“We do a hell of a lot better when we deal with them together.” I should’ve seen that a long time ago. There was so much more balance and peace when Hadley was in my life. When I was truly open with her. From the tiny details to the life-altering decisions, she made me see everything more clearly.
Hadley tipped her head back so she was looking into my eyes. “I like dealing with things together.” Her fingers traced over my lips to the scruff of my beard. “But I’m scared I’ll get used to having it again, then something will happen, and you’ll get scared and bolt.”
My hold on her tightened. “I’m not going anywhere.” I wanted to give her every promise right now, to tell her that this was forever, but I knew it was too much, too soon. That I needed to build up her trust slowly. “I have so much hope for our future, but if for any reason we decide we don’t work as a couple, I’ll promise you one thing. You will never lose me as a friend.”
“I don’t want to lose you as either.”
That was the thing. We had always been more. Something that transcended friends or even lovers. Hadley knew every corner of my soul, even the darkest, hidden ones.
I slid my hand along her jaw, tipping her face up to mine. “I love you, Hadley. That’s something you’ll never lose.”
32
Hadley
I woketo Calder pulling me tighter against him. His heat surrounded me, seeping deep into my bones. There was nothing better. His arms around me, those three words dancing in my mind. Despite all of the awfulness of last night, I’d been given the greatest gift.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand opposite me. It was almost eight. I was surprised Birdie and Sage hadn’t woken us up yet, but it had been a late night.
I hadn’t gone back inside my parents’ house at all. Calder had given me his keys and went to get the girls. They’d sent me concerned looks at the sight of my swollen and tear-streaked face. When Calder had stopped to pick up burgers in town, Sage had climbed over the seats of his SUV and right into my lap. She’d hugged me tightly and whispered that she loved me.
My throat burned just thinking about it now. I might never get what I wanted or needed from my mother, but I had it in spades from the other people around me. My cup overflowed.
Lips skimmed my neck. “You’re thinking pretty hard over there for eight in the morning.”
My mouth curved as pleasant shivers danced across my skin. “Thinking about how much I love you.”
Calder smiled against my throat. “Say it again.”
“I love you. Always have, always will.”
He pulled me closer. “Love you, Hadley. We’ll make it through everything that’s going on right now. The fact that we’ve found each other in the midst of all the insanity of the past month just shows how strong our relationship is.”
I loved the sentiment. As if our love were the strongest steel because it had been formed in the hottest fire. Amidst stalkers, exes returning, and the height of family drama. That knowledge fueled my hope.
Calder’s hand curved around my waist and slipped beneath the waistband of my pajama pants. I sucked in a breath as his fingers began exploring, and I arched back.
Footsteps pounded against the floor. “Dad!” Birdie yelled. “Hayes is here. I see his SUV. Can I open the door?”
I scrambled to a sitting position, pulling the covers over my chest, even though I was fully clothed.
Calder barked out a laugh. “She knows she’s not allowed to come in without knocking and waiting for an answer.”
“She’snine. She could forget,” I hissed.
“Daaaaaaaad.”
“I’m coming, Birds. You can open the door if you check the window and see that it’s Hayes.”
“Okay.” Footsteps sounded again, ones that resembled an elephant instead of a nine-year-old.
Calder leaned in to kiss me, but I put a finger on his lips to stop him. “Your girls are awake, and my brother is downstairs. No. Just no.”
Calder chuckled and dodged my finger to kiss my neck. “I bet I’ll be able to change your mind later.”
I swore my skin started to hum with energy at his promise. We needed a lock for this door, maybe some solid soundproofing for the walls. I couldn’t help but think about my house. The main bedroom was on the opposite side of the house from the secondary ones.
“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”