“You called. That’s all you needed to do. We’ll figure out the rest. You need me to come over?”
“He won’t like it,” I whispered.
“I don’t give two shits what he likes. Give me your address. Wait, Jack has it. You want me to bring Jack?”
The thought of Jack helped to ease the pounding in my head. I wanted him. I wanted to feel like I had last night, cuddled together on the couch with his arms around me. But things had felt awkward at the end, even though he’d said we were fine. Would this make it worse?
“No,” I said. “I—” Another sob broke, and I clutched the phone harder.
“Okay, honey. You’ll get just me, then.”
“This is a mess. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called.”
“Of course you should have. I told you to. Now, give me your address. I’m already on the way.”
I gave him the address. He didn’t want me to hang up, so he had to listen to me cry the whole time he drove.
Chapter 17
The Worst Saturday
Iunlocked the bathroom when I heard raised voices at the front of the house. I hadn’t even noticed Sean had hung up. Taking a deep breath, I moved into the bedroom doorway.
“You’re going to let me in to see her,” Sean told Neil. I hadn’t fully processed how much bigger Sean was than Neil, but seeing them that close together made me remember why Sean was so good at being the bouncer at the bar. With his tattoos, broad chest, muscled arms, and thick beard, he looked intimidating, no matter how much I knew I could trust him.
Neil let go of the front door, backing away.
Sean moved into the house, spotting me hovering in the bedroom doorway. He approached me slowly, his hand pointing to where I cradled my wrist against my chest.
“What’s going on with this?” He reached out for my wrist, careful to cup it with his hand as he gripped my forearm.
“I fell,” I said, trying not to flinch.
Sean’s eyes narrowed. He flicked a look back at Neil.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Neil snapped. “She just told you she fell.”
“He didn’t—” I broke off, remembering the press of Neil’s body against mine as he kissed me. “I fell,” I repeated numbly.
“All right,” Sean agreed, but he didn’t look happy. “Still, looks like you’re in pain. Let’s go get it checked out.”
“Is that what you called him for?” Neil asked, crossing his arms over his chest. “I would have taken you. I’m your boyfriend. Ishouldtake you.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want you to,” Sean said. “How the hell did she fall anyway? I don’t see any steps.”
Neil and I went quiet, with Neil looking away.
“That’s what I thought.” Sean released my arm, his voice softening. “Go get your shoes, honey.”
“They’re by the door.” It was the first time I was glad of that fact.
Neil followed us back to the entrance, with Sean between us. “Are you serious right now, Hailey? First the bartender, and now you’re involved with this guy, too?”
“Only on Fridays,” Sean told him. “I thought that was allowed. The whole hall pass thing.” He crouched to help me slip on my shoes, keeping an eye on Neil as he did.
“Today’s Saturday!” Neil shouted, his face turning red. He tried to come closer, and Sean pulled me to my feet, shifting mebehind him. Neil peered around Sean’s bulk, barely managing to catch my eye. “Don’t leave with him,” he pleaded with me.
“It hurts, Neil,” I said, looking away. “I’m just going to get it looked at.”
