“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.
“I’m sorry for waking you,” Hayden repeated.
“Don’t be,” I said again. “But youcouldmake it up to me by helping me get back to sleep.”
“Yeah?” Hayden asked, brow raised.
“Mmhmm.” I shuffled closer, trailing my free hand down his stomach, brushing fingertips against his cock. “Itisstill your birthday.”
If I was losing him soon, I wanted to make the most of whatever time we had left.
Hayden laughed, rolling me onto my back and climbing on top of me, all without letting go of my hand.
“Then why do I feel likeyou’rethe one being spoiled?”
* * *
I deactivatedmy hookup app profile for new matches while Hayden talked to Marissa on the phone.
I didn’t want to delete the app entirely—my conversations with Hayden were still in there, and I didn’t want to lose them—but I didn’t want anyone else, either.
Just him.
That was a big, scary change, but not nearly as scary as the thought of losing him.
“Okay, so, I think we close up until Tuesday, at least,” Hayden said. “That gives us today and the weekend to figure out how we’re gonna handle things with a man down. How is he, by the way? I texted, but I didn’t really expect a response.”
Tuesday.
So I had Hayden until Monday, maybe.
Okay. That was okay.
It wasn’t like he was dying, or anything. It didn’t have to be the end. I could do long-distance.
You couldn’t go without sex for a week, a voice in the back of my head reminded me.
Asshole.
“Okay, okay,” Hayden nodded, picking at a chip in my kitchen counter with his fingernail. “Keep me updated, and let’s just… call this a surprise holiday for the staff. Pay them for whatever hours they’re rostered on. And you get some sleep.”
A pause, more of that startled laughter, and a tired smile from Hayden.
“I’ll have you know I’m gettinglotsof rest, and I’ve got witnesses to back me up,” he said, looking at me. “So no excuses, young lady.”
Another pause.
“Hey, you’ve got bigger things to worry about than my birthday. I’ll still be thirty when I get back. Worry about you, I’ve got people to take care of me.” He said, reaching out for my hand. “Mmhmm. Talk to you later.”
Hayden sighed, set the phone down on the kitchen counter, and slumped.
He was all the way back to the way I’d seen him on the first day he arrived, and I hated it.
We’d never actually hugged before, and I wasn’t sure he’d let me, but as soon as I wrapped my arms around him he pulled me close, squeezing tightly, fingers digging into my back.
My heart broke a little more for him, but I squeezed back just as tight and hoped like hell that’d help.
“Tell me how bad it really is,” I said, since it was so obvious Hayden was putting on a brave face for Marissa that you could probably see it from space.
