptical.”
A short laugh escapes as my nerves get the best of me. Her skepticism isn’t a good sign. It never is. Nine times out of ten, she ends up right.
“You always are.” I collect my things from the desk and head toward the door. “Let’s go change. I don’t want to get to Hade’s place too late. I have an early morning class tomorrow.”
Lips pursed, Nastya studies me for a moment then nods. “If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you’re stubborn. I should know by now not to try to convince you of anything.”
I shoot her a wink over my shoulder. “True.”
We head to the locker room, chatting about our plans for Friday. I’m grateful for the distraction from thoughts of Hayden. I’ll be consumed by them soon enough.
When I’m alone, they’ll come rushing back. Because with the way my heart flutters when he’s around, it’s clear the feelings I’ve had for him since I was ten never dampened.
Hayden Hale was my first unrequited love, the object of all my affection for far too long, while I’m the girl he’s never noticed.
1 I’m in shock (cursing)
3
lost boy
RILEY
By the timeI make it to the Upper West Side, it’s almost eight. I’m tired, sweaty, and irritated about using my precious free time to play babysitter to a grown man who should know better than to ghost his entire family.
The annoyance quickly turns into guilt, though. What he’s going through is horrific, and he deserves compassion.
Ugh, I’m so conflicted.
Also mildly anxious. Why do I care this much?
The doorman, James, buzzes me in with a nod, no questions asked. This isn’t the first time I’ve shown up in the last two months. It’s becoming a fucking habit, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
