“I’m taking care of you.”
“But why? Didn’t you have a business trip you were supposed to go to? And what about the party youraunthas thrown you?” I enunciate the word aunt. Underlining that, I know he has lied about not having a family. What else has he lied about? Was there even a business trip to begin with?
“I canceled the business trip. You’re more important,” he says, his eyebrows drawing together. “Aunt? You mean Colleen?”
“Your aunt. Fitzy’s friend? The one who threw you a surprise birthday party?”
“Natasha, do you—do you think I’ve lied to you? Is that why you’ve been acting strange?”
“I haven’t been acting strange,” I grumble.
“You tried to get yourself drunk on shots and avoided me like wildfire. I’d say that’s acting strange, considering we’ve been getting closer the last few weeks.”
“Not strange. Absolutely normal when you find out someone you care about has been lying to you.”
“You care about me?” There’s hope in his twinkling eyes as his lips form a half smile.
“Cared.”
“Natasha.” He pushes my hair behind my ear and cups my jaw. “I didn’t lie. I really don’t have an aunt. Colleen is one of my first social workers. I’ve known her longer than anyone else on this planet. She’s been a constant in my life. She’s the closest thing I have to a family.”
“Oh.” Stupid, stupid Tasha. Inwardly, I slap myself in the face.
“She called me, telling me she’s stranded on the side of the road and couldn’t get anyone else to get her. Then she asked me to drive her around town until finally, she told me she needs to visit her sick friends and needed my help with the shopping.”
I nod, feeling worse about how I acted with every word he utters.
“Imagine my surprise when her sick friend was not sick at all. Instead, there was a surprise birthday party happening in my honor. What was I supposed to do?”
“It was your birthday yesterday?” I bite my lip, focusing on the one thing I’ve been ignoring.
He blushes. “The one they’ve put on my birth certificate. I don’t know when my actual birthday is exactly.”
“Oh, Hayden.” I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him, tears streaming down my face.
“It’s okay, Sugar.” He strokes my hair as sobs shake my body. “I’ve had my whole life to deal with it. I’m sorry you thought I lied to you. I wish you’d just asked me.”
“I’m sorry too. I don’t know why I didn’t. I guess I was just—”
“Protecting yourself. I get it.” He wipes my wet cheeks. “You’re tired and feeling sick. Let me take care of you.”
“You must be exhausted, too,” I sniffle, trying to figure out why I’m so emotional. Could be the lack of sleep at night. Or the fact I haven’t been able to even think about food.
“I’ll be fine. Do you think you’d be okay to have some plain toast?” he asks.
I shrug, trying to get up off the floor.
“Why don’t you go back to bed? I’ll look after you.”
I want to protest, tell him that I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself, I’ve been doing it since I was sixteen after all. But I don’t. Because it feels nice. Having someone else take care of you. Even if it’s scary. So, trying not to think about it too hard, I make my way to my bedroom and slide back under the covers. Turning to the side where Hayden lay at night, I pull his pillow to me and sniff, inhaling the smell of dewy sandalwood and green grass.
“Hey, Hayden,” I say, knowing he’s watching me from the door.
“Yeah?”
“Happy Birthday,” I turn to face him. “I’ll make you a big chocolate cake when I feel better.
He smiles. “Thanks, Sugar. I love chocolate cake.”