Jack crossed to me, his hands coming up to cup my face, lifting it so I would meet his eyes. “We’re okay, Hailey. I promise.”
I searched his eyes, which were warm and steady, even if there weren’t crinkles at the corners. Some of the tightness in my chest eased. “I believe you,” I whispered.
His hold loosened, falling away. “Good. Let me walk you out.”
“Oh, I can—”
“Not gonna argue about this,” he said,slipping on his shoes.
“Someone’s grumpy before coffee.”
He shook his head, but his lips gave a hint of a smile. I headed down first with him following me, switching on the lights to the bar as we made our way to the locked front door. Jack stepped out first, looking around, but the only thing in the parking lot was my car. I pulled out the keys Sean had returned the night before.
“Text me when you get home okay.” Jack crossed his arms. “I’m still feeling a little…” He sighed. “I just need to know. That okay?”
“I’ll text you,” I told him, heading toward my car. Sean had backed it into a space. I waved at Jack as I pulled out, keeping an eye on him in the rearview mirror. He continued watching my car, not going back inside.
I let out a breath and focused on traffic until I could join the flow. My chest grew tight again when I could no longer see him.
The drive to the house was as short as usual. When the garage went up, Neil’s car was already pulled into its space, the one closest to the door. I parked next to him, lifting my phone as the garage door closed behind me. I sent a text to Jack like I promised.
Me:
Home safe.
My legs felt weak as I climbed out of the car, heading inside. Neil was sitting at the dining room table, his hands folded on top as he watched me come through the garage door. Dips werecarved near the side of his mouth, and there was a muscle flexing in one of his cheeks.
“You didn’t come home,” he said.
“I texted you,” I said weakly, moving toward him.
“That you stayed with a friend.” Neil pushed up from the table. “Was the bartender the friend?”
I froze from the way he looked at me.
“I told you that you couldn’t do that, Hailey. He’s not someone you can sleep with, not when you see him every week.”
“I didn’t have sex with him.” I wasn’t sure why my voice was so choked. My chest heaved as I dragged in air. “We’re friends. He’s just a friend.” My voice was high-pitched. It didn’t sound like I was telling the truth.
Neil’s hands slammed down on the table. “I can’t believe you did this!”
I flinched, backing up a step. “I didn’t do anything. You don’t understand. There was—”
“I don’t want to hear it! We had a rule, Hailey. No overnights.”
The spinning in my head grew quiet. I narrowed my eyes. “Are you seriously mad at me about one night? What about the past three weeks? You keep not coming home!”
“It’s not the same.” His voice was cold as he stared at me. “It’s just sex for me. There are no emotions involved. I’m just finally getting the sex I deserve.”
My hands clenched at my sides. “You came every time we had sex.”
“But how long has it been, Hailey? You wouldn’t touch me anymore. You used to at least give me blow jobs, then nothing. Do you expect me to feel guilty for being able to get off again? This was all so I could get better for you, but you don’t even want to have sex with me!”
“You haven’t initiated either. Admit it, things don’t feel right between us. Not since this whole hall pass idea. We barely even talk to each other.” The last came out softly. “We used to tell each other everything. Now, there are things you don’t know.”
“And whose fault is that? You’re the one who’s changing. The whole thing with your mom yesterday is proof of that. You’ve never told her no before.” His nostrils flared. “Admit it.Youstopped talking tome. It’s like you’re mad at me when all the things I’m learning are for you.”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t feel like it’s for me. This whole thing feels all uneven.”
