“I heard that. You’re not as quiet as you think you are.”
“I’m sorry, but you can’t handle the truth. I don’t make the rules.” That truth being… the wordssalmonandpattyare two words that shouldnevergo together.
Dad laughs and I laugh back for a moment before he shakes his head and leaves, closing the door softly behind him.
Everything has been soeasysince I’ve been back, but there’s a part of me that misses Chicago. I miss CeCe, even though we text nearly every day. And I miss–
A soft knock raps against the door. I swear he’s going senile already. This has to be the fifth time in a week he’s forgotten his keys and somehow locked himself out. Once I’m at the door, my hands move to unlock it only to find it’s notactuallylocked.What the hell?
My jaw drops when I open the heavy door to find Hayes and Raegan waiting across the threshold.
They’re both dressed far more casually than I’m used to. Him in jeans and a black leather jacket. Her, also in jeans that sit way too well against her curves and a button up long-sleeve top, but she’s carrying a bag of some sort in one hand. It’s not all that warm out anymore but it’s not cold enough to need more, but with the leaves starting to fall and more trees naked every day, winter will be here before we know it. We’re supposed to have a cold front any day. Looks like they lucked out, not needing something heavier.
“I think we literally shocked all the words out of her,” Hayes jokes, breaking me from my totally unnecessary inner ramblings. “Hey, Little Pixie. Miss us?”
I blink a few times, uncertain if I’ve somehow hallucinated them. When they’re still there, smiling at me like they have a secret they can’t wait to spill, I know I’m definitely not imagining things.
“How did you find me? I didn’t even know where I was going when I got here.”
They shoot each other a knowing look before Raegan points accusingly at Hayes.
“He knows a guy.”
“I know a guy,” they say in unison.
“Okayyyy.” I cross my arms protectively over my chest as I consider them both. They look…different. He looks lighter and she looks more relaxed. It crosses my mind that maybe they actually did what I’d hoped they’d do and figured out their shit. My heart warms for them and what this could mean. But, if they did, then why are they here? They should be basking in renewed marital bliss right now. “What are you doing here, then?”
“Can we come in?” Raegan asks, her brow furrowed like she’s worried I might say no.
I outstretch my arm to open the door wider and direct them inside. They make their way in and I’m suddenly very amused seeing them both in this tiny apartment. They’re so fucking out of place, it’s ridiculous.
“We needed to talk to you and it couldn’t wait,” Hayes starts. Okay, I guess we’re past the awkward pleasantries and ready to get down to business. “I told her about my father and we’ve… decided to try again. But we agree things are different now and that’s where you come in, Demi.”
My eyes bounce between them with knitted brows as my brain works to process what the fuck he means.
Raegan reaches out to grab my hand. “What Hayes is not so eloquently trying to say, Demetria, is that we’ve decided that we can’t do this without you. We don’t want to. But before we get to that, I need to apologize for giving up on you. I was scared and thought I wasn’t capable of loving you the way you deserve.” She looks over her shoulder at Hayes and he offers her a gentle, encouraging nod. “I was wrong and I hope you’ll take me back. I have something for you. Here, open it.”
She hands me a gift bag, with a wide, but hesitant grin painted on her gorgeous face. I pull the poorly placed tissue paper from the top and pull the soft stuffed toy from the bottom of the bag. My head snaps up, meeting her gaze and silently asking the question.
“If you’re wondering if it’s a stuffed bottlenose dolphin, you’re right. After our visit to the aquarium, I went back in and bought it from the gift shop. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever give it to you, but I knew if I didn’t, at least I’d have it as a reminder. I know it’s silly, but will you be my bottlenose dolphin, Demetria?”
Tears well up in my eyes as I squeeze the soft and fluffy toy. “You remembered,” I whisper.
“I’ve never not been yours, Darling Girl. And now, I’d like you to be forever mine.”
“Woah,” Hayes interrupts. “Don’t forget about me. I’d like to be a dolphin, too. But if not, hopefully this could be a consolation?" I didn’t even notice his hand was behind his back, but he reveals it to be holding–
“Is that superman ice cream?” I shout, then cringe because the walls are very thin and it’s not the first time I’ve been too loud. “Is that superman ice cream?” I repeat the words in a whisper.
“It is,” Hayes chuckles. “Can we put it in the freezer before it melts? And before my fingers freeze off?”
Raegan rolls her eyes and scoffs. “Don’t be dramatic.”
I make quick work of relieving his poor fingers from the dangerous delicious treat and sneaking a bite before I stuff it in its new home, where Iwillfind it later.
When I turn the corner back into the living room, Raegan’s arm is around Hayes’ waist and his is draped lazily across her shoulders. They look… happy.
“This is all very sweet of you, but I’m confused. What do you mean you can’t do this without me? The whole point of me coming home was so that youcando this without me. Well… so I don’t have to watch you do this without me. If you’re trying again, what do you need me for?” My arms cross protectively against my chest while I internally talk myself down from an anxiety attack. My pulse is spiking so fast, I can feel it in my throat.
