“Come on,” Mia tugs on my hand, “the fireworks are starting soon. I want to get a good spot.”
I let her drag me away, the guys and Kira following, and we end up on a large balcony. I slide my tux jacket off and drape it around her shoulders.
Inside the countdown begins.
“Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!”
Fireworks explode into the sky and I kiss Mia to shouts of, “Happy New Year!”
I don’t know what this New Year has in store for us, but something tells me it can only get better from here.
Bonus Scene
Hayes’s POV
My phone beeps with an alert and I groan. I was almost asleep. But in case it’s something important I look anyway. Arden’s already sound asleep beside me, oblivious to the world around her.
I pick up the phone and the alert tells me someone’s opened the door to Mia’s apartment. My heart speeds up when I look at the time. Mia wouldn’t be out this late. It’s not like her. I know she’s not the partying type.
I jump up and rush to my computer on my desk in the room attached to our master bedroom. It has a fireplace, couch, and everything.
I sit down and I swear it takes the computer for-fucking-ever to turn on.
I tap my fingers restlessly against the wooden tabletop.
When it finally turns on I go to the security’s website and log in. I just installed the security on her place today, if someone’s broken in then I got that installed in the knick of time.
I click for the video footage, choosing live time.
The video feed fills the screen and I tilt my head confused at what I’m seeing at first. Then I hear the sounds. The moans. The pleas. The—
I stare for a moment longer and horrified I realize that’s my daughter having sex with … with fuck, it’s fucking Hollis who I told to stay away from her. I fucking told him.
“What the fuck?” I scream. “Oh my God, no!” I dive under the desk, but it doesn’t stop the sounds.
“Arden!” I yell.
She doesn’t stir from the bed. “ARDEN!” I yell even louder.
This can’t be happening. I’m torn between being livid and upset, but right now fear is winning out. Fear because I can’t go back and unsee what I saw.
Arden gets up and walks over to the desk. “Hayes? Where are you?”
“Down here,” I hiss.
She looks down. “Why are you under the table?”
I point upwards. “Turn it off.
Please for the love of God turn it off. I’m begging you.”
She squints at the screen and then her eyes widen in horror. She quickly turns it off. Bending to her knees she crouches in front of me.
“You had them put cameras in her apartment with the security?” she accuses.
“I thought it was a good idea at the time,” my voice squeaks like a prepubescent boy.
She shakes her head. “I can’t believe you.”